A number of years in the past, ViewSonic launched the ViewSonic VX1755, a 17.2-inch 1080p moveable gaming monitor. It wasn’t good, particularly once you thought of its lower than stellar coloration accuracy, but it surely wasn’t a nasty choice for gaming on the go. Following in its footsteps is the ViewSonic VX1654, a barely smaller (15.6-inch), barely cheaper ($159.99) moveable gaming show that inherits a lot of the VX1755’s strengths—and most of its flaws, which embody disappointing coloration vary and accuracy. Both is an choice for cost-conscious players, however mainstream customers ought to select the Editors’ Alternative-winning ViewSonic VG1655 as a substitute, whereas the NexiGo NG17FGQ is a wonderful various for players who can stretch their budgets. Design: Transportable and CompactThe VX1654 appears similar to different members of ViewSonic’s moveable household, or for that matter, different moveable screens. Matte black bezels encompass the compact display screen and host the monitor’s I/O ports. On the left, you’ll discover a mini HDMI port, a 3.5mm headphone jack, a USB-C connector in your laptop, and a second USB-C port that handles energy. On the fitting facet is only a lonely energy indicator—there are not any bodily management buttons right here.
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To not fret, because the on-screen show (OSD) menu buttons that may have lined the fitting facet of the monitor have been truncated to a management stick on its rear, simply beside the monitor’s stand. This OSD management design is just like that of ViewSonic’s older general-use moveable monitor, the ViewSonic VG1655. The VX1654 measures 8.9 by 14.1 by 0.7 inches and weighs simply 1.5 kilos. That’s about 0.7 kilos lighter than the VX1755. Maybe that doesn’t appear to be so much when learn out loud, however in your hand, the VX1654 seems like nothing in contrast with that bulkier 17-inch monitor.
(Credit score: Joseph Maldonado)
Turning the monitor over, you’ll discover that the VX1654 does away with the stylized grid design of the VX1755 whereas shifting its stand from the middle of the show to the fitting facet. The stand is fairly succesful, providing tilt changes from 30 to 53 levels, however the off-center stand place does depart the monitor open to unintentional tumbles when you brush up towards the left facet. Additionally gone is the included magnetic cowl, although ViewSonic offsets the loss with a really good grey soft-cover bag that boasts a sturdy, felt-like materials inside. I would even desire it to the duvet, and it simply suits into e-book luggage, tote luggage, or below your arm. An extra pocket for the included HDMI and USB-C cords would’ve sweetened the deal, however the bag is nonetheless an ideal addition.
(Credit score: Joseph Maldonado)
Again to the display screen, the 15.6-inch IPS panel affords full HD decision (1,920 by 1,080 pixels) with a 144Hz refresh price, the identical because the VX1755. Whereas moveable screens with larger refresh charges and resolutions do exist (see the NexiGo NG17FGQ’s 300Hz panel or the ViewSonic VX1655-4K-OLED), the 1080p/144Hz mixture is respectable and even fascinating for the value. Whilst you might not be hooking this monitor as much as a souped-up gaming PC (although you possibly can when you wished to), it pairs effectively with consoles, particularly the Nintendo Change, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Collection X/S (we’ll get into console gaming efficiency under).The VX1654 has a full suite of screen-altering choices, together with a number of totally different image modes and AMD FreeSync compatibility, although the monitor lacks HDR assist. I respect the choices, however navigating them is a ache—primarily as a result of the controls change always. The features of the directional arrows change when navigating between submenus, so I discovered myself by chance backing out of a menu once I meant to navigate to an choice. I additionally want quantity management wasn’t tucked away inside two layers of menus—it needs to be extra simply accessible, maybe with a management stick shortcut. Talking of quantity, the VX1654 options two 0.8-watt downward-firing audio system positioned slightly below the south facet of the monitor, that are loud even when not essentially top-quality. Do not anticipate to listen to any bass, and notice that audio can get distorted when approaching most quantity. However even boosted midway, the VX1654 can get fairly loud. The monitor would not include an influence adapter, however any USB-C laptop computer charger ought to energy the display screen simply nice, as long as it provides at the very least 60 watts of energy. If that is not an choice, you can even energy the monitor by your laptop computer’s USB-C port for a single-cable answer. Testing the VX1654: Not As Colourful as We might LikeThe ViewSonic VX1654 is smaller and lighter than the VX1755, however does it convey any enhancements to the display screen’s IPS show? To test coloration accuracy, vary, and brightness, we deployed a Datacolor SpyderX Elite calibration software. We additionally went fingers on with video games and films to see if this funds monitor punches above its weight or sinks as little as its worth. First, we examined the show in its default image mode with an SDR sign. Right here, the VX1755 delivered a peak brightness of 291.2 nits, a black degree of 0.29, and a distinction ratio of 1,000:1. These numbers are higher than what we noticed from the VX1755, although nothing notably particular. Most funds gaming screens are rated for a distinction ratio of 1,000:1, which the VX1654 hit on the nostril. Decrease distinction in contrast with the sky-high ratios of pricier OLED shows (that are able to basically infinite distinction) means brighter or grayer blacks and a extra washed-out image. On the plus facet, our checks are carried out with out-of-the-box settings, which implies you will not need to fiddle with the cumbersome OSD choices an excessive amount of to attain the anticipated outcomes.As talked about, the monitor has no HDR assist, which might enhance element by utilizing a wider coloration gamut to focus on deep darks and shiny highlights.In our SpyderX Elite coloration gamut testing, the ViewSonic managed 63% protection of the sRGB palette, 47% of Adobe RGB, and 47% of DCI-P3—unimpressive numbers on the whole however basically the identical because the VX1755. Generally, moveable gaming screens we’ve seen don’t impress with regards to coloration protection, however that does not imply moveable screens with good coloration vary do not exist. The NexiGo NG17FGQ is an instance with wonderful coloration vary proper out of the field.
(Credit score: Joseph Maldonado)
Shade accuracy follows the same downhill pattern, with the monitor registering a median Delta E measurement of two.5. A better Delta E outcome signifies that frequent colours are inclined to stray from their purest kind; a score of 1 or much less is the candy spot for true colours. With formal testing carried out, we transfer to anecdotal testing. The VX1654 affords a 144Hz refresh price, which is greater than sufficient for informal play. Whereas we had been unable to formally measure the monitor’s enter lag, I did not detect any noticeable lag in my playtime. Connecting to my PlayStation 5, I performed Streets of Rage 4, Fortnite, and Silent Hill 2. Just like the VX1755, the VX1654 would not deal with grays or shadows effectively. Darker video games like Silent Hill 2 appeared washed out, and glare was notably unhealthy. Activating the monitor’s gaming preset mode didn’t enhance issues, and within the case of Silent Hill, it made the sport just about unplayable. Nevertheless, brighter, extra colourful video games like Streets of Rage 4 fared significantly better. The identical may be stated for video as effectively—brighter, extra colourful TV exhibits I watched appeared good on the tiny display screen.Verdict: Good Sufficient for Gaming on the GoThe ViewSonic VX1654 is an sufficient moveable gaming monitor, similar to the VX1755. But it surely additionally inherits lots of that show’s points. At effectively below $200, nevertheless, its worth is simple, and its light-weight body and included carrying case make it helpful for fast gaming classes whereas touring. If you happen to’re in search of an inexpensive monitor for informal gaming and you do not thoughts the lackluster coloration vary and accuracy, the VX1654 would possibly fulfill you. However when you’re critical about gaming on the go, we propose you begin saving $450 for the NexiGo NG17FGQ.
Execs
Inexpensive
Compact and light-weight
Features a carrying case
The Backside Line
The ViewSonic VX1654 is an inexpensive moveable monitor that can allow you to recreation almost anyplace, although its lackluster image high quality means you will not be doing it in model.
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About Zackery Cuevas
Analyst, {Hardware}
I’m an Analyst and ISF-certified TV calibrator centered on reviewing laptop equipment, laptops, gaming screens, and video video games. I’ve been writing, enjoying, and complaining about video games for so long as I keep in mind, but it surely wasn’t till lately that I’ve been in a position to shout my opinions instantly at a bigger viewers. My work has appeared on iMore, Home windows Central, Android Central, and TWICE, and I’ve a various portfolio of enhancing work below my belt from my time spent at Scholastic and Oxford College Press. I even have a number of book-author credit below my belt—I’ve contributed to the sci-fi anthology Below New Suns, and I’ve even written a Peppa Pig e-book.
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