The ViewSonic Omni VX2428 is the cheapest 180Hz monitor from a popular brand that we can find this spring. It has a 180Hz 1080p IPS panel, and that typically costs at least $50 to $100 more from the brand’s main competitors. Let’s check out how it stacks for gaming and its overall image quality.
ViewSonic Omni VX2428 Specifications
- Screen Size: 24 Inches
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080 Full HD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 180Hz
- Response Time: 0.5ms MPRT
- Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 (Static)
- Brightness: 250 cd/m2
- Built-in Speakers: Yes (2 x 2 Watts)
- Stand: Height – Yes
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – No
- Stand: Pivot – No
- VESA Compatibility: Yes (100 x 100)
- Connectivity: DisplayPort 1.2 x 1, HDMI 1.4 x 1, 3.5mm Jack x 1
- Dimensions with Stand(WxHxD): 21.3” x 16.3” x 7.2”
- Weight: 6.83 lbs
Design and Features
The ViewSonic Omni VX2428 has a very simple aesthetic, so it might not appear as a gaming display off the bat. The monitor has a matte black finish, so it won’t stand out too much when used with both office and gaming builds. The monitor has a frameless design, but it still has inner borders and a bottom strip.
It’s a compact monitor by today’s standards, so it’s a reasonable pick for those with limited spaces or a requirement for mobility. It only needs 7.2 inches of depth from your desk, so your other peripherals can slot nicely next to it. It weighs less than seven pounds, so it is very easy to carry around.
Its build quality is decent despite its budget-oriented nature and specifications. The plastics used are thick and sturdy, and we didn’t see any cosmetic defects that commonly happen with lower-priced offerings. The included stand is a bit wobbly due to the low center of gravity, but it’s manageable most of the time.
The ViewSonic Omni VX2428 has buttons for the OSD instead of a more functional joystick. The keys are responsive, but it takes a bit more effort to get to a specific setting. You also get a power button, so at least it is difficult to accidentally turn off the display when you are adjusting something.
The included stand only offers tilt, but that’s expected from a monitor at this price range. Most of the money you pay goes to the panel, so it’s forgivable to us if products like this have limited features. You can use VESA mounts, but the added cost might bring you in range of a better-equipped model like the Gigabyte G24F 2, which at least has vertical adjustments.
Its connectivity layout is also rather simplified, so you only get the basics. There is a single slot each for DisplayPort 1.2 and HDMI 1.4, along with a 3.5mm jack for headphones. Other ViewSonic models have USB ports, but they cost a bit more, so this is forgivable as well.
We are surprised that the company managed to squeeze in a pair of speakers. They are limited to 2 watts of power per channel, so they are not suitable for gaming or entertainment. They couldn’t get loud without distorting and were incapable of good bass response.
Display and Performance
The ViewSonic Omni VX2428 sports a 24-inch IPS panel with a 1920 x 1080 resolution, a 180Hz refresh rate, and a 0.5ms MPRT response time. The backlight is limited to 250 cd/m2, while the contrast is listed at 1000:1. This model doesn’t have HDR features, but that’s acceptable since it’s not equipped for it anyway.
24-inch 1080p monitors are perfect for almost any type of setup, especially if you are budget-conscious. It is easy to read and type using them, so they are great for business or office use. They also work great for games since they are not too crisp to affect visibility, and it doesn’t take a lot to get high framerates with most GPUs.
The ViewSonic Omni VX2428 covered 100% sRGB and 80% DCI-P3 for decent color in any application. Its default accuracy had a dE average of 2.35, so its fairly accurate out of the box. Most users won’t need to do much before using it.
Calibrating it reduced the dE average to 1.08, making it usable for media or content creation and basic editing work. The downside is that you will need a colorimeter that costs twice or thrice for similar results, so we can’t recommend it. Prioritizing a better monitor for editing is a more practical way in the long run.
The ViewSonic Omni VX2428’s backlight reached 245 cd/m2, so it can’t get bright like other E-Sports monitors. Its contrast reached 1044:1 at 50% brightness, so it is still incapable of deep blacks like most IPS models. Budget monitors with VA panels are usually better at this, but they have slower pixel response times and limited viewing angles.
Its panel uniformity was the most significant issue due to massive backlight leaks on the top edge of the screen. They show up as clouding in dark scenes, which can ruin the visual experience, but lighter scenes are a bit better. Note that this can vary with every monitor made due to tolerances, so there are better ones out there.
The ViewSonic Omni VX2428 has an excellent pixel response time, so you won’t need a lot of overdrive. Making your framerates stay above 120Hz is ideal, but the persistence is still barely noticeable even if it drops below that range. It is great for competitive games like Valorant or CSGO 2, making it a cheap and capable buy for E-Sports fanatics.
The ViewSonic Omni VX2428 is also compatible with FreeSync and G-Sync, so you won’t lose VRR even if you choose to save money. Dual compatibility is a must for money-saving monitors since you don’t have to get another one if you want VRR and change to the other card brand. Its input lag sits at 4ms at 180Hz, making it just as good as its premium counterparts.
Thoughts on the ViewSonic Omni VX2428
The ViewSonic Omni VX2428 is a great choice for practical gamers who want a great performance and extra affordability. Its IPS panel is decently accurate out of the box, and it has room for improvement for those who are into media creation. Its build quality doesn’t make it feel cheap, although its low height might not sit well with the taller folk.
It is far from perfect, but that’s typically expected from all levels of the monitor industry. Its lack of features may be a deal-breaker, especially since competitors like the aforementioned G24F 2 don’t cost much more. It’s a great buy at its current price, but there are better options if you are willing to spend 30 bucks more.
Pros:
- Excellent Value
- Decent Color Quality
- Durable Build
Cons:
- Limited Contrast
- Limited Features
About the Author: Paolo has been a gaming veteran since the golden days of Doom and Warcraft and has been building gaming systems for family, friends, and colleagues since junior high. High-performance monitors are one of his fixations; he believes that every citizen has the right to enjoy one. He has gone through several pieces of hardware in pursuit of every bit of performance gain, much to the dismay of his wallet. He now works with Monitornerds to scrutinize the latest gear and create reviews that accentuate the seldom-explained aspects of a PC monitor.
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