Well, it doesn't need to be bet anymore. I have confirmed that Acer XB252Q is worse than Asus PG258Q. For a rush finding out, I just brought my monitor to my friend's house who has a PG258Q. And yes indeed PG258Q is brighter at the lowest setting, but the problem is not all about the brightness, and the brightness doesn't actually matter much.lexlazootin wrote:I bet the Asus/Acer are identical. They did Contrast set to 40 which is also brightness so that probably makes up for the slightly lower on the Acer.
Under similar color, brightness, gamma settings, within minutes of an eye staring comparison, it's obviously more comfortable sitting in front of PG258Q even at higher brightness and it didn't feel the pain to watch in the white background. And I played some games with that monitor for one and a half hour and didn't have eyes strain. On the contrary, we both agree that XB252Q is causing eyes stain way faster within just 20 minutes. And it seems that Acer has 3 light layers, I don't know for sure, judging by the abrupt brightness increase/decrease during calibration, one for brightness, one for adaptive contrast, one for ULMB.
The only thing I can think of that causes this eye drains difference is the blue light filtering technology. Acer even has a self-claimed eye protect feature, which is lame compared to that Asus has at least TÜV low blue light certification. It's hard to believe that Acer XB252Q is worse than Asus PG258Q simply because Asus monitor has a better blue light filter. But I can't find other explanation.
And Acer XB252Q doesn't have certification?
Here is the ambient light setup that I have no problem with previous LG29UM67. It's not dim, well, just not works with Acer XB252Q
The conclusion: Acer XB252Q returned, waiting for a refund thanks to the fast local online store, ready to go for a PG258Q.
And life lesson learned in a hard way once again. If you're not aware of every aspect of technology the product has, don't buy the cheap one, buy the expensive PG258Q.