Consumer Rights Wiki - User contributions [en]

Datacolor "sunsetting" older Spyder monitor calibrators

2026-01-28T21:22:30Z

Pantagoon: /* Consumer response */

{{Irrelevant}}
Datacolor are making older monitor calibrators obsolete because their activation servers use TL v1.2 which has security issues. There is a popup that explains the situation when you click 'Why are we sunsetting older Spyders?' on the referenced webpage. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-01-19 |title=Spyder Obsolescence Upgrade |url=https://www.datacolor.com/spyder/promotions/spyder-obsolescence-upgrade/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-19 |website=Datacolor}}</ref>{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Datacolor
|StartDate=2026-07-19
|Status=Active
|ProductLine=Spyder
|Product=Spyder2, Spyder3, Spyder4, Spyder5
|ArticleType=Product
|Type=Planned Obsolescence
|Description=Older Spyder devices will not be receiving software updates. Older Spyder software will no longer support new installations or activations.
}}
==Background==
Datacolor have a product line called Spyder that are computer monitor colour calibrators. Its older products, Spyder2, Spyder3, Spyder4 and Spyder5 are being "sunsetted" (using their word). These were not cheap pieces of equipment and, despite their age, are still fully functioning. Spyder2 was launched in 2004, Spyder3 in 2007, Spyder4 in 2012 and Spyder5 in 2015. Spyder5 received a software update on 2025-05-26 and is compatible with Windows 11.

==Older Spyders are being made obsolete==
Datacolor sent emails out to their customers on 2026-01-19 notifying them that older Spyder hardware would be made obsolete on 2026-07-19. [[:File:Datacolor Email.jpg|(File:Datacolor Email.jpg]]) Currently installed software would keep working after this date, but there would be no software updates and, crucially, new installs would not be supported as the activation servers were being taken down.

Although older Spyder devices will still work after the cut off date, it will be impossible to activate new software installs. The software cannot be installed without activation. So if, for example, you want to install the software on a different computer, or you need to re-install the software on your current computer, you will not be able to. Your Spyder device will be broken by Datacolor and will need to be thrown away.
[[File:Datacolor Email.jpg|thumb|Email sent to Datacolor's customers.]]

==Datacolor's response==
Their solution to the problem was to offer a 50% discount on a new model of Spyder. The two models to choose from are the 'Spyder', priced at £79.50 (after discount) or the 'SpyderPro', £124.50 after discount. The discount is only available from 2026-01-19 to 2026-02-02. This does not give enough time to make an informed decision on whether it's worth spending more money with a bad company or to jump ship. Also, it does not give people time to save up for a purchase they shouldn't be having to make.
==Consumer response==
[[File:Datacolor Facebook Chat.png|thumb|A Facebook chat with Datacolor]]
[[File:Datacolor Email Exchange 01.png|thumb|Email sent by Pantagoon to Datacolor with some opinions.]]
The creator of this page has had a Facebook interaction with Datacolor which did not yield much of a response. ([[:File:Datacolor Facebook Chat.png]]) Also an email was sent with some opinions on the matter. A response has not yet been received. ([[:File:Datacolor Email Exchange 01.png]])

The issue has been mentioned on [https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/173-general-photography/485228-datacolor-forced-obsolescence.html pentaxforums.com]
==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Ph-I-C}}

Datacolor "sunsetting" older Spyder monitor calibrators

2026-01-28T21:11:47Z

Pantagoon: /* Older Spyders are being made obsolete */

Talk:Datacolor "sunsetting" older Spyder monitor calibrators

2026-01-28T21:03:10Z

Pantagoon: /* I think it's relevant! */ Reply

==I think it's relevant!==

Hi, I have put up my first article but it's been flagged for relevance. I think Datacolor are doing a dirty on its customers by not allowing new activations for older software even though the hardware continues to work and is fully compatible with Windows 11. This is anti-ownership because if I need to reinstall the software, I can't, and will have to throw perfectly working hardware in the bin.

Any tips on how to word the article, please?

Thank you. [[User:Pantagoon|Pantagoon]] ([[User talk:Pantagoon|talk]]) 18:32, 24 January 2026 (UTC)

:[[User:Mr Pollo]] marked it irrelevant w this summary "From what i'm reading the existing 10+ year old devices will still work after the activation servers go down."
:from my reading of [[Datacolor "sunsetting" older Spyder monitor calibrators#Older Spyders are being made obsolete Older|Spyders are being made obsolete]] I've come to a similar conclusion. as is mentioned in the article "Currently installed software would keep working after this date" so the product will keep working just without updates. I have no idea what the device is nor do Ik what the types of updates that are being referred to here. are they feature updates or security?
:addressing activation. how does the activation work? is it a one time process? regardless some devices will remain unactivated and people that buy those won't be able to use it which is unfortunate.
:tips on wording the article, please use sources that are have covered the incident and are verified, not self produced. I also had one of my [[Healthline|articles]] flagged for this very reason and I've been writing for nearly a yr. so do not worry [[User:SinexTitan|SinexTitan]] ([[User talk:SinexTitan|talk]]) 19:11, 24 January 2026 (UTC)
::Older devices carry on working UNTIL you need to reinstall software. The software REQUIRES activating but the activation servers are being taken down.
::If you have to reinstall the software, you will no longer be able to activate it and the device will stop working. You will have to throw away perfectly good hardware for no good reason.
::Datacolor could easily provide a version of the software that does not require activation but they want you to throw away your device and force you to buy another. [[User:Pantagoon|Pantagoon]] ([[User talk:Pantagoon|talk]]) 21:02, 28 January 2026 (UTC)
:Hello! Like [[User:SinexTitan]], I have similar questions regarding the Spyders, as without that information we cannot make a definitive decision on the topic’s relevance.
:Regarding the article wording, You can always follow the [[Consumer Rights Wiki:Style guide|style guide]] and related guides found on the "wiki policy" link on the left of your screen, but through my experience with wikis, I primarily looked at finished articles and their structure and based my writing off of them. The main thing to keep standard is to have a neutral tone and no bias when writing or expanding an article, no matter how egregious their consumer rights violations are. Also, use as many credible sources through the [[Template:Cite web|cite web]] template as possible so the readers (and potentially lawmakers in the future) have a clear understanding of the impacts. Let me know if you have more questions regarding article structure and wording! [[User:Mr Pollo|Mr Pollo]] ([[User talk:Mr Pollo|talk]]) 22:29, 24 January 2026 (UTC)
::Thank you. [[User:Pantagoon|Pantagoon]] ([[User talk:Pantagoon|talk]]) 21:03, 28 January 2026 (UTC)

Talk:Datacolor "sunsetting" older Spyder monitor calibrators

2026-01-28T21:02:45Z

Pantagoon: /* I think it's relevant! */ Reply

Talk:Datacolor "sunsetting" older Spyder monitor calibrators

2026-01-24T18:32:54Z

Pantagoon: /* I think it's relevant! */ new section

Datacolor "sunsetting" older Spyder monitor calibrators

2026-01-21T00:12:58Z

Pantagoon: Added Responses

Datacolor are making older monitor calibrators obsolete because their activation servers use TL v1.2 which has security issues. There is a popup that explains the situation when you click 'Why are we sunsetting older Spyders?' on the referenced webpage. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-01-19 |title=Spyder Obsolescence Upgrade |url=https://www.datacolor.com/spyder/promotions/spyder-obsolescence-upgrade/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-19 |website=Datacolor}}</ref>{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Datacolor
|StartDate=2026-07-19
|Status=Active
|ProductLine=Spyder
|Product=Spyder2, Spyder3, Spyder4, Spyder5
|ArticleType=Product
|Type=Planned Obsolescence
|Description=Older Spyder devices will not be receiving software updates. Older Spyder software will no longer support new installations or activations.
}}
==Background==
Datacolor have a product line called Spyder that are computer monitor colour calibrators. Its older products, Spyder2, Spyder3, Spyder4 and Spyder5 are being "sunsetted" (using their word). These were not cheap pieces of equipment and, despite their age, are still fully functioning. Spyder2 was launched in 2004, Spyder3 in 2007, Spyder4 in 2012 and Spyder5 in 2015. Spyder5 received a software update on 2025-05-26 and is compatible with Windows 11.

==Older Spyders are being made obsolete==
Datacolor sent emails out to their customers on 2026-01-19 notifying them that older Spyder hardware would be made obsolete on 2026-07-19. [[:File:Datacolor Email.jpg|(File:Datacolor Email.jpg]]) Currently installed software would keep working after this date, but there would be no software updates and, crucially, new installs would not be supported as the activation servers were being taken down.

The software cannot be installed without activation.
[[File:Datacolor Email.jpg|thumb|Email sent to Datacolor's customers.]]

==Datacolor's response==
Their solution to the problem was to offer a 50% discount on a new model of Spyder. The two models to choose from are the 'Spyder', priced at £79.50 (after discount) or the 'SpyderPro', £124.50 after discount. The discount is only available from 2026-01-19 to 2026-02-02. This does not give enough time to make an informed decision on whether it's worth spending more money with a bad company or to jump ship. Also, it does not give people time to save up for a purchase they shouldn't be having to make.
==Consumer response==
[[File:Datacolor Facebook Chat.png|thumb|A Facebook chat with Datacolor]]
[[File:Datacolor Email Exchange 01.png|thumb|Email sent by Pantagoon to Datacolor with some opinions.]]
The creator of this page has had a Facebook interaction with Datacolor which did not yield much of a response. ([[:File:Datacolor Facebook Chat.png]]) Also an email was sent with some opinions on the matter. A response has not yet been received. ([[:File:Datacolor Email Exchange 01.png]])
==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Ph-I-C}}

File:Datacolor Email Exchange 01.png

2026-01-21T00:09:48Z

Pantagoon:

An email sent to Datacolor with some opinions

File:Datacolor Facebook Chat.png

2026-01-21T00:00:01Z

Pantagoon:

Asking why devices are being made obsolete

Datacolor "sunsetting" older Spyder monitor calibrators

2026-01-20T23:44:32Z

Pantagoon: Added Response

Datacolor are making older monitor calibrators obsolete because their activation servers use TL v1.2 which has security issues. There is a popup that explains the situation when you click 'Why are we sunsetting older Spyders?' on the referenced webpage. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-01-19 |title=Spyder Obsolescence Upgrade |url=https://www.datacolor.com/spyder/promotions/spyder-obsolescence-upgrade/ |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-19 |website=Datacolor}}</ref>{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Datacolor
|StartDate=2026-07-19
|Status=Active
|ProductLine=Spyder
|Product=Spyder2, Spyder3, Spyder4, Spyder5
|ArticleType=Product
|Type=Planned Obsolescence
|Description=Older Spyder devices will not be receiving software updates. Older Spyder software will no longer support new installations or activations.
}}
==Background==
Datacolor have a product line called Spyder that are computer monitor colour calibrators. Its older products, Spyder2, Spyder3, Spyder4 and Spyder5 are being "sunsetted" (using their word). These were not cheap pieces of equipment and, despite their age, are still fully functioning. Spyder2 was launched in 2004, Spyder3 in 2007, Spyder4 in 2012 and Spyder5 in 2015. Spyder5 received a software update on 2025-05-26 and is compatible with Windows 11.

==Older Spyders are being made obsolete==
Datacolor sent emails out to their customers on 2026-01-19 notifying them that older Spyder hardware would be made obsolete on 2026-07-19. Currently installed software would keep working after this date, but there would be no software updates and, crucially, new installs would not be supported as the activation servers were being taken down.

The software cannot be installed without activation.
[[File:Datacolor Email.jpg|thumb|Email sent to Datacolor's customers.]]

== Datacolor's response ==
Their solution to the problem was to offer a 50% discount on a new model of Spyder. The two models to choose from are the 'Spyder', priced at £79.50 (after discount) or the 'SpyderPro', £124.50 after discount. The discount is only available from 2026-01-19 to 2026-02-02. This does not give enough time to make an informed decision on whether it's worth spending more money with a bad company or to jump ship. Also, it does not give people time to save up for a purchase they shouldn't be having to make.
==Lawsuit==
{{Ph-I-L}}

==Consumer response==
{{Ph-I-ConR}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Ph-I-C}}

Datacolor "sunsetting" older Spyder monitor calibrators

2026-01-20T23:33:10Z

Pantagoon: Added Incident

File:Datacolor Email.jpg

2026-01-20T23:30:36Z

Pantagoon:

This is the email sent out to customers notifying them of the obsolescence.

Datacolor "sunsetting" older Spyder monitor calibrators

2026-01-20T23:04:23Z

Pantagoon: Added Background

Datacolor "sunsetting" older Spyder monitor calibrators

2026-01-20T22:40:49Z

Pantagoon: Added summary.

Datacolor "sunsetting" older Spyder monitor calibrators

2026-01-20T22:15:27Z

Pantagoon: Created page with "{{IncidentCargo |Company=Datacolor |StartDate=2026-07-19 |Status=Active |ProductLine=Spyder |Product=Spyder2, Spyder3, Spyder4, Spyder5 |ArticleType=Product |Type=Planned Obsolescence |Description=Older Spyder devices will not be receiving software updates. Older Spyder software will no longer support new installations or activations. }} {{Ph-I-Int}} ==Background== {{Ph-I-B}} ==[Incident]== {{Ph-I-I}} ===[Company]'s response=== {{Ph-I-ComR}} ==Lawsuit== {..."

{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Datacolor
|StartDate=2026-07-19
|Status=Active
|ProductLine=Spyder
|Product=Spyder2, Spyder3, Spyder4, Spyder5
|ArticleType=Product
|Type=Planned Obsolescence
|Description=Older Spyder devices will not be receiving software updates. Older Spyder software will no longer support new installations or activations.
}}
{{Ph-I-Int}}
==Background==
{{Ph-I-B}}

==[Incident]==
{{Ph-I-I}}

===[Company]'s response===
{{Ph-I-ComR}}

==Lawsuit==
{{Ph-I-L}}

==Consumer response==
{{Ph-I-ConR}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Ph-I-C}}