Massdrop Vast 35 - MMORPG.com

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Massdrop Vast 35 - MMORPG.com

The Vast is BACK! When Massdrop first revealed their 35” 1440p high refresh rate gaming monitor, it sold out right away. Well, they’ve brought it back for another group buy and we were able to get one in for a full review. Read on to find out why this is one of the best ultrawide gaming monitors available today.

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Krynt0k

Thank you for your honest review.......DMKano

DAOWAce

Panel type: VA

#nope

VA's black crush and off center contrast shift ruin the image way worse than a TN panel.

DMKano said:

Things I dislike about ultrawide monitors:

3. Refresh rate is not high enough on this one



4. 21:9 aspect ratio sucks in my opinion - as many games lose vertical view when they stretch it to fit 21:9 (example Overwatch - you're worse off on 21:9)

3) 3440x1440 100Hz is the limit for DisplayPort. Until a newer revision comes out, the resolution/refresh rate can't get any higher even if the panel tech exists (which we're still waiting on). Well, unless you use 2 ports, but that has its own issues.

4) lol. Overwatch is the 1 in 200 games that doesn't support 21:9 properly because Jeff Kaplan is too ignorant about technology. Every other multiplayer FPS on the market is Hor+ scaling. Even Blizzard's other games support 21:9.. sans Starcraft 2 for roughly the same bogus 'cheating' reason. (used to support any res on launch until they locked it). He's a fool and has ruined the game for all 21:9 owners.

Anyway, 21:9 is the best aspect ratio we have nowadays. Supports film amazingly, and provides you with a great experience in most games. Nowhere near limiting as 16:9, but still lacking the old 4:3 support that 16:10 does. And if content doesn't support 21:9, you just drop to 16:9, no sweat.

21:9 is the only aspect ratio I'd recommend nowadays, unless you want 100% compatibility and 144Hz+ refresh rate for high motion gaming, in which case you're stuck with a 16:9 monitor for now.

RIP 16:10. Maybe 21:10 will come out eventually..

Scot

Refresh rate needs to be higher for gaming, apart from that very nice.

Signex

DMKano said:

Things I dislike about ultrawide monitors:



1. Curved surface distorts texts near edges



2. Take up far too much space - I'd rather run two 2K monitors side by side



3. Refresh rate is not high enough on this one



4. 21:9 aspect ratio sucks in my opinion - as many games lose vertical view when they stretch it to fit 21:9 (example Overwatch - you're worse off on 21:9)

What are you talking about? i have a benq 35" curved ultrawide there is zero distortion near the edges.

100hz is plenty for this resolution, i've had a 1070 and it could barely hold 60fps in most triple A tittles. I have a Fury X now, it's a downgrade but at least i can make use of freesync untill new cards come out.

Xingbairong

I use ultrawide screen and I love it. Generally got it for my work because I found using ultrawide screen more pleasant to use over 2(or more) screens.
As @DAOWace said apart from Overwatch which I can play on 16:9 without much difference from my old 16:9 monitor all other games I play, support 21:9.

Tiller

Well price isn't too bad, but not sold on ultra-wide.


On another note, why did that thumbnail remind me of this?

Sandmanjw

Nice review. I recently bought a monitor, if i had not, i would definitely take a serious look at this monitor.

AZAlex86

DAOWAce said:

Panel type: VA

#nope



VA's black crush and off center contrast shift ruin the image way worse than a TN panel.

DMKano said:

Things I dislike about ultrawide monitors:


3. Refresh rate is not high enough on this one





4. 21:9 aspect ratio sucks in my opinion - as many games lose vertical view when they stretch it to fit 21:9 (example Overwatch - you're worse off on 21:9)

3) 3440x1440 100Hz is the limit for DisplayPort. Until a newer revision comes out, the resolution/refresh rate can't get any higher even if the panel tech exists (which we're still waiting on). Well, unless you use 2 ports, but that has its own issues.



4) lol. Overwatch is the 1 in 200 games that doesn't support 21:9 properly because Jeff Kaplan is too ignorant about technology. Every other multiplayer FPS on the market is Hor+ scaling. Even Blizzard's other games support 21:9.. sans Starcraft 2 for roughly the same bogus 'cheating' reason. (used to support any res on launch until they locked it). He's a fool and has ruined the game for all 21:9 owners.



Anyway, 21:9 is the best aspect ratio we have nowadays. Supports film amazingly, and provides you with a great experience in most games. Nowhere near limiting as 16:9, but still lacking the old 4:3 support that 16:10 does. And if content doesn't support 21:9, you just drop to 16:9, no sweat.



21:9 is the only aspect ratio I'd recommend nowadays, unless you want 100% compatibility and 144Hz+ refresh rate for high motion gaming, in which case you're stuck with a 16:9 monitor for now.



RIP 16:10. Maybe 21:10 will come out eventually..

Just a heads up, you can get 120hz now on the z35p and Alienware monitors. The Gsync module and DP1.3+ on a gtx1080 and newer work great.

I do agree after getting a 21:9 monitor I cannot go back. Purchased another for my office as it does wonders for productivity.

Viper482

$550 for a monitor is hardly what I would call affordable.

Rhygarth

well i will be waiting for the Asus ROG PG35VQ with 200hz g-sync and HDR it will be far more future proof than this. also buying from massdrop in the UK you will be hit with delivery cost + customs and if it goes wrong whats the time frame for a fix/replacment

as a rough guide: $549.99 + about $30 delivery to the UK + 6.5% import duty + 20% VAT so about $740

So still a good deal ?

Scot

Viper482 said:

$550 for a monitor is hardly what I would call affordable.

If you are a whale that's a snip for a monitor, and you need a big screen to see the size of your domain in the MMO where you bought a dukedom.

goozmania

Looks like it's already been said, but $550 for a monitor is not affordable lol

Renoaku

Signex

DMKano said:

Signex said:

DMKano said:

Things I dislike about ultrawide monitors:







1. Curved surface distorts texts near edges







2. Take up far too much space - I'd rather run two 2K monitors side by side







3. Refresh rate is not high enough on this one







4. 21:9 aspect ratio sucks in my opinion - as many games lose vertical view when they stretch it to fit 21:9 (example Overwatch - you're worse off on 21:9)

What are you talking about? i have a benq 35" curved ultrawide there is zero distortion near the edges.





100hz is plenty for this resolution, i've had a 1070 and it could barely hold 60fps in most triple A tittles.

I have a Fury X now, it's a downgrade but at least i can make use of freesync untill new cards come out.

You are not noticing the distortion - it's there, to some it's painfully obvious, others don't notice


See below to why curved surfaces distort



https://linustechtips.com/main/topic/221682-the-flawed-math-behind-curved-monitors/

I don't think his talking about curved monitors like the 21:9 on this review. These are very subtle, and there are some people who disagree with him.

I don't see any distortion or stuff that is a little bit stretched near the edges of the screen. It doesn't look any different from a flat panel.

Tiller

Renoaku said:

I remember when he was an awkward unknown and did an interview with the guys from BioWare in this cramped little office off the e3 showroom floor. Think it was back in 2010.

He kept messing with his chair like some kid, the devs were looking at him like he was nuts and honestly I don't think they liked him. I always wondered how this guy would ever get his webshow off the ground when he has obvious ADHD. Looks like he found his niche.

Ozmodan

DAOWAce said:

Panel type: VA

#nope

VA's black crush and off center contrast shift ruin the image way worse than a TN panel.

DMKano said:

Things I dislike about ultrawide monitors:

3. Refresh rate is not high enough on this one



4. 21:9 aspect ratio sucks in my opinion - as many games lose vertical view when they stretch it to fit 21:9 (example Overwatch - you're worse off on 21:9)

3) 3440x1440 100Hz is the limit for DisplayPort. Until a newer revision comes out, the resolution/refresh rate can't get any higher even if the panel tech exists (which we're still waiting on). Well, unless you use 2 ports, but that has its own issues.

4) lol. Overwatch is the 1 in 200 games that doesn't support 21:9 properly because Jeff Kaplan is too ignorant about technology. Every other multiplayer FPS on the market is Hor+ scaling. Even Blizzard's other games support 21:9.. sans Starcraft 2 for roughly the same bogus 'cheating' reason. (used to support any res on launch until they locked it). He's a fool and has ruined the game for all 21:9 owners.

Anyway, 21:9 is the best aspect ratio we have nowadays. Supports film amazingly, and provides you with a great experience in most games. Nowhere near limiting as 16:9, but still lacking the old 4:3 support that 16:10 does. And if content doesn't support 21:9, you just drop to 16:9, no sweat.

21:9 is the only aspect ratio I'd recommend nowadays, unless you want 100% compatibility and 144Hz+ refresh rate for high motion gaming, in which case you're stuck with a 16:9 monitor for now.

RIP 16:10. Maybe 21:10 will come out eventually..

Sorry, but I have tried 21:9 monitors for gaming and I could not find one game that really worked very well in that aspect.  I sold mine.  The problems are found in a lot more games than Overwatch.  For the price, this is not that great a monitor.

As to office use, get a UHD TV, the screen space dwarfs any 21:9 monitor and the cost is far less.

Kyleran

Nice looking screen, but I can't see that working on my next gaming laptop.

Renoaku

Im using two View Sonic XG monitors the G-Sync ones that cost around $800 a pop they are awesome 144 FPS in most games and games that have serious rendering over 60+ FPS at all times with a 1080ti...

They also support display port.

I am looking to add more monitors later and possibly getting a higher end graphics card but I think ill be waiting for the new VOXEL technology as long as I can hit above 60+ FPS in all games.

Cryomatrix

I'm too cheap to buy this. But just like anything, once you upgrade, you can never go backwards. Is once you buy this, when it is obsolete and next time you need an upgrade, you got to go premium.

Cryomatrix

Phry

Not sure what this type of monitor would be best used for tbh, in terms of gaming it doesn't appeal to me at all, both from the price and the performance side of things, i'd rather go for a higher refresh rate for games, and for that kind of price i would be expecting 144hz as an absolute minimum. maybe it works best for viewing multiple spreadsheets/documents side by side, but thats not something i would be interested in.

GameByNight

Tiller said:

Well price isn't too bad, but not sold on ultra-wide.


On another note, why did that thumbnail remind me of this?

Hah! Didn't that guy wind up in jail?

GameByNight

Tiller said:

Renoaku said:

I remember when he was an awkward unknown and did an interview with the guys from BioWare in this cramped little office off the e3 showroom floor. Think it was back in 2010.

He kept messing with his chair like some kid, the devs were looking at him like he was nuts and honestly I don't think they liked him. I always wondered how this guy would ever get his webshow off the ground when he has obvious ADHD. Looks like he found his niche.

Man, not only did he find his niche, but he is incredibly successful. His channel employs 20 people now.

Signex

DMKano said:

Signex said:

DMKano said:

Signex said:

DMKano said:

Things I dislike about ultrawide monitors:







1. Curved surface distorts texts near edges







2. Take up far too much space - I'd rather run two 2K monitors side by side







3. Refresh rate is not high enough on this one







4. 21:9 aspect ratio sucks in my opinion - as many games lose vertical view when they stretch it to fit 21:9 (example Overwatch - you're worse off on 21:9)

What are you talking about? i have a benq 35" curved ultrawide there is zero distortion near the edges.





100hz is plenty for this resolution, i've had a 1070 and it could barely hold 60fps in most triple A tittles.

I have a Fury X now, it's a downgrade but at least i can make use of freesync untill new cards come out.

You are not noticing the distortion - it's there, to some it's painfully obvious, others don't notice


See below to why curved surfaces distort



https://linustechtips.com/main/topic/221682-the-flawed-math-behind-curved-monitors/

I don't think his talking about curved monitors like the 21:9 on this review. These are very subtle, and there are some people who disagree with him.

I don't see any distortion or stuff that is a little bit stretched near the edges of the screen. It doesn't look any different from a flat panel.

I don't think you are understanding the point - ALL curved panels distort the picture, because of the curved surface. 

if you take a flat panel that's the same dimensions, same resolution, same size - display a picture on it

and compare to a curved panel - same dimension, same resolution, same size and display the same picture - you will see the curved panel distorts the image towards the edges.

This is particularly noticeable as you move your viewing angle - like shift your head left, right up and down by about a foot - you will notice the distortion - especially if there is a flat panel right next to the curved one as a reference - on a flat panel moving your head around, the image remains distortion free.


I mean this is a well known downside of all curved monitors - it's not like this is a new concept

Look at the cons here:

https://www.ebuyer.com/blog/2015/01/curved-monitors-pros-and-cons/

Or just talk to graphic designers or CAD professionals - ask them why they don't like curved monitors - you guessed it - distortion.

Still not convinced?

Check out this arstechnica article

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2014/01/whats-the-deal-with-curved-tvs/

It's not that i don't believe you, but i really don't see it on my screen. I just looked it from any angle possible it looks sharp/detailed from any angle i looked.

Before you blame my eyes, they're fine and i don't use glasses/lenses.

I think it just depends on the curve and panel, and all the examples you posted are for 16:9 screens.

Ozmodan

If you cannot see the distortion on a curved panel you are just not observing it, they all distort.

R3d.Gallows

This review told me nothing apart from what I could already read on the spec sheet of the monitor. Whats the actual contrast ratio? Whats the contrast ratio after calibration? Whats the average and slowest response time (no, its not 2ms... VA monitors get as slow as 50ms on some g2g transitions)? How bad is dark smearing? Whats the input lag? Is there black crush? The colors are better than TN? Well thats not much of an achievement. How about compared to IPS?