1901FP is useless with bifocals

Question

I have a very nice system with two 1901FP monitors which are useless to me because I cannot see them. The monitor stands have 5 inches of vertical adjustment but they start at too high and go even higher. Since I wear bifocal glasses the only way I can see these monitors is to tip my head way back. My neck can only stand this abuse for about 5 minutes at a time.

I have tried to explain to various people at Dell the need for a lower monitor stand with no success. They seem totally incapable of comprehending that a product which the customer cannot use has no value.

Does anyone know of a replacement stand that will work on this monitor? I have found various wall mount brackets but nothing that will set on a desk without modification. I have removed the useless factory desk stands and propped the monitors on a cardboard box. It looks ugly but I can see just fine. Any serious suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

MikesHere · Answer

Not to be rude, but that is the way the monitor is designed and there is nothing Dell can do for that. Depending on how old they are, Customer Care might be able to exchange them for a different monitor. This is a issue with bi focals and no one will tell you that out of courtesy. I do appoligize for the apperent rudeness, but it wasnt ment to be that way at all. I am not a optomitrist, but have you thought about contacts? I dont know if you can have contacts when you have that poor of eye site. Mike - A fellow half blind person.

mabradle · Answer

Hi Mike,
Out of 158 people who read my complaint you are the first to reply. It looks like most people like their monitor up high. I dumped mine in favor of two old timey CRT's. They take up a lot of desk space but they are low to the desk where I can see them just fine. I guess that if you and I are the only ones to don't like a kinked neck from craning to see our monitors Dell is not likely to take us seriously.

Allen - Not interested in learning to wear contacts.

drgonzo99 · Answer

Hi- well, I AM an Optometrist :) and what you are describing is a very common problem, as bifocals were designed for looking down to read print, not looking up at a computer monitor.
Other then positioning the monitor as low as possible...having the top of the screen about eye level is usually recommended.... the best bet, if spending much time using a desktop computer, is a separate pair of glasses, for that purpose. A pair of glasses with the entire lens adjusted for your reading distance, or even a 'special' bifocal, where the top is set for the monitor distance, and the bottom is stronger, for closer up.
Saves a lot of wear and tear on you neck.
Good luck.

mabradle · Answer

Hi Dr Gonzo,
Yep, I agree with everything you said. I thought about different glasses but it was a lot cheaper to switch to a couple of used Trinitron monitors. I took the swivel bases off and set them directly on the desk. The tops of the screens are about eye level so I can see them just fine. This experience has cured me of any thoughts of upgrading to the latest flat panels.

Mike said that Dell failed to respond out of courtesy. I suspect it was just indifference. As long as there so few of us who can't, or won't, use their product, it just is not a problem. Dell has done a great job of marketing a cost effective product that appeals to a lot of people. I respect that. And I could buy a second pair of glasses. It is just a lot simpler for me to use cheaper monitors. Dell will never miss the lost sales. The people using my old 1901FP's are happy and were glad not to buy new ones from Dell.

Thanks for you comments.

DebtConsultant · Answer

Hello - As someone who needs tri-focals, I would think it would be better for your eyes to have the correct prescription lenses and use one of the newer flat screen ultra-fine monitors. For me the lack of glare is a big thing too. Monitors are supposed to be at eye level to be ergonomic. You're hurting yourself more having the wrong lenses and the older monitors and are much more likely to develop head & neck aches. I recommend a single or double lense 2nd pair of glasses and your newer monitor. Bon Chance.

mabradle · Answer

The ergonomically correct height for a computer monitor is such that the top of the screen is at or slightly below eye level. People with bifocal or progressive lenses should place the monitor 5 to 10 cm lower. This is according to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Cornell University, Stanford University, Duke University and many other experts. This is not possible with the pedestal on the 1901FP. As I said, it starts at too high and adjusts 5 inches higher. Dell has total control of this dimension. They make, or contract to have made, the monitor and pedestal. They do not care. Over 400 people have read this complaint but only 3 have bothered to respond. I had hoped that other people who agree with me would be prompted to write to Dell. If no one cares then Dell does not really have a problem. Dell does not need to care that most ergonomic experts say that Dell is wrong.

You three, while well intentioned, have offered suggestions to work around the problem. You have suggested special glasses, even contacts. These solutions all cost money, not to mention the aggravation of keeping up with another pair of glasses. There is nothing wrong with my glasses. I have 20-20 vision at a distance and I can read 4 point type from 12-24 inches away. I don’t like trying to read a monitor above eye level so I got rid of those useless Dell flat panel monitors and bought two used 19 inch flat screen Trinitrons. They work great. They are at a comfortable height. They have more resolution than I care to use and the best part: they only cost me $20 each.

Thanks to those of you who responded.
Allen

Monitors

1901FP is useless with bifocals

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