Portable Spectrophotometer Recommendation

[PTKen]

Hello. I have been asked to give a recommendation on two
spectrophotometers being considered for purchase, but I have no
personal experience with either, so I am asking for input. The two
devices are the HunterLab MiniScan EZ and the X-Rite SP62. Both are d/
8 geometry.

The primary (and possibly only) intended use for the spectro is to
record the color of draw down samples of various pigments. The current
instrument is being replaced only due to future hardware/software
compatibility concerns (parallel port connection, discontinued
software, etc.).

Both devices look reasonably good to me. The SP62 will record specular
included and excluded, while the MiniScan EZ only records specular
included. The SP62 can use a range of aperature sizes, while the
MiniScan EZ has a fixed aperature size (though you have a choice of
different models with either a large or small aperature). Other than
that, it's really hard to tell just from the literature too much about
the instruments.

Any comments on ease of use, accuracy, compatibility, durability, etc.
will be greatly appreciated.

Are there any other similar devices that you would recommend we
consider?

Thanks in advance!

Ken Fleisher

[j***@americhem.com]

Post by PTKen
Hello. I have been asked to give a recommendation on two
spectrophotometers being considered for purchase, but I have no
personal experience with either, so I am asking for input. The two
devices are the HunterLab MiniScan EZ and the X-Rite SP62. Both are d/
8 geometry.
The primary (and possibly only) intended use for the spectro is to
record the color of draw down samples of various pigments. The current
instrument is being replaced only due to future hardware/software
compatibility concerns (parallel port connection, discontinued
software, etc.).
Both devices look reasonably good to me. The SP62 will record specular
included and excluded, while the MiniScan EZ only records specular
included. The SP62 can use a range of aperature sizes, while the
MiniScan EZ has a fixed  aperature size (though you have a choice of
different models with either a large or small aperature). Other than
that, it's really hard to tell just from the literature too much about
the instruments.
Any comments on ease of use, accuracy, compatibility, durability, etc.
will be greatly appreciated.
Are there any other similar devices that you would recommend we
consider?
Thanks in advance!
Ken Fleisher

I have used the X-Rite instrument. The model you specify (SP-62) can
be ORDERED in a few different apertures but once you receive it it is
locked to the size ordered. Also it uses a tungsten Halogen light
source so if UV data is critical I'd recommend using a Xenon flash
device instead of the SP-62. Other than that the SP-62 is a fine
instrument for what it is designed for, a medium accuracy portable.

From my experience Minolta sells a very fine portable instrument but
it will be considerably more.