Differences in working principles

Working Principle of Spectrocolorimeter

Spectrocolorimeter is a highly accurate color measurement instrument that can not only measure the value of color, but also provide detailed color information by analyzing spectral data. Unlike traditional colorimeter, spectrocolorimeter can ensure the accuracy and consistency of color measurement by analyzing spectral data of the whole band, so it is widely used in industries that require high-precision color control.

Working Principle of Colorimeter

Colorimeter is an affordable and efficient color measurement tool for applications that require quick inspection and basic color measurement. Compared to sophisticated spectrocolorimeters, Colorimeter focuses more on ease of use and portability , making it particularly suitable for color inspection tasks in the field or in limited conditions.

Functional Differences

Spectrocolorimeter Features and Benefits :

· High accuracy and repeatability : The biggest advantage of the Spectrocolorimeter is that it provides highly accurate color data through full spectrum analysis. It can measure a variety of optical properties including reflectance, transmittance, and surface gloss, and is particularly suitable for color measurement under strict lighting conditions.

· Full spectrum measurement : The instrument is able to analyze the visible light spectrum from 400nm to 700nm, ensuring accurate measurement results even in complex lighting environments. Especially when dealing with fluorescent materials or high-gloss surfaces, the Spectrocolorimeter can easily cope with it, avoiding spectrum loss or inaccurate measurements.

· Flexible geometry : Spectrocolorimeter usually adopts d/8 (diffuse/8 degree observation) or SCI/SCE mode, which can flexibly choose whether to include specular reflection light. This makes it more flexible and accurate when measuring glossy surfaces.

· Advanced Color Management : The Spectrocolorimeter is equipped with SQCX software, which enables comprehensive color analysis and data management. It can record data in multiple color spaces, generate detailed test reports, and allow customization of color management processes to improve the efficiency of quality control.

Colorimeter Features and Benefits :

· Accuracy and Stability : Although not as accurate as a spectrocolorimeter, the Colorimeter still provides adequate measurement accuracy, especially for applications where color differences do not require highly precise control, such as quality control and color matching.

· Fast Measurement : By filtering light of a specific wavelength through a filter, the Colorimeter can quickly obtain color reflectance values, helping users make color evaluations in a short time.

· Portable design : Its small size and light weight make it very suitable for mobile scenarios, such as on-site testing in the textile, printing and food industries.

· Cost-effective : Compared to pricier spectrocolorimeters, the Colorimeter offers a cost-effective solution for those who only need basic color measurement.

Spectrocolorimeter limitations : Because the design of the Spectrocolorimeter focuses on accuracy and comprehensive spectral analysis, it is more expensive and complicated to operate, and usually requires professional personnel to operate and maintain. In addition, although its measurement capabilities are powerful, it may be too complicated for applications that only require quick, basic color measurements.

Colorimeter limitations : While the Colorimeter excels in rapid detection and portability, its filter-based measurement method means that you may lose the accuracy and flexibility of a spectrocolorimeter in some applications. For example, the Colorimeter is primarily suitable for measuring the reflectance of color, but when dealing with materials with high surface gloss or special textures, the results may not be as reliable as a spectrocolorimeter.

Differences in scope of application

Spectrocolorimeter common application areas :

· Automotive and coatings industry : Used to ensure precise color matching of car body coatings, especially under different lighting conditions.

· Cosmetics industry : Testing the color consistency of cosmetic packaging and contents.

· Pharmaceutical industry : Ensure the standardization of drug packaging and tablet color.

· Research laboratories : For precise color and optical property analysis, especially in scientific research experiments where highly accurate data is required.

Colorimeter common application areas :

· Textile industry : used to quickly detect the color uniformity of textiles.

· Printing and packaging : Helps confirm the color consistency of printed products and packaging materials.

· Food industry : Detect color changes on food surfaces to ensure visual consistency.

· Coatings and Plastics : Used to check the color stability of coatings or plastics, especially to make quick quality judgments during the production process.

In general, the Spectrocolorimeter is an ideal tool for precise control of color and optical properties in professional fields, especially for industries and applications that have strict requirements on color consistency and accuracy. The Colorimeter provides users with a fast, convenient and affordable color measurement solution, especially for those occasions that do not require high-precision color analysis.

Technical Differences Between Colorimeter and Spectrocolorimeter

Spectrocolorimeter is an upgraded version of colorimeter, with more color spaces , chromaticity indexes , lighting sources , observer angles , observation light sources , color difference formulas, faster measurement speed , better repeatability, and more data storage . The advantages of spectrocolorimeter are more obvious in the following aspects:

1. Differences in optical geometry

Spectrocolorimeter Geometry

The d/8 (diffuse/8 degree observation) geometry is a common structure for spectrocolorimeter, which means that the light source is evenly illuminated on the sample surface through a diffuser (such as an integrating sphere), and the observation angle is fixed at 8 degrees. This geometry can simulate a variety of real-world lighting conditions, making the measurement more accurate and able to measure materials with different surface characteristics.

SCI/SCE mode:

SCI (Specular Component Included): Contains specular reflection components, which are used to evaluate the overall appearance and glossiness of the material.

SCE (Specular Component Excluded): Excludes specular components, focuses on surface color, and is not affected by gloss.

Through SCI/SCE technology, the Spectrocolorimeter can flexibly choose whether to include specular reflection light during measurement, which is suitable for more accurate analysis of surface gloss and color.

Colorimeter Geometry

Colorimeter usually adopts 8/d (8 degree illumination/diffuse observation) and 45/0 (45 degree incident/0 degree reception) geometry . 8/d is opposite to spectrocolorimeter, the light source shines directly on the sample at an angle of 8 degrees, and then receives the reflected light through the diffuser. This structure is relatively simple and suitable for fast and convenient color measurement, but it usually does not have the option of SCI/SCE mode.

45/0 means that the light is projected onto the sample at a 45 degree angle and the detector receives the reflected light at 0 degrees (directly perpendicular to the sample surface). This geometry is often used to minimize the effects of surface gloss and texture, ensuring that the color measurement represents the true color of the sample as perceived by the human eye without interference from reflections or surface irregularities. It is commonly used in industries such as printing and textiles.

Colorimeter is more focused on color difference measurement and usually does not take specular reflected light into account.

2. Differences in observing light sources between colorimeter and spectrocolorimeter

Colorimeter uses stable, energy-efficient, and long-life LED light sources, and observation light sources such as D65, A, C, D50, F2, F6, F7, F8, F10, F11, and F12 , which can meet basic measurement needs.

The Spectrocolorimeter uses a 400~700nm full-band balanced LED as the instrument lighting source, which has sufficient spectral distribution in the visible light range, avoiding the spectrum loss of white light LED in a specific band. Fluorescent materials can also be easily measured, ensuring the accuracy of the instrument's measurement results. In addition, the spectrocolorimeter supports a variety of observation light sources , such as D65 , A , C , D50 , D55 , D75 , F1 , F2 (CWF) , F3 , F4 , F5 , F6 , F7 (DLF) , F8 , F9 , F10 (TPL5) , F11 (TL84) , F12 (TL83/U30) , U35 , NBF , ID50 , ID65 . These light sources cover the spectral characteristics from sunlight to a variety of industrial light sources, can meet the special needs under different measurement conditions, and ensure accurate color measurement under various lighting conditions.

3. Differences between the color measurement space of a colorimeter and a spectrocolorimeter

Spectrocolorimeter provides a variety of color measurement spaces , including CIE LAB , XYZ , Yxy , LCh , CIE LUV , s-RGB , HunterLab , βxy , DIN Lab99 , which can meet the color representation needs of different industries and application scenarios.
Colorimeter provides basic color measurement spaces such as CIE Lab, XYZ, LCh, CIE RGB, CIE LUV

4. Differences between colorimeter sensors and spectrocolorimeter sensors

Both spectrocolorimeter and colorimeter use CMOS dual-path sensors, but the spectrocolorimeter is equipped with a higher-speed, higher-sensitivity CMOS dual-path spectroscopic sensor, making color data processing more efficient and accurate.

5. Differences between the host software of colorimeter and spectrocolorimeter

Spectrocolorimeter is equipped with quality management software SQCX, which is suitable for quality monitoring and color data management in various industries. It can digitize the user's color management, compare color differences, generate test reports, provide multiple color space measurement data, and customize the customer's color management work.

Some Colorimeter models are equipped with color management software CQCS3, while others are not. CQCS3 can measure and analyze color difference, provide color difference cumulative analysis, obtain color simulation comparison charts, and provide color difference distribution charts, which can help users judge the color difference change trend of products and better grasp the change rules of product colors.

Compared with CQCS3, SQCX is a more advanced software, providing more convenient operation and high-quality and diverse color analysis and color management.

How to Choose the Right Colorimeter or Spectrocolorimeter

While both instruments are used to measure color, colorimeters offer simpler measurements based on filtered light, while spectrocolorimeters offer a more comprehensive analysis by examining the entire light spectrum. Spectrocolorimeters offer more precise values, while colorimeters are the most cost-effective option.

The choice between the two depends on the specific requirements of the application and the level of detail required for color analysis. Contact us for a more matched color solution.