PORTABLE SPHERE SPECTROPHOTOMETER

What is the Elcometer Portable Sphere Spectrophotometer and why choose it

The Elcometer Portable Sphere Spectrophotometer (Elcometer 6085 Ci60/Ci62 series) is a compact, handheld colour measurement instrument designed for accurate reflectance colour control on a wide variety of materials, including paper, paints and coatings, plastics and textiles. It uses diffuse/8° sphere geometry and a gas-filled tungsten lamp to deliver reliable spectral data in the visible range from 400 to 700 nm. This description is based on publicly available information and may not cover all model variants; some details may therefore not be fully verified for your specific configuration. For complete and up-to-date data, the official Elcometer technical datasheet should be consulted.

Main features

• Portable sphere spectrophotometer for reflectance colour measurement on solid samples.
• Diffuse/8° (d/8°) integrating sphere optical geometry with fixed 8 mm aperture, suitable for most coatings and industrial materials.
• Simultaneous SPIN/SPEX measurements (specular component included and specular component excluded) for analysing both true colour and surface appearance.
• Visible spectral range from 400 to 700 nm for colour control in accordance with common international colour standards.
• Gas filled tungsten lamp light source with an approximate lamp life of up to 500,000 measurements, reducing maintenance downtime.
• Multiple illuminant types (A, C, D50, D55, D65, F2, F7, F11, F12) and 2°/10° standard observers for flexible colour evaluation conditions.
• Internal memory capable of storing approximately 1,000 standards with tolerances and 4,000 sample measurements, enabling on-site quality control without an external PC.
• Fast measurement time of around 2 seconds for high-throughput testing.
• Measurement range from 0 to 200% reflectance, allowing work with very bright or highly reflective samples.
• High-resolution, 3.2-inch backlit colour graphical LCD for clear visualisation of numerical and graphical colour data.
• Rugged, compact housing with a reliable detent lock and flip-back target shoe (depending on specific model family) for stable positioning on curved or flat samples.
• Rechargeable battery pack providing up to approximately 1,000 measurements within an 8-hour period for mobile use.
• Designed to support opacity measurements and colour strength evaluation, helping assess hiding power and tinting strength in coatings and inks.
• Sphere manufactured from highly reflective, durable material (Spectalon or equivalent, depending on related Elcometer/X-Rite designs), intended to maintain performance in demanding environments. This particular construction detail may vary by generation and is not fully verified for every 6085 variant.

Technical specifications

The following technical values come from published data for the Elcometer 6085 Ci60/Ci62 Portable Sphere Spectrophotometer range and are indicative. Exact figures may differ slightly depending on the specific model and firmware revision; where this may be the case, values should be confirmed against the latest official datasheet.

• Measuring geometry: d/8°, DRS spectral engine, fixed 8 mm aperture, simultaneous SPIN/SPEX.
• Spectral range: 400 to 700 nm.
• Light source: Gas filled tungsten lamp.
• Illuminants: A, C, D50, D55, D65, F2, F7, F11, F12.
• Standard observers: 2° and 10°.
• Measurement range: 0 to 200% reflectance.
• Measurement time: Approximately 2 seconds per reading.
• Inter-instrument agreement (Ci60): average 0.40 ΔE*ab on 12 BCRA Series II tiles, maximum 0.60 ΔE*ab (specular included). Value may differ for other versions and should be treated as unverified for all configurations.
• Inter-instrument agreement (Ci62): average 0.20 ΔE*ab on 12 BCRA Series II tiles, maximum 0.40 ΔE*ab (specular included). Also to be verified against the specific model.
• Short-term repeatability: approximately 0.10 ΔE*ab on white ceramic standard (standard deviation) for Ci60; Ci62 value may differ.
• Memory capacity: 1,000 standards with tolerances and 4,000 sample measurements.
• Lamp life: around 500,000 measurements (nominal).
• Display: 3.2 inch backlit colour graphical LCD.
• Power supply: removable 7.4 V DC, 2400 mAh rechargeable battery pack.
• Measurements per charge: approximately 1,000 measurements within 8 hours of typical use.
• Dimensions (approx.): 109 × 91 × 213 mm.
• Weight (approx.): 1.05 kg.
• Typical delivery scope (may vary by supplier): instrument, calibration standards, calibration certificate for standards, AC adaptor and mains leads, carry case, operating instructions; selected packages also include a USB cable. Contents for your specific kit must be verified.

Applications and use cases

The Elcometer Portable Sphere Spectrophotometer is engineered for industrial and laboratory colour quality control where consistent, traceable measurements are required across different lots, locations and production lines.

Typical materials

• Paints and coatings: colour matching of architectural and industrial coatings, checking batch-to-batch consistency, verifying colour after curing or weathering.
• Plastics: inspection of coloured plastic parts, profiles, films and injection-moulded components.
• Paper and board: monitoring whiteness, brightness and colour tone in paper production and printing substrates.
• Textiles: checking dyed fabrics, yarns and technical textiles for shade consistency and colour fastness impact.
• Inks and pigments: evaluating colour strength, tinting strength and opacity of liquid and paste inks (usually in conjunction with drawdowns or test panels).

Typical use scenarios

• Production quality control: line-side or laboratory verification of colour tolerances using stored standards and tolerances, with pass/fail decisions directly on the device.
• Incoming goods inspection: checking colour of raw materials, coated substrates or components from suppliers against internal references.
• R&D and formulation: developing new colours, adjusting formulations and documenting colour data for coatings, plastics and textile finishes.
• Field inspections: portable verification of installed coatings or components where benchtop instruments are impractical.

FAQ

1. What type of instrument is the Elcometer Portable Sphere Spectrophotometer?

   It is a portable, handheld sphere spectrophotometer (Elcometer 6085 series) designed for reflectance colour measurement using d/8° geometry and a gas-filled tungsten lamp. Some naming details may depend on the exact model supplied and should be confirmed with the official documentation.

2. Which materials can be measured with this instrument?

   According to published information, it can be used on paper, paints and coatings, plastics and textiles, as well as many other opaque, solid materials where diffuse reflectance colour needs to be controlled.

3. What is the measurement geometry and why is it important?

   The instrument uses d/8° integrating sphere geometry with simultaneous SPIN/SPEX measurement. This configuration helps capture both colour and surface effects, allowing comparison with industry standards and ensuring more repeatable, comparable measurements across instruments. Exact performance data should always be checked in the official Elcometer datasheet.

4. How fast is a single colour measurement?

   The typical measurement time is about 2 seconds per reading, which is suitable for routine quality control and batch testing. This value is based on general technical literature and may vary slightly depending on the specific model and settings.

5. Does the instrument store measurement data internally?

   Yes. Indicative specifications state memory for approximately 1,000 standards with tolerances and 4,000 samples, enabling standalone field use. The exact memory configuration for your unit should be verified in the official user manual.

6. What power source does the spectrophotometer use?

   It is powered by a removable, rechargeable battery pack (nominally 7.4 V, 2400 mAh), typically providing up to about 1,000 measurements during an 8-hour work period. Actual autonomy will depend on usage and instrument condition.

7. Is this instrument suitable for laboratory and field use?

   Yes. Its compact size, robust construction, rechargeable battery and internal data storage make it suitable for both bench applications and on-site inspections. For extreme environments or specialised applications, confirm suitability in the official Elcometer technical documentation.

8. What is the difference between Ci60 and Ci62 variants?

   Public specifications indicate that both use the same basic geometry and optics, but they differ in inter-instrument agreement figures and potentially some advanced functions. Exact differences are model-dependent and not fully verified here; they should be checked directly in the Elcometer product comparison or datasheet.

9. Does it comply with international colour measurement standards?

   The Elcometer 6085 range is described as supporting common standards for colour measurement of paints, coatings and materials. Detailed normative references (ASTM, ISO, DIN, etc.) appear in manufacturer literature and should be confirmed for your regulatory or customer requirements using the official datasheet.

10. Where can I find the exact and latest technical data?

    For precise, up-to-date and model-specific information, including tolerances, supported indices and accessories, the official Elcometer technical datasheet and user manual should always be consulted, as this product description only summarises information available from public sources and may not reflect later revisions.

Section 14 – Transport information

The Elcometer Portable Sphere Spectrophotometer is an electronic measuring instrument, not a chemical preparation. Therefore, typical Safety Data Sheet Section 14 transport classifications (UN number, hazard class, packing group) do not directly apply to the instrument itself. However, the device incorporates a rechargeable battery pack. Specific transport requirements for the supplied battery (for example, UN classifications for lithium-based batteries, special packaging or labelling) are not detailed in the information consulted and cannot be fully verified here.

Users should refer to the official Elcometer documentation and to the battery manufacturer’s safety and transport instructions to confirm applicable regulations for road, air or sea transport, especially for bulk shipment or air freight.

Section 8 – Individual protection measures

As a colour measurement instrument, the Elcometer Portable Sphere Spectrophotometer does not itself require special personal protective equipment (PPE) beyond general laboratory or industrial safety practices. No specific Section 8 PPE requirements are stated in the consulted product information, so the following points are general recommendations only and not model-specific, verified mandates:

• Eye protection: use appropriate safety glasses when working in environments where splashes, dust or flying particles may be present, especially around coatings, inks or powders being tested.
• Skin protection: wear suitable gloves and protective clothing if handling wet paints, solvents, inks or chemical products while preparing or testing samples.
• Respiratory protection: if colour measurements are conducted in areas with solvent vapours, spray mists or dusts above occupational exposure limits, use appropriate local exhaust ventilation and, where necessary, certified respiratory protection as defined in site risk assessments.
• General handling: follow standard electrical and instrument handling precautions, avoid dropping the device and keep measurement ports clean and free from contamination according to the manufacturer’s maintenance instructions.

For detailed, application-specific PPE guidance, always refer to the Safety Data Sheets of the products being measured (coatings, inks, plastics additives, etc.) and to your organisation’s health and safety procedures.