HunterLab ColorQuest XT Benchtop Colorimeter
| Brand | HunterLab |
|---|---|
| Origin | USA |
| Model | ColorQuest XT |
| Product Type | Color Difference Meter |
| Instrument Type | Benchtop |
| Light Source / Observer | C/2°, D65/10° |
| Color Spaces | CIE L*a*b*, Hunter Lab, Yxy, XYZ and ΔE*ab, ΔE00 |
| Color Scales | ASTM D1209 (APHA/PtCo/Hazen), ASTM E313 (Yellowness Index), ASTM D6166 (Gardner), ASTM D156 (Saybolt), ASTM D1500 (ASTM Color), ASBC, EBC, ADMI, Y Transmittance |
| Measurement Modes | Total and Directional Transmittance |
| Transmission Chamber Dimensions | 10.2 cm (D) × 35.6 cm (W) × 16.5 cm (H) |
| Display | Backlit LCD with capacitive touchscreen |
| Optical System | Dual-beam spectrophotometer |
| Spectral Range | 400–700 nm |
| Wavelength Interval | 10 nm |
| Effective Bandwidth | 10 nm (triangular) |
| Light Source | Pulsed xenon lamp |
| Lamp Lifetime | >1,000,000 flashes |
| Measurement Time | <1.5 s |
| Inter-measurement Interval | ≥3 s |
| Compliance Standards | CIE No. 15.2, ASTM E1164, ASTM D5386, DIN 5033 |
| Communication Interface | RS-232C (D-sub 9-pin female) |
| Operating Environment | 10–40 °C, 10–90% RH (non-condensing) |
| Storage Environment | −21–66 °C, 10–90% RH (non-condensing) |
| Power Supply | 100–240 VAC, 47–63 Hz |
| Power Consumption | 60 W (standby), 120 W (continuous) |
Overview
The HunterLab ColorQuest XT is a high-precision benchtop spectrophotometer engineered for quantitative color measurement of transparent liquids and solids in transmission mode. Based on dual-beam optical architecture and pulsed xenon illumination, it delivers stable, repeatable spectral data across the visible spectrum (400–700 nm) with 10 nm resolution and triangular 10 nm effective bandwidth—ensuring compliance with CIE No. 15.2, ASTM E1164, and DIN 5033 metrological requirements. Unlike single-beam instruments, its reference-compensated design minimizes drift from lamp aging or ambient temperature fluctuation, making it suitable for regulated environments where long-term instrument stability and inter-laboratory reproducibility are critical. The system is calibrated traceably to NIST-traceable standards and supports both 2° and 10° standard observer functions under C and D65 illuminants—enabling accurate color evaluation aligned with global quality control protocols in pharmaceuticals, food & beverage, petrochemicals, and polymer manufacturing.
Key Features
- Dual-beam spectrophotometric architecture with pulsed xenon lamp (>1,000,000 flashes lifetime), eliminating warm-up time and ensuring consistent spectral output across extended operation.
- Backlit capacitive touchscreen LCD interface with multilingual support (English, Chinese, Spanish, French), enabling intuitive navigation without external PCs—ideal for production-floor deployment or ISO-certified QC labs.
- Large open-access transmission chamber (10.2 × 35.6 × 16.5 cm) accommodates diverse sample geometries including cuvettes, bottles, Petri dishes, and flat glass plates—optimized for APHA, Gardner, Saybolt, ASTM D1500, ASBC, EBC, and ADMI applications.
- Simultaneous calculation of multiple color spaces (CIE L*a*b*, Hunter Lab, Yxy, XYZ) and delta-E metrics (ΔE*ab, ΔE00), with built-in compliance to ASTM D5386 for APHA/PtCo, ASTM D6045 for Saybolt/ASTM Color, and ASTM D6166 for Gardner scale.
- Onboard software enables user-defined index creation, batch ID entry via alphanumeric keypad, real-time pass/fail flagging against stored tolerances, and direct RS-232C output to label printers or legacy LIMS systems.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The ColorQuest XT is validated for routine measurement of optically clear media—including aqueous solutions, organic solvents, edible oils, pharmaceutical syrups, beer, wine, lubricants, resins, and polymer films. Its directional and total transmittance modes allow differentiation between haze-contributing scattering and true absorption effects—critical for ASTM D1003-compliant clarity assessment. All embedded color scales adhere to internationally recognized methods: APHA per ASTM D1209, Saybolt per ASTM D156, Gardner per ASTM D6166, ASBC/EBC for malt beverages, and ADMI for dyestuff effluent monitoring per EPA guidelines. Instrument firmware supports audit trail logging and user access control—facilitating alignment with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when integrated into validated workflows under GLP or GMP frameworks.
Software & Data Management
The ColorQuest XT operates autonomously via embedded firmware; no host PC is required for basic operation. All measurements are timestamped and stored internally with full metadata (operator ID, sample ID, date/time, illuminant/observer, color space, tolerance limits). Data export is supported via RS-232C serial interface using ASCII-delimited format compatible with Excel, SAP QM, and laboratory information management systems (LIMS). Optional Connect software (sold separately) provides advanced reporting, statistical process control (SPC) charting, method validation documentation, and electronic signature capability for 21 CFR Part 11 compliance. Calibration verification routines include photometric linearity checks, wavelength accuracy verification, and inter-instrument agreement testing per ASTM E259.
Applications
- Petrochemical QA: Monitoring Saybolt color of jet fuel, kerosene, and white mineral oils per ASTM D156; assessing ASTM D1500 color of lubricating base stocks.
- Food & Beverage: Quantifying EBC/ASBC units in beer and malt extracts; measuring APHA in citric acid, vinegar, and soft drink syrups; evaluating Gardner scale in edible oils and frying fats.
- Pharmaceuticals: Verifying APHA/PtCo compliance of purified water (USP ), injectables, and oral solutions; tracking yellowing index (YI) of polymer packaging per ASTM E313.
- Chemical Manufacturing: Controlling color consistency of solvents (e.g., acetone, ethanol), resins, and dyes; validating wastewater discharge limits using ADMI index per EPA Method 410.1.
- Plastics & Coatings: Assessing yellowness and browning indices of transparent thermoplastics (e.g., PET, polycarbonate) after thermal aging or UV exposure.
FAQ
Is the ColorQuest XT compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11?
Yes—when used with optional Connect software and configured with electronic signatures, audit trails, and role-based access control, the system supports Part 11 compliance for electronic records and signatures in regulated environments.
Can the instrument measure opaque or reflective samples?
No—the ColorQuest XT is designed exclusively for transmission-mode analysis of transparent or translucent materials. For reflectance measurements (e.g., powders, painted surfaces), HunterLab’s UltraScan VIS or MiniScan EZ platforms are recommended.
What is the recommended calibration frequency?
HunterLab recommends daily verification using supplied calibration tiles or liquid standards, plus full recalibration every 6–12 months by an authorized service center—documented per ISO/IEC 17025 procedures.
Does the system support custom color scales beyond those pre-installed?
Yes—users can define proprietary indices using mathematical expressions based on measured spectral data or tristimulus values, with saved methods exportable for cross-instrument consistency.
Is the xenon lamp user-replaceable?
Yes—the lamp module is field-serviceable with no optical realignment required; replacement kits include factory calibration coefficients loaded automatically upon installation.
