NH310 vs NR110 Colorimeter Review

Choosing the Right Tool for Real-World Color Accuracy

To many, color moderation is just a matter of perception. As long the hue is close enough blue, then many will perceive as blue. However, for many people in the industries of textiles, plastics, coatings, and printing, a perception of blue will earn you a rejected batch. This is where handheld colorimeters come in. Within 3NH, the most discussed are NH310 and NR110. On the surface, they come off as the same device: color measurement technology meant to be used outside of the lab, portable, etc. However, the more you analyze the devices, the larger the disparity between the details truly is.

This review will analyze a more novel approach. Rather than focusing them like their devices are just “spec sheets with buttons,” we will analyze the role these devices play in the lives of their users, quality inspectors, engineers, designers, and even hobbyists. At the end of the day, any technology will find value in the improvement of a workflow.

The Everyday Problem of Color

Think of you in charge of a batch of parts that have already been painted for an automotive supplier. The client has the strictest of tolerances: The dash blue that is outlined must be duplicated perfectly with the panels from a different factory. To the naked eye, the colors do look the same in the workshop, but, in daylight, there is a very slight mismatch. That mismatch is enough for costly rework, delays, and angry customers.

Now think of holding a small device that is capable of telling you whether the part that is ‘in your hand is a case of the approved tolerance – with no lab analysis needed, and no subjective judgement needed. That is exactly the purpose of portable colorimeters like the NH310 and NR110 colorimeters.

NH310: Flexible, User Friendly, and Built for Versatility

The NH310 is portable and has gained fame and respect as a `workhorse and pioneer’ in portable color measurement. The main feature that stands out is flexibility. The device has two aperture sizes, 8mm and 4mm, that can be used for either larger surfaces or details and can be used in an adaptable way in different industries.

Thus, one device can manage both a roll of fabric in a textile plant and small plastic buttons in a garment factory. The bigger aperature guarantees that differences in texture are smoothed out while the smaller aperature provides accurate measurements on dense components.

Most industries, and even the NH310, a device that boasts a repeatability of ΔE ≤ 0.06, can find that level of precision acceptable. Its combination of an ergonomic form, built in calibration routine, and the ability to store tens of thousands of measurements makes it ideal for workflows where speed and reliability are important.

To sum it up, The NH310 is for teams that require one device to work in several different contexts.

The NR110: A Specialist for Simpler Needs

The NR110, on the other hand, sacrifices some of that flexibility for the sake of being simple and less costly. It has a fixed 4-millimeter aperture which benefits smaller samples and scenarios where consistency of aperture is prioritized over flexibility.

The device has a repeatability rating of ΔE ≤ 0.08 which is not on par with the NH310 but many practical scenarios such as measuring the color of food packaging, small plastic components, or containers for cosmetics still finds value for its accuracy.

The NR110 is simple to use as it has a small number of options which results in decreased confusion. In situations where employees shift frequently, or with limited amounts of time to train, streamlined devices are ideal.

A Tale of Two Users

For a more visual comparison, let’s examine two fabricated but plausible situations.

Example 1: The Automotive Supplier

The manager in charge of quality maintains large panels along with small dashboard knobs. Being able to switch devices and apertures with confidence is both a time and cost saving feature. The NH310 is a clear choice for this individual as the versatility means no testing compromises.

Example 2: The Cosmetics Factory

The production line in this scenario produces thousands of identical lipstick cases. While all the cases are the same shape and size, the lipstick cases are not the only slanted alignment produced. The NR110 is also able to be used. This device is also simple and effective, providing a quick and cost effective solution for operators.

Colorimeters vs Other Tools

One could ask: why not apply a monitor calibrator, how about a smartphone app, or for that matter, one of the pocket sized devices touted for DIY use?

The answer has to do with the nature of the measurement being taken. Monitor calibrator devices are focused on screens, measuring emitted light. The Nix Color Sensor Pro, for instance, is designed, and is quite good, for rapid comparisons of devices (like paint chips) in a hardware store, as noted in a review in Visuals Producer. However, for the purposes of accurate industrial scale quality control, neither of those types of devices can remotely approach the consistency and dependability of instruments designed specifically for such tasks.

In comparison to the NH310 or NR110, these two colorimeters are more portable and more affordable, though lower in precision. Think of them as the practical middle ground against high-end spectrophotometers: accurate enough to satisfy the demands of most manufacturing processes, without needing specialized training to operate them.

Strengths and Weaknesses in Summary

Strengths of the NH310

● Flexibility for small and large samples with dual apertures sizes.

● Higher repeatability and tighter tolerances.

● Storing large amounts of data.

● Flexibility of varied product types in industries.

Weaknesses of the NH310

● More complex, and thus heavier, than NR110.

● Higher costing.

Strengths of the NR110

● Easier to train operators, as well as lighter and simpler to operate.

● Still offers good accuracy at a lower price point .

● Best suited for repetitive processes of a similar scale.

NR110 Weaknesses

● Single aperture size (less adaptable).

● Precisions lacks accuracy when compared to NH310.

Which One Should You Choose?

The answer to this question is not which is better, but which is better for YOU.

● The NH310 becomes a worthwhile investment if your workflow includes varying product sizes, textures, and colors, or if accuracy is a major imperative.

● The NR110, however, gets the job done if you run a more streamlined operation where simplicity, reliability, and cost efficiency take precedence over flexibility.

to subjective visual inspection both devices bring measurable improvements, thus reducing waste, rework which is costly, and customer dissatisfaction.

Final Thoughts

Color is much more than what one sees, it is a language of quality, trust and a key part of the brand identity. For instance, the NH310 and NR110 are silent patrollers of uniformity when it comes to making sure every lipstick case on the shelf is the exact same, or every car dashboard is up to the approved standard.

In this context, the choice between the two is not simply a matter of specifications. It is also a matter of considering how each instrument integrates to a given rhythm of the production line, the skill level of the team, and most importantly the expectations to be satisfied from the customer.

The NH310 and NR110 exemplify that some of the most essential technologies are the ones that recede into the periphery and allow the user to concentrate on their strengths: the colors will always be correct.