3nh TS-23C spectrophotometer is a standard spectrophotometer that using a 45/0 optical geometry and features planar grating spectral splitting technology and a silicon photodiode array (dual array of 40 groups) sensor, ensuring stable performance. Capable of full-band spectral analysis from 400 to 700 nm。It can accurately reproduce the true colors of plastics, textiles, and various paint coatings, avoiding metamerism and making the measurement results more reliable. Instrument inter-machine variation is strictly controlled within ΔE*ab≤0.2 ,to ensure color consistency between the production line and the global supply chain. It is widely used in industries such as plastics and electronics, paints and inks, textiles and clothing printing and dyeing, printing, and ceramics for precise color measurement and quality control.
Optical geometry: It adopts a 45/0 optical structure (45° ring-shaped illumination and 0° reception), Eliminating orientation dependence significantly reduces interference from the texture of matte and textured materials, making the measurement results closer to the actual perception of the human eye.
Combined full-spectrum LED light source: The full-band balanced LED light source ensures sufficient spectral distribution in the visible light range, avoiding the spectral deficiencies of white LEDs in specific bands, thus guaranteeing the instrument's measurement speed and the accuracy of the measurement results.
Industry Standards: Compliant with multiple authoritative standards including CIE, ISO, ASTM, and national standards, ensuring accurate measurement specifications.

Repeatability accuracy: using dual-array 40-group silicon photodiode sensor,It achieves fine spectral dispersion and high-sensitivity photosensitive acquisition across the entire 400-700nm wavelength range, providing core technical support for the instrument's ultra-high repeatability accuracy of ΔE*ab≤0.022, restoring subtle color differences in samples, and meeting the color control needs of high-precision industries.
Inter-station consistency:The difference between production lines is controlled within an ultra-small range of ΔE*ab≤0.2, ensuring that color standards remain consistent across multiple production lines, workshops, and regions, thus meeting the comprehensive quality control needs of large enterprises and supply chain factories.

Rich color space:CIE LAB、XYZ、Yxy、LCh、CIE LUV、s-RGB、HunterLab、βxy、DIN Lab99、Munsell (C/2) Multiple color spaces,Meets the requirements of different industry standards.
Supports 8 color difference formulas:ΔEab、ΔEuv、ΔE94、ΔEcmc(2:1)、ΔEcmc(1:1)、ΔE00、DINΔE99、ΔE (Hunter), Adaptable to color difference assessment in different scenarios.
Comprehensive colorimetric index: In addition to commonly used color index measurements, it also provides whiteness index, yellowness index, metamerism index, blackness, Tint (ASTM E313-00), Munsell (C/2), staining fastness, color change fastness, force content, color density (CMYK), and opacity (some are achieved through PC software /APP software).
Supports observation of 41 light sources:It covers 41 evaluation light sources and simulates color performance under different lighting environments.

User-friendly interface: Equipped with a 3.5-inch TFT true-color capacitive touchscreen, it can display spectrum/data, sample colorimetric values, color difference values/graphs, pass/fail results, color simulation, Color Offset, and other results to meet diverse industry needs.
Portable design:It features an ergonomic and lightweight design, making it comfortable to hold and easy to carry to workshops, outdoor testing sites, and other measurement scenarios.
Long battery life: With a built-in high-performance lithium battery, it can perform 10,000 tests in 8 hours, meeting the needs of long-term continuous operation.
High measurement efficiency:A single measurement takes approximately 1.5 seconds, balancing accuracy with measurement speed.

Dual-caliber configuration: Equipped with dual-aperture (10mm platform + 5mm platform), it can flexibly adapt to large and small size samples.
Multi-industry adaptation:Used for precise color measurement and quality control in industries such as plastics and electronics, paints and inks, textiles and apparel printing and dyeing, printing, and ceramics.

Spectrocolorimeter | |
Model | TS-23C |
Illumination/Observation system | 45/0(45 ring-shaped illumination, vertical viewing); Comply with CIE No.15,GB/T 3978,GB 2893,GB/T 18833,ISO7724-1,ASTM E1164,DIN5033 Teil7 |
Features | The standard version of the spectrophotometer is used for precise color measurement and quality control in industries such as plastics and electronics, paints and inks, textiles and clothing printing and dyeing, printing, and ceramics. |
Light Source | Combined LED Light |
Spectral separation device | Flat Grating |
Detector | Silicon photodiode array (dual array, 40 groups) |
Wavelength Range | 400~700nm |
Wavelength Pitch | 10nm |
Half Bandwidth | 10nm |
Reflectance resolution | 0.01% |
Reflectance Range | 0~200% |
Measuring Aperture | Dual aperture:10mm platform+5mm platform |
Color Space | CIE LAB,XYZ,Yxy,LCh,CIE LUV,s-RGB,HunterLab,βxy,DIN Lab99,Munsell(C/2) |
Color Difference Formula | ΔE*ab,ΔE*uv,ΔE*94,ΔE*cmc(2:1),ΔE*cmc(1:1),ΔE*00, DINΔE99,ΔE(Hunter) |
Other Colorimetric Index | WI(ASTM E313,CIE/ISO,AATCC,Hunter), |
Observer Angle | 2°/10° |
Illuminant | D65,A,C,D50,D55,D75,F1,F2,F3,F4,F5,F6,F7,F8,F9,F10,F11,F12,CWF,DLF,TL83,TL84,TPL5,U30,B,U35,NBF, |
Display Data | Spectrogram/Values, Chromaticity Values, Color Difference Values/Graph, Pass/Fail Result, Color Offset |
Measurement Time | About 1.5s |
Display resolution | 0.01 |
Repeatability | Spectral reflectance: MAV,Standard deviation within 0.1% (400 nm to 700 nm: within 0.2%) |
Inter-instrument Error | MAV,Within ΔE*ab 0.2 (Average for 12 BCRA Series II color tiles) |
Measurement mode | Single Measurement, Average Measurement(2-99) |
Size(L*W*H) | 169X73X87mm |
Weight | About 446g |
Battery power | Li-ion battery. 5000 measurements within 8 hours |
Illuminant Life Span | 5 years, more than 3 million times measurements |
Display | 3.5-inch TFT color LCD, Capacitive Touch Screen |
Interface | USB, Bluetooth 5.0 |
Data memory | Standard 1000 Pcs, Sample 20000 Pcs |
Language | Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, English, Russian |
Software | Andriod,iOS,Windows,WeChat Mini Program |
Working Environment | Temperature: 0~40℃; Humidity: 0~85% (No Condensation);altitude: less than 2000 m |
Storage Environment | Temperature: -20~50℃; Humidity: 0~85% (No Condensation) |
Standard Accessory | Power Adapter, USB Cable, Built-in li-ion battery, User Manual, software(download from the website)White and Black Calibration Board, Protective Cover, Measuring Apertures |
Optional Accessory | Micro Printer, Powder Test Box, Universal test components, Locating Plate |
Note | Technical specifications are for reference only; the actual product sold shall prevail. |
FAQs About Portable Spectrophotometers
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The main instruments used to detect color are spectrophotometers and colorimeters (including photoelectric integrating colorimeters).
Spectrophotometer: High-precision option. It analyzes the full visible light spectrum to measure color accurately. Suitable for complex scenarios like textured surfaces, special effect colors, or batch consistency checks in industries such as paint and coatings.
Colorimeter (Photoelectric Integrating Colorimeter): Cost-effective and portable. It uses RGB filters to measure tristimulus values directly. Ideal for quick color difference detection in simple applications. Key Selection Tip Choose based on accuracy needs: use a spectrophotometer for high-precision color measurement, and a colorimeter for fast, basic color difference checks.
The machine used to measure color is primarily called a colorimeter or spectrophotometer.
Spectrophotometer: The most common and precise type. It analyzes light reflected/transmitted by an object across the visible spectrum to quantify color accurately. A spectrophotometer can measure colors on smooth or matte surfaces, as well as textured, glossy, mirror-like surfaces, and special effect colors. It measures the reflected light of a sample at a fixed angle (e.g., 45˚) or captures light reflected at all angles to calculate color measurements that closely match what the human eye perceives. Additionally, similar to how humans flip a sample to view colors from different angles, a spectrophotometer is suitable for measuring a variety of materials and surface characteristics. Widely used in industries like paint, textiles, plastics, Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals, and printing.
Colorimeter: Also called photoelectric integrating colorimeter, a simpler, more cost-effective option. It measures color based on three primary colors (RGB) and is suitable for basic color matching needs. A photoelectric integrating colorimeter is a color measurement device based on the photoelectric integration principle. It directly measures the tristimulus values XYZ of an object's color using three color filters (red, green, blue) and silicon photocells as three sensors. The color measurement principle of this instrument imitates the human eye's mechanism of perceiving the three primary colors (red, green, blue). It corrects the relative spectral sensitivity of the detector through color filters to match the CIE-recommended spectral tristimulus value functions x(λ), y(λ), and z(λ).
Spectrocolorimeter: Combines the functions of spectrophotometers and colorimeters, offering both spectral data and color space values for comprehensive analysis.
SCI&SCE are two method in the color measurement. SCI means Specular Component Include,SCE means Specular Component Exclude.
Under the method of SCE, only test diffuse refection and exclude specular reflection. In that way, the test result is similar to object color was observed by human eyes.
Under the method SCI, both the diffuse refection and specular reflection will be included. In that way, the value about the color is more objective. It will not effect by the environment condition.
When we choose the instrument, those elements should be taking into consideration.
For professional paint matching (decorative, automotive, industrial, metallic/pearlescent), these are the top-performing spectrophotometers from 3nh — optimized for formulation, batch consistency, metamerism control, and field/shop matching:
d/8° sphere, SCI/SCE, UV control (360–780nm)
ΔE*ab ≤ 0.015, IIA ≤ 0.2 — ultra-precise for R&D
Multi-apertures (Φ4/8/15/25.4mm)
Transmission + reflection modes
Best for: Paint lab formulation, fluorescent pigments, color standardization
d/8° (SCI/SCE), ΔE*ab ≤ 0.02
Large Φ20mm aperture — averages texture/sheen
Fast, handheld, rugged
Best for: Paint store counters, job-site matching, production QC
8-angle measurement (15°/25°/45°/75°/110° + others)Threenh
For flip-flop, sparkle, pearlescent, metallic coatings
High stability for special-effect finishes
Best for: Automotive paint, powder coatings, metallic pigments, High-end industrial coatings, automotive OEM
d/8°, SCI/SCE, UV adjustable
Interchangeable apertures (Φ4/8mm)
Bluetooth + USB
Best for: General paint store matching, routine QC
Lab formulation / R&D: 3nh YS6060
Portable on-site / paint store: 3nh TS7700
Metallic / pearlescent paint: 3nh MS3008
Entry-level portable: 3nh YS3010
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