Why you should upgrade your CR-4×0 Chroma Meter to a new CR-5 Colorimeter?

Many users in both Manufacturing and Research are familiar with the Konica Minolta CR-400 Series Chroma Meters. Since the CR-100 series through the CR-200, CR-300 and the CR-400 introduced around the early 1990’s, this prolifically sold instrument is still running strong in many fields of Colour Measurement, with excellent results. To date there is no hint that this product will be phased out.

Technology however does not stand still, and while these willing workhorses serve for decades in robust conditions, customer requirements change with time.

To comply with growing customer requests for a versatile and reliable Bench-top Colorimeter with better long term reproducibility, as well as tighter Inter Instrument Agreement (IIA) Konica Minolta launched a “CR” version of the very successful CM-5 Bench-top Spectrophotometer. (See short video here)

Also very functional as a “Stand Alone” Instrument with no need of a PC in the Laboratory, or in the production area, the CR-5 measurement track those of a CM-5 very closely, allowing both versions to be used side by side. Typically the R&D or master laboratory has a CM-5 with all the features, while production areas can deploy the less featured and easy to use Konica Minolta CR-5 Bench-to Colorimeter. Both the CR-5 and the CM-5 can connect to the same version of SpectraMagic NX software if required.

Here we can clearly see a Target / Sample reading with actual Δ (Difference) values recorded, as well as some visual comments. In reality, while there are small numerical differences, the VISUAL impact of these would be negligible.

If you have collected a lot of data on a legacy CR-400 series, and then convert to a CM- model, you can expect the colour differences to be quite similar, but the actual values reported by the SAME colour space algorithms for the SAME colours to be DIFFERENT.

This is illustrated in the slide below, where the same range of colours have been measured on both a Chroma Meter and a Spectrophotometer.

For Customers that would like to upgrade to a Portable Spectrophotometer:

Customers who wish to upgrade to newer technology and still retail the portability of the CR-400 series, can opt for the CM-700d series, also with advanced “Stand Alone” features, but limited to Reflectance Measurements only.

The CM-700 Series, also has very good IIA with the CR-5 Colorimeter, allowing a mix of portable and bench-top solutions in one arena. Our food customers particularly like this ability for field and factory comparisons.

So what can you expect if upgrading from a CR-400 to a CM-700d?

• Full spectral data
• Connectivity to your existing NX software if already in place
• Improved short term and long term reproducibility
• Improved Inter Instrument Agreement (IIA)
• Blue Tooth Connectivity
• Colour Display Screen
• Stand Alone Mode operation, also with battery or mains.
• Acceptable to the Auto manufacturing industry
• Additional small (3mm Ø) aperture

And further features if you move to a CR-5 Bench-top Colorimeter:

• Compatible Colour Space with a CM-5 or CM-700d (No full spectral data is displayed on a CR-5)
• Versatile accessories
• Transmittance Measurement
• Connectivity to NX Software
• Easy to use Set Up Wizard
• Gardner, Hazen/APHA, Iodine standards included
• Very easy to use top port measurement capability
• Wide range of accessories

As there are some differences in Geometry between the CR-400 Series and the other d8 Instruments, one issue is comparing Absolute Values.

While it is always more prudent to compare colour DIFFERNCE values, users who look at absolute values will see the same colours will have different values, which may lead to confusion.

It is very difficult to visualise a numerical value difference, but by using a TARGET / SAMPLE strategy, the DIFFERENCE, regardless of the values, remains the same. Its a bit like measuring kilometres and miles. The distance is the same, the values are not.

Changing to new technology can be daunting as customers become familiar with what they are currently using. Should you wish to upgrade your device, contact us and we will assist in making the transition seemless.