Spectro 1 Color Matching & Quality Control Tool for Color Appearance

If color is critical to your line of work, then you need this in your tool bag.Prior to purchasing the Spectro 1, I’ve used the Color Muse and the Nix Mini. The Color Muse is fantastic, and I found it to be more user friendly and more accurate than the Nix Mini. In fact, the Color Muse was constantly being borrowed by one colleague or another; I was actually going to purchase another Color Muse or more likely the Color Muse SE (Special Edition).Then, I read about the Spectro 1. One minor step with the Color Muse is that it calibrates every time I used it. It calibrates with a piece of white paper included on the inside of the Color Muse’s cap. It takes about two seconds. However, I would always handle the cap with care, so as not to discolor or smug, the white paper (additional caps are available from VARIABLE for a modest cost). This is not the case with the Spectro 1. Calibration is only needed after every 500 scans! And instead of a piece of white paper the calibration is performed using three ceramic coated steel colored tiles. Each Spectro 1 is uniquely paired with their corresponding tile set. So don’t lose them! If you do, you will need to send the Spectro 1 back to VARIABLE to be rematch to another tile set. I keep my tiles safe in the supply closet for when I need it, again only after 500 scans!I also like the Spectro 1’s app. It is similar to the Color Muse’s app. Both are quick and responsive, but the Spectro 1 has more detailed information. As an example, instead of just the number of stars to rate how accurate the scanned color matches the suggested paint vendors, the Spectro 1 gives a delta number along with a short description of how closely the color match will be perceived. The app also allows scanned colors to be saved and organized into folders.The build quality is excellent; a big step above the Color Muse’s plastic body. Again, I love the Color Muse, and would recommend that to just about anyone who wants to know, exactly what color is on that wall? But for the professional (Architects, Interior Designers, Contractors, etc) that needs a professional level product, which is easy to use, and will perform when you need it to – I highly recommend the Spectro 1.

I'm a painting contractor, and for the past several years I've owned the earlier version of the Color Muse color matching device. That device was much cheaper, but less than perfect -- with maybe a 75% accuracy rate. So, I was a bit skeptical about paying a lot of money for another one of their devices. However, I've had the Spectro 1 for the past few weeks now, I've done a couple dozen matches with it, and I will say that the accuracy rate is nearly 100%. Really love it. And, I anticipate this making my job a whole lot easier.I do wish that this came at just a slightly lower price point. But, if you're in a line of work that requires color matching on a semi-frequent basis, then I would definitely recommend spending the money for this product.

Seems okay, but not able to give me low enough deltas for print samples. Had to return it to buy something with higher accuracy. Deltas are still within 5.0-7.0 of the Pantone sample. But I found other devices similar price within 2.3-3.0 of Pantone sample.Best app though of the color checkers.

The Spectro 1 is the only color measuring device of this type that generates full spectral data, putting it ahead of the competition. Spectral data matches the output of far more expensive spectrophotometers at a fraction of the cost. The iPhone app is easy-to-use and allows data to be easily transferred to a computer. The only downside and the reason for four stars instead of five, is the failure of the system to provide density measurements. The Spectro 1 provides all the data necessary to calculate density but for unclear reasons leaves the relatively cumbersome density calculation to the user rather than directly providing this information.

Fine if all you want is to match Sherwin Williams paint colors but for a graphics designer or a sign company that needs CMYK as advertised, forget it! Not even close on any other medium and we just missed our window to return it. It will make a great door stop.

it shows lot of data. However it doesn't show some of main paint company color name , and some of are not updated as of new color name. I returned it.

Amazingly accurate device, fantastic value.The device itself is easy to use and the app that goes with it is very intuitive. The Spectro 1 connects quickly to the app and you only have to calibrate every 500 scans. Still an advocate for the Color Muse; another excellent value from Variable for the price point.If you're an architectural color design professional who understands the benefits of using color measurements in your workflow, the Spectro 1 is a great way to level up your color and materials specification game.The paint color library available within the app is robust and will likely continue to grow. Being able to see the spectral curve data for paint colors is a very useful feature.The color experts here at The Land of Color highly recommend this device and app.