Techkon vs X-Rite

[rtesta]

Hi everyone - I have a customer that is looking for a spectrodensitometer and I've been trying to do some research on the differences between Techkon and X-Rite. I don't know much about Techkon as I only know X-Rite really. Any thoughts on the differences? Has anyone used Techkon devices? what are your thoughts?

Thanks for the help!

 

[Cornishpastythighs]

The Techkon I used worked great and I would much prefer it over the xrite. Only drawback was it needed to be hooked up to computer with software where xrite can be used as a stand alone unit as well as being used with colormaster software

 

[kansasquaker]

Techkon all the way. We have both and the Techkon is better designed all the way around. If for no other reason, you can set it directly on the patch you want to measure and take a reading. The X-rite uses that stupid spring loaded arm. It's not easy to hit a 3mm wide patch with that thing. The UI on the Techkon is much easier to use. Finally inter-instrument agreement is way better on the Techkons than the X-rites (that's just experience talking, I've never collected hard data to back that up).

 

[Johu]

The Techkon I used worked great and I would much prefer it over the xrite. Only drawback was it needed to be hooked up to computer with software where xrite can be used as a stand alone unit as well as being used with colormaster software

That's not the case with current handheld devices from Techkon. They all sport a display now. The latest SpectroDens comes with color display and the top model even has scan measurement option. I am waiting to get my hands on that device.

 

[rtesta]

Thank you all! Great information.

 

[Morgan Manning]

You may want to wait a week or two and check out the Xrite eXact. They've added M0-M3, G7 Pass/Fail, even Bluetooth. Isn't cheap but I would think its competitive with Tekron. I believe it releases soon here in North America.

Fair amount of data here (I'm not affiliated in anyway with ColorHQ, seems like there isn't much up on Xrite.com yet):
eXact by X-Rite - Standard Edition

Morgan Manning
Heidelberg
Prinect Application Specialist
G7 Color Expert

 

[artboy]

Have you seen the new Techkon SpectroDens? I converted to Techkon instruments a long time ago and haven’t looked back. The X-Rite eXact still has that “stapler” design so you never know what and where you are really measuring. The scanning option isn’t available till next year (from what I hear) and requires a guide ruler.

I plan on upgrading to the new one. It does short run scans of color control strips, is currently available and doesn’t require a guide ruler. It even has 4 wheels on the bottom of the unit. The measuring aperture is on the side of the unit so I can see what and where I am measuring. It supports M0-M3, G7, Pass Fail, WiFi wireless communications and has a high resolution color display. Pretty much all the bells and whistles.

 

[Kaoticor]

We use the Techkon Spectro Dens here. Works great for us, includes measurement export, nice trending features and a lot of features built in to one device. The ink check feature is very user friendly as well, especially if you are having someone use it that doesn't know much about off-press color management.

 

[rtesta]

What about the scanning densitometers / spectrophotometers? Anyone use those from Techkon or X-Rite? Thanks again everyone!

 

[Kaoticor]

Yes, the scanning densi/spectro is what we are using right now from Techkon. Works great for what we use it for, although a little pricey. That is the one i referred to with my earlier post.

-K

 

[Mike Herndon]

Might as well bring this back from the dead, we just bought 3 of the Techkon SpectraDens, all the bells and whistles. Love them, why we waited this long I have no idea. Easy to use and amazingly...a fully charged battery last more than 10 minutes and you can use them not plugged up to a power cord!! WOW!!

Great customer service too, they will actually call you back...

Try one if you guys get a chance.

Mike

 

[Morgan Manning]

Hey Mike,

Figured I'd pipe back in as well. We were exposed to the Spectrodens last summer from one of our coworkers from Germany. We were floored. It took awhile but
I've been using one in the field, as well as our color lead in Kennesaw. So far I really like it. Its just amazingly fast. I use it to do G7 Gray Balance Optimizations and I can
either read the minispots in spot or scan mode. I've shown it to a few of our press instructors and they've been very impressed.

I like the small footprint too, it also reads our 3mm Inpress bars quickly.

Best Regards,
Morgan Manning
G7 Color Expert
Prinect Application Specialist