Linshang LS173 vs Spectrophotometer Which Color Measurement Instrument Do You Need Malaysia
Linshang LS173 vs Spectrophotometer – Which Color Measurement Instrument Do You Need Malaysia
When a company wants to improve color quality control, one of the first questions is often:
Should we buy a colorimeter or a spectrophotometer?
Both instruments are used for color measurement, but they are not automatically interchangeable. The right choice depends on the application, sample, required data and level of color analysis.
The Linshang LS173 Portable Colorimeter is designed as a practical D/8 color measurement instrument for applications such as routine color comparison, Delta E evaluation and manufacturing quality control.
Understanding the difference between a colorimeter and a spectrophotometer can help Malaysian manufacturers avoid purchasing a system that is either insufficient or unnecessarily complex for their requirements.
What Is a Colorimeter?
A colorimeter is commonly used to quantify color and compare the color difference between samples.
For many manufacturing QC applications, the basic requirement is:
Approved Master Sample → Measure
Production Sample → Measure
Compare Color Difference
The QC department is not necessarily trying to perform advanced laboratory color analysis.
It may simply need a reliable and repeatable way to determine whether production remains sufficiently close to the approved standard.
This is where a portable colorimeter such as the LS173 can be useful.
What Is a Spectrophotometer?
A spectrophotometer measures how a sample interacts with light across a range of wavelengths.
Depending on the instrument and application, this can provide more detailed spectral information for advanced color analysis, formulation, matching and laboratory work.
Spectrophotometers are commonly considered where users require more sophisticated color data or where specific standards and customer requirements demand spectral measurement.
However, not every QC application requires this level of capability.
Colorimeter vs Spectrophotometer
The simplest way to understand the difference is to consider the measurement objective.
Colorimeter
Often suitable when the main objective is:
Routine color inspection
Master vs sample comparison
Delta E evaluation
Batch-to-batch comparison
Incoming QC
Production QC
Supplier comparison
Finished goods inspection
Spectrophotometer
May be more appropriate when the application requires:
Detailed spectral data
Advanced color analysis
Color formulation
Complex color matching
Laboratory-level requirements
Specific customer or industry measurement standards
The correct choice depends on what information the user actually needs.
Don't Automatically Buy the More Expensive Instrument
It is easy to assume:
More expensive = better
For measurement equipment, this is not always the right way to think.
A more advanced instrument may provide capabilities that a company never uses.
If the QC team's daily requirement is simply to compare production parts against an approved master, a practical portable colorimeter may be more suitable.
The better question is:
“What measurement problem are we trying to solve?”
When Does the Linshang LS173 Make Sense?
The LS173 may be considered when users need a portable instrument for routine industrial color measurement.
Typical situations include:
“Does this plastic component match our master sample?”
“Is the latest paint batch different from the approved panel?”
“Does Supplier B's component match our standard?”
“Has our production color changed during the shift?”
“Is the latest packaging batch different from the previous approved sample?”
These are practical QC questions rather than advanced color formulation problems.
Delta E Measurement
One important part of color quality control is Delta E (ΔE).
Delta E represents the measured difference between two colors.
Generally:
Lower ΔE = smaller color difference
Higher ΔE = greater color difference
This allows QC teams to move beyond subjective descriptions such as:
Slightly darker
Almost the same
More yellow
Looks acceptable
Instead, the company can establish measurable comparison procedures.
The acceptable tolerance should be defined according to the actual product, customer requirements and internal QC standards.
Why D/8 Geometry Matters
The Linshang LS173 uses D/8 optical geometry, referring to diffuse illumination with an 8-degree viewing geometry.
Measurement geometry is important because color measurement needs controlled optical conditions for repeatable comparison.
This is different from visually checking a sample under changing factory, office or warehouse lighting.
For routine industrial QC, repeatability can be more important than having a large amount of complex data.
Example: Plastic Injection Molding
A plastic injection molding company produces the same grey housing every week.
The customer has provided an approved master.
The company's main requirement is to compare:
Master → Current Production
and determine whether the color difference remains within its established QC criteria.
In this type of application, a portable colorimeter may provide the information needed for routine inspection without requiring a more complex laboratory system.
Example: Paint Formulation Laboratory
Now consider a company developing new paint formulations.
Its technical team may need detailed spectral information to understand how different formulations behave and to perform sophisticated color matching.
This is a different requirement.
A spectrophotometer may therefore be more appropriate depending on the specific measurement standard and workflow.
This demonstrates why instrument selection should begin with the application.
Example: Incoming Supplier Inspection
A manufacturer receives colored components from several suppliers.
The requirement is:
Approved Master → Supplier A
Approved Master → Supplier B
Approved Master → Supplier C
If the objective is routine pass/fail color comparison according to established criteria, a portable colorimeter may be an efficient solution.
Example: Packaging Quality Control
A consumer product company receives printed packaging every month.
The QC department wants to compare new shipments with an approved master and monitor batch consistency.
Again, the main requirement is production quality control rather than advanced color formulation.
This is the type of application where a portable colorimeter can be considered.
Color Measurement Should Match Customer Requirements
There is an important exception.
If your customer specifically requires:
A particular instrument type
A defined measurement geometry
A specific color measurement method
Spectral data
A particular standard
then those requirements should take priority.
Do not substitute one measurement method for another simply because the instrument is more affordable or convenient.
Always review the customer's specification first.
Colorimeter vs Spectrophotometer: Questions to Ask
Before purchasing either instrument, ask:
What material are we measuring?
What is the sample size?
Is the sample flat or curved?
What color data do we require?
Do we only need color difference comparison?
Do we need Delta E?
Do we need spectral information?
Does our customer specify a measurement method?
Will the instrument be used in a laboratory or production environment?
Do we need portability?
The answers will help determine which category of instrument is appropriate.
What If You Only Need Routine QC?
For routine quality control, simplicity can be valuable.
An instrument that operators can use consistently every day may provide more practical value than an advanced system that remains unused because it is too complex for the workflow.
A typical LS173 QC process can be:
Select Master → Measure Sample → Compare → Review Result → Record → QC Decision
This is straightforward and suitable for many manufacturing environments.
What If Your Requirements Grow Later?
Some companies begin with routine production color comparison and later develop more sophisticated color management requirements.
This is normal.
The important point is to select equipment according to the current measurement objective while understanding the limitations of the instrument.
If future requirements include advanced spectral analysis or color formulation, a spectrophotometer can then be evaluated.
Colorimeter, Gloss Meter and Coating Thickness Gauge
It is also important not to confuse different surface inspection instruments.
Colorimeter → Color and color difference
Gloss Meter → Surface gloss
Coating Thickness Gauge → Coating thickness
A painted product may require all three measurements depending on the quality specification.
One instrument does not automatically replace the others.
Which Instrument Should You Buy?
Consider a portable colorimeter such as the Linshang LS173 when your main requirement is routine color measurement and sample comparison.
Consider evaluating a spectrophotometer when your application requires more detailed spectral analysis, advanced color matching or a measurement method specifically required by your customer or standard.
The correct answer depends on the application—not simply the price or number of specifications.
Linshang LS173 Portable Colorimeter Malaysia
MTM Precision supplies industrial testing and measurement instruments for manufacturing, engineering and quality control applications throughout Malaysia.
If you are unsure whether your application requires a portable colorimeter or a more advanced color measurement solution, contact MTM Precision with details of your material, sample and QC requirements.
Contact MTM Precision
MTM Precision Sdn. Bhd.
Showroom & Service Centre
No. 29-1 & 29-2, Jalan Bandar 18,
Pusat Bandar Puchong,
47160 Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia
馃寪 Website: www.mtmpre.com.my
馃摟 Email: mtmpre@yahoo.com
馃摫 WhatsApp: +6016-660 7346
Considering the Linshang LS173 Portable Colorimeter in Malaysia? Contact MTM Precision for quotation, product information and assistance in selecting the right color measurement instrument for your application.
12 Aug 2026
