COLO.Science · Spectroscopy & Color · Portable colour measurement
CS7020 Portable Spectrocolorimeter — Lab and ΔE with a spectral sensor
The CS7020 portable spectrocolorimeter (COLO product code PRO7959) measures CIE Lab and colour difference ΔE of plastics, paints, inks, textiles and paper for routine colour quality control. It uses d/8 geometry, a flat grating and a dual-row silicon photodiode array, an Ø8 mm aperture and a 3.5″ touch screen, and connects to the PC software by USB.
Which portable model?
Overview
The CS7020 sits between a simple colorimeter and a full spectrophotometer: the measurement is spectral, while the instrument shows colour values, ΔE, pass/fail and reflectance at three wavelengths chosen by the user (default 440, 550 and 600 nm).

Key characteristics
- d/8 geometry, SCI
- Combined LED light source, spectral sensor 400–700 nm
- Aperture Ø8 mm
- Repeatability ΔE*ab ≤ 0.08, inter-instrument agreement ΔE*ab ≤ 0.4
- CIE Lab, XYZ, Yxy, LCh · ΔE*ab and ΔE*00 · D65, A, F2
- USB to PC software, 500 standards and 10 000 samples
Suitable for
- Plastic parts, plaques, masterbatch and granules (with the powder test box)
- Paints, coatings, inks and printed material
- Textiles, leather and paper
- Colour quality control with CIE Lab (D65/10°) and ΔE pass/fail at the line or at goods receipt
Why this instrument
Goods receipt and production checks usually need one answer: is the colour within tolerance against the standard? The CS7020 gives that answer with a spectral measurement instead of a filter colorimeter, which keeps readings stable over time and comparable between instruments — at a price close to a colorimeter.
On the instrument
Technical specifications
Optics and performance
| Geometry | d/8, SCI |
| Standards | CIE No.15, ISO 7724-1, ASTM E1164, DIN 5033 Teil 7 |
| Light source | Combined LED light source |
| Measuring range | L* 0–100; reflectance at 3 selected wavelengths |
| Aperture | Ø8 mm |
| Repeatability | ΔE*ab ≤ 0.08 (white tile, 30 measurements) |
| Inter-instrument agreement | ΔE*ab ≤ 0.4 (12 BCRA Series II tiles) |
| Positioning | Cross-hair on the measuring port |
| Interfaces · storage | USB · 500 standards, 10 000 samples |
Colour data and general
| Colour spaces | CIE Lab, XYZ, Yxy, LCh |
| Colour difference | ΔE*ab, ΔE*00 |
| Observer · illuminants | 10° · D65, A, F2 (CWF) |
| Display resolution | 0.1 on screen, 0.01 stored |
| Integrating sphere | Ø 40 mm |
| Spectral system | Flat grating, dual-row silicon photodiode array |
| Wavelength range · pitch | 400–700 nm · 10 nm |
| Measuring time | approx. 1.5 s |
| Display | 3.5″ TFT capacitive touch screen |
| Battery | Li-ion, 6 000 measurements within 8 hours |
| Light source life | 5 years, more than 3 million measurements |
| Dimensions (L × W × H) · weight | 81 × 71 × 214 mm · approx. 460 g |
| Operating environment | 0–40 °C, 0–85 % RH, non-condensing |
Software and data

The PC software (free download) stores standards with their tolerances, shows the spectrum and the colour difference, follows trends and exports results for reports. Standards can also be created and measured directly on the instrument.
Data are transferred by USB.
Standard delivery
- Instrument with white and black calibration box
- Ø8 mm platform aperture
- PC software (download), data cable, power adapter, user guide
- Protective cover and wrist strap
Optional: USB micro printer, powder test box. The delivered configuration for a specific order is the one confirmed in the COLO.Science quotation.
Knowledge base
New to colour measurement? Light sources, metamerism, CIE Lab, ΔE and measuring geometries are explained on COLO.Science, our knowledge base.
Selection guide
- Fluorescent or optically brightened samples, small parts: CS7036 — UV lamp and a second Ø4 mm aperture, Bluetooth.
- Full spectrum and SCI/SCE without UV: CS7030 — same optics and camera, Ø8 mm aperture, USB.
- Lab and ΔE with PC software, budget first: CS7020.
- Pass/fail on the spot, no PC: CS7010.
- Transmittance, liquids or haze: a benchtop spectrophotometer is needed — see the CS60 series.
Configuration notice
This page is provided for orientation and product selection. Sample type, apertures, accessories and the colour data you report are confirmed with the official COLO.Science quotation.
Sales and support for international customers
COLO Lab ExpertsPolje ob Sotli 4, SI-3255 Buče, Slovenia
Phone: +386 70 713 437 · Email: sales@colo.si · Web: colo.si
We supply laboratories across Europe directly and through partners. B2B prices are quoted net, excluding VAT.




