COLO.Science · Spectroscopy & Color · Benchtop spectrophotometers
CS8560 Benchtop Spectrophotometer — xenon and LED, close-tolerance colour in reflectance and transmittance
The CS8560 benchtop spectrophotometer (COLO product code PRO7912) is the top model of the series: a pulsed xenon lamp and an LED light source with UV, d/8 reflectance and d/0 transmittance, simultaneous SCI/SCE and a 10.5″ rotatable tablet. Repeatability of ΔE*ab 0.01 and inter-instrument agreement of ΔE*ab 0.1 make it a reference instrument for close-tolerance colour work.
Which benchtop spectrophotometer?
Overview
The CS8560 benchtop spectrophotometer is chosen when tolerances are tight and results must agree with other laboratories: the tightest repeatability and inter-instrument agreement in the series, two light sources for fluorescent and optically brightened samples, and four aperture pairs down to Ø4 mm. Transmittance and haze are measured in the open compartment, with samples up to 54 mm thick.

Key characteristics
- Reflectance d/8 and transmittance d/0, SCI and SCE measured simultaneously
- Pulsed xenon lamp and LED light source with UV, 400/420 nm UV cut-off, 360–780 nm
- Repeatability ΔE*ab ≤ 0.01, inter-instrument agreement ΔE*ab ≤ 0.1
- Reflectance apertures Ø25.4/30, 15/18, 8/10 and 4/6 mm, recognised automatically
- Haze per ASTM D1003, more than 40 indices, 41 illuminants
- 10.5″ rotatable tablet, built-in camera, USB and Bluetooth
Suitable for
- Opaque and translucent plastic plaques, masterbatch and compounds
- Paints, coatings, inks and pigments; textiles and paper
- Films, sheets and glass in transmittance; liquids in cuvettes
- Colour quality control with CIE Lab (D65/10°) and ΔE pass/fail
Why the CS8560 benchtop spectrophotometer
When the tolerance is a few tenths of a ΔE unit, the instrument’s own scatter decides whether a batch passes. The CS8560 keeps that scatter at ΔE*ab 0.01 and agrees with other units of its class within ΔE*ab 0.1, so a standard measured here can be sent to a supplier or a second plant and checked there on the same scale.
Reflectance, transmittance and sample handling
Technical specifications
Optics and performance
| Geometry | Reflectance d/8, transmittance d/0, SCI + SCE, UV included / excluded |
| Standards | CIE No.15, ISO 7724/1, ASTM E1164, DIN 5033 Teil 7, JIS Z8722 |
| Light source | Pulsed xenon lamp and LED with UV; 400 and 420 nm cut-off |
| Integrating sphere | Ø 154 mm |
| Spectral system | Concave grating, 256-element double-array CMOS sensor |
| Wavelength range · pitch | 360–780 nm · 10 nm |
| Half bandwidth | 5 nm |
| Reflectance range | 0–200 % |
| Apertures, reflectance | Ø25.4/30, Ø15/18, Ø8/10, Ø4/6 mm |
| Apertures, transmittance | Ø25.4 mm, samples up to 54 mm thick |
| Repeatability | ΔE*ab ≤ 0.01 (Ø25.4 mm, SCI) |
| Inter-instrument agreement | ΔE*ab ≤ 0.1 (Ø25.4 mm, SCI) |
| Interfaces · storage | USB, Bluetooth · more than 50 000 records |
Colour data and general
| Colour spaces | CIE Lab, XYZ, Yxy, LCh, CIE LUV, Hunter Lab, Munsell, s-RGB, βxy, DIN Lab99 |
| Colour difference | ΔE*ab, ΔE*uv, ΔE*94, ΔE*cmc (2:1 and 1:1), ΔE*00, ΔE Hunter, DIN ΔE99, ΔE*CH |
| Indices | WI, YI, ISO brightness R457, metamerism index, APHA/Hazen/Pt-Co, Gardner, Saybolt, ASTM D1500, 555 index, colour fastness and staining, colour strength, opacity, haze (ASTM D1003) |
| Observer · illuminants | 2° and 10° · 41 illuminants incl. D65, A, C, D50, F1–F12, CWF, TL84 and LED series |
| Measuring time | approx. 2.0 s (SCI + SCE approx. 4 s) |
| Display | 10.5″ independent rotatable tablet |
| Positioning | Built-in camera |
| Power supply | 24 V, 3 A adapter |
| Lamp life | 5 years, more than 3 million measurements |
| Dimensions (L × W × H) | 440 × 248 × 283 mm |
| Weight | approx. 13.5 kg |
Software and data

The PC software stores standards with their tolerances, shows the spectrum, the colour plot and the colour difference, and exports results for reports and archiving. Quality-control and sample modes are also available directly on the 10.5″ tablet, and the built-in camera shows the measured spot.
Reflectance and transmittance results are kept in the same database, so one standard can be checked in both modes.
Standard delivery
- Instrument with white calibration board and black calibration cavity
- Reflectance apertures Ø25.4, 15, 8 and 4 mm and sample holder
- Transmittance test component, cuvette and transmission black baffle
- 10.5″ tablet, PC software, USB cable, power adapter, user guide
Optional: Ø4 mm transmittance test clamp, inversion component, culture dish, film fixture, custom apertures. 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
- Closest tolerances, reference instrument: CS8560 — xenon and LED, ΔE*ab ≤ 0.01 repeatability and ≤ 0.1 between instruments.
- LED source with closer agreement between several instruments: CS8520 — ΔE*ab ≤ 0.14 between instruments.
- Routine laboratory colour control with LED: CS8510.
- Xenon light for fluorescent and optically brightened samples at the entry price: CS8500.
- Transmittance or haze: all four models — the transmittance test component is included.
- Compact benchtop instrument with a built-in 7″ screen: the CS60 series (CS6080, CS6060, CS6020, CS6010).
- Large or curved parts at the production line: a portable spectrophotometer is the better tool — ask us for the right model.
Configuration notice
This page is provided for orientation and product selection. Sample type, apertures, transmittance 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.





