It depends on what samples and experiments you plan to investigate with your spectrometer. Here is some information to help you choose wisely.
| Product | Wavelength Range | Spectrometer Mode(s) available | Light Source | Compatible Software | Experiment Mode(s) available | Common Experiments | Connection Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Go Direct® SpectroVis® Plus Spectrophotometer (GDX-SVISPL) | 380 to 950 nm | Absorbance
%Transmittance Fluorescence, exc at 405nm Fluorescence, exc at 500nm Emissions* |
Visible: LED-boosted tungsten lamp
Fluorescence: built-in LEDs for excitation at 405 nm and 500 nm |
Spectral Analysis (computer, Chrome, iOS, Android) Logger Pro (computer, Mac and Windows) LabQuest |
Full Spectrum
Event-Based (e.g. Beer’s Law) Time-Based (e.g. kinetics) |
Best option for high school, AP, IB, and first year college. Numerous experiment options in our books including Beer’s Law, Kinetics, Sports Drinks, Food coloring, and Chlorophyll investigations. |
Bluetooth and USB connection |
| Go Direct® Visible Spectrophotometer (GDX-SPEC-VIS) | 380 to 950 nm | Absorbance
%Transmittance Emissions (requires Vernier Emissions Fiber (VSP-EM-FIBER) |
Visible: LED-boosted tungsten lamp | Spectral Analysis (computer, Chrome, iOS, Android) LabQuest |
Full Spectrum
Event-Based (e.g. Beer’s Law) Time-Based (e.g. kinetics) |
Completes all experiments that can be done with GDX-SVISPL. Aluminum housing and improved accuracy make it ideal for higher level courses. |
Bluetooth and USB connection |
| Vernier UV-VIS Spectrophotometer (VSP-UV)
Go Direct® UV-VIS Spectrophotometer (GDX-SPEC-UV) |
220 to 850 nm | Absorbance
%Transmittance Emissions* |
Visible: LED-boosted tungsten lamp
UV: Deuterium lamp |
Spectral Analysis (computer, Chrome, iOS, Android) Logger Pro (computer, Mac and Windows) LabQuest |
Full Spectrum
Event-Based (e.g. Beer’s Law) Time-Based (e.g. kinetics) |
Completes all experiments that can be done with GDX-SVISPL plus more. Additional options in our Organic Chemistry book and free experiments on our website for aspirin, DNA, and protein investigations. | USB connection
Go Direct: Bluetooth and USB connection |
| Go Direct® Fluorescence/UV-VIS Spectrophotometer (GDX-SPEC-FUV) | 220 to 850 nm | Absorbance
%Transmittance Fluorescence, excitation at multiple wavelengths Emissions* |
Visible: LED-boosted tungsten lamp
UV: Deuterium lamp Fluorescence: exchangeable LEDs for excitation at 375 nm, 450 nm, and 525 nm (additional wavelengths sold separately) |
Spectral Analysis (computer, Chrome, iOS, Android) Logger Pro (computer, Mac and Windows) LabQuest |
Full Spectrum
Event-Based (e.g. Beer’s Law) Time-Based (e.g. kinetics) |
Completes all experiments that can be done with VSP-UV plus fluorescence. Great options in our Organic Chemistry book and free experiments on our website for quinine and learning fluorescence spectroscopy. | Bluetooth and USB connection |
| Go Direct® Emissions Spectrometer (GDX-SPEC-EM) | 350 to 950 nm | Emissions (Vernier Emissions Fiber (VSP-EM-FIBER) optional | None | Spectral Analysis (computer, Chrome, iOS, Android) Logger Pro (computer, Mac and Windows) LabQuest |
Full Spectrum
Event-Based (e.g. Beer’s Law) Time-Based (e.g. kinetics) |
Instantly collect emissions spectra from light bulbs, LEDs, and gas discharge tubes. Highlighted in our physics curriculum for investigating hydrogen and Plank’s Constant | Bluetooth and USB connection |
| Vernier Flash Photolysis Spectrometer (VSP-FP) | 450 to 750 nm | Absorbance | Xenon flash lamp (pump) white LED (probe) |
Free Flash Photolysis software (Windows computer) | Time-Based (e.g. kinetics) | Measure absorption and emission changes of a photoexcited sample with microsecond resolution. Free experiments available on the website investigating congo red and other photoreactive samples. | USB connection |