It depends on what samples and experiments you plan to investigate with your spectrometer. Here is some information to help you choose wisely.

Also see our webpage: https://www.vernier.com/products/spectrometers/

Go Direct® SpectroVis® Plus Spectrophotometer (GDX-SVISPL)

Wavelength Range: 380 to 950 nm

Best option for high school, AP, IB, and first year college.

Spectrometer Mode(s) available Light Source Compatible Software Experiment Mode(s) available Common Experiments Connection Type
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)

LabQuest

 Full Spectrum

Event-Based (e.g. Beer’s Law)

Time-Based (e.g. kinetics)

 Numerous experiment options in our books including Beer’s Law, Kinetics, Sports Drinks, Food coloring, and Chlorophyll investigations. Bluetooth and USB connection
 *Emissions mode requires Vernier Spectrophotometer Optical Fiber (VSP-FIBER), sold separately.

Go Direct® Visible Spectrophotometer (GDX-SPEC-VIS)

Wavelength Range: 380 to 950 nm

Spectrometer Mode(s) available Light Source Compatible Software Experiment Mode(s) available Common Experiments Connection Type
Absorbance

%Transmittance

Emissions*

 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
 *Emissions mode requires Vernier Emissions Fiber (VSP-EM-FIBER), purchased separately.

Go Direct® UV-VIS Spectrophotometer (GDX-SPEC-UV)

Wavelength Range: 220 to 850 nm

Spectrometer Mode(s) available Light Source Compatible Software Experiment Mode(s) available Common Experiments Connection Type
Absorbance

%Transmittance

Emissions*

 Visible: LED-boosted tungsten lamp

UV: Deuterium 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 plus more. Additional options in our Organic Chemistry book and free experiments on our website for aspirin, DNA, and protein investigations. Bluetooth and USB connection
 *Emissions mode requires Vernier Spectrophotometer Optical Fiber (VSP-FIBER), sold separately.

Go Direct® Fluorescence/UV-VIS Spectrophotometer (GDX-SPEC-FUV)

Wavelength Range: 220 to 850 nm

Spectrometer Mode(s) available Light Source Compatible Software Experiment Mode(s) available Common Experiments Connection Type
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)

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
 *Emissions mode requires Vernier Spectrophotometer Optical Fiber (VSP-FIBER), sold separately.

Go Direct® Emissions Spectrometer (GDX-SPEC-EM)

Wavelength Range: 350 to 950 nm

Spectrometer Mode(s) available Light Source Compatible Software Experiment Mode(s) available Common Experiments Connection Type
Emissions* None Spectral Analysis (computer, Chrome, iOS, Android)

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
 *Optional Vernier Emissions Fiber (VSP-EM-FIBER), sold separately.

Vernier Flash Photolysis Spectrometer (VSP-FP)

Wavelength Range: 450 to 750 nm

Spectrometer Mode(s) available Light Source Compatible Software Experiment Mode(s) available Common Experiments Connection Type
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
Published: August 6, 2021. Updated: June 3, 2025.