What my Customers Say
I'm a Lecturer in Physics at Lancaster University.
I thought I'd take the chance to drop you line and congratulate
you on your brilliant i-Phos spectrometer! I've purchased a couple of
them over the past year, with the intention of using them for educational
purposes. I previously spent a couple of years searching for a spectrometer
that was accurate, practical and affordable - so it was great to discover
your product!
The ongoing lockdowns have prevented me from doing much so far,
but I was able to point one at a hydrogen lamp, and produce the attached
spectrum, which looks excellent (I suspect my spectra will look even
better once I've learnt how to get most out of these devices). I have
lots of ideas for when normality finally returns to our labs, lecture
theatres and classrooms.
Dr. Andy Blake
Lecturer in Experimental Neutrino Physics
Lancaster University, UK
(made public with Dr Blake's permission)
The i-Phos HD 370-950 nm Light Spectrometer is an inexpensive instrument
for those of us who don’t need a professional unit to measure
wavelength and to date is one of the best deals I’ve found on
the net for use in my laser hobby.
Read
the comprehensive & independent review here!
Chris H, Laser Discourse forum admin
Hi Chris, I just wanted to update you on my use of the i-Phos Spectrometer
I purchased from you. I have been an engineer for many years
and went back to school to complete my Ph.D. in Computer Science and
Engineering. For one aspect of my dissertation I incorporated the i-Phos
Spectrometer. Please see the attached IEEE paper. It has been accepted
for publication and will be published world-wide in the next couple
of months. Thank you for making this product...I am impressed with the
quality of your current products.
Best Regards,
Tom, USA
Hi Chris
I'm not normally impressed - but literally upack, plug in, download
software, two point calibrate with a CCFL and off I go.
Attached is a striking spectra for an amber LED. The peak of 613 is
within the tolerance I would expect.
I'll have a go at additionally calibrating with a high pressure sodium
lamp - there should be a good four peaks to calibrate on -- regardless,
it'll be interesting.
Off the bat, this looks like it's going to be invaluable for the project
I'm working on.
I have some IR / UV LEDs so I'll give them a go too.
Thank you - great service, great product.
Cheers
Glen, UK
This thing is great. Thanks for putting it on [sale] at a very affordable
price
Mike, USA
I have tested the spectrometer and it works as easy as I have hoped.
Thank you.
Nico, Netherlands
Hi Chris a big thankYOU ( or as we say in some parts of Oirland
‘Go Maith Agat ’) for a brilliant product, great delivery,
customer service, and empowering me with a superb instrument to see
the world with so many colourful and ‘non visible to the naked
eye spectrum’ possibilities too. Enthused and thankful.
Cheers ( I admire Great British designers like you),
Sean, Co Meath, Ireland
[I] just wanted to let you know that I received the Spec[trometer]
all in good order and I have played around with it a bit and I think
it is excellent - really happy with it.
Im using it for various things including looking at LED grow lights
, confirming the wavelength of some gadgets that I got from China but
was never sure of how accurate they were, and things like that - I realised
it can be a very useful tool to have around and was going to build it
myself but you had worked out all the details so made more sense to
get it from you.
Anyway, just wanted to say thanks and will let you know if I think
of any upgrades with it in the future.
best wishes
Antoine, Ashord, UK
Hi Chris.
I have the spectrometer working here now. Really good, I'm
very pleased.
Very many thanks,
Steve, UK
Chris,
just fired up the spectrometer and software, 10 mins and its
running. Just taken the spectra of a UV torch, fluorescent and filament
lamp. Truly an amazing piece of kit. I thought of getting an optical
spectrometer like at uni but this was the most cost-effective. Solar
spectrometry is next on the weekend. I found you on Amazon, it's great
to have this artisan industry in the world and accessible to all.
Regards
Misha, UK
The spectrometer is amazing, it actually works much better than
our old (and expensive) Vernier spectrometer! I already got a very good
spectrum of the sun, after just a quick calibration. The spectrometer
will be used in a workshop for students about atomic physics that we
offer [here]. So far I'm not sure what we will look at exactly, but
I already see lots of possibilities!
Thanks again! Best regards
Charlotte, Switzerland
Hi Chris,
Just wanted to let you know that I got it now and already tested it.
Cool device! I like it very much.
Regards
Andreas, Switzerland
Oh my God!
I'm loving this. ... it all works automatically without any manual downloads
on my Windows 10 PC. I will be studying for days the light from various
devices.
THANK YOU CHRIS! You have saved me potentially thousands. And hopefully
I will be able to better understand the nature of my eyes sensitivity.
FYI, I will send you some snapshots of the white screen from various
monitors. When I get a laptop I will be able to analyse the light from
more monitors.
Hooray!
U.R, Australia
Hello Chris
The i-Phos is arrived in Switzerland and works very well.
Horst, Switzerland
Hi Chris, Just just to let you know I recieved the Spectrometer
today and it works like a charm. Thanks again!
Nico, Switzerland
Thank-you for your great job
Daniel, Belgium
Hi Chris,
now I was successfull and the spectrsocope works well!
Compliment for this development - great!
Many Thanks for your advice and patience
Best wishes
Wolfgang, Germany
Hi Chris,
It's arrived! I'm using a small tripod (that I forgot I had)
to keep it steady on my desk. It looks awesome. It's even better than
I expected. [...]
I managed to have a quick play at lunch time. Calibration wasn't
as complicated as I feared (even though one of my cats moved the tripod
while I was trying to calibrate!)!
I have to say it's a fantastic product, so much better than I expected.
I'm going to have a lot of fun with it.
Regards,
Paul, UK
Hello Chris ! nice to meet you.
I got your nice spectrometer some days ago. I just had the time
for a quick test, It is great and it perfectly fits to my hopes.
Cheers
Domi, Belgium
Hi Chris
Thank you for all the detailed instructions. I just found some
time yesterday to properly calibrate the i-Phos and test it.
It works like a charm. :)
Alexander, Switzerland
Hi Chris,
I am very pleased with the i-Phos I purchased before Christmas and would
now like to fit a tripod mounting bracket.
Please advise how I can purchase the bracket as a separate accessory
and the extra cost for postage and packing.
Regards,
Eamon, UK
Hi Chris,
I received the spectrometer yesterday and it works like a charm.
Thanks!
I intend to primarily use it to test and verify various red and
near-infrared light sources for photobiostimulation.
Best Regards from Denmark
Kristian
Chris,
Thank you very much for taking the time to update me and also for
the excellent manner in which all of your communication and detailed
information regarding this product. Your professionalism is a credit
to yourself and is greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Dale, Australia
Hi Chris,
... I started to use it with my students, and it's one of my favourite
tool ! Thanks alot for your explanations, and your time.
JF, France
Hello Chris
thank you for your i-phos.
It is amazing and works perfectly.
It's fascinating to see the lights this way.
I use it to adjust the lighting of my orchid greenhouse, to analyze
the light from the diving lights.
But also to show children and in my diving lessons on video colorimetry.
I like to see all lights in this way.
And I love olive oil ....
Thanks again .
Marco, France
to Chris
I bought your Spectrometer to identify the specific wavelength
of an obscure IR LED.
... Historically when these LEDs die they can't be replaced because
no one knew the correct wavelength and attempts at shotgunning off-the
shelf IR LEDs ranged from ineffective to very poor tracking compared
to the original.
using your spectrometer I was able to identify that the wavelength
peaked around 955nm. I've yet to find a suitable replacement LED but
at least now I know what range to look at and have a way to see how
close it actually compares.
Mike M, UK
Dear Chris,
I have used my i-Phos for all sorts of things: analysing different
light sources, absorption spectra of dyes, paints, chemicals, and particularly
gemstones and crystals. This has provided a fascinating hobby during
my retirement. My least successful is with some flame tests. Copper
in particular gives a weak blue-green colour which does not show up,
but needless to say sodium salts give a very clear result! I am extremely
grateful that you have produced such an excellent spectrometer which
works well with the software.
Stephen
If you have questions
about the spectrometer,
please use the video comments below the
video.
|
i-Phos Questions &
Answers
Can you extend the range of wavelengths
it can see?
No. The sensor is based on a webcam designed to see
visible light. With the IR filter removed it can see a little beyond
that into both UV and IR but not far and it can't be extended further.
Can it measure blue light?
Hi, I am a dark skies educator, and I am looking for a reasonably portable
spectrograph or spectrometer that I can use to measure the blue light
being emitted from LED street lights of 3000K+. Would this model be
able to do that, or am I going to have to look for some a tad bit more
expensive? Thanks
- Hi ***,
It's difficult to say because it depends how bright and how far away
the street light is from the instrument.
I have a video showing me collecting the sodium spectrum of a street
light opposite my office with my i-Phos on my channel here: .https://youtu.be/Tz43jRf8FjY?t=352
- but I think I used the interchangeable slit plate model with a 5mm
slit plate. To be on the safe side, I would recomment that version.
The Pro Bundle includes all 6 slit plates from 0.5 to 5mm, and you can
remove all slit plates for an even wider aperture. If you're on a budget,
then you could also modify the front end cap yourself - slit plates
are low-tech devices - but you'd need to ensure that the plate is aligned
rotationally with the camera or your spectral lines will be tilted.
Another option for you is to buy the cheaper version and try it - and
if it is not suitable for you, contact me again and I can sell you the
interchageable slit frame and you can replace the old one.
I would also be interested in working with you to see if you can get
the i-Phos to produce good spectra from sky objects like the moon or
a bright star.
I'm sorry my answer isn't a solid YES or NO, but I hope the advice
and options offered are helpful for you.
Best Wishes
Chris
Can it analyse inks?
Hello, I want to know if is possible use it for get the ink spectrum
on documents?
And if is possible get better price if a order 5 pieces
Thanks for your comments
***, I have not tried to get spectra from ink but this would be done
using the absorption method. Shine a white light on the ink and measure
the reflected light looking for absorption lines which would chracterise
the composition of the ink. So, in theory, it is possible, but in practice
I have not tried it.
Sorry, there is no bulk purchase discount.
Will this measure PAR & Intensities?
It's complicated.
PAR is an achronym for "Photosynthetically Active Region"
- that range of wavelengths of light which promote photosynthesis -
the process plants use to live and grow.
A PAR Meter measures light intensity - or "flux density"
- the amount of light landing on a certain area per second. PAR meters
will have filters but they don't usually measure the specific wavelengths
of light - just the intensity. So, for example, your PAR meter won't
"know" if your light source completely fails to deliver some
wavelengths which are important in fruiting.
This instrument fills that gap - it measures the wavelengths and their
relative intensities, so you can see which wavelengths (colours) are
being delivered, and which are not. That knowledge allows you to take
action (changing or adding light sources) for optimal performance.
Sorry to trouble you. Do you actually mean UV-VISIBL and not UV-IR
Spectrometre? The spectrum chart indicate the former. Thanks.
You're not troubling me -thank you for your question. The sensor can
see wavelengths from about 380 to 1000 [now 930] nano
meters, which covers near infraread, visible and nea ultra violet wavelengths.
Does it run with Windows 7?
Hello
is it compatible with windows 7 ?
can I study filter transmission, like multigrade silver print filters
?
Best regards
Hello,
Yes, the software should work with Windows 7 and back to Vista! Yes,
you can study filter transmission. bear in mind that the software shows
a real-time graph of wavelength against relative intensity, but not
of absolute intensity. So you cannot measure flux density, for example,
but you can easily see visually what your filter is doing to your light
source.
Best Wishes
Chris
Can it do gemology?
I would be grateful, for any information about utilizing
this spectrometre in the field of gemology, especially the Raman spectroscopy.
Thanks.
The short answer is "I don't know". Ceretainly, the i-Phos
will analyse the spectra of light sources, but Raman spectroscopy relies
on analysing the 1% or light from Raman scattering, so the intensity
might be very low. If you can arrange for all of the light to enter
the spectroscope - maybe by removing the front aperture and using a
long integration time, you might get a good spectrum, but it's not something
I've tried to do.
Hello,
is the software also part of the auction?
If yes, which system requirement does the computer need?
With friendly greetings
Hello. Yes, the software is included. I sent a download link when shipping.
This software runs on a Windows PC.
greetings
Chris
How do I set exposure correctly?
Hi Chris,
I had a lot of fun with it yesterday, and I sent my friend on discord
many graphs!
I noticed that the exposure setting can make a significant change
to the graph. Is there a good rule of thumb for ensuring it's set to
the right value for the thing being tested?
Regards,Paul
Hi Paul, the i-Phos is a compromise - for less than 1% of the cost
of a lab insrtument you get a lot of functionality but you don't get
everything.
So the i-Phos displays an approximate relative intensity graph for the
wavelengths of the source. This is explained in the sales literature.
The i-Phos is perfect for checking the central output wavelength of
power LEDs lasers etc. but it's not ideal for relative intensity measurements.
Even so it's still very useful. See the comparisons between i-Phos charts
and Ocean Optics lab instruments on my channel - they are almost identical.
As you point out - in some cases, the relative heights (intensities)
of wavelengths change with exposure - and they can't all be true!
How you accomodate this depends on the objective of your analysis but
in general, avoid saturating the webcam sensor by dialling down the
exposure to keep peaks away from the top of the graph.
If you are only interested in part of the spectrum then adjust exposure
so that THAT PART of the spectrum has the right exposure - not bumbling
on the X axis, but not smashing the top either.
Fundamentally the webcam sensor should be kept out of the noise floor
and saturation regions.
It will take a little time to get to know your instrument and how to
get the best from it.
Ultimately, rest assured that if you're not happy - you will get your
money back!
Best Wishes
Chris
|
