HunterLab Unveils Vista L2 – A Color‑Measurement Spectrophotometer That Reaches 710 nm

HunterLab, the company that’s been setting the standard for colour measurement since the early 1950s, just announced its newest instrument – the Vista L2. On the surface it looks a lot like the earlier Vista models you may already know, but underneath the hood it carries a few upgrades that could make a noticeable difference for quality‑control teams across a range of industries.

The headline change is the extended spectral range. Where the previous Vista stopped at 680 nm, the L2 now reaches all the way out to 710 nm. That extra stretch isn’t just a numbers game; it lets you separate true colour (absorbance) from haze (light scattering) with a sharper eye, and it opens the door to chlorophyll measurements at 630, 670 and 710 nm – a requirement in the AOCS Cc 13d‑55 method used to monitor oxidation in edible oils.

But extending the wavelength is only part of the story. The instrument ships with Essentials L2, which HunterLab calls the most advanced colour‑analysis software in the category. It’s delivered on a flash drive or via an internet update, and it talks directly to the device’s beefed‑up on‑board computer. The L2 now carries 32 GB of storage – enough for millions of readings – and it even has an HDMI port so you can display results on a larger screen in real time.

Operationally, the Vista L2 keeps the familiar transmission geometry, full‑spectrum LED illumination and intuitive touchscreen that users appreciate. New touches include a built‑in wavelength verification standard that checks performance on the fly, interchangeable holders and base plates for everything from cuvettes to translucent plastic preforms, and magnetic attachments that help you repeat the same positioning over and over.

Bob Weaver, President of HunterLab, summed it up nicely: “Quality teams are being asked to measure more, on tighter timelines, without adding instruments or headcount. Vista L2 was built for that reality. It widens what a single instrument can do while running the same methods and accessories our customers already use, so the upgrade adds capability without disruption.”

In practical terms, the L2 can report absolute colour using the Beer‑Lambert Law straight from standard cells and vials, handle 5.25‑inch or 1‑inch path‑lengths for edible‑oil testing, and even read APHA colour in smaller cells than many competitors require – a small but helpful cost saver.

The new spectrophotometer is now available worldwide. For demos, pricing or deeper technical questions, interested parties can head to HunterLab’s contact page and request a live walkthrough.