This FAQ’s page includes a series of questions that are commonly asked by customers and cover topics including accessories, connectivity, general knowledge, maintenance, operation, software, and troubleshooting.
When viewing the scan in DARWin, right click on the spectrum and there should be a checkmark next to “active”. If “active” is not checked off, then the window isn’t activated to update with each new scan. Select “active” and take a new scan and it will display the data. If you follow the menu path for “Window” at the top of the screen, the last option on the menu will display all open windows within DARWin and you can alternate between which plots you are viewing; you may want some windows to be active and others to be inactive, so they do not change.
To view multiple scans in the same window for comparison you would want to open a “new multiple measurement” plot. This can be done by right clicking on the spectrum and selecting from the menu for “Send scan data to” and click on “New Multiple Measurement Plot”. The other option is by clicking on the button for “New Plot” in the header tools and selecting “New Multiple Measurement Plot”, or by going to the menu path for “Window”, hovering over the first option for “New Plot” and selecting from the drop-down for “Multiple Measurement”.
There is a drop-down list of Optic options in DARWin. DARWin comes loaded with presets for optic settings, these are all the options above the option for NONE. Select the appropriate option for your optic (which probe you’re using) and the software has been designed to optimize the data from their output. If you ordered accessories with your instrument, then they would appear underneath the optic option for NONE. These are the optics that have been calibrated with your instrument and selecting these options will load those calibrations. This is especially important if trying to measure direct energy – you need to choose the calibrated optic for that calibration to load into DARWin. The options labeled as FIBER15 or FIBER20 are for your fiber optic cable and the numbers indicate the length (example 15 is for 1.5 meter fiber)
DARWinTM SP is designed to run on a PC or laptop. DARWinTM LT has been specifically designed to run on the rugged field tablet Spectral Evolutions sells. If you’re on a laptop or PC be sure to be running DARWinTM SP and if you’re on the field tablet, be sure to run DARWinTM LT.
Yes, there is a menu path at the top of the DARWin user interface screen for “File”. Click on this menu path and the first option under it is “Open Stored Data File(s)”. This will allow you to search through your documents and open the scans you wish to view. You can open one scan in a “single measurement” plot in DARWin or you have the option to select many scans and open them a “multiple measurement” plot for direct data comparison.
If there is ever an issue with your data we request that you email our customer service department with the .SED and .RAW files. The .SED file is the extension you can access and open within DARWin or WordPad to view the scans spectrum plot or data. The .RAW file provides our engineering department with more insight into the functionality of the instrument at the time of the scan to help analyze your data and pinpoint an issue.
Please email our customer service department with your model and serial number and we will be able to assist you with this concern!
We never recommend opening the instrument! The interior of the instrument is specifically aligned and is hermetically sealed to keep out dust and other pollutants from the optical path. If there is an issue and you need the instrument to be inspected, please contact our customer service team for a quote and to coordinate returning the instrument for inspection and repair.
If you think there is an applicable warranty issue, please contact our customer service team to discuss the issue.
If you think something has broken on your instrument, reach out to our customer service team. We can work with you to get the instrument back to our facility for inspection and repair!
The Fiber Optic Cable has a field of view of 25-degrees that extends from the fiber in a cone.
When using the field backpack provided, the instrument should be buckled in so that the fans face outward, and the flap should be secured at the bottom of the backpack. This leaves the fans exposed so the instrument can continue to cool while being used and won’t overheat by being trapped in the backpack.
Spectral Evolution sells a spectral calibration kit for on-site spectral calibration – the results are then sent to Spectral Evolution for configuration and certification. If you prefer, Spectral Evolution can recalibrate the instrument for spectral calibration or also for radiometric calibration. Please contact our customer service team for pricing information and to coordinate service.
If you need tech support, please reach out to our customer service team for assistance!
Email our customer service team your .SED file and your .RAW file for the scans in question, we will be happy to look at the scans and assist you with any issue you’re facing!
Yes, Spectral Evolutions Fiber Optic Cables are field replaceable and will maintain calibration when doing so. This is possible because our Fibers are mechanically keyed with a keyway so it will only fit one way onto the instrument and the slit will align with mechanical precision every time. This maintains the calibration of the fiber.
Spectral Evolution recommends recalibration every year. This ensures the data is accurate and of the best quality. Contact our customer service team to get a quote on recalibration and coordinate returning the instrument.
Contact Spectral Evolution’s customer service team to discuss the details of your application to identify which instrument is right for you. We offer spectrometers and spectroradiometers with varying features, spectral ranges, and resolution. Let us help you with the comparison and identification process!
Yes. Spectral Evolution suggests letting the instrument warm up for approximately 15-20 minutes. This time is not a hard and fast rule. The instrument status bar in DARWinTM will show you the internal system temperature of the instrument, you want to let this temperature get to around 27-30 degrees. This is a fully warmed up instrument and will allow for the SWIR detectors to operate at optimum performance.
Yes! Spectral Evolution is proud to say we have instruments in the field that are ten years old and still fully functional! If you’re needing a recalibration or repair, we are also proud to still offer such services on these instruments. We want you to be satisfied for the full life of the instrument! Please contact our customer service department if you’re concerned with its performance or need it to be recalibrated.
Yes, the instruments are designed to be rugged and travelled with. There are no moving parts internally that could fail from travelling and all our instruments are sent in a Pelican Case. This case has foam inserts that are custom cut to fit your instrument precisely and allow for travel without any damage. Take them on a plane, boat, truck, or ATV and feel assured knowing they’re securely packaged for travel.
Spectral Evolution offers a length of Fiber Optic Cable to best fit your needs, but still provide you with high quality data. The standard size most instruments come with is 1.5 meters. There are additional options for 1 meter, 1.2 meters, 2 meters, and 3 meters. Contact our customer service department with your model and serial number to determine your fiber optic cable length, or to get a quote on a new custom fiber optic cable of the length of your choosing!
Spectral Evolution sells replacement sample trays, which will also come with a new white reference sample tray. Please contact our customer service team for a quote on these or check them out in our online store!
Yes, Spectral Evolution sells replacement gaskets for the 10mm spot size, standard contact probe. Please contact our customer service team for a quote on these or check them out in our online store!
Yes, Spectral Evolution sells replacement white plates to be inserted into the leaf clip. Please contact our customer service team for a quote on these or check them out in our online store!
Yes, Spectral Evolution sells various size replacement White Reference plates. Please contact our customer service team for a quote on a new White Reference Plate.
To remove the Fiber Optic Cable from an accessory with the quick release silver metal button, simply loosen the mounting screw and press the quick release button. The fiber will pop out of place. For accessories with the screw on SMA-905 mount, simply unscrew the SMA-905 threaded end from the accessory port and remove the fiber.
The Fiber Optic cable can be attached to our accessories in two different ways. Some accessories, like the contact probe and pistol grip, require the use of the ferrule on the end of the Fiber Optic Cable. The cable is inserted into the SMA Fiber Port, the flat side on the ferrule is lined up with the flat side in the port, and the quick release silver square metal button should be depressed. Then the fiber can be pushed into the port fully and the button can be released. This will lock the fiber in place. You should be able to give it a little pull and it won’t move. For additional stabilization some accessories with this connection method will also have a mounting screw on the side where the fiber gets inserted to tighten and hold the fiber securely in place. Other accessories, like the leaf clip and R/T Sphere, only require you to screw the threaded SMA-905 connector end of the Fiber Optic Cable onto the SMA Fiber Connection Port on the accessory.
Yes, our accessories have user replaceable light bulbs, and we sell replacement bulbs for our accessories. Contact our customer service team for a quote on replacement bulbs and directions on performing the change out.
Accessories that have an integrated light source should be warmed up for about 5 minutes prior to use, this will allow for the bulb to reach full temperature and provide scans that don’t show drift over time.
The white plate is a reference for Reflectance Measurements. The target scan you take will be directly compared within the DARWinTM program to the white reference and provide you the reflectance of the sample. If your conditions remain the same and the sample remains the same, you wouldn’t need to take a white reference for every target scan. However, anytime a condition changes you want to be sure to take a new reference scan – this will keep your reference and target scan as close as possible condition wise and keep your data as accurate as possible.
You want to be sure the accessory has the Accessory Power Cable connected fully, that the red dots line up on the cable and the port, and there is an audible click is heard. If this cable is properly connected, be sure you have turned the accessory switch on. The trigger will not work if there isn’t power to the accessory, and it is turned on. Finally, check that the External Trigger Feature has been enabled in DARWinTM. You should have clicked on the “EXT TRIG START” button and would now see it reflect a red stop sign that says, “EXT TRIG STOP” (show photo and double check the red stop sign thing). The trigger will not properly initialize a scan if this feature hasn’t been turned on. If you’re still experiencing issues, please contact our customer service team for assistance!
There are two lights on the contact probe, there is a red LED light on the power switch of the contact probe and there is a built-in 5-Watt Tungsten-Halogen lightbulb within the probe. When the contact probe is plugged into the spectrometer via the accessory power cable and the power switch is switched to the ON position, the red LED light will illuminate on the power switch itself. If this red LED light is on you know power is being supplied to the contact probe. The next light that turns on is the built-in light. If you put your hand in front of the window of the contact probe, or move it close to a surface, you will see the light source illuminated. The Tungsten-Halogen bulb has a long lifetime; however, they still burn out. If this is the light that isn’t working, it is user replaceable, and Spectral Evolutions sells replacement bulbs. Please contact our customer service team for a quote and directions on how to perform this replacement.
The Lithium-Ion Batteries are long lasting but do require replacement over time. With each year of use the batteries do begin to lose their ability to hold a charge, for this reason Spectral Evolution recommends replacing your batteries about every four years to maintain the longevity of them and continue getting accurate data by providing enough power to your instrument. Please contact our customer service team for a quote on new batteries!
The instruments that have been designed for field use come with one battery. The instruments that have been designed for use in the lab come with a Wall Power Supply cable and no batteries. Additional batteries can be purchased for lab or field instruments. Please contact our customer service team if you would like a quote on additional batteries!
The batteries Spectral Evolution provide are high-capacity Lithium-Ion batteries and should offer at least 4-5 hours in the field. This time frame does depend on how much power is being drawn from the batteries; for example, if you’re using an accessory with a light source or trigger that will draw more power than a bare fiber. Please contact Spectral Evolution for a quote on additional batteries if you are planning an extended field campaign!
The scan files are saved automatically to a folder within your Documents entitled Spectral Evolution. Subfolders will be created for the model and serial number specific to the instrument being used and then another subfolder titled as the date the scans were taken. Find the scans in these subfolders and open the .SED file within DARWinTM to view the spectrum or within notepad or Microsoft Wordpad to view the ASCII style document. If you want to change where the scan file saves to, that option exists in the Instrument Control Panel in DARWinTM.
Yes, our instruments and our DARWinTM program are designed to go hand in hand. They need each other to function properly. The scan data is saved in an ASCII style format for easy exporting and post processing if required.
If the instrument is plugged into a Wall Power Supply and then a wall outlet, then yes it can be operated using power from the outlet. If the battery is charging, the instrument cannot be operated using the power that comes from the wall while charging the battery.
Yes you can! Using the bare fiber, the fiber with a lens, or the fiber and the pistol grip holder you can take stand-off measurements of your target. Using the leaf clip, benchtop reflectance probe, or contact probe you can take contact measurements of your sample.
Reference scans cannot be initiated using the trigger button on accessories, it must be initiated within the DARWin program by clicking on the “REF” button. The only exception to this is when using the Sensaprobe+ with our NaturaSpec Plus spectroradiometer.
Absolutely! Spectral Evolution is pleased to offer in-person training or virtual training. Please contact the sales team for a quote!
Scans can be initiated within the DARWinTM program. A reference scan can be initiated by clicking on the “REF” button whereas a target scan can be initiated by clicking on the “SCAN” button. If you have an accessory connected to the instrument with a trigger capability, you can initiate a target scan using the trigger button. In DARWinTM click on the “EXT TRIG START” button which will enable the external trigger feature, then click the trigger button on the accessory – do not hold it down. Continue to remain steady in either your contact to the sample or your position to the sample in a stand-off measurement. The trigger button initiates the scan, but it still takes a couple seconds for the instrument to gather all the data and output the scan. Wait until the data has finished being collected by the instrument and DARWinTM indicates the scan is complete before moving.
Open your Bluetooth Settings on your PC, or Tablet, and click Add Device. Find the model number and serial number for your instrument listed in the devices. Click on it and enter the Bluetooth Password for the instrument. This password would be the model number in all lowercase letters (example: SR-1901 password is sr1901). There is more information regarding your Bluetooth Password in the User Manual for your instrument. Once the instrument is connected to you device, you can proceed with selecting the COM PORT in DARWinTM and begin taking scans!
A COM PORT is a communication port, which the instrument is using on your device to connect to it. This COM PORT can change depending on how many Bluetooth or USB connections are being used at one time on your device. After connecting successfully to the instrument via Bluetooth, while still within the Bluetooth Settings on your PC or Tablet, navigate to the “More Bluetooth Settings”. Click on this option and navigate to the section labelled COM PORTS. You want to make note of the “Outgoing” COM PORT which will be labelled to include “Generic Serial”. This is the COM PORT you want to select from the drop-down menu in the “Instrument Control” window within DARWinTM to connect to the instrument.
The RS-880 has an onboard IoT computer running Windows 10. This can be accessed via the Microsoft Remote Desktop application. This is the only instrument Spectral Evolution offers that can be operated using a smartphone Bluetooth connection.
Currently, our DARWinTM program has been designed to only operate using Windows PCs that run Windows 7, 8, 10 or 11.
To begin, the instrument must be connected to a power source (either the Lithium-Ion battery it was supplied with or the Wall Power Supply). This connection is made my connecting the power cord to the power cable port on the instrument, this is located on the back of the instrument. This port is called out in the manual and identified with photos. It is a circular port, with 2 visible pins, and a red dot on the top of the circle. Algin the red dot on the cord to the red dot on the port to allow the cable to click into place. After being connected to a power source, the Power Button can be engaged to turn the instrument on. There are two different power buttons that Spectral Evolutions instruments have, there is either a circular button on the front of the instrument near the fiber optic cable input or there is a power switch on the back of the instrument near the power supply port. The manual for your instrument will give more details on the power button your instrument has and its location. If you have the circular button on the front of the instrument, firmly press the button in quickly and release. The circle around the button will illuminates blue once the instrument powers on. On the models where there is a Power Switch on the back of the instrument, it can be flipped from the “off” position (circle) to the “on” position (line). To power down the instrument, flip the switch to the off position or press the circle button for a second and then release it, the illuminated circle will now turn off.