RSpec Explorer

Item #P2-9505

$395.00 Bundle Discount

Unit Price	$395.00
6+	$379.00

Portable, digital quantitative visible light spectroscopy

Turn spectroscopy into an authentic scientific investigation students can carry anywhere. The RSpec Explorer is a handheld diffraction spectroscope designed to let students observe, compare, and analyze real emission and absorption spectra from everyday light sources. With its plug-and-play design and clear spectral scale, it moves spectroscopy out of the “special demo” category and into hands-on exploration.

Students simply point the RSpec Explorer at a light source and immediately see distinct spectral lines and bands. From classroom lamps to gas discharge tubes to sunlight, it makes atomic structure, energy levels, and light–matter interactions visible with easy-to-use free software.

Why Teachers Love the Rspec Explorer

An easy, inexpensive path to quantitative spectroscopy: The built-in camera and software ensure every student sees the same spectrum, eliminating the guesswork common with traditional diffraction gratings.
Supports true quantitative analysis: Students measure wavelengths directly instead of just describing colors, leading to a deeper understanding of visible light.
Enables meaningful group work: Multiple users can investigate spectra at the same time, making it practical for full-class labs rather than single-student demos.
Keeps focus on learning, not interpretation: With consistent visuals, students spend less time wondering what they’re seeing and more time analyzing spectra, comparing sources, and drawing conclusions.

Blog Posts

Behind the Scenes with Light and Color: 10 Great Demos

What You Can Teach with the RSpec Explorer

Use from high school through introductory college courses to explore:

Atomic emission spectra: Identify elements by their unique spectral “fingerprints.”
Electron energy levels: Connect discrete spectral lines to quantized energy transitions.
Continuous vs. line spectra: Compare incandescent, fluorescent, LED, and gas-discharge sources.
Absorption spectra: Observe dark absorption lines when viewing sunlight or filtered sources.
Real-world spectroscopy applications: Astronomy (stellar composition), lighting technology, and chemical identification.

The RSpec Explorer gives students a direct window into how scientists use visible light to understand matter—making spectroscopy personal, portable, and memorable.

How It Works

View spectra with a built-in camera: The RSpec Explorer includes a camera that captures the spectrum seen through the spectroscope and sends it directly to a computer.
Analyze with included software: The bundled software displays the spectrum on screen, allowing students to measure wavelengths and compare spectral lines quantitatively—an easy, affordable alternative to full spectrometer systems.
Works on common computers: Compatible with Windows (XP or newer) and Mac operating systems, so it runs on the computers you already have.

Fast classroom setup: From plugging in the camera to capturing a usable spectrum takes about 90 seconds, making it practical for full-class labs and quick investigations.

Products being sold are not toys. They are for Educational / Laboratory use only. They are not for use by children 12 and under.

Specs:

Camera

USB camera with 640x480 resolution

auto-focus

interpolated to 1.3 megapixels

The focal length is 2.3 mm.

The focus distance is from about 5” (130 mm) to infinity.

The field of view is 68°.

Frame rate is 30 fps.

Cable length is 4’

Spectroscope