For print operations that already use X-Rite eXact instruments - and there are many, given how widely the eXact has been adopted as the press-side measurement standard in commercial and packaging printing - the question of whether to upgrade to the eXact 2 is a practical one. The case for upgrade rests on several factors: improved measurement consistency, updated measurement condition support, enhanced connectivity, and the commercial reality that some customer specifications now require measurement data that only the eXact 2 and instruments of equivalent generation can provide.
The original eXact and eXact Plus instruments established the template for modern press spectrophotometers: a handheld form factor optimised for press-side use, integrated density and spectrophotometric measurement, a colour touchscreen display, and built-in job storage. These instruments are well-suited for many applications and remain in widespread use. The eXact 2 builds on this foundation with specific improvements that matter in today's production environment - most significantly, its support for ISO 13655 measurement conditions including M1, and its improved inter-instrument agreement specification.
M1 measurement condition support is the most practically important difference for packaging and commercial printers working with brand colour specifications. ISO 12647-2 (offset print standard) and many major brand owner colour specifications now specify M1 as the required measurement condition. M1 measures under D50 illuminant with controlled UV content - a measurement condition designed to correctly evaluate optically brightened substrates that are common in commercial packaging. The original eXact did not support M1 measurement. The eXact 2 does, making it compliant with current standard requirements in a way that the previous generation is not. For printers whose customers specifically require M1-compliant measurement data, the upgrade is not optional - it is a qualification requirement. The eXact 2 range is available from Seaga Group in Australia.
Inter-Instrument Agreement Improvements
Inter-instrument agreement - how closely different instruments of the same model agree when measuring the same sample - is a critical performance parameter for print operations with multiple presses or multiple measurement points in their workflow. When instruments disagree on the same colour sample, measurements taken at different points in the facility cannot be directly compared, and the colour management system loses its consistency. The eXact 2 specifies tighter inter-instrument agreement than its predecessors, meaning that multiple eXact 2 units in the same facility will produce more consistent results on the same samples.
This improvement matters commercially as well as technically. When a brand owner visits a print supplier with their own eXact 2 to check production colour, they expect their instrument and the supplier's instrument to agree. If the supplier is using an older instrument with different calibration characteristics, the two instruments may disagree on borderline colour samples - creating disputes about whether a colour passes or fails that are frustrating for both parties. Upgrading to eXact 2 aligns the supplier's measurement capability with their customers' instruments, reducing these disagreements.
Connectivity and Software Integration
The eXact 2 introduces improved Bluetooth connectivity compared to previous eXact generations, simplifying the wireless transfer of measurement data to quality management software. For operations using Color iQC software or other X-Rite quality management platforms, the wireless connection between press-side instrument and analysis software is faster and more reliable than earlier Bluetooth implementations. This connectivity improvement reduces the time operators spend managing data transfer, keeping them focused on production rather than administration.
The eXact 2's user interface has also been updated with a larger, higher-resolution touchscreen and a simplified menu structure that reduces the number of steps required for common operations. For press operators who use the instrument under time pressure - during a running press, between sheets, with a production supervisor watching - a simpler interface with fewer steps to the most-used measurement functions is a practical operational improvement.
Considering the Total Cost of Ownership
For businesses evaluating whether to upgrade from eXact or eXact Plus to eXact 2, the X-Rite trade-in program provides a meaningful cost offset. Trade-in credit for existing eXact instruments reduces the net cost of upgrading and provides an environmentally responsible disposal path for older equipment. When the trade-in value is factored in, the cost gap between continuing with existing instruments and upgrading to eXact 2 is often smaller than it appears from list prices alone.
The ongoing value of eXact 2 - in terms of meeting current customer specifications, reducing the risk of compliance disputes, and enabling measurement-based process improvement - compounds over the lifetime of the investment. An instrument that prevents a single significant colour rejection in a year has typically covered a substantial fraction of its acquisition cost. An instrument that enables a supplier qualification win with a major brand owner may cover its cost in the first new contract it helps secure.
Conclusion
The X-Rite eXact 2 advances on its predecessors primarily through M1 measurement condition support, improved inter-instrument agreement, and enhanced connectivity - improvements that translate directly into better compliance with current print standards, more consistent colour management across multi-instrument environments, and more efficient integration with digital quality management workflows. For print operations still running original eXact instruments, the upgrade decision should be evaluated against the specific requirements of their customer base - and for any operation serving brand owners who have adopted M1-compliant measurement standards, the case for upgrading is compelling.