With the recent announcement about the upcoming End of Life for your first-generation X-Rite eXact device, now is the time to review your current instruments and plan a smooth transition. Effective September 1, 2026, X-Rite will discontinue sales of first-generation eXact devices, including eXact Standard, eXact Xp, eXact Advanced, and eXact Basic Spectro. After this date, these products will no longer be available for purchase.
Service and technical support will continue based on serial number; however, support capabilities may become increasingly limited over time due to spare-parts availability, component obsolescence, and ongoing supply chain constraints. Planning your upgrade now helps reduce the risk of production disruption, protects color measurement continuity, and gives your team time to evaluate the best replacement for your workflow.
Upgrading to the eXact 2 family is more than a replacement for legacy handhelds. It is an opportunity to improve measurement confidence, simplify day-to-day color control, and move to X-Rite’s current handheld platform for print, packaging, and ink workflows. eXact 2 is designed to support today’s production demands while helping your team stay aligned with current security, operating system, and software compatibility requirements.
Every eXact 2 model shares a common hardware foundation, with configurations designed for different levels of color control, substrate needs, and workflow complexity. Use the overview eXact 2 guide below to compare models and identify the option that best matches your production environment.
|
Model |
Designed For |
Workflow Type |
Key Strength |
|
Entry-level commercial print |
Standalone |
Simple, fast, essential measurement (density +L*a*b* and dE) |
|
|
Commercial print, folding carton, corrugated, and paper-based packaging |
Device-led workflow |
Versatile pressroom performance with strong software connectivity |
|
|
Flexible packaging converters and ink companies |
Device-led workflow |
Specialized support for film, foil, white-opaque, and wet-ink workflows |
|
|
Color-critical print, packaging, and ink environments |
Device-led workflow |
Broadest substrate coverage and deepest analytical capability |
What does End of Life mean for my first-generation eXact device?
End of Life (EOL) means X-Rite will discontinue sales of first-generation eXact devices, including eXact Standard, eXact Xp, eXact Advanced, and eXact Basic Spectro. Existing devices can still be used, but customers should begin planning an upgrade to maintain access to current hardware, software compatibility, service options, and long-term workflow support.
Will X-Rite still service or support my existing eXact Gen 1 device?
Yes. Service and technical support will remain available according to device serial number. eXact Gen 1 devices with serial numbers below 30000 are expected to be supported through December 31, 2028, while devices with serial numbers above 30000 are expected to be supported through December 31, 2031. Because service availability may vary over time, customers are encouraged to confirm support options for their specific device and plan ahead for replacement.
Why should I upgrade to eXact 2 instead of continuing to use my current device?
eXact 2 helps reduce operator-dependent variation with video targeting, digital loupe zoom technology, and an intuitive touch-screen experience. Operators can better see the measurement area, inspect patches, and capture more consistent readings across jobs, shifts, and user experience levels.
To support your transition, bundled upgrade promotions may be available through your sales partner. Complete the form to connect with an X-Rite Color Expert who can help you review your current devices, compare upgrade options, and choose the best-fit eXact 2 model for your production environment.