The NS1010 is the SmartDrop X Nano Spectrophotometer — the mid-tier variant in the Accuris SmartDrop family. Distinguished from the entry-level NS1000 (SmartDrop L) by xenon flash lamp light source and 2048-element CCD array detector (vs UV LED + photocell on the L), and from the premium NS1020 (SmartDrop XF) by the absence of the 0.05mm path length and the lower 90 A absorbance range. Sized for institutional clinical-research, biobank intake, and core-facility nucleic acid / protein quantification workflows where the L's UV-LED spectrum is insufficient but the XF's premium features aren't required.
Voltage options: This unit can be ordered with European voltage requirements (230V/50Hz). Contact us to order.
Key Specifications
| SKU | NS1010 |
| Voltage | 115 V (North American outlet) |
| Display | 7-inch touch screen |
| Sample size | 0.5 – 2.0 µL |
| Path length | 0.2 mm and 1.0 mm (dual path length) |
| Light source | Xenon Flash Lamp |
| Detector | 2048-element Linear Silicon CCD Array |
| Wavelength range | 200 – 800 nm (1 nm steps) |
| Absorbance range | 0.04 – 90 A (10 mm equivalent) |
| Lower limit of detection | 0.003 A |
| Upper limit of detection | dsDNA: 4,500 ng/µL; BSA: 0.1 mg/mL |
SmartDrop Family Position
The SmartDrop family spans three tiers with substantially different optical and detection capability:
| Model | Light source | Detector | Path lengths | Absorbance range | Wavelength |
| NS1000 SmartDrop L | UV LED | UV Silicon Photocell | 0.5 mm | 0.2 – 50 A | 260, 280, 600 nm |
| NS1010 SmartDrop X (this product) | Xenon Flash Lamp | 2048-element Linear Silicon CCD Array | 0.2 mm, 1.0 mm | 0.04 – 90 A | 200 – 800 nm (1 nm steps) |
| NS1020 SmartDrop XF | Xenon Flash Lamp | 2048-element Linear Silicon CCD Array | 0.05 mm, 0.2 mm, 1.0 mm | 0.04 – 300 A | 200 – 800 nm (1 nm steps) |
The NS1010 is the right pick when:
- The workflow needs full UV-Vis spectrum capability (vs the NS1000's three discrete wavelengths)
- The workflow's concentration range fits within dsDNA 4,500 ng/µL upper limit (vs the NS1020's higher upper limit via 0.05 mm path length)
- The workflow uses standard 0.2 mm or 1.0 mm path lengths
Compatibility & Configuration
Cross-instrument compatibility. The SmartDrop X integrates into general lab workflows alongside Accuris microplate readers (MR9610, MR9611, MR9620), the IsoPure family (AP1016/24/96), and Accuris fluorometers (F1008 Smart-Q 800).
Sample format. The 0.5 – 2.0 µL sample size matches the typical post-extraction sample-volume conservation requirement — useful when downstream applications need every microlitre of sample (qPCR setup, NGS library prep, downstream functional assays).
Wavelength flexibility. 200 – 800 nm in 1 nm steps supports custom-wavelength workflows (cytochrome at 410 nm, dye-conjugate quantification, custom protein assays at non-standard wavelengths) beyond the standard A260/A280/A600 nucleic acid + protein + cell-density workflows.
Application Profile
Routine DNA / RNA quantification post-extraction — clinical-research and core-facility extraction workflows where the SmartDrop X's full UV-Vis spectrum captures A260/A280 ratio for purity assessment alongside concentration measurement.
NGS library prep concentration measurement — pre-pooling concentration measurement for NGS library prep where the 4,500 ng/µL upper limit covers typical library concentrations.
Protein quantification at A280 and custom wavelengths — protein-prep workflows where the full-spectrum capability supports both A280 quantification and custom-wavelength assays (cytochrome-c at 410 nm, dye-conjugate quantification, custom protein chromophores).
Cell-density measurement at A600 — bacterial-culture cell-density (OD600) measurement on micro-volumes when standard cuvette spectrophotometry is overkill for the available sample volume.
Cross-format core facility instrument — shared cores serving multiple researchers benefit from the SmartDrop X's full UV-Vis range supporting diverse workflows on a single instrument.
Frequently Asked Questions
What sample volume does the NS1010 measure? 0.5 – 2.0 µL.
What is the wavelength range? 200 – 800 nm in 1 nm steps.
What light source and detector does it use? A xenon flash lamp with a 2048-element linear silicon CCD array detector.
What path lengths are available? Dual path length — 0.2 mm and 1.0 mm; the instrument auto-selects based on measured absorbance.
How does the NS1010 (SmartDrop X) compare to the NS1000 and NS1020? The NS1000 (SmartDrop L) is entry-level with a UV LED and photocell at three discrete wavelengths; the NS1020 (SmartDrop XF) adds a 0.05 mm path length and a 300 A absorbance range. The NS1010 sits mid-tier with the full 200–800 nm spectrum and a 90 A range (dsDNA upper limit 4,500 ng/µL).
Ordering & Configuration
7-inch touchscreen interface. On-instrument workflow operation without requiring a connected PC; sample-batch results stored on the instrument and exportable via standard data ports.
Dual path length (0.2 mm and 1.0 mm). The instrument auto-selects the appropriate path length based on the sample's measured absorbance; high-concentration samples use the shorter 0.2 mm path for accurate quantification within the linear range.
Confirm at quote: voltage (115 V standard; 230 V variant by special order for international outlets), software / firmware version, accessory ecosystem (printer / data export), training requirements, and lead time.
Warranty: Per Accuris SmartDrop family standard warranty terms — confirm at quote.
SmartDrop nano-spectrophotometer family:
- NS1010 (this product) — SmartDrop X (mid-tier, full UV-Vis spectrum 200–800 nm, dual path length)
- NS1000 — SmartDrop L (entry-level, UV LED + photocell, A260/280/600 only)
- NS1020 — SmartDrop XF (premium, full spectrum + 0.05 mm path length, 300 A range)
Pick the NS1010 for full UV-Vis spectrum capability when the NS1020's premium features aren't required.
