Shimadzu UV-Vis Financing:
New, Used, and Refurbished Spectrophotometers.

Shimadzu's current UV-Vis and UV-Vis-NIR portfolio ranges from routine single-beam instruments through high-end three-detector research systems and large-sample SolidSpec platforms. For financing, the exact model and accessory configuration matter. A UV-1900i Plus and SolidSpec-3700i are not remotely equivalent capital assets. For a broader look at how we approach analytical instruments generally, see our Shimadzu equipment financing guide.

Shimadzu currently highlights UV-1280, UV-1900i Plus, UV-2600i Plus, UV-2700i Plus, UV-3600i Plus, SolidSpec-3700i and BioSpec-nano in its spectroscopy family.

Understanding the Shimadzu UV-Vis Lineup

The UV-1280 is a versatile single-beam unit while the UV-1900i Plus is Shimadzu's current double-beam general-purpose platform with a touch interface and compliance-oriented workflows.

The UV-2600i Plus is expandable for reflectance and NIR measurements with an integrating sphere. The UV-2700i Plus uses a double-monochromator architecture for high-absorbance work.

The UV-3600i Plus is a research-grade UV-Vis-NIR system using three detectors across UV, visible and NIR regions. Its accessory package can materially change transaction value.

SolidSpec-3700i and DUV variants are designed for large solid samples and wide wavelength measurement. These are specialized optical-characterization assets and should be documented separately from routine UV-Vis.

Current Systems vs. the Used and Secondary Market

Legacy Shimadzu UV-Vis systems are common but exact model names and support should be verified before purchase. Used-system value depends on lamp, monochromator, detector, integrating sphere, software and accessory condition.

Financing a New System

New UV-Vis financing is most relevant when a higher-end UV-Vis-NIR or SolidSpec system is part of a materials, optics or QC project. Financing may also bundle multiple routine instruments for a lab expansion.

Financing a Used or Refurbished System

Used equipment can be financeable but the transaction should identify the actual asset rather than a generic instrument description. For a used purchase, prepare the exact manufacturer and model, serial number and year of manufacture when available, complete system configuration, current operating condition, service and preventive-maintenance history when available, software version and license status, computer and data system included in the sale, seller, dealer or private-party information, refurbishment, testing and warranty information, installation or qualification included in the purchase, complete purchase price and related equipment quotes, integrating sphere and reflectance accessories, detector configuration, and lamp and optical condition. A detailed dealer quote, service history when available and a clear description of what has been tested or refurbished can make the equipment easier to evaluate. Older equipment may require additional condition, support or valuation documentation.

Upgrading or Adding Capacity

Upgrades can move a routine lab from UV-1900-class work into UV-2600/2700 capability, or a materials lab into UV-3600i Plus or SolidSpec. Explain the additional wavelength range, solid-sample or optical-characterization need driving the investment.

Buying Direct, From a Dealer or From a Private Seller

A new Shimadzu system purchased through Shimadzu or an authorized channel generally comes with a detailed quote that identifies the instrument and major options. Used equipment dealers are a normal acquisition channel for analytical instruments and can often provide inspection, testing, refurbishment and warranty information. Private-party purchases can potentially be financed but usually require additional verification of ownership, serial number, location, condition and price. Auction purchases should be discussed before bidding because payment and removal timelines can be short.

Don't Forget the Supporting Equipment

Supporting equipment can include integrating spheres, reflectance accessories, temperature-controlled holders, solid-sample fixtures, workstation, LabSolutions UV-Vis, UPS, installation and qualification.

Equipment Generation and Configuration Deep Dive

Shimadzu's current UV-i family provides a useful example of why model configuration matters. The UV-1900i Plus is a double-beam routine UV-Vis platform. The UV-2600i Plus is an expandable research-grade instrument that can extend into near-infrared measurement with the appropriate integrating-sphere accessory. The UV-2700i Plus uses a double-monochromator design intended for very high absorbance and very low stray-light work. The UV-3600i Plus moves further into UV-Vis-NIR with three detectors. SolidSpec-3700i is designed around solid-sample and broad spectral-range work.

Those are not simply price steps. Optical design changes what can be measured. A routine liquid assay that fits a UV-1900i Plus may not justify a UV-3600i Plus. A coatings, glass or materials laboratory measuring transmittance and reflectance into the NIR may need the detector and accessory architecture of the higher-end systems.

The Plus generation also matters in the used market. Earlier UV-1900i, UV-2600i and UV-2700i instruments may remain serviceable but the current Plus models should be identified separately. A lender should not value a prior-generation 2600i as though it were a new 2600i Plus merely because the base model number looks similar.

Accessories can be a major part of the asset. Integrating spheres, large-sample compartments, temperature-controlled cell holders, multi-cell changers and reflectance accessories change the application range. On a SolidSpec or UV-3600i project, those accessories may be central to why the buyer selected the instrument.

Software matters as well. Current UV-i systems use LabSolutions UV-Vis. A used instrument sold with an older workstation may need a software update or a replacement computer before it fits the laboratory's current IT environment.

Why Configuration Changes the Financing File

A lender should know the optical class, detector configuration and accessory package. A UV-1900i Plus for routine liquid analysis is a different asset from a UV-3600i Plus with an integrating sphere or a SolidSpec-3700i configured for large solid samples.

Condition review should include lamp status, wavelength accuracy, photometric performance, detector operation and accessory condition. Integrating spheres and specialized sample compartments should be inspected rather than assumed to be complete from a photograph.

The laboratory's method requirement helps explain the purchase. Pharmaceutical absorbance testing, materials reflectance, optical coatings, color-related measurements and NIR work may all justify different models. This is concrete information a lender can use to understand why the system is appropriately configured.

Building a Complete UV-Vis Financing Package

Provide the spectrophotometer model and serial number, current or prior generation, sample compartment, integrating sphere, detector or NIR accessories, cell holders, temperature control, software and workstation. For used equipment, include lamp hours or lamp replacement history when available, recent wavelength and photometric checks and dealer refurbishment documentation.

If the project includes reference materials, temperature-control circulators, automated cell changers, solid-sample holders or qualification services, include them in the quote. A complete package is easier to evaluate than a base instrument followed by several unplanned accessory purchases.

Why the Exact Model and Configuration Matter to a Lender

The lender needs to know whether the asset is a routine UV-Vis, UV-Vis-NIR research system or large-sample optical platform. Accessories may represent a substantial share of a specialized configuration.

What You'll Need to Finance the System

Start with the complete equipment quote. Useful information includes the exact model and complete configuration, vendor or seller, purchase price, new, used or refurbished condition, serial number and year when available, operating condition and service records for used equipment, software, workstation and major accessories, installation and qualification costs when included, business information and ownership, a brief explanation of how the equipment will be used, and detector and optical accessory configuration. Qualifying smaller transactions may be eligible for application-only financing. Larger or more complex acquisitions may require additional business and financial documentation.

Generation-Specific Review for Used UV-Vis Systems

A used UV-Vis purchase should distinguish the current Plus generation from earlier i-series instruments and should identify the optical accessories that remain with the system. The current UV-1900i Plus, UV-2600i Plus and UV-2700i Plus were introduced as updated platforms in 2025. Earlier UV-1900i, UV-2600i and UV-2700i systems may still be productive but the quote should preserve the exact model suffix so a lender does not compare an earlier instrument directly with the current Plus version.

The optical path is particularly important on higher-end systems. The UV-2700i Plus uses a double-monochromator architecture for very low stray light and high-absorbance measurements. The UV-3600i Plus uses three detectors to span UV, visible and near-infrared work. SolidSpec-3700i is oriented toward solid samples and broad spectral-range measurement. These are real hardware differences rather than software packages.

For a used transaction, ask the seller to demonstrate baseline stability, wavelength accuracy and photometric performance with the actual sample compartment and accessories being sold. Confirm that integrating spheres, solid-sample holders and cables are present and identify any accessory that requires its own detector or control hardware. A routine UV-Vis can be straightforward to install but higher-end solid-sample and NIR configurations deserve a defined commissioning scope, and if the laboratory is relocating a used integrating sphere or large sample compartment, protective packing and post-move alignment should be part of the plan.

Financing a Shimadzu UV-Vis Through iLease Capital

iLease Capital works with laboratories acquiring new, used and refurbished analytical equipment from manufacturers, dealers and other eligible sellers. Financing may be available for transactions up to $5 million plus and qualifying smaller transactions may be eligible for application-only financing. Send the complete equipment quote so the exact model, configuration, seller and supporting equipment can be reviewed as one acquisition. See our broader guides on spectroscopy equipment financing and laboratory equipment financing for how we approach analytical instruments generally.

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