Dark Reader Transilluminators
Welcome to our flagship product page!
All our Dark Reader blue transilluminators use pure visible blue light as the excitation source and there is NO damaging and dangerous ultra-violet radiation to worry about.
Dark Reader blue light transilluminators can be used for viewing a wide range of fluorescent samples including SYBR Green, GelStar, GelGreen, SYPRO Ruby, ProQ Diamond, fluorescein and various GFPs.
Our Transilluminator Models

Miniature Unit
DR22A model
The miniature DR22A blue LED transilluminator designed for those on a budget – just big enough for viewing mini-gels.
Specifications
- Viewing surface dimensions: 13 x 12 cm
- Overall dimensions: 16 x 14.5 x 7 cm
- Weight: 0.45 kg approx
- Optical: Multiple high intensity blue LEDs
- Included accessories: Amber screen and DR viewing glasses
An amber screen that fits exactly over the blue surface is included with each transilluminator. The amber screen absorbs the blue excitation light, after it has illuminated the sample, thereby allowing the user(s) to clearly see the fluorescence. The amber screen can also be used as a camera filter.
All Dark Reader transilluminators are also provided with a free pair of viewing glasses with exactly the same optical properties as the screen. The glasses are a key accessory for cutting bands out of gels.
Compact Unit
DR46B model
The compact DR46B blue LED transilluminator is convenient for viewing small DNA and protein gels as well as other smaller samples.
Specifications
- Viewing surface dimensions: 19 x 15 cm
- Overall dimensions: 22.5 x 18.5 x 8 cm
- Weight: 0.7 kg approx
- Optical: Multiple high intensity blue LEDs
- Included accessories: Amber screen and DR viewing glasses
An amber screen that fits exactly over the blue surface is included with each transilluminator. The amber screen absorbs the blue excitation light, after it has illuminated the sample, thereby allowing the user(s) to clearly see the fluorescence. The amber screen can also be used as a camera filter.
All Dark Reader transilluminators are also provided with a free pair of viewing glasses with exactly the same optical properties as the screen. The glasses are a key accessory for cutting bands out of gels.
Mid-Size Unit
DR89X model
The mid-size DR89X blue LED transilluminator is ideal for most laboratory applications.
Specifications
- Viewing surface dimensions: 25 x 22 cm
- Overall dimensions: 29.5 x 26 x 12 cm
- Weight: 1.4 kg approx
- Optical: Multiple high intensity blue LEDs.
- Included accessories: Amber screen and DR viewing glasses
An amber screen that fits exactly over the blue surface is included with each transilluminator. The amber screen absorbs the blue excitation light, after it has illuminated the sample, thereby allowing the user(s) to clearly see the fluorescence. The amber screen can also be used as a camera filter.
All Dark Reader transilluminators are also provided with a free pair of viewing glasses with exactly the same optical properties as the screen. The glasses are a key accessory for cutting bands out of gels.
Large Unit
DR196 model
Our largest unit, the DR196 transilluminator, which employs a double array of high intensity blue LEDs, has a massive surface for viewing multiple samples and extra large gels.
Specifications
- Viewing surface dimensions: 46 x 30.5 cm
- Overall dimensions: 50.8 x 34.8 x 12.5 cm
- Weight: 6.4 kg approx
- Optical: Multiple high intensity blue LEDs
- Included accessories: Amber screen and DR viewing glasses
An amber screen that fits exactly over the blue surface is included with each transilluminator. The amber screen absorbs the blue excitation light, after it has illuminated the sample, thereby allowing the user(s) to clearly see the fluorescence. The amber screen can also be used as a camera filter.
All Dark Reader transilluminators are also provided with a free pair of viewing glasses with exactly the same optical properties as the screen. The glasses are a key accessory for cutting bands out of gels.