Topcon KR-7000 Autorefractor/Keratometer

Despite its older look and feel and disappointing monitor display, the KR-7000 has much of the same AR features that newer Topcon’s do.

Overview

Topcon makes more Autorefractors than any other manufacturer around, and seeming that there have been nearly six new ARK models since the KR-7000 shows the company’s commitment towards refraction, and perhaps profits, too. When we test a Topcon autorefractor, we know that the machine will be accurate, fast, robust, and technologically advanced- regardless of its manufacturer date, and the KR-7000 is no exception to this notion. The 7000, much like the KR-8000, utilizes Topcon’s Rotary Prism refraction technology, employs a black and white CRT monitor, and functions much the same way with a nearly identical user interface and joystick control. Immediately you’ll notice the KR-7000 maintains a flat monitor display with almost no tilt whatsoever- requiring the operator to practically be in a seated position during the test. Unlike the 8000, much of the optical prisms and lenses are located in the same compartment as the monitor, forcing the display to be set lower than newer instruments. The joystick elevator- responsible for elevating and declining this optical head is stiffer; feeling quite mechanical, you’ll also notice the display also elevating and declining in sync with the optical head- something that takes a bit of getting used to if you’re used to an ARK with a stationary screen. Although the KR-7000 does have auto-tracking and auto-capture, the device in aggregate feels stiff and less forgiving when compared with the Topcon KR-8000. That being said, when it comes to the principle of refraction itself, much is the same when comparing the 7000 to newer Topcons.