Description
What’s Included
- Nidek ARK-500A Auto Ref/Keratometer (autorefractor + corneal curvature)
- Nidek NT-510 Auto Non-Contact Tonometer (air-puff IOP measurement)
- Power cables for both units (as photographed)
- 90-day Digital Eye Center warranty
Condition & Warranty
Used. Tested before listing — ARK-500A objective refraction and keratometry verified across measurement range, NT-510 air-puff IOP measurement confirmed across 0–60 mmHg range, both units’ auto-tracking and auto-shoot confirmed functional. Cleaned. Covered by a 90-day warranty on parts and workmanship.
Nidek ARK-500A + NT-510 — Used Diagnostic Package for Pre-Test Workflow
The Nidek ARK-500A Auto Ref/Keratometer paired with the Nidek NT-510 Auto Non-Contact Tonometer is the standard Nidek pre-test diagnostic combo — covering objective refraction, corneal keratometry, and intraocular pressure measurement on a single tech-driven workflow. This used nidek ark-500a + NT-510 package is positioned for clinics building a complete pre-test station at a sub-$7K price point.
The ARK-500A delivers objective refraction (sphere, cylinder, axis) and corneal curvature (radius and principal meridians) with selectable measurement steps of 0.01 D / 0.12 D / 0.25 D, axis step 1° / 5°, and configurable vertex distances (0.00 / 10.50 / 12.00 / 13.75 / 15.00 / 16.50 mm). Auto-tracking aligns the unit in the up/down direction and auto-shoot fires when alignment and focus are optimal — minimizing operator-dependent variance.
The NT-510 complements with an automated air-puff IOP measurement using Nidek’s soft-puff technology — designed to reduce patient discomfort vs. legacy NCT designs. According to a National Library of Medicine-indexed study (Clin Ophthalmol, 2022), workflow standardization in pre-test stations directly reduces variability and tech-side musculoskeletal load — the workflow this Nidek combo was built around.
Why Practices Choose This Nidek Combo
Auto-tracking and auto-shoot — both units find best focus and fire automatically, reducing operator-dependent measurement variance and speeding tech throughput.- Fine measurement steps (0.01 D / 0.12 D / 0.25 D) — the ARK-500A is selectable for the level of precision your workflow needs; 0.25 D for routine pre-test, 0.01 D for retina or research.
- Six selectable vertex distances — match the VD setting to your phoroptor or trial frame workflow (12 mm and 13.75 mm are most common in US optometry).
- Soft-puff NCT — the NT-510’s automated air-puff is gentler than older Reichert/Topcon NCTs; reduces patient flinching and re-test rates.
- Single-brand integration — both units are Nidek; tech training and service are streamlined vs. mixed-brand pre-test stations.
- Compact tabletop footprint — both units fit on a standard pre-test table; minimal lane-space disruption.
- Auto-print and data output — internal printers and standard RS-232 / USB output for EMR integration on both units.
- Low total cost of ownership — at a sub-$7K used price point, this is one of DEC’s most cost-effective complete pre-test packages.
Clinical Applications
- Pre-test refraction baseline — ARK-500A starting point for refraction in the chair, confirmed and refined at the phoroptor.
- Keratometry for contact-lens fitting — corneal curvature measurements for soft and rigid CL fitting workflows.
- Routine IOP screening — NT-510 air-puff for primary glaucoma screening and ongoing pressure tracking.
- Pre-cataract baseline — refraction + keratometry + IOP on a single pre-test pass for surgical referrals.
- School and corporate vision screening — fast, tech-driven workflow scales to high-volume screening days.
- Optometry pre-test station — replaces a legacy 1990s-era ARK with current Nidek ergonomics + soft-puff NCT.
Who This Is For
- Optometry practices building a complete pre-test station at a sub-$7K price point — chair-and-stand-friendly footprint.
- Multi-doctor practices standardizing on Nidek across all pre-test stations.
- General ophthalmology clinics replacing aging ARK + NCT units with current-generation Nidek workflow.
- Practices that prioritize patient comfort — soft-puff NCT reduces patient anxiety vs. older air-puff designs.
Technical Specifications
| ARK-500A — Specification | Detail |
| Type | Auto Ref/Keratometer (combined) |
| Measurement step | 0.01 D / 0.12 D / 0.25 D (selectable) |
| Axis step | 1° / 5° |
| Vertex distance options | 0.00 / 10.50 / 12.00 / 13.75 / 15.00 / 16.50 mm |
| Alignment | Auto-tracking up/down + auto-shoot |
| Outputs | Internal printer + RS-232 / USB data output |
| NT-510 — Specification | Detail |
| Type | Auto Non-Contact (air-puff) Tonometer |
| Air technology | Nidek soft-puff (reduced patient discomfort) |
| IOP range | 0 – 60 mmHg |
| Operation | Fully automated alignment, focus, measurement |
| Package — Common | |
| Condition | Used — tested before listing |
| Warranty | 90-day DEC warranty on parts and workmanship |
Compare Pre-Test Diagnostic Packages
Where this Nidek package fits in DEC’s pre-test inventory:
| Package | Brand | Auto Ref | NCT | Price | Notes |
| Nidek ARK-500A + NT-510 | Nidek (single brand) | ARK-500A | NT-510 soft-puff | $6,600 | Complete Nidek pre-test — this listing |
| Nidek ARK-500A standalone | Nidek | ARK-500A | Not included | $4,800 | ARK only — for practices with existing NCT |
| Righton Retinomax K-Plus 3 | Righton | Handheld K-Plus | Not included | $6,600 | Portable / pediatric — handheld alternative |
Need only the autorefractor without the tonometer? See the Nidek ARK-500A standalone. Looking for a portable handheld alternative for pediatric or mobile workflows? The Righton Retinomax K-Plus 3 is in stock.
Questions about the Nidek ARK-500A / NT-510 package? Contact us for current availability, training options, or delivery quotes.
