Simon's or Robadope, which one do you need?
This article has been translated to English.
Usually both, because they are a matched pair rather than alternatives. Simon's reacts with secondary amines and turns deep blue. Robadope reacts with primary amines and turns pink or purple. Neither recognises a drug; each recognises a shape, and the pair of results is what identifies the compound.
The table below sets the two reagents side by side, one column each.
| Simon's | Robadope | |
|---|---|---|
| Reacts with | secondary amines | primary amines |
| MDMA | deep blue | no change |
| MDA | no change | pink or purple |
| Methamphetamine | deep blue | no change |
| Amphetamine | no change | pink or purple |
The two questions they answer
Is this MDMA or MDA? Simon's blue and Robadope blank says MDMA; the reverse says MDA. Is this speed or meth? Same logic, because methamphetamine is the secondary amine and amphetamine the primary one. Those are two of the most common substitutions on the market and Marquis cannot separate either pair, since it gives near-identical results for both members.
MDA and MDMA compared · Meth or amphetamine mixed in MDMA
What they do not do
Strength is a separate question, answered by a quantity test or better, a TLC purity test. And give Robadope a moment: its reaction is slower and fainter than Simon's, so read it against white and let it develop before calling it.
A Robadope that goes blue is not a result, it is contamination. Blue belongs to Simon's, so a blue Robadope almost always means the two caps were swapped at some point. Keep each cap with its own bottle, and if it does happen, replace the affected reagent rather than trying to read through it.
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SIMON’S Reagent Test Kit
Price range: $6.67 through $7.79 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
ROBADOPE Reagent Test Kit
Price range: $6.67 through $7.79 Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page -
Simon's instructions · Robadope instructions
Which kits include them
The MDMA and cuts kit carries both alongside Marquis, Mecke and Zimmermann, which is the standard five for a pressed pill. The cocaine kit includes both as well, because they exclude different families of substitute.
Questions?
Can I use just one of them?
You would lose the ability to separate MDMA from MDA and amphetamine from methamphetamine, which is the main reason to own either.
My Robadope barely changed colour.
That is common. Its reaction is fainter and slower than Simon's, so give it time and read against white.
Do they identify the drug?
No. They identify an amine type, and the combination narrows it down.
What if both react?
That indicates both amine types are present, so a mixture. A TLC testing card will show you how many compounds there are.
My Robadope turned blue.
Blue is Simon's colour, not Robadope's. The usual cause is swapping the caps between the two bottles, which contaminates one with the other. Replace the affected reagent.
No test result can tell you a substance is safe. No substance is 100% safe.This article is published for harm reduction purposes. It does not encourage the use of psychoactive substances and does not replace medical advice.