Agilent vs. Thermo vs. Shimadzu

[meystingray]

We are a plastics QC lab looking to do a specific amide analysis in polyolefins. I'm looking at quotes for 4 GC's:

- Agilent 7820
- Agilent 7890b
- Thermo TRACE 1300
- Shimadzu GC-2010

I'm planning on using a pressure extraction unit to extract the amide, and then auto-inject into the GC.

Can anyone give me a recommendation? The Agilent is quite a bit more expensive, but is it worth it? Also, do I really need an inert inlet for amide analysis?

Thanks.

[dr_bahram1977]

yes, absolutely Agilent is worth it.
specially, 7890 is work horse for Gc.
thermo is not so bad, may be if you mind price.
shimadzu is out of choices. never get it even for free.

[rb6banjo]

Yes Agilent is worth it. I have insisted on Agilent equipment for my entire career and they have been reliable workhorses for me. I've had very few service calls over the 25+ years of working with them. In the few rare instances where I've inherited other equipment, I've found them all to be less reliable. I know I'm pretty set in my ways now but I really wouldn't consider anything else. I still have a Hewlett Packard (now Agilent) 5890A in service that was purchased in 1988! It's older than some of the folks in my department! The mass spec is long gone but I still use the flame detector on it. I have a 5890 Series II that's not very far behind it that's also still in service.

As I say, I haven't had a great deal of experience with other brands but I will shout the praises of Agilent!!

[HippyLabRat]

Really, Agilent is so far ahead of the curve in Gas Chromatography that there's really no justification for anything else. Even if you have to buy a used one, its probably worth it.

[CE Instruments]

No Agilent is not worth it , especially the cut down GC versions. Either use the Shimadzu and Thermo quotes to get a discount from Agilent or buy Thermo. (Note some bias , I sold Thermo GCs 15 years ago)

[MSCHemist]

I also like Agilent instruments.

I am attracted though to Thermo's technology like removing the EI source without venting, they have a really nice GC/MS no vent system for changing columns without venting. I have the Agilent quickswap but it is trickier to use and a pain to get the insert to make a seal on the transfer-line but I have one GC/MS and switch columns out almost daily.

[dr_bahram1977]

We've almost all of these instrument in lab.
shimadzu has so bad quality in GC material that you can't compare it to real instruments. body parts will break in touch. Complicated MS and problem in spare parts. we put 3 of them aside.( QP 5000 and 2010)
Thermo has good quality, and good GC. price was lower than Agilent. I agree with no vent source and column change options, but only if you really need it. else, it wont give you any points.( we do not change source or column frequently).
Agilent is for real jobs. set it up and go for long time without problem. we've 5890, 6890 and 7890. 5973, 5975 and 5977. all are far good comparing others. no problem in long time use and really no need for worry.
If you need GC/MS, I'll advice Agilent. new or used.