Advice for a new HPLC

[DR]

I have worked with the Agilent 1100 in the past and found them to be very reliable and simple to use, however we have just purchased a Shimadzu LC2010 for high throughput QC analysis. After 6 months the system has surpassed the reliability of any other systems I have used, has a UV detector that is extreemly sensitive and maintainence is so simple you would not believe it. The only downside is the supplied software (LC solutions) is not the most user friendly piece of software around.

I was talking to a coworker from a dissolution lab and they've been trying to work a Shimadzu 2010 to death and have failed to do so over several months - very high marks for it.

[Steve Reimer]

Chris and Jeff both have a good point. Choice of software may have more affect on your satisfaction than the hardware. When we brought a Waters HPLC into the lab we had a steep learning curve because we are used to Chemstation and TurboChrom. If the roles had been reversed, we would have faced the same issues.

[ravi]

The most important factor is the level of service. Ask if there's a full time service rep in your near vicinity. If they contract it out, be a little wary as they may not stock replacement parts.

I've used the gamut of instruments (waters, agilent/hp, shimadzu, hitachi, thermo, dionex, etc) and depending on the level of service, the experiences have been mixed. Imagine waiting a month for a replacement pump!

Also, look at their software (as others have mentioned), however, they normally all do the same thing except in different workflows.

Also, being the most sold may be a little misleading as the numbers may refer to older models as well.

Good luck.

[zuabedin]

I think Now a days Shimadzu's Prominance may be one of the best HPLC configuration with high specification. Whcih is flexible from LPG System to HPG and other options also give you a great configuration.

Thanks

Zuabedin

[UMAchem]

Thanks all of you for yours advices!

[unmgvar]

I would suggest to check and ask the salesm an to give you laboratories in which there instrument is to be found and call them. those would be of course their most satisfied customer but you can still get an oveview of the quality.
also check the dimension of the HPLC for your laboratory. take into account PC space, screen and printer.
waters for example takes a lot of space but you can put the sovents on top of it. other LC's are tower. check their height and width as well. will you be using 5 liters sovlent bottles?
for the price you pay get your self a slim screen. you will need the space. make sure you have a space for the waste bottle as well. I have seen lab's where everything was on one level and took a lot of laboratory space. make sure your analyst can put down an a4 paper in next to him when he is working n front of the hplc.
Also cnsider if you can a clientserver from the beginning. ask about it it will help in the future

[nrsz2001]

I am working with HP 1100 and Dionex LC Systems. Dionex Lc Systems' software is more usefull. I recommend Dionex LC.