Chromatography Forum

Hi Everyone,

I'm looking to buy a LC-MS/MS system (a triple quad) and am interested in your advice about the available systems in the market place. My main questions about the available systems are:

1. User friendly software - for identification and quantitation
2. Compatibility of LC and MS/MS systems made by different manufacturers and those made by the same manufacture.
3. Linear ion traps vs triple quad.
4. Maintenance issues of the available systems.
5. And of course - what is the best system on the market ?

P.S.
my main interest is in the analysis of environmental samples and their quantitation

Many Thanks
Bas

Hi,
I would suggest you a Ultimate-HPLC - system from Dionex on-line to a LTQ ion-trap from Thermo.

Best regards,

Schlu

Ion trap is better for identification (more sensitive full scans, MS^n capabilites etc) but triple quadrupole much better for quantitation and more sensitive than the ion traps in the SRM mode. In terms of triple quadrupoles, the higher end Micromass and Applied Biosystems have the reputation of being the best (especially in terms of sensitivity).

Maybe you want to have a look in Applied Biosystems hybrid Q-Trap that may be more adequate for both identification and quantitation...

First all I do is quantitation on 3Q's. Secondly, I think that Micromass's Masslynx is a great software package and the same can be said for the the Quattro series of LC-MS's. The systems we use work well with the Agilent front ends. Our ABI systems work equally well with their shimadzu front ends but the only drawback is that I've heard many people grumble in our lab about Analyst when compared to Masslynx. Finally a word on customer support. Personally, I really like Micromass but feel that their customer service is lacking. Conversely, ABI has, in my opinion, a customer-first attitude that is if something goes wrong they'll be there in shortorder. At the end of the day, which one would I purchase hmm even with sub-par customer service I'd still go with Micromass (Thats what steams me) because through all of our applications I've found that the system requires less maintenance than our ABI systems. My 2 cents worth.

Hi,

I am just going to give you my personal opinion and experience. I am working with a 3Q from Micromass and with Masslynx software. My personal experience it was a nightmare!!! You don't have a training course with your instrument at your lab; you have to go to another lab where waters have their engineer. I live in Scotland I had decided to go to Holland for my training course. I think, but like a said before, is my personal experience, what I learn on the training course was nearly nothing. I think they can just send you a video tape explain the same to you. My company spent lot money for me to go on the training. Their manual, don't expect too much about them, is better to know some how can el you. And With Masslynx you don't control completely the HPLC they are parameter that you can't control...them if you are thinking about buying one HPLC-MS/MS I would personally look for more opinions. I can also added that I am ding environmental analysis and I had compare my result with people working with another instrument and they get more sensitivity.

I don’t know if I had helped you but may experience it was not good

Carol