by
lmh » Fri Apr 30, 2010 9:14 am
If you also know their software, then Agilent and Waters are obvious competitors for ABI; you could also consider companies such as Thermo.
Thermo will try to sell you an orbitrap-style instrument, arguing that you are selecting an MS/MS system because you want selectivity, and very precise and accurate mass is another good way to give specificity (without having to set up any transitions, and with the chance to go back and look for things you didn't know about the first time round!). But they do sell triples if you want MS/MS.
The Qtrap of course is unique in being able to do trap-like things and triple-like things, and if that's part of your routine work, you may have little alternative.
Everyone will say Agilent's triple isn't as sensitive as theirs, but I'd suggest running trial samples with all the manufacturers and seeing whether the results are good enough for you.
The approach to finding the right models is to go to the reps and say you are looking in the price/performance range of the 4000 Qtrap, what model would they suggest as its most likely competitor. They will know.