Chromatography Forum

Hi,
I am about to go for a tender to get an LC-MS/MS system and I have an API 4000 QTRAP installed in my lab but i would like others to get into the tender so the question is, can any of you suggest a system which is alike API 4000Q and can race with it in a tender.
thanks in advance

The problem is if you go for a different manufacturer you will have to go for that manufacturerers software as well. That can severely reduce effectiveness as you try and master the new machine and software.

I don't know of any single software which can control MS detectors from different manufacturers.

I don't know of any single software which can control MS detectors from different manufacturers.

Dionex claims their software can do this, but I had no experience

sorry for missunderstanding, there is no problem with the software. I am planning to have an LC- MS/MS system as a whole. I know Agilent, Waters and API 's softwares but ı couldnot decide the brand of instrument that is to be bought. API 4000Q is only a choise i am trying to make competents

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.

I know that ABI will trade-in your 4000 for a 5500 so that might be worth of consideration if one mass spectrometer is enough for your lab. A lot of new mass spectrometers were introduced at ASMS this year which is worthy to look at before you make a decision...

I know that ABI will trade-in your 4000 for a 5500 so that might be worth of consideration if one mass spectrometer is enough for your lab. A lot of new mass spectrometers were introduced at ASMS this year which is worthy to look at before you make a decision...

Good Suggestion