difference between Waters Quattro micro and Quattro premier

[epld]

2 questions:
-the main differences between Waters Quattro micro and Quattro premier?
-what's the best choice for pesticides quantitation in environmental matrices (water, food) between Quattro micro, Finnigan TSQ Quantum, API 3000 and API 3200.
Thanks

[epld]

One precision: The Finnigan system is a TSQ Quatum Discovery

[John G]

The main difference between the micro and the premier is in the ion path. The micro uses hexapoles for the ion guide and collision cell. The premier uses a T-wave ion guide which is a second generation ion tunnel and it also has a ion tunnel type collision cell. Performance wise the premier is more sensitive, and due to it's collision cell can perform channel switching with much shorter dwell times. This translates into being able to monitor more compounds in the same run without significant loss of sensitivity.

Try a literature search for pesticide methods and see who is using what in the industry and look at their levels of detection. Don't forget to look at the manufacturer's websites as they all have huge applications databases to show off their instruments capabilities.

As far a which manufactuer, instrument down time is the most likely cause of dissatisfaction amonst instrument operators. Make you choice based on level of service and support that is offered. Serveral local engineers will provide better serivce then if one has to be flown in. A word of advice, make sure whoever you buy from includes a training course in the deal, for inexperienced users they can make a world of difference.

Cheers