Chromatography Forum

My company currently has a Waters 2695 & 2996 PDA dectector, and we are exploring the idea of replacing it with a new system. Waters in the only instrument I've worked with so I'm hoping some more experienced people out there can give me some general advantages/disadvantages of the major manufactures other than Waters (Shimadzu, Agilent, Perkin-Elmer).

My one complaint with Waters has been the fact that outside repair/maintenance people are difficult to find, and any repairs require us to go back to Waters. It would be a lot more convenient for us to use the same maintenance rep we have for our Agilent GCs for instance. Would this be different with other instrument manufactures. Does any one brand have consistently cheaper upkeep?

I can't comment on other companies, but the Waters website and customer service has always been very helpful. Again, how does this compare?

Agilent HPLC software is 99% the same (or more) like the Agilent GC software. Data Analysis is EXACTLY the same (can even read HPLC files on GC software, and the reverse). The only difference is on Method and Run Control window, under Instrument.

I believe that Agilent reps can service Waters equipment. You may want to ask your rep. I know that my Waters reps can service my Agilent HPLC's. I do not know if a GC rep will service HPLC though.

May I suggest to add Thermo Scientific (legacy Dionex) HPLC instruments to the list of candidates? Servicing Waters instruments by Thermo Scientific engineers is most likely also offered in your area. Just let me know if you are interested in further details.

Holger
Product Manager
Thermo Fisher Scientific

I swear only by waters system now (till I was obligated to use other device..) for DAD, HPLC, software and troubleshooting!

I am a user of waters, agilent and brucker for methods developpement and routines analysis and for sure I prefer waters for LC and DAD and software.

I've used Varian Prostar HPLCs and same waters as you. I prefer the empower software (although they need to add overlay in real-time to help with method development/optimization). But working on the HPLC itself I found the varian easier.

I do like the Empower software. I'm not a huge fan of Chemstation on our GCs so if it's essentially the same for HPLC that would be a turn off. I had a chance to check out the new chromera software at an open house, and I did like the feel of it overall because it kind of reminded me of Empower. I didn't get to delve too deeply into the new software, can anyone confirm that? Also, I dug the modular style of the new Perkin-Elmer system.

Does empower software use the same usb key that chromera does so that you can install it on multiple computers, but the usb stick is needed to activate it? I believe a waters rep mentioned that to me, but I'm not completely sure.