Agilent 6420 vs ABSciex API3200 vs Shimadzu 8030

[Krzykol]

I am a new user on this board so HELLO to everyone!

I work in chemistry lab in Veterinary Service in Poland and we're willing to buy some LC/MS/MS. Due to the founds we're limited to those instruments mentioned in topic: Agilent 6420, ABSciex API3200, Shimadzu 8030.
Field of application dedicated for the instrument would be: veterinary drugs (coccidiostats - ionophores and chemical), micotoxins, basic toxicology (cumarins and carbofuran).

Which one would you chose depending on your experience?

Thank you in advance.

[Don_Hilton]

Look around on this site and you will see some advice on purchasing instrument systems. While people who post here may have experience with these instruments, ask each vendor to supply you with local references. This will help you to understand how well each company supports the instruments where you are. And, send each company some samples that you know well and offer you the kinds of chalanges you would like to see a new instrument system overcome.

[Cotton Hawes]

Hello Krzykol

I have operated API3200/QTRAP just for vet drugs, it seemed to be rather robust instrument with effective ion source. The source doesnot contaminate fast, anyway it's easy to clean - considering your samples this should be important. Of course the sensitivity of 3200 was far from hi-end machines', but it was allright for its price.
Agilent 6420 - only can give opinion of colleague who wasn't very pleased with its ionization efiiciency.
Shima - no idea.