Agilent, Waters and Dionex: what's the best choice

[bukykatt]

Hi,

I am building up a brand new lab and I need to buy an UHPLC and a GPC with the following requirements:

- RI, DAD and DEDL on each system
- quaternary pump system

We'll mainly focus on phenols, carbohydrates and fatty acids analysis.

We also want to be able to do regular HPLC analyses with the UHPLC.

I've seen sales people from:

- Agilent: Infinity 1290 for the UHPLC and 1260 for the GPC
- Shimadzu: UFLC XR for the UHPLC and LC-20ADXR for the GPC
- Waters: ACQUITY UPLC H-Class and Alliance
- Dionex: Ultimate 3000 UHLPC and Standard
- Perkin: Flexar 15 and Flexar 10

So far, I've got a preference for the Agilent, Waters and Dionex systems.

In order to make a final choice, I would like to have some feedback and advice from people who use these systems. Do you recommend one manufacturer in particular?

Which is the best system?

Thank you for your help!

[DR]

Given that all 3 of those vendors put out pretty solid hardware, I think it is time to start asking other questions, such as:
What data system will you use?
Do you require (or at least want) instrument control from your data system?
How is the vendor service and support from each vendor in your area?
How long do you plan to keep each system? (because some vendors support a given system for a lot longer than others).
What are the relative costs for each vendor's setup?

Assign points for importance to each of these questions, do some homework and interviewing, rate the answers and your choice(s) should be clearer.

[bukykatt]

Given that all 3 of those vendors put out pretty solid hardware, I think it is time to start asking other questions, such as:
What data system will you use?
Do you require (or at least want) instrument control from your data system?
How is the vendor service and support from each vendor in your area?
How long do you plan to keep each system? (because some vendors support a given system for a lot longer than others).

Assign points for importance to each of these questions, do some homework and interviewing, rate the answers and your choice(s) should be clearer.

Thanks for your post!

By "data system", do you mean "software"? If so, we do not have a preferred software right now.... nevertheless Chromeleon 7 seems quite powerful and convenient.

The lab will be in a well covered area for all vendors.

I plan on keeping the systems for at least 8 years.