Chromatography Forum

We are about to purchase a new HPLC system with DAD. I was wondering if anyone of you have some experience with Shimadzu systems, since their offer seems very acceptable regarding the price.

Thanks.

Their prices are good, their detector is very sensitive. Their software has some caveats you need to be aware of. The cheap version doesn't allow analysis of 1 run while you're acquiring another. It is not 21CFR compliant. If you need either of these features, make sure your quote includes the more expensive version of the software.

Also - make sure your area has good vendor service if your in-house people are limited (this is true for any vendor).

If you go by my experience, i will suggest you the Waters HPLC system. their software is very user friendly as compared to Agilent/ Shimadzu/ Dionex. or u can use agilent system with waters software..

Best of luck

Shimadzu is quality hardware. No doubt. I have experience with many of their instruments, and they have all been among the most reliable lab equipment I have ever worked with.

Shimadzu is a top-level instrumentation company in Japan, and has been for years. They aren't as well regarded elsewhere.

Here in the states I think this is because they unfortunately choose to cut costs in their personnel. I have never been particularly impressed with their service personnel. However, this is very nearly an industry-wide problem right now. None of the instrument makers want to pay the service personnel enough, and consequently good engineers don't want those jobs.

Shimadzu's software has always been a weakness. I am hopeful that their new generation of TCP/IP software is going to change that. I had a chance to look at it recently, and it looked better than what I saw in the past.

If you are comfortable with lab instrumentation, and can perform some of your own maintenance, then Shimadzu is a great choice. If you want semi-skilled personnel to be able to operate the instrument, it could still work well because of its reliability, but you will have to be able to tolerate some training time.

Evan L. Cooper, Ph.D.

P.S. Waters is quality equipment. I agree. However, it simply isn't worth the Ferrari prices they are charging for their Toyota equipment. Nuff Said.

Oh dear, we're starting one of those 'my equipment is better than your equipment' posts, which could go on for weeks....

For what's it's worth, I agree with the points above, Shimadzu kit is quite well engineered, but generally they can be let down by the software and their field support (seems the UK is the same as the US) Whilst the problems are rife across the whole industry, I don't know anyone else with a website against the company (http://www.geocities.com/shitmadzu/ - Note: I don't endorse this, just point out it's there)

As regards other stuff, In my opinion Waters is up there with the big boys, but they tend to focus on their very expensive toys (LC-MS/MS, UPLC) which are over priced, and ignore there other stuff (which are also overpriced), Plus I've never got used to their software.

For me, I love Dionex's Chromeleon software, so it's a short hop to recomend their LC equipment (epsecially their new Ultimate 3000 HPLC range, dig those sexy blue displays)...

Again, just my opinion...

Paul.

--
Paul Hurley

I don't know anyone else with a website against the company (http://www.geocities.com/shitmadzu/ - Note: I don't endorse this, just point out it's there)

That's the work of a disgruntled ex-employee. His rants on Usenet were legendary (and not tolerated here; that's why he's the only person we've ever had to ban from posting on the Forum).

...their offer seems very acceptable regarding the price.

Their prices are good

Could you let me know the price?
My colleague (from different company) has experience with Shimadzu. First, the representative offered almost USD 65,000 for complete configuration (pump, autosampler, column oven, DAD, and software). After they knew that the company asked price from other supplier (agilent), they reduce the price to 50%, to the point in which Agilent could not offer lower. I do not know how Shimadzu could do that.
This year I prefer choose Agilent 1200 Series than Shimadzu LC20AD.

Agilent would be my choice since their instruments are easy to maintain and their technical supports are excellent, except new part 11 compliance Cerity NDS...

Thank you all for the disscussions.

It is obviously going to be a taugh decision. I agree that the technical support is very important. In Macedonia where I am from most of the HPLC instruments are Varian, Perkin Elmer, Agilent and a few Waters. We have reliable service only for PE. The other brands also ofer logistic, but you should wait for the serviser 2-7 days.We have been using PE until now with no problems at all.

Shimadzu is now trying to emerge at the market. Our colleagues from the Drug Quality Department received a new Shimadzu but they are having problem with the pump (some tubing or filter keeps clogging).

Our colleagues from the Drug Quality Department received a new Shimadzu but they are having problem with the pump

That's probably a good test of how responsive they are to problems.

The other brands also ofer logistic, but you should wait for the serviser 2-7 days. We have been using PE until now with no problems at all.

Agilent technical support has given us training about how to repair the system by ourselves. So, we do not need to wait for a long time when we have problem with the system (except we do not have the spare part).

Paul,
Thanks for the endorsement. I beta tested the Ultimate 3000, and I like it. Then again, what do you expect me to say?

Id reccommend Waters. Though they arn't the cheapest, the software is nice and intuitive (our students like it) and the DAD is nice and sensitive. Had one or two problems with SAT/IN modules and comms. But other than that Good stuff.
We have bought second hand 2695 systems before and they are great!


For ref. Ive also used Shimadzu (which I didnt like the software) and Beckman (dont even try it!!! LOL)

Also seen a demo by Varian and it didnt seem bad (though it was a sales pitch)

JAmes