HP5970 VS. 5971

[Rich]

Does anyone know the principal differences between a 5970 and 5971? I am in the used market for a GC/MS and want to know if there is any advantage to buying the newer model mass spec. How easy is it to replace/obtain parts on each model?

Rich

[Consumer Products Guy]

We got the 5890/5971A when it was first offered, and ours ran great for 15 years. The 5971A was the first designed for Windows operation, and was extremely reliable. Since both 5971A and 5972A are out of support, we decided to upgrade, and the 5971A gave out between P.O. and arrival. I did hear that there was a way to back-ward adapt 5970A to Windows. Personally, I'd recommend to go newer than 5971A. I don't think that parts are that readily available, and heard that 5971A can't even handle Win95, so you'd need old computer, old software, etc.

[jaj]

We have both 5970 and 5971 that have been upgraded to Windows 2000Pro and run Chemstation G1701BA. You will need to find a vendor that sells the upgraded Smartcard for both instruments. They both work great!

Personally, I would go for the 5971. It is much easier to maintain and there are fewer source parts to clean. Also, no truarc clips on the 5971.
I hated those things!

[Rich]

What are truarc clips? What additional source parts need to be cleaned on the 5970? What additional maintenance steps does the 5970 require?
Rich

[jaj]

The 5970 source has many parts including ceramic posts and truarc clips.
These are components of the lens stack. Each lens has four holes in it that fit on the ceramic posts with ceramic spacers between each lens. The truarc clips and associated curved washers fit onto the ceramic posts in a notch to keep the lens stack together. There is a special tool(pliers) required for this process. The 5970 manual states that the lens stack rarely requires disassembly, but depending on the samples you are analyzing, the cleaning and or replacing the lenses is probably a quarterly event.
If you choose to purchase a 5970, I hope that they give you the pliers and the two bench blocks required to assemble the source.

If you would like, I wouldn't mind e-mailing you copies of the manuals, showing the difference between the two.

[Rich]

Jaj,
Please feel free to email of 5970 and 5971 manuals.

Regards,
Rich