Advice shopping for a new GC

[Job]

Hi all,

I'm currently working in a biofuels lab and we have an old HP 5890 GC that we got for free from analytical chemist in the department. We mostly quantify alkenes and derivatized fatty acids, but the dodgy auto-sampler is forcing us to rely on manual injection which is hurting our throughput. My PI is interested in upgrading to new system. We looking for a "basic workhorse" with an FID and an auto-sampler and maybe fast-GC capacity.

I'm interested if anyone has any insight to these systems in terms of reliability, particularly in the hands of novice users (biochemistry grad students).

The Models I'm interested in are:
Agilent 7890B or 7820A
Agilent Intuvo 9000
Shamadzu 2010
ThermoFisher TRACE 1300

[rb6banjo]

This topic comes up often. My advice is to search the forum for this information.

[Rndirk]

I work with the Agilent (not intuvo) and Thermo systems you mention. It's a matter of preference really: personally I prefer the Agilent systems.

The Agilent Intuvo is the latest model, there was a discussion about it here a couple of weeks ago.

[burritoblu]

I choose to work with Agilent and I was interested in the Intuvo9000 but I finally bought the Agilent 7890B + 5977B MSD + PAL 3 autosampler.

There is some great technology in the Intuvo, but the first reason of my choice is that the system is so new that even Agilent technicians are not completely aware about it, and the time to get precise answers and feedbacks (in Europe) is long. The guy responsible of the assistance in my region told me he still "barely" heard about it.

It is my only GC, so I can take "zero" risks.

The second reason is the impossibility to do GCxGC, to use two inlets etc. It sounds strange to me to pay much more to get a system that is less versatile.
Intuvo technology is going to evolve fast in my opinion, as it is much more efficient, but it will requires some months/years.

I was not impressed about the Thermo Trace. It is nice to have a modular system, but I personally don't need it. So, my second option was to work with Shimadzu, as they have a good presence in my area. I would take a look at their new Nexis 2030.

Hope this helps

[chem_Aiham]

I worked on SHIMADZU GC-2010 it is wonderful for two years no problems at all.. I recommend it..

[varossf]

If you want 'fast GC' then you look at the Intuvo or a 7890B with LTM modules. I am working on the data processing coming from the INtuvo for oil analysis and TPH. Got that one pretty under control.
Ask your local guy for an Intuvo and OpenLAB 2 (not ChemStation or EZChrom) to also get modern software.