Chromatography Forum

Dear chromatographers:

I just met with a rep of Shisheido (Chromatography division). He said that HPLC system made by Shisheido is better engineered (compared to Shimadzu?), and is offered at a lower price. Also, Si-based columns are better (i.e. sustain high pressure, high-low pH) and at lower price.

Anyone has any comment/feedback about Shisheido's chromatography products? We are interested in getting a new HPLC system soon (and we don't want to buy at autions).

Thanks.
Alfred.

I never have even heard of them untill today. I had a look at the website, pretty limited product offering. My major concern would be service and support.

I can't comment on their HPLC systems, as they were significantly more expensive locally than Shimadzu when I last asked, the backup support here was inferior to other suppliers, and the user interface was somewhat different to existing instruments we had - more training...

I would be very wary of buying an orphan instrument, so would ask to talk with a local user or two.. They had some interesting column technology, but I suspect other column manufacturers now have offerings that are more suitable to general small molecule work.

Would your company consider the option of a refurbished name-brand instrument if they don't want the risk of auction then refurbishment?.

Shimadzu has the reputation here for most aggressive pricing, and reasonable numbers in the marketplace, along with some support, but the user interface can be an issue for some people.

Good luck, and please keep having fun,

Bruce Hamilton

I just met with a rep of Shisheido (Chromatography division). He said that HPLC system made by Shisheido is better engineered (compared to Shimadzu?), and is offered at a lower price. Also, Si-based columns are better (i.e. sustain high pressure, high-low pH) and at lower price.

What would you expect a sales rep from *any* company to say? That his product is mediocre, even if it is overpriced?

Shisheido is brand-new to the US hardware market. You might be getting the chromatographic equivalent of a Lexus when they first came out: excellent quality at a surprisingly low price. On the other hand, you might be getting a Yugo (and end up with an orphan).

I think you're wise to ask for user feedback, but unfortunately, I don't think you'll find any, so it's "caveat emptor".

Shiseido in North America are probably more known for cosmetics rather than Chromatography products.

I've used some of their columns in the past (I worked in a Japanese owned company) but wouldn't say they were any better than the other brands available,

I should add to my earlier post, having just visited their www site.

Their software user interface has been greatly upgraded, and they now also offer bespoke "Ezchrom Elite" and "Xcalibur" software for their systems, which have been completely upgraded.

The only obvious HPLC pump on their current HPLC system is inert (PEEK) which could seriously constrain use of some solvent systems.
My recollection was that the earlier pumps were SS, but I could well be wrong.

Their column range is as diverse, specialised, and imaginative as I recalled. Their English Language overseas agents seem to mainly promote the columns, often offering competing HPLC systems, instead of the Shiseido HPLC. That would scare me away from a "mission critical" purchase...

Please keep having fun,

Bruce Hamilton

There are some Shiseido Nanospace S1-2 pumps in my lab. I do not recommend buying it because some co-workers said flow rate was not reliable. I have never measure flow rate, but pump pressure goes up and down frequently. Although we do not maintain the pump now, I think this phenomenon is strange enough. We do not use the pumps for any official projects.

Another guy said their system has much more carry over than Alliance. She just compared Shiseido and Waters HPLC.

Anyway we had to renew systems from Shiseido to another HPLC because of their pump and carry over.

Best Regards,

Thank you all (especially laserman).
So far I know of four Japansese firms selling HPLC: Shimadzu, Hitachi, Jasco, and Shiseido.
We have used the Class-VP of Shimadzu (for a long time), and found that it is not quite user-friendly; no software support for IQ-OQ-PQ (like in Chromeleon); and poor report generation.
We have not used the software Data Manager (Jasco) for LC, but we have one Jasco FT-IR with this software, and found that it is adequate.

Alfred

Shiseido in North America are probably more known for cosmetics rather than Chromatography products.

Truly!
I did a double take when I saw the name. They make lovely, high end makeup and beauty tools. I had no idea they made scientific instruments.

Thank you all (especially laserman).
So far I know of four Japansese firms selling HPLC: Shimadzu, Hitachi, Jasco, and Shiseido.
We have used the Class-VP of Shimadzu (for a long time), and found that it is not quite user-friendly; no software support for IQ-OQ-PQ (like in Chromeleon); and poor report generation.
We have not used the software Data Manager (Jasco) for LC, but we have one Jasco FT-IR with this software, and found that it is adequate.

Alfred

I think their products(Shiseido) are OEM from an American company. As to Janpanese companise who sell HPLC, there is a not well-Known one called FLOM(www.flom.co.jp) who has very good sample valve(as good as Rheodyne ones ) and good degassser at a nice price.