I am considering a purchase of a complete Hitachi HPLC system (Series 7000). LP Quat Pump, Autosampler, UV Detector, Diode Array Detector, 6 Position Column Selector, Col Oven, Sample Chiller, Operating Software, Chrom Sword etc. I've never had much experience with Hitachi. Can someone enlighten me? Any major problems with Hitachi and their service response? This HPLC vs Agilent 1100?

John-As far as equipment, Hitachi's HPLC is very rugged, Diode Array is very sensitive, and ChromSword Auto is very powerful (did you see the presentation at PITTCON?). One question-Why the 6 column switcher? At most I would suggest 2 column switcher, but if you have a need to switch columns that many times during a run, then you need to go that route. Please feel free to respond by email.

John

The operating software is very good, especially the diode array processing which is probably the best that I've seen. I agree that the system is rugged, however, there are a couple of issues that you should consider. The sensitivity of the diode array detector is not quite as good as the sensitivity we see on other systems. We typically do not run methods which analyze very low-level impurities on our Hitachi diode array detectors. The variable detector is more sensitive. Also, unless things have changed recently, the column oven is not peltier and therefore cannot cool. Otherwise, the systems run fairly trouble free and they are easily maintained. Customer support is also good.

Hitachi HPLC system is an excellent working hoarse for routine QC applications.
If you want to buy an attractive tower - go ahead. It’s really sexy. If you need R&D system – be aware.
Hitachi LP Quat Pump is not bad one (to my surprise I’ve seen it working with undegased mobile phase, without backpressure fluctuation and disturbed signals), provides good gradient with small dwell volume, but there are always check valve problems. Autosampler – a lot of carryover problems; they should do something about the washing system. UV detector – good. Hitachi Diode Array Detector is at least 4 times less sensitive than Waters 996 PDA for example, and the diode array processing is probably the worst I’ve ever seen; couldn’t you wait for the next generation. Six Position Column Selector and Chrom Sword – eh, how cool, it is my dream as well – somebody or something to develop my methods while I’m sleeping. Some dreams come true, some … I don’t know. It's up to you John.

I've had the pleasure of using Hitachi systems for the last 4 years. I have also in that time been able to use Agilent, Waters, and Shimadzu systems. I'm still partial to my Hitachi as it never seems to go down. I'm able to switch between gradient RP mode to NP to ion pairing mobile phases without the slightest pump hiccup. I find the software easy to learn and use. Autosampler shows little sign of carry-over during impurity work, even with water insoluble samples. Agilent 1100 had awful carryover problems. Service was good. No real problems to speak of. Thumbs up to Hitachi!!

Are you working in a FDA regulated environment ? If yes, make shure their software is 21 CFR part 11 compliant.
I have seen somewhere that for this purpose they will move from their own one to SSI EazyChrom Elite ! Not shure, to be checked.

John,

Our rep was in this week and did say that a new generation is in the works, I would assume it will appear at PITTCON as all new products do. Their new HSM will be closer to becoming 21 CFR compliant, but it may still be short I think. The rep said that they will be offering EZChrom Elite soon (early summer), but it is mostly to support labs that have various vendor instruments in it. They will certainly be closer to 21 CFR compliance with the EZChrom, but to my knowledge, no one is compliant yet. Some vendors have said that they are, but I think that was premature. Their UV detector is very good! DAD is more sensitive than my Shimadzu but do not know how it compares to Waters or Agilent. I don's have an oven now but will probably get one with the new system. No problems with the auto sampler. Their fluorescence detector is one of the best in the market as far as I'm concerned. Though I do not use it directly, I see output from a Hitachi fluor HPLC system quite often and the sensitivity is great. I would like to see ChromSword be able to be used with more detectors, but right now it is a great tool that comes with the system in the R&D package that I was quoted. Good luck with the decision! -Rach

I have to reply to the statment in the previous message ", but to my knowledge, no one is compliant yet. Some vendors have said that they are, but I think that was premature." Millennium32 from Waters is in fact, fully compliant to 21CFR11. Rachel, I would be interested to understand where you think that Millennium32 is not in compliance.

Andrew

Andrew,

My comments were more of the point that the FDA will be continually changing their specification and demands for compliance. Is Millennium32 closer than EZChrom, than Hitachi System Manager, than etc & etc to compliance? I do not have enough time in my day to find that out, I do what my company tells me I have to do. Currently we do not have a dedicated networked data collection system, eg Millennium32, we have single system data collection.

We are all chasing the light at the end of the tunnel, compliance. However, the FDA, will be constantly changing their specs and demands, so as to justify their existance. Once everyone is compliant, I'm sure there will be more specs and demands to meet.

I would say however, that there is one vendor in particualr that did say they were 21CFR11 compliant when they were not. There is no need to say who it is because there are so many data systems that are not compliant yet, however, there was one that said they were compliant when they had some work to do still.

Thank you for your information on the Millennium32, I will pass that info on to the proper individuals.

Rachel

I'm using a HPLC LaChrom Hitachi with D-7000 Interphase. I had a problem
with this software, when the amount's running was 10000, it removed ALL the
previous runnings of the system and started to count of 0 again.
I would need to recover those previous runnings, any idea?

Best regards,
Beatriz Ludueña - Biochemist - Santa Fe - Argentina.