I would be interested in hearing comments on the pros and cons of this type of detector. We have an interest in the LC of non-UV absorbing species using a gradient, e.g. esters and nonionics.

ELSD's are 1:Expensive {15K} 2:Not linear over their entire range 3:Require gas (air or nit
ogen) and should be vented to outside of lab or to a hood 4:Buffers/salts will limit sensivity.
GOOD STUFF 1:Limited gradients are possible 2:They do not usally require equil/warmup 3:Are easier to operate because they are not sensitive to pump variations in pressure or drift cause by temperature changes.

Two ACS Model 750/14 ELSD's have been in use at my work place during the 10 years I've been there, and they're actually about 17 year old. They are amazing, and they are extremely robust. Try going to www.polymerlabs.com they sell a brand new model for circa £9000, if I had the budget I'd replace both 750/14's tomorrow

If You would like to start with ELSD, it is good to take in account what eluents You expect to use. There are two kinds of technical solutions of the nebulisation.
I use Varex for eight years (mainly for nonionic detergents, polyglycols and fatt derivatives) and it works very nice in normal phases eluents (hexan/isopropanol). Maintennace is very simple too.
According literature for reversed phases (water!) SGE (France) type looks more usefull. Last time Alltech offers equipment with two kinds of the nebulisation systems.

I'm interested in purchasing an ELSD system for analysis of Carbohydrate-lipid derivatives. I have HPLC experience with RI/UV detection systems, with a variety of isocratic and gradient systems. The ELSD detection systems look quite nice, but it looks like they might be a potential maintenance problem with all those particles flying around in the detector. Anyone have any comments on maintenance? (Or any other things I need to consider with ELSD...)
I'm specifically looking at the Alltech 500 ELSD, so if anyone has any comments on this unit or suggestions of +/-'s of other units, I'd love to hear them.