Hallo everyone.

We are about to buy an HPLC unit, and have a bit of a problem deciding which one. We have narrowed the choice to the two following:

1. Merck LaChrom Elite (pump L-2130HTA quaternary, low pressure gradient; autosampler L-2200; UV detector L-2400; degasser; software EZChrom elite)
2. Agilent 1100 series (quaternary pump; UV detector; column thermostat; autosampler; degasser; ChemStation software)

Could you, please, share your experience with the above equipment and software.
We have an older Merck LaChrom in the lab. Can ChemStation handle this unit if we decide to go for the Agilent.

And one more thing, both Merck and Agilent have validation software in their offer but there is a huge difference in price (Merck is cheaper). Can anyone tell me if there is a good reason for this (so far I have only seen a demo from Merck)

Thanks for help

go with the Agilent

You say you have had a demo from Merck - was this just the validation software or the whole system - HPLC and software (I am assuming you mean the method validation software and not the validation of the HPLC and application that the vendor can do when they install it)? Are you planning on getting a demo of the Agilent system?

I don't know about reliability of the Merck HPLC, but we have a lab of 80+ 1100s and they have proved to be reliable. Some of the systems are getting on for 6 years old and still work OK with regular routine maintenance.

If you are working in a lab that may get inspected by the FDA and possibly some other regulatory agencies, you may be better off looking at the other Agilent CDS - Cerity for Pharma, which is better integrated that ChemStation.

We use Merck's Elite LaChrom. It is good, but have little disturbance: the column oven is not long enough for some columns + guard cartridge.