I am in the market to purchase an LC-MS. I have had dealings before with a HP-Micromass system but that is all that I have a good working knowledge of. To all the routine users out there -can you help me choose the correct partnership by letting me know your thoughts on systems that you have used and why you think that they are useful. If anyone has a good working knowledge of a variety of different makes LC-MS' then please let me know your views!!!!
Your help is very much appreciated.

Dear steph,

LC-MS is mainly depending on the type of samples you are interested into.

the important criterias for selecting a LCMS systemis as follows:

1. What is the approx. molwt. of your samples? are you interested in ZMD based on electrospray or atmosphereic chemical ionization ?

2. are you interestedin LCMS or LCMS-MS-MS ?

3. are you interested in Iontrap or Quadroupole ?

4. are you interested in combinatorial chemistry samples ?

5.are you looking for a multi port or limited port system ?


most importantly it mainly depends on your type of samples.

for more information you can discuss in this forum


U.D.CHANDRA REDDY

The previous writer has it exactly right. Choice of a LC/MS is not as simple as it might appear. There are many high quality technologies on the market all offering different pros and cons. Your exact needs will be very dependant on the kinds of samples that you will be running and the kind of information you need to extract. As well, cost can also enter into the equation,the price differental between a trap, single quad, triple, TOF, QTOF.... and the inlets (the HPLC) can impact your final decision. Although I have had experience with several vendors, recomending one over another without all of the information is pointless.

A.A.

Thank you both for your replies.
Firstly the molecular weight of the majority of samples will be <2000 and we want both EI and APCI.
Secondly we want just LCMS and probably quadrupole.
The main usage of the machine will be in the field of combinatorial chemistry.
The systems I am looking at so far are
1.Shimadzu
2.Gilson - Finnegan
3.HP-Micromass
4.Waters
if you have any knowledge of good and bad points on the usage of these instruments your input would be greatly appreciated.

Hitachi Instruments Inc. are offering a new system which looks impressive. If its anything like their HPLC's, it will be very competitive.

I'd "x" Shimadzu off your list based mainly
upon the volumes of bad reports found all
over the world wide web. In it's place, I'd
recommend Perkin-Elmer (PE). There LC-MS
system is a little pricey but it would yield
excellent results based upon your criteria.

I would recommend your syetem choices #1 or #4. I've had good experience with both.

In my humble opinion, I believe the posting above mine, critical of Shimadzu, is the same 'mishegas'
who has been polluting newsgroups with his anti-Shimadzu message.

Hey A Paplow:

You know where your next meal hangs!

I know where my next meal hangs ?

I've never heard that expression before.
Is that a threat ?

Nice of you to show your true colors, and erase
all validity you might have had.