I took a look at your quote.
 Is that really including a SIM scanner in your quote or just a SIM capable laser module?  The SIM  inflates the price considerably.  The built-in photobleaching ROI function works well for many photoconversion/bleaching operations, avoiding the cost of a SIM (although I do wish we had purchased one).  Do you really need the spectral?  A straight filter based system would also be much less.  the wheels for the filters and dichroics can be changed in the field, so its possible to add filters.  Also, if you are wanting axial registration of 405 nm line with the >488 nm lines, I'd recommend replacing the NA1.42 lens with the 100X/1.4 (or carefully test it before purchase).  

 Julian Smith's recent posting mirrors our experience. We've been using a FV-1000 for 3 yrs, equipped with DIC, 6 lines, 5 PMTs,  and motorized stage on an IX-81 (no SIM though) for 2800 hrs./yr supporting 35 users in 15 laboratories, mostly working in neurobiology.   At the time of purchase, nothing came close for sensitivity, reliability and support for our region.  I've had quibbles with level of software support for some of the advanced features but overall the FV-1000 is easy to learn, easy to use and reliable.  It may well be 6 year old technology, but probably the best in its class and continues to produce quality results.

As has been said, prices are usually negotiable.  Microscopes have become similar to computers.  there will always be something else coming out so it comes down to what capabilities do you need now and in the nearest future.  

Regards,
Glen

Glen MacDonald
Core for Communication Research
Virginia Merrill Bloedel Hearing Research Center
Box 357923
University of Washington
Seattle, WA 98195-7923  USA
(206) 616-4156
[log in to unmask]








On Apr 1, 2010, at 7:41 AM, mps23 wrote:

> Hi Michael,
> 
> I appreciate the comments.  All four systems have been demo'd (Olympus
> FV1000, Nikon AR1, Leica SP5 and Zeiss 710) and all four can accommodate the
> vast majority of the samples we currently generate.  Many in our group want
> to do whole organism microscopy while my main interest is in intracellular
> localization of trafficking molecules and bacterial proteins that are
> secreted into host cells.  Eventually, I would like to do this in live cells
> and may need fast scanning speed.  I am still concerned about the "older"
> technology of the FV1000 and the potential that Olympus will be coming out
> with a new system in the next couple of years. The other concern is the
> pricing.
> 
> As for the release dates, I expect you are more knowledgeable about that
> than I - thank you for the dates.  That helps a bit.
> 
> So, what I am asking is for anyone that has purchased a FV1000 in the recent
> past, could we possibly compare our pricing?  Thank you in advance.
> 
> 
> -- 
> View this message in context: http://n2.nabble.com/Olympus-FV1000-vs-Nikon-A1-tp4567055p4837478.html
> Sent from the Confocal Microscopy List mailing list archive at Nabble.com.