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Hi, Tim,

I agree with what Rosemary and Andy have said about buying a confocal. I 
would always test the type of sample(s) you plan to use on the confocal.

I agree that the local sales and service reps play a huge part in how the 
system performs. The caveat to this is that the reps change without much 
warning. We have frequent changes in local service or sales reps in our 
area. We have purchased 3 confocals over the last 8 years and have had 
changes of personnel within 3 months or less of each purchase.

Patty


Patty Jansma
ARLDN
University of AZ
Tucson, AZ

At 07:57 AM 6/29/2007, you wrote:
>Search the CONFOCAL archive at
>http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal
>
>Tim,
>
>One manufacturer is not inherently more expensive than another, given 
>today's range of
>available products. It is
>always possible to make a system cheaper by leaving things out- that is, 
>by making it
>specific for a specific
>application.  The more generic the system, the more expensive. I agree 
>with the other reply
>that your
>relationship with the local sales rep is crucial for success: how well 
>does (s)he know the
>product line in terms of
>customization? How responsive to your questions is (s)he?  How well does 
>(s)he understand
>your application?
>
>In my experience, it's really the sales rep that makes the difference 
>between having a useless,
>pretty jewel of a
>microscope and a useful lab tool.
>
>Andy
>
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: Tim zhang <[log in to unmask]>
>Date: Thursday, June 28, 2007 10:36 pm
>Subject: Reasons to buy Zeiss?
>To: [log in to unmask]
>
> > Search the CONFOCAL archive at
> > http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal
> >
> > Hi, our group is considering buying a confocal microscope. We don't
> > need super fancy stuff, like >4 channels, spectral capability, etc.
> > Someone recommends Zeiss to me. I used to use Olympus product.
> > After talking with Zeiss sales representatives, I found their price
> > is way higher than Olympus product. I know Zeiss is renowned for
> > its quality. But other than that, what are the reasons that people
> > would rather to pay more?
> >
> > Tim
>
>Andrew Resnick, Ph.D.
>Department of Physiology and Biophysics
>Case Western Reserve School of Medicine
>Biomedical Research Building, room 820
>10900 Euclid Avenue
>Cleveland, OH 44106-4948
>216-368-6899