regan m wrote:
> SP5
>
> THE ONE SUITS U THE BEST ???
>
> On Thu, Jul 23, 2009 at 9:08 PM, Amol K <[log in to unmask] 
> <mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote:
>
>     Hello All,
>
>     Sorry to bother everyone with these questions but what is a better
>     resource
>     than confocal users and specialists! I tried searching for similar
>     topics but
>     didn't get much useful information.
>
>     We will be adding confocal microscope to our facility here at my
>     company. I've
>     three quotes from Olympus, Leica and Carl Zeiss. The models are
>     Olympus
>     FV1000/IX81, Leica TCS SP5 and Carl Zeiss LSM710.  Olympus and
>     Leica are
>     almost similar in costs whereas Carl Zaeiss is relatively costly
>     for similar
>     instrumentation.
>
>     My experiment will range from cellular uptake studies of
>     nanoparticles to some
>     FRET experiments. The nanoparticles will be multi colored and
>     hence spectral
>     unmixing will be important. There will be not many users, perhaps
>     3/4 at max.
>
>     My questions are how good are these systems when compared to each
>     other,
>     which one you will recommend consideing the ease of use,
>     reliability and
>     service, any specific advantage of one over another.
>
>     I really hope you will take some time out and reply to these
>     questions. Thank
>     you in advance.
>
>     Best,
>     Amol
>
>
As manager of a core facility the SP5 is by far the best buy. It is very 
easy to use, software is very easy to use, wavelength collection (5 
channels and transmitted channel at the same time or sequential ) is 
very easy. Service because I am in a Metro area ( NIH is just down the 
road a bit) is very good.  The SP5 is also a very hardy piece of 
equipment. Phone support is great and Leica Microsystems also offers 
classes in their Exton offices for beginners to advanced users.

-- 
Chere Petty, M.S.
Manager of UMBC Keith R. Porter Core Imaging Facility	
Department of Biological Sciences
University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC)
1000 Hilltop Circle
Baltimore, Maryland 21250
Fax: 410-455-3875
Cell: 301-367-8408
[log in to unmask]
www.emumbc.com