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Hi Kathryn,
Gee, tough position, buy a confocal or buy a confocal.  
Our FV-1000/IX-81 4-dectector confocal has logged 14,000 hrs. in 4 years. My experience has been similar to Stan's.  It has the older laser configuration, argon ion and 3 solid state, only service has been replacing the argon laser and the 405 nm diode.  Most of my complaints have been resolved with the newer models and software, like getting rid of the dual monitors.  Its very easy for new users to learn.  It has some photoactivation/FRAP capabilities, even without the SIM scanner.  All manufacturers have a focus drift system of some sort. The ones that work from the coverslip don't help when the specimen is changing shape.  I know others who really like the Nikon, but I became wary of Nikon confocals in their early days an haven't overcome it.  

Regards,
Glen
On Jan 28, 2011, at 8:04 AM, Kathryn Spencer wrote:

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> To join, leave or search the confocal microscopy listserv, go to:
> http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?A0=confocalmicroscopy
> *****
> 
> Hi all;
> 	I really appreciate the comments sent comparing Olympus and Nikon confocals. We have other systems in our core from both manufacturers, so swapping objectives between systems doesn't give an edge to either. We are in so fortunate to have extremely excellent and prompt service from both companies...if only my centrifuge and incubator companies were so good. We are also in the enviable position of having money NOW to purchase, but in such a short time-frame, we don't have time to do a thorough, well-thought-out, proper and preferred side-by-side demo of each system. Both Olympus and Nikon are offering identical service contracts, identical lasers, and the same system configuration, for the same price.
> 	This will be an upright scope, to complement the numerous inverteds we have. I'm not looking to expand this system into live-cell, as we also have other systems for that need. This confocal will be a work-horse for fixed tissue, multi-color, multi-point/tiling. Speed, noise, transmission efficiency, and aberration correction  are my main concerns. We also have both software platforms in the building, so users have been exposed to both.
> 	What a wonderful position to be in. We can't lose. But I do want the best quality...which is why I turn to your advice, instead of a proper demo.
> 
> Kathy Spencer
> The Scripps Research Institute
> La Jolla, CA