Probably because of some clerical error, it looks like the NIH is
actually going to give us some money to buy a confocal microscope (with
four lasers: UV-Ar, Ar, GreenHeNe and Red HeNe) this Spring. Assuming
that I don't wake up (I keep pinching myself, but so far nothing has
happened), I would like advice on the critical
parameters/experiments to compare between Leica and Zeiss confocals.
        I have two specific requests. If anyone has run a head-to-head test
between the units in the last few months, I would love to know the
results. The second request is for any general information about the
tested or envisioned strength of the Leica in a multi-user facility
(like ours will be). Tony Moss just mentioned that the Leica software was
baroque. Has that changed? Is there a macro programming mode that is
debugged and versatile? How is light path alignment on a day-to-day or
dichroic-to-dichroic basis (my particular bone to pick with BioRad...)?
How is service/technical support? Has anyone worked with the fiber optic
coupling for the UV laser?
 
Chip Montrose
Johns Hopkins Univ.
Balmer, MD
voice:  410-955-9681
FAX:    410-955-9677