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All respondants were absolutely happy with the reliability and performance
of their lasers. This, together with the small sample of manufacturers
other than Spectra Physics, precludes any conclusion on relative
reliability. Other info. is summarized below in the order in which it was
received. Power is in mW. Years refers to years of ownership. Hours
refers to estimated hours of operation.
Make Power Years ~Hours Sorter
1 Spectra Physics 27 8 1000's FACS440, EPICS753
2 Spectra Physics 35 2 500 FACSVantage
3 Spectra Physics 35 3 600 EPICS, MoFlo
4 Spectra Physics* 35 4 200 FACStar+
5 Melles Griot 30 1 2000 Elite
6 Spectra Physics 35 3 3000 FACStar+
7 Spectra Physics 35 ?>1 ? FACStar+
8** Spectra Physics 35 9 >4000 FACSVantage, FACStar+, FACS4..
9 Uniphase 10 4 350 Elite
10 SILT*** 40-50 5-6 ?>2000 TNO****
*: Probably Spectra Physics: Supplied by B_D in an un-marked case.
**: Refers to one of many units
***: Shanghai Institute of Laser Technology
****: Home made cytometer, TNO, The Netherlands
Other Comments (numbers coincide with the entries above):
1: great laser...never a problem with the head; when relatively new the
power supply was replaced. I did it myself in about 15mins
2: Ease of use and performance are outstanding. Turn it on and after a
breif warm-up period start running samples. Would highly recommend!
4: We had a problem with it a year or 2 ago when it didn't seem to fire up
every time. This ended up being a dodgey fuse from the switch on the bench
and when replaced it returned to working flawlessly. The best thing about it
is it works reliably, the alignment has never drifted..
5: Fairly satisfied with performance. However, sometimes a little tricky
with this machine running APC conjugated Abs while doing 5 color
applications.
6: Very satisfied with the laser. No service required yet. Output very
stable. We use it to analyze and sort for APC label. Gives good signal to
noise.
7: The HeNe is very cheap (comparatively) and trouble free, and lasts
forever. It has proven very useful in routine 4 color work using APC.
8: [700 words of operational hints: copies sent on request]
9: Execllent laser, efficient & reliable, without problems, easy to align,
no heat removal worries.
10: Aligning mirrors rather difficult (non-orthogonal), laser was rather
long (1.30 m), no cooling fan: natural convection through open cover and
bottom. I don't know if these are still manufacturered.
\ / < Flow Systems Laboratory
Frank Battye \__/ <<<<< The Walter & Eliza Hall Institute
Robyn Muir ----------!!<<<<<<<< Victoria 3050, AUSTRALIA
Dora Kaminaris /!!\ <<<<< ph: 61_3_9345 2540 fax: 61_3_9347 0852
o !! \ < in:: "facs_copy@wehi.edu.au"
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