2016 Product Resource Guide: Mass Spectrometers

Mass spectrometers are used for a wide array of analyses from food safety to forensics. Use this guide to help you start the process of choosing the right instrument for your lab.

Written byLab Manager
| 2 min read


mass spec sample6 Questions to Ask When Buying a Mass Spectrometer

  1. What factors come into play when determining the MS specifications you require in terms of throughput, sensitivity, robustness, software control, ease of use, and ease of maintenance?
  2. What differentiates the vendor’s MS from others offered, in terms of performance, ease of operation, and the ability to upgrade to meet future or changing application requirements?
  3. How do you validate the specification claims presented by the vendor?
  4. Has the data processing software been designed for enhanced analytics, with lab workflow in mind and does it support critical compliance requirements?
  5. What are important price points to keep in mind when selecting an MS?
  6. What does the company offer in your area in terms of effective distribution of spare parts, instruments, service personnel, technical support, and education/training?

What Is Your Field of Study as an MS User?

Environmental22%
Food Safety and Testing Analysis14%
Forensics Analysis10%
Drug Discovery9%
Proteomics8%
Clinical Testing7%
Biomarker and Omics Research6%
Geology1%
Other19%

Top 10 Features/Factors Respondents Look For When Purchasing a Mass Spectrometer

Reliability95%
Ease of maintenance90%
High sensitivity88%
Higher quality of data85%
High mass accuracy84%
High mass resolution83%
Data output, storage, and retrival81%
Warranties77%
Availability of techniques76%
Training71%

 

 

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