Vitros 5600 anyone?

[SMILLER]

We have been using FS 5,1s and ECis for several years, and are considering the 5600s. Does nayone have experience with these?

We are especially concerned about maintenance and downtime. For example, if the immuno side of a 5600 needs service does that mean the whole analyzer is unusable for the duration? Is the 5600 more reliable and less prone to problems than the ECi and FS? Any other information that you think may be useful in making a purchase decision would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[PAWHITTECAR]

We have been using the 5600 for more than a year and it is doing fine. It is not less prone to problems that the ECi or FS but has it's own new set of problems. You can turn off different componants (like in the FS) so if the immuno side is down you can still run slide tests and vice versa. It does not have nearly as large of a sampling area, only 4 carousels, so if you are running a high volume of specimens they could be off the analyzer when you discover the need for a dilution. One nice feature is that if an sample from any position in those 4 carousels so if you need to add-on or if a dilution is needed it doesn't have to wait to get to the "secondary sampling" position. They have made some definate improvements with the tip delivery system as compared to the FS. No more hoses dlogged with tips.