LEFKOWIT@uabcmc.bitnet (05/15/91)
In reply to Kathy Cheah: >Has anyone had experience with a thermal cycler sold by MJ Research >model PTC100? I need to buy a new one and the blurb and price seem >reasonable but I would like some idea of the reliability, temp.accuracy >well to well, and ease of use of this machine. Thanks to those who reply. >Kathy Cheah We have used the PTC100 for about a year now. It has broken down once, but MJ Research did provide a loaner while it was in the shop. It certainly has given the expected PCR bands with no indication of any significant non-uniformity across the heating/cooling block. We have never actually checked the temperature with a probe, but I suspect that it is close to the panel reading. Programming the machine, while not that difficult, is still not the most intuitive process that I have ever had to follow for equipment of this type. I find myself having to pull out the instruction manual if I havn't used the machine in a while and need to enter a new program. If no new program is necessary, getting the machine running from already entered programs is no problem at all. One annoyance is that while there is a battery back-up for the programs, there is no back-up to determine where you were in a run if the machine loses power while operating. If the price is right, I feel I can recommend the machine as being up to it's task. ************************************************************************** Elliot Lefkowitz | University of Alabama Bitnet: LEFKOWITZ@UABCMC | Department of Microbiology Internet: LEFKOWITZ@ORION.CMC.UAB.EDU | Box 70 BHS Bldg. Phone: 205-934-1636 | Birmingham, AL 35294 **************************************************************************