🚀 go-pugleaf

To Danny Thomas and all who replied to my initial enquiry concerning
laser life.

It was with interest that I read your message to the confocal network. I
am also surprised at the amount of traffic my message generated. This
is probably because we are all a bit older and wiser with respect to
laser lifetimes now, I know when our first one crashed I struggled on
vainly for a couple of months until it was time for the confocals first
service. What has really got up my goat is Bio-Rads insistence that these
lasers do have a lifespan of 1500 to 2000 hours, and the fact that they are
not willing to guarantee each laser seperately. The gist of the last fax I
received from Bio-Rad went along the lines of I should be grateful that
the first laser was replaced (after 500 hours) I should not expect a
replacement now (600 hours and no red line).  If I buy a new laser it
will have be covered under warranty. I can only assume when that one dies
I shall be in the same boat with its replacement. I am not after
unlimited replacement lasers but do expect them to last the length of
their warranty.

We purchased the confocal microscope as a package and the ability to perform
triple labelling was an important aspect of our decision to buy this
product. We feel that it is Bio-Rads responsibility to ensure that each
of the components are working correctly and to their full capacity.
Considering the money invested in their product and service contract I
do not think this is to much to ask.

Ricky Critcher
Dept of Genetics
Cambridge University                    voice (01223) 333972
Downing St                                fax (01223) 333992
Cambridge