I haven't used any of the cyclers you suggest, but I've been using Eppendorf's "Mastercycler ep realplex" for real-time PCR and I find it extremely reliable (reverse transcription done with Mastercycler nexus gradient). It has all the features you need, plus many more. The software is very straightforward and you can export your data in various formats.

9700 GeneAmp is most robust, easy to use but you can also choose GeneAmp verity from Applied it support many blocs to use different temprature in same time also he shares the same capacities than 9700GeneAmp

I have used the Bio-Rad C1000 thermocycler for the last five years... I think It is the best

I've been using the Veriti® Thermal Cycler even for gradients tests. Its very reliable and easy to operate...

ABI's GeneAmp 9700 is a good machine and you can request a demo in your lab. I've been using more Eppendorf's ep Mastercycler gradient and I will be getting the new Mastercyler Nexus soon.

We have 4 Biometra cyclers. 2 of them are working since 2000 and they're still keep parameters. Another cycler I have and use is Techne cycler. Incredible that this cycler is stiil working well being 13 years old...

MyCycler Thermal Cycler Bio Rad

You can use Biometra T3000 multiblocks thermo cycler... In three blocks you can run three different programs...

http://www.biolabo.com/T3000-Multiblocks

I used biometra thermal cycler....it is wonderfull

Hi, you can use 9700 GeneAmp, Veriti or Maxygene from Axygen.

Dear Elizabeth,

For real time PCR or usual end point PCR, my favorite machines are the one from Applied biosystems. The 9700 GeneAmp compare to the PCT 200 has got a larger screen, it is as easy to program but the screen makes your program easy to check. However, It is not a recent machine I don't know recent machine for end point PCR.

We just purchased Bio-Rad C1000 touch dual blocks, It much better than MJ and other ones we have in our lab. Pros: Faster ramping, save 30-40min on regular PCR exp, large touch screen, gradients, can be used as Q-PCR if Q-PCR module is purchased separately, easy to use-

cons: haven't found any yet-

Bio-Rad also provide service to test PCR in lab for 3-4 days, that's what we did before purchasing this thermocycler.

Hope this helps!!!

we have both the thermocycler in my Lab, C1000 and GeneAmp 9700..

9700 does not have Gradient function although it is a very good system. But C1000 is also a good system with very good ramping rate and sensitivity. you can go with C1000.

Dear Elizabeth,

in present time most of thermal cyclers are not differentiated too much. Programming and some other details of use are maximally friendly to end user. Take a look on technical characteristics and durability of cycler. It is highly possible you will use it long time and you'll need precision and high temperature precision.

Dear Elizabeth, I haven't noticed you wanted a Real-Time thermocycler, in this case you can use those produced from Applied Biosystems or from Bioneer (Exyclycler ). I didn't like the Rotagene, because of it's program and also because the price of the supriments.

Dear Elizabeth, Bio-Rad bought MJ and now manufacture the MJ thermocyclers (albeit in different colours). The 200 doesn't exist any more, but this is the MJ replacement that is now in the BioRad range.

http://www.bio-rad.com/prd/en/IT/adirect/biorad?cmd=BRCatgProductDetail&isFromSearch=true&entryPoint=adirect&catID=fdee0682-886d-4834-b249-8acdc2292acb&vertical=LSR&messageType=BRCatgProductDetail&parentCategoryGUID=75f1b406-3746-4580-a998-74245b094f56

Hope that helps!

From my point of view it would be very important to buy a Thermal cycler which have the Ramp option. You can make Gradient PCR by setting different temperatures (RAMP) for every tube line, very useful in the case that tyou want to use a non previously described primer and other issues, like microsatellites testing, etc. We have from "Thermo" that do it, but i dont remember the model. If you want i can look for the exact model.

I also used the MJ PTC 200 with gradient capability for several years, then moved to a new lab and purchased the Bio-Rad S1000. As mentioned above, Bio-Rad bought MJ and the S1000 is similar in many respects. I don't like the goofy lever handled cover, but that's not a major issue. The gradient is also front to back (8 ranks) instead of side to side (12 ranks), but some folks may actually prefer that. As a former MJ user, I found that interacting with the S1000 programming is more like the MJ. We also had a C1000 demo and I found the extra layer of computer software for block control was just annoying.

I've also been using the StepOnePlus qPCR machine--which obviously has qPCR capability, but it also has the Veri-Flex block which allows you to actually set temperatures in six separate sections of a 96 well plate independently. This is nice because on the MJ and S1000 (don't know about others) the gradient is semi-continuous across the block and you wind up with ranks that are 62.3 , 58.8 etc--and no two ranks have the same temp. On the Step one Plus, you could run half the plate at 62 and the half at 59 if you want. Or you could run the six sections at six different temps--which you specify.

Thanks! I really appreciate all the advice.

If possible you better get two thermocyclers and keep two other things in mind: ramp time and temp gradient flexibility.

ABI Verirti 96 well therocycler is an efficient PCR machine with 6 different heating blocks that can be used as a gradient too, for Ta optimization..

http://tools.invitrogen.com/content/sfs/manuals/cms_042832.pdf

Montréal Biotech sells Biometra TGradients (basic and standard) that are what we have been using for years.

Eppendorf master cycler is quite good, its reliable and consistent.We have AB Veriti also but the problem with it is that u can set only six temperatures but eppendorf offer u a wide range gradient temperature(12 temp) which help you standardise the annealing temp in one go.The biorads are also good.

we use more than 10 MJ PTC200 (with different block sizes up to 384-well) hooked up to one computer from which you can run your PCR on any machine you want. This is efficient. No idea why most PCR machine manufacturers make integrated systems with fancy touch screens. Seems they really want you to punch your programs directly into the machine. My advise: not an integrated system, but high max and adjustable ramping speed. If it is really true that they don't make those PTC200 anymore that would be a pity, they gotten high milage in our lab and still work great.

Biomera...great

Has anyone worked with the ABI SimpliAmp? It's apparently on the newer side of things and offers similar capabilities as the Veriti, but offers 3 rather than 6 temperature zones. (However, it's also apparently at least $1000 less expensive, which is nice.) I've also read somewhere that with the ABI Veriti and SimpliAmp cyclers, you must use that manufacturer's consumables? Can anyone confirm this?

I am also skeptical about which one to go in for? Choice is between Biorad T100 / Verti & Simply AMP. Which company provides better  after sales service? Consumables?  Software Remote support?? Site Visits in India??

Bio-Rad C-1000 and Varity (ABI) are very good Thermal cyclers.

We are hesitating between the Biorad C1000 Touch (2x48) and the Analytik Jena FlexCycler2 (2x48G).

I already read good opinions on the C1000, but does anyone have an opinion on the FlexCycler2 ? This machine looks good and serious (it is actually faster than the C1000) but I could not find any opinion on the net.

I also wonder if tactile/touch screens (as the one found on the C1000) do make it in the long term. Can you operate them with gloves on ?

Any opinion regarding Takara DICE TOUCH?

³Prime Thermal Cycler may be good for your lab.

Hello, Please let me know approximate price (in US$) of Price of SimpliAmp™ Thermal Cycler (from ABI/Thermofisher. Thanks

SimpliAmp is about $2400 with the quote

OH my God one of the Ghanaian lab equipment suppliers Quote $22080.00 for PROFLEX 96 well PCR system.I can feel its an unrealistic price.

Eppendorf Mastercycler Nexus always better than ProS.

If you need a ultrafast pcr (between 5-15 minutes for most 30 cycle programs) machine with a heated lid, then check out www.nextgenpcr.com