Yes, too expansive.

Finally, we count manually the cells.

When we need an automatic count, we use our FACS, the accuri C6. This FACS have some difference for a FACS like the FACScalibur and it can give use a cell concentration. They are no consumable.

Hi Stéphane,

thank for your reply. We also have a Facs that we could use but we are looking for an solution that we can use during splitting the cells instead of counting all of them with a hemocytometer.

Do you know whats the cost for the Accuri C6?

We use the CASY cell counter, but if you're finding the Scepter expensive, then this is probably out of your budget. Very handy tool though if you have several people working in the lab.

http://www.roche-applied-science.com/shop/en/de/products/casy-model-tt-150-m#tab-0

Really cheap machines don't exist.

During my thesis, I used a machine like http://www.roche-applied-science.com/shop/en/de/products/casy-model-tt-150-m#tab-0

The price was coming in the range of more than 10.000 € (in 2007) and you need some cosumables. The cups can be reused even if the company tells a different story. The system itself works good but you have to regularily do a proper cleaning of it.

http://www.peqlab.de/wcms/en/products/index.php?do=getArticlesByGroup&which=CELL_COUNTER

Would be the other option, but also not really cheap. The system itself seems to be working good from what I have seen on a fair trade where the machines were shown.

Maybe you should define what you call cheap or in which prize range you want to work, that would make suggestions easier as I have no idea what your machine costs...

If you have the time - i would suggest you to go to München next week as in between Tuesday 2nd and Friday 5th of April you have the Analytica and there all big companies show up. There you can easily get some information straight from the companies.

Hi Taimoor,

the initial costs for the device are not in the focus of interest, we try to keep the costs/measurement as low as possible caused in a high throughput.

That's why I think that the Scepter is quite expensive with 2.50€/measurement.

I have used the Scepter, the Countess, and the Nexcelom counter, as well as hemocytometers. Countess is ~$1 USD per count; Scepter is over $3 per count; Nexcelom is probably similar to Countess in cost. This assumes a per-box price; larger quantities will reduce the price but the ratios will likely remain the same. Nexcelom is probably the best of the counters given the various functions it possesses.

Hi Raymond,

which counter do you used from Nexcelom? Is the system with the chambers as accurate as the method of the Scepter? Have you ever compared them (manually vs. Scepter vs. Nexcelom)?

Hi Lukas, I don't know if this may suit your needs but several years ago I used to count my cells using and adapting the Helen Blau's protocol described in Biotechniques (http://www.biotechniques.com/multimedia/archive/00011/96212st03_11482a.pdf). It's a very cheap and rapid method once you have a microplate spectrophotometer that can read in the IR range (i.e 800 nm) if I remember well.

Problem may arise if your cells in suspension are clumpy but these guys (http://www.biotechniques.com/multimedia/archive/00051/BTN_A_000113151_O_51376a.pdf) seem to have found a way to circumvent the issue.

Lukas, I used the different devices at different institutions, so I have never had a chance to compare their performance side-by-side. I have used the Nexcelom T4 cell counter and it generally worked well. The most important thing is to make sure to do the counting procedure properly, according to manufacturer directions, and repeat counts when possible to confirm results. I would be most inclined to go with the Nexcelom myself; the Countess is the device I would be least inclined to recommend, based on experience.

I guess we will order the Luna 2nd generation cell counter. In comparisson to the Nexcelom the price per each measurement costs 0.40€ instead of 0.88€.

If someone has experience with this device it would be nice to let me know.

Thanks for all your answers!

http://www.biozym.com/DesktopModules/Webshop/shopdisplayproducts.aspx?tabID=0&id=1723&cat=Luna%20Cell%20Counter&Lang=de-DE

Hi Alexandre,

thanks for this two studys. I guess our microplate reader isn't able to "produce" wavelength above 600nm but Iwill give it a try. That would be a simple method.

Hi Lukas, what about a nanodrop 2000 or even better a nano drop 8000 spectrophotometer to borrow somewhere around? Just a simple idea, good luck

Hi Lukas,

I am looking for a counter cell too, so I want to ask if you recommend me "LUNA". Some advice?

Thanks!

 Hi Lukas, We are using the Luna cell counter as well to count microalgal cells. I you know of a cheap method to automate this cell counting process, please do share.

Thanks.

Hi Yogesh, Lukas et al., CASY is not cheap in the short run but it is renowned for its decade-long reliability. This puts the initial costs into perspective. A measurement (3-fold) costs approx 0.17€. 

Talking about algae - here's a list of already measured cells using CASY: 

http://cellcounting.de/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/OLS-CASY-cells-and-particles-measured_01-2015.pdf

Logos came out with a reusable slide for the LUNA cell counters. If you're looking to minimize consumable costs, it's tough to beat.

http://logosbio.com/cell_counters/luna_2/features.php#pro_taps

Lukas Kristoffer Schwarz

Check out this:

https://chemometec.com/cell-counters/cell-counter-nc-200-nucleocounter/

Cost per consumable is approx. $2.70 USD. Also maintenance free, you don't have to pay for annual calibrations. Also no premixing needed as the dyes are in the consumables.

Or check out this system: Corning Cell Counter. It works WITHOUT consumables and its incredible fast.

But maybe I'm biased :-)

https://www.corning.com/emea/en/products/life-sciences/products/equipment/corning-cell-counter.html

I have tested the Corning Cell Counter few month ago. My experience is negative. The software requires connecting to internet/cloud to run and there is no parameter you could adjust or re-count. Saying it is world's fastest and most accurate cell counter is very misleading. At the same price, you'd better ask for a demo of thermofisher's countess, Biorad T20 etc. Although I did not buy any of them. At least the they have a proper software that could do much more things.

Developed from scratch, a completely new software for CASY might add valuable analysis options for your research? https://cellcounting.de/ein-neues-tool-fuer-ihr-casy/?lang=en . Might be worth a try?

Dear Lukas

The automated cell counting is no longer expensive. There is a company in the UK that invented a washer system to wash all types of disposable cell counter slides over and over again so that you no longer need to buy disposable slides. we have two of these washers in our lab. they are very useful and cost savings and environmentally friendly.

please check their website

https://www.imraliinvention.com/

this will cut the cost of your cell counting. hope you find this helpful.

Best

Ahmet

Ahmet Imrali your slide washer is very interesting. Wondering if it also distribute outside UK?

Dear Di Xia

Thanks for your interest.

Yes we have started to distribute outside of the UK. We have recently shipped a few units to the States. please contact me on [email protected] and i put you in touch with our master distributor whom will be happy to assist you with your enquiry. Thanks.

Best Wishes,

Ahmet

I'd consider the LUNA II by logos bio (https://logosbio.com/luna-ll/). It's affordable (both itself, and its disposable slide, with the option of using reusable slides also available), easy to use, and provides you with accurate and reliable data.