We are about to purchashe an osmometer for our lab, but we have to decide between a Wescor 5600 (vapor pressure osmometer) and a Gonothec Cryoscopic osmometer OSMOMAT 3000. I have only used Wescor in previous labs, and it is a great machine. Yet, most companies are now quoting/offering the Osmomat 3000, which is cryoscopic and I have never ever used before. I'll appreciate any thougthts, experiences and advice. Cheers! M
Dear Mauricio A. Urbina
I don't use either but this manual might be helpful for guiding you on the right track, have a try:
http://www.gonotec.com/products/osmomat-3000
Kind Regards
Qamar Ul Islam
Hi Mauricio, I checked the specs on the Osmomat 3000. Here's an opinion. Overall weight is about 6.4 kg, which is unwieldy and not good for taking on field trips. Sample volume is very large, 50 µL reducible to 15 µL with the M option holder. The range is good, up to 3000 mOsm kg H2O but do you need all that? Read time is short at 60 s. LCD display and so on, which means more to go wrong in the field. I'd say it is a good but delicate laboratory environment instrument with too many moving parts (probe, vibrator etc) and requires a large sample volume, not good for small invertebrates.
I just compared data I produced 30 years ago using a Knauer freezing point depression micro-osmometer (also 50 µL) with those made recently with my old Wescor 5500 (10 µL or less). There's a very good correlation, so FP data are reliable compared to VP. I'd go with the Wescor VP osmometer, and especially the 5500 if you can find one. It's simple, robust, small and reliable and needs only 10 µL. I hardly ever use my 5600, too clunky, long read times and it's bulky for taking on field trips. Stay safe, J.
Mauricio, I came across another FP osmometer the other day that might interest you. Advanced Instruments Mico-osmometer model 3300. It uses 20 uL sample volume but is heavy and bulky. J.
https://www.aicompanies.com/osmometers/
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Automotive Engineering
- Machines