Valerie,
I have no experience with GV, but I can recommend ThermoFinnigan for 
phenomenal tech support (Frank, Roger and Patti who have helped me in the 
US, and Bremen is usually very helpful too). They will talk you through any 
problem over the phone or email, regardless of how long or involved, and 
they have more than fulfilled the warranty requirements when replacements 
were needed. Can't recommend them strongly enough. I would also suggest you 
consider the TCEA for water. You can run O18 and D in a single run with 
peak jumping, with results as good as equilibration methods, once you have 
it dialed in. Setup is also minimized since you are injecting with an 
autosampler straight from sample vials. I also plan to try a suggested 
plumbing modification that promises improved precision. Then of course you 
can also swap to a solids autosampler for organics and certain inorganics. 
Software has its faults, but my overall experience has been very good. 
Hardware is generally bulletproof.
Jon




>Valerie Claymore wrote:
>
>>Hello Everyone,
>>
>>We are in the process of deciding which company to purchase a new water 
>>isotope mass spectrometer from, GVI or Finnigan.
>>We are looking at one mass spectrometer to run both isotopes.
>>The two systems that we are looking at are GVI's Isoprime coupled with 
>>the AquaPrep and PyrOH or the Finningan Delta+XP coupled with the 
>>GasBench II and HDevice.
>>I am looking to contact all labs that run both water isotopes on a single 
>>mass spectrometer, and hopefully close to one of these two configurations.
>>I would love to speak with you, and if possible be able to come and visit 
>>your lab, to be able to get a better feel for each of these systems be 
>>for we make the big purchase.
>>
>>The things that we would like to know, are the normal questions.
>>        What is the precision and acuracy?
>>        What is the throughput, both in samples per day, and time per sample?
>>        Do you switch systems regularly, and how long does it take?
>>        What type of downtime have you had?
>>        How is the ease of use, both with software and hardware?
>>Please let me know if you have any experience with this type of 
>>configuration, and if I may come and see it.
>>I am planning for a trip in late September, early October.
>>
>>Thank you for your time,
>>Valerie Claymore
>>
>>
>>Lab Manager
>>Stable Isotope Lab
>>GNS Science
>>30 Gracefield Road
>>Lower Hutt
>>New Zealand
>>+64(4)570-4645
>>[log in to unmask]
>>
>>
>
>Jonathan D. Karr, Ph.D.
>Technical Director, Duke EnVironmental stable Isotope Laboratory (DEVIL)
>Duke University Dept.of Biology & Nicholas School of the Environment and 
>Earth Sciences
>Phytotron Bldg, 71 Science Drive (Campus Box 90340)
>Durham, NC 27708-0340
>(919) 660-7418
>Fax: (919) 660-7425
>[log in to unmask]
>laboratory website: http://www.biology.duke.edu/jackson/devil/
>
>
>
>
>Adversity is an opportunity