We have recently received a Picarro instrument (hello Picarro folks!).  
Its a very stable machine, easily set up. Flow rates can be an issue,  
but I think the Picarro is made for your application. I recommend it.  
I looked at the competitor and was less impressed (sorry folks). That  
instrument was vibration sensitive, larger, and seemed less stable.

Good luck. Marilyn Fogel

On Aug 3, 2009, at 6:59 AM, Reinhard Well wrote:

> Dear all,
>
> my institute is  considering to purchase a CRDS instrument in order  
> to analyse d13C of CO2 in gas samples from soil incubations. We are  
> planning to connect the instrument to an automated microcosm system,  
> where the analyser is needed to monitor d13C of CO2 in the exhaust  
> flow from the microcosm which are continuously flushed with a  
> carrier gas at approximately 20 mL per minute. So the instrument  
> must be able to analyse at such low flow conditions. As far as I can  
> see there are two companies (Los Gatos, Picarro) offering  
> instruments for real time monitoring of d13C of CO2. The question is  
> which one would be preferable for our application?
>
> We would greatly appreciate any information to support our decision.
>
> Reinhard
>
> -- 
> ____________________________________________________________
> PD Dr. Reinhard Well
> Telefon: +49 (0)531 596 2535
> Fax: +49 (0)531 596 2599 E-Mail:[log in to unmask]
>
> Adresse:
> Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institut
> Bundesforschungsinstitut für Ländliche Räume, Wald und Fischerei
> Institut für Agrarrelevante Klimaforschung Bundesallee 50 38116  
> Braunschweig Deutschland Web: http://www.vti.bund.de/de/institute/ak/
>
> address:
> Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institut
> Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries
> Institute of Agricultural Climate Research Bundesallee 50 38116  
> Braunschweig Germany Web: http://www.vti.bund.de/en/institutes/ak/