Hi Lazaros,
We converted the VXR-500 to a Inova-500 in 1997, approx. 3 years ago. We
did not buy any service contract and we are okay so far. We had a few BB
S/N problem traceable to BB preamp (never the problem reached to the dual
mixer module). We replaced them using Varian's exchange program. We also
had problem with power amplifiers and we replaced the bad module that you
can buy directly from amt or even many other vendors. The Varian customer
service is very good to help you get the parts. Most of the time, Phil
Louthon (very nice to talk to) or other engineers can provide the
information you need to diagnose the problem. If you have a good 20 to 30
dB external attenuator (Bird), a few 2x to 6x attenuators, and a good
scope, you can troubleshoot many of the problems yourself.
I think, it makes sense to evaluate the performance of the spectrometer
last five years and find out if you could diagnose the problems quickly and
how much it would have cost you without the service contract. Compare the
cost with the service contract fee you pay and you will have an idea which
one is better. The part replacement cost is 50% of the price, for example,
BB preamp's exchange price is $750 (half of $1500). The dual mixer module
is pricy (exchange $6500; cost $13000). If you get the part, try out and
you don't need it, they charge you only 15% upto $500 max. The parts
service contract (both Varian and Bruker) does not include magnet and
probe, the two big ticket items.
On the other hand, if something really bad happens and you have many
problems, the service contract can save you.
Please let me know what you decide.
Sandip
> The manufacturer's parts only service contract on a 5 yr old Varian
>Inova is about to expire. Since money is always short, there is some
>debate as to whether it should be renewed. I am grateful for sharing your
>experience, thoughts or suggestions on the matter. Lazaros Kakalis
>Rutgers University at Newark
>Department of Chemistry
>73 Warren Street
>Newark, NJ 07102-1811
>
>Tel: (973) 353-5040 (office, lab)
>Tel: (973) 353-5329 (secretary)
>Fax: (973) 353-1264
>Email: kakalis_at_andromeda.rutgers.edu
>
*** BEST WISHES FOR 2001 ***
________________________________________________________________________________
Sandip K. Sur, Ph.D. Email: sur_at_chem.chem.rochester.edu (W)
Manager and Application Scientist
NMR Facility
Department of Chemistry Tel.: (716) 275 4705 (W)
B53B Hutchison Hall (716) 275 0912 (W)
River Campus (716) 586 7794 (H)
University of Rochester Pager: (716) 275-4231 (ask for me)
Rochester, NY 14627-0216 Fax: (716) 473 6889
Friday, March 30, 2001
________________________________________________________________________________
Received on Fri Mar 30 2001 - 11:44:23 MST