ACQUITY QDa Mass Detector by Waters

"The ACQUITY QDa Mass Detector is a simple single quad mass spec, which can be directly integrated into Waters ACQUITY LC systems. While the mass range is somewhat limited, the instrument is easy to use and robust. Applicable to work flows such as multi-attribute monitoring or single ion recording. Can also easily be used for the identification of glycans."

"Most of the time it does not work. Not a reliable instrument."

"Very easy to use, repeatable results, robust system."

"- Usability The QDA detector is extremely easy to use. In comparison to High-Res. or High-End systems, method setup is simple and easy, even for untrained users and researchers who are not experts in mass spectrometry. We especially like to demonstrate the easy and simple usage of mass spectrometry to students in practical courses using the QDA. - Reliability The QDA is very robust and reliable. There is hardly no maintenance necessary and exchangeable small parts are very easy to replace. Calibration and resolution checks are done automatically during start-up. - Software We use the QDA with Empower which I am very happy about. As mentioned above, setting up new methods - either in SIR mode or screening mode - can be done in 1-2 minutes. The only problem I am experiencing from time to time is that some batches are not started properly, and that I sometimes have to restart the PC before data acquisition and start of an analytical run starts properly. However, I assume that might not be an Empower, but a driver problem, which hopefully will be fixed with an update. - Value for money In my opinion, the QDA single quad detector is unbeatable with respect to value for money. If you want a reliable, robust, small and easy-to-use MS system, the QDA is the perfect choice. - Applications We use the QDA for a lot of applications - here are just a few examples: - Analyses of secondary plant metabolites from different plant tissues (e.g. flavonols, stilbenes, defense compounds) - Analyses of TCA cycle intermediates after derivatization. This works very well even if you are limited in sample material (cell pellets or tissue). - Mass confirmation of UV- or FLR-signals: For very rich sample matrices, where your metabolites of interest cannot be analyzed by UV- or FLR-detection due to lots of overlapping peaks, the QDA detector helps to overcome that issue generating clean single ion records. - One of my favorite features is that you can even do very nice fragmentation experiments with the QDA detector. Even though you don't have the mass accuracy of a ToF instrument, you can obtain helpful fragmentation spectra allowing you to identify unknown peaks if you know which compounds to expect. "

"This is a very good MS detector for day to-day use, doesn’t require lengthy set up like traditional MS. Very efficient and gets you the required results in no time. "

"It was easy to use and care. We did have some trouble with the S/N"

"It is pretty good instrument. I suggest it can transfer the data faster"

"The Acquity QDa is an accurate instrument, when it works. We have had many issues with hardware and software. Almost all of the components of the detector have needed replacement over the course of owning this instrument."

"This is mass detector that we've been waiting for. This is a small, easy to use MS detector that just slots into the stack of your instrument. You don't need a big vac pump under the bench or a load of space on top. There aren't as many parameters to play with but that's a good thing if you're not an MS expert. The price tag is nearly half what you could expect to pay for a conventional single quad MS but is a little pricier than other micro MS instruments on the market. What you do get for your money is the usual high quality Waters after care."