Status:
ReviewerMember since: 2014
Organization: OHSU
Application Area: Routine PCR, NGS
"We bought this thermal cycler July 2011. We are a small lab and use it rarely. It broke yesterday and problems are in its cover heating system. Never see a poor quality thermal cycler like this! "
Status:
ReviewerMember since: 2014
Organization: Westmead Millennium Institute
Application Area:PCR
"We have three of these machines in the lab that are used several times each day. The machines perform the cycles well, and the results indicate that the protocols are working on them. There is one key drawback to this machine, which is that the cover remains at 50 C when the machine is idle or set at 4 C for infinity. Therefore, you cannot leave plates in it to run overnight because they won't cool all the way down and because of concerns of wear on the machine. Additionally, these machines are louder and slower than other PCR machines in the lab. We are heavy PCR machine users, and these machines are not up to the task. I would not recommend this machine to other researchers."
Manufacturer's ResponseHi Kirston,
Thank you for your comments. You are correct that in your assessment of Veriti that when the block is programmed to do a sub-ambient (cold) temperature, the lid temperature defaults to 50C. This is true unless you set the heated lid temperature default setting to “off” where it will maintain “ambient temperature” (the temperature of your outside environment) for the entirety of your run. However, we don’t recommend you turn off the heated lid due to the possibility of evaporation when the block heats up. Let me clear up a few misconceptions underlying your comments:
1. The temperature of the lid does not significantly affect the temperature of the sample provided you are running within the specified volume range (10-80ul). It only serves to reduce evaporation in the case of hotter temperatures, or to reduce condensation at the top of the tube in the case of cooling. Our temperature accuracy specification for your sample is +/- 0.25C, which means that your sample will always be within 0.25C of the programmed set point, regardless of lid temperature.
2. We have done reliability testing with Veriti at 4C in adverse environmental conditions (high humidity, and ambient temperatures) for 72 hours. This means that you can confidently leave your samples in the machine on a Friday afternoon, and pick them up on Monday morning with no adverse effects. Using the instrument at a 4C hold on the instrument does not reduce the reliability of the instrument.
I hope that your Veriti continues to provide you quality PCR product for years to come. We are sure it will. Best of luck in your future experiments.
Status:
ReviewerMember since: 2009
Organization: kgmu
Application Area:Human Molecular Genetics
"This is the first time I have fallen in love with an instrument in my lab. It is excellent. "
Status:
ReviewerMember since: 2012
Organization: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Application Area:PCR
"This machine has lots of extra features including multiple annealing temperature settings. However, the computer is slow so there is a lag between changing steps. Altogether, it's a good machine for routine PCR reactions."
With Veriflex™ Blocks, you have six independent temperature blocks providing precise control over your PCR optimization, providing “better than gradient” functionality.
Additionally, the powerful user interface, presented on a color touch screen, simplifies the setup and use of the Veriti™ 96-Well Fast Thermal Cycler. Optional setups for fast PCR or standard PCR methods provide you the flexibility to shorten your PCR cycling time.
Veriti® Thermal Cycler Features & Benefits: