Juan and histo net nuts. by far the benchmark is the best in my book
also. Tere Hodges  

   ----- Original Message -----    From: Gutierrez, Juan    To: 'Andrea C.
Bilger' ; histonet@pathology.swmed.edu       Sent: Thursday, July 17, 2003
9:29    AM   Subject: RE: Ventana and Dako    stainers
I have both machines in my lab right now.  I would like to    get rid of the
DAKO ASAP.  I used to be a DAKO nut, always recomending    it to anybody who
would listen.  Now I can't wait to get rid of    them.  Don't get me wrong, the
DAKO is a very good machine, but it's    too labor intensive.  If you have
staffing problems, like most of us    do, you will love the Benchmarks.  You
just cut your slides, dry them    and load them.  What could be easier?  On the
DAKO you have to    deparaffinize, do antigen retrieval, make up your solutions
and make sure    that they are loaded in the right spot or your run is ruined.
The Benchmark    does all that for you.  Both companies have excellent
technical    service so on that area is a toss-up.  I don't know what your
volume    is, but if you can swing it, go for the Benchmark XT.  I just    went
through training at Ventana and got to play with it . WOW!!!!  We    ran FISH,
CISH and immunos on the same run with room to spare for    reagents.  Excellent
results all the way around.  I am willing to    sell a kidney to get one(just
kidding).  I hope I didn't bore you to    much.  If it was my money I would get
the Benchmark,and if money is no    problem get the XT specially if you're
doing probes.  Hope this    helps.
 
P.S. I don't work for Ventana or get a cut from    them.  They just have great
stainers.
 
Juan C. Gutierrez,    HT(ASCP)
Histology Supervisor
Christus Santa Rosa Hospital
(210)704-2533
Juan_Gutierrez@srhc.iwhs.org

-----Original Message-----
From: Andrea C. Bilger    [mailto:abilger@ptd.net]
Sent: Wednesday, July 16, 2003 8:57 PM
To: histonet@pathology.swmed.edu
Subject:    Ventana and Dako stainers


My hospital is looking at purchasing a    new immuno stainer and special
stainer.  We have looked at both the    Ventana and the Dako.  I have my own
opinions and preferences but    would like to hear what others think.  I would
especially like to hear    from people who have used both company's machines.
Which did you prefer and    why.  Thanks so much for your  help.
 
Andrea