Hi there. I’m looking into the possibility of upgrading our Vantage 1.3 systems to go from 8x 1000 uL channels to some combination of 1000 uL and 5000 uL channels, or just 8x 5000 uL channels, but I had a few practical questions, and am looking for any advice / lessons learned from those who have a similar set up.
Can the 5 mL channels use QCGs, or are CORE paddles the only option?
Do any tip reach diagrams exist for 5 mL channels? I have one for 1000 uL channels showing that, for example if you have 8x 1 mL channels, you can reach all deck positions in the y, whereas if you had 16, you could only reach the middle three positions. Is this the same for the 5 mL channels? What about 5 mL + 1 mL (e.g. 4x 5mL and 4x 1mL)?
Any other tips/tricks/cautions for those who work with the 5mLs?
When getting into 5mL channels, the biggest thing to remember is that 5 mL channels utilize twice the spacing as standard 1mL channels. Therefore, channel access will be affected. For example, to get the same random access of 8 1mL channels, you will need to have 4 5mL channels. This will have full access to the deck. See the post below for a breakdown on the channel access on the deck by number of 1mL channels.
Now when you start to mix and match the random access gets to be a little tricky. See bellow a visualization of random access for 8 1mLs, 8 5mLs and a 4x4 combination:
This is visualizing a STAR but the Y access is the same for STAR or Vantage. The red lines are 1mL channels and the blue lines are 5mL channels. Everywhere in between each line color is accessible by all channels of that type. Outside that region is where certain channels can no longer reach.
In regard to transportation, there is currently no solution to transport using the 5mL channels on a Vantage. QCG is limited only to 1mL channels. On a system that has all 5mL channels, an IPG or Track Gripper would be your only options for transportation.
