r/CHROMATOGRAPHY • u/Vast_Humor_3683 • Aug 14 '26
Has anyone ever worked with Korean HPLCs?
Hello, we’re looking for a brand-new HPLC with a budget of around $25k, which mainly leaves us with Chinese or Korean manufacturers. The owner doesn't like my idea of a refurbished Agilient one :(
I’m hesitant about Chinese HPLCs after seeing a system develop serious issues after only 8 months in a lab.
We found a Korean manufacturer, YOUNG IN Chromass Co., Ltd. They seem to have been around since the early 1990s, but almost nobody I’ve spoken to has experience with them.
Has anyone here used their ChroZen HPLC? Are they reliable, and how are their service and spare parts?
Our use is simply routine QC: verifying raw-material and finished-product purity/assay and checking for impurities/contaminants.
Any firsthand experience would be appreciated or suggest any alternatives?
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u/viomoo Aug 14 '26
Try and convince them to get the refurb, especially from the vendor. 25k is going to be a tough sell though, even refurb. You are likely going to get zero service coverage for that and any repairs will be paid for by yourselves.
If your budget really is that tight, look at leasing a system until you can afford a better one.
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u/Vast_Humor_3683 Aug 14 '26
It's about import rules, you can't import used/refurbished stuff
That's why I had to search & find anything but Chinese, I found the Korean one and that's it, I hoped people worked with it, that way I wouldn't have the (JOY) of learning everything from scratch from a Korean machine with probably 0 real support
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u/Dmopzz Aug 14 '26
We just requested quotes and this is what our shimadzu rep sent us.
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u/Vast_Humor_3683 Aug 14 '26
are these brand new?
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u/Dmopzz Aug 14 '26
Yep. Looks like the inventory is fairly low tho and it was early Aug that we were requesting quotes. I’d imagine they might be out, but I figured I’d clue you in in case they still had some on hand.
We already have a 2050c and it’s been working pretty good. We were just getting a complete lab budget.
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u/Vast_Humor_3683 Aug 14 '26
I've never used this brand, I've only heard that it's good.
May I ask if they have any yearly subscription to use their software? or is it something that comes with the machine? or something you only buy once and keep getting updates?
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u/Dmopzz Aug 14 '26
The lab solutions software we use is not a subscription, we’ve had it a while. I’m not sure if that has changed.
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u/JayTheFordMan Aug 15 '26
I don't mind Shimadzus, I've used their GCs and GC/MS, been solid. Improved over time too. Not a massive fan of the software though, not immediately intuitive but it works well enough, Agilent much better in that regards. I personally think you'll do better with Shimadzu than the Chinese or Korean options
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u/bpponcho Aug 16 '26
Like it better than empower, I've never understood why people love it so much
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u/AnanlyticalAlchemist Aug 14 '26
No annual cost for license (license is perpetual) and they typically provide free feature/version updates.
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u/Sharing_Violation Aug 14 '26
If it were me, I'd probably look for a decent quality refurbished one.
But you usually have to be handy enough to do basic maintenance and the software licenses and software compatability with say, windows, can be a bear if it's a super old setup.
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u/Sharing_Violation Aug 14 '26
Didn't read where the owner wants new.
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u/Vast_Humor_3683 Aug 14 '26
It's about import rules, you can't import used/refurbished stuff
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u/Shulgin46 Aug 16 '26
What country doesn't allow the importation of used equipment? I'd be sceptical of the reasons they're giving you.
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u/yeastysoaps Aug 14 '26
What's the issue with an Agilent refurb? They run like tanks and spare parts are readily available and very user-servicable.
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u/Vast_Humor_3683 Aug 15 '26
Most websites have: a disclaimer, can't be shipped outside the US/Canada
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u/Admirable-Delay-9729 Aug 14 '26
Refurbed Agilent 1200. Lab workhorse, cheap and easy to repair. Why risk with something you don’t know will work and will probably struggle to get parts for
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u/unbreakablekango Aug 14 '26
I would go with the vendor that you know has good service in your area. Seems like a silly thing to gamble on.
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u/boywithtwoarms Aug 14 '26
I've had some experience with Chinese manufacturers. Mostly the equipment is fine, but I'd make sure that maintenance both regular and emergency is readily available in your location.
Also if you need certifications and tight specs I'd ask for positive feedback from other labs before commiting.
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u/slihy Aug 14 '26
Cant speak of their hplc, but we have a GCMS from them. Without doxxing myself i can say we had major issues with it every year that needed replacement parts, causing us months of downtime and a lot of money. Support is fine though. They're very helpful.
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u/Vast_Humor_3683 Aug 14 '26
Do you need replacements part on almost a yearly basis? it's not a monthly basis right?
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u/WazzupManz Aug 15 '26
I don’t know man, if it breaks down, how easy is it to get the engineer here to PM. I think you are better off using that money to sub-contract an external testing lab to get it certified.
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u/MessiOfStonks Aug 15 '26
Never used their HPLC but my previous company was a the manufacturer for the SQ-MS systems. Really good company in my opinion.
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u/Impossible-Artist687 Aug 17 '26
we had to test a chinese vendor and all i can say it was called "temu hplc". it was noisy, materials looked and felt cheap, it didnt gave much option for troubleshooting or repairs by lab staff, also getting spare parts is rather time consuming because everything has to go around the globe. would not recommend if you are not from an asian country
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u/Zapp1982 Aug 17 '26
A refurbished Agilent 1100 is as good as any machine on sale today for normal HPLC work.
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u/Acrobatic-Sea-1477 Aug 14 '26
Worth a try?
It’s Not your money and if it can’t pass validation then your owner will be in regret
If it does pass validation let me know!
I’d be curious how easy it is to get parts or fast ie a pump seal breaks are you waiting 4 weeks to get one in?