Looking for opinions on stopping HiSeq 2000 service contract

[jkersh]

Hello everyone,

We currently have an older HiSeq 2000 housed in our facility (V3 runs only) that isn't currently getting much use because of the low cost of V4 runs. We are considering taking it off the service contract and running it for relatively low cost 1x50 runs. Has anyone had any experience running one without a service contract, or used a different vendor that is lower cost? Our biggest issue with this instrument is that it is so expensive to maintain!

Thanks!

[GenoMax]

Someone else may have more practical advice to share but here goes ..

If you do find a lower cost provider they will ultimately need to go to illumina for (proprietary) parts (if/when needed). This could put your facility lower on the list of "priority" with Illumina. Illumina would also be less inclined to offer replacement reagents if something goes wrong with a run and you don't have a maintenance contract with them (I don't think third party providers cover reagent replacements). You will want to weigh how much money you expect to save and the business you may lose if the instrument stays down for a month. Perhaps you can try to negotiate a lower cost/level support contract with your local illumina sales rep.