Arktik Thermal Cycler
Thermo Scientific Arktik Thermal Cycler is suitable for a wide range of applications from individual reactions to high-throughput projects. It offers flexibility with three different interchangeable blocks: 96-well block, 384-well block, and a dual block with two 48-well units. A broad temperature gradient in 96 and 384 blocks simplifies temperature optimization. Ease-of-use is the key feature of the Arktik Thermal Cycler’s us…
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Great value dual, independent block thermocycler -- if you can live with some annoyances.
Polymerase chain reaction, PCR
Ultimately, I still believe this thermocycler with the dual block is still a great value. However, it has a number of frustrating deficiencies. The completely independent dual blocks are great for a small lab, if you can live without using full plates or having gradient. The interface is pretty terrible. The computer is slow, and often misses button presses. The monochromatic screen has a nice graphical layout of the program, but it must be some sort of outdated LCD technology because there is a lot of ghosting on the display when it changes content. I am also astonished that a thermocycler in this day and age cannot hold more than 100 programs. Contrary to what is described in the user manual, I have never been able to figure out how to program the lid temperature. Lastly, if your program ends at holding the temperature at 4C, as is standard practice, the thermocycler will be unable to compute the program duration. It just says infinity. Fisher appears to have abandoned this product. They are quick to offer a discount on a new one, rather than to get the programmers to fix the software issues. The machine also has USB and Ethernet ports, but to my knowledge there is no software support for these, so they are useless. The machine has a lot of potential, and is still a great value, but has a number of annoyances.
Review Date: 30 Sept 2016 | Thermo Fisher Scientific
Thermo Scientific Arktik Thermal Cycler is suitable for a wide range of applications from individual reactions to high-throughput projects. It offers flexibility with three different interchangeable blocks: 96-well block, 384-well block, and a dual block with two 48-well units. A broad temperature gradient in 96 and 384 blocks simplifies temperature optimization. Ease-of-use is the key feature of the Arktik Thermal Cycler’s user interface. The protocol is displayed graphically, and the programming is simple with intuitive menus.
Highlights of the Arktik Thermal Cycler:
- Interchangeable blocks with excellent thermal precision
- Dual 48-well block for multi-user option
- Broad (up to 30°C) and accurate temperature gradient†
- Reliable and easy to use
- Low noise level
- Accepts virtually all standard PCR plastics
†In 96- and 384-well blocks. Gradient feature not available in the U.S., Germany, and Japan.
Flexibility with interchangeable blocks
Interchangeable blocks allow the Arktik Thermal Cycler to be quickly and easily transformed from a 96-well to a 384-well PCR instrument. With the dual block, the instrument operates as two 48-well units, enabling two independent protocols to be performed simultaneously. The blocks feature a patent pending heat sink design that improves the speed and thermal uniformity of the system.
Broad and accurate temperature gradient speeds up protocol optimization*
Tedious temperature optimization can be simplified to a single experiment with the Arktik Thermal Cycler’s advanced gradient feature. The gradient range is broad – up to 30°C – and accurate, allowing easy temperature optimization.
Reliable and quiet instrument for demanding use
State-of-the-art Peltier technology employed in heating and cooling of the blocks ensures that the instrument maintains its high level of performance in demanding use. An overtightening protection system in the heated lid simplifies setting the correct pressure for PCR vessels used. The low noise level of the instrument is an additional benefit when the instrument is placed in the laboratory working space.
