This section will help with questions about which of Priors options are best for you. If you are having problems working out which adaptors, stages, or controllers are suited to your system, please use the configurator.

If in any doubt please contact tech support.

Can I get custom Sample holders?
Can I get custom stages?
Can I get custom controllers?
Can I get custom light sources?
Can I use the Lumen with Cy5 and DAPI?
Can I use the Lumen with Cy5.5?
Do I need OptiScan or ProScan?
Should I get 400step or 200step motors for my inverted stage?
Should I get a 1mm or 2mm ball screw?
Do I need a NanoScanZ?
When do I need an Encoded focus?
Why does the configurator suggest an encoded for all Ziess instruments?

Can I get custom Sample holders?
Yes, we have an extensive range of Sample Holders most of which are not displayed on the Price list or on this website, if you have a request please contact tech support and supply details of what you would like to hold and what instrument (and Prior stage) you are using.

Can I get custom stages?
Yes, We offer a service for larger quantities of stages where we will design stages for the purposes of our customers. Please see the OEM section of the website for more information on this, or contact tech support.

Can I get custom controllers?
Yes, a service for larger quantities of controllers where we will design controllers for the purposes of our customers is available. Please see the OEM section of the website for more information, or contact tech support.

Can I get custom light sources?
Yes, We offer a service for larger quantities of light sources where we will design light sources for the purposes of our customers. Please see the OEM section of the website for more information on this, or contact tech support.

Can I use the Lumen with Cy5 and DAPI?
Yes, The stand Lumen 200 wavelength range is sufficient to cover both CY5 and DAPI.

Can I use the Lumen with Cy5.5?
The Standard Lumen does not cover Cy5.5, However, a variant is available which does, please contact tech support for more details.

Do I need OptiScan or ProScan?
The ProScan system is a high specification solution for research grade microscopes and computer controlled systems which require high accuracy. ProScan is more flexible than OptiScan and includes TTL and extra trigger pulse control for high speed solutions. ProScan should be used where high speed and sub micron accuracy are required. The OptiScan system is a balance of economy and accuracy, it should be used where above micron accuracy is sufficient for the application and there is no high speed requirement. OptiScan is also ideal for focus or shutter only solutions. 200 step motors are best coupled with 2mm ball screws to provide a greater movement speed where the accuracy required is sufficient with the ProScan standard stage. ProScan Spec sheet.

Should I get 400step or 200step motors for my inverted stage?
400 Step motors should be coupled with a 1mm ball screw to provide an extremely accurate and smooth (under high magnification) stage movement. High precision encoders are also a good option to further improve this type of stage.

200 step motors are best coupled with 2mm ball screws to provide a greater movement speed where the accuracy required is sufficient with the ProScan standard stage. ProScan Spec sheet.

Should I get a 1mm or 2mm ball screw?
1mm ball screws provide a smaller step size which in tern gives a smoother movement, however this slows the overall movement of the stage down by half. If your requirement is for speed use a 2 or 5mm ball screw, if you require smooth and slower movement choose the 1mm ball screw.

Do I need a NanoScanZ?
The NanoScanZ is a high accuracy focus system designed for high speed fusion (z-stacking) techniques. The NanoScanZ system has up to 1.5nm resolution and can complete a move in 10 milliseconds. Standard focus motors (with and without encoders) are capable of providing Z-stacking up to 0.5um thicknesses with good accuracy, but are somewhat slower than the NanoScanZ.

When do I need an Encoded focus?
An encoded focus is required if the microscope which is being used has a focus mechanism which is not directly connected to the fine focus system, e.g., most Zeiss models. In this case a Z-encoder is recommended to provide a reliable Z-position.

An encoded focus is required for lengthy time lapse experiments where the microscope focus can drift with temperature over time.

Why does the configurator suggest an encoded for all Ziess instruments?

An encoded focus is required if the microscope which is being used has a focus mechanism which is not directly connected to the fine focus system, e.g., most Zeiss models. In this case a Z-encoder is recommended to provide a reliable Z-position.