SIUI CTS 450 ultrasound machine

Just as China has started to become a world power in many areas of manufacturing, the country is gaining notice for its production of medical equipment, and in particular ultrasound machines. It wasn’t long ago that a comparison of ultrasound machines meant choosing between models made by well-known companies like GE, HP, Philips, Toshiba and Siemens, but in recent years many models made by Chinese companies like Mindray and SIUI have become available. If you think that Chinese-made ultrasound machines are lacking in quality or performance, then you might be in for a surprise when you compare the refurbished models that are available. Even though you might not know much about Mindray or SIUI, both companies have been around for decades and have made a name for themselves as producers of quality ultrasound machines at affordable prices.

In fact, Mindray has already sold more than 300,000 medical devices around the world, despite only recently starting to export their products outside of China. But now this company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and is quickly moving up the list of leading ultrasound manufacturers. They are already the leading ultrasound maker in China, and now they are showing that they can also compete in the global marketplace.

SIUI, which stands for Shantou Institute of Ultrasonic Instruments Co. Ltd., has been around for more than 30 years and like Mindray has started to become better known globally. The company employs rigorous safety and quality standards that rival any U.S.-based manufacturer and their combination of high performance and low price has helped them grab a growing share of the ultrasound market. So when you are comparing ultrasound machines, make sure you include Mindray and SIUI on your list and give their machines ample consideration.

GE Vivid i ultrasound machine

Incredible progress has been made with portable ultrasound machines over the last two decades and now these compact machines are often as powerful as full size console systems, plus they have come down tremendously in price to the point where there’s a model for just about any budget. Just as GE Healthcare is a worldwide leader in full size console ultrasound machines, the company is acclaimed for their line of portable ultrasound machines. So when it comes to comparing which refurbished portable ultrasound to buy, you will have no problem finding a GE model to meet your needs. Let’s do an ultrasound machine comparison between the GE Vivid i and GE LOGIQ e.

The first thing you will notice when comparing these GE ultrasound machines is that both are incredibly small. The Vivid i model weighs just 11 pounds with dimensions of 12” x 15” x 3”, making is about the size of a laptop computer. But its small package is loaded with powerful performance, including 2D, color and Doppler imaging, plus the ability to hold a huge amount of data on its 40GB hard drive. It’s hard to beat this machine for portability because it can scan for up to a full hour on a single battery charge. It also features a variety of wireless communication options so it can be used just about anywhere, and it’s versatile enough for almost any application.

By comparison, the GE LOGIQ ultrasound machine is also incredibly small at about 10 pounds and with the ability to boot up in less than 20 seconds it is also lightning fast. The GE LOGIQ e model features a 15” monitor with 1024 x 768 resolution and automatic image optimization at the push of the button. Because these two GE models are fairly similar, the tiebreaker in your ultrasound machine comparison might just come down to finding the best price and best deal on either model.

The first thing that most buyers will compare is the price. Of course that’s a very important factor but what is often overlooked is the fact that there are many facets to the final price of an ultrasound machine. Besides the actual sales price, you need to consider the other costs involved, including sales tax, shipping and delivery, installation and any accessories or additional equipment you might need. Sometimes what looks like a good deal on the sales price doesn’t look as good when you compare all the additional expenses, so make sure you understand and ask for the total price when you are comparing ultrasound models.

Another factor to consider in your comparison is the resale value of the machine in the future. This is sometimes easier said than done, but try to get an idea of how much demand there is for the specific machines you are comparing. Even if you have to pay a little more for an “in-demand” model, that might still be a smart purchase because you’ll have no problem selling it down the road when it comes time to expand your business and purchase newer or more powerful equipment. Also do some checking into how much parts, accessories, probes and printers cost for any machines you are comparing. Once you have a better understanding of the true cost of any ultrasound machines you are comparing, then you can make a better financial decision.

If you want a machine from a company that has been around for decades and has an established reputation for quality, reliability and durability, then you need to look no further than GE Healthcare. GE is a worldwide leader in ultrasound machines and produces popular model lines such as the GE Vivid, GE LOGIQ and GE Voluson. With those model lines, plus some others, you can find a refurbished GE ultrasound machine for just about any need or budget. And because of GE’s sterling reputation, you’ll have no problem re-selling that machine later on. Of course there are many other long-time ultrasound makers who produce machines that are every bit as good as those from GE, like Acuson, Siemens, Philips, Toshiba, Sonosite, HP, Apogee and ATL. All of those companies have been around for a long time, so they must be doing something right.

One way to save a little money on a pre-owned ultrasound system is to buy a machine made by a lesser-known company. Even though you might not have heard of a company like SIUI, you should not have any reservations about buying a pre-owned SIUI ultrasound machine. The company is still relatively new in the United States, but has been making ultrasounds for more than three decades in China and across Asia, and they are quickly winning over new buyers around the world. So when you are comparing ultrasound systems, you should consider the brand name but as long as you are buying a quality refurbished machine that is inspected and tested then you can be confident about getting a machine that will provide years of service.

When you are comparing ultrasound machine prices, you might find what looks like a better deal from an individual seller, but often that can cost you more in the long run. Make sure you ask that seller if the refurbished machine has been professionally inspected and tested, and if it meets the original manufacturer’s specifications. A major used ultrasound company will be able to tell you exactly how their machines are refurbished, and many offer guarantees and ultrasound service contracts. It’s kind of like buying a used car. We’ve all heard the horror stories of individual sellers passing off water damaged or salvaged cars as quality used cars. The same thing can happen with ultrasound machines, so it makes good financial success when you are comparing ultrasound systems to make sure you are only looking at reputable ultrasound machine companies. Even if you save a few dollars by buying a machine from an unknown seller, that savings can quickly disappear if you find a problem that requires an expensive repair. Sometimes it makes sense to pay a little more for peace of mind and security.

A third factor to consider it the availability of refurbished parts and supplies, and how easy it will be to find a qualified ultrasound repair technician to service your machine. All of the major manufacturers listed above have a good reputation for quality and reliability, but there can be differences when you compare specific ultrasound models. So take a little time to call or email other owners of the machine you are interested in and get their thoughts.

The fourth and fifth factors to consider are the price and age of the machine, which somewhat go hand in hand. Unlike purchasing a used car, where the model year is a very important factor, it is not as important when comparing ultrasound models. Machines that were originally manufactured 10 or even 20 years ago can still perform at a high level. And if you buy a quality refurbished ultrasound system, then you can be assured that it has been inspected and tested to perform just like a new machine, but of course at a much lower price. Those factors are just the basics of doing an ultrasound equipment comparison, but it gives you a good place to start.

The Acuson Cypress ultrasound machine is an example of a system that has been around for many years and offers many different model options.

Making a comparison of ultrasound machines can be a long process, but it’s something that needs to be done before making a major purchase such as a pre-owned ultrasound system. There are many factors to consider when you compare ultrasound machines, and sometimes it helps to create an ultrasound comparison checklist. But once you find a model that is right for you, then you’ll likely have several choices when it comes to which generation or model year to purchase. Some of the more popular pre-owned ultrasound machines have been in production for many years, so you’ll have the option of buying a newer or older used ultrasound machine. Of course the price of used ultrasound machines is an important factor to consider, but there is more to it than that.

First, it makes sense to check into the upgradability of any used ultrasound machine you are considering. While just about every ultrasound system can be upgraded and expanded to some extent, some models are better suited to that than others. With a little research, either by checking out the manufacturers’ websites or talking with others who own the same machine, you can get a good idea of the ability of the machine to keep up with technology advances. Second, make sure you check out the availability of used ultrasound parts and supplies for a model you are interested in. Generally speaking, if the model has been around for a while then there should be more used parts available. But of course a newer model with likely be faster and have more advanced features, so there’s a good chance your comparison of ultrasound systems will simply come down to price.

Acuson Cypress ultrasound machine

The biggest factor for most when comparing ultrasound systems of course is the price. If price were not a factor, then everyone would get the newest and most powerful ultrasound system on the market, but most buyers simply can’t afford the high price tag. That’s what makes used and refurbished ultrasound systems so attractive, and if you are really looking to save money then it makes sense to look at models that are a few years old. Even though these machines are not brand new, if they are properly refurbished and tested then they can perform just as well as a more expensive and newer machine. You can read more about those benefits in this comparison of pre-owned vs. new ultrasound machines. Let’s compare two of the more affordable options for 2D ultrasound imaging, the Acuson Cypress and the HP Sonos 1000.

The HP Sonos 1000 ultrasound machine has been around for a while now, but it is still in wide use and consistently earns high marks for each of use and affordability. The HP Sonos 1000 is perfect for pediatric, vascular and cardiac uses, especially with its continuous loop review mode. It offers 64 or 128 channels and has color Doppler.

The Acuson Cypress is a bit smaller and newer, and therefore perhaps a little more expensive. It also offers color Dopper 2D imaging and is effective for many of the same applications as the HP Sonos 1000. It is also all digital and more portable than the HP Sonos 1000. In the end, your ultrasound comparison between these two machines might simply come down to price and what you can afford, but both are excellent ultrasound systems and you are sure to get years of use out of either one.

Unlike cars, which are virtually impossible to restore to new condition after they have been driving just a few months, used ultrasound machines can be refurbished to perform exactly as a new machine would. If you get a pre-owned ultrasound machine from a reputable dealer, then you can be assured that it has been thoroughly tested and inspected to meet the original manufacturer’s specifications. That’s an important factor to consider in your comparison and it is generally worth paying a little more to buy from an established used ultrasound dealer as opposed to buying from a company that doesn’t specialize in these complex machines.

If you do plan on buying a new machine, then make sure you check out the prices for similar pre-owned ultrasound systems manufactured by that same company so that you’ll have an idea of its value down the road if you decide to ever sell it and upgrade. And make sure you ask yourself if you really need all the newest features of this year’s model – if a model that is a few years old can perform the same applications for thousands of dollars less, then that can be a smart investment. Those are just a few things to look at when comparing ultrasound machines.

In recent years the prices for portable ultrasound machines have come down tremendously, but smaller is not always better. If you plan to have your ultrasound system sitting in an office and rarely if ever plan to move it around, then do you really need a small and portable machine? You can sometimes save money by purchasing a larger console ultrasound system, even one that is a few years older. Some of the top selling console machines include the GE Voluson and HP Sonos 5500.

Of course if you plan to take your ultrasound machine out of the office, then a portable machine is your best bet. Some of the top selling models include the Sonosite Micromaxx and the GE LOGIQ line of ultrasound machines. The Acuson P50 is also a popular portable machine, and you can read a comparison of the Acuson P50 vs. the Sonosite Micromaxx.