EVOS™ XL Core Imaging System - FAQs

The following are the dimensions for the EVOS XL Core Configured Cell Imager:
- Operating height: 53.3 cm (21.0 in)
- Storage/transport height: 36.8 cm (14.5 in)
- Depth: 40.6 cm (16.0 in)
- Width: 31.8 cm (12.5 in)
However, the monitor can fold down flat, which will reduce the height to 13.25 inches, for the purpose of more easily putting it into or taking it out of a tissue culture hood.
The widest portion (in the numbers above) is the width of the monitor. The actual footprint of the base is narrower, at 8.5 inches wide (at the back of the base). The depth of the base is 16.0 in.
These dimensions are the same for all three catalog numbers (AMEX1000, AMEX1100, AMEX1200) since the base unit is the same for all three and they differ only in the objectives that come with it or, for AMEX1200, the optional mechanical stage addition.

There is a tension control focus knob, located behind the right-hand course focus knob. You may just need to tighten the tension control.
If the issue persists after adjusting the tension knob, then it is possibly a hardware failure. We do not currently offer repair service for the EVOS XL core microscope, whether on-site or by mailing to us. If you believe this is a hardware failure, please contact Technical Support at tech.support@thermofisher.com for next steps and options.

Please find a comprehensive objective selection guide in the link below. It provides detailed guidance based on sample type, vessel type and mode of imaging.
https://www.thermofisher.com/us/en/home/life-science/cell-analysis/cellular-imaging/cell-imaging-systems/evos-objectives/selection-guide-evos-objectives.html

The EVOS XL Core Imaging System does not have an integrated scale bar function, but users can easily add a scale bar using the image analysis freeware ImageJ or other image analysis software.

Image files supported by the EVOS XL Core Imaging System are: BMP, JPEG, and TIFF.

The EVOS XL Core Attachable Mechanical Stage (Cat. No. AMEP4712) is an optional feature, that can be purchased separately. It is an alternative to the universal, fixed stage provided with the EVOS XL Core Imaging System and allows for easier manipulation of sample vessels and slides. This mechanical stage has X-Y axis controls and a vessel holder framework that accommodates our broad range of vessel holders for smaller sample vessel types, such as microscope slides and 35 mm dishes. Larger sample vessels, such as T-75 flasks or multi-well plates, fit directly onto the stage.

The EVOS XL Core Imaging System is suitable for all manual brightfield imaging applications. This system is not automated, therefore any static applications, such as cell culture visualization, manual cell counting, brightfield viability, and other manually performed experiments can be performed.

The EVOS XL Core Imaging System is fully manual and hence not capable of automated time-lapse, Z-stack or high throughput/ automated scanning imaging. For these applications, we recommend using the EVOS M7000 Imaging System.

For the EVOS imaging systems:

Make certain the light is on (easy way to test this: place a piece of thin paper on the stage).
Make certain the sample is not too opaque; compare with a calibration slide or another, thinner or single-cell sample on a slide.
Check the objectives to make certain the turret is in alignment and the objective is completely threaded in its slot.
For the EVOS FL Imaging System: change the position of the light cubes.
For the EVOS FL Auto Imaging System: check the insertion of all USB ports for connectively from scope to computer.
For brightfield settings, check the condenser slider slot; make certain the condenser sliders are completely in place.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Cell Analysis Support Center.

Objectives can hit the vessel holder when they are focused too high in the Z axis (up and down). This is a particularly a problem with the EVOS FL Auto Imaging System during instrument start-up, when the stage moves during system initiation, or when changing objectives. Coverslip-corrected objectives tend to be wider and flatter at the top of the barrel, which means that they are more likely to run into the edges of the vessel holder, particularly if you are imaging at the edges of the sample container. In those cases, use of that objective for those areas of the container may not be possible. If the objective if “jammed” by the vessel holder, then carefully unscrew the thumbscrews of the vessel holder and lift it straight off the stage, then move the objective downward in focus and toward the center of the stage. It is a good idea to have a shut-down procedure in your lab that includes moving the objectives to the lowest magnification and focusing downward with course focus prior to turning off the instrument for the day.
An objective can be damaged by scraping against the vessel holder. If this happens, take out the objective and examine it carefully for damage, particularly on the lens.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Cell Analysis Support Center.

Here is a page you can go to - https://www.thermofisher.com/us/en/home/products-and-services/services/instrument-qualification-services/instruments-and-services-portal/instrument-software-downloads.html. Look under the “Cell Imaging Systems” section and follow the link for your EVOS imaging system. There you will find the free download link as well as instructions to follow. We recommend you check for updates at least every six months, or if your system seems to have a software glitch of any sort.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Cell Analysis Support Center.

Only the EVOS FL Auto Imaging System and EVOS FL Auto 2 Imaging System have an automatic cell counting function. On the EVOS FL Auto Imaging System, automatic cell counting is enabled via built-in instrument firmware whereas on the EVOS FL Auto 2 Imaging System, the Celleste Image Analysis Software needs to be purchased separately to enable automatic cell counting.

The EVOS XL, EVOS FL, and EVOS FL Color imaging systems provide a manual cell counting tool that allows tagging of up to six different labels on the screen image.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Cell Analysis Support Center.

The FLoid Cell Imaging Station is a simple, easy-to-use transmitted-light and three-color fluorescence microscope. The three fluorescent colors, blue, green, and visible red (Texas Red dye) are set and cannot be changed to other filter sets. The magnification is also set with a 20x objective; this objective cannot be removed or changed.

On the other hand, the EVOS FL Imaging Systems are easy-to-use transmitted-light and fluorescence microscopes that allow the user access to the objective turret and light cube tray to permit multiple options for magnification and fluorescence detection. The EVOS FL Imaging Systems allow the use of 23 different light cubes and 18 different objectives (from 2x to 100x).

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Cell Analysis Support Center.

Yes, the Countess II FL instrument uses the same light cubes as the EVOS imaging systems. The Countess II instrument does not use light cubes.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Cell Analysis Support Center.

You should choose based upon the complexity of your labs' analyses and whether you need transmitted (color) camera imaging or fluorescent (monochrome) camera imaging, or both. At routine/basic analyses, we offer the EVOS XL Core Imaging System for simple transmitted light imaging (typically used in cell culture facilities) or the FLoid Cell Imaging Station for dedicated three-color fluorescence imaging. The EVOS XL Imaging System differs from the EVOS XL Core Imaging System in that it has a larger monitor, a five objective turret (only four objectives with the EVOS XL Core instrument), can be networked, and can perform cell counting.

If you need more options for fluorescent wavelengths, cell counting, or time-lapse imaging, you may consider the EVOS FL Imaging System or the EVOS FL Auto Imaging System. The EVOS FL Auto Imaging System is our most versatile option, featuring automated imaging and more. It has both color and monochrome camera options, and can even be paired with our EVOS Onstage Incubator system.

Find additional tips, troubleshooting help, and resources within our Cell Analysis Support Center.