TABLE 3.
Comparison of widely used devices for plunge freezing.
| Features | Vitrobot (Thermo Fisher Scientific) | Cryoplunge 3 (Gatan) | EM GP (Leica) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automaticity | Automatic | Semiautomatic | Automatic |
| Humidity | Ambient—100% | Ambient—100% | Ambient—99% |
| Working temperature | 4–60°C | 4—Ambient | 4–60°C |
| Blot manner | Two side | One or two side | One side +/− the other side |
| Ice shape (blot angle) | Angular | Straight | Straight |
| Cryogen temperature monitor | No | Yes | Yes |
| Multiple loading | No | Yes | Yes |
| Multiple blotting | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Foot pedal | Yes | No | Yes |
| Blotting force | Yes | Yes (manual) | Yes |
| Pre-blotting time | Yes | Manual | Yes |
| Drain time | Yes | No | Yes |
| Moving apparatus | Ethane container | Safety shield | Chamber |
| Stereomicroscope | No | No | Yes |
| LN2 overflow control | No | Yes | Yes |
| Filter paper | Automatic rotate | Manual rotate | Automatic rotate |