So you’re in the market for a C-Arm and are torn between the OEC 9800 and the OEC 9900. Which do you choose?
If your decision is driven by budget constraints, you’ll most likely choose the OEC 9800, since the newer OEC 9900 model has added features, which adds to the price. To cut to the chase and view the price guide, click here.
But what if you are one of the curious ones, who wants to know if the higher price for the OEC 9900 is justified.
When using the OEC technical brochures to compare the OEC 9800 and OEC 9900, there are more common features than new ones. Most C-Arm users will be perfectly satisfied with the 9800. OEC knows this, that is why the 9800 is still being produced. So why would you pay more for the newer 9900? Let’s find out.
Monitors:
Both the 9800 and 9900 offer 1K X 1K resolution, which means every inch on either monitor screen delivers 1,000 lines—so the image quality is virtually the same on both systems. However, the OEC 9800 uses 18” CRT monitors while the OEC 9900 uses articulating flat panel monitors.
Hard Drive:
OEC 9800: The image storage capacity on the OEC 9800 GSP system is 63 images. The Image storage on the OEC 9800 ESP system is 200.
OEC 9900: The image storage capacity on the OEC 9900 GSP system is 63 images. The image storage on the OEC 9900 ESP is 1000.
Storage:
Both the OEC 9800 C-Arm and OEC 9900 come with DICOM, which can be hooked up to a PACS system. That means the storage capacity on the hard drive really does not come into play. However, if the facility does not have a PACS machine to hook up with the DICOM, both the OEC 9800 C-Arm or OEC 9900 C-Arm can be outfitted with a Medicapture Device for image storage. This device comes with a USB Flash Drive that can hold up to 10,000 images. You can remove the flash drive at any given time and download it into a PC or EMR system. You can then clear the USB flash drive and reuse it.
Common Features:
The X-ray tube, Generator, Image Intensifier, Steering and Imaging Chain are the same in both the OEC 9800 and OEC 9900.
The OEC 9900 has a few added features, including:
- HIPAA secure view
- USB/DVD storage
- Pre-set image profiles for each configuration
- Increased onboard static image storage
- Improved software features for vascular work
To summarize, both systems are great. They both have the same C-Arms that work the same familiar feel and footprint. If you are a facility that really can benefit from an improved vascular software feature, then you’ll probably want to consider the OEC 9900. If your facility doesn’t have a need for these few new features, by all means, save your money and go with the OEC 9800.
For your convenience, here are the specs for both C-Arm systems.
Still have questions? Talk to our expert Alex Silbergleit at Atlantis Worldwide at 212-366-9100 or alex@atlantisworldwide.com
If your interested in knowing what the differences between the OEC 9600 & OEC 9800 C-Arm click here.
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- C-Arm Image Intensifier 9” or 12” Size?
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- Buy a C-Arm on eBay? You’ve Got to be Kidding!
- C-Arm: Safety Tips
- Everything You Need to Know About C-Arms. Really.
- Free C—Arm Resources
Meet the author: Vikki Harmonay
