Seabird

Connector Types

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Sea-Bird Scientific has transitioned the default connector type from XSG to MCBH (wet-pluggable).

The driver for this decision was the limitation of a sole source supplier for the XSG connector compared to multiple, trusted, and validated suppliers for the wet-pluggable MCBH. As a result, it may become increasingly more difficult to service and support instruments with the XSG connector given the risk that the supplier will discontinue their production. Therefore, customers are encouraged to upgrade their fleets to MCBH to prevent future delays in servicing.

Not only are MCBH connectors more readily available, wet-pluggable connectors have a non-conducting guide pin to assist pin alignment and require less force to mate, making them easier to mate reliably under dark or cold conditions, compared to the XSG connectors.

Connector Type

For current instruments in the field, the upgrade to MCBH is available through Servicing. There is currently no price difference between the two connector types on new orders, although it’s possible the company will start charging more for XSGs in the future.