about three years ago, i had been using a 2120 with a self-powered (AA X 4), digital readout laser tach. i dropped that tach off cooling towers and had the thing break into pieces on me, many many times, and i could always superglue it back together and have it pick up a sliver of old, dirty tach tape from 10 feet away. me and my tach was like peas and carrots.

but all good things come to an end.

i'm pretty sure it was an IRD entek or something they don't make anymore. after a few nomadic years, i've just recently returned to the vibration biz with a 2130, and i'm already fed up with screwing around with the photo tach. i've talked to a few people who recommend the monarch smart laser, but i may not have $1300 to spend on a laser at the moment. i'm looking for something with a digital readout, 2130 compatibility, and not a pain in the butt to use. like... i want to plug the thing in, aim it at my tape and not have to fiddle with sensitivity knobs or move it around to get it to read the tape.

anyone feel my pain? which laser tachs do yall prefer?

We are using CSI's speedvue. It works pretty good if you have a contrasting spot on the surface. We don't use tape. We were getting good readings before but just as an insurance policy we added marks to our dryers and shafts.

Aubrey

Keep in mind that the CSI 430 Speedvue sensor does not have a TTL-output. It is just a laser speed detector. You can not balance with it. A CSI 2120 and 2130 needs that TTL 5V input to balance. I know that the circuit for the TTL output on a CSI 430 is on the board but the components aren't.
Adding marks (like reflecting tape)helps a lot but normally not necsessary.

Baron,

You used to use the TEC 198 that IRD marketed when they bought TEC. You, me, and many more love that tach. You can get a trigger from 30' away. Comes in handy when you come upon a wild one. Rockwell decided not to continue the production of it when they bought Entek/IRD.
I still have two, and have my eye on a third one. However, they are becoming scarce.

As a backup, I have bought the monarch. I know, you have to fiddle with the sensitivity (I use the auto sens feature), but it is the only one that will work from 10 to 30' away with a piece of tape.
If you're looking for something cheap, I bought a Monarch PLT200 (about $300.00?). I have had trouble getting my data collector to recognize it everytime. That is why I bought the smart laser. However, I have heard of others who have no problem with it at all. Maybe I got a lemon

Dave

Here is detailed product information on Monarch's laser tachs:
http://www.reliabilitydirectstore.com/PLT200-Handheld-T.../mon-6125-010-op.htm
http://www.reliabilitydirectstore.com/Tachometer-Sensor-p/mon-6180-022.htm

what a bummer this is