Are gas plant is looking at purchasing a new vibration system.I looked at csi and commtest. Would like some feedback from anyone using the csi and the commtest. Thanks Alan

The "Find" key on the toolbar above is a wonderful tool. This discussion has been handled in many different threads before. Come back if you can't find the answers you're looking for though, we can probably help you out a little more.

Why not get both vendors to bring you their system and let you try it for a week. It would take a learning curve on both but the time will be well spent.It is a almost FOREVER investment so yo need to be sure what you get will do what you want. Also I would look at the long time support and update cost. I believe Comtest will be hard to beat on this.I saw a demo of their software and data collector in Knoxville a while back and liked what i saw.

Mike

As a Commtest user for 7 years now, I would advise you to be careful about your purchase. Never had a problem with the box till date but the software is getting clunkier by the day.

Whole lot of bug reports & crashes occurring of late & some features seem to be moving backwards (editing parameter sets, partial waveform analysis). Other features (negative averaging, MEScope compatibilty, coherence) are being talked about for quite some time now but remain in the air.

Otherwise, a solid & reliable box with good support & updates.

Regards,

Aditya

Pick,

I can say that I was in your same situation.. well kinda.. Our facility decided to switch from a contracted vibration analysis program to a in-house program. After many months of reading/searching, talking to different vendors, we narrowed the selection to 3 vendors. Csi, Skf, & Commtest. Each one, is more that capable of getting the job done. From my readings, Csi would be the most popular brand used. We looked at training costs, service plans etc from each of the 3 selections. Commtest did fall in as the lowest cost. Next would be Skf, and the highest would be Csi. In our case, the Commtest is what was decided to be best suited for our application. We went with the VB7 series Commtest model. I'm still in the process of getting all our machines setup in the software and taking test measurements to help find the best parameters to use etc.

If you wanna buy a Mercedes, get a CSI, because its v.v.good. Thats why the price is very high.

But dont underestimate Commtest. You still Love the Ferrari {won't you}

Atleast it can get you home faster than MErcedes.

You got the point???

As in previous mails: You are a GAS PLANT, Commtest latest instrument has 'no certification' for operation in this enviroment yet! (We had the choice and had to go elsewhere with some IS Certification).

Cheap and cheerful against high price high spec!

You choose based on your capability and budget.

W

Have you considered the Ludeca VibXpert? They offer a class 1 dev 1 version. The price is similar to Commtest. However, they offer the advanced features (UFF export, MEscope interface, Orbits, Neg Agv, 2 ch TWF real time recorder, bump test, startup/coast downs and many more).

Pick-

I was a CSI, Comtest and SKF user and am a Level II Analyst (CSI and ISO) and now use a Datastick. If you are looking getting into this and wanting to move through the learning curve the Datastick units are being used a lot by those in the gas industry that are starting out. I am gong through the Rocky Mountain region and will gladly stop by to show you one if you would like. If it isn't what you want no harm but the cost is 1/3 or more less depending on what you want. Plus no annual fees, but I am sure this topic is a buy/ sell one. I will gladly visit with you about differences and what you are wanting to do and expecting to do with it. As Engr. Zeeshan Iqbal said every one love a Ferrari but most of the time your working and a Chevy Pick up gets the job done just as well when you gotta go get milk at the store and with things costing what they do now a days you can't really rule anything out even burning water.

Pick,
Wayne A is right I don't think Commtest has an instrument for operation in this enviroment yet.
Better double check. If they do it's news to me.

DR

The new Vbseries of Commtest is already for use in Class 1 Div. 2 Areas A, B, C D
Regards
Eduardo from Mexico