Recent discussions on the future of the 2120 have me reconsidering my upgrade/downgrade/outgrade plans. I will find it hard to go with a different vendor since I have numerous client databases in CSI format, some with 11 years worth of data. And I have one client that has recently made a considerable investment in RBMware (even bought a copy for my use) and I don't think they'll want to jump to something else.

So with that background, I'd like to hear from you users of the 2130 as to how you like it, what you don't like, how it's different from the 2120, etc. You can respond here, or you can email me if you'd prefer, or call me (email for my number) if that'd be quicker for you.

I appreciate any info you might be able to offer.

Rusty,
I used a 2120-2 for nine years; I have been using a 2130 for about nine months. I'm sure that you have already read all the info on it, so I'll just give you my take on it. If I were CSI, I wouldn't push the ad that the 2130 collects data faster than the 2120. It may, but you'll be hard pressed to notice it. The next negative is I don't like that flimsy thin strap that they give you now. On the plus side, I now have a speed vue sensor. The true 2-channel setup is huge. You can set up dual channel points on the 2120, but the 2130 doesn't care what setups you use at all. I can stay simultaneous and collect peakvue along with the usual digital waveform regular data, or I can collect an analog waveform for my regular data, or I can collect analog waveforms and do a STW on it. The 2120 won't stay simultaneous for all of that. I can also choose whatever fmax or lor that I want for each point and still stay simultaneous. Also for simultaneous data, you can use the 624 split input adapter, but you don't have to have it. You can use the 628 that you use for phase readings. It will take simultaneous through the A channel on it too. The 2130 has the euro-fast (turck) connector which is good if you are getting drowned in the press section, but I find myself using the old bnc most of the time. Two more biggies for me is the 12,800 lines on high-speed equipment and peakvue can go down as low as 1 Hz fmax. Oh yeah, one more thing; I never have to deal with "err data file too long" anymore. You don't have that one-meg cap on your route anymore. All that said, I still like the 2120, but I like the added bonuses in the 2130.

David Eason

Thanks, David... that's the kind of info I'm looking for.

I haven't put a stop watch to it, but it seems a good bit faster to me. I cover more ground in a day w/ the 2130 than the 2120.

On the negative side, I can't see the screen as well on sunny days, and some of the buttons are obstructed by my "tool shed"

Rusty
I Agree with all that has ben said.It does seem in some instances to be faster but on other machines or routes sometimes it is not go figure. The availibility of the experts is one of the points that has been usefule to me. With the 2120 once you where used to it you could perform different types of analysis but with the 2130 it is so much easier and as stated earlier you can change settings in a flash and be on your way to the next machine.There is also no more running out of memory part way through a route this has loads of memory with the option to add more if required.The configuration of the new unit has it sitting closer to your body this puts a lot less strain on your back but due to this new style you now have to bend your neck more to see the screen this is a pain in the neck really.I think they should develop a heads up type display you know in a set of glasses my theory is you can take your reading while you are checking the machine out visually.Hope someone from C.S.I. is looking at this and gets going on this idea cause my neck is killing me. Overall I beleive this is a step in the right direction to help one get through the entire process of vibration analysis quicker and more efficiently as well as develop the skills to troubleshoot more in the feild with a lot less hassle.I have not been exposed to any other type of equipment so you could say that this is just a little one sided opinion.But this is what was asked.

Rusty,
I recently switched from a single channel 2120 to the dual channel 2130 so naturally I see a big difference. I have some of my points set up to take as many as four readings at once (two on each channel) which has really sped up my data collection. Something that they don't advertise but which does work is that you can take up to 3 readings per channel with one push of the button. Apparently it is set up this way to allow for triaxial accels. There is a learning curve that I haven't finished climbing yet but on the whole I like it. I found out through hard knocks that the 627-A switchable adapter that is advertised as compatible with the 2130 is actually not but the old obsolete 627 switchable adapter works perfectly. I had a hard time getting used to the differences in accessing and configuring the analyze functions especially the monitor mode, but I am getting used to it and the added functionality and speed has definitely helped me.

I have been using a 2120-2 for quite a few years and have used the 2130 a couple of times. I agree with lee, especially about the neck. The HUD is definitely something that needs to be done!!
I have modified the straps on my 2120 to go around my back, and added one around my waste to totally take the weight off my shoulders (had shoulder surgery in Feb). My shoulders are pretty good now, but my neck still gets sore. The times I have used a 2130; my neck gets worse (assuming because I have to bend it even more to look at the screen. CSI offers a cable that you can hook into the 2130 board and get a screen output, but you would need a separate HUD from a third party to hook into... I hope CSI comes out with something. My neck would forever be grateful

I have heard that the 2130 has a low end filtering issue. Ski slope on lower fmax readings is hard to get rid of???? (you need to let your pick-up settle longer before pushing enter to take the reading.) Anyone else seen this?

MIke Smith,
Yes, we have noticed more ski slopes on low-fmax data than we saw in our 2120s, but we haven't looked into why. We get some relief by going to an analog waveform & STW, but that doesn't totally fix it.

Rusty, if you like to analyze data in the field, you better bring your bifocals. The writing in the 2130 is smaller than in the 2120.

David Eason

Rusty,

I have been using the 2130 since it came out and wouldn't even consider going back to the 2120. I take one PeakVue reading on each bearing so that is a good time savings since the collection time is whichever AP set takes the most time. I also have a few gearboxes that I take a velocity and a PeakVue in the horizontal reading and 2 different f-maxes on the vertical point. I have an external flash card (with adapter less than $100) and I can just load and dump the data from it or use the cable. Another time savings can come from the fact that unless the vibration amplitude is quite a bit different than the last survey it sets full scale from the previous reading instead of autoranging.
Like the other guys I don't like the way it hangs but with a little imagination and a couple small caribeaners (like for keyrings)you can make it hang better. I don't take a lot of outside data but the display brightness and contrast is adjustable and what little outside data collection I have done hasn't been a problem. It also has the "pseudotach" option thal lets you tach from one shaft and sync time average to another if the correct gear info is input.
I know you do modal and ODS stuff too and I like the 2130 a lot better as far as setting up the job and storing data. It could be better, but it seems a lot easier than the 2120.

quote:

Originally posted by Mike Smith:
I have heard that the 2130 has a low end filtering issue. Ski slope on lower fmax readings is hard to get rid of???? (you need to let your pick-up settle longer before pushing enter to take the reading.) Anyone else seen this?

Yes. I complained to CSI, they sent me a tech note on switching to analog integration

Does the 2130 have more discrete fmax and filter settings for PeakVue?

As for ski slope, I have never used anything but analog integration during the 18 years I've been doing this type work.... have I missed something by not using digital integration?

Sounds like the "2 readings per point" is what was promised/alluded to in the 2120, but was never implemented??

"quote: As for ski slope, I have never used anything but analog integration during the 18 years I've been doing this type work.... have I missed something by not using digital integration?"

You are a good man Rusty, and no, you haven't missed a thing IMO

Dave

Integration amplfies with a 1/f gain factor. With typical analog integration, at a frequency usually referred to as the low frequency cutoff frequency, the integration stops being 1/f and becomes constant causing the integrated values of both signals and noise to be attenuated. With typical digital integration, the indicated signal and transducer noise are amplified by 1/f at all frequencies and not attenuated at low frequencies.

If you want pretty graphs without ski slope and don't care about amplitude errors below the cutoff frequency, use analog integration. If you want accurate low frequency signal levels, at least down to the frequency where ski slope noise masks the real machine signals, use digital integration.

The best choice depends on your application.

WARNING - this is a simplified explanation and I am a vendor, not of CSI, and I don't have any idea exactly how CSI impliments their integration schemes.

Battery life on the 2130 was an issue for me. Seemed like I could use the 2120 for days--the 2130 would hardly make it through lunch. The 'job' setup on the 2130 took a little getting used to at first, but like Jim said, it's a lot better than the 'off-route' on the 2120. You can save any data you collect.

As far as saving any data you collect I like the fact you can be in monitor mode, press stop, then save the plot displayed on the analyzer. With the 2120 you had to actually acquire data to save it.

Jim,

Is there a PeakVue fmax between 120k and 300k?

Thanks,

Danny

I also had a ski slope problems with three of my analyzers. It turned out to be the accelerometers. The waveform data in velocity(analog integration) alweys has a low frequency signature that you would expect from a failing cable.

It turned out that when you take your hand off the sensor, it would spike from some kind of grounding or isolation issue. Only if you touch the smooth part of the accel will this happen. Strange.

If the guys with ski slope problems can try a simple test and let me know if this happens to you. Set up analyzer for monitoring waveform. Typical settings: 3Hz-1200hz frequency, 800 lines of resolution, analog integration. Place the accel on something solid in your office.
Barely tap the smooth body section of the accel and you will see a low frequency wave sweep through the screen. If you touch the plastic connector part you will barely see a small impact response, which is expected. What was happening is when the analyst removed his hand from the sensor to collect data the signal would spike and almost get averaged out. I am currently working with CSI to resolve this issue. The CSI rep had an inexpensive accel, which we tried and the problem went away. Strange?

I used the 2120 for 8 years before we were forced to switch to the 2130. I hated it at first. It was uncomfortable & I kept pushing the screen instead of the buttons. But like anything else, you get used to it. I love it now. I take 3 readings at once and the laser tach is great for my slow moving stuff. Battery life is poor, but fully charges in about an hour. It does seem less tolerable to ski slopes, but I view my spectrums on a fixed scale of .1, so I dont't mind too much. The other guys find the slopes a pain in the butt. When we were told of the swap over, we searched for a straight data collector because I have the same problem with the wieght of the collector on long routes. I might use my collector once a year for monitor mode, so I don't need something that bulky. We could not find a straight collector that matched up with CSI.

Well, I finally got my hands on a 2130 for evaluation (thanks Dave Johnson) and my initial reaction is mixed. I don't like the way it "hangs" either... it is 'wide' as opposed to the 2120 being 'tall'. I haven't weighed it yet but it does seem lighter than the 2120. The case is interesting.... is this unit really 'waterproof'? (The 2120 isn't but a good vinyl skin and some Gorilla duct tape fixed that).

My impression is this unit was designed to actually be "hand-held" instead of worn on a strap, so I'm led to believe the designers don't spend 8-10 hours a day taking data in the field. And there is no good way to 'attach' the SpeedVue sensor as there is on the 2120 case. Jim Crowe, how have you addressed that? The form factor is just wrong.... but fixable.

My fix would be a little plywood (1/4" Baltic Birch) platform that attaches to the back of the case (with industrial velcro?) that moves the unit away from my body. I strip of foam pipe insulation or tygon tubing along the bottom edge would cushion it against my 'tool box' . It would be wide enough for a SpeedVue mount of some sort. Might also have a couple of sensor pads for the two accels (with magnets) to 'land' on when walking about. So the form factor can be addressed.

But I am perplexed.... CSI, if you monitor these boards, why would you take a unit (the 2120) which has a proven form factor that has been in use for 20 years or so (I've used it for 18 years), and change it. A little less weight and another 'Enter' button on the right, and it'd have been almost perfect. With it hung from a strap, and rested against my waist, I could access all the buttons with my left hand keeping my right hand free (like to hang on to keep from falling off whatever I'd climbed up on).

I know the innards had to change, but why the form factor?