I've had some time to fool around with the latest version and have formed some opinions I would like to share and get comments on.

Before I start what could be a very long and revealing discussion I thought I would ask if it is even an appropriate topic for discussion here and if people are willing to express candid opinions in this open forum.

What do you guys think?

Danny, we recieved the 5.0 version about a month ago but have not installed it yet. I would like to hear any comments on this new version before installing.

Thanks, Scott

Go for it Danny. I think people know they can trust you to be honest and informative. I just had a customer call me and ask about this very topic. I told him to call you!

We will be getting it shortly, and since we run a WAN covering 3 sites I would be very interested to hear about the good, and not so good bits.

Ready, Set, Go!

My first question:

Have they put the option back in 5.0 that they removed in 4.8 where I can not use Autoplot with the spectrum displayed full screen followed by the waveform full screen? This split screen SUCKS!!!!! This option has been in there since MTwin first came out and was there through, I think, RBM 4.6. May not be a big issue to anyone else, but Autoplot with full screen spectrum and full screen waveform without clicking a bunch of mouses tails or poking a bunch of keys, is the best way to analyze, IMO, a huge route or even any size route or data set.

Next!

We're like Scott and Ian. Ours has been on the shelf for a couple months now. What are we in for?

David Eason

Hi Danny
As with some others we will be recieving ours to apply to our new wan so any and all help regarding this would be a step in the right direction so by all means share what you have learned.

After the initial installation of 5.0 what are the most noticable changes from 4.9 that we need to prepared for?
Anyone regret installing 5.0? Why?

Thanks, Scott

Loading and dumping routes is a little better. You still have the old plot data function. Using the diagnostic analysis portion of the software, I don't much care for. When you auto correlate a waveform, you are unable to apply fault frequencies to it(yeah, I've gotten lazy and like that feature)
If you do Modal/ODS, get ready for some aggrivation. It doubles the data that is sent to MEScope for some unknown reason, as well as imports the wrong file type (scaler instead of vector). You will have to individually select the data that you want to use to animate with also(FRF, ODS FRF, Cross Spectrum, Auto Spectrum, or Coherence. And unless they have finally gotten a little training themselves, the folks at CSI were of little help on this one.
Have Fun

Scott

I'll get on this this afternoon. Gotta do some work occasionally.

I'm sorry for not getting to this this afternoon like I promised, but business got in the way. On the road again tomorrow, but I'll be around some next week.

Switching between databases (which I do a lot) is a little more cumbersome and slower.

Route names cannot contain a slash ("/") and maybe some other symbols ("-" OK) or they will not load.

The new diagnostic module looks interesting and maybe even faster for quick analysis of a machine w/a lot of points (like a paper machine). But, for regular/routine analysis, doesn't come close to speed/efficiency of old Plot Data program.

If switching between 2130 and 2120 (as I have recently for some complicated reasons); can "trip out" the data transfer function. If have Standalone Data Transfer program installed--get rid of it completely (including registry entries) before installing & trying to use 5.0.

The main difference between 4.9 and 5.0 (that I can see) is our old "tried and true" RBMware is now just a portion of a larger package, most of which really isn't too meaningful to me. Additionally, it's a little more difficult to get around in the "familiar" portion of things.

Just some thoughts!

Tony

I spoke with someone at CSI this morning in response to my earlier posting about exporting data to MEScope. According to them, there will be an update mailed out (V 5.1) in the near future that addresses this particular issue.

Scott

MS Vista OS support?
Backward compatibility with databases?
Low/no cost data viewer?
What is the definition of "Bloatware"?

Walt

quote:

MS Vista OS support?
Backward compatibility with databases?
Low/no cost data viewer?
What is the definition of "Bloatware"?

1. Yes
2. No way, gotta have a way to force maintenance agreements and update fees!
3. LOL too- see above
4. See AOL. MSOffice etc. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloatware

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Bill Kilbey,

I have been beta testing the 5.0 and found the MEscope problem. They just sent me the 5.1 that seems to have fixed the problem of exporting the spreadsheet. It exports what you need now. I haven't used it a lot but have done an ODS job and everything seems to work like it should. (Just like the old VibPro did) If you could do it before you should not have any problems.

Jim Crowe

I've had a love/hate relationship with CSI since 1989 or so when I first tried to acquire a 2400 (they eventually gave me a 2110 and a Wavepak to replace that unit.... never worked right and I think they dropped it). I suppose there are other products that might be cheaper, work better in some respects, with lower or no maintenance fees.....

But I suppose if I were so inclined I could probably also find a wife that was better looking, newer, less irritating (at times), and cheaper to maintain.... but after 23 years I'm sort of attached to her besides having a very substantial emotional investment. I'd be stupid to look for a "better" spouse when I already have one of the best of all time!

And so it is with CSI (my opinion, of course). I appreciate guys like Jim Crowe who work diligently with CSI to make their products better, fix bugs, add new features, etc. I could do that as well if I would just take the time.

Rusty has an interesting analogy there..Not sure if his wife reads this forum?

A better analogy for the non-expert PdM person (not Rusty or Jim Crowe), might be something like this:

I bought a Ferrari 4 or 5 years ago. I paid a lot for it, the insurance is very high, and I never drive it over 70MPH! Should I continue to spend money on something I dont use all the capabilities of, or should I look for a more economical alternative? If I can get 99% of what I need (drive to work) for 1/2 the price, I may consider it. I can then use the difference to buy another car (meter) or boat (IR camera)

I swapped meters several times, still have a 2120 also and the same wife so I am confused. Olov

Bill, no she doesn't read this forum.

Yours is a good analogy. For a small facility that is not going to have a dedicated vibration guy, I would never recommend a CSI setup because it's a big investment (equipment, training, time) and they are likely not going to follow through with the program.

But for a billion dollar facility, or if you make your living doing this work, you can't afford not to have the best equipment you can afford. (As for infrared, now there is an even bigger waste of money for most plants).

Always buy the best you can afford, and you'll only cry once!