Although the use of hand-held vibration data collectors has being growing in recent years, AVT claims that existing "high-end" systems have several key shortcomings, especially when many items of equipment need to be monitored regularly. The company says that most systems need high-level databases to be set-up on a PC before readings can be taken and that this software – which can be expensive to buy, licence and operate – is often difficult to set up.

Although there are other low-cost vibration data collectors on the market, AVT asserts that they cannot compete with the functions and ease-of-use of the Spi-VR, which employs on-screen equipment pictograms and set-up templates to help collect data. Traffic light alerts and trends highlight critical areas within a plant.

"We are confident its design addresses existing handheld data collector shortcomings and brings a wealth of additional benefits for the user," says AVT`s training services director, Simon Mills. The system has successfully completed UK field trials and 30 of the devices are now in service with four operators.