How to choose a vibration meter
By Grant, Inspection Tool Specialists. Reviewed November 2026.
Three things decide which vibration instrument you need: whether you need a quick check or a logged survey, whether you measure one point or several, and whether the readings must be compared against a standard or a condition-monitoring baseline. Answer those first.
Displacement, velocity or acceleration?
Vibration can be expressed as displacement (how far the machine moves), velocity (how fast it moves) or acceleration (how hard it is being shaken). Velocity is the most common measure for machine condition, because it relates well to fatigue and damage over a wide frequency range. Acceleration suits higher frequencies, such as bearing faults. Check which measure your standard or maintenance procedure specifies.
Which instrument?
| Application | Suggested starting point |
|---|---|
| Quick checks on motors, pumps and fans, tight budget | GM63A digital vibration meter |
| Pen-type spot checks | AV-160P pen-type vibration meter |
| Portable analyser for routine route work | MV800 portable vibration analyser |
| Several measurement points, one instrument | AV-160D-2 multi-channel analyser |
| Wireless sensing on hard-to-reach machines | PCE-WVS 50 wireless sensor |
| Logging over time, shock and temperature | DT-178B 3-axis logger |
| Condition monitoring with accelerometer and analysis | PCE-VM 22 condition-monitoring analyser |
| Checking the instrument itself | AV-160CAL vibration calibrator |
Checks that make readings usable
Mount the sensor firmly, because a loose sensor reads its own movement. Measure at the same points and in the same direction each time, and record the operating speed and load. Check the instrument against a calibrator before a survey, and keep the record.
Price guide
As a guide to our current range, including VAT: logging and basic meters from about R4,250; portable analysers from about R9,500 to R18,100; multi-channel and condition-monitoring systems from about R43,700 to R113,300. Prices change, so check the product pages and confirm the sensors and software each quote includes.
Questions we will ask you
Tell us the machines and the number of measurement points, the speed and frequency range, whether you need velocity or acceleration, the standard or baseline you compare against, whether readings are a spot check or a logged survey, and the records you must keep. With that we can recommend an instrument and provide pricing.