
Economical data collection for 
proactive maintenance professionals
Key features
The vb5
®
data collector is a single 
channel, route-enabled instrument that 
provides everything you need for costeffective data collection and analysis. 
This instrument enables maintenance 
professionals to easily take recordings 
with up to 6 400 lines of resolution 
and over 95 dB dynamic range - at 
exceptional value for money. Purchase of 
®
a vb5
 instrument includes the powerful, 
award-winning Ascent
®
Ascent
 Level 1 enables you to program 
®
 software.
your instrument with thousands of 
separate machine definitions, covering 
a number of route choices. A library of 
over 300 customizable parameter sets is 
also available, enabling a vast array 
of measurement options.
®
Ascent
 Level 1 software:
• Route enabled - Build routes in Ascent 
and send these to your instrument
• CBDb - Commtest Bearing Database 
with over 30 000 bearings
Enhanced instrument functionality:
• 1 channel recordings
• 6 400 lines FFT resolution
• 40 kHz Fmax
• 1 GB memory – Virtually unlimited 
spectra storage
• Unique Commtest 6Pack
™ 
recording system
• ≥ 95 dB dynamic range
• Spectrum and Waveform recordings
• Large, high resolution (HVGA) 
backlit LCD
• Cable Test mode 
• 5 year instrument hardware warranty
• Option to add Flex features
®
Contact us on +64 3 943 0700, sales@commtest.com or visit www.commtest.com

Contact us on +64 3 943 0700, sales@commtest.com or visit www.commtest.com
SPECIFICATIONS vb5® DATA COLLECTOR REMARKS
Sensors
Sensor input 1 channel
Compatible sensor types Accelerometer
AC coupled range 16 V peak-peak Allows for ± 8 V sensor output 
Connectors 1 x BNC (CH1) Safety feature: Break-free 
swing (± 80 g)
inline connector
Analog to digital conversion 24-bit ADC
Sensor excitation current 0 mA or 2.2 mA (configurable), 
Sensor detection Warns if short circuit or not 
24 V maximum
connected
2.2 mA required for IEPE/ICP 
type accelerometer
Tachometer
Sensor Laser sensor optional Sensor triggers on beam 
Laser sensor range 10 cm to 2 m nominal Dependent on size of reflective 
Other sensor types supported Contact, TTL pulse Instrument has optically 
reflection
tape
isolated input
Power supply to sensor 5 V, 50 mA
TTL pulse rating 3.5 V (4 mA) min 
Speed range 10 RPM to 300 000 RPM (0.2 Hz 
28 V (5 mA) max 
Off-state 0.8 V
to 5 kHz)
Pulse width at least 0.1 ms
Accuracy +/- 0.1 %
Parameter Indication
Maximum levels ›1000 g (10 000 m/s2), 
Dynamic signal range > 95 dB (typical at 400 line 
›1000 in/sec (25 000 mm/s), 
›100 in (2500 mm)
resolution)
Harmonic distortion Less than -70 dB typical Other distortions and noise 
Units g or m/s2 or adB
Magnitude & cursors Overall RMS value, waveform 
in/s or mm/s or vdB 
mil or mm or μm
True pk-pk, dual cursors, 
harmonics
Effective limit is sensor 
sensitivity and 
output voltage
are lower
0-peak, peak-peak or RMS 
Auto-scale by 1000x when 
required 
US & SI options for both adB 
& vdB
Digital readouts on chart
Base accuracy ± 1% (approx. 0.1 dB) % of reading
High Frequency attenuation
AC coupling attenuation
Attenuation due to Integration
≤ 0.1 dB 100 Hz to 10 kHz  
≤ 3 dB >10 kHz to 40 kHz
≤ 0.1 dB 10 Hz to <100 Hz  
≤ 3 dB 1 Hz to <10Hz
≤ 0.1 dB 10 Hz to <100 Hz 
≤ 1.5 dB 1 Hz to <10 Hz
Attenuation tolerances are in 
addition to base accuracy
Values apply to single 
integration (Accel. to Veloc.), 
double the values for double 
integration (Accel. to Displ.)
Spectrum Display
Fmax ranges 25, 50, 100, 125, 150, 200, 
300, 400, 500, 600, 800, 1000, 
1200, 1600, 2000, 2500, 3000, 
4000, 5000, 6000, 8000, 10 000, 
15 000, 20 000, 30 000, 
40 000 Hz
Fmin possible range 0 to Fmax Instrument zeroes all spectral 
Resolution 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400 lines 3200 lines max. for dual 
Or equivalent CPM values 
Or orders-based from 1X to 
999X
lines below Fmin
channel measurements
Frequency scale Hz, CPM, Orders Linear scale with zooming
Amplitude scale Acceleration, velocity, 
displacement
Linear or log scales 
Auto or manual scaling
Window shapes Hanning, rectangular
Overlap (0, 12.5, 25, 37.5, 50, 62.5, 75, 
87.5) %
Number of averages 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128 Increases sampling time 
Averaging types Linear, exponential, 
peak hold
Demodulation bandwidths 23 bandwidth options From 125 Hz to 1250 Hz up to 
6Pack Up to 40 kHz & 3200 lines Spectrum and waveform for 
Dependent on Fmax and 
number of lines
proportionally
16 kHz to 20 kHz
low freq, high freq, demod. 
SPECIFICATIONS vb5® DATA COLLECTOR REMARKS
Waveform Display
Number of samples 1024, 2048, 4096, 8192, 16 384
Time scale 10 ms to 256 seconds Or orders based from 1 to 
999 revs
Data Logging
Output formats Instrument screen, transfer to 
Data storage Dual 1 GB non-volatile flash 
®
Data storage structure Folders / machines / points / 
®
, XML
Ascent
memories
locations /routes
Database mirror copy on 
second flash memory
No limits are applied, 
50 character names
Max folder size 10 000 measurement locations
Display & Communication
Display Graphic Grayscale LCD White LED backlight
Resolution & size 480 x 320 (HVGA), 5.5” (140 
mm)
Supported languages ENG, FRE, SPA, POR, RUS, CHI Firmware releases in English, 
Communication with PC USB and Ethernet PROFLASH to upgrade 
Readable in direct sunlight
translations follow
instrument firmware
USB host port USB 2.0, supplying 5V, 250mA Save folders to USB flash drive
Battery & Charger
Battery type Custom Lithium Ion pack, 
Operating time 10 hours Backlight on (60 second 
Charger type Internal charging, 
7.4 V, 4500 mAh
automatic control
time-out)
External Power pack 12 V DC, 
3 A output
Charge rate 3 A nominal 3 hours for complete charge
Mechanical
Size 9.9” W x 5.8” L x 2.4” H 
(252 x 148x 60) mm
Weight 2.7 lb (1.2 kg)  Including battery and strap
Environment
Operating temperature 14 °F to 122 °F (-10 to 50) °C
Storage temp. & humidity -4 °F to 140 °F (-20 to 60) °C, 
95% RH
If storage exceeds 1 month: Up 
to 95 F (35 C), 85% RH
EMC EN61326
Ruggedness 4’ (1.2 m) drop onto concrete, 
Hazardous locations CSA Class I, Division 2 (Groups 
IP65 
A, B, C, D)
Procedure: 26 drops following 
MIL-STD-810F-516.5-IV
Certification
Contact us on +64 3 943 0700, sales@commtest.com or visit www.commtest.com