5 years ago last December we introduced the handheld ChemPro100i where the “i” stood for “improved.” In this newest generation of the proven ChemPro detection engine we added additional sensors to the orthogonal array of sensors. The “i” detection engine allows us to identify more Toxic Industrial Chemicals (TICs) and have less cross-sensitivities in our Chemical Warfare Agent (CWA) libraries. For example, for years simple DOT 3 brake fluid has worked on most CWA detectors as a “Nerve” simulant. Not only does it work well on M8 paper, but it gives a solid G/Nerve alarm on many Ion Mobility Spectroscopy (IMS), Surface Acoustical Wave (SAW) detectors as well as the ChemPro100v2 which shares the same sensors as the ChemProFX. But brake fluid does not produce a “Nerve” alarm with the ChemPro100i because its additional sensors and improved algorithms make it more specific. As an indication of the performance difference between the ChemProFX/ChemPro100v2 and the ChemProFXi/ChemPro100i please reference Tech Notes TN-001 and TN-008 respectively.
Given the conservative nature of Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) projects, we were slow to transition from the ChemProFX to the ChemProFXi. But our experience with the ChemPro100i and the ChemProDM (ChemPro Detector Module was released in 2012 and it also uses the “i” detector engine) has demonstrated that the “i” detection engine has the same or better reliability as the previous generation ChemPro detection engine. Therefore, we will no longer be manufacturing the ChemProFX and the ChemProFXi is a complete replacement.
We have a stock of 4 ChemProFX units left in our inventory. We will continue to support our installed base of ChemProFX units. We have a stock of 9 ChemProFX C-units (sensor units) in case of any repairs in the foreseeable future. When we run out of ChemProFX C-units there is already an upgrade kit to upgrade installed ChemProFX units to use the ChemProFXi C-unit.
Comparison chart of ChemPro family fixed detectors
| ChemProFX | ChemProFXi | ChemProDM | |
| Detector version | ChemPro100v2 | ChemPro100i | ChemPro100i |
| Sensors: | 6 | 10 | 10 |
| Size: | 10.7”H x 14.2”W x 4.4”D (270x360x110mm) | 10.7”H x 14.2”W x 4.4”D (270x360x110mm) | 5”H x 3.5”W x 2.4”D (130 x 90 x 60 mm without external filter) |
| Weight: | 18.3 lbs. (8.3 kg) (15.4 lbs./7.0kg w/o back-up battery) | 18.3 lbs. (8.3 kg) (15.4 lbs./7.0kg w/o back-up battery) | Approx. 2.2lbs, (1 kg) |
| Power: | 100 – 260 VAC (47-400 Hz) | 100 – 260 VAC (47-400 Hz) | 9 – 36 VDC, 100 – 260 VAC (47-400 Hz) with optional power supply |
| Pump: | Turbo pump conservatively rated for 10,000 hours (field replaceable) | Turbo pump conservatively rated for 10,000 hours (field replaceable) | Turbo pump conservatively rated for 10,000 hours (field replaceable) |
| Battery back up | $200 option | $200 option | Not available |
| Interface | Alarm relays, Digital (Master Module required as a digital gateway) | Alarm relays, Digital (Master Module required as a digital gateway) | two RS-232/RS-485 ports |
