Safety Knights

There's really no "best" meter out there - it just all depends on what you need it for, the sensors you need, the resolution of each sensor, response times, etc. I will say that you won't find a NEW 4-gas meter with an internal pump for $500 or less (unless you buy some foreign, unreliable brand off the internet).

If you're going to use them for evaluating PRCSs, definitely get one with an internal pump. They do make powered sampling probes with external pumps for the passive/diffusion meters, but you don't get as much reach because they typically limit your tubing length to 50 ft. or less (compared to 75-100+ ft. for most meters with internal pumps), plus that's just something else to keep up with (and in the case of MSA's external pump, it has to be charged up because it's battery-operated). With a passive/diffusion-style meter (e.g., MSA Altair 4x), you won't be able to do much sampling inside the space - basically just right at the space opening since sticking your hand past the space's opening to hold the meter inside would constitute an "entry".

If you have the potential to be monitoring oxygen-deficient spaces with <12% O2, make sure to get an infrared-type LEL sensor instead of a catalytic bead-type sensor. Otherwise, your meter won't read properly and will give you false readings.

If you have the potential to be monitoring for VOCs, then be sure to get Teflon tubing, NOT the standard tygon tubing they usually send out.

If you just want a standard 4-gas meter solely for quick PRCS checks, I'd recommend a BW/Honeywell GasAlert Max XT II, which runs about $1,000-$1,200 new. I've used it in the past, and it's simple to use and does the job. It doesn't have all the fancy bells and whistles, but it has all the essentials of a standard 4-gas meter and has an internal pump so that you can easily attach tubing to it.

MSA is a great brand of meters, but you won't find an MSA Altair 5x (their standard one with an internal pump) for less than ~$2,000 new. I have used MSA Altair 4x and 5x meters for decades, and we have a 5X we use that has a PID, but that's more than what you'd need. Again, you can get a MSA Altair 4x (which has no internal pump), then purchase the external pump probe, but the pump probe itself is going to run you $400-$500 minimum, on top of the price you paid for the meter, so it ends up being over $1,000 for the Altair 4x meter and pump probe combined (usually closer to $1,500)

I love Drager meters (and we actually partner with Drager, are their go-to consultants, and do a lot of work for/with them), but they aren't cheap and they often have their own way of doing things compared to other manufacturers, making maintenance and upkeep a little difficult. You won't find a new Drager X-am 3500 (their cheapest 4-gas meter with a clip-on, external pump) for less than ~$2,000.

RAE Systems have always been known for their simplicity, but ever since Honeywell bought them 10 years ago, their service and quality haven't been as good as it was. We own two QRAE 3s, and they do the job, but RAE just isn't the same product they used to be before the acquisition.

RKI meters are awesome, and we used them a lot on the HazMat team, but they're pricey, as well. We have five RKI GX-3R meters (no internal pump) and a GX-6000 (5-gas w/ a PID), but they're around the same price as MSAs, so not on the cheap side.

Industrial Scientific has some good meters, but just not that many options (compared to other manufacturers). They have a Ventis MX4 passive meter that you can attach an external pump too that is pretty good, but you're going to fork out about $1,000-$1,500 by the time you buy the meter, pump, and tubing.

Blackline is an "up and coming" brand that's been around a while but is gaining popularity. They have a nice G7C pumped model, but it's not cheap (~$1,500-$2,000). They charge you for all the extra features, which are nice features, but for your purpose, may be a waste of extra money.

Overall, if you venture outside of these brands, your quality, reliability, and accuracy will be questionable at best.

With that being said, sometimes you can find refurbished or "good" used ones at distributors/retailers that people have traded in and that they've cleaned up. I'd recommend checking out All Safe Industries, based out of Louisville, KY. They service customers all across the country, and I've been personally using them for nearly 20 years now, dating back to my days in the fire service. Tell them I sent ya, and they'll take care of ya! They may have some used/refurbished meters to hook you up with that are more affordable.

Don't forget your bump/cal gas, either, as well as the proper regulator so that you can do your daily bump tests and periodic calibrations (probably every 6 months in your case).

Tom,

If you look at raeco rents or SGS they’ll ship the meter to you, usually for free.

If you’re set on owning one, I have an Altair 4x I’ll give you a deal on. I mostly only use it for training. I’m in the same boat as you where I only use it once in a while and the maintenance just isn’t worth it to me compared to renting when it comes to using it outside of training.

I also live about 4 miles from the original Galson (now part of SGS) so that makes it easy for me too.

I use the Honeywell GasAlert Max XT II, which PK Safety sells in a kit with the sampling tube, calibration gas, and some other accessories. They also offer a 4-year service plan. I do my own calibrations but will send it in to them for sensor replacements when needed.

I have also used the MSA detectors for years and I just recently rented an MSA Altair 5x from Premier Safety. I had a need for a second detector for a recent job so I gave them a try and they provided very quick service. I believe the one day rental was around $75 when it was all said and done. They provided a return UPS label, so it was easy to pack it back up in the box they sent it in and drop it off at the UPS store on my way home from the job site.

I use RKI because their base 4 gas meter is very competitive. They are highly reliable and can take a beating as my guys show me regularly. The sensors are relatively cheap compared to most major makers and "fancier" units at around 100-170 if you shop around. I calibrate them myself. I went through this exercise when I had to revamp our PRCS program and replace old equipment. I find them to be cost effective, well made and sturdy. None of the stuff in this arena is cheap but RKI works good for us. They also rock because you can have the personal 4 gas meter attach to a air pump that covers both instances of the initial sampling and the continuous monitor on the worker. Less devices=less money.