# Portable Gas Detectors

> Professional portable gas detectors from RKI, Dräger & Ion Science — multi-gas, single-gas & PID. ERE sells, rents, calibrates & repairs. Request a quote.

- **URL:** https://ereinc.com/collections/portable-gas-detectors

## About

These are **professional portable gas detectors** — industrial multi-gas instruments built for confined-space entry, industrial hygiene, leak surveys and environmental work. This is not the $20–$140 consumer natural-gas sniffer aisle. Every unit here is from a recognized safety-instrument maker — **RKI Instruments**, **Dräger**, **Ion Science** and **SE International** — and ERE backs it with the part most retailers skip: **rental, factory-grade calibration and repair** for the same instruments we sell.

A gas detector is only trustworthy when it's bump-tested and calibrated on schedule. ERE is the multi-brand distributor that sells the instrument, [rents it](/pages/rentals) for a single confined-space job or turnaround, *and* is the calibration and repair house for RKI, Dräger, BW/Honeywell and Ion Science — with the docking-station infrastructure (RKI SDM series, Dräger X-dock) to prove it.

## What each gas means — and which ERE instruments cover it

Pick the instrument by the hazards present, not by channel count alone. Common targets and the ERE-stocked units that read them:

 | Gas / hazard | Why it matters | ERE instruments

 | **LEL / combustibles** | Explosive atmosphere (% lower explosive limit) | RKI GX-6000, GX-3R; Dräger X-am 2500 / 5000 / 5600

 | **O₂ (oxygen)** | Deficiency or enrichment — the first confined-space check | RKI OX-07, GX-3R; Dräger X-am 5000

 | **CO (carbon monoxide)** | Toxic; combustion and engine exhaust | RKI GX-3R, GX-6000; Dräger Pac 6500 / 8500, X-am 5000

 | **H₂S (hydrogen sulfide)** | Toxic; sewers, oil & gas, treatment plants | RKI GX-3R Pro; Dräger Pac 6500 / 8500, X-am 5000

 | **VOCs (via PID)** | Solvents and volatile organics down to ppb | RKI GX-6000 (PID); Ion Science Cub, Tiger PID

 | **SF₆ (sulfur hexafluoride)** | High-voltage switchgear & substation leak survey | Ion Science SF6 LeakCheck

 | **Specialty toxics (NH₃, Cl₂, PH₃)** | Refrigeration, fumigation, water treatment, utilities | Dräger X-am 5600; RKI GX-6000

## Single-gas vs multi-gas vs PID vs area monitor — how to choose

Match the instrument to the job:
- **Personal single-gas gas detector clip** — one known hazard, worn on the worker. This is the personal gas detector format: long-life, low-maintenance, alarm-only. Example: [Dräger Pac 6500](/products/drager-pac-6500) / [Pac 8500](/products/drager-pac-8500).
- **4-gas personal monitor** — the confined-space standard: LEL, O₂, CO, H₂S in one clip-on, handheld unit. Example: [RKI GX-3R](/products/gx-3r-personal-4-gas-confined-space-monitor) or [Dräger X-am 5000](/products/drager-x-am-5000).
- **Pumped multi-gas (up to 6-gas)** — for pre-entry sampling and expanded sensor sets including PID. Example: RKI GX-6000.
- **PID / VOC leak survey** — volatile organics at low concentrations. Example: [Ion Science Cub](/products/ion-science-cub-voc-detector-personal-safety-monitor-for-hazardous-and-toxic-gases).
- **Area / perimeter monitor** — drop-and-monitor coverage for a work zone, with wireless clustering. Example: [Dräger X-zone 5500](/products/drager-x-zone-5500).

## Pump vs diffusion — and why it matters for confined space

A **diffusion** instrument samples passively, by gas reaching the sensor where the worker stands — the right choice for personal monitoring during the task. A **pump** draws a remote sample through tubing, so you can test an atmosphere *before* anyone enters it. Confined-space pre-entry testing requires drawing the sample from the space first, which is why a pump (built-in, or an add-on like the [RKI RP-3R](/products/rp-3r-clip-on-sample-drawing-pump)) is the standard for entry work. Test from top, middle and bottom of the space — gases stratify by density.

## Confined-space buying guidance

For permit-required confined-space entry, the baseline is a **4-gas monitor reading LEL, O₂, CO and H₂S**, with the atmosphere tested in that order (oxygen first, then combustibles, then toxics) and re-tested as conditions change. Two cadence rules govern reliability:
- **Bump test before each day's use** — a short exposure to known gas to confirm sensors and alarms respond.
- **Full calibration on schedule** — typically every 6–12 months per the manufacturer's manual and your own safety policy.

OSHA (29 CFR 1910.146) and CSA Z1006 frame the entry program; your written procedure sets the specific cadence. If you don't own a docking station to automate bump and cal records, that's exactly the gap ERE's service closes.

## Rent it. Calibrate it. Repair it.

This is what separates ERE from the catalog retailers. No page-one e-tailer offers all three on one instrument line — ERE does:
- **Rent** — need a 4-gas unit for one turnaround, a shutdown, or a single confined-space job? [Rent it short-term](/pages/rentals) instead of buying, or trial an instrument before committing.
- **Calibrate & bump-test** — ERE runs the cal lab with the docking infrastructure (RKI SDM series, Dräger X-dock) and the bump-test gas to keep your fleet compliant and audit-ready.
- **Repair** — sensor replacement and instrument repair for RKI, Dräger, BW/Honeywell and Ion Science, so a down unit comes back to spec instead of into the trash.

See [Repair & Calibration Services](/pages/repair) for the full service scope.

## Brands ERE stocks

30+ portable detection SKUs across the lines professionals specify: **RKI Instruments** (GX-6000, GX-3R, GX-3R Pro, OX-07, GasWatch 3, SDM-03 docking station), **Dräger** (Pac 6500 / 8500, X-am 2500 / 5000 / 5600, X-zone 5500, X-dock), **Ion Science** (Cub VOC, Tiger PID, SF6 LeakCheck), and **SE International**.

## Gas detection guides

Building a gas-detection or compliance program? These ERE field guides go deeper:
- [Portable Gas Detectors: Buyer's Guide](/blogs/field-notes/portable-gas-detectors-buyers-guide-for-canada-ere)
- [Gas Detector Calibration: Requirements & Schedule](/blogs/field-notes/gas-detector-calibration-in-canada-requirements-schedule-best-practices)
- [Bump Test vs Calibration](/blogs/field-notes/bump-test-vs-calibration-gas-detector-guide-canada)
- [Calibration Gas: Types & Mixtures](/blogs/field-notes/calibration-gas-types-mixtures-how-to-choose)
- [Gas Detector Rental: What to Know](/blogs/field-notes/gas-detector-rental-canada-what-to-know)
- [Confined Space Gas Monitoring Requirements](/blogs/field-notes/confined-space-gas-monitoring-requirements-canada)

## Get a quote, rental or calibration

Tell us the gases you're testing for and how you'll use the instrument, and ERE will spec the right detector, rental term or service plan. [Request a quote](/pages/request-a-quote)

[**Request a quote, rental or calibration →**](/pages/request-a-quote)

## Products (30)

- [Dräger XS DraegerSensor® — Replacement Sensors for X-am 7000](https://ere-llms.vercel.app/products/drager-x-am-7000-replacement-sensors.md) — https://ereinc.com/products/drager-x-am-7000-replacement-sensors
- [GX-6100 Portable Multigas Detector](https://ere-llms.vercel.app/products/gx-6100-portable-multigas-detector.md) — https://ereinc.com/products/gx-6100-portable-multigas-detector
- [04 Series – Single Gas Monitors](https://ere-llms.vercel.app/products/04-series-single-gas-monitors.md) — https://ereinc.com/products/04-series-single-gas-monitors
- [Panther Pro Gas Leak Detector With Bluetooth Compatibility & 20 cm Flexible Probe](https://ere-llms.vercel.app/products/panther-pro-handheld-gas-leak-detector.md) — https://ereinc.com/products/panther-pro-handheld-gas-leak-detector
- [Panther Handheld Gas Leak Detector](https://ere-llms.vercel.app/products/panther-handheld-gas-leak-detector.md) — https://ereinc.com/products/panther-handheld-gas-leak-detector
- [Dräger Pac® Series Accessories & Calibration Equipment](https://ere-llms.vercel.app/products/drager-pac-accessories.md) — https://ereinc.com/products/drager-pac-accessories
- [Dräger Pac® 8500](https://ere-llms.vercel.app/products/drager-pac-8500.md) — https://ereinc.com/products/drager-pac-8500
- [Dräger Pac® 8000](https://ere-llms.vercel.app/products/drager-pac-8000.md) — https://ereinc.com/products/drager-pac-8000
- [Dräger Pac® 6500](https://ere-llms.vercel.app/products/drager-pac-6500.md) — https://ereinc.com/products/drager-pac-6500
- [GX-6000 Up To 6-Gas, Sample Draw Portable Monitor With Choice Of PID, IR & Super Toxic Sensors](https://ere-llms.vercel.app/products/gx-6000-up-to-6-gas.md) — https://ereinc.com/products/gx-6000-up-to-6-gas
- [GX-3R Pro Personal 4-Gas + Toxic Gas Monitor With Bluetooth](https://ere-llms.vercel.app/products/gx-3r-pro-personal-4-gas-toxic-gas-monitor-with-bluetooth.md) — https://ereinc.com/products/gx-3r-pro-personal-4-gas-toxic-gas-monitor-with-bluetooth
- [GX-3R Personal 4-Gas Confined Space Monitor](https://ere-llms.vercel.app/products/gx-3r-personal-4-gas-confined-space-monitor.md) — https://ereinc.com/products/gx-3r-personal-4-gas-confined-space-monitor
- [Dräger X-am® 5100](https://ere-llms.vercel.app/products/drager-x-am-5100.md) — https://ereinc.com/products/drager-x-am-5100
- [Dräger Pac®6000](https://ere-llms.vercel.app/products/drager-pac-6000.md) — https://ereinc.com/products/drager-pac-6000
- [GasWatch 3 Single Gas Personal Monitor & Accessories](https://ere-llms.vercel.app/products/gaswatch-3-single-gas-personal-monitor.md) — https://ereinc.com/products/gaswatch-3-single-gas-personal-monitor
- [Dräger X-zone® 5500](https://ere-llms.vercel.app/products/drager-x-zone-5500.md) — https://ereinc.com/products/drager-x-zone-5500
- [FP-301 Arsine AsH3 and Hydrogen Selenide H2Se Detector](https://ere-llms.vercel.app/products/fp-301-arsine-ash3-and-hydrogen-selenide-h2se-detector.md) — https://ereinc.com/products/fp-301-arsine-ash3-and-hydrogen-selenide-h2se-detector
- [Model FP-31 Formaldehyde Gas Detector](https://ere-llms.vercel.app/products/model-fp-31-formaldehyde-gas-detector.md) — https://ereinc.com/products/model-fp-31-formaldehyde-gas-detector
- [FP-330 Model HIGH SENSITIVITY FORMALDEHYDE GAS MONITOR](https://ere-llms.vercel.app/products/fp-330-model-high-sensitivity-formaldehyde-gas-monitor.md) — https://ereinc.com/products/fp-330-model-high-sensitivity-formaldehyde-gas-monitor
- [SDM-E2 DOCKING AND CALIBRATION STATION](https://ere-llms.vercel.app/products/sdm-e2-docking-and-calibration-station.md) — https://ereinc.com/products/sdm-e2-docking-and-calibration-station
- [SP-220 Series](https://ere-llms.vercel.app/products/sp-220-series.md) — https://ereinc.com/products/sp-220-series
- [Portable Oxygen Monitor OX-07](https://ere-llms.vercel.app/products/portable-oxygen-monitor-ox-07.md) — https://ereinc.com/products/portable-oxygen-monitor-ox-07
- [Dräger X-am® 5600](https://ere-llms.vercel.app/products/drager-x-am-5600.md) — https://ereinc.com/products/drager-x-am-5600
- [Dräger X-am® 2500](https://ere-llms.vercel.app/products/drager-x-am-2500.md) — https://ereinc.com/products/drager-x-am-2500
- [Dräger X-dock®](https://ere-llms.vercel.app/products/drager-x-dock.md) — https://ereinc.com/products/drager-x-dock
- [Dräger X-am® 5000](https://ere-llms.vercel.app/products/drager-x-am-5000.md) — https://ereinc.com/products/drager-x-am-5000
- [Cub Personal VOC Detector](https://ere-llms.vercel.app/products/ion-science-cub-voc-detector-personal-safety-monitor-for-hazardous-and-toxic-gases.md) — https://ereinc.com/products/ion-science-cub-voc-detector-personal-safety-monitor-for-hazardous-and-toxic-gases
- [Monitor 4 & 4EC](https://ere-llms.vercel.app/products/monitor-4-4ec.md) — https://ereinc.com/products/monitor-4-4ec
- [ION SCIENCE SF6 AREACHECK P2](https://ere-llms.vercel.app/products/ion-science-sf6-areacheck-p2.md) — https://ereinc.com/products/ion-science-sf6-areacheck-p2
- [ION SCIENCE SF6 LeakCheckP1:P](https://ere-llms.vercel.app/products/ion-science-sf6-leakcheckp1-p.md) — https://ereinc.com/products/ion-science-sf6-leakcheckp1-p