SciAps Handheld XRF Analyzer X-505
Premium alloy performance at a lower price — the workhorse of the premium X-Series.
At 2.98 lbs., the X-505 runs a 50 kV, 5 W tube and a 25 mm² silicon drift detector, verifying alloy grade and chemistry in 1–2 seconds. It matches the X-550 on transition and heavy metals — the only difference is a few extra seconds on the light elements.
One Analyzer, Endless Possibilities
The X-505 is one analyzer, configured for the work you do. Toggle to the build that matches your samples — every one shares the same 2.98 lb. body, Android software, and accessories.
X-505 Soil
Three beams, low limits from P to Pb
Soil mode runs three separate beam settings to reach very low detection limits from phosphorus to lead across 31 standard elements, with more available on request. GPS tags every result with its coordinates, so a day's readings map straight onto the site.
- 1Excitation source — 50 kV, 200 µA, 5 W, Rh anode
- 2Detector — 25 mm² SDD, 135 eV, 250k cps
- 3Beams — Three settings, P through Pb
- 4Results — GPS-tagged for mapping
The Flagship Build, at a Lower Price
- 01
The Same Hardware as the Flagship
The same rugged, mostly-metal frame and the same 25 mm² silicon drift detector as the X-550 — the difference is tube current, not build quality.
- 02
2.98 lbs., All Day
Ultralight and balanced rather than nose-heavy, so a full shift of testing doesn't cost you an arm.
- 03
Reaches Awkward Welds
A slender snout and narrow footprint get into the test locations that defeat bulkier guns, with a rear-facing display you can still read at the point of test.
- 04
Doesn't Quit in the Heat
Excellent thermal handling for continuous testing in the hottest climates — no drift, no waiting for the gun to cool down.
- 05
Shares Your Fleet's Kit
The same batteries, chargers, cables, cases and consumables as every other X-Series analyzer, so a mixed fleet carries one set of spares.
- 06
Lowest Service Costs
SciAps builds its own tubes and detectors, which keeps repairs component-level and the cost of ownership down over the life of the instrument.
X-505 Specifications
- Weight
- 2.98 lbs. (1.35 kg) with battery
- Excitation source
- 50 kV, 200 µA, 5 W X-ray tube (Rh; Au on some apps)
- Detector
- 25 mm² SDD, 140 eV FWHM (Mn Kα), 250k cps
- X-ray filtering
- 6-position filter wheel for beam optimization
- Dimensions
- 8.5 × 9.5 × 2.4 in
- Display
- 2.7-inch color capacitive touchscreen, rear-facing
- Cameras
- Dual — targeting + macro documentation & QR/barcode
- Calibration
- Fundamental parameters; Compton Normalization for mining/soil
- Power
- Li-ion, hot-swap (60 s max swap)
- Connectivity
- Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB, GPS; SciAps Profile Builder & Cloud
- Temp. range
- 10°F to 130°F at 25% duty cycle
- Regulatory
- CE, RoHS, USFDA registered, Canada RED Act
Consumables and Accessories for the X-505
XRF Prolene Windows (24pk)Standard window; user-replaceableSKU 105-500034→XRF Turnings Kapton Windows, 3mil (25pk)Tougher window for scrap and turningsSKU 105-500039→
XRF Wear PlateNose protection in abrasive environmentsSKU 104-500449→XRF Soil Cups (25pk)Prepared mining and soil samplesSKU 105-500036→XRF Hard Case with FoamRuggedized transportSKU 111-500018→
Zebra Printer KitInstant grade and chemistry labelsSKU 109-500001→Other Analyzers to Consider
Where the X-505 goes to work
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between the X-505 and the X-550?
They share the same 25 mm² detector and the same speed on transition and heavy metals. The difference is tube current: the X-550 runs 500 µA against the X-505's 200 µA, roughly 3× the power in the low-voltage beam, so the light elements resolve faster. In practice: 0.3% magnesium in an aluminum alloy takes about 2 seconds on the X-550 versus 7 on the X-505 (sorting 356 from 357), and 0.1% silicon in steel for sulfidic corrosion takes about 6 seconds versus 16. Phosphorus, sulfur and the low-Z majors in mining samples follow the same roughly 3× pattern. Everything else is equal — the X-505 reaches the same answer a few seconds later, at a lower price.
Can the X-505 sort aluminum alloys?
Yes. It was engineered for good magnesium and silicon sensitivity and sorts most aluminum grades well — just a few seconds slower than the X-550's Aluminum App. For high-volume aluminum sorting, the X-550 is faster.
Is the X-505 available for catalytic converters and gold?
Yes — the X-505 offers a Car Cat app for platinum, palladium, and rhodium, and the detectORE app for in-field gold and silver, alongside alloy, mining, soil, RoHS, and precious-metals configurations.
Does the X-505 support custom calibrations?
Yes — the Empirical app lets you define beam conditions and elements and build custom calibrations in SciAps Profile Builder, so the X-505 can handle proprietary or unusual materials beyond alloys, ores, and polymers.
Get Both With OneBox
Pair the X-505 with a SciAps Z-Series LIBS and cover every element and sample type — same batteries, cables, chargers, and accessories. LIBS analyzes what XRF can't (Li, Be, B, C, F, Na); XRF is great for transition and heavy metals.
Explore the OneBox