{"id":1313,"date":"2012-04-18T19:00:48","date_gmt":"2012-04-18T23:00:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thinblueflorida.com\/?p=1313"},"modified":"2014-05-04T17:59:46","modified_gmt":"2014-05-04T21:59:46","slug":"morphix-technologies-chameleon-chemical-detector-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thinblueflorida.com\/?p=1313","title":{"rendered":"Morphix Technologies Chameleon Chemical Detector Review"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/MEkMPjgOVfE?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Morphix Technologies has released a seven minute training video which gives some simple statistics and dangers about Meth Labs.\u00a0 The video also addresses Morphix&#8217;s Chameleon Chemical Detector, one of their products for detecting hazardous chemicals by first responders.\u00a0 I got my hands on a Chameleon kit for testing in October.<\/p>\n<p>The Morphix Chameleon is a chemical detection unit that is worn on the forearm or attached by Velcro to the uniform of a first responder.\u00a0 The purpose of the kit is to provide an officer, firefighter, or soldier with immediate visual identification of the presence of hazardous gases.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/thinblueflorida.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMG_2140.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1314\" title=\"IMG_2140\" src=\"http:\/\/thinblueflorida.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMG_2140.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1300\" height=\"975\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thinblueflorida.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMG_2140.jpg 1300w, https:\/\/thinblueflorida.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMG_2140-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/thinblueflorida.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMG_2140-1024x768.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1300px) 100vw, 1300px\" \/><\/a>A passive detector, the Chameleon has ten windows, called cassettes, which change color when exposed to certain chemicals.\u00a0 The Chameleon can be configured for Clan-Meth Lab, Chemical Suicide, or Haz-Mat detection by simply changing the cassettes.<\/p>\n<p>The kit is easy for an operator to use.\u00a0 Once strapped on, the officer needs only to glance at it to be alerted.\u00a0 The cassette windows start out a single color.\u00a0 If a cassette changes to two colors, it has been exposed to the toxic chemical.\u00a0 No power source is required.\u00a0 The cassettes have chemically reactive strips inside that remind me of \u201clitmus paper\u201d from junior high school Chemistry.<\/p>\n<p>I found the Chameleon to be very unobtrusive.\u00a0 The face of the kit measures 3 7\/8\u201d X 2 \u00be.\u201d\u00a0 The entire armband weighs less than two ounces.\u00a0 The strap is adjustable up to 14\u201d in circumference.\u00a0 A larger 18\u201d armband is available.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/thinblueflorida.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMG_2160.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1315\" title=\"IMG_2160\" src=\"http:\/\/thinblueflorida.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMG_2160.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1300\" height=\"975\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thinblueflorida.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMG_2160.jpg 1300w, https:\/\/thinblueflorida.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMG_2160-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/thinblueflorida.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMG_2160-1024x768.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1300px) 100vw, 1300px\" \/><\/a>The cassettes for each different type of hazard are individually pre-packaged, so the user just inserts all the cassettes in the armband and he or she is ready to go.\u00a0 Initially enclosed in foil, the cassettes are loaded just prior to deployment.<\/p>\n<p>Once opened, the cassettes have a 24-hour service life. They also remain viable after salt or<!--more--> fresh water immersion for up to one hour.\u00a0 Overall cassette shelf life at room temperature is 24 months.<\/p>\n<p>I recently received this Chameleon test kit.\u00a0 A month ago, it is something that an officer could have used at a reported meth lab in one of our apartment complexes.\u00a0 I have also been involved in search warrant services with SWAT where a suspected lab was in operation.\u00a0 Detectors such as these could provide a valuable safety warning to officers.<\/p>\n<p>In a previous article on <a title=\"Avoiding the Dangers of Chemical Suicide\" href=\"http:\/\/thinblueflorida.com\/?p=1226\">Chemical Suicides<\/a>, I talked about detection on the approach to one of these scenes.\u00a0 This product would definitely assist in that.\u00a0 In my area, we are lucky to have a Fire Rescue Haz-Mat response in mere minutes.\u00a0 Not all officers are as fortunate.<\/p>\n<p>Since I can\u2019t just stand back and not give something a try, I used the included test kit in my secret lab.\u00a0 The enclosed chemical training vials set off the cassettes appropriately.<\/p>\n<p>In further experimentation, I found that, in less than 5 seconds, the Chameleon\u2019s Chemical Suicide pack detected a vapor concentration of a common household chemical (no, I\u2019m not going to say what) and gave a bi-color alert on one of the cassettes.<\/p>\n<p>(Blaring disclaimer:\u00a0 I am not Haz-Mat trained, nor am I a chemist.\u00a0 I cannot speak to the absolute accuracy of any kit like this.\u00a0 As usual, do your research and consult with the proper subject matter experts before using a product such as this in the field.)<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/thinblueflorida.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMG_2149.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1316\" title=\"IMG_2149\" src=\"http:\/\/thinblueflorida.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMG_2149.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1300\" height=\"1046\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thinblueflorida.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMG_2149.jpg 1300w, https:\/\/thinblueflorida.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMG_2149-300x241.jpg 300w, https:\/\/thinblueflorida.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMG_2149-1024x823.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1300px) 100vw, 1300px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/thinblueflorida.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMG_2153.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1317\" title=\"IMG_2153\" src=\"http:\/\/thinblueflorida.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMG_2153.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1300\" height=\"975\" srcset=\"https:\/\/thinblueflorida.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMG_2153.jpg 1300w, https:\/\/thinblueflorida.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMG_2153-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/thinblueflorida.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/04\/IMG_2153-1024x768.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1300px) 100vw, 1300px\" \/><\/a>I found Morphix Chameleon starter kits with one armband and packs for either Clan-Lab or Haz-Mat with ten cassettes each (ten uses) for under $200.00 on-line.\u00a0 Cassette refill packs were about $150.00 for a ten-use kit.\u00a0 For fifteen bucks an incident, I\u2019d say that was well worth the money.\u00a0 Training kits are also now available for the Chameleon.<\/p>\n<p>Officers are continuing to confront more complicated survival scenarios for each day\u2019s pay.\u00a0 Every bit of training and tools we can find to mitigate these risks is a bonus for our safety and the safety of our citizens.<\/p>\n<p>Randall<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Morphix Technologies has released a seven minute training video which gives some simple statistics and dangers about Meth Labs.\u00a0 The video also addresses Morphix&#8217;s Chameleon Chemical Detector, one of their products for detecting hazardous chemicals by first responders.\u00a0 I got my hands on a Chameleon kit for testing in October. The Morphix Chameleon is a chemical detection unit that is worn on the forearm or attached by Velcro to the uniform of a first responder.\u00a0 The purpose of the kit is to provide an officer, firefighter, or soldier with immediate visual identification of the presence of hazardous gases. A passive detector, the Chameleon has ten windows, called cassettes, which change &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/thinblueflorida.com\/?p=1313\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[795,4,10,306],"tags":[239,237,236,235,238,240,234,828],"class_list":["post-1313","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-medical","category-officer-safety","category-street","category-technology","tag-chemical-detector","tag-first-responder","tag-meth-lab","tag-methamphetamine","tag-morphix-chameleon","tag-morphix-chameleon-review","tag-morphix-technologies","tag-officer-safety"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p28xkp-lb","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thinblueflorida.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1313","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thinblueflorida.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thinblueflorida.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thinblueflorida.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thinblueflorida.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1313"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/thinblueflorida.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1313\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1546,"href":"https:\/\/thinblueflorida.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1313\/revisions\/1546"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thinblueflorida.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1313"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thinblueflorida.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1313"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thinblueflorida.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1313"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}