Portable Handheld X-Ray Backscatter Scanner | Godrej Security Solutions
Introduction: X-ray vision in the palm of your hand
An unattended bag at a railway platform. A vehicle stopped at a highway checkpoint. A sealed wall cavity in a building on a VIP route. In each case, security teams face the same question: what is inside, and is it safe to approach?
Traditionally, answering that question meant moving the object to a fixed X-ray machine, dismantling it, or calling in heavy equipment. Each option costs time, and in security work, time is risk.
The Portable Hand Held X-Ray Backscatter Scanner (PX1) changes this. It is a self-contained, handheld imager that lets a single operator look inside bags, vehicles, walls and containers on the spot, from the same side as the object, without dismantling anything. In this guide we walk through what the PX1 does, how backscatter imaging works, each of its key features, real demonstration results, and who uses it.
What is the PX1, and what is it for?
The PX1 is a portable X-ray imager built to scan suspicious or abandoned baggage where it lies. It is also used during VIP movements, where routes, venues and vehicles must be cleared quickly and discreetly.
Unlike a conventional airport baggage scanner, which needs the object to pass between a source and a detector, the PX1 is held up to one side of the target. The operator sees the image on a built-in touchscreen within moments, and can decide whether the item is benign or needs escalation to a bomb disposal or EOD team.
In short, the PX1 is designed to answer three questions in the field:
Is there something hidden inside? Contraband, weapons, explosives or concealed compartments.
Is it where it should not be? False floors, modified voids, packed tyres, tampered containers.
Can we check it without opening it? Non-intrusive inspection that keeps operators at a safer distance and keeps evidence intact.
How it works: the backscatter principle
The PX1 uses the backscatter principle. Inside the unit, electrons are accelerated and made to strike a target material, which produces X-rays. That X-ray beam is directed at the object being inspected. A portion of the radiation bounces back towards the scanner, and the inbuilt detector panel captures it to build the scanned image.
Why backscatter is different from a regular X-ray
A conventional X-ray scanner works by transmission: the source sits on one side, the detector on the other, and the image is a shadow of whatever blocks the beam. That is why airport baggage must pass through a tunnel.
Backscatter imaging captures the radiation that is reflected back towards the source. This brings two practical advantages:
One-sided access. The operator only needs to reach one face of the object: a car door, a wall, a floor, a sealed crate or a bag against a pillar.
Strong contrast for organic materials. Lighter, organic materials such as drugs, explosives, plastics and food scatter X-rays strongly and tend to appear bright. Dense metals absorb more and tend to appear darker. This makes concealed organic payloads stand out against metal structures like vehicle panels and fire extinguisher shells.
Key features explained
The PX1 combines deep penetration, sharp imaging and a compact body in one unit. Here are the headline specifications from the catalogue, followed by what each one means in the field.
Feature | Specification |
Scan standoff distance | Effective from more than 36 in (about 1 m), internal or external |
Steel penetration | More than 7 mm |
Lead imaging | Reveals false traps and modified voids; in some cases sees through lead |
Image quality | Lowest noise and highest resolution scan images on the market (manufacturer claim) |
Scanner dimensions | L 21.1 cm (8.3 in) × H 18.5 cm (7.3 in) |
Remote viewing | Real-time on PC, Mac, iOS and Android |
Display | 7 in diagonal, 700 nit, 1920 × 1080 colour touchscreen |
Configuration | Fully self-contained; no external attachments needed |
1. Self-contained handheld imager with the patented Infinity Detector
At the heart of the PX1 is a patented Infinity Detector, engineered for what the manufacturer calls "Depth in Detection". In practical terms, the scanner can produce useful images from more than 36 inches (about 1 metre) of standoff distance, whether the operator is scanning an object from the outside or working from inside a space such as a vehicle cabin or room.
Why it matters:
Reach. Operators can image a target that is not directly within arm's length, such as the underside of a vehicle, a high shelf, or the far end of a cargo hold.
Larger coverage per scan. Greater depth means each pass captures more of the target, so a full inspection takes less time.
Nothing to assemble. The PX1 is fully self-contained. There are no external detector plates, cables or attachments to carry, position or connect. Pick it up, switch it on, scan.
2. Market-leading imaging performance: steel penetration above 7 mm
The PX1 can penetrate more than 7 mm of steel. Most vehicle body panels, doors, fuel tanks, metal cabinets and gas cylinders are made of steel thinner than this.
Why it matters: Smugglers and attackers often rely on metal to hide what they carry. With this level of penetration, an officer can see through a car door, a spare tyre rim or a fire extinguisher shell without removing a single screw. That means faster checks at roadblocks and borders, and no damage to the vehicle or object under inspection.
3. Capable of imaging lead
Lead is one of the hardest materials for X-rays to pass through, which is why it is used for radiation shielding and, sometimes, by criminals to defeat scanners. The PX1 is capable of imaging lead effectively. It can reveal false traps and modified void spaces in floors, walls and other structures, and in some cases can see through lead itself.
Why it matters:
Detects shielding attempts. A lead-lined compartment is itself a warning sign. The PX1 makes that compartment visible.
Finds hidden voids. Modified floors, false walls and fabricated cavities in vehicles, containers and buildings show up as anomalies against the normal structure.
Supports counter-surveillance. The same capability helps teams sweep rooms and structures for concealed devices.
4. Lowest noise and highest resolution scan images
According to the manufacturer, the PX1 delivers the lowest-noise, highest-resolution scan images on the market.
Why it matters: In threat detection, the image is the decision. A grainy image forces an operator to guess, which leads either to missed threats or to unnecessary evacuations and call-outs. Clean, detailed images let operators:
Distinguish a wire from a seam, or a packet from padding.
Judge fill levels and density inside containers.
Make confident clear-or-escalate calls in seconds.
The PX1 also offers a range of colour imaging filters that can be applied to any scan. As shown in the demonstrations below, the same scan can be viewed in greyscale or in several false-colour palettes, each highlighting density differences in a different way.
5. Most compact form factor where it matters
The scanner head measures just 21.1 cm (8.3 in) long and 18.5 cm (7.3 in) high. The catalogue describes this as the most compact scanner footprint in its class, sized for the places where size matters most.
Why it matters: Real searches happen in tight spaces: under car seats, inside wheel arches, between cargo pallets, behind toilets on trains, in narrow corridors. A compact head lets law enforcement officers manoeuvre into these spaces and scan objects and conveyances that bulkier systems simply cannot reach. It also reduces operator fatigue during long checkpoint shifts.
6. Remote connectivity to any device
The PX1 can stream scans in real time to PC, Mac, iOS and Android devices. Field operators can share what they are seeing with an image analysis room, command centre or remote expert.
Why it matters:
Expert review without travel. A senior analyst or EOD specialist can examine a suspect image from a safe location while the field operator stays at the scene.
Safer operations. In a suspected explosive scenario, fewer people need to be close to the threat.
Faster decisions. Command centres can see the same image at the same moment and authorise next steps immediately.
Record keeping. Because scans open on everyday devices, they are easy to share in team briefings and training.
7. Large, sunlight-readable 7-inch touchscreen
The PX1 carries an integrated 7-inch diagonal, 700-nit, 1920 × 1080 (full HD) colour touchscreen. The 700-nit brightness is high enough for daytime outdoor operation and image analysis in direct sunlight, without the operator needing to seek shade.
Why it matters: Many handheld devices become unreadable outdoors. Checkpoints, highways, parking lots and VIP routes are almost always outdoors. A bright full-HD screen means the operator can analyse fine detail on the spot, zoom with touch gestures, and switch imaging filters without walking away from the target.
The PX1 in action: customer demonstrations
Specifications tell part of the story. The catalogue's demonstration scans show what the PX1 actually reveals in realistic scenarios.
Highway patrol and interdiction: contraband hidden in tyres
Tyres are a classic hiding place because they are dense, sealed and slow to dismantle. In the PX1 demonstrations:
Lawn mower or wheelbarrow tyre with a bag of cocaine simulant. Scanned from both the sidewall and the tread side, the "norm" tyre shows an even, uniform interior. The "suspect" tyre shows a clearly defined bright mass where the simulant bag sits inside.
Full-size spare tyre with three 1 kg bricks of cocaine. Even through the thick rubber and steel-belted structure of a car spare, the scan outlines the hidden bricks inside the tyre.
For roads police and highway patrol, this means a suspect tyre can be checked at the roadside in moments, without removing it from the rim.
Fire extinguisher: the normal versus the suspect
A fire extinguisher has a thick steel shell and is usually overlooked during a search, which makes it attractive for concealment. The demonstration compares two extinguishers:
The norm. Scan images reveal the fill level of the fire retardant inside, showing a smooth, even fill.
The suspect. Scan images reveal small packages of contraband stacked inside the cylinder, visible as distinct shapes instead of a uniform fill.
Each scan is shown across seven imaging filters, from greyscale to multiple false-colour palettes. Different palettes emphasise different density bands, helping the operator confirm an anomaly from more than one view.
Suspect in hiding behind a wooden door
The PX1 can also support tactical and search operations. In this demonstration, a person stands behind a closed wooden door. The PX1 scan, viewed in greyscale and six colour filters, clearly shows a full human outline through the door, including head, torso and legs.
For police and military teams clearing buildings, this kind of through-barrier view can inform decisions before a door is opened.
Applications: who uses the PX1 and how
The PX1 is ideal for first responders and security professionals who need answers in the field, not in a lab.
User group | Typical use |
Police and first responders | Checking abandoned bags, suspicious packages and vehicles at checkpoints |
VIP movement and protection teams | Clearing routes, venues, vehicles and baggage ahead of protectees |
Military | Vehicle and cargo inspection, building search, checkpoint security |
Bomb disposal and EOD teams | Assessing a suspect device from standoff before deciding how to proceed |
Customs and border security | Inspecting tyres, cylinders, cargo and vehicle panels for contraband |
Private and government security agencies | Screening at facilities, events and sensitive installations |
Counter-surveillance teams | Sweeping walls, furniture and fittings for concealed devices or voids |
Trusted by Indian security agencies
According to the catalogue, the PX1 is used by the CISF, airports, the Army, the SPG, State Police Bomb Detection and Disposal Squads (BDDS), prisons and other agencies. These are among the most demanding security environments in the country, from protecting critical infrastructure and airports to securing the nation's top leadership.
In prisons, for example, a handheld backscatter scanner can help staff check parcels, furniture and fittings for smuggled phones, drugs or weapons without dismantling them.
Why choose the PX1: benefits at a glance
Inspect without dismantling. See inside tyres, panels, cylinders, walls and bags without opening them.
One-sided scanning. Backscatter needs access to only one face of the target.
Deep reach. Effective imaging from more than 1 metre of standoff and through more than 7 mm of steel.
Defeats concealment. Images lead, false traps and modified voids.
Clear, confident images. Low noise, high resolution and multiple colour filters.
Goes where others cannot. A compact 21.1 × 18.5 cm head for tight spaces.
Connected teams. Real-time sharing to command centres on PC, Mac, iOS and Android.
Built for outdoors. A bright 700-nit full-HD touchscreen readable in direct sunlight.
Ready instantly. Fully self-contained, with no external attachments.
Proven in service. Used by CISF, airports, the Army, SPG, State Police BDDS and prisons.
Frequently asked questions
What does "backscatter" mean? It means the scanner images the X-rays that bounce back from the target towards the device, instead of those that pass through it. This lets the source and detector work from the same side.
Does the PX1 need a separate detector plate behind the object? No. The detector panel is built into the unit, and the PX1 needs no external attachments.
Can it see through a car door? The PX1 penetrates more than 7 mm of steel, which covers typical vehicle body panels and doors.
Can it be used outdoors in bright sunlight? Yes. Its 700-nit, 7-inch full-HD touchscreen is designed for daytime outdoor use and image analysis in direct sunlight.
Can someone at a control room see the scans? Yes. Scans can be viewed in real time on PC, Mac, iOS and Android devices in an image analysis room or command centre.
What can it detect? The catalogue demonstrations show drug simulant and cocaine bricks inside tyres, contraband packages inside a fire extinguisher, and a person standing behind a wooden door. It is also designed to reveal false traps and modified voids in floors and walls.
Is it safe to operate, and what approvals are required? As with any X-ray equipment, the PX1 must be operated by trained personnel following radiation safety procedures and applicable regulations. In India, radiation-generating equipment falls under the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB). Please contact our team for details on safety, training and licensing support.
Request a demonstration
Whether you protect a VIP convoy, an airport, a border post or a prison, the PX1 puts X-ray inspection directly in your operators' hands. Contact our team today to arrange a live demonstration, discuss your operational requirements, or request a detailed quotation.
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