What I mean by “best” is as follows.. A good general purpose Geiger counter nuclear radiation detector. One that’s affordable, and one that will let you know when things are getting bad out there – just in case.
I will recommend two very affordable models (impressive for their price range), plus one that’s priced much higher, although with the ‘gold standard’ Geiger tube (perhaps somewhat extravagant for general purpose 🙂
Jump down the page to:
GMC-300S
GMC-500Plus
Mazur PRM-9000
We are living in a world of uncertainty and conflict. Dangerous times. And lots of nuclear weapons.
We also live in a world partially energized by nuclear power plants. Though historically very safe, accidents do happen.
A Geiger counter (also known as a nuclear radiation detector). In my opinion, it’s an essential tool for nuclear radiation preparedness.
Should the unthinkable happen, it will be advantageous to have a nuclear radiation detector (Geiger counter). Why? Because radiation is invisible. A radiation detector will let you know whether or not you’re in danger.
Best General Purpose Geiger Counter Nuclear Radiation Detectors
Features will vary to an extent. But I will address the important highlights.
When it comes to price, I have found that the detector itself, the Geiger tube (the part that actually collects / detects the radiation) makes a pretty big difference in performance (and price). It has to do with sensitivity, accuracy, and measurement speed. Though even the lesser expensive units are still adequate to alert you of dangerous radiation.
I primarily recommend GQ Electronics (reasonably priced) for a good general purpose Geiger counter and Dosimeter for prepping and preparedness. Also, I’ll add the Mazur Instruments Geiger counter for those looking for ultimate accuracy and speed (much more expensive with 2-inch ‘gold standard’ Geiger detector tube).
GQ Electronics Geiger Counters
I’ve chosen GQ Electronics for the best Geiger counter / Radiation detector for general purpose use for monitoring (e.g. prepping and preparedness).
The detectors are not super fast with response time compared with very expensive alternatives. However I don’t feel it’s necessary for simply monitoring one’s environment.
The GQ lineup is very popular and well-reviewed. They have really hit a reasonable price point for all of their models. They’ve been doing it since 2010 from Seattle.
It looks like GQ Electronics currently has 8 models, as of this update. I will focus on their most popular, best rated Geiger counters. Their GMC-300S, and the GMC-500Plus.
GMC-300S
GMC-300S Geiger Counter – Nuclear Radiation Detector
GMC-300S
(GQ Electronics storefront on amzn)
The GMC-300S is an enhanced version of the GMC-300E Plus. The main difference being that the 300S has higher sensitivity to facilitate a lower level radiation detection. This is their newest model, and appears to be gaining traction fast.
I like the product photo above because it shows several of the possible display screens.
micro-Sievert display units
I personally prefer leaving the display of a Geiger counter / nuclear radiation detector in the uSv/hr (micro Sieverts per hour)mode. It’s a unit of absorbed radiation dose and a standardized measurement method used around the world.
The standard unit of radiation dosing in an area is the micro-Sievert/hour (uSv/hr).
Just to give you an example of what’s normal radiation in my own area, my Mazur Instruments PRM-9000 is currently indicating an average of 0.11 uSv/hr, which I believe is nice and low (a good thing!). You will get to know what’s ‘normal’ for your locale after a while.
(Article linked below about radiation levels)
CPM display units
If your radiation detector is displaying a CPM reading (counts per minute), that number will vary depending on the Geiger tube that’s in that particular radiation detector model. So this makes it difficult to readily or easily compare with others who may have different radiation detectors, or to talk about radiation level readings in a normalized way.
In order to do this, there’s a conversion factor for each type of Geiger tube.
Normalizing to micro-Sieverts/hour, a conversion must be made (or simply switch the unit’s display to uSv/hr – which automatically converts from CPM).
The GMC-300S uses the M4011 tube. The conversion factor for a GM tube M4011 is 151 CPM to 1 uSv/hr.
Dosimeter mode
Accumulated radiation dose over time. Potential tissue and organ damage from radiation. It’s influenced by the amount of radiation coupled with it’s accumulated dose over time. During ‘an event’, it will be important to know one’s accumulated dose.
Yes. In dosimeter mode, you will see the accumulated does in Total count, µSv/h, and mR/h.
Dosimeter mode example screen on GMC-300S
Notable Features
- Detect and Measure ? (Beta), ? (Gamma) and X-ray Radiation
- CPM, µSv/hr, mRem/hr
- Dosimeter mode
- Multiple display choices
- Mini USB Data port (and charging)
- Data logger
- PC software
- Onboard speaker and LED indicator
- Range of dose rate in µSv/h: 0.00 to 1000.00
- Range of dose rate in mR/h: 0.00 to 100.00
- Radiation Threshold Alarm (adjustable)
GQ Electronics also host a live real time radiation map from users around the world who are submitting radiation data from around the world:
Real Time Radiation Map
GMC-500Plus
GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter
GMC-500Plus
(amzn)
You might be wondering, what’s the difference between the GMC-500Plus and the GMC-300S ? Functionally, the main differences are as follows:
The GMC-500Plus has two Geiger tubes, the M4011 and the SI-3BG. The M4011 is a low dose tube and the SI-3BG is a high dose tube. In other words, this model can detect higher levels of radiation (0 – 42500 uSv/hr).
It also has built-in WiFi. It can log data via wireless WiFi connection and internal memory at the same time.
Yes. The Dosimeter mode feature was added in version 2.0
So, would I purchase the GMC-300S or the GMC-500Plus ?
Good question! If my main purpose were to log and upload data, I would likely choose the GMC-500Plus (WiFi). However for simply monitoring my environment, I do like the GMC-300S and all of its display features.
PRM-9000
Mazur Instruments PRM-9000 Radiation Detector
PRM-9000
(Mazur on amzn)
The company is based in Castle Rock, Colorado. Their Geiger counters are manufactured and Made in the USA. In addition, the company has a high reputation in this industry for their quality products.
While expensive compared to lesser models, the Mazur PRM-9000 is a very high quality, professionally engineered instrument used by Homeland Security, First Responders, Medical Safety, NORM Detection, Geology, and other industries.
It is designed for fast, quick, and accurate response readings. To be Always On, continuously monitoring current radiation levels (and Average, Maximum, and Minimum levels).
It is an American made LND 7317, Two-Inch Pancake GM Tube; detects alpha, beta, gamma and x-radiation.
Dosimeter mode? There is not a built-in Dosimeter mode display screen. However there is a simple workaround.
To convert the dose rate to the accumulated dose, multiply the number of
hours by the dose rate.
Multiply Average dose per hour (there’s a screen for that) times Hours of elapsed time (there’s a screen for that).
For example, 0.110 uSv/hr Average (x) 23 days elapsed time (552 hours) equals 60.72 uSv accumulated dose. Pretty simple.
Notable Features
– Detect and Measure ? Alpha, ? (Beta), ? (Gamma) and X-ray Radiation
– uR/hr, mR/hr, uSv/hr, CPS or CPM
– Detection range: 0.001 to 125 mR/hr (0.01 to 1,250 uSv/hr)
– Monitors Elapsed Time, Average, Minimum and Maximum Dose Rate
– Each radioactive particle detected produces an audible click
– 2-inch (50.8 mm) pancake Geiger detector tube – the ‘gold-standard’
– Fast response time
– Suitable for regulatory inspections
– LED, beeper and headphone jack
– Internal data logging
– Timed measurements
– Dose rate alarm (adjustable)
– Detects Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM)
– Battery life 2 years (9v alkaline) 4 years (9v lithium)
– Measurements can be uploaded to a PC in CSV format for analysis
– PC/Mac USB data exchange
[ Read:
Best Gas Mask For Nuclear Fallout
