There are many manufacturers who market many different models of Geiger Counters. Websites have been created that bring together selections of different models with comparisons of features.
Alibaba.com is a directory site that brings together Geiger counters from manufactures all over the world. Each listing shows a model, a link to a page dedicated to the manufacturer and contact information for each manufacturer. It is a very comprehensive site with details on the models from each manufacturer but does not offer comparisons. Some of the models shown can only be purchased in quantity.
Geigercounters.com is an excellent site for comparing Geiger counters. They have short tutorial pages on radiation, danger levels, applications, food contamination, Geiger counter basics and Geiger counter types. Their site offers a section on portable inexpensive Geiger counters and another section on more expensive probe style Geiger counters.
There are two main types of Geiger-Müeller tubes used in these Geiger counters. The most common is the long cylindrical type which we have covered in another post. The second type of probe is called a pancake. This type of tube is a flattened cylinder sort of like a hockey puck. The anode inside the cylinder consists of concentric circular wires parallel to the face of the detector. Like the long cylinder style tubes, the pancake type will have either a mica or metal cover on one end to allow entrance of radiation. This type is used primarily to detect gamma radiation but they can also detect alpha and beta. With a much larger entrance window than the long tubes, the pancake tubes are more sensitive.
The Geigercounters.com selection of handheld counters includes nine models that are priced from $289 to $569. They are compared in a big chart with about fourty different features as well as size and weight. They vary in size from 6.6" X 3.3" X 1.3" to 8.1" X 2.8" X 1.9". Their weights range from 7.3 ounces to 12.5 ounces. The battery life of different units measuring normal background levels of radiation ranges from 50 hours to 28,000 hours. They are all powered by regular 9 Volt batteries. The counters use either analog meters or digital displays. They have a range of sensitivities. Most have data ports and a software option. All but one have long cylindrical Geiger-Müeller tubes. The exception has a pancake style Geiger-Müeller tube which has an entrance window about five times bigger than the long cylinder types. All of the units covered are manufactured in the USA.
The Geigercounters.com selection of probe counters includes four models that are priced from $279 to $1,075. They are compared in a big chart with about fourty different features as well as size and weight. They vary in size from 6" X 3.2" X 1.2" to 9" X 4" X 5" Their weights range from .8 pounds to 4.2 pounds. These units take standard alkaline batteries. The battery life of one of the units is around 2000 hours measuring normal background levels of radiation. One has a long cylindrical Geiger-Müeller tube and the rest have pancake tubes. One of the counters in this set has Bluetooth wireless data transfer. The counters use analog meters, digital or just flashing LED displays.
Whether or not you choose one of the models for sale on the Geigercounters.com website, checking out the features on the comparison chart will definitely prepare you to evaluate the specification of any other Geiger counter you might be considering.
Pancake Geiger-Müeller tube:
There are many manufacturers who market many different models of Geiger Counters. Websites have been created that bring together selections of different models with comparisons of features.
Alibaba.com is a directory site that brings together Geiger counters from manufactures all over the world. Each listing shows a model, a link to a page dedicated to the manufacturer and contact information for each manufacturer. It is a very comprehensive site with details on the models from each manufacturer but does not offer comparisons. Some of the models shown can only be purchased in quantity.
Geigercounters.com is an excellent site for comparing Geiger counters. They have short tutorial pages on radiation, danger levels, applications, food contamination, Geiger counter basics and Geiger counter types. Their site offers a section on portable inexpensive Geiger counters and another section on more expensive probe style Geiger counters.
There are two main types of Geiger-Müeller tubes used in these Geiger counters. The most common is the long cylindrical type which we have covered in another post. The second type of probe is called a pancake. This type of tube is a flattened cylinder sort of like a hockey puck. The anode inside the cylinder consists of concentric circular wires parallel to the face of the detector. Like the long cylinder style tubes, the pancake type will have either a mica or metal cover on one end to allow entrance of radiation. This type is used primarily to detect gamma radiation but they can also detect alpha and beta. With a much larger entrance window than the long tubes, the pancake tubes are more sensitive.
The Geigercounters.com selection of handheld counters includes nine models that are priced from $289 to $569. They are compared in a big chart with about fourty different features as well as size and weight. They vary in size from 6.6" X 3.3" X 1.3" to 8.1" X 2.8" X 1.9". Their weights range from 7.3 ounces to 12.5 ounces. The battery life of different units measuring normal background levels of radiation ranges from 50 hours to 28,000 hours. They are all powered by regular 9 Volt batteries. The counters use either analog meters or digital displays. They have a range of sensitivities. Most have data ports and a software option. All but one have long cylindrical Geiger-Müeller tubes. The exception has a pancake style Geiger-Müeller tube which has an entrance window about five times bigger than the long cylinder types. All of the units covered are manufactured in the USA.
The Geigercounters.com selection of probe counters includes four models that are priced from $279 to $1,075. They are compared in a big chart with about fourty different features as well as size and weight. They vary in size from 6" X 3.2" X 1.2" to 9" X 4" X 5" Their weights range from .8 pounds to 4.2 pounds. These units take standard alkaline batteries. The battery life of one of the units is around 2000 hours measuring normal background levels of radiation. One has a long cylindrical Geiger-Müeller tube and the rest have pancake tubes. One of the counters in this set has Bluetooth wireless data transfer. The counters use analog meters, digital or just flashing LED displays.
Whether or not you choose one of the models for sale on the Geigercounters.com website, checking out the features on the comparison chart will definitely prepare you to evaluate the specification of any other Geiger counter you might be considering.
Pancake Geiger-Müeller tube:
