A compact professional survey meter that reads all four radiation types. Hobbyists get more sensitivity for less with a pancake-tube counter.
Amazon $799.95The Radiation Alert Monitor 200 rates 3.0 among alpha-beta-gamma counters geiger counters; the FNIRSI GC-01 rates 2.9 among beta-gamma geiger counters ones. The FNIRSI GC-01 costs $748.66 less ($51.29 vs $799.95).
Prices were last checked November 9, 2026. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon or the retailer's site at the time of purchase apply. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

A cheap pocket Geiger counter for a curious first look at background radiation. Serious users will want more sensitivity and logging.
Amazon $51.29Scores side by side
These two sit in different detector type classes (alpha-beta-gamma counters and beta-gamma geiger counters), and each is scored against the reference points for its own class, so a rating says how well each does among its own detector type peers. How we rank explains each factor.
| Factor weight | Radiation Alert Monitor 200 | FNIRSI GC-01 |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 3.0/5 | 2.9/5 |
| Sensitivity 25% | 17 107 CPM per µSv/h | 10 80 CPM per µSv/h (Co-60) |
| Radiation types 20% | 100 gamma, X-ray, beta, alpha | 40 gamma, X-ray, beta |
| Dose-rate range 15% | 43 reads up to 2,000 µSv/h | 50 dose-rate range not published (neutral score used) |
| Features 15% | 52 data logging, phone or cloud connection (optional add-on) | 0 none of the listed features |
| Price 15% | 8 $799.95 | 100 $51.29 |
| Warranty 10% | 33 1-year warranty | 67 2-year warranty |
Specifications
| Radiation Alert Monitor 200 | FNIRSI GC-01 | |
|---|---|---|
| Detection | ||
| Detector | Mica window GM tube | GM tube |
| Tube or crystal | mica end-window GM tube | energy-compensated GM tube |
| Radiation types | α β γ X | β γ X |
| Sensitivity | 107 CPM per µSv/h | 80 CPM per µSv/h (Co-60) |
| Max dose rate | 2,000 µSv/h | - |
| Energy range | from 10 keV | 48 to 1,500 keV |
| Gamma spectrum | No | No |
| Features | ||
| Data logging | Yes | - |
| Connection | Optional add-on | - |
| Battery | 2 x AA | 1100 mAh rechargeable lithium |
| Battery life | 800 h | - |
| Build | ||
| Weight | 181 g | - |
| Warranty | 1 year | 2 years |