FNIRSI GC-01
A cheap pocket Geiger counter for a curious first look at background radiation. Serious users will want more sensitivity and logging.
Amazon $51.29$51.29
The FNIRSI GC-01 rates 2.9 among beta-gamma geiger counters geiger counters; the Radiation Alert Monitor 4EC rates 2.6 among alpha-beta-gamma counters ones. The FNIRSI GC-01 costs $839.47 less ($51.29 vs $890.76).
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.
Radiation Alert Monitor 4EC
An analog survey meter for people who prefer a needle to a number. It costs a lot for what it measures.
Amazon $890.76$890.76
Scores side by side
These two sit in different detector type classes (beta-gamma geiger counters and alpha-beta-gamma 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 | FNIRSI GC-01 | Radiation Alert Monitor 4EC |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 2.9/5 | 2.6/5 |
| Sensitivity 25% | 10 80 CPM per µSv/h (Co-60) | 15 100 CPM per µSv/h |
| Radiation types 20% | 40 gamma, X-ray, beta | 100 gamma, X-ray, beta, alpha |
| Dose-rate range 15% | 50 dose-rate range not published (neutral score used) | 23 reads up to 500 µSv/h |
| Features 15% | 0 none of the listed features | 0 none of the listed features |
| Price 15% | 100 $51.29 | 4 $890.76 |
| Warranty 10% | 67 2-year warranty | 33 1-year warranty |
Specifications
| FNIRSI GC-01 | Radiation Alert Monitor 4EC | |
|---|---|---|
| Detection | ||
| Detector | GM tube | Mica window GM tube |
| Tube or crystal | energy-compensated GM tube | energy-compensated GM tube with mica window |
| Radiation types | β γ X | α β γ X |
| Sensitivity | 80 CPM per µSv/h (Co-60) | 100 CPM per µSv/h |
| Max dose rate | - | 500 µSv/h |
| Energy range | 48 to 1,500 keV | from 10 keV |
| Gamma spectrum | No | No |
| Features | ||
| Data logging | - | No |
| Connection | - | None |
| Battery | 1100 mAh rechargeable lithium | 9 V |
| Battery life | - | 2,000 h |
| Build | ||
| Weight | - | 231 g |
| Warranty | 2 years | 1 year |