GQ GMC-500+
The GQ to buy if you want a counter that keeps working at high dose rates. It suits emergency kits as well as everyday monitoring.
Amazon $128$128
The GQ GMC-500+ rates 3.2 among beta-gamma geiger counters geiger counters; the Radiation Alert Monitor 200 rates 3.0 among alpha-beta-gamma counters ones. The GQ GMC-500+ costs $671.95 less ($128 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.
Radiation Alert Monitor 200
A compact professional survey meter that reads all four radiation types. Hobbyists get more sensitivity for less with a pancake-tube counter.
Amazon $799.95$799.95
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 | GQ GMC-500+ | Radiation Alert Monitor 200 |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 3.2/5 | 3.0/5 |
| Sensitivity 25% | 22 138 CPM per µSv/h (Co-60) | 17 107 CPM per µSv/h |
| Radiation types 20% | 40 gamma, X-ray, beta | 100 gamma, X-ray, beta, alpha |
| Dose-rate range 15% | 88 reads up to 42,500 µSv/h | 43 reads up to 2,000 µSv/h |
| Features 15% | 70 data logging, phone or cloud connection | 52 data logging, phone or cloud connection (optional add-on) |
| Price 15% | 73 $128 | 8 $799.95 |
| Warranty 10% | 0 warranty not published, scored as none | 33 1-year warranty |
Specifications
| GQ GMC-500+ | Radiation Alert Monitor 200 | |
|---|---|---|
| Detection | ||
| Detector | GM tube | Mica window GM tube |
| Tube or crystal | two GM tubes (high-sensitivity and high-dose) | mica end-window GM tube |
| Radiation types | β γ X | α β γ X |
| Sensitivity | 138 CPM per µSv/h (Co-60) | 107 CPM per µSv/h |
| Max dose rate | 42,500 µSv/h | 2,000 µSv/h |
| Energy range | - | from 10 keV |
| Gamma spectrum | No | No |
| Features | ||
| Data logging | Yes | Yes |
| Connection | Wi-Fi | Optional add-on |
| Battery | 3.7 V rechargeable Li-ion | 2 x AA |
| Battery life | - | 800 h |
| Build | ||
| Weight | - | 181 g |
| Warranty | - | 1 year |