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 4EC rates 2.6 among alpha-beta-gamma counters ones. The GQ GMC-500+ costs $762.76 less ($128 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 | GQ GMC-500+ | Radiation Alert Monitor 4EC |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 3.2/5 | 2.6/5 |
| Sensitivity 25% | 22 138 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% | 88 reads up to 42,500 µSv/h | 23 reads up to 500 µSv/h |
| Features 15% | 70 data logging, phone or cloud connection | 0 none of the listed features |
| Price 15% | 73 $128 | 4 $890.76 |
| Warranty 10% | 0 warranty not published, scored as none | 33 1-year warranty |
Specifications
| GQ GMC-500+ | Radiation Alert Monitor 4EC | |
|---|---|---|
| Detection | ||
| Detector | GM tube | Mica window GM tube |
| Tube or crystal | two GM tubes (high-sensitivity and high-dose) | energy-compensated GM tube with mica window |
| Radiation types | β γ X | α β γ X |
| Sensitivity | 138 CPM per µSv/h (Co-60) | 100 CPM per µSv/h |
| Max dose rate | 42,500 µSv/h | 500 µSv/h |
| Energy range | - | from 10 keV |
| Gamma spectrum | No | No |
| Features | ||
| Data logging | Yes | No |
| Connection | Wi-Fi | None |
| Battery | 3.7 V rechargeable Li-ion | 9 V |
| Battery life | - | 2,000 h |
| Build | ||
| Weight | - | 231 g |
| Warranty | - | 1 year |