Another Cheap Nuclear Radiation Tester | Voltlog
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- čas přidán 19. 07. 2022
- High quality PCB Services pcbway.com Join me in this video where we take a closer look at this generic “high precision” affordable radiation detector. This tool can detect γ-ray β-ray nuclear radiation in the 0. 05uSv-50mSv range and during testing it seems to respond faster than the other radiation tester I’ve reviewed in Voltlog #416.
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Welcome to a new video, today we’ll be taking a look at yet another cheap radiation detector and it’s going to be similar to the one reviewed in Voltlog 416, except it’s cheaper. It’s also not as big physically and it’s not a multifunction tester, this one just measures radiation but let’s start with our basics, this is the packaging it comes in, inside the box you will find this hard shell carry case which is a nice addition when compared to the previous model we reviewed and btw this one doesn’t really have any branding or a particular model mentioned, it’s just a generic radiation tester but because of that I would image that it’s likely you will find this sold under different names, brands or even shapes.
Inside the case the meter sits nicely in this cutout and you get a short USB-C charging cable, a hand strap and a short user manual. Like mentioned this is smaller physically which could be a nice advantage, but also comes with a smaller screen. We have a couple of rubber bands on the sides and a metal clip on the back, with the charging port located on the bottom. Plastic feels soft & decent, matte black, I quite like that.
On paper at least this seems to have better sensitivity when compared to the previous model I reviewed but realistically given the size and cost of the unit, I think it must be using a similar miniaturized geiger muller tube which is not the most sensitive tube for this type of application but it does have the size and cost advantage. We’ll be able to see more about this topic in the teardown but first let’s turn on the unit.
The screen on this unit feels a bit small at just 2 inches. I mean , in this reading mode, I can clearly see the readings which are using this nice and big 7-segment font, but the small text on the blue ribbons, that seems a bit small to easily read. On the plus side, brightness seems good, easily visible even under my bright video shooting lights. The problem is more apparent when you switch to the menu system which feels really crowded, they went with this thumbnail arrangement, the icons feel small, the text feels small. I would have probably preferred just a simple list menu for this with bigger text.
In terms of functionality you get the standard measure & display screen but you also have the options of setting up alarm thresholds and the meter can continue monitoring with the screen off for up to 20 days of battery life and it will trigger an alarm once the threshold is exceeded. It lets you configure the screen off timeout as well as the auto power off timeout which is nice and It can also do data logging although I have not seen any mention of the available memory. A couple of other settings for things like language or screen brightness are also available from the menu system.
Turning the unit on or off via long press of this button will make it beep loudly which is annoying but I guess useful to alert the user of the meter status.The good thing is that you have control over the buzzer volume level as well as the option of turning on or off the individual particle sounds, so that’s pretty nice in terms of settings.
Unfortunately I still don’t have like a good radiation source to test this so apart from this ion chamber from a smoke detector, but upon testing with this, it does seem to be a bit more sensitive than the previous meter as I can get some values on screen and make it go past 1 micro Sivertz and trigger the default alarm threshold. I’m sure most of you are already wondering how this meter looks on the inside so let’s open it up for the teardown and checkout the tube it uses for detection. - Věda a technologie
Seeing this tube not in place made me wanted really hard to resolder it :D
had the exact same feeling 😂
Interesting device; UNI-T seem to sell those as UT334A…
Nice find! Seems pretty much the same.
@@ajacks1349 would you be so kind to share the amazon link (especially since you seem to be based in the UK as well)? I can only find it for a lot higher prices. Many thanks!!
@@petermarin Had to return the NON Uni-T version to amazon for refund as it has a known design fault in that it doesn't hold charge, when switched off. Absolutely useless.
@@ajacks1349 ah got it - does the uni-t have a fix for this?
Great review! Thanks for the link; I ordered one.
Hope you enjoy it! Thanks!
Thank You!
I placed the order today.
Not for a tour guide in Chernobyl? I bet Kreosan would use it!
Can I ask, did you receive yours with a FLAT lithium battery? Just asking because mine was, which is not good & probably means a short lifespan for the battery & not full charge.
Also, for replacement purposes can you confirm that the battery is a genuine 103450, with a depth of 10mm?
Thanks in advance.
Yes if I remember correctly it came with a flat battery. I can't confirm the battery size other than the marking on it which should in theory point to the replacement.
@@voltlog Yes, in theory...🤣...1cm depth seems a lot though, thanks.
Really like this for the money (£48.99)... & the sensitivity to beta particles for radioactive collectibles/antiques hunting can be greatly improved by removing the right- side orange rubber strip to expose the HH442 GM sensor. So easy to do & replace...& makes a huge difference.
As for the Americium241 source of your smoke detector ion chamber...must be detecting the weak gamma, because the type of sensor used in this & most consumer grade devices can't detect alpha particles which is the main (by far) emission for Am241. Very impressed that it can actually detect it.
I find it very interesting that of all the Radiation testers I have seen on CZcams, probably none will work after a nuclear blast even if outside the blast zone. None have metalized cases or carrying cases that would make the electronics survive the EMP. Guess they expect you to build your own Faraday shield around it. Nice review of it
Oh, I agree, they are definitely not made for usage in such high radiation areas which would require shielding of the electronics.
ICs would die first. Thats why the REAL radiation testers minimize use of even rad-hard ICs.
Only Atomic bombs exploding in the stratosphere creates EMP's.
And the tube in this unit will saturate well before any electronic components would fail.
@@ulwur Good the EMP came from a stratosphere blast, best first strike method and I should have been more specific. Hence would not a Farady cage design protect the meter both electronics and tube from the EMP. Obviously the tube is not going to be saturated from radiation due to the distance so the only thing that will effect the meter is the EMP. A Farady cage design should not cause much if any reduction of the meter from reading gamma radiation. My comment is aimed that you need to protect your electronics (meter) from "if all crap breaks loose". Maybe wrap it in alumium foil and leave the meter in a metal box or unused microwave. Definitely not charging in a wall wart.
I recommend a Plessey PDRM82 (high rate unit not contamination) for that very reason, which is a professional unit that claims to be EMP resistant & used to be available cheaply though now rare in NEW unused condition. Or failing that, a working CDV-700 variant. Better still, a metal cased ruggedised WB Johnson GSM 115, which although not rated should withstand due to its construction. All cheap or reasonably priced if still available.
I bought it and it's very nice but has a lower detection range. Very well built and has decent detection sensitivity. It says 50 mSv but I can't test the high end. Perfect for backpacking or keeping in your car. I think it's also waterproof. Doesn't detect Alpha particles but as long as you don't eat or inhale the radiation source you are safe. Good buy but only for low level detection of radiation.
Is tube HH442 better than usual SBM20? What is your opinion?
As I noticed HH442 has metal case in glass case... Maybe it was made for better characteristic
I can't comment on comparison with SBM20 variants (have an SBM20U in my Rodnik3) but I certainly think the HH442 is more sensitive than the very common M4011 found in similar low budget GM counters, including the more expensive GQ GMC 300 AND gimmicky 500 series. Really like this for the money, especially since the beta sensitivity can be massively improved by removing the orange rubber on the right side. Fast acting electronics/software too on rise & fall to background after removing from source...excellent value.
@@ajacks1349 , 1 What would be better this device or device on mica sensor (МКС-01СА1М)?
czcams.com/video/eWT12lKeIvc/video.html
МКС-01СА1М has beta1-1 mica sensor
2 In my country HFS-10 (new. as in video) costs 2000hrn, but МКС-01 9000hrn (not new). What is better? What is your choice?
3 What will be better HFS-10 or UNI-T UT334A?
Thanks for your answers!
Nanjing Nuclear Safety Sensor Co., Ltd. They have specifications and descriptions on their website.
this is what they produce HH442
@@vla7479 Many thanks for that...but had to return mine to amazon as it stopped working completely after 1 month.
There is also a serious problem in the electronics design as the battery drains quickly even when shut off...usually within a few days to a week. Seller must have known these were defective, as others have reported the same problem. Good GM sensor though...
Apparently, the company Uni-T make an identical one (Red & black) without the battery drain issues, but only available through aliexpress, as far as I know.
@@ajacks1349 Bad experience, I sympathize.
Yes, I ordered UNI-T UT334A for myself
The sensor is commensurate, slightly behind, with the SBM20
Good review as always. Seems pretty decent and the case is a nice bonus. I'd still rather see regular batteries on a device like this as I it'd be sitting in storage most of the time.
Battery is definetly a valid concern as leaving it in storage for a long time will most likely end up in a dead battery.
@@voltlog exactly. But at least for this disconnecting the battery would help to avoid that.
When "off" mine draws 4.6μA from the battery. I figure that's about 15% of the battery self discharge rate, so it's almost negligible. Not worth adding a small power switch, but it looks like it could be done. Replacement 103450 battery is about $5 on Ali, and the battery is glued in so it doesn't rattle but it'll be a bit messy to replace. Overall I really like the unit, and it's readout correlates well with my other detectors.
@@tigercat3864 The battery in mine arrived FLAT, which is not good but at least replacements are cheap with their built battery protection chips. Perhaps that's WHY it only cost £48.99 including P&P? I think it's got to be one of the best, if not THE best for the money from the PRC though...very pleased with it.
The quoted battery depth is 10mm for the 103450...is this correct...seems a bit much?
The glued in battery is going to need a spudger & careful use of it to prevent a possible ignition...🤣
I have ordered it from the link you provided and used that code. But it works strange in banggood. The price without coupon is 66.57e (including tax). But when I add coupon, the price jumps to 77.21e, and then adds artificial discount -13.62e, so the final price is 63.59e. So the price discount is 3e. I have no idea why is banggood doing this.
Yes, they have a rule for not cumulating discounts & offers and since their products are mostly always on some kind of promotion.. One excludes the other
what is currently the least expensive, but most accurate unit for detecting gamma ? Ty
Fnirsi GC01
Can you use this as a Radon detector?
nope, I don't think so.
The 442 is a Chinese GM tube according to another CZcamsr.
How do you turn it off
Hello Voltlog,
When i click on the the Banggood link,
i got the message : "Due to policy reasons, this product does not exist"
I am living in Belgium.
Best regards,
Eddy.
Wow that's weird.. Works fine for me 🤷♂️
Same in Germany - most probably due to EPR restrictions.
@@voltlog Same error in France
Confirmed for Belgium
They confirmed via email that the item cannot be sold in France, Germany and Belgium.
It looks like UNI-T UT334A radiation detector , from outside, , about inside well can't say until my UNI-T arrive. maybe in 15 days or something like that , items from China to my country coming slow as hell.
Re. your comments:
.
"Unfortunately I still don’t have like a good radiation source to test this so apart from this ion chamber from a smoke detector, but upon testing with this, it does seem to be a bit more sensitive than the previous meter......."
.
1. A cheap holiday to Chernobyl or Belarus will fix this quickly.
2. A visit to your local market where a trader is selling produce (mushrooms or dairy products) from Chernobyl or Belarus is useful.
3. Simply wait a couple of weeks for Putin's response when Ukraine joins NATO. There will be plenty of alpha and beta particles available to test your meter.
The ion chamber from a modern smoke detector (Americium 241) doesn't make a good source because it's mainly an "alpha" particle emitter, which this device will be completely blind to.
I visit collectible/antiques shops & fairs hunting for radioactive items...it's really fun.
each NATO country has USA nuclear weapon on their territories.
@@trololoev They've been provoking Russia for a LONG time...
Loll
Why is it not suitable for professional?
1, Made in China. 2, low accuracy and poor sensitivity compared to industry standard units. 3, Slow response time for working with dangerous sources, 4 made in China. 5, cannot detect Alpha particles at all. 6, Made in China. 7, Cannot identify sources of radiation. 8. MADE IN CHINA! Basically everything about this unit is extremely sub par with units meant for the Professional working in the industry. If you are an X-ray technician then it is better to carry a radiation detecting card that gives you dosimetric information because you already know the particle type and source, you just need to measure your exposure to it. About the only thing an Xray tech, or Nuclear medicine tech would need it for it to decide the efficacy of the shielded area where techs would stand when operation X-ray machines. Even then, Nuclear medicine technicians already know the information of the sources they use and the safety needed to work around it. I know this because I educated myself on both of these fields as I was contemplating both of them as a possible career option, but eventually went into Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT).