What is the popular radiation detector here?

Bolster · 08-19-2011, 22:24

If you have one, what brand, and where did you get it?
What does it detect...gamma radiation or other?
Anything functional/reliable under $100?
What about the milsurp units?

LongGun1 · 08-19-2011, 23:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bolster

If you have one, what brand, and where did you get it?
What does it detect...gamma radiation or other?
Anything functional/reliable under $100?
What about the milsurp units?

Several keyfob (gamma) NukAlert.... http://www.ki4u.com/

I posted a review here...

http://www.swampratknifeworks.com/cg...;f=11;t=001716

A (Alpha/Beta/Gamma) Gamma Scout http://www.gammascout.com/

Lots of repaired, tested & (very important) calibrated CDV series Survey Meters & Geiger Counters.... http://www.ki4u.com/

Models represented......CD V-700, CD V-715, CD V-717 REMOTE

, CD V-720, CD V-742/750 & 1 each AN/PDR-27T

More info about specific models here....http://www.civildefensemuseum.com/cd...y/radkits.html

Bolster · 08-20-2011, 00:13

Righteous. Thank you for the links.

DoctaGlockta · 08-20-2011, 08:10

CDV 715 here.

1 old 0311 · 08-20-2011, 13:43

Maybe it's just me but that is pretty far down my SHTF get list.

LongGun1 · 08-20-2011, 14:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1 old 0311

Maybe it's just me but that is pretty far down my SHTF get list.

It is just you....carry on!

**kirgi08** · 08-20-2011, 16:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1 old 0311

Maybe it's just me but that is pretty far down my SHTF get list.

That would depend on ones locale and prevailing winds.'08.

TangoFoxtrot · 08-21-2011, 04:57

Q; What is the popular radiation detector here? .....When everything starts glowing in the dark........

Just kidding!...I have a CD V-720.

Bolster · 08-21-2011, 11:39

Can you tell me how much you spent on your CD detectors? Where to buy?

They are of so little value to most people, being a cold-war relic, you'd expect you could find them somewhere for not much money.

TangoFoxtrot · 08-21-2011, 15:13

Mine was given to me LNIB. I have no idea of what its worth or where to buy it. sorry.

jdavionic · 08-21-2011, 16:24

I purchased a CDV-715 not too long ago. I got it around $60 (IIRC) from ebay.

DoctaGlockta · 08-21-2011, 17:32

$35 for my CDV-715. Ebay.

LongGun1 · 08-21-2011, 17:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdavionic

I purchased a CDV-715 not too long ago. I got it around $60 (IIRC) from ebay.

You may know this..or not.....

..but even if a CDV unit appears to be working properly..

..unless it is in its calibration cycle (recently calibrated)..

..and properly stored..

..the unit cannot be trusted for accurate readings!

Even if the unit is LNIB....recent calibration is essential!

http://www.radmeters4u.com/calibrate.htm

Some units that appear to be functional & in good cosmetic shape..

..cannot even be calibrated without repair.

40 & 50 year old electronics may be in desperate need of some TLC!

Here is a sample of a calibration certification on a CDV-715 Survey Meter

In short....Radiation Sickness can be very debilitating..

..& lead to a most unpleasant death!

And if you are having to rely on a CD Meter to survive..

..would not expect to have modern medical care & treatment available!

jdavionic · 08-21-2011, 18:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by LongGun1

You may know this..or not.....

..but even if a CDV unit appears to be working properly..

..unless it is in its calibration cycle (recently calibrated)..

..and properly stored..

..the unit cannot be trusted for accurate readings!

Even if the unit is LNIB....recent calibration is essential!

http://www.radmeters4u.com/calibrate.htm

Some units that appear to be functional & in good cosmetic shape..

..cannot even be calibrated without repair.

40 & 50 year old electronics may be in desperate need of some TLC!

Here is a sample of a calibration certification on a CDV-715 Survey Meter

In short....Radiation Sickness can be very debilitating..

..& lead to a most unpleasant death!

And if you are having to rely on a CD Meter to survive..

..would not expect to have modern medical care & treatment available!

Yep, I was aware but it's a good reminder & good info for others.

In addition, I don't believe the CDV-715 is the be all, and all for detection. I haven't made the purchase yet, but I also want to get a CDV-700 to go with it. Once I get it, I'll be sending both out for cal.

LongGun1 · 08-21-2011, 18:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdavionic

Yep, I was aware but it's a good reminder & good info for others.

In addition, I don't believe the CDV-715 is the be all, and all for detection. I haven't made the purchase yet, but I also want to get a CDV-700 to go with it. Once I get it, I'll be sending both out for cal.

Cool!

And the CDV-715 is a high range Survey Meter...

..need a low range Geiger Counter & Dosimeters also.

Personally, I would add one or more CDV-717 meters for their remote capability!

Nice to have each side of the shelter monitored with a CDV-717 remote head..

..roof as well!

If I am reading high range levels of Gamma..

..I want to be doing it from BEHIND my shielding!

YMMV

Von Hayes · 08-23-2011, 06:37

Just out of curiousity, have any of you guys noticed anything since the Japan situation?

More specifically, many are saying that there will be higher concentrations in rain.

And have you ever measured before this scenario started so that you have a baseline?

Tks.

gosnmic · 08-26-2011, 14:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Von Hayes

Just out of curiousity, have any of you guys noticed anything since the Japan situation?

More specifically, many are saying that there will be higher concentrations in rain.

And have you ever measured before this scenario started so that you have a baseline?

This is one user-populated site (home monitoring devices) http://www.radiationnetwork.com/ and things haven't really jumped out that I've seen. There has been some statistically significant increase according to my memory of one EPA report -- they do nation-wide monitoring of various types (airborne, water, ...)

NukAlert is great - I took LG1's advice and got one years back when ki4u still sold directly to consumers. HOWEVER, the levels of radiation even up close in to the Japan reactor were rarely even up to the levels which NukAlert would detect (according to most of the numbers I could find in the press - search my previous posts). As such, I decided to pick up one of these lower level detectors, the K8 http://k8community.com/index.html which should help cover the other end of the spectrum in realtime. If the K8 chirps the response is "Oh, hey, I wonder what that could be" whereas if the NukAlert starts chirping the response should be GTFO (or "Get The Heck Out" as they say)

Everything has trade-offs though - the K8 has a limited battery life and allows user-replacement. The NukAlert is hardened and sealed to withstand much tougher conditions and lasts aprox. 10 years (BUT I noticed they have started a program where you could send your unit back for a battery & case replacement so you wouldn't have to throw it away after 10 years, you could update it for a lower cost).

Whatever you do, don't ask us how much we paid for ours, because it'll likely be substantially cheaper than what they're charging now-a-days

1 old 0311 · 08-26-2011, 16:16

I don't know/worry/care about these but I did see them at the Indy 1500 gun show today. They looked to be the same as in post #13 and were priced from $60-$90

wjv · 08-26-2011, 16:20

I just plan on throwing in-laws outside one at a time and seeing how long they survive.

Seriously though, a nuke detector is fine IF you also have a way to protect yourself from the radiation. Where I live there is no such thing as homes with basements.

In the winter the ground is like a sponge from all the water. In the summer it's hard as concrete. I could have every radiation on planet earth going off, and there really isn't one thing I could do to create a protected area in or around the house.

LongGun1 · 08-26-2011, 19:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by wjv

I just plan on throwing in-laws outside one at a time and seeing how long they survive.

Seriously though, a nuke detector is fine IF you also have a way to protect yourself from the radiation. Where I live there is no such thing as homes with basements.

In the winter the ground is like a sponge from all the water. In the summer it's hard as concrete. I could have every radiation on planet earth going off, and there really isn't one thing I could do to create a protected area in or around the house.

Actually....depending on lead time, location, house design & how much effort you want to put in this...

..you can prep with elbow grease, a quick use of materials at hand & ingenuity.

Basically....get enough radiation defeating mass between you & the problem....quickly!

For example....a quickly constructed redoubt (inner fort)..

.. near or in the center of your home using cases of ammo, canned goods & water as the inside wall..

..big enough for you, family & pets..

.. with an outer wall of sandbags filled with earth/sand..(more layers the better)

..plywood & support timbers with a layer of filled sandbags for a roof.

Other than quick trips outside this protective "redoubt" for potty breaks etc..

..it will be your living/sleeping area for the duration..

..that duration depending on type of emitter & levels of radiation!

The same materials that provide you & family with HVL Protection..

..can also provide ballistic protection if needed later on!

YMMV

Quote:

Originally Posted by gosnmic

NukAlert is great - I took LG1's advice and got one years back when ki4u still sold directly to consumers. HOWEVER, the levels of radiation even up close in to the Japan reactor were rarely even up to the levels which NukAlert would detect (according to most of the numbers I could find in the press - search my previous posts).

Cool!

BTW...for those that do not know the details..

..the lowest level the NukAlert will chirp is 100 mr/h (0.1 rad)...

..which is 41.6 days until a 100 rad exposure.

10 levels of alarm....to let you know just how serious your situation is..

I have 3....one of which I keep clipped to a retractable lanyard on the lampshade by the bed.

Like a tiny heartbeat....the faint clicking (sampling) is very reassuring!

No falsings in this application..

..& nice to know I will be alerted if radiation levels were to suddenly increase while asleep!

Another is my EDC...with me to, from or at work..

..& the last is normally in my motorcycle gear.

No falsings with those applications either.