What's This?
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 6, 2025
I ordered this....ahem.... geiger counter from the Amazon brand AEGTEST. Something about it spoke to me, perhaps it was my formative years growing up drinking UHT milk, rushed to market in my town, thanks to the rain that fell and contaminated the ground in the aftermath of Chernobyl.All I remember was that the USSR government had pretended that there wasn't a leak, and the Scandanavians radiation meters set off alarms as they picked up the radiation cloud going over.Whoever would have thought we could buy a geiger counter of Amazon on the future. And since it exists - I had to have one. Cos you never know when a similar scenario may happen again.The device is fairly rudimentary, used not just for doomsday scenarios but various more mundane tasks such as testing for radon in homes, checking rubbish, not least medical supplies for poorly disposed of items, and going round the house on a mission eyeing the microwave and smoke alarm with great suspicion.We're very much learning on-the-go with this as I have no knowledge or experience of this item. However, we've turned it into a science experiment, first finding out what geiger counters and dosimeters do, and learning all about nuclear power and fission outside school. There are detailed instructions, which is just as well.If the child is lucky they may have a day trip to Sizewell B Visitor Centre on the horizon - and we can bring our own geiger counter. Don't say I don't show these kids a fun time.Five stars
Mark Morell
Reviewed in Canada on May 4, 2025
I originally got this item just because it seemed like a fun thing to measure radiation from various items around the house. Given the state of the world these days I guess you never know if having something like this on-hand will serve well as far as preparedness. I certainly hope it never comes to that...This device is really interesting to use! It comes in a hard-shell case along with a charging cable, carrying cable as well as a user manual and the device itself. Mine came fully charged and so I was able to turn it on immediately and take some readings from around the house including from my cell phone and the microwave. It's light-weight and fits nicely in-hand which makes it very porable and easy to use.There are only 3 buttons on the device that allow you to scroll through results and get to the settings menu (as well as turn it on and off). I'm not an expert at interpretting the results but you can have current readings and averages over time. It all seems very useful. Settings allow you to set alarms, units of measure, etc and they're equally simple to configure.Overall I didn't know what to expet from something like this but I'm quite impressed with the information this small device provides. I have no way to compare its accuracy to other devices of this type but I can say that this one works well and is super-easy to use. Highly recommended if you're looking for something like this!
James VanderVeer
Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2025
I decided to pick this up so I could go monitor the levels coming from my UG cabinet. Pretty neat to see it work, but the instructions aren't the most clear. Never the less, its sturdy, easy to read, and I would say a very good value for the price.
Rory
Reviewed in Canada on May 11, 2025
THIS IS A DOSE METER. I write that in full capitals because it makes this device so much more useful!I work in the industrial construction industry, mostly within older constructions. As such there are often testers and a lot of unknown hazards within my workplaces. Having this thing on my person periodically fills me with so much confidence. My first day using it I actually found a piece of hazardous waste in a normal garbage bin, saving from a potentially dangerous scenario or costly fine to my employers. The biggest feature of this to me though is that it's a dose metre. I work 12hr shifts, so I can throw it in a pocket and forget about it all day whilst it pays attention to not only the radiation I am receiving at any particular moment, but my total radiation for the day!The interface is nice and easy to use with a simple user manual providing more than enough information. Literally my only disappointment is that it doesn't work for gamma radiation. That being said if you are working around gamma radiation you will likely be required to wear an industry standard dosage metre anyway.I can very willingly recommend this product seeing as it has not only actively protected me once already, it did so without me having to spend hours researching and setting up a complicated and costly device. Just bare in mind it does't work for gamma radiation!
Jesse
Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2025
Wow. I got this geiger counter for free, but it's well worth the $46 it's going for right now. Frankly, it seems like a much higher value.Full disclosure: I have no reason to own a geiger counter. I am an engineer but not that kind. This DOES scratch several itches for me though. I love: science gadgets/test equipment, highly portable said gadgets, gadgets that come in kaizen cases that are just the right size, quality accessories, the list goes on.The device feels substantial in the hand, not cheap. The buttons are firm tactile switches, not membrane, which is a huge plus. The button travel is a little deep, but I don't mind since you know for sure when it clicks. It has USB-C and the C-port on my suped up GaN power supply recognizes it, which is rare for a lot of C devices I get from amazon. I usually have to switch to the USB-A port if the device comes with an A-to-C charging cord. Oh, speaking of, the charging cord that comes with this is premium! It's a nice, thick, braided one.The menu has many more options than I would have predicted. It's not overwhelming at all though. They stuck with all the useful stuff like volume, chirp toggle, scheduling, history, brightness, etc. Again, I can't say enough good things about my first experience.That said, I have no clue how accurate this thing is. I did see a slight drop from 7uR/h to 4uR/h when I walked down to my basement which is almost completely below ground. However, it went back up to 7 after a short time. Houses aren't great radiation barriers, though mine was built in the early cold war era, you'd think they'd at LEAST have lead lined the subfloor. Sheesh!Anyway, I also tried touching it to a couple smoke detectors, but the shielding inside them must be too good. I didn't even get a blip. I would take one apart and update my review, but I just showed my kids a documentary on the demon core. Sooooo, I don't want to. I mean, it's only a little americium, but I've had a whole bunch of x-rays and sunburns over the years. I also like to press my face up against the microwave to watch my food heat up. I don't need more exposure.Note: the screen in my pictures is not damaged. I picked at the corners of the protector and smushed it back. It wasn't time to peel yet. I'll feel it when I'm ready for the commitment.
Review Writer
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 3, 2025
I bought this because I occasionally visit older industrial sites for work, and while there’s rarely any immediate concern, I wanted something that could give me a quick and clear reading just in case. I didn’t need anything overly scientific or complicated, just a trustworthy way to monitor background levels and spot anything unusual.First impressions were good. It’s compact enough to carry without it feeling like a burden, and the green casing is surprisingly decent looking in person. The screen is clear and the backlight is bright enough to see well even in dim areas. It starts up quickly, and the interface, while a bit dated in feel, is simple enough to get used to after a couple of goes. I didn’t have to dig too deeply into the manual, which is always a plus.In terms of accuracy, I can’t speak to the scientific calibration, but it gives consistent readings and reacts to known sources as expected. I tested it near an old luminous dial watch and also near a hospital disposal site from a safe distance, and the readings made sense in both cases. It measures in CPM and also shows μSv/h, which is handy depending on what reference you’re more familiar with. The unit has audible clicks, which can be toggled off, though I quite like having the real-time feedback when walking around a site.One thing that could be improved is the battery indicator. It drops fairly quickly from full to medium, which leaves me unsure how much juice I’ve actually got left. Rechargeable is a big plus, but I’d recommend keeping a power bank handy on longer trips just in case. Also, the build quality is mostly plastic, so I wouldn’t trust it to survive too many knocks or drops. A case or pouch would have been a sensible addition but wasn't included.Overall, for a consumer-grade detector at this price, it’s a solid choice. It offers reassurance without being overcomplicated and has become a regular part of my work bag. Not perfect, but does the job well enough for light to moderate use.
Mr. C. West
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 21, 2025
Call me weird, but I've wanted a Geiger counter for quite a while and thanks to this one from AEG test, I now have one. It's a great way to get started with understanding how one works and how to use it. The device itself is very simple to operate with simple controls, a clear and bright colour LCD display which provides all the important information you need in an easy to read layout. When you first turn on the device it defaults to the Measure screen which immediately gives you a reading of detected radiation in real time and the dose rate per hour and for the total time of the measurement period. You can also enter the menu screen which provides additional features such as setting up a timed measurement, view past recorded measurement results, and change settings such as sounds, volumes, calibrating the device, display brightness and auto-sleep times.The device itself is small and light making it easy to carry and includes a wrist strap for retention. though I'd have also liked for a clip to be included for attaching to clothing/belt to allow it to be used for measuring hands-free. The build quality is good, it feels solid and has nice rubberised grips on either side that make it comfortable and secure to hold.It comes very nicely packaged in a hard shell case with foam inserts to keep the device and included charging cable protected, though it's perhaps a bit oversized for the device. I appreciate the effort of including it but a protective pouch or smaller case would be more practical for transport and storage.The included instructions are printed in multiple languages and are cleanly laid out, well-written and explain most of the functions and features of the device well.If you need a simple device for quick measurements of Beta, Gamma and X-rays or, like me, simply want to try one out and gain a better understanding of its practical uses, this AEG test one offers decent functionality and good value.
Aunt Broccoli
Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2025
The first thing you'll notice about this Geiger counter is the case it comes in. I wish more companies would do this! The case is compact with a hard shell, easy handle, and flip latches. Inside, the Geiger counter lays snugly inside a foam cutout. This is your average foam. I don't know the name, but if you were to drop the case, there is no doubt in my mind that the equipment would be safe. Your USB-C charging cord also rests in its own cutout, which is nice.Your multilingual user manual also fits easily inside the case, and the inside of the lid is also padded, but in a different type of foam (the type you normally see with electronic equipment). Sorry to go on so long about foam, but I take care and storage seriously. I like things to be safe. lolThe counter itself is made well and fits comfortably in your hand. The LCD screen is easy to read. I found that programming to different modes isn't intuitive (IMO). I do like the alarm feature. In my testing, I found this pretty accurate, though I only tested it around my home. I also like that you are able to keep a record of your readings in the event you believe radiation levels may be changing. I also like the long battery life.
Dave W
Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2025
Disclaimer: I received this review item for free from the Amazon Vine program. No other compensation was provided.As a father of a child with autism and a predilection for scientific equipment, I'm always looking for tools to enhance his curiosity and knowledge base. So I picked up this Geiger counter so we could explore nuclear sciences together. I have to say, I'm very impressed so far.The box was more than just a generic Chinese shipping box and came with a very sturdy plastic case to protect the counter inside. The manual and charging cable fit nicely inside and the foam fully protects everything. The USB-C charging is very nice as I don't want to have to hunt for fresh batteries when we want to use it.In use, the screen is VERY bright and detailed. It's quite a bit nicer than a generic dot matrix or liquid crystal screen. It features full color and easy to read numbering. The beep is loud enough to hear over ear plugs if you're using it on a job site, but not so loud you need to dial it down without ear protection.We tested it on the granite (granite is known to have trace radioactive elements in it) in our kitchen and were surprised to find a number of readings pop up across the countertop. I cannot test or verify its accuracy or precision; however, I do believe it to be functioning as intended as we did find readings (it didn't stay 0.00 during use and it didn't beep on non-radioactive items like rubber or cotton).I have no suggestions for improvement. Perhaps a calibration certificate would be nice to include? Other than that, I can recommend this product for basic service.