1. Is Gamma-Scout® right for me?

Probably. We have 4 basic types of customers. First are security and safety organizations, such as police and fire departments, emergency response organizations, private security firms, hazardous material disposal and metal recycling companies, or people who are simply interested in checking a package, suitcase, vehicle, loose material, or any object they believe could be "hot".

The second type of customer is a private individual concerned about personal safety, someone looking for protection against environmental contamination (accident or terrorist attack - dirty bomb) of their home, food, water, etc.

The third type of customer is an educator or hobbyist, people who want to test various materials or demonstrate principles of radioactivity.

And finally we sell many Gamma-Scouts® to people in the medical field such as radiologists, dentists, hospitals, laboratories, and any organization that handles radioactive materials or generates radioactive emissions.

We even sell them to air cargo pilots who check their freight before every flight, "just in case".

The bottom line is that if you believe you will encounter radioactivity, (even if that possibility is remote) and you want to protect yourself against this potentially lethal pollutant, then you absolutely should own a Gamma-Scout®.

2. How useful is the Gamma-Scout® against a nuclear accident or terrorist attack?

Even though the Gamma-Scout® was originally conceived before 9/11, its features and refinements have been optimized for protection against these threats. In a likely terrorist scenario, unless you're at ground zero, your exposure will probably be at relatively low, but gradually rising levels, and may not appear in your immediate environment for several days.

The Gamma-Scout® can detect changes in ambient radiation levels with precision below 1%. Drifting radioactive material can settle on and inside your house, contaminate your food or water. With Gamma-Scout® you don't have to check radiation levels every day. The built in buffer memory allows you to download accumulated measurement data into your PC to display even minor changes in radiation levels for up to a year. And our audio alert function can be set to trigger an alert tone at any user-prgrammable radiation level.

3. How much radiation risk is there nowadays?

The average person has no idea how much radiation is all around them and how much exposure can harm or even kill them.

Nowadays, there are a variety of sources, any one of which can go undetected for years and cause illness and death. Recycled nuclear plant scrap metal, unannounced or unknown nuclear plant leaks, and nuclear waste disposal contamination are long standing risks. And of course, after 9/11, a new risk has emerged in the form of terrorist attacks, either as a dirty bomb, or nuclear plant sabotage. Here's a great article describing most of the environmental ionizing radiation risks we all face every day. Environmental Radiation Sources

In this new and unstable security environment there's even the possibility of a low-level hostile nuclear exchange. (India, Pakistan, Iran, North Koreal). Such an event could spread nuclear fallout around the world via jet stream currents. No one would be safe.

4. What are the Gamma-Scout® units of measurement?

The Gamma-Scout® Geiger Counter displays an exposure rate rate in µSv/h. The µSv (microSievert) is an internationally accepted unit for tissue dosage. Much of contemporary literature on the subject refers to the REM (Roentgen Equivalent Man). REM's are converted to Sieverts at the following ratios:

1 rem = 0.01 Sv = 10 mSv = 10,000 µSv
1 mrem = 0.001 rem = 10 uSv

When you see µSv on our display, just move the decimal point one place to the left and you have mrem's. It's just that simple.

5. How do I know when I'm in danger?

It's easy to tell if you have a problem. Ambient radiation levels worldwide are about 0.05 uSv/hr - 0.12 uSv/hr. In the case of a dirty bomb, for example, variations in exposure levels depend on a variety of factors including atmospheric conditions and exact geographical location. Any substantial reading above ambient (10 times, for example) indicates a problem. However, the severity of the problem is a function of radiation level (intensity) and accumulated exposure over time.

With Gamma-Scout® , we've tried to make it easy, giving you exactly the information you need to assess your individual risk. Each Gamma-Scout® digital LCD display indicates the current radiation level in 3 ways: as a tissue dosage number in uSv/hr, as tissue dosage in analog bar chart format, and tissue dosage expressed as a maximum allowable exposure time. The time exposure figure is extremely helpful to quickly determine your personal exposure risk. This scale appears directly above the bar chart with limit points at 1 year and 1 month. A quick look at the bar chart instantly tells you your maximum allowable exposure time at the corresponding radiation level. It's simple, easy, fast, and accurate.

In addition, there is an audible alert function built into each Gamma-Scout®. This is a tone which sounds at a user-programmable radiation level. There is also a cascade of beeps/clicks as the radiation level rises. You are not only alerted that radiation is present, but also whether it is rising in intensity. The default setting for the alarm is 50 uSv/hr, not immediately deadly, but definitely a dangerous level. Many users set the alert level at a minimum 1.00 uSv/hr, so they have an early warning for any significant change above ambient levels.

6. I travel a lot. Should I carry the Gamma-Scout® with me?

There's no telling where or when you will be exposed to high or extreme radiation levels. Even seasoned travelers are shocked to see how much extra radiation they're receiving on even a routine transatlantic flight, often 3-5 times the amount at ground level. Also, travel to high-risk areas can present special problems. We have many customers traveling to Europe who always pack their Gamma-Scout® . The Ukraine and Belarus in particular are highly contaminated. The Baltics, Poland and parts of Scandinavia also have unusually high environmental radiation levels, the result of residual Chernobyl fallout and Soviet era uranium mining waste. But wherever you're going, better safe than sorry - carry a Gamma-Scout®.

7. Can the Gamma-Scout® detect radon gas?

The Gamma-Scout® can detect radon gas (alpha particles) although for best results we recommend you filter the air for several days and measure the particulate residue. Since radon gas is highly diffuse and emits an extremely low level of radiation, concentrating the particulate is the best way to quickly determine if there's a problem. If you are very concerned about radon we recommend also using a canister. This will measure over a longer period of time and will offer confirmation of any abnormal readings.

8. How long is the Gamma-Scout® warranty?

The Gamma-Scout® warranty is 10 years for the battery and 1 year for everything else. If at any time, during the first 10 years of use, your Gamma-Scout® loses power, we will gladly replace the battery at no charge. (Of course, malfunction due to damage or abuse cannot be covered.) But that's not all. Eventually your battery will run down, and when it does, we will replace it for a small nominal charge plus return shipping/handling.

9. What if I'm not happy with the Gamma-Scout®?

If during the first 90 days you are unhappy with the Gamma-Scout® for any reason, simply return it to us and we will gladly refund your money.

10. What if the battery runs down?

The battery and the associated patented power circuit were designed to last for 12 years (we guarantee 10). If your Gamma-Scou® battery powers down for any reason during this time we will replace it at no charge. Just return the unit and it will be returned in about a week. Although opening the Gamma-Scout® yourself will void the warranty, in an emergency, if you must replace the battery it can be accomplished using a standard lithium chloride battery at approx. 3.5vdc.

11. How durable is the Gamma-Scout®?

Very. The Gamma-Scout® was developed to wireless handheld device shock standard. Its Novodur® housing has a 30% thicker wall dimension than conventional designs. The housing will not crack, peel, split or shatter even under extreme temperatures or loads.

12. How sensitive is the Gamma-Scout®?

The Gamma-Scout® will measure from below ambient radiation level to more than 400 uSv/hr, or 40 mrems/hr. Gamma-Scout® measures changes to radiation levels that would go virtually undetected with older Civil Defense type counters and with an accuracy that is unmatched by cheap "radar detector" type gamma alarms.

13. How far away from a radiation source can I measure with the Gamma-Scout®?

This is dependent upon the type and intensity of the source and the barrier (shielding) between the source and the Gamma-Scout® . A discrete object emitting a strong radioactive emission could be detected at up to 10 meters. Also, we have found that changes to ambient levels are easily detectable irrespective of distance, for example, on a transcontinental plane trip

14. Can I take my Gamma-Scout® on an airplane?

You are free to take your Gamma-Scout® on an airplane. It passes FCC Sec 15 standards and will not emit radio interference. The x-ray machine will not damage the Gamma-Scout® .

15. Can I use the Gamma-Scout® under water?

No sorry, the Gamma-Scout® will not function under water, just like a cell phone, the circuit will short out.

16. Does the Gamma-Scout® need calibration?

Each Gamma-Scout® undergoes a rigorous factory inspection and calibration protocol. We use a highly stable G-M tube so it is unlikely your Gamma-Scout® will require calibration during the first 5 years of service. After that, should you desire a factory calibration and test, just return the unit and we will be happy to check and recalibrate your unit for a modest processing charge.

17. How does a Geiger counter work?

A "Geiger counter" is named for the Geiger-Mueller tube, which is the core component of the device. This tube contains a thin metal wire through its center, the space in between sealed and filled with gas. The wire carries a charge of ca. +1000 volts relative to the tube.

An nuclear particle (ion or electron) penetrating the tube (or an electron knocked out of the wall by X-rays or gamma rays) tears electrons off atoms in the gas, and because of the high positive voltage of the central wire, those electrons are then attracted to it. In the process they gain energy, colliding with atoms and releasing more electrons, until the process cascades into a "waterfall" producing an easily detectable pulse of current.

The instrument is called a "counter" because every particle passing through it produces an identical pulse, allowing particles to be counted electronically.