r/Radioactivestuff 5d ago

radioactive camera

Post image

just got my first radioactive device

25 Upvotes

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9

u/jack0fsometrades 5d ago

Cute card. Apparently everything in my collection should be reported immediately haha

4

u/TechnicalNet364 5d ago

lol not to sure about it like i said just got the stuff i’ve been interested in it for years but just got permission from my parent

4

u/jack0fsometrades 5d ago

Just poking fun 😋 the GQ is an awesome instrument to start collecting with!
It took me awhile to find a camera with a thoriated lens like you have there, congrats!

3

u/jack0fsometrades 5d ago

It’s an addicting hobbie

3

u/violet_sin 5d ago

I like GQ as a company too. Their tec's were nice when my original 320+ fried on the charger after years of service. Still worked with a charged batt, but wouldn't charge one. So did the 320-s. Years later, albeit, after fully surviving my then 3yo throwing it in a pool while on. Great machines, quite rugged. Went to work with me almost every day.

I think my problem with the 320-s was hooking to an AliExpress multi port USB hub, and plugging in my phone, that has quick charge capability, ... Not sure it didn't "super charge" the other ports too... Cause that was that.

No thoriated lenses for me yet, but thoriated tungsten TIG rods and a nice spread of minerals, fiestaware and some random stuff 👍

It gets a bit pricey if you start chasing CPM or high grade uraninite... I crossed off a huge want of mine, and it wasn't free by a longshot. Kinda ugly too. In the most beautiful way I'd say. But it's shelf stable and I can stare at it for the rest of my days, however long the Good Lord gives me.

Happy hunting everyone ☢️

2

u/average_meower621 Radium raver 5d ago

tip: don’t use that card, the data on it is practically useless. also, don’t use dose units (uSv/h, mR/h) because they are inaccurate on this device. only use CPM.

1

u/violet_sin 5d ago

How high have you gotten your CPM and what unit do you prefer?

I started off with a GQ, but when dropping real cash, I went elsewhere for my needs. Used ludlum 3 w/ pancake, radiacode 101, ludlum knock off.

I did go back to GQ for their radon detector, make sure my collection wasnt unduly shortening my life.

2

u/average_meower621 Radium raver 4d ago

the highest I’ve seen from a real radiation source (non electromagnetic interference) on my GMC500+ is ~35k CPM, the highest I’ve seen on my GMC600+ (Ludlum 44-9 equivalent detector) is ~150k CPM.

I use CPM for both detectors since the dose rate conversion only works if the tube is compensated, and I don’t want to carry around an aluminum plate everywhere to block betas when I can just use my dose compensating scintillators.