Unleash your superpower: This gadget can detect nuclear radiation

ZDNET Key Takeaways

• Radiacode 103 is a radiation detector Available on Amazon for $325For more modest needs, go for something a little lower spec. Radiacode 102 is only $255.
• This is an amazing, versatile, and extremely accurate nuclear radiation detector.
• The iOS app has less functionality than the Android app.

I’m a big fan of using technology to gain superpowers, especially when it comes to heightened senses. Modern technology gives us amazing tools that allow us to see things that are invisible to the naked eye.

From thermal cameras to night vision devices to weird plastic sheets that react to magnetic fields, I love the ability to discover hidden aspects of the world around us. These advanced technologies open up new dimensions of perception, make the invisible visible, and change the way we interact with our environment.

Also: Are You Being Tracked? What Apple and Google’s New Privacy Features Can (or Can’t) Tell You

In an attempt to achieve superhuman abilities through technology, I recently purchased a Geiger counter. But this is not just any Geiger counter. Radiocode 103 Nuclear Radiation Detector is an ultrafast, highly sensitive scintillation detector designed to detect and measure gamma rays, x-rays and hard beta radiation in real time. This high performance tool allows you to accurately detect and analyze many different types of radiation, further enhancing your ability to discover hidden aspects of the world around you.

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Radiacode 103 Technical Specifications

• Detector: Cesium iodide doped with thallium (CsI:TI) 10 x 10 x 10 mm Crystal and solid-state photomultiplier tubes 6 x 6 mm
• Energy Resolution: 8.4% ±0.3% (FWHM) for Cs-137
• Energy Range: 0.02 – 3.0 MeV
• screen: Monochrome graphic LCD, 128 x 48 pixels, 34 x 13 mm
• battery: Lithium polymer 3.7 V, 1000 mAh, up to 200 hours of use on a single charge (charging takes approximately 2 hours)
• size: 124 x 35 x 20 mm
• Connectivity: Bluetooth and USB-C
• weight: 65 grams
• Dust and moisture proof: IP64

The Radiacode 103 is a premium portable radiation detector, dosimeter and spectrometer that uses a highly sensitive scintillation detector for highly accurate environmental radiation analysis. It is the highest spec unit currently sold by Radiacode, but the company will be releasing a version that uses a different detector (called the Radiacode 103 G) in June.

Versatile and easy to use, the Radiacode 103 can function as a standalone unit or connect to iPhone or Android devices via Bluetooth. The Android app currently offers more features than the iOS app, and Radiacode says the iOS app has recently undergone a major update and is expected to move even closer to the Android experience in the near future.

Plus, this $20 USB-C cable packs some amazing features

What can you do with the Radiacode 103? This advanced device offers four different modes to cater to a variety of radiation detection needs.

• Monitor Mode: Provides real-time dose rate and count rate measurements, similar to the familiar clicking Geiger counter. In this mode, it continuously monitors radiation levels and provides immediate feedback on environmental conditions.
• Administration Mode: Shows cumulative dose measurements and turns your device into a personal dosimeter. This mode is useful for tracking long-term radiation exposure.
• Search Mode: A graphic mode that displays the count rate in CPM (counts per minute) or CPS (counts per second). This mode is ideal for pinpointing the source of radiation.
• Spectrum Mode: Graphically displays the energy spectrum of gamma rays on a linear or logarithmic scale. This mode is used to precisely identify specific radioactive materials.

I was wandering around looking for things to test, and one of the things that really got Radiocode going was Tritium Vial In the case of glowing tags (if you want to get to the science of why they behave like this, check out this helpful Stack Exchange post ), the count got so high that it set off an alarm.

I also live in areas with different amounts of granite and, therefore, radioactive radon gas, so it’s interesting to see the changes in background radiation as I walk around different places.

Well, it’s interesting to me.

The Radiacode 103 has a spectral mode so it can be used to identify radioactive materials, which takes it far beyond the capabilities of a cheap Geiger counter and into the realm of serious scientific equipment.

ZDNET BUYING ADVICE

I admit that not everyone needs a radiation detector, and if you’re just curious, there are cheaper (but less powerful) devices available. About GMC-800 (Avoid the cheap no-name brands, most are rubbish).

But if you want true superpowers and want a high performance unit that does more than just detect radiation exposure; Radio Code 103 Well worth your consideration. This is the best pocket radiation detector I’ve ever used, and it’s packed with advanced features that go far beyond basic models. The Radiacode 103 will allow you to spot things you never noticed before, making it a valuable tool for anyone serious about radiation detection and investigating their surroundings.