Exploranium GR-130 Update

[Dave Derenzo <dave@uic.edu>]

So far I have received 8 replies to my message regarding the Exploranium
GR-130, some public some private.  Here is a summary of the comments
that I received:

Responses include representatives from government (U.S. and foreign),
medical, industrial, military, and power plant facilities.  Cost is
about $8000.  Six of the eight respondents endorsed the unit. 
The other two responses were not totally negative, but they did not
recommend the unit either.  Comments, in no particular order,
included:

• Rugged and reliable as judged by military and industrial users - resists mechanical shocks and moisture
• One piece design is nice
• The joystick is a little touchy
• Trial unit was "buggy"
• Trained users have no problem with the unit
• Can misidentify radionuclides in a complex radiological environment (to be expected from a 256 channel MCA)
• The crystal is small, limiting its sensitivity for environmental use, a larger crystal may be available if desired
• The unit must be sent to Canada for calibration which takes a while and requires export declarations (the US rep will provide assistance)

So, I guess the advertisement is fairly accurate.

I was also encouraged to check out the Bicron fieldSPEC.

Thanks to everyone who replied.

Dave Derenzo

Dave Derenzo, MPH  (dave@uic.edu)

Associate Director for Radiation Safety

Radiation Safety Officer

University of Illinois at Chicago

Radiation Safety Section, MC932

820 S. Wood St., Chicago, IL 60612-7314

Voice:(312)996-7429  Fax:(312)996-8776

URL: 
http://www.uic.edu/depts/envh


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