FNIRSI GC-01 [IMPORTANT PRODUCT UPDATE] ☢️

A comprehensive review of the popular GC-01 Geiger counter with a full teardown and some suggestions on how to upgrade this product.

Foton Gamma video (adding a resistor to create the particle sounds)

There is one errata, I didn't specify when I soldered the other end of the capacitor I added (12:17). If you pause at 9:55, the other end is connected to R33, at the side that is shown downward in this photo. Apologies for missing that and many thanks to @Tschubritza for pointing this out!

00:00 Introduction to the FNIRSI GC-01
00:48 Who's product is this anyway?
02:50 Product Features and Specifications
05:13 Testing the Device
07:44 Tear-down
11:04 Upgrading the GC-01
12:34 Re-Testing the product
13:18 Summary and Conclusions
15:26 Suggestions for the Manufacturers
16:22 Errata - what I later learned about this thing
17:37 Close-out

#geiger ,#geigercounter ,#fnirsoGC-01, #FNIRSI, #radiation ,#nuclear ,#radiationsafety ,#science ,#gammarays

[project-]

UPDATE - Don't remove the loading resistor (R38) - it isn't necessary...

[robertbauer]

I've watched a handful of your videos now, and want to thank you for the work that you put into them. In this one, you researched the company and also the white-box situation with this product. You did a thorough review and identified not only its shortcomings, but why. And as a bonus, how you worked around them. Your work is really over the top. And the post-production graphics and editing are really nice. Again, thank you.

[poponachtschnecke]

I bought this p.o.s. and I dont know why I didn't look for video reviews first. Well, after being very disappointed by my purchase, I found this video, and it's making me feel so much better. I was worried that I was doing something wrong, but now all my suspicions are confirmed, and I've gotten to laugh a bit too! Lovely video!

[BjornV]

I ordered mine in december 2022 from TomTop and paid 39, 59€ ( arround $43) after seeing the review done by IMSAI Guy.
I didn't know there were (or are) 2 types of tubes for this meter. I just checked, and mine has the J321 tube. Thanks for sharing this information. Grtz

[FireFlood]

This really helped too! Good luck with the new camera!

[luvmedearly]

This was very helpful and insightful. I saw this on Amazon and figured “what a great price”, but with all things cheap, you get what you pay for. I was wanting to know if this was worth the $70 on Amazon and thanks to you, you saved me from spending my hard earned money. I’m sure there is better out there that I’m not afraid to throw extra money into it, provided that it is a good product. Much appreciated

[pierremartin-cocher]

[Oct. 2024] I just bough mine and was indeed full of questions. After looking this video I opened it and yes, it is now "upgraded" with a shitty tube and cheap battery... thanks for the review

[atknsbk]

Congratulations on the excellent videos! After changing the GM tube the measured level (background too) flew into the sky. Fortunately, your new video about the firmware upgrade helped to fix the error. With your help, this GM counter has been a good, cheap instrument. THX!

[jantepas]

Thanks for making such a great review with insides. Great work!

[ryche.rising]

I have this FNIRSI GC-01, purchased around August/2023 and I can confirm they changed the tube for an even WORSE Version than the J631, the new one is half the size around 50mm long only.
After watching your video, I ordered a J321 and will make this mod. thank you very much for the video!
Edit: I've just found the model installed it's a J613.

[thomaslittlejohn]

Watched your video after I purchased one. Mine has the actual name on it. When I opened it it had the correct tube and no resistor. I think there may be several manufacturers using same case. But different internals. Thanks for the video.

[MrSierraBravo]

Hi, I bought my FNIRSI GC-01 ne week ago via Amazon.
I opend it up right away, and found a J321 tube in it.
The date of production on the box is 2023-07-11
I gues I was lucky 😊
I totally like your suggestions to optimise this product.
Thanks for this amaising reviev 👌🥰

[unhinged-menagerie]

I bought one. It had a cracked tube. They moved to a different tube design (one with wires and soldered leads like you mentioned in the video) that is just taped down at a weird angle so it fits inside the housing. Since mine had a cracked it worked even worse than the one you tested, as in not at all. I think you're 100% correct in your analysis.

[taycas]

I upgraded the crappy POS tube I had, to a J321, installed the RadPro software and upgraded the 1100mah battery to a 3500mah battery. *update* We are over 40hrs run time and counting now.

Ps: the clips you need to solder on for the J321 tube are heavy duty fuse clips.

[phaedrus]

I sold my Pudibei NR1050 and bought the Bosean FS5000. It came with the J321 tube. I agree that it is a well-made device. The FS5000 can be upgraded with Radpro open-source firmware (as can the Fnirsi GC-01) and is then compatible with GeigerLog v1.5 PC software for logging, data transfer and analysis.

[williamjcoates]

You are a hero!! I have been educated, more importantly i have laughed like a little girl, thank you 🙏🏻

[androidemulator]

Thank you for your video - i just started getting into Geiger Counters- bough a the cheap FNSRI GC-01 as a starter unit to explore Geiger world.

[thomasadkins]

Sincere thanks for your review and the work you did to improve the unit.

[jordanch]

My original J321 FNRISI GC-01 has a 516 SMD resistor at R38. I bought an unbranded GC-01which had a J613 tube and no resistor at R38. Replacing the 613 with a 321 did improve but still seems a bit low compared to the original. I'll try adding a 516 SMD resistor at R38 and see if it improves.

[WRND]

Awesome dedication to relevant and accurate information. Cheers.