since many do not have ion chamber dosimeters or geigers-

and cost being important...

It is made in the usa-how about this:
[link to www.nukalert.com]



* Tested & Verified by Naval Air Warfare Center
* Always "ON" 24/7, Includes long-life 10+ year battery
* Detection Range: 100 mR/hr to 5,000 R/hr,
* Metering: 100 mR/hr to 50 R/hr, in 10 calibrated ranges
* Proportional Increasing Chirp Rate: 50 R/hr to 5,000 R/hr
* Gamma and X-rays from 20 keV to above 2 MeV
* Sensitivity incl. higher emergency radiation levels
* Alarm "chirp" corresponds to chart on back of device
* Introduced before Health Physics Society - 1/03
* Performance verified by Nat'l Radiological Laboratory
* Each unit individually radiation accuracy tested
* Patented technology
* 10 Year Warranty
* Made in the U.S.A.