A Comparative Analysis of the bGeigieNano and bGeigieZen Radiation Monitoring Devices

1. Introduction

Safecast stands as a prominent entity in the realm of citizen science, driven by a mission to empower individuals through the collection, analysis, and sharing of environmental data ¹. In its pursuit of this mission, Safecast has developed various tools, with the bGeigieNano playing a pivotal role as its earlier primary mobile radiation sensor. This device was instrumental in enabling widespread radiation mapping and surveying efforts by citizens across the globe ². Building upon this established legacy, Safecast introduced the bGeigieZen, a newer model designed to offer enhanced features and improved user-friendliness ¹. The evolution of Safecast’s device design underscores a dedication to refining user experience and integrating advancements in technology, often informed by valuable feedback from the community of users ⁴. The transition from the bGeigieNano to the bGeigieZen signifies a strategic upgrade, likely intended to address previous limitations and elevate the overall capabilities of their radiation monitoring instruments ¹. This report aims to provide a comprehensive comparison between these two devices, with a particular focus on their distinguishing characteristics and the advantages associated with utilizing the bGeigieZen.

2. Comparative Specification Analysis

To provide a clear understanding of the differences between the bGeigieNano and the bGeigieZen, a side-by-side comparison of their key technical specifications is presented in the table below:

Technical Specifications Comparison: bGeigieNano vs. bGeigieZen

The data presented in this table reveals several key distinctions between the two devices. Notably, the bGeigieZen features a significantly reduced number of components, requiring only 18 compared to the bGeigieNano’s 60 ⁴. This simplification directly translates to a substantially shorter assembly time for the Zen, estimated at around 20 minutes, contrasting sharply with the Nano’s 4 to 5 hours ⁴. This streamlined assembly process makes radiation monitoring more accessible to a wider range of users, including those who may lack extensive technical expertise ⁴.

Furthermore, the bGeigieZen incorporates a more advanced processor, the M5StackCoreS3, which offers considerably greater onboard memory with 16MB of flash and 8MB of RAM, a substantial upgrade from the bGeigieNano’s Arduino Fio with 32kb of flash and 2kb of RAM ⁴. This enhanced processing power and memory capacity likely enable more complex functionalities, a more visually rich user interface, and the potential for future software enhancements ⁴. The display on the bGeigieZen is also a significant improvement, featuring a larger and clearer 2-inch IPS LCD color touchscreen with a resolution of 320×240 pixels, compared to the bGeigieNano’s smaller monochrome 128×64 SPI OLED display ⁴. This enhanced display provides a more user-friendly experience with the ability to present more information with greater clarity and offers interactive capabilities through the touchscreen ⁴.

The bGeigieZen utilizes a newer generation Bzgnss BZ-251GPS module, whereas the bGeigieNano employs the Adafruit Ultimate GPS ⁴. Ongoing development efforts indicate a commitment to further enhancing location accuracy, with newer GPS models like the M9 series being integrated into the Zen’s firmware ⁶. This emphasis on GPS technology underscores the critical role of precise location data in radiation mapping ⁴. In terms of power, the bGeigieZen is equipped with a removable 3000 mAh 18650 LiPo battery, offering a battery life of approximately 16 hours. The bGeigieNano uses a non-removable 2000 mAh Li-Po battery with a slightly longer battery life of 20 hours ⁴. The trade-off in battery life is potentially offset by the convenience of a replaceable battery in the Zen, allowing for extended operation with readily available spares ⁴.

Connectivity options also differ significantly. The bGeigieZen features integrated Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and a USB-C port for data transfer and firmware updates, along with built-in wireless data upload capabilities. In contrast, the bGeigieNano relies on an FTDI connection for updates and offers optional wireless data uploads via BLEBee or bGeigiecast ⁴. The integrated wireless capabilities of the bGeigieZen facilitate easier data sharing, real-time monitoring, and a more streamlined process for firmware updates ⁴. Physically, the bGeigieZen is slightly larger, housed in a Pelican 1015 micro-case, while the bGeigieNano uses a Pelican 1010 ⁴. The weight of the bGeigieNano is reported as 440 grams, but the weight of the bGeigieZen is not specified in the comparison table ⁴. Finally, the user interface differs, with the bGeigieNano utilizing three switches for interaction, while the bGeigieZen features three programmable buttons and a touchscreen, providing a more modern and versatile user experience ⁴.

3. Feature-by-Feature Breakdown

The most immediate difference between the bGeigieNano and the bGeigieZen lies in the ease of assembly. The bGeigieZen’s design emphasizes simplicity, utilizing a solid-state main PCB board with most electronics pre-installed ⁴. This significantly reduces the number of components that need to be assembled, from 60 in the Nano to just 18 in the Zen ⁴. Furthermore, the Zen requires less soldering and can be assembled in approximately one hour, a stark contrast to the Nano’s assembly time of four to five hours ⁴. This focus on simplified assembly makes the bGeigieZen more approachable for individuals who may not have extensive experience with electronics, thereby broadening the accessibility of radiation monitoring ⁴.

The bGeigieZen boasts significant enhancements in its display capabilities. The larger, clearer 320×240 pixel color screen can display more detailed information, including QR codes that can link to online data via a smartphone ⁴. This improved display enhances the user’s ability to interpret data at a glance and provides a convenient way to access additional information or the Safecast online platform ⁴.

The GPS module in the bGeigieZen has been upgraded to an advanced Bzgnss BZ-251GPS, offering better performance compared to the Adafruit Ultimate GPS used in the bGeigieNano ⁴. Safecast is continuously working on integrating even more accurate GPS technology, such as the M9 series, into the Zen’s firmware ⁶. These improvements underscore the importance of precise location tracking for the fundamental purpose of radiation mapping, aiming to provide users with more reliable spatial data ⁴.

Data logging and sharing are also more streamlined with the bGeigieZen. It features significantly more onboard memory (16MB flash, 8MB RAM) compared to the bGeigieNano (32kb flash, 2kb RAM) ⁴. The Zen also offers integrated wireless connectivity via Wi-Fi and BLE, allowing for real-time data monitoring and easier uploading to the Safecast platform ⁴. Firmware updates are also simplified, utilizing a standard USB-C connection in addition to Over-The-Air (OTA) updates, Wi-Fi, and BLE, making the device easier to maintain and keep current ⁴.

Overall, the bGeigieZen is designed with enhanced user-friendliness in mind. The use of a removable 3000 mAh 18650 LiPo battery offers greater flexibility for extended use ⁴. The simpler firmware update process and the more intuitive interface, featuring three programmable buttons and a touchscreen, contribute to a more positive and efficient user experience ⁴.

4. Benefits of Using the bGeigieZen

The bGeigieZen offers several key advantages over its predecessor, the bGeigieNano. Its simplified design translates to a significantly easier and faster assembly process, making it more accessible to a broader audience ⁴. The enhanced user experience, provided by the larger, clearer color touchscreen and a more intuitive interface, allows for easier interaction with the device and better data visualization ⁴. The advanced GPS module ensures improved performance in location accuracy, crucial for reliable radiation mapping ⁴. The integrated Wi-Fi and BLE connectivity enable real-time monitoring and simplified data sharing, enhancing the device’s utility in various scenarios ⁴. Maintenance is also made easier with the user-friendly removable battery and the streamlined firmware update process via USB-C and other wireless methods ⁴.

Furthermore, the bGeigieZen’s foundation on the M5Stack platform provides more processing power and memory, paving the way for future enhancements and customizations ⁴. The inclusion of a Grove I2C connector further expands its potential by allowing users to easily integrate additional sensors for collecting other types of environmental data ¹. This modern hardware platform suggests that the bGeigieZen is designed for longevity and adaptability to evolving monitoring needs ¹. The development of the bGeigieZen is a direct result of valuable feedback from the Safecast community, highlighting a user-centric design philosophy aimed at creating a more refined and practical tool for radiation monitoring ⁴.

5. Practical Applications and Use Cases

The bGeigieNano was primarily intended for mobile mapping of radiation levels, often mounted on vehicles, but it could also be used for static readings and detecting contamination ². The bGeigieZen, with its enhanced features, is well-suited for a broader spectrum of applications ¹. It is valuable for environmental monitoring, assessing radiation levels around nuclear facilities, contaminated sites, and in the aftermath of incidents ¹¹. The device empowers communities to participate in citizen science projects, contributing valuable data to open platforms ¹. Its user-friendliness makes it an effective educational tool for teaching about radiation and environmental science in academic settings ¹¹. In emergency response scenarios, the bGeigieZen can provide first responders with crucial real-time data to aid in decision-making ¹¹. The integrated wireless capabilities also allow the Zen to function as a fixed radiation monitoring station ⁴. Researchers are utilizing the bGeigieZen in various academic projects, including mounting it on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for mapping radiation anomalies over larger areas ². Individuals interested in monitoring their local environment for personal awareness also find the bGeigieZen a useful tool ¹. Notably, the bGeigieZen is designed to be waterproof up to 3 meters when properly closed, expanding its utility to include monitoring in wet environments or even underwater, a feature not explicitly mentioned for the bGeigieNano ¹².

6. Conclusion

In summary, while both the bGeigieNano and the bGeigieZen serve as valuable tools for radiation monitoring within the Safecast ecosystem, the bGeigieZen represents a significant step forward in terms of user-friendliness, performance, and versatility. The newer model boasts a simpler assembly process, an enhanced user interface with a color touchscreen, improved GPS accuracy, greater connectivity options, and a broader range of practical applications. The bGeigieZen’s design reflects a commitment to incorporating technological advancements and addressing user feedback, resulting in a more refined and capable device. Although the bGeigieNano served as a reliable workhorse for Safecast’s mapping initiatives, the bGeigieZen offers a more modern and adaptable solution for individuals, communities, and organizations involved in radiation monitoring and contributing to the collective understanding of environmental radiation levels ¹. The evolution from the bGeigieNano to the bGeigieZen underscores Safecast’s ongoing dedication to continuous improvement and its responsiveness to the evolving needs of citizen-led environmental monitoring through technological advancements ¹.