Victoreen Model 645 "Scintillac" Counter (ca. 1960)

Victoreen Model 645 "Scintillac" Counter (ca. 1960)

An early Victoreen brochure describes theModel 645 “Scintillac” as follows: "This efficient, portable scintillation counter detects and measures alpha, beta or gamma radiation using probes which are detachable and interchangeable. Probes are selected according to the kind of radiation to be detected." The example shown here has a NaI probe (1200 volt) for gamma radiation. Apparently one of two NaI probes could be used, the Model 587B and 587J. The former employed a 1" x 1" crystal while the latter had a 1 1/4" x 1 1/2" crystal. This example would appear to be the 587J. Later on, the Model 587B was replaced by the Model 489-50 while the 587J was superseded by the 489-55. This example might have been slightly modified since it does not employ a BNC connector, something the Scintillac was supposed to come with.

The case, made of laminated plastic (fiberglass), has a green hammertone finish.

Victoreen Model 645 "Scintillac" Counter (ca. 1960)

The earliest reference that I have found to the "Scintillac" is a 1959 brochure.

Detector: NaI detector(beta and alpha scintillators also available)

Range: 0-500, 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, 50,000 and 100,000 counts per minute

Size: 9.5” x 4.5” x 4” not including handle/probe

Weight: 7 pounds

Batteries: One 1.3 volt (RM-4), and one 4.5 volt (Eveready 736)

Controls: Range switch and time constant switch (0.5, 1, 3 and 10 us)

References

  • Victoreen Portable Radiation Survey Meters brochure, Form 3044B, no date.
  • Victoreen Nuclear Instrumentation Catalog, Bulletin C, 1959.