I'm always on the lookout for additional environmental sensors I can to my HA, and I've got all the usual suspects like PM, CO2, etc - but let's face it, while those may be infinitely more practical, none are remotely as cool sounding as a Geiger counter. ;) Setup was trivial if you're familiar with esphome, although if you're not then you'll probably want to wait until the maker has better docs (he's working on them now, I'm just one of the first buyers). I opted to just copy the yaml from the github and flash it myself, although it comes pre-flashed - basically it was up and reporting in just a couple minutes. In practice you only get a couple of values, and probably only one that's relevant, that being Ionizing Radiation Power. It also does report temperature and humidity, but the case isn't really setup for those to be that useful, so I wouldn't use them beyond monitoring the state of the device. I've only been running it for a couple days, so haven't really gotten a sense of how much uSv/Hour varies over time (like outdoor air quality does), but I did add it to one of my automations for fun. I control when the ERV's turn on/off with the house, and right now they won't trigger if it's too humid outside, or too windy (dust), and now also when it's too radioactive - so when the apocalypses comes, I'll be able to maintain my indoor air quality standards. ;)

I got the fully assembled and pre-configured "kit" for a little "science project", just configured/added the Zero's WIFI setup to the boot partition and started the "Geiger" server up -- worked right away. Easy to use great looking web front end! Love it! -- Beside a minor issue / question to be figured out -- see below.

Regarding the "buzz", at startup I noticed it barely (new version better ???) -- later pretty much silence. I also 3D printed the recommended case for HV protection very advisable I'd say ;)

What I did, may be helpful for Pi Zero Newbies ;)

created this file in boot:

/boot/wpa_supplicant.conf

with the WifI configuration -- no monitor needed to be hooked up at all!
-------------
country=US
ctrl_interface=DIR=/var/run/wpa_supplicant GROUP=netdev
update_config=1

network={
scan_ssid=1
ssid="YourWiFiSSID"
psk="YourPasswordInClearHere"
}
---------------

Then I can ssh as pi into the tiny box via "ssh pi@raspberrypi.home" from a linux machine for example with the default raspberry password.


And then I also added a script and a cron tab entry to make the server autostart at boot time without further interactions.
cat ~/start-gi.sh
-----------
#!/bin/sh
cd /home/pi/pi-zero-geiger-counter/pi-software
./pyGIserver.py &
-----------

then as pi user call "crontab -e"

and add at then end of the file:
@reboot /home/pi/start-gi.sh

To verify the pyGIserver running after a restart -- or just open a web browser and see if it's up http://raspberrypi.home:8080.

pi@raspberrypi:/boot $ps aux | grep GI
pi 906 2.7 5.2 103384 23456 pts/0 Sl 02:21 1:21 python ./pyGIserver.py


PS: May be some one has an idea, I had troubles with some USB battery packs I wanted to use operating it from, while it works fine on my computer's USB ports and phone charger providing USB power. The Pi0 started always up just fine. But I eventually got I2C IO Errors when attempting to start the pyGIserver.py when on on a USB batterypack??? Any ideas, fully charged packs, even a quite large ones -- no luck :( Any clue?

Here is the scenario I found with all my battery packs:

2019-12-21 01:36:02,807 INFO pyGI.geigercounter: Starting geigercounter
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "./pyGIserver.py", line 25, in <module>
geiger = geigercounter.Geigercounter(total=last_total, total_dtc=last_total_dtc)
File "/home/pi/pi-zero-geiger-counter/pi-software/pyGI/geigercounter.py", line 58, in __init__
self.reset()
File "/home/pi/pi-zero-geiger-counter/pi-software/pyGI/geigercounter.py", line 65, in reset
bus.write_byte(i2c_addr, 0x00)
IOError: [Errno 121] Remote I/O error

I bought one of these for an art project and was able to integrate it into my project with a bit of digging through the source files.

I purchased this geiger counter over the others as I was more interested in the local web server interface.

Its very nice and easily accessible from the local network.

Unlike the first review. I too would have oriented the pi this way (upside down) as it makes for a nicer cleaner look. And gives better access to the ports.

Although when I put my ear close I can hear a buzz, I have this on my window sill in my lounge room and cannot hear it from more than around 30cm away so no problems there.


Notes for future DIY'ers:

1: Make sure you install the Raspberry Pi Zero header UPSIDE DOWN. So DONT purchase a Pi zero with the header already soldered as its on the wrong side.

2: The whole thing can be powered by the raspberry pi power port rather than the barrel plug. Which is what I did as it was much easier.

3: I designed a case for this kit which can be freely printed from thingiverse. https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3811286


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