Two small neutron monitors were built in 2002 to inter-calibrate the approximately 40 stationary neutron monitors around the world, in order to study the modulation of cosmic rays derived from the resulting differential response functions. Due to electronic development during the past decade, the electronics heads were redesigned in 2011. When cheaper and more efficient counter tubes became available, the vision broadened to the concept of a mini neutron monitor, i.e. a permanent detector in

more »

... own right. Such instruments can attain count rates that approach those of standard neutron monitors if they are placed at mountain locations of > 3 000 m. Currently, three such high-altitude mini neutron monitor are operational. Another one operates at sea level, and one is used on the research vessel Polarstern to measure the instrument's latitude response, from which its rigidity response can be calculated. Measurements with these instruments are reported elsewhere in this conference. This contribution describes the newest versions of the mini neutron monitors, i.e., the various counter tubes that are available commercially, development of the electronics, and it proposes that a more efficient second-generation network of neutron monitors can be deployed at high-altitude locations in existing buildings, using only existing infrastructure.