The CDV-717 was designed for use in fallout monitoring stations. The CDV-717 has the exact same operating characteristics as the CDV-715 but with an added feature. The "717" has a removable bottom with a 25 ft extension cable. The detector element (in-chamber) is mounted inside the removable bottom. This design allows for the placement of the detector element outside of the shelter area while the metering section of the metering unit would remain inside of the shelter area connected to the detector with the 25 ft cable. A yellow bag is to protect the case bottom from the weather when it is placed outside the shelter area.

The CDV-717 operates on a single D-cell battery.

The analog screen has a range of 0-5 Roentgen/hr (r/hr is multiplied by the appropriate range scale as selected with range switch)

Selector Switch Settings: Circuit check, off, Zero (calibrate), R x 100, R x 10, R x 1, R x 0.1

Unaffected by EMP (electro magnetic pulse), a phenmenon created by an atomic detonation which renders most electrical systems inoperative.