DUI awareness and the dire consequences of driving while intoxicated have lead to a recent surge in purchases of breath alcohol testers, better known as breathalyzers. Here are five things you need to know to make an informed decision when purchasing a breathalyzer:
The Workings of a Breathalyzer and the Legal Limit
Alcohol is absorbed through your stomach into your blood stream. The blood then passes through your lungs. Some alcohol evaporates in your lungs and shows up in your breath as you exhale. When you blow into a breathalyzer your breath passes over a sensor that interprets the level of alcohol and a formula is applied to extrapolate the blood alcohol content (BAC).
In all 50 states, you are considered legally intoxicated at .08 BAC. However, it's important to note that many people become impaired at .04 BAC or lower (often when you have that "buzzed" feeling) and you can be cited for "Driving While Impaired". Also, you could put yourself or others at risk even at the lower BAC levels.
Types of Sensors
The sensor is the component inside a breathalyzer that reads and interprets your BAC. For personal use there are two types to consider, fuel cell sensors and semi-conductor sensors. When a breathalyzer is used correctly each of these types of sensors will yield accurate results up to approximately 1.5 X's the legal limit.
At higher blood alcohol levels (well over the legal limit) fuel cell sensors yield more accurate results. They are also considerably more expensive to manufacture. Fuel cell breathalyzers typically cost between $450 and $1500.
A more economical choice would be a breathalyzer with a semi-conductor sensor, as they are more economical to produce. Depending on the features in the particular semi-conductor breathalyzer you choose, well made ones can be purchased for somewhere between $50.00 to $275.00
Calibration
New breathalyzers are calibrated at the manufacturer to obtain the most accurate readings. Over time, the sensor can become increasingly inaccurate due to reside build up. Most breathalyzers, except for the two models mentioned below, require recalibration by the manufacturer. Basically, you'll have to pack up and ship your breathalyser back to where it was made, have them recalibrate it and then wait for them to ship it back. There is often a cost of $20 to $50 plus shipping associated with the recalibration process.
There are only two breathalyser models that do not require you to ship them back to the factory for recalibration, the AlcoMate Premium and the AlcoMate Prestige. The sensors on both of these breathalysers can be replaced by the consumer in just a quick minute, restoring them to "factory-new" calibration.
Mouth Piece (Active) versus Blow-Over (Passive)
All breathalyzers require that the subject supply a breath sample to the sensor for testing. The most accurate method is via a mouth piece attached directly to the breathalyzer. This helps ensure that the breath sample is not "contaminated" with air, smoke, etc. from the surrounding environment. Examples of this technology include the AlcoMate Premium, AlcoMate Prestige, AlcoMate Core, AlcoHawk Elite, AlcoHawk Pro, AlcoHawk Precision and the Omega Point Systems BreathKey.
The other method of obtaining a breath sample is by blowing over the breathalyzer. The subject needs to blow sharply into the breath intake receiver. When done correctly, accurate results will be obtains, but some air from the surrounding environment can contaminate the results, making them less than accurate.
Price
Quality breathalyzers for personal use should run you between $60 and $230.00. In many cases, you get what you pay for, the higher the price, the better the product.
There you have it, some basic information to help you make a good decision when purchasing a personal use breathalyser, a valuable tool that can certainly help you chose wisely when it comes to alcohol and driving.
The Workings of a Breathalyzer and the Legal Limit
Alcohol is absorbed through your stomach into your blood stream. The blood then passes through your lungs. Some alcohol evaporates in your lungs and shows up in your breath as you exhale. When you blow into a breathalyzer your breath passes over a sensor that interprets the level of alcohol and a formula is applied to extrapolate the blood alcohol content (BAC).
In all 50 states, you are considered legally intoxicated at .08 BAC. However, it's important to note that many people become impaired at .04 BAC or lower (often when you have that "buzzed" feeling) and you can be cited for "Driving While Impaired". Also, you could put yourself or others at risk even at the lower BAC levels.
Types of Sensors
The sensor is the component inside a breathalyzer that reads and interprets your BAC. For personal use there are two types to consider, fuel cell sensors and semi-conductor sensors. When a breathalyzer is used correctly each of these types of sensors will yield accurate results up to approximately 1.5 X's the legal limit.
At higher blood alcohol levels (well over the legal limit) fuel cell sensors yield more accurate results. They are also considerably more expensive to manufacture. Fuel cell breathalyzers typically cost between $450 and $1500.
A more economical choice would be a breathalyzer with a semi-conductor sensor, as they are more economical to produce. Depending on the features in the particular semi-conductor breathalyzer you choose, well made ones can be purchased for somewhere between $50.00 to $275.00
Calibration
New breathalyzers are calibrated at the manufacturer to obtain the most accurate readings. Over time, the sensor can become increasingly inaccurate due to reside build up. Most breathalyzers, except for the two models mentioned below, require recalibration by the manufacturer. Basically, you'll have to pack up and ship your breathalyser back to where it was made, have them recalibrate it and then wait for them to ship it back. There is often a cost of $20 to $50 plus shipping associated with the recalibration process.
There are only two breathalyser models that do not require you to ship them back to the factory for recalibration, the AlcoMate Premium and the AlcoMate Prestige. The sensors on both of these breathalysers can be replaced by the consumer in just a quick minute, restoring them to "factory-new" calibration.
Mouth Piece (Active) versus Blow-Over (Passive)
All breathalyzers require that the subject supply a breath sample to the sensor for testing. The most accurate method is via a mouth piece attached directly to the breathalyzer. This helps ensure that the breath sample is not "contaminated" with air, smoke, etc. from the surrounding environment. Examples of this technology include the AlcoMate Premium, AlcoMate Prestige, AlcoMate Core, AlcoHawk Elite, AlcoHawk Pro, AlcoHawk Precision and the Omega Point Systems BreathKey.
The other method of obtaining a breath sample is by blowing over the breathalyzer. The subject needs to blow sharply into the breath intake receiver. When done correctly, accurate results will be obtains, but some air from the surrounding environment can contaminate the results, making them less than accurate.
Price
Quality breathalyzers for personal use should run you between $60 and $230.00. In many cases, you get what you pay for, the higher the price, the better the product.
There you have it, some basic information to help you make a good decision when purchasing a personal use breathalyser, a valuable tool that can certainly help you chose wisely when it comes to alcohol and driving.
About the Author:
Learn more about how to choose a breathalyzer. Stop by James Kerrigan's site where you can find out all about Alcomate al7000 and what it can do for you.
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