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:
How A Breathalyzer Works & The Legal Limit
After you take that first sip, the alcohol will make it's way to your stomach and be absorbed into your bloodstream. From there, it passes through your lungs, where it evaporates and is detected when you breath into or blow onto a breathalyzer. Your breath passes over a sensor that will, in turn, interpret your blood alcohol content or 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.
Sensor Types
The component inside a breathalyser that determines your BAC is the sensor. Most breathalyzers contain one of two types, fuel cell or semi-conductor. Both of these types of sensors can yield very accurate results when they are used properly.
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.
Semi-conductor sensors are more economical to make which helps keep the overall cost of the breathalyzer down. Depending on the quality of the sensor and other features, good quality breathalyzers with semi-conductor sensors cost between $55.00 and $300.00.
Calibration and Your Breathalyzer
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.
Currently, there are only two breathalyzers on the market that do not require factory recalibration. They are the AlcoMate Premium and the AlcoMate Prestige. Both of these breathalyzers have "user changeable" sensor modules. The consumer can easily replace the sensor module in minutes (less than 30 seconds in the AlcoMate Premium) restoring the breathalyzer to "factory-new" calibration.
Active Mouth Piece vs. Blow-Over Mouth Piece
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 is referred to as "blow-over" or passive testing. The subject puts their mouth about a half inch from the breath intake receiver and blows sharply. Done correctly this method can yield accurate results. However, some air from the surrounding environment can enter the breathalyzer causing less than accurate results.
The Cost of A Breathalyzer
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.
A breathalyzer is a valuable personal device that can help you or someone you are with make the right decision when it comes to alcohol and driving. Understanding "the basics" about personal alcohol breathalyzers will help you chose a breathalyzer you can live with for many years to come.
How A Breathalyzer Works & The Legal Limit
After you take that first sip, the alcohol will make it's way to your stomach and be absorbed into your bloodstream. From there, it passes through your lungs, where it evaporates and is detected when you breath into or blow onto a breathalyzer. Your breath passes over a sensor that will, in turn, interpret your blood alcohol content or 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.
Sensor Types
The component inside a breathalyser that determines your BAC is the sensor. Most breathalyzers contain one of two types, fuel cell or semi-conductor. Both of these types of sensors can yield very accurate results when they are used properly.
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.
Semi-conductor sensors are more economical to make which helps keep the overall cost of the breathalyzer down. Depending on the quality of the sensor and other features, good quality breathalyzers with semi-conductor sensors cost between $55.00 and $300.00.
Calibration and Your Breathalyzer
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.
Currently, there are only two breathalyzers on the market that do not require factory recalibration. They are the AlcoMate Premium and the AlcoMate Prestige. Both of these breathalyzers have "user changeable" sensor modules. The consumer can easily replace the sensor module in minutes (less than 30 seconds in the AlcoMate Premium) restoring the breathalyzer to "factory-new" calibration.
Active Mouth Piece vs. Blow-Over Mouth Piece
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 is referred to as "blow-over" or passive testing. The subject puts their mouth about a half inch from the breath intake receiver and blows sharply. Done correctly this method can yield accurate results. However, some air from the surrounding environment can enter the breathalyzer causing less than accurate results.
The Cost of A Breathalyzer
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.
A breathalyzer is a valuable personal device that can help you or someone you are with make the right decision when it comes to alcohol and driving. Understanding "the basics" about personal alcohol breathalyzers will help you chose a breathalyzer you can live with for many years to come.
About the Author:
Looking to find the best deal on alcohol testers, then visit www.breathalyzersusa.com to find the best advice on the Alcomate Accucell.
