Why are breathalyzers so expensive

Cheaper is usually not better, and in some cases, they are no more than toys. The most important thing to look for when you buy a breathalyzer in Australia is to make sure that it conforms to Australian Standards AS This Standard means that your breathalyser has been extensively tested and will work as expected for its lifespan.

This Standard also separates the serious breathalyser from the novelty ones. Buying a breathalyzer that conforms to the Standard is especially important for a workplace environment where the result may be needed for legal reasons. Different countries will have their own versions of this standard, so make sure you check what is available in your country. It is also important to ensure that the device can be recalibrated except for disposable versions. The recalibration should always be done by a trained professional, not with a take-home recalibration pack.

This should be an easy and affordable process for the purchaser as well. Do not buy breathalyzer that is really cheap either. These are generally novelties as well and are best avoided as they will not be accurate. The mouthpiece helps eliminate smoke, dust, and other impurities that may affect the reading accuracy. Mouthpieces can be removable or permanently attached depending on the model. Replaceable mouthpieces are great for hygienic sharing of your device at a workplace or party.

The next decision to make when you buy breathalyzer will be between a semi-conductor model or a fuel cell model. Semi-conductors use a reaction between the ethyl alcohol breathed into the acetic acid and water within the device to determine a reading. The reaction creates an electrical current which is small or large depending on the amount of alcohol the person has consumed.

Semi-conductor models are often cheaper but are not as reliable or as accurate as a fuel cell model. If you buy a semi-conductor breathalyzer, make sure it is a Silicon oxide-based model as they are more accurate. Semi-conductor models generally have a shorter lifespan and lose accuracy over time.

Want to drink responsibly? Here are services recommended by local substance abuse prevention group Team Wellness and Prevention on how to find a safe, sober ride in Fort Collins — whether you are planning ahead or need one at the last minute:.

Lyft: Phone app taxi service with pricing based on supply and demand. Genesis Executive Transportation: Limousine and car service. Transfort: Fort Collins bus service with some late-night options. Route schedules available at www. Uber: Phone app taxi service with pricing based on supply and demand. Miles Blumhardt looks for stories that impact your life — be it news, outdoors, sports, you name it he wants to report it. Have a story idea, send it his way. Email him at milesblumhardt coloradoan.

How accurate are portable alcohol breathalyzers? Miles Blumhardt The Coloradoan. Show Caption. Hide Caption.

Transform your smartphone into a breathalyzer. These devices are used as screening devices to determine if a more costly evidential test is required. Results obtained by your personal breathalyzer will not be held in court, and should be strictly used to increase the awareness of your blood alcohol concentration. I don't feel fine, but my breathalyzer says I'm under the legal limit for a DUI Everyone reacts to alcohol differently. Even at low concentrations of alcohol, the affects of dizziness and diminished judgment can occur at.

We recommend that you never get behind the wheel with any alcohol in your system, and to be tested by a friend who has not had any alcohol. Is it safe to test other people with the same breathalyzer? It is completely safe to test others with the same breathalyzer. To be sanitary it is recommended to use a new and unused mouthpiece when available. Also disposable breathalyzers are a one time use device, and cannot be used multiple times.

The AlcAlert BT is unique that it does not require the user's lips to come into contact with the device while testing, making it ideal for testing multiple people. Should I buy a used breathalyzer? The answer to this question is that you should never buy a used breathalyzer either through eBay or sites like craigslist. Always ask if the breathalyzer you are buying is brand new and never used. The reason is that breathalyzer sensors wear out from contamination or just over use.

When buying a used breathalyzer, you will never know for sure how many tests have been performed on the breathalyzer. Even if it works when you get it, it may stop functioning after several tests. Is it spelled breathalyzer, breathalizer, or breathalyser?

We find that a lot of people are using a different spelling for our devices.