Alcolimit Breathalysers $59

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• 

  llama on 30/06/2011 - 13:41

  +4

  • Usage: Excellent for drinking competitions.
  • 

    [Deactivated] on 30/06/2011 - 14:43

    I wanted to put that in the description…

• 

  [Deactivated] on 30/06/2011 - 13:43

  +4

  Just so people know what they're getting in to, from the Alcolimit website:

  We recommend recalibration every 1-3 months for professional use models and 3- 12 months for personal use, depending upon usage levels. eg. If you use your AlcoLimit 2-3 times per week then recalibration is recommended every 6 months. If you use it less frequently, say every 1-2 weeks, then recalibration is required every 12 months.

  If you are a heavier drinker and blow high levels of alcohol vapour into the sensor or share your AlcoLimit with your mates every weekend, then you will need recalibration sooner than 6 months.

  Professional calibration Cost: $30 + shipping each way

  ---

  So if you want it to keep precise, you have to calibrate it ferquently.

• 

  samfisher5986 on 30/06/2011 - 13:45

  +2

  Also keep in mind:

  Even if you have it professionally calibrated, this device is not good enough to accurately tell you if it is safe to drive.

  there is a very high chance that it will over or under estimate your BAC.

  So if you REALLY want to buy this device JUST for drinking games, and pay regular recalibration fees just so it doesn't randomly spit out number sto you, then buy it.

  Otherwise save your money.

  • 

    [Deactivated] on 30/06/2011 - 14:54

    I personally believe the best way to treat this tool is to add it to the rest of your considerations relating to alcohol and driving. If you're ever unsure of yourself you probably shouldn't drive

    • 

      samfisher5986 on 30/06/2011 - 15:08

      Logic: There is none…

      Please give me a scenario where this device is useful.

      If you aren't sure, you shouldn't drive as you said. If you are 100% sure, then what use is the device?

• 

  jv on 30/06/2011 - 13:52

  +2

  Accuracy - 2 decimal places

  what rubbish…

  look up the definitions of precision vs accuracy…

  • 

    [Deactivated] on 30/06/2011 - 14:45

    +1

    This information came directly from the supplier. I've made an adjustment on the page. Is "Measurement Accuracy - +/-0.01 @ 0.05%BAC" correct? I'm not a scientist…

• 

  quickling on 30/06/2011 - 13:53

  +1

  Accuracy: 2 decimal places.

  You mean, if it's saying 0.05 I could be 0.041 to 0.059? :p Hardly accurate at all!

  • 

    jv on 30/06/2011 - 13:55

    +1

    especially if you're real alcohol level is 0.08 and it's reading 0.04…

    That's still a precision of 2 decimal places, but the accuracy is 100% off…

  • 

    [Deactivated] on 30/06/2011 - 14:49

    I believe that is what they are saying, but even their AS3547 approved models make the same accuracy claim. So not sure what this means

• 

  Cluster on 30/06/2011 - 14:24

  +2

  As a general rule, all breath testers under about $500 are based on MEMS sensors. The police use fuel cell based sensors, and these are the only type that will give accurate readings. MEMS sensors are easily fooled by a variety of normal substances. For example, I have an Alcoscan 7000 which is one of the better testers out there with a MEMS sensor. Brushing teeth with ordinary toothpaste is enough to make the reading skyrocket to 0.16 after 1 standard drink 1 hour beforehand. I have had my tester show me a 0.3 reading once after using Colgate Total toothpaste 15 minutes earlier. At 0.3, I should be barely able to stand. Chewing gum and various types of food make the reading much higher as well. Rinsing the mouth out with water after having a drink an hour earlier is enough to halve the reading. Fuel cell based testers cannot be fooled in this way.

  These devices nothing better than toys.

  • 

    quickling on 30/06/2011 - 14:38

    +2

    mmph… don't use colgate total.

• 

  morpheu on 30/06/2011 - 14:56

  +1

  even with the fuel cell based units the police only use them as a first reading, if over the limit the driver then is tested with a proper full sized unit worth lots of $$$, the difference between the two can be huge, so gadgets like this have buckleys chance!

• 

  [Deactivated] on 30/06/2011 - 14:59

  This feedback is very interesting to me personally. We're pretty close to sold out of this product, would it be recommended that we not stock this product in the future?

  • 

    jv on 30/06/2011 - 15:05

    +2

    would it be recommended that we not stock this product in the future?

    that's between you and your accountant… it's got nothing to do with us…

    • 

      [Deactivated] on 30/06/2011 - 15:26

      Thanks for your feedback

      edit: Seriously. I reread this and it comes across as snarky. All feedback is useful and I appreciate anyone who takes the time to type anything to me

  • 

    Cluster on 30/06/2011 - 15:07

    +2

    Many automotive and electronics stores stock this type of item. I'm just voicing my opinion and test results that the breathalyzers can be wildly inaccurate despite the manufacturer's claims. Even if one of these devices showed 0.03 BAC, would I risk driving? My real reading could well be 0.05 and my breathalyzer's reading could not be used as evidence in court.

    In my opinion these cheap devices are only good for giving one of three readings: you have consumed no alcohol, a bit of alcohol, or a lot of alcohol.

    • 

      [Deactivated] on 30/06/2011 - 15:28

      Fair point. I'm only asking the question because I'm sure we don't want to sell something that has no benefit. Thanks for taking the time to provide such well thought out posts on this btw

• 

  z00m on 30/06/2011 - 15:14

  +1

  Can someone give me a reason why the Government would not want to supply an accurate breathalyser to every person with a licence? Is it the cost?

  • 

    Cluster on 30/06/2011 - 15:20

    +1

    Fuel cell based units start at $400 retail, with more advanced models between $500 and $1000. Even in a bulk purchase it would be a huge hit to taxpayers. Even the best breathalyzers only give an approximate reading. A blood test is required to verify it. Regular recalibration is required. Drinking 1 standard drink and then immediately breath testing yourself is likely to give a result off the scale. People need to know how to use the devices properly. Unless detection technology becomes much more accurate and costs fall, these devices won't be practical for most people.

    • 

      morpheu on 30/06/2011 - 15:54

      +1

      that's why a policeman will ask 'when was your last drink' and if you say less than 5/10 minutes ago they may ask you to wait a little before testing

    • 

      z00m on 30/06/2011 - 16:36

      +1

      Perhaps we need to weigh up the costs of drink driving accidents, against the costs of supplying a means to accurately gauge if a person is ok to drive. ie. The costs of 1 drink driving accident must be huge:

      Paying the Police, Fire, and Paramedics to attend the crash site
      Paying for the cleanup of an accident, towing etc
      Counseling services for those involved, both officials and the victims, perpetrators
      Legal costs for prosecutions, defence etc
      Not to mention the community toll