About Mini-Breathalyzers
Mini-breathalyzers, like other personal breathalyzers, come in a variety of styles, prices, and levels of accuracy. They also have a wide range of extra features that are available. Before purchasing a mini breathalyzer you should determine what use you have for the item. Will you use it to actually determine your blood alcohol content (BAC), simply as a fun novel item, or as a gift. Whatever purpose you have for buying a mini breathalyzer you should ensure that the type of breathalyzer you purchase will match that use.
Most mini-breathalyzers are very inexpensive costing as little as three or four dollars. These type of breath testers often are less accurate and do not give an actual number concerning blood alcohol content levels. Rather, they often use a series of LED lights to indicate the level of intoxication of the user. Red means that the person should not attempt to drive, yellow means the person should wait before driving, and green means the person is okay to drive. This system does not tell the person their exact blood alcohol content. Most of these systems are considered novelty items and often come with extra features, such as a flashlight, keychain, and stop watch.
High end mini-breathalzyers provide greater accuracy, a digital readout of the person's BAC, and have more reliable technology built in to the device. They are also considerabley more expensive. Such as a device is the Breathkey mini alcohol breath tester. This device sells for around $60. The more expensive keychain breathalyzers often use fuel cell technology, which is the type used in professional grade breathalyzers. These will require replacement of the fuel cell to maintain accuracy or periodic calibration, which is often available for a fee.
There are also disposable breathalyzers available. These, like the less expensive novelty breathalyzers, do use a digitial readout to indicate BAC, but rather rely on a color system to indicate the level of intoxication.
Police have several concerns over the use of personal breathalyzers. These include people gaining a false sense of security in being able to drive. Police can arrest someone for driving under the influence regardless of BAC levels indicated on a breathalyzer, whether it is a personal one or the officer's breathalyzer. Also, people may use inaccurate devices. Another concern is that people will misuse the device for drinking contests.
Whatever choice you make be sure to become informed before making your purchase. Mini-breathalyzer reviews are available online, as well as more general information regarding personal breathalyzers.
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The best policy is always not to drink and drive. A home breathalyzer can be a useful tool to help persuade an obviously intoxicated party guest not to drive. Families also use them as an educational tool for teenagers to learn about alcohol or to test them if you suspect trust has been broken and they are drinking.
With breathalyzers you get what you pay for. Law Enforcement breath testers use "platinum fuel cell" technology which is both precise and reliable. Most of the cheap consumer breathalyzers use semiconductor technology which is neither accurate nor reliable. If you are going to get a breathalyzer for home, family or personal use get a good one. The cheap ones may do more harm than good.
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