Choosing the best breathalyzer for personal use
Is it risky to drive the car the morning after a drink and can one be deprived of the driving license if a traffic inspector pulls over? Previously, only medics could answer these questions with a reasonable degree of confidence. Now, with the advent of portable breathalyzers, the state of alcohol intoxication can be estimated independently, at any place and at any time. But what Breathalyzer is better to choose for yourself so that its readings do not diverge from the real one and do not let you down under a monastery?
What breathalyzer is better to buy for personal use
First of all, you should know that the accuracy of breathalyzer readings directly depends on the sensor used in it, which reacts to the concentration of ethanol vapors in the air exhaled by a person. They come in three types: semiconductor, electrochemical and spectrophotochemical. The first cost less, but their sensitivity is lower, and the error from air temperature can be up to 15-20%.
Also, the sensor in them should be replaced after 3-4 months. Spectrophotochemical ones are very sensitive. They determine the driver’s condition based on the ability of ethyl vapor to absorb infrared radiation. But their result depends on the ambient temperature. Therefore, these more expensive and professional devices are installed mainly in laboratories. Optimal for personal use can be an electrochemical breathalyzer.
Low-quality breathalyzers can show the presence of alcohol in the body not only from a glass of kvass or kefir, but even after drinking normal sparkling water.
Specialists talk not only about its high sensitivity, reliability, but also about uninterrupted readings, regardless of weather conditions. By the way, electrochemical sensors are also used in the manufacture of professional devices, and there is no need to change them, like semiconductors. And you should also remember that breathalyzers with a mouthpiece, as a rule, provide more accurate (quantitative) readings, and without it are suitable only for the simplest assessment of the state on the principle “there is alcohol / no alcohol”.
How to choose a breathalyzer for personal use
First of all it is necessary to define – what you need this device for and how often it will be used. If you need the Alcolock for self-monitoring in everyday conditions not more than 2-3 times a day, the error will not play a key role and you can do with an inexpensive uncertified model. This can be both semiconductor and electrochemical breathalyzers at a low price.
For more frequent use or testing different people, for example, in a company, you will need professional devices. They are more accurate, reliable and can take dozens or even hundreds of measurements a day. But they also cost much more. But they are included in the State Register of Measuring Instruments of the Russian Federation and their readings are legally valid. And a number of models have the ability to print the results and connect to a computer.
Rating of breathalyzers for personal use
The Internet is rich with various ratings of the best breathalyzers for personal use. They are compiled by the editors of publications on the basis of tests and trials. And also based on the preferences and reviews of buyers their own short lists of models form thematic websites and online stores that offer such products. And with the release of new models the ratings are revised every year.
Most often they include certified breathalyzers from European, American and Russian manufacturers. Sometimes there are Chinese models. The most famous brands on the market: Inspector, Dingo, Alcogran, AlcoHunter, Delta and Drivesafe. Most often in the ratings of the best breathalyzers 2021 there are the following models:
Self-Control is the key: sobriety tests and breathalyzer tests
They say, it is possible to get tipsy not only from alcoholic drinks. The experts of “Za Rulem” verified if it is true. And at the same time we decided what Breathalyzers are better for self control.
A drunk behind a steering wheel is, excuse me, not a person. We do not feel the slightest pity for such “drivers”. On the other hand, from time to time the most silly situations arise on the road: the one who truly considers himself sober and has no desire to break anything is accused of being drunk. There are a lot of variants – he took medicines, ate alcohol-containing food and, of course, stuck behind the collar, but yesterday. To avoid such collisions, many drivers purchase breathalyzers. They say, measure, check – and go, if everything is all right.
We remind you just in case: to refer the detained you to the readings of some personal breathalyzer – it is a hopeless business. Only the doctor has the right of the deciding vote at definition of a degree of your intoxication. If he measures more than 0,16 mg/l of alcohol vapors in the exhaled air, start saving money for the pass…
However many drivers want to have such device only for self-monitoring. And it is desirable, that it was rather inexpensive and did not underestimate the real indicators. Armed with these guidelines, we purchased five items.
The price is 7200 rubles. Power supply 2 AAA batteries sensor type electrochemical Display range 0,00-2,00 ‰ Operating temperature 10-40 ° C
The device has somewhat overestimated readings at both ranges (especially at 0.150 mg/l), but this is even good for self-monitoring. At any rate, having this instrument in hand, the driver who doubts his sobriety will not sit behind the wheel. Of course, I would like more accurate measurements, but you can use such a tool. Score.
The price of 8190 rubles. Powered by 2 AAA batteries Sensor Type Semiconductor Display Range 0-2,5 mg/L, 0-5 ‰ Operating Temperature -5. +70 °С
The device has worked well at the “drunk” level of 0.480 mg/l, but has not satisfied us at the most important “point” – 0.150 mg/l. Significant underestimation is a green light for the not completely sober driver: say, everything is all right, you can drive. But this is exactly what should not be allowed. No credit.
Price 6000 rubles. Power supply 2 AAA batteries sensor type electrochemical Display Range 0-4 ‰ Operating Temperature 5-40 ° C
The device showed inconstancy, showing either very low, or overestimated results at the most important level. At the concentration of 0.480 mg/l it came to its senses and began to show stable readings, which, however, were overestimated. No credit.
Price 14 900 rub. Power supply lithium-ion battery Electrochemical sensor type Display range 0-5 mg/l Operating temperature 5-40 °С
The disadvantage of this device is obvious – high price. But as for professional skills – the leader of the test: his readings differed from the reference by not more than 0.010 mg/l in the whole measuring range. Score!
Price – 3850 rbl. Power supply external, from smartphone Sensor type not specified n/a Display range BAC-range 0,00-0,20% Operating temperature 10-40 °С
The portable tester Drinkmate promised to work with any Android phone/tablet from 3.1 and above, equipped with a microUSB port. The default measurement unit is BAC, which means blood alcohol concentration. The conversion to per mille is simple: 0.1% BAC = 1‰. However, it did not come to this, because after an hour of fiddling even the most loyal fans of smartphones gave up. Except for zeros, the harmful “Chinese” never showed anything, periodically informing us that the sensor is either overheated or cooling down. Unequivocally unqualified.
Irrespective of their names, all of them are devices for individual use and their readings have no evidentiary value, even if their parameters correspond to GOST. Usually such products are called breathalyzers – unlike more expensive breathalyzers, which are included into the State Register of measuring devices. And manufacturers try to use the terms “pointer”, “indicator” or “meter”, giving the user the opportunity to fantasize, what kind of a cat in a bag they sell him.
During tests, we tested the accuracy of the purchased products and assessed how different food products – from kvass to plain sour milk – affect their readings.
Consumers’ basket
Having determined the most accurate device, which turned out to be Alcogran AG-125 from the sunny Armenia (see the table with the test results), we decided to use it for the intended purpose. However, drinking alcohol was not in our plans. But to try, so to speak, to “get drunk” with ordinary products – a task worthy of implementation!
Why? It happens that a traffic police inspector, having stopped the driver, offers him to “breathe into the tube”. And when it shows something different from zero, the driver assures: “It’s not my fault, it’s kefir (kvass, koumiss), dammit! That is from one side. And on the other hand, the most cautious people driving categorically refuse from tricky, in their opinion, in order to prevent something bad. It is better to be too much than too little.
But is it really possible to enter the state of altered consciousness through sour milk?
We ran to the grocery store, and in our consumer basket we gathered kefir, two kinds of kvass, a couple of bottles of soft beer, and two boxes of chocolates with some kind of alcoholic fillings. On the way we stopped at a drugstore, where we bought valerian infusion and mouthwash, both of which are alcohol-based. Let there be a feast!
No wine – guilty?
The products were assembled, volunteers were assigned – let’s get started! We invited a narcology doctor as a referee, who also promised to comment on the results. Let’s specify right away: we don’t pretend to scientific research, but act within the limits of household conditions. It is clear that various factors can affect the outcome of the tests: the weight and age of the person, his physical condition, and so on. But we were more interested in the possibility of exercising self-control and understanding what is worth being afraid of and what is not.
The instrument initializes within ten seconds and then requires a purge, which is accompanied by a soft beep. A click indicates that an air sample has been taken.
The instrument initializes within ten seconds and then requires a purge, which is accompanied by a soft beep. A click indicates that an air sample has been taken.
Let’s begin in order. Kefir, 3.2% fat. After drinking less than a liter (900 g) of fermented milk, the patient preserved his sanity and the purity of his “exhaust”. One could have drunk another bottle to be sure, but what was the point? It is unlikely that anyone would consume kefir in such quantities on his own volition. We did not find any mention of the possible alcohol content on the bottle.
Non-alcoholic beer is called non-alcoholic for a reason: you can’t get drunk. Our editor Stas Panin tried his best, but – alas.
Non-alcoholic beer is called non-alcoholic for a reason: you can’t get drunk. Our editor Stas Panin tried his best, but – alas.
The same is true for kvass. A liter is the maximum reasonable. We had two one-liter bottles, but from different producers and apparently with different properties: one plastic bottle gurgled with “live” kvass, and the other had “double fermented” kvass. The volume fraction of alcohol in the first drink did not exceed 0.5%, while in the second – 1.2%. It may not seem like much, but it’s not much, nevertheless. The results of drinking kvass by the different staff members were unexpected: the stronger one turned into zeros on the device, and the weaker one gave a laughable “exhaust”: the display showed a reading of 0,080‰ – according to the instructions for the device (the obtained result has to be divided by two to get the value in milligrams per liter), this is 0,040 mg/l. Worrying, but you may drive.
If you, like our columnist Mikhail Kolodochkin, have never even sniffed alcoholic beverages in your life, you should not start.
If you, like our columnist Mikhail Kolodochkin, have never even sniffed alcoholic beverages in your life, you should not start.
A liter of kvass is capable of changing the natural “exhaust” background, as it happened to Artur Sarukhanov, the editor of the Zarulem.rf website, but it will hardly become a hindrance to driving.
A liter of kvass is capable of changing the natural “exhaust” background, as it happened to Artur Sarukhanov, the editor of the Zarulem.rf website, but it will hardly become a hindrance to driving.
The non-alcoholic beer promised an alcohol content in the range of 0.5%. Two bottles, barely enough for the subject, could not shake the device – zero. Alcogran AG-125 produced a similar result after searching for alcohol vapors in the exhalation of a single lady, who was responsible for a snack in the form of chocolate candies filled with brandy at our “drinking party. Eat up!
Cheers!
On a second attempt at self-soothing with Valerian, editor Yuri Timkin was able to get the device to wake up after all.
On a second attempt at self-soothing with Valerian, editor Yuri Timkin was able to get the device to wake up after all.
Maksim Sachkov, head of the Automotive Information Department, proved on his own example that changes in the composition of exhaled air are quite real even after an innocuous gargle with alcohol-containing preparations.
Maksim Sachkov, head of the Automotive Information Department, proved on his own example that changes in the composition of exhaled air are quite real even after an innocuous gargle with alcohol-containing preparations.
Drugs turned out to be insidious. Thirty drops of valerian (70% alcohol) mixed with a little water had only a calming effect: seeing the zeros on the meter, the subject immediately stopped worrying. And in his joy he took another shot and ate an alkogonfekta. Immediately after that, the patient was re-inspected – and lo and behold: 0.43 mg/L. That’s it, you can’t drive! True, there is a nuance: the first time we measured not immediately, but 20 minutes after the start of the experiment. But if you are “lucky” to run into the inspector immediately after the pharmaceutical libations, you may have problems.
Another thing is that the medical examination where you will be surely sent is unlikely to turn into something really serious: until you get to the office these poor thirty drops will surely evaporate.
What about mouthwash? To obtain an extract of the desired composition, the contents of the bottle (40% alcohol) must – according to the instructions – be diluted with water. Immediately after washing the oral cavity, the patient fell to the tube and breathed into the device 0.01 mg/l – this is within the limits. And after a couple of minutes (such a pause should be sustained between sessions for greater accuracy of measurement), the content of alcohol vapor in the exhaled air and even decreased to incalculable value. You can breathe a sigh (or exhale) of relief.
OPINION
The rate at which alcohol is excreted from the body depends on many factors – height and weight, age, gender and even ethnicity. In women, the alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme works weaker and there is less fluid in the body. Some indigenous people in the North do not have this enzyme at all, so they get drunk very quickly and excrete alcohol very slowly, which is why they are prone to drinking alcohol. If a person is large or just obese, the alcohol is eliminated faster.
The functional state of the liver is important: a body that has been ill with a specific disease – for example, the banal jaundice – will be more difficult to cope with the elimination of alcohol. And another thing: the stronger the drink you drink, the more it contains all sorts of flavors and surrogates, the longer will be the period of its oxidation and excretion from the body.
I also want to draw your attention to the fact that from the medical point of view there is no such thing as “residual effects”: the driver can be considered either sober or drunk. If you’re worried about your condition and wondering whether to get behind the wheel or better to wait a little, I recommend using not such simple devices, and the disposable monotests determining the presence of alcohol in the body – for example, by saliva.
Testing Methodology
All breathalyzers were tested with two generators of alcohol-air mixtures – GSVS-02C (factory number 268) and GSVS-02M (factory number 212), which produced the reference mixture with a concentration of 0.150 mg/l and 0.480 mg/l, respectively. The first mixture corresponds to the threshold, at which driving is still allowed, the second one tells unambiguously about the prohibition of driving. Each of the tested devices was tested according to the enclosed instructions – four times at both thresholds. The obtained results were recorded in the table.
There were two alkashashas – generators of alcohol-air mixtures GSVS-02S and GSVS-02M. One got “drunk” to a concentration of 0.150 mg/l (“maximum permissible concentration”), the other to 0.480 mg/l (“forget about the car”). At these two points we checked the adequacy of the tested breathalyzers.
There were two alkashashas – generators of alcohol-air mixtures GSVS-02S and GSVS-02M. One got “drunk” to a concentration of 0.150 mg/l (“maximum permissible concentration”), the other to 0.480 mg/l (“forget about the car”). At these two points we checked the adequacy of the tested breathalyzers.
We remind: in milligrams per liter the content of alcohol vapor in exhaled air is measured, and in grams per liter – the content of alcohol in the blood. To conventionally convert one measure to another, you can multiply the result in milligrams per liter by two. For example, 0.16 mg/L in exhaled air is about 0.3 g/L in blood.
It is important to know that many sold devices show measurement results in ppm, and the instructions use exactly this unit. However, we can be punished for drunk driving according to the laws of the Russian Federation, and in no other way, and the traffic rules do not stipulate any “drunken digits”. Well, we get into another document and read the current version of Article 12.8 of the CAO RF “Driving a vehicle by a driver under the influence of alcohol, transferring control of the vehicle to a person who is under the influence of alcohol”: “Administrative liability … is determined by the presence of absolute ethyl alcohol in a concentration of … 0.16 milligrams per liter of exhaled air or the presence of absolute ethyl alcohol in a concentration of 0.3 or more grams per liter of blood …”.
So, the official norms are guided by very specific units – it is the mass divided by the volume. At the same time the following limit values are stipulated: for exhalation – 0.16 mg/l; for blood – 0.3 g/l.
Drinkmate Breathalyzer is fun for giants of the spirit, who are not interested in the concentration of alcohol, but the attempt to determine it with a smartphone on Android 3.1. The pictures on the screen are pretty, but they are useless.
Drinkmate Breathalyzer is fun for giants of the spirit, who are not interested in the concentration of alcohol, but the attempt to determine it with a smartphone on Android 3.1. The pictures on the screen are pretty, but they are useless.
That’s why the results of our measurements are given in mg/l. As for the ppm (‰), it is a dimensionless value, the closest relative of percentage (1‰ = 0,1%). And grams divided by liters cannot simply be converted to ppm. If a blood test shows that a liter of human blood contains, for example, 999.68 milliliters of blood and 0.32 milliliters of alcohol, the concentration of the latter will be 0.32 ‰. Such recalculation is technically correct – units of volume divided by units of volume just gives a dimensionless value. And only in this case, instructions may stipulate the permissible degree of intoxication in ppm.
As for the devices, the manufacturers of which believe that g/l and promille are the same, to get the result in mg/l one will have to divide the readings by two. Note that only Alkotester-02 initially worked in understandable units and did not need any recalculations.
