A true friend of the responsible driver and a way to resolve conflict situations on the road is a small device called the “breathalyzer”.
We will tell you which breathalyzer is better to choose for personal and professional use and how not to spend too much at the same time.
Which breathalyzer is better to buy
Reviews on the Internet, of course, are important, but the best choice is the one that a person makes consciously. The first step is to determine why the device is needed and how often it will be used. And, of course, to understand the principles of its work, its user characteristics directly depend on them.
Goals and means
All breathalyzers on the Russian market can be divided into three categories:
- for personal use
- professional
- special purpose
For personal use, the simplest and cheapest can come in handy. Most likely, you will not be checked more often than once a week, or even once a month.
The "reserve" of individual breathalyzers is small, and they are designed for 2-4 applications per day. As a rule, such devices operate on batteries, they are small in size (some are made in the form of trinkets). But they do not differ in high accuracy, and with a strong wind, the use of cosmetics and perfumes can produce a large error. And, most importantly, they do not have legal force, since they are not certified.
More accurate - professional and semi-professional, they are mainly used by drivers working in the transportation industry. Must be provided with a certificate, which, in case of problems, will allow the use of their data in court.
Special-purpose breathalyzers are usually used by specialists working with high-precision or high-risk devices, as well as in medical laboratories.
In use, all types of breathalyzers are very simple. All that is required is to exhale vigorously into the mouthpiece for a couple of seconds. Further, the device itself will do everything: determine the amount of alcohol vapor in the breath and display the result on the display.
Sensor type
Semiconductor Principle of work: a change in the resistance of semiconductors when they interact with exhaled vapors of alcohol. Such breathalyzers are the smartest, the simplest, the cheapest and ... the most inaccurate. Sometimes the error can reach 10%. And they must be constantly calibrated. They are also very sensitive to environmental conditions, especially temperature fluctuations.
Electrochemical. Built on the use of special chemicals that react with alcohol fumes. They are very accurate, almost do not require calibration (maybe once a year) and practically do not consume electricity. Air temperature weakly affects the measurement accuracy of such breathalyzers.
Photometric. It is equipped with an infrared sensor that checks for the presence of alcohol vapor in the exhaled air. Very accurate and very sensitive to environmental conditions. They do not use such devices in the open air, their destiny is to stay in the laboratory forever, where the temperature is constant and unchanged.
Features of a good breathalyzer
- The main thing is stability.; This principle also applies to breathalyzers. You can check the operation of the device by testing the same person several times in the same period of time. If the results do not differ from each other - excellent, this breathalyzer can be considered good.
- Reliability. The longer the device lasts without breakdowns, the better.
- The convenience of use. You can’t drag a device the size of a cash register in your pocket for a long time, but in stationary conditions the size is not so important.
Top best low-cost breathalyzer
4. Ritmix RAT-220
The average price is 350 rubles
Specifications:
- personal breathalyzer
- semiconductor sensor
- measurement up to: 1.9 ppm
- scale step: 0.1 ppm
- food: AAA, 2 pieces
- auto power off
It opens the Ritmix RAT-220 breathalyzer rating - a very small device that can be safely used as a keychain. The sensor is semiconductor, which means that it is difficult to expect great accuracy from it.
However, small cheap breathalyzers are often used as a means of self-monitoring, rather than professional diagnostics. Rhythmix fulfills its function at 100% - the presence of alcohol in the blood shows and does it quickly.
pros: very cheap, small.
Minuses: if you test several times in a row, for the second or third time the display may “think” and not display information for a long time.
3. SITITEK PRO2
The average price is 1 999 rubles
Specifications:
- personal breathalyzer
- semiconductor sensor
- measurement up to: 1.9 ppm
- scale step: 0.1 ppm
- food: AAA, 2 pieces
- auto power off
- low battery indicator
A very small and lightweight 45-gram model fits easily in your pocket. Or it can be worn on the wrist, a strap is provided for this.
It is powered by two AAA batteries, it has not only a low battery indicator, but also a timer, clock and even an alarm clock.
A feature of this breathalyzer is the absence of a mouthpiece. Instead, holes were made in the hole in which to blow.
SITITEK PRO2 has two small screens at once. The lower one displays the measurement result, and the upper one displays the timer, time and air temperature.
pros: compact, the result is displayed in g / l and% YOU, it turns itself off after 15 seconds of inactivity.
MinusesA: no mouthpiece, no batteries included.
2. Airline ALK-HW-03
Average price - 1,500 rubles
Specifications:
- personal breathalyzer
- semiconductor sensor
- measurement up to: 2 ppm
- error - 5%
- food: AAA, 3 pieces
- low battery indicator
In addition to a cheerful orange color, this model in the ranking of breathalyzers also has a surprisingly large measurement range for a budget device. True, the measurement results will have to be read very quickly - they stay on the screen for no more than 10 seconds.
Airline ALK-HW-03 is heated for about half a minute, then you can safely blow. By the way, the device shows the best results if the measurements are separated from each other for at least 20 minutes; otherwise there may be errors.
When buying it, it is better to test it right away - it happened that users came across non-working goods.
pros: compactness, usability, appearance.
Minuses: You can get to the "Chinese" quality.
1. Delta AT-300
Average price - 1 700 rubles
Specifications:
- personal breathalyzer
- semiconductor sensor
- measurement up to: 2 ppm
- error - 5%
- scale step: 0.01 ppm
- food: AAA, 3 pieces
- low battery indicator
This is perhaps the most fashionable looking breathalyzer in the entire rating. In addition to appearance, the model is distinguished by good build quality and quality filling. For a semiconductor sensor, an error of only 5% is a big plus.
The breathalyzer starts working almost immediately (compared to 3-5 minutes of the electrochemical sensor, the AT-300 is nothing about 15-20 seconds). The display is highlighted. Moreover, the kind Chinese also made a sound alert if the alcohol content in the exhalation was greater than a certain figure.
pros: accuracy, appearance, low price.
Minuses: wears out quickly; if you are not lucky, the device will last no more than a year.
Top 2019 best breathalyzers for personal use
4. Dingo A-022
Average price - 2 850 rubles
Specifications:
- personal breathalyzer
- semiconductor sensor
- measurement up to: 4 ppm
- scale step: 0.01 ppm
- food: AA, 2 pieces
- auto power off
- low battery indicator
Functional and easy to use breathalyzer, which is ready for use 2 minutes after switching on. It is produced in Korea, which promises a long and trouble-free operation, and runs on two AA batteries (included in the package).
The breathalyzer screen has an LED backlight, which allows you to operate the device even in low light conditions. And blowing is carried out without the use of a mouthpiece: it is enough just to blow into the inlet.
pros: stylish look, turns itself off after a few seconds of inactivity, you do not need to calibrate often - only after 300 uses or once a year.
Minuses: not all users like the lack of disposable mouthpieces.
3. Inspector AT550
Average price - 3 200 rubles
Specifications:
- personal breathalyzer
- electrochemical sensor
- measurement up to: 4.4 ppm
- food: AAA, 2 pieces
- auto power off
- low battery indicator
One of the best breathalyzers for personal use is the Inspector AT550, and its price is frankly low for an "electrochemical" device. This is due to the fact that it is not intended for professional use - the battery reserve for a couple of dozen tests in a row is definitely not enough. And after 500 uses, the instrument will need to be calibrated.
The device was manufactured in South Korea, the Inspector has no service centers in Russia, so you will have to break your head over the calibration.
pros: high heating rate, accuracy.
Minuses: in the conditions of the Russian winter it will not work, since the lower limit of the working temperature of the breathalyzer is 0 °.
2. Delta AT-600
Average price - 2,200 rubles
Specifications:
- personal breathalyzer
- semiconductor sensor
- measurement up to: 2 ppm
- auto power off
- low battery indicator
One of the best in the ranking of breathalyzers for personal use in 2019. The presence of alcohol in the blood "Delta" will show with high accuracy, and as a device for self-monitoring, it is quite suitable.
The case of the device is small, it is convenient to use, the appearance is pleasant, and the assembly is of high quality. If desired, the results of the latest measurements can be stored in the memory of the breathalyzer. In general, a good option in terms of price / quality.
pros: battery powered, rechargeable in car, low price.
Minuses: the battery is non-standard, in case of malfunctions this type is not so easy to find on sale.
1. Alcogran AG-100
The average price is 5 800 rubles
Specifications:
- personal breathalyzer
- electrochemical sensor
- measurement up to: 1 ppm
- scale step: 0.001 ppm
- food: AAA, 1 pc.
- auto power off
- low battery indicator
The sensor in the AG-100 is electrochemical, and although the range of the device is average, the accuracy is high. It's nice that the kit, in addition to the traditional set of five mouthpieces, includes two more adapters, in case you want to use mouthpieces from other manufacturers.
Another nice detail is the battery capacity; if the driver is not inclined to libation, you can live without changing the batteries for at least a year or two.
pros: accuracy, usability.
Minuses: expensive for a breathalyzer without certification.
Professional Breathalyzer Rating
4. Breathalyzer Mark V
The average price is 18 900 rubles
Specifications:
- professional breathalyzer
- electrochemical sensor
- measurement up to: 4.4 ppm
- margin of error - 10%
- food: AAA, 4 pieces
- auto power off
This reliable electrochemical breathalyzer has a registration certificate of the Ministry of Health and can be used both at enterprises and for medical examination. Complete with the device are 105 disposable mouthpieces and 1 reusable funnel mouthpiece.
Mark V has a low margin of error, and you only need to calibrate it once a year. A useful feature of this model is the anti-deception function. It allows you to control the strength and duration of exhalation, and gives a text message if a person interrupts exhalation or blows too weakly.
pros: low error, large LCD with backlight, you can save test results, you can connect the breathalyzer to a computer via miniUS port to upload measurement results
Minuses: high price.
3. META STAFF 01
The average price is 6,200 rubles
Specifications:
- professional breathalyzer
- semiconductor sensor
- measurement up to: 2 ppm
- error - 20%
- low battery indicator
The word "traffic police" in the name of the device hints that it is the traffic police who use such breathalyzers. META STSI has the most official look, without any newfangled gadgets and streamlined shapes - it's just a blue plastic brick.
Although equipped with a semiconductor sensor, it is intended for professional use. During the day, Meta can test up to 20 people - that’s how much battery power is enough.
It is simple to use, for the calibration of special equipment is not required. However, when reading the testimony, you have to hurry, they keep on the screen for no more than 7 seconds. And we recommend blowing the device after each use, otherwise the results of the next measurement may be incorrect.
pros: Shows the measurement result in absolute numbers (grams per liter and ppm).
Minuses: Meta's operating speed leaves much to be desired, sometimes the device can “warm up” to several minutes.
2. AlcoHunter Professional +
The average price is 9 500 rubles
Specifications:
- professional breathalyzer
- semiconductor sensor
- measurement up to: 5 ppm
- margin of error - 10%
- scale step: 0.01 ppm
- food: AAA, 2 pieces
- auto power off
- low battery indicator
Unlike the laconic design of the third place in the ranking of the best breathalyzers of 2019, AlcoHunter Professional + looks more modern, and it has more options. You can display measurements on the screen in any unit of interest you are interested in, and the display itself is color.
Before release, each device passes quality control at the factory, which is reflected in the corresponding certificate. The measurement error of a calibrated device is very small - up to 0.01 ppm. The device is very sensitive to alcohol fumes even in low concentrations.
pros: high accuracy.
Minuses: There are only 5 mouthpieces in the set, and sometimes it happens that they do not fit the hole.
1. Infracar AT-101
The average price is 8,700 rubles
Specifications:
- personal breathalyzer
- electrochemical sensor
- measurement up to: 4 ppm
- scale step: 0.001 ppm
- food: AA, 2 pieces
- auto power off
- low battery indicator
The AT-101 is equipped with an electrochemical sensor, which means that its measurement accuracy is high by default, and the dependence on ambient temperature is lower than that of semiconductor ones.
The Infracara sensor is able to detect the presence of alcohol in the breath even at a concentration of only 0.05 ppm. The display is highly informative - for example, if you wish, you can display the test history (up to 48 measurements are stored in memory), and each of them can be assigned an individual name.
Infracar has a voice warning system, and the device can tell the driver how much he should sleep before getting behind the wheel.
pros: high accuracy, voice notification, saving results.
Minuses: not.
