A faithful friend of a responsible driver and a way to resolve conflict situations on the road in your favor is a small device called a breathalyzer.
We will tell you which breathalyzer is better to choose for personal and professional use and how not to spend too much.
Which breathalyzer is better to buy
Reviews on the Internet are, of course, important, but the best choice is 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 operation, 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 work. Most likely, you will be checked no more than once a week, or even once a month.
The "stock" 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 key chains). But they do not differ in high accuracy, and in a strong wind, the use of cosmetics and perfumery, they can give out a large error. And, most importantly, they have no legal force, since they are not certified.
More accurate - professional and semi-professional, they are mainly used by drivers working in the transportation industry. They must be provided with a certificate that, in case of problems, will allow their data to be used in court.
Special purpose breathalyzers are typically used by professionals working with high-precision or high-risk devices and in medical laboratories.
All types of breathalyzers are very simple to use. All that is required is to exhale vigorously into the mouthpiece for a couple of seconds. Then the device will do everything by itself: it will determine the amount of alcohol vapors in the breath and display the result on the display.
Sensor type
Semiconductor. How it works: changing the resistance of semiconductors when they interact with exhaled alcohol vapors. Such breathalyzers are the fastest, simplest, cheapest and ... most inaccurate. Sometimes the error can reach 10%. And they need to 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 vapor. They are very accurate, require almost no calibration (perhaps once a year) and consume almost no electricity. The air temperature has little effect on the measurement accuracy of such breathalyzers.
Photometric. Equipped with an infrared sensor that checks for alcohol vapors in the exhaled air. Very accurate and very sensitive to environmental conditions. Such devices are not used outdoors, their destiny is to stay forever in the laboratory, where the temperature is constant and unchanging.
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 - great, this breathalyzer can be considered good.
- Reliability. The longer the device will last without breakage, the better.
- Ease 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 inexpensive breathalyzers
4. Ritmix RAT-220
Average price - 350 rubles
Characteristics:
- personal breathalyzer
- semiconductor sensor
- measurement up to: 1.9 ppm
- scale step: 0.1 ppm
- food: AAA, 2 pcs
- auto power off
Opens the rating of breathalyzers Ritmix RAT-220 - a very small device that can be easily used as a keychain. Its 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" performs its function 100% - it shows the presence of alcohol in the blood and does it quickly.
pros: very cheap, small.
Minuses: if tested 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
Average price - 1 999 rubles
Characteristics:
- personal breathalyzer
- semiconductor sensor
- measurement up to: 1.9 ppm
- scale step: 0.1 ppm
- food: AAA, 2 pcs
- auto power off
- battery discharge indicator
Very small and lightweight 45g model fits easily in your pocket. Or it can be worn on the wrist using a strap for this.
It is powered by two AAA batteries, 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 are made in the hole, into which you need 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% BAC, switches off by itself after 15 seconds of inactivity.
Minuses: no mouthpiece, no batteries included.
2. Airline ALK-HW-03
Average price - 1,500 rubles
Characteristics:
- personal breathalyzer
- semiconductor sensor
- measurement up to: 2 ppm
- error - 5%
- food: AAA, 3 pcs
- battery discharge indicator
In addition to the cheerful orange color, this model in the rating 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 heats up 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 by 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 a non-working product.
pros: compactness, ease of use, appearance.
Minuses: you can get to the "Chinese" quality.
1. Delta AT-300
Average price - 1,700 rubles
Characteristics:
- personal breathalyzer
- semiconductor sensor
- measurement up to: 2 ppm
- error - 5%
- scale step: 0.01 ppm
- food: AAA, 3 pcs
- battery discharge indicator
This is perhaps the trendiest looking breathalyzer in the entire ranking. In addition to its appearance, the model is distinguished by good build quality and high-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, 15-20 seconds AT-300 is about nothing). The display is backlit. Moreover, the courteous Chinese also made a sound alert if the alcohol content in the exhalation is more than a certain number.
pros: accuracy, appearance, low price.
Minuses: wears out quickly; if you're unlucky, the device will last no more than a year.
Top best breathalyzers 2019 for personal use
4. Dingo A-022
Average price - 2 850 rubles
Characteristics:
- personal breathalyzer
- semiconductor sensor
- measurement up to: 4 ppm
- scale step: 0.01 ppm
- food: AA, 2 pcs
- auto power off
- battery discharge indicator
A functional and easy-to-use breathalyzer, which is ready for use 2 minutes after switching on. It is made in Korea, which promises long and trouble-free operation, and runs on two AA batteries (included).
The breathalyzer screen has LED backlighting, which allows you to operate the device even in poor light conditions. And blowing is carried out without using a mouthpiece: you just need to blow into the intake hole.
pros: stylish look, switches itself off after a few seconds of inactivity, no need to calibrate frequently - 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
Characteristics:
- personal breathalyzer
- electrochemical sensor
- measurement up to: 4.4 ppm
- food: AAA, 2 pcs
- auto power off
- battery discharge indicator
One of the best breathalyzers for personal use is the Inspector AT550, and for an "electrochemical" device its price is frankly low. This is due to the fact that it is not intended for professional use - there will definitely not be enough batteries for a couple of dozen tests in a row. And after 500 uses, the device will need to be calibrated.
The device is manufactured in South Korea, the Inspector has no service centers in Russia, so you will have to puzzle over the calibration.
pros: high warm-up speed, accuracy.
Minuses: in the conditions of the Russian winter will not work, since the lower limit of the working temperatures of the breathalyzer is 0 °.
2. Delta AT-600
Average price - 2,200 rubles
Characteristics:
- personal breathalyzer
- semiconductor sensor
- measurement up to: 2 ppm
- auto power off
- battery discharge indicator
One of the best personal breathalyzers in 2019. The presence of alcohol in the blood "Delta" will show with high accuracy, and as a device for self-control, it is quite suitable.
The device has a small case, it is convenient to use it, the appearance is pleasant, the assembly is of high quality. If desired, the results of the last measurements can be saved in the memory of the breathalyzer. In general, a good option in terms of price / quality.
pros: battery powered, rechargeable in the car, low price.
Minuses: The battery is not standard, in case of malfunction, this type is not easy to find on sale.
1. Alcogran AG-100
Average price - 5 800 rubles
Characteristics:
- personal breathalyzer
- electrochemical sensor
- measurement up to: 1 ppm
- scale step: 0.001 ppm
- food: AAA, 1 pc
- auto power off
- battery discharge indicator
The AG-100 sensor is electrochemical, and although the range of the device is average, the accuracy is high. It's nice that in addition to the traditional set of five mouthpieces, the kit includes two more adapters, in case you want to use mouthpieces from other manufacturers.
Another nice touch is the battery capacity; if the driver is not prone to drinking, you can live without changing batteries for at least a year or two.
pros: accuracy, usability.
Minuses: Expensive for a breathalyzer without certification.
Breathalyzer rating for professional use
4. Breathalyzer Mark V
Average price - 18 900 rubles
Characteristics:
- professional breathalyzer
- electrochemical sensor
- measurement up to: 4.4 ppm
- error - 10%
- food: AAA, 4 pcs
- auto power off
This reliable electrochemical breathalyzer has a registration certificate from the Ministry of Health and can be used both in enterprises and for medical examination. The device comes with 105 disposable mouthpieces and 1 reusable funnel mouthpiece.
Mark V has a low error, and it only needs to be calibrated once a year. A useful feature of this model is the "anti-cheat" function. It allows you to control the strength and duration of exhalation, and issues a text message if a person interrupts exhalation or blows too weak.
pros: low error, large backlit LCD display, test results can be saved, breathalyzer can be connected to a computer via miniUSB port to upload measurement results
Minuses: high price.
3. META STSI 01
Average price - 6 200 rubles
Characteristics:
- professional breathalyzer
- semiconductor sensor
- measurement up to: 2 ppm
- error - 20%
- battery discharge indicator
The word "traffic police" in the name of the device hints that such breathalyzers are used by the traffic police. The appearance of META STSI 01 is the most official, without any new-fangled gizmos and streamlined shapes - just a blue plastic brick.
Although the instrument is equipped with a semiconductor sensor, it is intended for professional use. Meta can test up to 20 people per day - that is how long the battery will last.
It is easy to use, no special equipment is required to calibrate. However, reading the readings, you will have to hurry, they stay on the screen for no more than 7 seconds. And we recommend that you purge 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: the speed of the Meta leaves much to be desired, sometimes the device can “warm up” up to several minutes.
2. AlcoHunter Professional +
Average price - 9 500 rubles
Characteristics:
- professional breathalyzer
- semiconductor sensor
- measurement up to: 5 ppm
- error - 10%
- scale step: 0.01 ppm
- food: AAA, 2 pcs
- auto power off
- battery discharge indicator
In contrast to the laconic design of the third place in the ranking of the best breathalyzers of 2019, AlcoHunter Professional + looks more modern and has more options. You can display measurements on the screen in any unit of measurement you are interested in, and the display itself is color.
Before release, each device undergoes 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 vapors even in low concentrations.
pros: high accuracy.
Minuses: there are only 5 mouthpieces in the kit, and sometimes it happens that they do not fit the hole.
1. Infrakar AT-101
Average price - 8 700 rubles
Characteristics:
- personal breathalyzer
- electrochemical sensor
- measurement up to: 4 ppm
- scale step: 0.001 ppm
- food: AA, 2 pcs
- auto power off
- battery discharge indicator
AT-101 is equipped with an electrochemical sensor, which means that the measurement accuracy is high by default, and the dependence on the 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 history of tests (up to 48 measurements are stored in the memory), and each of them can be assigned an individual name.
The Infracar has a voice warning system, and the device can tell the driver how much it costs him to sleep before getting behind the wheel.
pros: high accuracy, voice notification, saving results.
Minuses: no.