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      11-20-2012, 11:08 AM   #1
misterS3
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Breathalysers Buying Advice UK

I'm looking into getting myself an accurate breathalyser.

Money not really an issue as i reckon i would pay for itself, if it stopped me driving on one occasion, as getting caught over the limit is so costly. Even more so as they're thinking of lowering the limit.

To be clear it wouldn't be a case of drinking to the limit and driving. More for morning after use when i'm never sure. And yes maybe at my age i should be sitting in of a weekend. But while they keep showing crap like X Factor i'll be out have a few jars till crazy o'clock

Does anyone have any first hand knowledge about the best one to get or any pitfalls etc.

Thanks
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      11-20-2012, 06:47 PM   #2
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If money really isn't an issue you should think about a LION unit.By and large,most forces use LION products.The 500B being a popular (handheld) unit.They do need regular calibration to remain effective and this may cause you issues as calibration can be a bit convoluted and requires further,specialised equipment.Accuracy drops without calibration and to avoid errors,the 500 has a 30 day window before recalibration is required.
Another manufacturer is Dragër-also used by Police forces.
Both are obviously,very accurate,but the latter has a longer time between re-calibration.
I believe that both companies sell to the public,so check out their sites.
I have no knowledge of cheap devices advertised on the Internet.
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      11-21-2012, 04:26 AM   #3
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I have an Alcosense (£80) and it's very good and can be easily calibrated. I use it like you as a check the morning after the night before.
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      11-21-2012, 09:18 AM   #4
misterS3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Billyray911 View Post
If money really isn't an issue you should think about a LION unit.By and large,most forces use LION products.The 500B being a popular (handheld) unit.They do need regular calibration to remain effective and this may cause you issues as calibration can be a bit convoluted and requires further,specialised equipment.Accuracy drops without calibration and to avoid errors,the 500 has a 30 day window before recalibration is required.
Another manufacturer is Dragër-also used by Police forces.
Both are obviously,very accurate,but the latter has a longer time between re-calibration.
I believe that both companies sell to the public,so check out their sites.
I have no knowledge of cheap devices advertised on the Internet.
Cheers. I'm very lazy when it comes to calibration so the LION unit would probably be overkill. I don't go out drinking that much anymore

Will check the Drag unit you mention - ta for the pointer.
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      11-21-2012, 09:19 AM   #5
misterS3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xenon View Post
I have an Alcosense (£80) and it's very good and can be easily calibrated. I use it like you as a check the morning after the night before.
Cheers. Will take a look.

Has it 'saved' you on any occasions?
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      11-21-2012, 09:22 AM   #6
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On a few occasions it's read too high in the morning and I didn't drive until it had cleared. Once I got a lift into work instead of driving and the Police were testing people driving into the industrial estate at 730am....

The Alcosense Elite has a purge facility too so you can use it soon after a test - the cheaper ones you need to wait an hour or more after a test to get an accurate reading.

They're at Halfords for £59 I've just seen.
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      11-21-2012, 09:28 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xenon View Post
On a few occasions it's read too high in the morning and I didn't drive

Someone else paying that night Ian
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      11-21-2012, 09:30 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by creepy coupe View Post
Someone else paying that night Ian
Free bar.
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