Breathalysers???

17lbp

Hi all
Not sure if this is the right board for this so please feel free to move.
I've been looking to buy a breathalyser and wondered if anyone had any experience of them and it they're any good. I'm not really a drinker (honestly!!!) and will not drive if I've had a drink but I'm always a bit concerned about the next morning/afternoon for driving. Obviously common sense tells me that if i've got a stinking hangover them i'm not fit but its after having only a glass or 2 of wine that i would like to check before driving the next morning.
Anyway I see argos have one for £9.99 and think it was the gadget shop have one for £19.99 and ebay have various with varying price. Just wondered if there was any difference and if nayone had any experience of using them.
Thanks

wolfehouse

i bought a cheap one for my daughter and the kids just enjoyed an evening of trying to make it read 'drunk'.(it had a frowny face) i would not recommend it though. not reliable enough.

i wouldn't count on the cheap ones telling you if you are fit to drive.
that- and it broke pretty quickly (but i think they were rough with it)

(by the way my kids are in their 20s)

borosteve_2

I don't think any of them are anywhere near accurate tbh. Even the police have to give you a urine/blood test asap after you fail a breathalyizer as the "red light" alone is not enough to prosecute you.

Reluctant_spender

borosteve wrote:

I don't think any of them are anywhere near accurate tbh. Even the police have to give you a urine/blood test asap after you fail a breathalyizer as the "red light" alone is not enough to prosecute you.

Not strictly true. If you fail a roadside test you are taken to a station where you are asked to provide a further two specimens of breath. This machine costs thousands and is accuarate.

Dependant on the reading of this device - above the limit but below 40(if memory serves) you will be asked for ether blood or urine.

borosteve_2

Reluctant_spender wrote:

Not strictly true. If you fail a roadside test you are taken to a station where you are asked to provide a further two specimens of breath. This machine costs thousands and is accuarate.
QUOTE]

In that case, please let me rephrase what I meant to say :- I don't think any PORTABLE breathalizer machine that DOESN'T cost thousands or come with it's own police station can be that accurate, otherwise there would be no need for a blood, urine or intoxilyzer test to be carried out after the initial test at a Cop Shop to provide prosecutable readings.

Police operating instructions for certain Alcolmeters, for example, even state not to use radio or mobile phones near the equipment as it can affect the operation and these cost a heck of a lot more than a tenner. Other factors like medical problems (known or not known) and even mouthwash can confuse these machines.

In short, it still doesn't alter the fact that if I wasn't sure if I was over or under the limit, I wouldn't risk years in prison, my licence or someone else's life (possibly not in that order) on the inaccurate readings of what is mainly a novelty gift, although a lot of the time they are not promoted like that.

Hope this clarifies :beer: