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64 of 64 found the following review helpful:
 Very Accurate Breathalyzer Sep 09, 2009
By K. Walker
I purchased the BacTrack S80 in August from amazon and I am extremely pleased with the product. First and probably most important, it seems to give very accurate results. Three years ago I received one of those cheap keychain units as a gift and it read all over the map and never worked well. Here, with this product, if I test myself 3 times in a row I get the same test result 3 times, so you know it's consistent. And if I test a sober person and then a very drunk person, there is no crossover or contamination, which is something I worried about (and really researched) before this purchase. So $199 is not cheap, but you get what you pay for here in terms of accuracy.
Besides being happy with the accuracy, I really like the small size. I have an LG Envy phone and the Bactrack S80 is almost the same size. I didn't consider size prior to my purchase, but because it's portable, I'm much more likely to take the BacTrack out when I drink, which is really the whole point of having it.
I appreciate the advanced features and being able to adjust the flow settings, but mainly I just turn it on and test. As of today, I'm already on test # 144. Yeah, it's been passed around and used by a lot of people already. 5 stars for its accuracy and reliability alone.
46 of 46 found the following review helpful:
Consistent results and easy to use... Jan 31, 2011
By M. Eaton
"Better safe then sorry", is the reason I picked up the S80. I used the analyzer a couple of times and the results have always been consistent; even with three people using it with different BAC during the same period. The S80 comes with it's own case and 6 individually wrapped mouthpieces. So it is best to pick up the 10 pack of mouthpieces BACTRACK Select Breathalyzer Mouthpieces (Pack of 10), because as soon as your friends find out you have a breath analyzer at a party they are going to want to use it. Also, you should get an extra set of battery and put it in the case, just in case the day you want to use it and the batteries are dead.
According to the instructions, do not use breath analyzer until it has been 20 minutes since the last drink/food has been consumed. Following that rule, should provide you with accurate and consistent results.
Quality:
The S80 is made of plastic; the type of plastic that appears it will not fare well during a fall on concrete. Just be careful to who you hand this too (if the person can't stand, he probably will not be able to hold your $150 investment). The case provided is really nice; it holds the instruction manual and S80 unit. There is a pouch inside the case with a zipper that you can put the mouth pieces (I have 16 pieces in mine) and extra batteries. The case is (6"x4"x2").
Background:
Majority of the breath analyzers that Amazon sells contain two types of sensors; semiconductor-based or fuel cell. The semiconductor-based typically cost less then hundred bucks and are known to be inaccurate and inconsistent with it's result. The fuel cells provides accurate and consistent results, but the breath analyzer with that type of sensor cost a lot more (but less then a DUI). The S80 has the fuel cell sensor.
With all of these sensors, they do require to be calibrated once a year or every (200 to 300) tests according to BACtrack. BACtrack charges $20 to recalibrate. It's competitor AlcoHawk charges $29 for it's fuel cell version.
(Update 12/11/2001)
Be sure to tell the user to take a deep breath before blowing (I just taped a note on the analyzer as a reminder). We used this at a party and my results were accurate, but some people's results were questionable. It turns out I forgot to tell them to take a deep breath (provide a deep lung sample), as described in the instructions. After a retry with a deep breath, the results were more in line of what we expected.
37 of 37 found the following review helpful:
i was pleasantly surprised Sep 05, 2009
By Brian North
"Brian"
After girlfriend got a DUI, I bought her one of these. She was skeptical, but after testing it many nights in a row (drinking in the name of research of course), we were pleasantly surprised to find it very accurate. It's expensive but its absolutely worth it for the quality. I can't believe that the police are the only ones who have access to these. By the time you're using it with a cop, its usually too late. FYI - the instructions say that you want to wait 15 to 20 minutes after you've had a drink, otherwise it'll pick up the alcohol still in your mouth and read too high.
The one I ordered came promptly with nice packaging. I'm here on Amazon because I'm ordering another one for myself.
24 of 24 found the following review helpful:
Unfortunately, purchased too late. Jan 01, 2011
By Iltedesco
Well, my bad decision one evening to drive home after a celebration to get to next morning's doctor appointment. Hit a median in a dark road. Spent the night in jail, charged with DUI - a first in 74 years of life. A large part of the year was spent with DUI penalty activities. YOU DON'T WANT TO GET ONE!!!! Now I'm on probation for three full years, allowed ZERO BAC at any time when driving!
I purchased the BACtrack S80 Pro 6 months ago, as it had good reviews and operates on the fuel-cell principle, the only reliable method used by law enforcement. Impressive and clean design, nice carry case, and - mainly - superbly repeatable results! I spent a few weeks to time my BAC over time, rising and falling while - really! - doing 'research drinking' (after all, I'm a chemist). I was able to 'calibrate' myself and was amazed how close I am to published data.
Other than doing these tests, I do - have to do - make sure that the instruments always shows 0.000 before I drive (even if it's next morning after a party).
In my opinion, the instrument performs to specs. I approached my local police to request comparison of my values to the ones on their equipment - but nobody was willing to 'give me a green light'.
Yes, I should have bought that unit earlier - i.e. I should have been more aware of the implications, beside lots of time and close to $10,000 in total cost, now having to list having been 'arrested' when coming home from my many trips. Doesn't <$200 for a reliable tester sound very cheap? Now I don't know the 'precision' if one operates at the border of 0.080 +/- ?
Happy New Year 2011!
16 of 16 found the following review helpful:
Easier to use and even more accurate than before Sep 06, 2009
By Matthew A. Garber
I have owned the B70 for a few years now and it was a great product. It has saved my friends and I many times, and also provided some great entertainment.
I just got the new S80 and I'm very impressed with the improvements that have been made. First, it is easier to use correctly (simply blow into like normally as opposed to "fogging the mirror" like the B70). This has made it simpler for people who don't use the breathalyzer often to get accurate readings.
I also really like the extra digit of precision this model offers, particularly when approaching the .08 number ;)
I've had a breathalyzer for years now and I can't recommend enough that people own one. This product is MUCH cheaper than the costs of any DUI you would ever get.
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