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61 of 62 found the following review helpful:
A very good product but with 3 minor caveats May 10, 2008
By Picky picky picky
The "Breathkey" is a very compact, light and convenient device. It seems accurate and gives me a reading in line with how I feel. It reads out in thousandths of a percent - there's a world of difference between 0.081% and 0.079% in terms of a DUI. I like it more the longer I own it. I have just purchased a second BreathKey to keep in my car, whilst the other one lives in my briefcase. I live in the Sonoma Wine Country and go on a lot of tastings. I now find I spit much more wine than I'll swallow.
(As an aside, I have a "friend" who suggests it's small enough to keep in my "pocket protector" with all of my pens.)
Caveats-
1) I've noticed that the first result often differs from subsequent results, so I always test twice and believe the highest reading.
2) You must wait 20 minutes after you finish a drink to use it. The residual alcohol in your mouth will otherwise give a false high reading (as would, I assume, a police unit).
2) If you get the error message, "blow hard" or, "blow long" it's for the next test, not the one you're doing.
3) It seems to take a rather long time (30 to 45 seconds) to reset between tests, this is only an issue if you have multiple people testing.
Summary-
I think my reservations and hence 4, instead of 5, stars may be true of all such devices, not just the Breathkey. If that's correct, this should be a 5 star review.
The unit is accurately calibrated right out of the box and remains accurate for 6 to 12 months, at which time you return it with $12, or so, for recalibration.
Perhaps the best thing about an accurate breathalyzer is developing a sense for your BAC from how you feel. It's interesting to me that I begin to feel a "buzz" at 0.04%; half of the legal limit. I turn my keys over to a non drinker whenever I feel any "buzz" at all. It's also interesting to see how sloooowly the alcohol wears off.
Another point about alcohol and driving is that even though you may be below the "legal" limit, if you have an accident and found to have any alcohol in your system, you now have a significantly higher exposure to prosecution, and diminished latitude in mounting a defense. Facts are facts, no?
61 of 64 found the following review helpful:
 Good Breathalyzer Feb 16, 2007
By D. MCGUE
I think this breathalyzer is excellent! The results are right where I expected them to be depending on how much I had to drink. Much better than a DUI!
I have two suggestions for getting an accurate reading:
1. Do not take a deep breath before blowing into the breathalyzer. All that extra air will dilute the alcohol vapor that goes into the analyzer.
2. When blowing into the breathalyzer, try your best to capture the end of your breath. That will give you a much more accurate reading. Think about it . . . it makes sense . . . you would want to measure the alcohol deep in your lungs to get the best results. I've tried it using the first part of my breath one day and got a reading of .056, a minute later, using the "deep lung" air, the reading was .078. Trust me . . . the cops will take the "deep lung" air for the test if you're pulled over.
50 of 53 found the following review helpful:
Sobering Results! Apr 11, 2008
By Martin A Hogan
"Marty From SF"
I purchased this Breathalyzer over others, as its accuracy is FDA certified. The fuel sensor is the same used by police and the battery is long lasting. When I tried it, I was stupefied by the results. After turning on the button, it simply asks you to WAIT, then it will beep and ask you to BLOW into the small hole for four seconds (four beeps) until a solid beep occurs. After a minute or so, your test results will appear. I intentionally measured two shots of vodka with a tall soda mix and drank it over a 30-minute time slot. Then I waited 20 minutes. My blood alcohol level was 0.11 and I felt absolutely sober! 0.08 is the legal limit in most states. Your blood alcohol will not change if you eat or drink water or coffee. Only time will eliminate alcohol from your system. It took nearly 70 minutes before I was under 0.08. That was very scary. I checked my blood alcohol several times and the results were very steady. I would advise getting this device and showing your friends their results.
30 of 32 found the following review helpful:
Please Read Carefully May 15, 2009
By Jason A. Su'a
Many reviews of these FST say that the readings were varied. As a cop myself, many people do not know that you must wait 20 minutes from your last sip or drink to get an accurate reading. So keep that in mind when buying this product. For the most part, a majority of these FST's are accurate, if you use them correctly.
19 of 20 found the following review helpful:
Inexpensive insurance against bad judgement.... as good as a designated driver Sep 15, 2006
By Business Author 2
Inexpensive, compact, easy to use. The best way yet to prove to myself that perhaps I shouldn't be driving. I am very conservative about driving after drinking ... but how many times have I been at a party, managed the cocktails to "1 per hour", and then wondered if I've crossed the line during the evening. My 'perfect' self discipline has been easily confirmed several times with the breath key. Great device - and FDA approved - 1st class! My business associates will find a very useful 'corporate gift' this year - before the Christmas/New Year's parties begin.
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