Alcohawk PT500 Breathalyzer

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Breathalyzer Reviews: Alcohawk PT500

Overview

Sold in over 30 countries worldwide, Alcohawk Personal Breathalyzers are synonymous with the personal breathalyzer industry and for good reason. Alcohawk offer personal breathalyzers from inexpensive single shot testing kits to higher end professional fuel cell sensor devices such as the PT 500. The Alcohawk PT500 is a professional portable breathalyzer ideally suited to law enforcement and probations officers, rehabilitation and alcohol abuse centres as well and ideal for personal use particularly if you require a dependable and accurate breathalyzer.

The device features the highly accurate PT Core™ electro-chemical fuel cell sensor which claims accuracy up to +.05 but many report the accuracy to be closer to .01.

The Alcohawk PT500 is known for it’s reliability over long testing periods however does require recalibration every 200-300 tests performed. DOT (Department of Transportation) and NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) approved.

Features

• Highly accurate PT Core™ Electro-chemical Fuel-cell Sensor
• Audible and Visual warning indicator when test results are over BAC warning level
• Long battery life (up to 200 tests per set of AA alkaline batteries – 2 required)
• Extra fast warm up time (20 seconds maximum)
• Almost instant test response time (3 seconds)
• 4 Decimal point display. For highly accurate display test results
• Extra large and easily read LCD display (backlit)
• DOT (Department of Transportation) / NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) approved device
• 1 year limited warranty

Accuracy

• Highly accurate. (Manual states .05 + or – accuracy with 4 point decimal point reading. Reviewers have reported much more accurate test results).

Reliability

• Owners of the Alcohawk PT500 personal breathalyzer have reported that the device is very stable and consistent for long periods of time on multiple test cases.

Recalibration

The Alcohawk typically requires recalibration between 6-12 months depending on usage. In professional environments where the device may be used daily recalibration is often required monthly. Recalibration can be arranged through the Alcohawk website (www.q3i.com or by calling the company directly and will cost approx. $30.00)

The recalibration process involves thorough testing to compare breath samples to pre-determined baseline levels for accuracy.

Dimensions

5” x 2.63” x 1.25” (12.7 cm x 6.68 cm x 3.18 cm)

Weight

3.6 oz (102 g) without batteries; 5.2 oz (147 g) with batteries

Ideally Suited to

• Roadside Police BAC testing units.
• Probations and corrections officers.
• Rehabilitation clinics
• Alcohol abuse clinics
•  Any professional testing environments in general.
•  Ideal for personal use.

Pros & Cons

• Reliable over long periods with heavy use
• Well priced at approx. $140.00 for a professional quality device
• Extremely simple operation
• Customisable with options to change blowing time (only change this if the subject struggles to exhale for 5 seconds) and BAC warning levels.
• Doesn’t come with many spare mouthpieces. (pack of 100 mouthpieces will cost approx. $44.00)
• If you would like carry case and added accessories upgrade your purchase to the Alcohawk PT500 Alcohol Breathalyzer Pro Kit which includes 10 mouthpieces, hardcase and 2 AA batteries plus operating manual and quick start guide.

Warranty

I year limited warrant which covers the device for defects in the manufacturing process. Parts and labor including upgrades to the operating software and freight included.