The folks at Alcohoot and Breathometer believe you should have the power to test your own blood alcohol level, but are their trending smartphone breathalyzers actually useful or just fun party toys? Popular Mechanics' editors recently tested devices from each company to find out.
Several similar products have popped up on the market and, like us, many consumers are probably wondering if the phone-attachable monitors are as accurate as those used by law enforcement. In a heated smartphone breathalyzer showdown, PopMech editors shared a bottle of 84.8-proof Michter's Straight Rye Whiskey to figure it out. Judges had two drinks, each measuring 1.5 ounces, and they checked their BAC (blood alcohol content) levels after each. Before you see the results, note that a BAC of .08 is grounds for a DUI (or DWI) charge in every U.S. state. Additionally, both products can be used with compatible iPhone or Android devices.
Breathometer | Cost $49
REGISTERED BAC AFTER 1 DRINK: .02 | REGISTERED BAC AFTER 2 DRINKS: .05
Users must log in to access the app on their smartphones, which could be an annoyance if you tend to forget passwords and such. This does, however, mean that only you, or anyone you trust to share the device, will be able to use it. The plug-in breathalyzer portion has a small hole, which you blow toward for five seconds to have your BAC analyzed.
Notable Features: Call a Cab and a calculator that lets you know when you can expect to be sober.
Alcohoot | Cost $119
REGISTERED BAC AFTER 1 DRINK: .019 | REGISTERED BAC AFTER 2 DRINKS: .043
While this device costs about twice as much as the competing unit above, it is made of advanced full cell sensors and features a tube that some might find easier to breathe in to than a hole. Alcohoot also does not require you to log in and it includes an extra decimal in its BAC reading. While it offers a Taxi feature, PopMech's editors stated that the app didn't actually connect to taxi services, but instead routed to the Uber transportation network.
Notable Features: Local restaurant finder and graph function that tells you how quickly you're getting drunk, or "turnt up," as the kids say.
At Volvo of Dallas, we encourage safe driving and have an interest in technologies that help protect consumers. However, while these devices came close, or spot on in some cases, to readings from the traditional police breathalyzer, many critics believe they are not always consistent and can be misused. So if you're thinking about investing in a smartphone breathalyzer, take some time to research products and read reviews before you buy, and always drink responsibly. Also, for those of you who are curious:
CONTROL: BACTRACK S80 Pro Breathalyzer
(device used by law enforcement)
REGISTERED BAC AFTER 1 DRINK: .02 | REGISTERED BAC AFTER 2 DRINKS: .05
Categories:
News
