Specifications

5
obvious, the price. A lower-end professional breath-analyzing device can easily
cost up to $250-$500 dollars as oppose to a personal testing unit at $40-$50
dollars. As we can all imagine the additional difference in functionality have the
direct connection of its high increase in price.
Personal breathalyzers can be purchased in the local store or online and are
used by the general public. Many of us can imagine the use of it is nowhere near
the necessary level compared to the huge percentage in drunk driving fatality
currently in the nation. Personal breathalyzers are more physically appeal to
general consumers, smaller in size for ease to carry around and mentioned
above, lower in cost.
Professional breathalyzers are usually only available for sale online. The general
public can purchase a professional level Breathalyzer if they wish. The law
enforcement, research labs, professional organizations and little by the public
generally use professional breathalyzers. Although some of the low-end
professional breathalyzers still use semi-conductive sensors. At a higher price,
professional breathalyzers employ a higher accuracy sensor, newest fuel cell
sensor technology, designed and manufactured in England. A comparison is
provided in Table 1.4.
Personal
Professional
Price Range
$40-$100
$250-$500+
Size
Small (hand-held)
Small and Large
Sensor Accuracy
+/- 0.01% at 0.02% BAC
+/- 0.005 at 0.050% B.A.C.
Detection Range
.00 - .40% BAC
0.000 - 0.400% BAC
Air Flow Check
No
Yes
DOT Approved
No
Yes
Table 1.4-1. Comparison of existing breathalyzer products.
Existing Hand-held Breathalyzer Unit
The AlcoHawk Slim is a basic entry-level consumer breathalyzer that employs a
folding mouthpiece and slim, portable design. This unit, upon receiving air
samples from the end user will gives an estimate of blood alcohol content. The
Slim is equipped with a clear digital display. The portability is emphasized in this
unit, therefore, the AlcoHawk Slim has been upgraded to use a folding
mouthpiece design for maximum portability yet also has the ability to attach
disposable mouthpiece. Figure 1.4-1 provides a visual of our first purchase.