Breathalyzers

[loophole]

Question - do any of you have any experience with the elCheapo breathalyzers that you can buy on ebay? I see prices from $6 to waaaaay too much.

Thought it might be a good think to have in the glove box, just in case.

Thanks for any info,

[P5Ret]

I've seen some no experience with one. I wouldn't count on them being accurate at all. If I remember correctly a PAS (preliminary alcohol screening device) has to be tested in house once a month, and returned to the maker once a year for calibration.They were not built to give a precise reading, but a field expedient result to back up observations and FST's. Accurate readings were left to the certified beach top units in the station or jail. I sure wouldn't rely on anything I got on ebay for a couple bucks to save me from a $10,000 plus legal bill to fight a DUI.

[ls2monaro]

If you are to the point to where you are considering taking a breathalyzer in order to drive it is better to just not drive. Cab/dd/sleep it off are all alternatives I have used and recommend to people all the time. $60 cab ride is pennies compared to the ramifications of a DUI. They also have the madd program but I have no personal experience with it.

[bohoki]

they are an amusement but they are not accurate enough to tell you if you are safe but they sure will tell you when you are lit

[ExtremeX]

If you are to the point to where you are considering taking a breathalyzer in order to drive it is better to just not drive. Cab/dd/sleep it off are all alternatives I have used and recommend to people all the time. $60 cab ride is pennies compared to the ramifications of a DUI. They also have the madd program but I have no personal experience with it.

Well said

[SquareLite]

They are fun party toys. Nothing more. A PAS has to be calibrated all the time as mentioned before. They are a precision tool. Even the portables can be used for evidentiary tests now.

[loophole]

If you are to the point to where you are considering taking a breathalyzer in order to drive it is better to just not drive. Cab/dd/sleep it off are all alternatives I have used and recommend to people all the time. $60 cab ride is pennies compared to the ramifications of a DUI. They also have the madd program but I have no personal experience with it.

It's not whether or not I feel it's necessary. I'm quite aware of what the ramifications are of driving drunk, as well as the alternatives available.

I'm also aware that there are some people who can test over the .08 limit who are completely capable of safely driving a vehicle, just as well as I know there are people who would only test at a .03 who aren't capable of riding a tricycle.

There isn't a one of you who haven't gone out for pizza, dinner, or whatever, had a beer or two, then got in a car and drove. Sure, you know you can handle it, but what if you get stopped? Do you know how many beers it takes to put you over the legal limit, even though you aren't impaired enough for it to affect your driving?

If I have a drink or two, generally I won't drive. But what's wrong with knowing FOR SURE?? Just like having a speedometer in the car - I may be capable of driving my car 90MPH down I-5, but your radar gun doesn't agree. Hence, the speedometer.

That's why I was asking if any of the cheaper ones were the least bit reliable.

Thanks again.