Breathalyzer Reviews

AlcoHawk Slim Breathalyzer

The AlcoHawk Slim, a mid-level personal model introduced in 2006, is the newest in the AlcoHawk range from Q3 Innovations.

According to the company's own website:

It features a sleek personal design roughly the size of a cell phone made of impact resistant abs material. The unit gives results quickly and accurately....The Slim is equipped with a clear Ruby Red L.E.D. display. The AlcoHawk Slim has also been upgraded to use a folding mouthpiece design for maximum portability yet also has the ability to attach disposable mouthpiece covers ( 3 included) for sanitary use by multiple users!

...The AlcoHawk Slim contains an electronic airflow sensor to ensure a deep lung sample is obtained. This is a vital new function because only samples of air from the deep lung are proportionate to blood alcohol content. This new innovative sensor ensures the user exhales through the mouthpiece with the required force over the 5 second exhale. This is an important feature for professional screening to prevent an intentional short exhale which could affect accuracy.

...The new 2007 AlcoHawk Slim has been upgraded over the older models with Sensor Recognition Software to warn the user if certain type of damages occur to the sensor.

A comprehensive review in The Gadgeteer noted that, "Getting a reading from the AlcoHawk is relatively simple," and concluded:

I guess in an ideal world, it wouldn't take an $80 device to remind people that they have no business driving after they've been drinking. But if an $80 device is able to accomplish what thousands of dollars in fines, mandatory community service and social stigma can't, then I would consider it money well spent.

The PC Apex website wrote:

Why should somebody get one of these devices? How many of you like to stop by a bar after work to shoot a game of pool? How many of you go to a sporting event or concert and knock back a couple? Instead of assuming that you are fit to drive you can use something like the AlcoHawk Slim to tell you for sure whether or not you are willing to bet your car against that old 10 speed you have in the shed.

...I've spent some time in the military and have had soldiers of mine who received a DWI. Not only did they lose rank, they lost money and respect. Even worse, after all was said and done they still had to endure a one hour ass-chewing from yours truly that involved them spending a lot of time in the front lean and rest position. Each and every time I asked them, "What the HELL were you Thinking!?" The response was always the same, "I didn't know I was that drunk, Sergeant!" With an AlcoHawk device, they would have known.

Tweak News wrote:

Overall, I'm favorably impressed with the AlcoHawk Slim. Not only did it run neck-and-neck with the current police tester, it proved to me that, even though I didn't feel “drunk”, I was obviously over the limits allowed by law, and at a potential risk for an accident. This in itself is worth its weight in gold, and makes the AlcoHawk Slim worth the relatively low asking price.

In April 2006 Now Playing magazine wrote (no longer online):

It is simple to use. The user simply presses the button on the front of the unit, waits until the LED readout counts down to zero and beeps, then blows into the fold-out mouthpiece for about five seconds. The unit beeps when it has determined the BAC and displays it in the readout.

...The AlcoHAWK Slim has a physical appearance that could be mistaken for a cell phone from a distance — which can be helpful for discreet use. The unit is powered by two AA batteries and comes with a soft carrying pouch that will hold the device and the instruction booklet.

With the ratchet being tightened with regard to DUI enforcement, this may be the one car “accessory” that is actually worth its price.

The Gearlog website reviewed AlcoHawk's Slim and ABI units together:

I liked the AlcoHawk Slim because it fits right in your pocket or purse. I felt that it was pretty accurate, but it takes a while to warm up. The AlcoHawk ABI is a bit bigger than the Slim. It's actually the company's best selling unit. The ABI takes less time to warm up than the Slim does, which is handy for impatient drunkards.

* Get the Latest Price on the AlcoHawk Slim Breathalyzer.
 

May 11^th, 2006
Updated: February 15th, 2007
Updated: November 8th, 2007 

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