Breathalyzer Reviews

AlcoHawk Micro Breathalyzer

Based on Amazon.com sales figures, the low-cost AlcoHawk Micro breathalyzer - also referred to as the AlcoHawk Micro digital breathalyzer - from Q3 Innovations is one of the best-selling breathalyzers on the market.

It is one of the basic AlcoHawk models, and does not seem to have attracted many reviews on the internet, unlike the more expensive AlcoHawk Elite and AlcoHawk ABI devices.

Scroll down the Liquor Snob website for this review of the AlcoHawk Micro breathalyzer.

As strange as it sounds, it can be tough to find someone willing to be the designated driver. Sure, at the beginning of the night, it's easy to vow that you'll sit around and drink soda while your friends get progressively plowed, but when push comes to shove not everyone has the willpower. "C'mon, I'm fine to drive."

You've heard it before, and maybe you've even said it, when the blood alcohol told a different story. Yeah, you feel fine to drive, but are you legal? The last thing you need is to see those blue lights spinning in your rear view. At the end of the night it's important to be safe, and now you can let people prove they're sober (or prove it to yourself) before getting behind the wheel.

We found the Alcohawk keychain breathalyzer at Amazon for just such a situation. Get your own Alcohawk keychain breathalyzerand always have a blood alcohol tester nearby when you're deciding whether a cab is in order.

 
In May 2006 the Gearlog website wrote:

The Micro can test BAC levels up to .12 only, so her BAC level may have been higher than what the device told her. She felt that the device took a very long time to calibrate when you first turn it on. Plus, there's no timer on the device (like the one on the ABI and Slim I tested the week before), so it was difficult to know when to test your BAC level; you had to wait for the device to beep before it's ready to use.

On the other hand, she liked the size of the device, since it's hard to lose (unless of course, you lose your keys, then you're screwed), and she felt that it was a rather good icebreaker when it came to conversating.

When I spoke with Q3 Innovations, they informed me that the Micro is a good tool for a quick screening, especially for parents who want to test their kids when they come home from a party. But, if you're a regular Joe drinker, then you're better off with a device that can test BAC levels .2 and above.
 

[October 2006 update: the AlcoHawk Micro Breathalyzer is no longer available.]

May 12th, 2006

Related Articles
Car Breathalyzers - What Can We Expect?
Guide to Buying the Best Breathalyzer
AlcAlert BT5500 Personal Alcohol Detector
AlcoHawk ABI Breathalyzer
AlcoHawk Elite Breathalyzer
AlcoHawk Precision Breathalyzer
AlcoHawk Slim Breathalyzer
LG LP4100 Cell Phone with Breathalyzer