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[Mr Skrunts]

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/i.html?_trkparms=65%253A12%257C66%253A4%257C39%253A1%257C72%253A3133&rt=nc&_nkw=breathalizer+kit&_dmpt=UK_Gadgets&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_sop=15&_sc=1

Christmas is coming etc etc.

Buy just of late I have not =been sleeping well.  So having found a bottle of 50% proof vodka I keep making a 1.25 litre bottle of vodka and coke up and leave it in the fridge door.  now not really being a big drinker I have had a couple of ocaasions where I have had a swig out of the bottle with out giving a thought to the vodka content.  No big deal normally as I rarely drive the car anyway.

Took delivery of a Tomtom unit today, so after lunch had decided to go for a spin and try the Tomtom, got ready to go out, had a bite to eat, big swig out of the coke bottle and forgot it was laced with vodka.

Having no idea if i was legaal or not I just stayed in.

But just had a look at these units on ebay and wondered if anyone had tried/used one of these personal kits.

[Welung666]

They aren't calibrated like the police machines so doubt they'd be very accurate. I've had a DR on my license so learning from that I simply take the view, if I've had a drink in the last 12 hours I don't drive! Might be fun on a session though, who can blow the highest

[Dishevelled Den]

I would dispense with the 'Coke' bottle and save the money on this one.

Although your situation is removed slightly from the norm, where the generalised use of these machines is envisaged, why take the chance at all?

How accurate are they, how are they calibrated to maintain that accuracy are two questions I would immediately ask?

With the general standard of driving at a questionable low, the last thing needed is for drivers - having consumed alcohol -  to believe that they are fit to get behind the wheel on the back of readings from such equipment.

I always remember the sage words of a senior constable just after I transferred over uttered just before we were about to do an inspection on licenced premises, "Remember son, when the drink's in, the wit's out"

Those words hold as much substance today.

The message relevant to the OP's question couldn't be more simple - don't drink and drive.



 

[Banjax]

totally agree with Zulu, if you're in any doubt, don't risk it 

[Marks DTM Calib]

They could well be quite accurate.

How accurate they remain is questionable.

Many people think that during the calibration of test kit that things actualy get adjusted, this is just crazy and not true for 90% of equipment.

What they actualy do is compare it to a reference and if it is seen to be outside of its published tolerance then the 'calibration' is failed......often resulting in the kit being binned.

So your annual calibrations your pay for do nothing more than tell you if you can trust the items results. 

[P_Russell]

They are worringly inaccurate as they are not totally specific to alcohol.  They can also be triggered by acetone amongst other things (worrying if you're diabetic or you're partial to a swig of DLK's nail polish remover) 

Bottom line is though, if you have no idea how much you've drunk don't take the risk.

[Marks DTM Calib]

A quick readup on the silicon oxide semiconductor sensors sudgest they are pretty accurate but degrade fast due to contaminates on the sensor array.

I note in the US there are some specific standards they have to meet so it might be worth keeping an eye out for them

[TheBoy]

I have a silly little one (not for serious use, more as a laugh on a Friday night).

I've been so ratarsed I couldn't walk, and not set it off.  Other times it seems to be about right (as an estimate of how many Stellas I've chucked down my neck).


I'm a 'if its my turn to drive, softies only' person, esp around Christmas.  Personally, even after 1 pint, I can feel the reactions begin to slow, so thats enough of a deterent for me.  Yes, gay, I know.

[Marks DTM Calib]

I should add that I am only commenting based on its use as an additional device.

The original poster is not going out of their way to drink as much as they can get away with and then drive, they are adding an extra check in before they drive just in case something has happened they missed.

A procedure which I actualy think is a good one.

[feeutfo]

Would be handy if accurate enough, no point owning one if it's not,it's the morning after I'm always concerned about  :-/

[PhilRich]

Leaving aside all the above good & sage advice Skruntie, did your new TomTom manage to guide you back to the sofa?

[davethediver]

Turn left after the armchair

[Richie London]

dont need one, i know when ive had enough 

[Mr Skrunts]

Cheers everyone, very interesting reading.

I mixed the drink in the bottle so I was drinking the same strngrh/mix each time.  This was a mistake as I see the coke bottle in the fridge and take a swig befire realising.  The 2 times I have had a swig, I still would not drive my car as I normally dont drink at all, and as jamie has said he can feel an affect with one can of stella, and my mix is 50% proof smirnoff mixed abot 10 to 90 ratio of coke, may not sound strong  but puts me in a better mood.

I just wanted the test kit to see what it might read regards the legal limit, but even if it didnt register I still would not drive, My licence is clean and I hope to keep it that way.

[tidla]

They are worringly inaccurate as they are not totally specific to alcohol.  They can also be triggered by acetone amongst other things (worrying if you're diabetic or you're partial to a swig of DLK's nail polish remover) 

Bottom line is though, if you have no idea how much you've drunk don't take the risk.

and be careful climbing the stairs