AlcAlert BT5500 Personal Alcohol Detector

by PNI

Product Features

• Compact, easy-to-use alcohol detector for home use with carrying pouch
• Alert sounds when ready to use and when breath sample registers
• Displays percentage of blood alcohol content in precise increments of 0.00% to 0.12%
• Two AAA batteries; long battery life works for over 300 uses
• 90-day warranty

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

How much is too much? Sometimes it's hard to gauge on your own. This pocket-sized alcohol detector will let you know if your after-work cocktails with friends or holiday celebrating has made you unsafe to drive. This easy-to-use device has a power button on the top that counts down 14 seconds while you prepare for the test. When countdown is complete, the detector beeps and you gently blow into the vent until you hear a second series of beeps, signaling that the reading has registered. The percentage of blood alcohol content (%BAC) in your body is displayed on the backlit LCD screen in increments of 0.00 to 0.12 so you can see if you're over the legal limit. Anything greater is displayed as +.12 and absolutely means that it's time to call a cab. The AlcAlert uses two long-lasting AAA batteries that provide power for over 300 tests before they need replacing. The unit tucks into a discreet carrying pouch and is compact enough to carry in a purse or jacket pocket. The AlcAlert is covered by a 90-day limited warranty. --Cristina Vaamonde

Product Description

The AlcAlert measures the level of alcohol in a person's breath by utilizing advanced semi-conductor gas sensor technology. It clearly displays the Blood Alcohol Content in precise digital percentile increments, in about ten seconds. It's easy to use. Simply press the button, wait for the beep, blow into the unit, and within seconds the LCD displays a precise readout. The AlcAlert model BT5500 comes with 2 AAA batteries and a carrying pouch.

Product Details

Product Manual [376kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.8 x 1.5 inches ; 8 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0000789HA
• UPC: 744869100449
• Item model number: BT5500
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #292,563 in Health & Personal Care (See Top 100 in Health & Personal Care)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice to have, but not completely reliable, February 13, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: AlcAlert BT5500 Personal Alcohol Detector (Health and Beauty)

I received my Personal Alcohol detector a couple of weeks ago. I used it on several occasions after having multiple drinks. Here is what I think:

Likes:

* Small size
* Feels like a high quality device
* Very portable

Dislikes:

* Only goes to .12. Although this is sufficient to decide whether to drive or not, you can't tell how much longer it will be until you are safer to drive. For example, if you knew that you were .14, you know to wait over 2 more hours before it is legal to drive (depending on what state you live in).
* Does not work well inside bars or nightclubs due to the smoke and or fog. Usually displays SAT when used in these environments.
* Unit is not always accurate. In one case, according to the unit, my BAC increased hours after having my last drink. As the instructions elude to, you should only use this as a guide.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars could be useless..., February 9, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: AlcAlert BT5500 Personal Alcohol Detector (Health and Beauty)

I will agree that the unit reaches saturation too quickly - the only reading this thing gives is .12 - and that is well after 30 minutes past my last drink. And it would appear to be mathematically impossible to have that high a BAC based on # of drinks vs weight. I also have a unit from Sharper Image, which gave readings in the .015 to .02 range while this one said .12 (Yes, the decimals are in the right place.)

I will experiment with it some more and/or look into contacting the manufacturer; perhaps there is a problem with the unit. But for now I have concluded that I don't really trust any device of this type.

25 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If used correctly, a good indicator!, January 13, 2003

By 

Steve Cirica (Dallas, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: AlcAlert BT5500 Personal Alcohol Detector (Health and Beauty)

I am very pleased with this unit. It is only a warning, and I would never drive after drinking. One of the reviewers stated that the saturation point arrives too quickly. Most likely that is due to taking a reading while you are drinking. It is important to have a 30 minutes period between the time you take your last drink and the time you use the machine. If done correctly, the results are accurate and repeatable. I myself have taken a drink, then immediately tried the AlcAlert and got a .12+ reading. This is from the alcohol in your mouth, not in your blood or breathe.

If this unit does nothing more than make you think before you drink and drive, it is worth buying.