Customer Reviews

AlcoHAWK Q3I-2800 Slim Ultra

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Priced around $50, this small hand-held device gives you a sense of where you are and if you might be best served to call a taxi for a ride home.

The operation of the AlcoHAWK is very simple. Press the red button on the front of the unit and wait 45-60 seconds for the unit to be ready. It would be nice if the unit were ready to go immediately as waiting for it to get ready can be frustrating. Once the unit is ready, you simply blow into the mouthpiece (they provide 3 interchangeable ones) for about 5 seconds, until the unit beeps and displays your blood alcohol level.

If it weren't for a few caveats, we'd heartily recommend this product as an essential tool for anyone who goes out drinking. However there are some significant issues. First, you cannot drink, smoke or eat at least twenty minutes before using the AlcoHAWK. This makes the device pretty impractical if you want to get a read when you are out for dinner or just had a few drinks. Secondly, the instruction manual recommends the unit be recalibrated at least every six to twelve months, which means mailing the unit back to the manufacturer. They are currently offering a free recalibration from their site, but it's important to know going in that you'll incur additional expenses. The final caveat is a real deal killer, though: the manufacturer claims that the unit is only proven accurate at BAC (blood alcohol concentration) levels below 0.032, far below the levels you'd need to have it be accurate if you've had a few drinks.

Read an expanded review at: Drink Sprits dot Com

This is a fantastic product that every person that drinks at all and owns a vehicle should have. Having had a previous DUI, my vehicle is equiped with a state certified breathalizer which is required to start and continue running, the vehicle. I owned a previous version of the alcohawk which was not very accurate. This product is extremly accurate. The complaints of having to wait 20 minutes after eating or drinking before using the unit are standard prodocol for any breathalizer, even the the one required to start my vehicle. There are foods etc. that will affect your BAC, everyone knows about mouthwash, but there are food items that will do the same thing, manufacturers must state that to protect themselves. This is a GREAT, ACCURATE, inexpensive product, a must have for all vehicle owners that drink (even a small amount). It is also a lot of fun on a night out, the results will surprise some, a great christmas gift too, a lot cheaper that a DUI!

This little machine was the worst thing i have ever bought on amazon! Couldnt even get it to work once, not even after reseting numerous times... Follow the instructions word for word, reset it 20 times and expect failure! Seriously, spend the extra money for something that works!

If I had known that the instructions said that you have to wait 20 minutes after eating or drinking I would not have made the purchase.