Alcohawk PT500

Test lab notes

Design: A sturdy, self-contained unit, the PT500 is battery-powered with a large bright orange LCD screen. The interface was simple to use and the unit was fairly quick to operate once it was turned on.

Performance: We tested all three breathalyzers against a standard police-issue Intoximeter Alco-sensor FST (retail price about $600) to provide a baseline of performance. The PT500 tracked within range at lower levels of intoxication—it was dead-on at the .011 sample and only low by .003 at the second sample at .028. However, that gap widened as our test subject’s blood-alcohol level rose, and it was off by .005 at the third sample and was low by .024 at the fourth sample (taken at .087). This gap was unacceptable, and as a result we cannot recommend this unit.

Price: $149.99. Manufacturer: Alcohawk

Available from: breathalyzers.com