Comparison Alcoscan AL-6000 vs DESO KRO-ALT-09

The measurement range provided by the breathalyzer. It is indicated from the minimum level of alcohol in the blood that the device is able to detect, to the maximum.

It is worth choosing according to this parameter, taking into account the purposes for which it is planned to use the device, what levels of alcohol they will have to measure. For your convenience, you can use the following table:

— Up to 0.3 ‰ — asymptomatic degree of intoxication. There are no obvious signs of alcohol consumption, it is impossible to detect them without special means. In countries where there is no “zero per mille” rule for drivers, the blood alcohol level allowed for driving is usually within these limits (most often it is 0.2 ‰).

— 0.3 – 0.6 ‰ — a slight degree of intoxication. Some violation of concentration and coordination, disinhibition, talkativeness, the appearance of relaxation and euphoria.

— 0.6 – 1 ‰ — the average degree of intoxication. Dullness of sensations, weakening of self-control, loss of logic in reasoning, memory lapses after sobering up are possible.

— 1 – 2 ‰ — the degree of intoxication is above average. Speech becomes almost incomprehensible, reflexes and coordination are severely impaired, mood swings and manifestations of uncontrolled aggression are possible.

— 2 – 3 ‰ — a significant degree of intoxication: confusion and loss o...f consciousness, severe motor impairment.

— 3 – 4 ‰ — a strong degree of intoxication: a violation of the heartbeat and breathing, uncontrolled vomiting and urination, the inability to stand and move straight.

— above 4 ‰ — a critical degree of intoxication, a fatal outcome is likely.

Note that for some breathalyzers, the lower limit of the measurement range is indicated as "0". You can estimate the lowest concentration of alcohol that such a device is guaranteed to be able to detect using the maximum error (see below): the lower limit of the range will approximately correspond to the claimed error.

The warm-up time of the breathalyzer to the working state, in other words, the time that must pass after switching on or after the end of the previous measurement before the device can be used.

The fastest modern breathalyzers warm up in 5 – 6 seconds, time up to 20 seconds is considered quite good; in slower models, this time can be up to a minute. At the same time, it makes sense to specifically look for a device with a short warm-up time only in cases where it is needed for streaming checks and high speed is crucial. And if the device is purchased for individual use with measurements a maximum of 2 – 3 times a day — you can not pay much attention to this parameter: waiting even a few tens of seconds is most often not a problem.

The time it takes the instrument to test — in other words, the time that elapses between the end of the purge and the display of the final result. This is one of the parameters that determine the performance of the device (along with the warm-up time and purge time, see above). At the same time, we note that it makes sense to specifically look for a device with a short testing time ( 10 s or less) mainly for mass flow checks, when “every second counts” — for example, for pre-trip control of drivers at a large auto enterprise. If we are talking about episodic measurements — for example, individual self-control after "celebrations" once or twice a month — you can get by with a device with a low speed.

Built-in counter that records the number of measurements taken. The features of the operation of such a counter can be different — in particular, it can count from the beginning of the day, from the moment it was turned on, from the moment the sensor was last calibrated, etc. These details should be clarified separately. Anyway, the meaning of this function lies in the fact that most breathalyzers have restrictions on the number of measurements per day, and without automatic counting, it can be difficult to monitor compliance with these restrictions. In addition, the calibration and maintenance of the sensor also needs to be done after a certain number of measurements.

Ability to save the results of the last few measurements in the memory of the device. The number of available saves can be different, as well as their storage time: in some devices, the saved results are erased when turned off, in others they are stored until they are erased or overwritten. Anyway, the memory of the last measurements is useful mainly for streaming checks.

The backlight allows you to read the display in low light conditions and even in complete darkness. The way it works can be different: in some models, the backlight turns on automatically when the device is turned on or when the result is displayed, in others, by pressing a special button.

Type of power supplied by the device. The power supply methods used in modern breathalyzers can be divided into two types — replaceable cells of a standard size and original batteries.

The first option is convenient because dead batteries can be quickly replaced with fresh ones — the main thing is to have a supply on hand. At the same time, replaceable elements can be made both disposable and rechargeable, in the form of batteries. On the other hand, batteries usually have to be purchased separately — and either regularly buy more disposable cells, or spend a significant amount on batteries and a charger. Here are the main sizes of replaceable elements found in modern breathalyzers:

— AAA. Cylindrical-shaped batteries, known as "mini finger" or "little finger" batteries. A fairly popular option, especially among entry-level and mid-level breathalyzers: they are small in size, and although the capacity of such batteries is small, it is quite enough for the mentioned devices.

— AA. Classic, known to many "finger" batteries. For a number of reasons (in particular, due to the larger size), they are used in breathalyzers less frequently than the “little finger” AAA.

— PP3. Batteries of a characteristic rectangular shape with a pair of contacts on one of the ends. They are distinguished by a rather high voltage — 9 V. They are used mainly in professional devices with an abundance of additional functions that require a large amount of energy.<...br>
As for the original batteries, such batteries often outperform replacement batteries in terms of performance and do not require additional costs: the battery is purchased immediately with the device and in the future it is enough to periodically recharge it. On the other hand, charging requires time and a power source; it is usually impossible to quickly replace a dead battery. And the mentioned performance advantages are rarely decisive. As a result, this variant is relatively rare in breathalyzers.

The range of air temperatures at which the breathalyzer is able to work correctly. Note that if the device goes beyond this range, the device will not necessarily fail, but there is no need to talk about the accuracy of measurements in such a situation. This parameter is especially important for models with semiconductor sensors (see "Sensor") — the correct operation of such sensors is highly dependent on the ambient temperature. It is best to use such a device at a temperature corresponding to approximately the middle of the allowable range — in this case, the error will be minimal.

The most cold-resistant modern breathalyzers are capable of operating at sub-zero temperatures, the most resistant to heat — at temperatures of +45 ... +50 °C.