A Review on the BACtrack Go’s Accuracy

A breathalyser is a useful device for estimating intoxication degree after alcohol consumption. One of the most affordable and dependable breath testers in the market is the BACtrack Go from Breathalysers Australia. The BACtrack Go’s accuracy is determined by the quality performance of MicroCheck sensor technology and the advanced features of the device.  Therefore, it gives reliable results despite being budget-friendly. Having a portable breathalyser like the BACtrack Go helps improve safety.

Nowadays, testing the breath to know the blood alcohol levels is a common practice among regular consumers. People use a breathalyser to know how much their BAC has increased. Hence, it aids them in making informed decisions. This is especially helpful if a person plans to drive. Breathalysers are effective in helping people moderate their consumption levels. This article will present the functions and features of the BACtrack Go, factors affecting the breathalyser, and how alcohol affects the body.

The Accuracy of the BACtrack Go

The BACtrack Go’s accuracy relies on advanced MicroCheck sensor technology to process the breath sample. The semiconductor sensor uses a tin-oxide substance that produces a chemical reaction when it comes in contact with alcohol. The reaction produces small electrical currents proportional to the amount of alcohol in the breath. It is important to note that there is a direct relationship between alcohol in the breath and alcohol concentration in the blood.

Semiconductor oxide sensors are cheaper than other sensing technologies like fuel cell sensors. Thus, they are ideal for personal devices. However, they are sensitive to other kinds of alcohol and volatile chemicals. The presence of other substances may interfere with the BAC reading. To minimise the probability of false positives, the BACtrack Go undergoes a patented burn-in process to equalise the response. As a result, it delivers more reliable BAC results than standard semiconductor breathalysers.

Moreover, additional features also help enhance the accuracy of the BACtrack Go breathalyser. It includes effective breath capture and a mouthpiece that folds away. It also contains a miniature breath pump that activates near the end of each test. Therefore, it enables the device to draw out air samples from the deep lung. Additionally, the mouthpiece helps protect the sensors from ambient air and other gases that may cause inaccurate readings or future damage.

Product Features and Specifications

• MicroCheck sensor technology
• Fold-away mouthpiece
• Keyholder
• One-button operation
• Easy-to-read LCD screen
• Flow error indicator
• Auto power off – shuts down after 10 seconds
• Sensor accuracy of +/- 0.01 at 0.05 % BAC
• Detection range of 0.00 – 0.40 % BAC
• Warm-up time of 11-12 seconds
• Response time of 5 seconds
• Blow time of 5 seconds

BACtrack Go Accuracy: What Can Affect a Breathalyser Reading?

Breathalysers are sensitive devices requiring care and maintenance. Thus, individuals must follow the exact steps to ascertain precise results. Many factors can affect the BACtrack Go’s accuracy as well as other breathalysers’ readings. Firstly, the presence of interfering substances can influence the BAC result. As previously stated, semiconductor sensors are sensitive to other volatile chemicals other than ethanol. Exposure to products containing alcohol, like mouthwash and breath sprays, may cause inaccurately high BAC.

Secondly, the sampling procedure can affect the quality of the breath test. A breathalyser requires ample air for analysis. Therefore, the subject must blow steadily to the mouthpiece for five seconds. Additionally, the device will display a flow error notification if the breath sample is inadequate. This can happen if a person gives a short blow or has an inconsistent breathing pattern. Likewise, holding your breath before the test may result in a higher BAC.

Another critical factor that may affect the BACtrack Go’s accuracy and other breathalysers is the device’s calibration. Sensors inherently drift over time as it builds up small alcohol residue. Therefore, all units need regular tuning or recalibration to maintain optimal performance. It involves cleaning and adjusting the sensor to its preset values. Additionally, it is advisable to send the device within the recommended duration. Avoid using a breathalyser past its recalibration period or if it gives inconsistent readings.

How to Operate a Breathalyser

• Press the power button until the LCD screen lights up.
• Wait for the countdown timer to reach zero and display the blow signal.
• Give a steady blow for five seconds or until the beeping sound stops.
• Wait for the device to analyse the breath sample and display the results within 10-15 seconds.

BACtrack Go Accuracy: How Alcohol Works in the Body

A portable breath tester is the most efficient way to determine the BAC. It is a non-invasive tool and gives instant results. Moreover, knowing how alcohol works in the body is essential to understanding the accuracy of the BACtrack Go and other breathalysers. After ingestion, alcohol quickly passes from the stomach to the bloodstream. Then, the bloodstream circulates the alcohol molecules to vital organs, including the lungs. Finally, alcohol vaporises in the lungs and exits through exhalation.

The time it takes for alcohol to be detectable on breath only takes a few minutes. Hence, it is advised to wait 15 to 20 minutes after drinking and eating to allow alcohol to reach the lungs. Taking a breath test before this period may cause inaccurate results because the body has not fully absorbed alcohol. Likewise, it may register a high BAC in a breathalyser due to high concentrations of alcohol in the mouth.

Following the correct breath test procedure helps ensure the BACtrack Go’s accuracy. In addition, breathalysers show the BAC results in real time. However, it is possible for the BAC to increase after testing as alcohol levels continue to rise after two hours. Therefore, it can help individuals make decisions, especially about driving. For instance, you may retest after ten minutes to see if your BAC is increasing or decreasing.

Factors affecting BAC

• Type of alcoholic beverage, including if it is a mixed drink
• Alcohol concentration in drink
• Amount and rate of consumption
• Age
• Gender
• Weight
• Body fat
• Food in the stomach
• Hydration level
• Metabolic rate
• Medications
• Alcohol tolerance
• Medical conditions, including diabetes, acid reflux, flu, fever
• Hormonal changes

Conclusion

The BACtrack Go’s accuracy relies on powerful sensing technology, the MicroCheck sensor. The sensors undergo a patented process to estimate the amount of alcohol in the blood through the breath. It also includes user-friendly features to help enhance accuracy and make the breath testing procedure more efficient. Therefore, it provides reliable BAC readings unparalleled for its price point. Moreover, the BACtrack Go is suitable for low-volume testing or quick alcohol screening.

Using the breathalyser correctly helps ascertain valid results. In addition, determining what can affect a breathalyser will help to know what to avoid. Furthermore, knowing how alcohol affects you can help in understanding the functions of a breathalyser. For example, it can help identify how fast your BAC will increase with a certain drink. Thus, you can make the most out of your personal alcohol tester. You may check more details of the BACtrack Go Keychain at Breathalysers Australia.