Laws regarding alcohol consumption and drink driving are now stricter. Australia now has a 0.05% Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) driving limit. Driving with a BAC of 0.05% or more can see you with a drink driving charge. A driver’s BAC is directly proportional to their intoxication level; thus, the higher the BAC, the more likely the driver is intoxicated. Preventing drink driving is crucial for overall road safety. Therefore, Australian lawmakers and enforcers provide stricter driving requirements and more frequent tests. This can help improve the safety of all travelling motorists. Nowadays, to avoid driving whilst over the legal limit, drivers would typically use a personal breath tester after consuming alcohol (and before driving). These devices can help them ensure that their BAC is safe and within legal limits. Devices like the BACtrack S70 and S80 Pro are great personal breathalysers.
Choosing a personal device nowadays can be overwhelming due to the wide selection of devices available. However, drivers and users can always trust BACtrack and Breathalysers Australia. These brands specialise in breath testers; therefore, you are in good hands when using their devices. Undoubtedly, personal devices like the BACtrack S70 and BACtrack S80 Pro are devices you can rely on. Despite coming from the same brand and having almost similar names, there are differences between the S70 and S80 Pro.
BACtrack S80 vs BACtrack S70 Breathalyzer: Sensor Differences
The BACtrack S80 and BACtrack S70 feature different sensors. The S70, an older personal breathalyser model, features semiconductor sensors. Semiconductor sensors have long been used in many reliable personal breathalysers in the past. However, since it is a cheaper sensor model (compared to others), its accuracy may be less reliable. Furthermore, it is also important to note that external factors may also affect semiconductor sensors. External fumes, dusty air, and smoke-filled testing areas may sometimes affect your BAC results. Additionally, it is also worth noting that sometimes the residual alcohol content within one’s mouth may affect BAC results.
On the other hand, the S80 Pro (available in Breathalysers Australia) features fuel cell sensors. These are the same sensors you would find in a police officer’s and medical professional’s breathalyser. Moreover, these are entirely different sensors compared to the ones on the BACtrack S70. BACtrack and Breathalysers Australia now opt to use professional-grade sensors in most breathalysers. This is to help ensure users that they are getting a reliable and accurate device for their investment. Moreover, it is worth noting that devices like the S80 Pro have DOT (Department of Transportation) and FDA approval to be safe and accurate testing devices. The S80 can easily comply with the Australian standards for breath testing because it has professional-grade sensors.
BACtrack S80 vs BACtrack S70 Breathalyzer: Fuel cell sensors Advantages
The fuel cell sensors in the BACtrack S80 have a few advantages over the BACtrack S70 sensors. These advantages are:
- External Factors do not affect results: Fuel cell sensors can focus directly on the ethyl alcohol within the breath. Therefore, external factors like fumes cannot affect fuel cell sensor breathalysers. Moreover, it is also worth noting that the residual substances within the mouth (like mouthwash or drink leftovers) cannot affect the BAC results.
- Sensitive to ethyl alcohol only: These sensors are sensitive to ethyl alcohol only, reducing the likelihood of false-positive results. This feature can drastically help users who have diabetes or have low-calorie diets (high acetone levels can cause false positives).
- Durable: These sensors are highly durable and can perform about 1000 tests before needing recalibration. Recalibration of a breathalyser is necessary for it to remain accurate. Sensors would typically need cleaning from time to time. Having durable sensors can help users save money by requiring fewer recalibration services.
- Quick Alcohol Tests: The BACtrack personal breathalysers from Breathalysers Australia (with fuel cell sensors) can process your BAC results within 5 – 10 seconds. This feature can conveniently help users perform more frequently BAC monitoring tests. Performing more tests can help users maintain a healthier alcohol consumption pattern. Furthermore, quick tests can drastically help users who are on the go.
- Not Power Hungry: Despite being highly effective, the S80 Pro fuel cell sensors can run up to 1500 tests with just one set of batteries.
BACtrack S80 vs BACtrack S70 Breathalyzer: Availability
Drivers looking for an effective personal breathalyser in Australia can easily order the BACtrack S80 Pro from Breathalysers Australia. Breathalysers Australia offers same-day nationwide shipping with express and standard options. Since the BACtrack S70 is an older model, looking for a brand new S70 may be difficult. Users choosing the S80 pro will not lose any form of reliability or convenience, in fact they will get a newer, more accurate device. For example, the physical appearance of both devices is almost identical. This means that the convenient button placement of the S70 is still available on the S80. The only main difference between the two devices is sensor type.
Being a a newer model, the BACtrack S80 is more reliable. BACtrack and Breathalysers Australia have done intensive research and used user feedback to improve their devices further. In terms of the BACtrack personal breathalysers from Breathalysers Australia, newer devices are more likely to perform better. The BACtrack S70 may still be a reliable device today. However, using its newer and improved version may benefit users even more.
Why Use the Breathalysers from Breathalysers Australia?
Aside from great accuracy, the personal devices from Breathalysers Australia have other valuable and effective features available. Devices like the BACtrack C series, Trace Pro, Mobile Pro, BACtrack S70, and BACtrack S80 Pro have the following features:
- One-button operations: This feature allows users to start breath tests with just a press of a button. Even users with no breath testing experience can effectively perform their breath tests.
- Quick Warm-up Duration: the personal breathalysers from Breathalysers Australia only need a 10 to 20-second warm-up period.
- Breath sample indicator: these devices can indicate once an adequate breath sample has been provided. This can help ensure test accuracy. Moreover, these devices can also indicate if the breath sample was insufficient through their LED indicators.
- Removable, interchangeable and replaceable mouthpieces: Mouthpieces may deteriorate over time. Having the option to change mouthpieces can help the test accuracy (optimised breath capture).
Conclusion
The rules and regulations of Australian roads are now stricter. Drivers can avoid fines, license disqualifications, impounded vehicles, ignition interlocks, and possible jail time (for repeat or high-range offenders) with a personal breath tester. Devices like the BACtrack S70 and S80 Pro can help monitor alcohol consumption. Constantly monitoring your BAC levels can help avoid overconsumption. Furthermore, knowing your BAC level can help you determine when to stop or slow down consumption. Without a doubt, a BACtrack personal breathalyser can drastically help drivers/users make better decisions even after consuming alcohol.
