AlcoSense Excel Fuel Cell Breathalyzer

As I had previously purchased the AlcoSense Elite, I was offered a free upgrade unit of the AlcoSense Excel in exchange for an honest review of the Elite. This are my experiences of this unit, the information provided is accurate to the best of my knowledge at the time this review was written. Consult the user guide, manufacturer and your local laws for advise on alcohol limits and the driving law in your area. Do not drink and drive. PROS: - Easy to use (menu driven with three buttons) - Calibration before each use is very quick (takes around 10 seconds before it's ready to use, much quicker than others I've used) - High quality and easy to read screen (really impressed with this) - Very Good build quality (family member described it as looking like an Apple product) - Quick Response with Reading after test - You don't have to blow into unit for too long before it reads the result (Elite took quite a lot of time breathing into unit before it would analyse) - "Accurate" - Several concurrent tests produced the same or very similar results (also tested with a group of people) - Easy to know when not to drive - if within 20%-80% of drink drive limit goes amber, if within 20% of limit clear do not drive warning displayed - Unit powers on quickly - Unit can be updated via included USB Cable - Easy to change settings, if needed CONS: - The tester blow tubes can easily be lost (spares ARE included, however) - One result produced a wildly inaccurate result (the user had just had a drink before testing - AlcoSense clearly warn against doing this) After receiving an eMail from AlcoSense offering me a free upgrade, I sent off my existing unit and ordered I a replacement unit at no cost, which arrived promptly. N.B. I notice AlcoSense offer a discount on each of their models, if upgrading from a cheaper model (just send back your existing unit in exchange). The box includes the breathalyser, USB Cable, Batteries, Tubes for testing and the user manual. After opening the box and installing the batteries, I powered on the unit and was immediately impressed by how much better the screen is (high quality colour TFT Screen). The initial setup is very easy (and can be done without the manual!). You set the time/date and alcohol limit and unit type (will give you a country list for reference). To use it, you slide the top of unit up and insert a blow tube into the hole at the bottom. I tested the unit on a couple of occasions with both myself and my family over Christmas and everyone was impressed by the build quality and easy of use of the product. I also tested myself 3-4 times over 15 minutes to make sure the result was accurate and found the result initially returned the same result then slowly dropped. I would definitely recommend spending the extra money and going for this over the Elite, and would avoid cheap breathalysers! I've had bad experiences with cheap breathalysers in the past, but have been very satisfied with both the Elite and the Excel. Both units are small enough to fit into my glove box and storage draw in my car. I've kept both in the car and always use them the morning after to check I'm safe to drive. N.B. It's important that you don't test yourself for at least 45 minutes after your last drink as your alcohol level may continue to rise as your body will continue to absorb alcohol for some time after your last drink. It's also worth noting that if any alcohol gets onto the sensor it will give an invalid reason as the alcohol concentration is too high (and can damage the sensor). One family member blew a result of around 4% BAC, which was way higher than anyone else (who'd drunk more). He'd taken a drink just before blowing into it. However, after a minute or so, I tested myself again and found the result was the same as my previous result so it appeared not to have damaged or affected the unit adversely. It's better not to drive at all the same day and use a breathalyser for the morning after. You can get any of the Alcosense Breathalysers calibrated for about £20, so you know they're still accurate after a year.

I recently purchased the AlcoSense Excel Breathalyser, and I must say, I am thoroughly impressed with its performance and features. As someone who takes responsible drinking seriously, this device has become an essential tool in my daily life. The breathalyser's compact and sleek design makes it convenient to carry around, ensuring I can use it whenever needed. The clear and easy-to-read display provides accurate and rapid results, giving me a precise indication of my blood alcohol level. This feature is particularly useful, as it helps me make informed decisions before getting behind the wheel or engaging in any activities that require alertness and coordination. What sets the AlcoSense Excel Breathalyser apart is its user-friendly interface and intuitive operation. The one-button activation and straightforward instructions make it hassle-free to use, even for those who may not be tech-savvy. The device also boasts a reliable sensor technology that consistently delivers accurate readings. As a satisfied customer, I would like to express my appreciation for the product's quality and performance. It has undoubtedly contributed to safer choices when it comes to alcohol consumption, both for me and for those around me. The peace of mind that comes with knowing my exact blood alcohol level is invaluable, and I highly recommend the AlcoSense Excel Breathalyser to anyone who values responsible drinking and road safety.

The AlcoSense Excel feels like a quality device and is nicely packaged. It comes with 5 blow tubes - useful if it's for use by more than one person but the tubes can be used repeatedly, they're not single-use disposable. The unit is very easy to use. Sliding the front panel up switches it on and exposes the port for attaching a blow tube. The port is backlit, which would be very convenient if using in a darkened environment. The display shows a countdown while the sensor warms for about 10-15 seconds. When it's ready, just blow into the tube. The display changes to show you're blowing hard enough (if it doesn't, you're not) and a sufficient sample is collected in less than 10 seconds of blowing. It takes a few more seconds to analyse, then it shows the result with a background coloured green (clear), yellow (alcohol detected but within the set limit) or red (near or above the limit). Simple as that. The downloadable AlcoSense Data Manager program that's used for installing software updates is Windows only, which is a nuisance for me as I don't have a Windows computer. It doesn't seem to matter for now anyway as, rather oddly, the software version installed on my unit is newer than the version available on the AlcoSense web site. Presumably that means they don't publish new versions as soon as they are released, which is strange. I bough a Universal Carry Case with my breathalyser. It's not just a soft pouch but a nice little tough case that should protect the device. At about £13 the price is not unreasonable, but I think the more expensive fuel-cell breathalysers (Excel and above) really ought to include this case as standard. Overall, I'm very pleased with my purchase and would recommend it. It's not cheap but I wanted something reliable, and AlcoSense has a good reputation.

This unit came nicely packaged and instructions were easy to follow. First thing that I did was to download the AlcoSense Data Manager to check the firmware, which was up to date. Had a couple of tests with the product since. The unit is pretty free from clutter and unwanted buttons, very easy to use, and gives a good, accurate reading very quickly. The blow tubes seem pretty robust and the process of blowing into the device is very straightforward. A couple of points which prevented me giving a 5-star review: 1. Price point on the high side especially given the lack of a carry case. 2. The feel of the buttons is a bit "clicky" and "plasticky", somewhat reminiscent of an 80's hand-held arcade game without the thrills (unless you test positive I guess). We are all used to soft-touch buttons nowadays so it already feels a little dated. If you can cope with the above two points it's a good, easy to use machine and I think everyone should have access to something like this, just in case.

After sending a cheaper one back because of inquorate readings I bought this one. It's nice and compact and very easy to set up and use. The meter can be adjusted depending on the limits for each country. Will come in very useful driving in Europe.

Excellent product to replace an older Alcosense product. One of the semiconductor sensor versions (£50 from Halfords). I decided not to replace like for like, preferring to spend few extra quid for a more accurate fuel cell version. So easy to set up and use. I believe the precision/ accuracy to be high. I highly value this product, as you just don't know how your body will process alcohol in your body from the day before. I only drive when the results are low. I think if you enjoy a couple of glasses of wine in the evening, then it is responsible to use one of these devices. I had no problems with alcosense previously and therefore had no thoughts of going elsewhere. This was confirmed by the numerous reviews on independent websites. Build quality is good and robust. The tubes can be reused and there is no need for a new one every use. Don't try and put the tube in at 90o, the tube goes in at slight angle (downwards). This device does not appear as demanding as the previous semiconductor version where i sometimes found it difficult to get the blow rate right. The semiconductor version had a test mode which I liked to ensure it was functioning properly (this is why I replaced as it give low results for alcohol on test, im sure it was repairable, but being 5 years old thought it was time to invest in a new version). Excellent British brand!

Been looking at these devices for a number of years, the concern always being the morning after and not knowing if you are safe to drive or not, so always aired on the side of caution and arranged other transports methods just to be sure. Just to be clear, I am not using this device to make sure I'm just under, I want to make sure it is showing "Low less than 0.20 0/00 BAC" before I consider driving. Again as other reviewers I ordered the Excel model which has issues & was out of stock. Therefore the AlcoSense Pro was provided in its place. Which is the next model up and provided at the same price as the AlcoSense Excel. Which is a fantastic deal, and first time I have had this from any supplier, so many thx. Setting up the product was very straightforward and I have tested it several times and believe it is very accurate, which to be fair is vital as if it wasn't it would be basically useless. Plus you can set your own Country or manually enter the limit where you reside, which proves future proofing as the limits are reduced by Government. 5 Blow Tubes are provided together with the batteries required, I also went for the case which is of good quality, but a little tight when you have the provided tubes in the same case, but does close easily. I too wasn't aware that the device needs to be re-calibrated by AlcoSense every 12 months, and has an re calibration date on starting up the device. But as stated earlier without accuracy the device is useless, so a hopefully minimal charge each year is a small price to pay for peace of mind.

Excellent little machine to give you peace of mind when driving the morning after. You can't be too careful, especially around Xmas time when there are numerous social events on. Before using this we had no idea what amount of alcohol we could drink before being over the limit the following morning, as everyone metabolises alcohol diferently. This takes away the guess work and provides an accurate reading and keeps you safe. Very easy to use and a valuable investment when you think you could lose your licence, car and probably your job over one sip too many. Is it really worth the risk!?