Welcome to
Alcohawk Support

Units purchased from unauthorized distributors may be out of calibration and the cost of calibration will be the customers responsibility. Please contact our service center for assistance.

Warranty Promise & Policy

Keep it in top-notch working condition with an extended warranty plan! Your AlcoHAWK product comes with a one-year limited warranty*. But let’s face it; you want to enjoy your AlcoHAWK for a LONG time! Invest in an extended warranty plan that will cover your prized possession for an additional 2 years (starting one year from the date of purchase)!

Hawk Promise

As long as your product is under warranty we will:

  • Keep your AlcoHAWK functioning like new. If it becomes defective we will repair the unit or replace it at no cost to you**!
  • Protect your AlcoHAWK from every day wear and tear.
  • Provide you with access to our dedicated support staff for continued help in trouble-shooting any problems.

Extended Plans

We offer extended warranties on all professional and personal breathalyzers. The warranty will add an additional two years of protection. Find pricing on each breathalyzer product page. With an Extended Warranty we guarantee your breathalyzer stays in working order or we repair or replace it.

* Routine/regular calibration is not part of the warranty plan. Please review our Calibration Service Plans if you are interested in purchasing multiple prepaid calibration certificates at a discounted rate.

** Customer only pays for the freight expense back to Q3 Innovations.

Trade-In Program

AlcoHAWK’s Trade-In Program is an opportunity for you to trade in your used breathalyzer and upgrade to the latest technology. AlcoHAWK will accept any and all breathalyzer models from any manufacturer and retailer whether the unit is working or not.

Simply contact customer service and they will offer you a trade-in allowance of $20 off your purchase of AlcoHAWK breathalyzers and accessories equaling $100 or more.

1

Fill out the form

2

Pack old unit with form

3

Ship it
to us

DOWNLOAD FORM

Frequently Asked Questions

 

What is the difference between a semi conductor sensor and a fuel cell sensor?

Semiconductor Sensors commonly use a tin-oxide substance and are more economical. They are commonly used in Alcohol Screening Devices. Fuel Cell sensors commonly use platinum metal and are higher cost. Also, they are more specific for ethyl alcohol and reduce false positives from substances such as ketones that are similar in chemical structure to alcohol. They are commonly used in evidential grade devices.

 

How accurate are breath alcohol detectors (a/k/a breathalyzers)?

Every alcohol detector has a margin of error. However, it's safe to say that the greater the price, the greater the accuracy and specificity. For more information about the types of units available, compare our products in our Comparison Chart.

 

Do alcohol detectors have to be calibrated?

Over time, all alcohol testers need to be recalibrated or have the sensor replaced. Calibration is a process where you program the internal software so that it can gauge specific BAC levels. If the sensor becomes saturated, then the results can become skewed. This is because the unit was originally calibrated when the sensor was unsaturated. This process is sort of like winding a clock. When the clock is first set it displays accurate time. However, over time the clock gradually drifts a few minutes, and eventually can be off by quite a bit if you do not occasionally reset the clock. When selecting an alcohol tester, it is imperative to select a unit that is capable of being calibrated.

 

Why does Quest not offer replacement sensor modules instead of calibration?

Quest’s trained technicians perform a full diagnostic check on all aspects of the unit as part of the routine calibration process. Thus, the calibration process offered by Quest is more than simple calibration. Quest technicians test all aspects. Also, it is our opinion that a user will not know if the replacement module is accurate or out of calibration itself. Finally, the cost of the replacement module is more than the full diagnostic process that Quest provides.

 

What is Sensor Recognition Technology?

Sensor Recognition Technology™ is a technology offered with all AlcoHAWK® devices that monitors certain types of abnormal sensor conditions. If the unit detects certain abnormal conditions, a message will be displayed to warn the user that servicing is required.

 

What is an Electric Pressure Sensor?

This sensor ensures that the user exhales through the mouthpiece with the required force for five seconds. This is a vital function because only samples of air from the deep lung are proportionate to blood alcohol content. This important feature prevents an intentional short exhale which can affect accuracy.

 

What model do I need to test my employees for the presence of alcohol?

If the testing is on safety sensitive employees, it is regulated by the DOT. The type of unit needed is a workplace tester such as the EV30 or Phoenix 6.0. If the testing is for NON-DOT testing, then the FC Series or the AlcoHAWK® series would meet your needs as a screener.

 

What model(s) are used by law enforcement officials for preliminary screening devices?

An evidential unit is ideal for law enforcement officials throughout the U.S. The FC Series, SD-5, and AlcoSensor models are commonly used by police officers. In addition, several law enforcement officials are now using the AlcoHAWK®, including the new PT500, PT500P and PT750, as their preliminary screening device because the semiconductor technology is more affordable than fuel cell technology.

 

What are the ramifications if a breath alcohol tester has not obtained FDA 510(K) pre-marketing notification?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies all breath alcohol testing devices as “medical devices” requiring “pre-marketing clearance” through the submission of a 510(k) Application. The 510(k) enables the FDA to determine if the device is “safe and effective” for over-the-counter use. Thus, before any breath alcohol tester can be commercially distributed and sold in the United States for personal use, FDA 510(k) pre-marketing notification clearance is necessary. The entire AlcoHAWK® Series is 510(k) pre-marketing notification cleared by the FDA.

 

Is my blood alcohol concentration (BAC) the only factor in determining whether I can get a drunk driving charge?

No. Most states generally look for factors that reflect your impairment. BAC is a guideline approach used by police departments; however, you can receive a drunk driving or reckless driving charge even if your BAC is below the legal limit if you are impaired.

 

What is the advantage of a device that displays BAC readings to the thousandth decimal place (i.e., .000%) versus a device that displays BAC readings to the hundredth decimal place (i.e., .00%)?

Breath alcohol testers that offer BAC readings to the hundredth decimal place (i.e., .00%) often do so by rounding the digit that would otherwise appear in the thousandth decimal place. For instance, if a person’s blood alcohol content is .075%, then a device that displays readings to the hundredth decimal place (i.e., .00%) would round up the final digit and the device would display .08%. Similarly, if a person’s blood alcohol content is .084%, then a device that displays readings to the hundredth decimal place (i.e., 00%) would round down the final digital and the device would display .08%. Devices that offer readings to the thousandth decimal place (.000%) give the user the final “check digit” to remove the speculation of which way the device is rounding.

Resources

Product Manuals

View and download manuals, quick guides
and data sheets for each breathalyzer model.

See Manuals >

Forms

Find downloadable .pdfs for returns,
calibrations, trade-ins and more.

See Forms >

Register Device

Register your serial number to manage warranties and get the latest service news.

Register your Device >

How else can we help?

Need more information? Send us a message.

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