Comments on: App Review: DrinkTracker Breathalyzer for iPhone

By: John

John — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 00:02:42 +0000

If only there was app that showed where road blocks were.

By: John

John — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 00:01:20 +0000

I just bought a police approved breatalyzer. I will compare results when it arrives. Hows that??

By: John

John — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 17:02:42 +0000

If only there was app that showed where road blocks were.

By: John

John — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 17:01:20 +0000

I just bought a police approved breatalyzer. I will compare results when it arrives. Hows that??

By: drinktracker

drinktracker — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 01:08:13 +0000

Glad you didn't start that off with IMHO….

Memo To Self: Include mitochondrial DNA sequencing capability, real-time database query access to Genographic Project for ethnicity determination, and cytochrome P450 testing module in next version of DrinkTracker (File Note: Keep price at $1.99 per unit)

By: Cchevy

Cchevy — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 14:18:19 +0000

Regardless whether this app is accurate or not is ridiculous nonetheless. When drinking, whom is going to remember to input their consumption??

By: Cchevy

Cchevy — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 14:17:12 +0000

Regardless whether this app is accurate or not is ridiculous nonetheless. When drinking, whom is going to remember to input their consumption??

By: Name

Name — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 12:09:32 +0000

Actually, no. BAC is significantly affected by individual characteristics that are not taken into account by this program (nor could they be) which determine how the body metabolizes in order to eliminate alcohol (the ethanol component of drinks). Genetic variations in your ALD and ALD2 (alcohol dehydrogenase, the enzyme that metabolizes this) as well as the state of your cytochrome P450 enzymes (up or down regulation) play a huge role. These things vary based on genetic patterns seen with various ethnic groups, with the functional state of your liver, as well as with a variety of variable factors such as the time of day and quantity you have been drinking before hand.

There is extensive literature on the subject that I suggest you read.

This program, while it may be a rough estimation tool, lacks the specificity for people to use as a tool to decide if they are safe to drive. If people are in any doubt they should either not drive or they should use a reliable breahalyzer test.

By: X1Zero

X1Zero — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 05:28:43 +0000

I've seen a lot of posts and I've seen a lot of responses, but “Name”, you sir have just been served.

By: drinktracker

drinktracker — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 05:08:31 +0000

@Name – the human body metabolises alcohol in a clinically predictable manner based on height, weight, age and gender. If you'd had a look at the app before commenting (or thoroughly read the review) you would have noticed that these significant variables are built into the app and its calculation of the BAC of the user. The physical manifestations of alcohol intoxication may vary from person to person (some people have a propensity to run off at the mouth, some pick fights, some go to sleep, etc) the BAC of a person is, indeed, physiologically predictable. DrinkTracker doesn't make any pretense to predict what sort of a drunk you are, but simply to quantify the number that the police will also use to decide whether to charge you or not. Same predictive science, same calculations, same result.