BACtrack Trace Professional breathalyzer review from specs

The Trace suits a person or small team that screens regularly and wants the same sensor family as the S80 in a lighter, narrower case. At around three ounces it travels easily in a bag or vehicle, and the long battery rating means it is ready when needed rather than flat in a drawer.

It is also a reasonable choice for anyone who prefers to keep phones out of the process. With no Bluetooth there is nothing to pair or update. If you want automatic records of each result, though, a model such as the BACtrack Mobile or C8 fits better.

Check the battery compartment before ordering spares, since the maker's pages name AAA in one place and AA in another. Both agree on roughly 1,500 tests per set.

The maker states the Trace meets DOT and NHTSA requirements for a breath alcohol screening device. We have not checked that claim against the NHTSA Conforming Products List, and no Trace specific FDA 510(k) number appears on BACtrack pages. Either way, a screening result is not legal evidence.

The tolerance is quoted at 0.050% BAC, while the S80 quotes its figure at 0.100% BAC, so the two are not measured at the same point. For more on reading tolerance figures, see our guide on how accurate are breathalyzers.

There is no user calibration. The Trace goes to BACtrack's paid send in service, which checks the mechanics, air flow and accuracy and returns the unit in about 10 to 14 business days under the standard option, with the fee covering return shipping. The maker's buying guide recommends a yearly calibration, and its calibration page names the Trace among Pro Grade units that hold calibration longer than the rest of the range. Heavy daily use may call for more frequent checks.

If the unit fails its check, BACtrack sends a replacement or refunds the fee with a discount toward a new device, depending on whether the one year warranty still applies. Our guide to calibrating a breathalyzer covers what to expect from a send in service.

Against the BACtrack S80, the Trace is smaller and lighter, quotes its tolerance at a lower BAC point and lists a faster response, while the S80 runs on AA batteries with the same test rating. For heavier workplace use, our professional breathalyzer category covers instruments built for formal programs. To see why fuel cell sensors are favored for repeated screening, read fuel cell vs semiconductor breathalyzer, and for the rest of the brand see our BACtrack overview.