I have had the "Intoxalock" by Consumer Safety Technology out of Iowa for about half a year now. I have experience many stressfull situations already.
First, my battery (being a little low on juice from playing radio with car off) would not let the car start even after taking a passing sample. The car would start to turn over for a split sec with plenty of power left to start the car, but the unit would cut off ignition anyway for low voltage. (not to mention the display on the unit doesn't tell you it's a low voltage situation.
Second, After they upgraded the unit due to MN law changes requiring a camera, they added a siren to notify you to blow, that must register at about 200 decibels. It is soooo loud that I nearly pooped my pants the first time it went off when starting and during a rolling retest. My ears were completely numb after driving. I called them to discuss the siren and they indicated that I would have to pay to have the service station to insulate the siren to lessen the noise because they say it is not an install or unit failure. No, but it's a huge design/engineering failure. I shouldn't have to damage my future hearing because of this unsafe decibel level.
Third, every unit that I receive at re-calibration act differently. Some beep for about 10 secs before doing anything. Some give weird lettering across the screen. Some display voltage. My last unit start to ask for me to blow after the "waiting for restart" countdown ended after shutting off my car (only reason I noticed was because I was standing next to my car talking to someone.)
Fourth, They charged me $75 for a lockout do to eating food that created a positive reading, even though I passed the re-blow when prompted. Even though not a violation by law, it's still $75 for them to press a couple of buttons to unlock it.
Fifth, In cold weather it had me wait 45secs to warm up (understandable), but then at the end of the countdown it just started counting down again in: 59 sec increments with something like (R: 59) on the display. I would never let me blow, just kept going through the alphabet over and over counting down from: 59 sec. Had to call afterhours emergency line to have the tech, help me reset the unit.
Conclusion? I've had this unit for only about 6 mos, and have had all these issues. I'm scared to death about this inconsistent device screwing my life up do to Missed Work, and Questionable charges. (understand it was my fault for eating before blowing, but the girl on the phone was like, "It clearly states in the Manual that you should avoid eating or drinking before blowing. Even though you passed the re-test 3min later and it's not going to violate you, you are still responsible for the $75 lockout fee.) The tone of her voice had the "I know you are but what am I... Elementary tone...
I have never been the complaint/sue type, but forming a Class suit against this company for Hearing loss alone is tempting. It can be easily tested that the Decibel level put out by this siren on their unit is loud enough to cause permanent hearing loss.
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