Kidde 5DCO-0230 BSI Battery Premium Range Carbon Monoxide Alarm with Digital Display

I installed the unit a couple of weeks ago, so far no false alarms.
It is easy to fit it hooks onto two screws and looks smart and not intrusive.
Set up was straight forward, I tested the alarm which is quite loud.
A little green light flashes every 30 seconds to let you know it is operating.
The LED display gives a reading of zero when operating, and gives another reading when the alarm goes off.
Reading will have to be checked against the table in the instructions, of cause after everyone has vacated the premises and doors and windows opened.
A printed label telling you what to do if the alarm activates can be placed by unit.
Carbon monoxide is a silent killer, I really should have fitted one ages ago.
We sleep easier now we have one installed.
One other thing because it is battery operated it is also portable so you can take it with
you if you use a caravan or self catering cottages etc.
Hope this review helps.

UPDATE. 10/07/12
Have recently change the batteries, mainly for peace of mind even though the batteries still check out OK with tester. So they have lasted for nearly 20 months, with regular tests.
I have had no false alarms.
Some time ago I was concern that when I test the unit, how do I know that it works. Pressing the test button tells you the unit works electrically,but does not test the unit for Carbon Monoxide.
So after checking around came across DETECTAGASCO Alarm Tester Kit 520ml CO Alarm Tester Kit Qty 1 First Aid + Fire, it is available for around £7.50. it is simple to use and the unit when tested shown max reading 999 then drop to zero, the alarm stop near the 40 mark.
I am now satisfied that the unit will work.
The detectagas canister has enough gas for seven tests and has labels to enter dates of tests etc.

UPDATE. 29/09/12
A comment was made is the readout on the Carbon Monoxide Alarm a gimmick.
I believe that it is worth having, because any readings shown on the unit will give you an indication of a problem, the other thing thats worth mentioning is that when you are away from your premises it also keeps a record of peak readings, this is stated on the instructions, normal conditions should show a reading of 0.

The following table gives you some idea of what can happen.

PPM COHb--------------------------Duration of Exposure-----------Symptoms
Airbourne Concentration Levels

100 ppm---------------------------Within 2 to 3 hours-------------Slight Headache
400 ppm---------------------------Within 1 to 2 hours-------------Frontal Headache
-----------------------------------Within 2 1/2 to 3 hours---------Wide Spread Headache
800 ppm---------------------------Within 45 minutes--------------Dizziness, Nausea, Convulsions
1600 ppm--------------------------Within 2o minutes--------------Dizziness, Nausea, Convulsions
-----------------------------------Within 1 to 2 hours-------------Possibility of Death

These tables can be clarified by any searching on line.

I orignally wanted to buy the lower spec model but as my original unit died quickly the delivery lead time from Amazon was 3 weeks so I I opted for this higher spec model.

It is easy to set up but be careful when you test the alarm as it is rather loud (as you would hope it would be).

The read out display is an added detail which gives additional piece of mind so long as it stays at zero.

If the alarm does go off then the reading on the display will change giving you an indication of the severity of the leak in a numeric form.
You would have to read the instruction booklet to understand in detail what each value means.

The visual display along with a small beep will also tell you when the batteries are low and also when the unit needs replacing.
The visual display also has a backlight but I am sure if the alarm goes off you would not bother to use this.

Just one small note. The unit does not come with a seperate bracket as the lesser spec unit but has a built in bracket on the back of the unit. Fixings are supplied along with batteries.

So far the unit remains silent!

Having used a mains operated CO detector for 7 years it was time to find a replacement. This is a super unit. Very compact and easy to set up and use. THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO REMEMBER IS THAT MOST CO POISONINGS OCCUR DURING POWER CUTS. Because this unit runs on 3 x AA batteries you have the peace of mind that you are protected even during a power cut. A couple of other features have been included : The cover for the battery compartment cannot be put on if the unit does not have all 3 batteries installed, the unit will let you know when the batteries need replacing and it will also tell you when it is at the end of its 7 year usable life. The unit also has a manufacturers 5 year guarantee.