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Guardian vs RoadGuard

Your state's approved list decides first: in most states you can only choose from the companies on it. Where both are approved, the device, the service centers near you and the fees are what differ.

Guardian logoGuardianGuardian AMS 2500 (name from NM directory; site names no model)16 of 44 state lists
RoadGuard logoRoadGuardDräger Interlock 700028 of 44 state lists

Where each one is approved

AlabamaAlaskaArizonaColoradoFloridaGeorgiaIndianaKansasMaineMassachusettsMinnesotaNew JerseyNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOklahomaPennsylvaniaSouth DakotaTexasWyomingConnecticutMissouriWest VirginiaIllinoisNew MexicoArkansasCaliforniaDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaHawaiiIowaKentuckyMarylandMichiganMississippiMontanaNew HampshireNew YorkOhioOregonTennesseeUtahVirginiaWashingtonWisconsinNebraskaSouth CarolinaIdahoNevadaVermontLouisianaRhode Island
BothOnly GuardianOnly RoadGuardNeitherNo list we could read
Both 11

Arkansas, California, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, Oklahoma

Only Guardian 5

Colorado, Kentucky, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont

Only RoadGuard 17

Alabama, Alaska, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wyoming

Guardian vs RoadGuard: the devices

GuardianRoadGuard
SensorFuel cell. Guardian says the device uses fuel cell alcohol-specific technology.1The Interlock 7000 handset uses an electrochemical sensor.2
Warm-upGuardian gives no warm-up figure. It says you may see a slightly longer warm-up during extreme cold.3Under 4 seconds above 0 °C, under 60 seconds at -20 °C, and under 110 seconds at -45 °C.4
Operating temperatureGuardian says accuracy exceeds NHTSA specifications of -40° to 180° F. This is a marketing claim.5-45 °C to 85 °C.6
Size and weightGuardian says the handset is similar in size and shape to a cell phone, and it is removable. No weight is given.7Handset about 138 x 61 x 36 mm and 178 g. Control unit about 148 x 90 x 32 mm and 300 g.8
MotorcyclesGuardian says it does not install its device on motorcycles.9Not published
How you blowNot publishedRoadGuard says it is a simple blow-and-suck device.10
CameraNot publishedAn integrated infrared camera is optional.11
GPSNot publishedA GPS configuration appears in the New York listing for the 7000.12
Real-time reportingNot publishedReal-time reporting runs through an optional GPRS module.11
Rolling retest windowNot publishedRoadGuard says you will have "several minutes" to give the test. It gives no figure.13
ScreenNot publishedThe handset has a graphic color display.14
Electric and hybrid carsNot publishedNew York's fee schedule lists a higher hybrid install fee ($200 vs $100). RoadGuard makes no compatibility statement.15
BatteryNot publishedRuns on a 12 to 24 V supply, with a maximum draw under 2 A and under 1 mA on standby.16
AppNot publishedBluetooth and infrared are used for data download. There is no consumer app.17

Guardian vs RoadGuard fees

FeeGuardianRoadGuard
Monthly lease$50-$120/monthNational18$92.00Filed in New York19
Installation$0 total upfrontColorado, New Mexico and California only20$100.00Filed in New York21
RemovalNot published$69.00Filed in New York22
Lockout or violation resetNot published$75.00Filed in New York23
Missed appointmentNot published$50.00Filed in New York24
Enrollment or set-up$0 total upfrontColorado, New Mexico and California only20Not published
Damage or lossNot published$900.00Filed in New York25
Insurance or protection planNot published$5-$10Filed in New York26

In Texas

GuardianRoadGuard
Certified service centers1073
Advertised~$3/dayby quote
Installfreeby quote

Texas DPS service center list; prices advertised Oct 23, 2026. Texas interlock guide

InterlockCompare is independent and isn't affiliated with either company. Not legal advice.

Sources 26 sources from 4 sites, including guardianinterlock.com, rockallsafety.co.uk, roadguardinterlock.comShow

Every fact on this page comes from one of these.

  1. The Guardian IID features cutting-edge fuel cell alcohol-specific technologyguardianinterlock.com/guardian-ignition-interlock-device
  2. Measuring principle Electrochemical sensorrockallsafety.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/drager-interlock-7000.pdf
  3. you may see a slightly longer warm-up period during extreme coldguardianinterlock.com/support/faq
  4. Readiness for use < 4 sec. (above 0 °C)rockallsafety.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/drager-interlock-7000.pdf
  5. Accuracy exceeds NHTSA specifications (-40° to 180° F)guardianinterlock.com/guardian-ignition-interlock-device
  6. Temperature - 45 °C to 85 °Crockallsafety.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/drager-interlock-7000.pdf
  7. similar in size and shape to a cellular phoneguardianinterlock.com/support/faq
  8. Handset approx. 138 mm x 61 mm x 36 mmrockallsafety.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/drager-interlock-7000.pdf
  9. No, we do not install our device on motorcyclesguardianinterlock.com/support/faq
  10. we have a simple blow and suck deviceroadguardinterlock.com
  11. can be equipped with a camera and/or a GPRS modulerockallsafety.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/drager-interlock-7000.pdf
  12. Draeger Interlock 7000 (Camera, GPS, & RTD)criminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Qualified Manufacturer Listing Devices-01202026.pdf
  13. You will have several minutes to give the testroadguardinterlock.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/interlock-7000-if-en-user-manual_1.51.pdf
  14. Graphic colour display in handset with full text messagesrockallsafety.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/drager-interlock-7000.pdf
  15. Installation Fee (Hybrid)criminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Draeger-Device-and-Fee-Schedule-8-15-2021.pdf
  16. 12 V to 24 Vrockallsafety.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/drager-interlock-7000.pdf
  17. Infrared interface, Bluetoothrockallsafety.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/drager-interlock-7000.pdf
  18. Leasing an ignition interlock device generally costs between $50-$120 per monthguardianinterlock.com/ignition-interlock-pricing
  19. Monthly Feecriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Draeger-Device-and-Fee-Schedule-8-15-2021.pdf
  20. Offer valid in Colorado, New Mexico, and California onlyguardianinterlock.com/ignition-interlock-pricing
  21. Installation Fee (Standard)criminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Draeger-Device-and-Fee-Schedule-8-15-2021.pdf
  22. Removal Feecriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Draeger-Device-and-Fee-Schedule-8-15-2021.pdf
  23. Violation Resetcriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Draeger-Device-and-Fee-Schedule-8-15-2021.pdf
  24. Missed Appointment Feecriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Draeger-Device-and-Fee-Schedule-8-15-2021.pdf
  25. Lost, Destroyed Handset Fee (no insurance)criminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Draeger-Device-and-Fee-Schedule-8-15-2021.pdf
  26. Insurancecriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Draeger-Device-and-Fee-Schedule-8-15-2021.pdf