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Last post 7 years ago by DrafterX. 10 replies replies.
Analog or digital hygrometers?
joshphillips Offline
#1 Posted:
Joined: 12-13-2016
Posts: 1
Seems like I get digital and analog calibrated put both in box and both read different. One was close to 10% difference. Which is proven better?
DrafterX Offline
#2 Posted:
Joined: 10-18-2005
Posts: 98,508
where were they made..?? Huh
dstieger Offline
#3 Posted:
Joined: 06-22-2007
Posts: 10,889
One was close to 10% difference? What was the other one?
Peckerhead Offline
#4 Posted:
Joined: 05-02-2016
Posts: 479
As a general rule, digital is more consistent/"accurate".

Cheap/typical analog hygrometers invariably have poor performance. What do you expect from such an inexpensive, almost freebie type device?? Not two analog devices will ever perform the same.
The real problem is, relative humidity is notoriously difficult to measure, thus the "relative" bit, Ha!
Any instrument has a "sweet spot" in their range where they are most accurate.
Hygrometers show 0% - 100% and it is impossible for an analog instrument (of any kind) to have full scale accuracy like that. Digital units fare much better, but the rub is price/performance ratio with even lab rated instruments costing $$$ to still vary in their readings. Trying hard not to get too esoteric, but basically, IMO, you need to spend the money on a Western Caliber or better unit if you are concerned with accuracy. Once you have one reliable instrument you can use it as a gauge against the others. Some, as I, use those exclusively now and just forgettaboutit. Thankfully, for cigars, we are only concerned with a narrow range of ~60% - 75% so this isn't difficult to dial in.


dharbolt Offline
#5 Posted:
Joined: 08-03-2013
Posts: 6,931
Were you using the analog to calibrate the digital or vice versa. Maybe your calibrator was vibrating too much...
DrafterX Offline
#6 Posted:
Joined: 10-18-2005
Posts: 98,508
What kind of lettuce were you using..?? Huh
cameroon Offline
#7 Posted:
Joined: 04-06-2014
Posts: 810
joshphillips wrote:
Seems like I get digital and analog calibrated put both in box and both read different. One was close to 10% difference. Which is proven better?


Welcome! A Rhodes scholar, it seems, you are not. To better suit your intellectual acumen, do you mind if we call you Jed Clampett?
dharbolt Offline
#8 Posted:
Joined: 08-03-2013
Posts: 6,931
For what is worth I haven't used one in years.
SteveS Offline
#9 Posted:
Joined: 01-13-2002
Posts: 8,751
dharbolt wrote:
For what is worth I haven't used one in years.


I tossed all my analogs about 15 years ago ... had one digital that I rotated among the various humidors, tubadors and coolerdors ... I lost track of it somewhere along the way and would imagine that the battery probably died 8-10 years ago ... I had begun using beads before most here had even heard of them and was among the first to advocate their use. With the beads in place, there's just not much to worry about since they work ... in short, worrying about the hygrometer and whether it's accurate or not is a thing of the dusty past ...
DrafterX Offline
#10 Posted:
Joined: 10-18-2005
Posts: 98,508
true.. true.... Mellow
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