I use Hygroset II's for my 3 humidors since my humidors are on the smaller side around 250 counts.... With this new 500 count behemoth I read that switching to the Western Caliber 4 would be a good idea.

I've seen the Western Caliber IV hygrometer mentioned a lot here. I went on Amazon and looked them up and there is a Newer Model of the Item.

Link to Newer Model -

https://www.amazon.com/AMIR-Thermometer-Hygrometer-Indicator-Greenhouse/dp/B07D4J14T3/ref=dp_ob_title_hi 

Has anyone used this newer version? Or does anyone have a different favorite brand? I was also looking at humidifiers. I was thinking if I store boxes in the bottom of this beauty or if I wind up with a clear tub with a gasket for full box storage an actual humidifier might be the best way to go. Does anyone have experience with these? I haven't looked too much yet but I did look at the CIGAR OASIS PLUS 3.0 which claims to be good for any box holding up to 1000 cigars. Is this overkill? I was just wondering how much humidity would get inside any full boxes I stored. Or when you store a box of cigars do you leave the box cracked open so air and humidity can get in? Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks.

I'm sure this has been discussed before but the search function hates me. Plus, with all the new people lately I figure it can't hurt to talk about it again.

I have the same humidor and I use beads in mine but I am storing singles in mine I have all my boxes in 116 qt tupperdores

I am not home but my humi approximate size is 6’H 2’W 2’D. I use 2 Humi Care X1000 pro models. May be overkill but it self adjusts.
I also open every box & place a penny between the top & the box itself to keep it open just a hair to let the humidity circulate.
Just my humble opinion.

Rather than cracking boxes open to circulate, if you leave them closed it will provide an insulating buffer and the humidity will not change as rapidly when external humidity changes.

I've been using the Western Caliber IV hygrometers. I like them a lot. Small, and simple to calibrate. Seem to work well.

No experience with the new one, too big for my humidor.

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You newbies might be interested to know that yes, there was a Caliber 1, 2 and 3 (called I, II, III) before the 4 (IV).

Caliber 1 - never had one, don't know.

Caliber 2 - twice as high as the Caliber 3 and 4, can't be calibrated.

Caliber 3 - same size as the Caliber 4, but can't be calibrated.

On these non-calibration-capable models, you have to observe the number in a controlled environment, then memorize (or better yet, put a sticker on the unit with) the offset number to mentally add/subtract whenever you read the display.

I still have a 2 in service, with the offset written on the front (subtract 3 from the screen number). I had a 3 but I loaned it to a guy who had a schitty analog dial hygrometer, and he never gave it back (thanks a lot, Marty!). Thing is, he's a great guy and I like him, so I never asked for it back either. He probably forgot it's even mine, by now! He's a cool dude though, he can keep it.

So there's a little history lesson. Today though, no reason to buy anything but the 4.
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The key is to use a rectal hygrometer. The oral ones just are not as accur...what? Oh, my bad. I think I may have been thinking of thermometers.

But the rectal ones taste like ****. 🤒

I trust ANALog hygrometers less than Mexican tap water.

Beads are the way to go, or the DCM clay beads

Well, maybe YOURS does. Mine is a cross between lavender and orange blossoms.
:)P~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BTW, to the OP, I'd keep it simple on your humidification until you've got some experience under your belt with a larger humidor. I have a 3000 count that has a place to plug in an electronic device, but it would take up too much space and in my experience, it takes a fairly open amount of space to get a decent even rh in the humi. I've also run larger ones at a store, where the electronic were pretty much necessary, but I keep my tubs and my humis stocked with beads. Unless you have experience with alternate and cheaper sources, the larger humi-care jars here are the way to go, IMHO. You just add water, refill as necessary, and even in a large humi, you can keep adding some, even putting multiples on different levels. Really simple way to go, and for what they run here, unless you have multiple large containers of cigars, pretty easy to keep close watch. Plus, if you fail to keep on top of them for a short while, having more than one reduces the chance you'll dry the whole humidor out.

As for the specific hygrometers, go electronic. I keep a few cheap ANALog (props, ZRX), just for comparison and to help if a battery dies on one of my electronic hygros, but I would recommend going with at least 2 hygros on your larger humidor. You can monitor the level in different zones, and if you get different brands with the same reading, you get a pretty good idea that they are likely accurate. If they vary quite a bit, swap places in the humidor. If the readings swap, then you know you may have an over or under humidified zone. If they show the same disparity after you swap places, then you have a pretty good idea it's time to calibrate and adjust one or both.

On a final note on the hygros, get a bunch of batteries of the size it/they take on eBoyIbetIcan'tmentionthathere. You can get full sleeves of them for what a couple cost you in the jungle, and having backups is always nice. Then you can save your money for more cigars, more humis, and more hygrometers here. (Cbid, if you are listening, you can send my commission to my shipping address).