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KingoftheCove
Herf-A-Holic Topic Starter

13 years ago

Are they any good?

Just completed a bi-annual 36 hour salt test on 4 hygros:
my trusty old French analog = spot on at 75%!
my other old analog = spot on at 75%!
my "generic" digital #1 purchased here - 85%
my "generic" digital #2 purchased here - 67%
These digital units just keep getting worse........cheapos I guess
The analogs are rock solid.....go figure

(At least the temp readings in the digitals were both at 61 degrees)

Looking for a reliable digital at around $20?
Any tips appreciated.....pm for links....thanks

(btw - the search function here really does suq.......)

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kombat96
Herf-A-Holic

13 years ago

(btw - the search function here really does suq.......)

KingoftheCove wrote:

Just like digital hygrometers, lol[ram27bat]

triodes
Aficionado

13 years ago

actually, the digital units I am using are pretty good for the money, and very close to each other.

I don't like the xikar that I have because you can't calibrate down at 65%.

With the ones I am using if you calibrate with the salt test, you are about 2% off compared to a boveda 65% down at 65%.

The Boveda is spec'ed at +/- 1%.

For what is roughly $18 units, I am pleasantly surprised with the accuracy of the four digital ones that I am using.

am using two of these

http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1581527/Hygro-Set-Adjustable-Digital-Hygrometer-Rectangular/

and one of these that's been around for several years.

http://www.cigarbid.com/Auction/Lot/1587570/Hygro-Set-Adjustable-Digital-Hygrometer/

Edited by user 13 years ago | Reason: Not specified

triodes
Aficionado

13 years ago

FWIW, looks to me like you have to spend several grand to get a hygrometer that is spec'ed better than +/- 2% accuracy on RH

TheSmokensip
Herf-A-Holic

13 years ago

My 2 cheap analogs have not been wrong in 8 years. My digitals all suck .

KingoftheCove
Herf-A-Holic Topic Starter

13 years ago

My 2 cheap analogs have not been wrong in 8 years. My digitals all suck .

TheSmokensip wrote:

exactly my case......
this French analog is like almost 20 years old!...it's been salt tested by me 7 or 8 times , and by the previous owner many more times than that........never more than 3% out, usually within 1%
my other analog is like 7 years old...always within a point or two, or spot on
wtf!
all you read/hear about is how much analogs suq......well mine don't......not yet at least
my digitals however, do suq!

I'm really tempted to just buy 8 decent analogs, salt test them and keep the best ones, and toss any that fail miserably (or return for replacement, etc.)

stogiemonger
Herf-A-Holic

13 years ago

Every hygrometer I've ever owned sucked.

I now own only one broken analog hygrometer, that serves no other purpose, but to fill a hole in a humidor drawer.

I'm not hunting hygrometers any longer.

I'm less confused than ever, now. My cigars are fine with an occasional d/w recharge of gel or beads.

How do I know the humi's are dialed in correctly? Experience.

That, and my cigars don't lie near as much as my greatest hygrometer.

youngra
Herf-A-Holic

13 years ago

Have not found a good digital one yet - I salt test 'em and then mark them + or - on how they read - and just go from there - and like others have mentioned here - go with beads and check them every 4 to 6 weeks depending on how often you are in and out of the Humi or coolidor / wineidor. Have gone two rounds with Xikar on returning digitals just to get another one that is off.

triodes
Aficionado

13 years ago

I don't care if they are off several per cent if they consistently read that number when calibrating to a boveda pack. I just label plus 1% or whatever.

Plus, you gotta be sure to change the battery every year.

Bet you that King of the Cove has his battery change date on the spreadsheet 😉

KingoftheCove
Herf-A-Holic Topic Starter

13 years ago

#10

Bet you that King of the Cove has his battery change date on the spreadsheet ;)

triodes wrote:

duh...............as well as salt test dates...
ahhhh...................the joys of OCD...
just a mild case...........no meds........(other than alcohol and cigars that is)

Numismaniac
Herf-A-Holic

13 years ago

#11

I've had very good luck with the rectangular cheap digitals listed above. For 10+ shipping, I won some awhile back, already had one I got when I got my 1st humidor in Dec. 11.

Aside from changing the battery, and calibrating each once, one of 'em maybe another time, but it was only off 2%. Yes, with nothing but time, and a mad scientist by nature, I'm checking them every so often.

I have excess beads in the humidor and all 3 coolers, and a good number of boxes and cedar sheets in the coolers. Enough that the RH never varies more than 2%, normally between 65 and 67, every so often they may get up to 68, when it is real rainy here.

The cheap analog that came with the humidor NEVER held up for more than a few days! Not even sure where it is.

stogiemonger
Herf-A-Holic

13 years ago

#12

Numismaniac wrote:

Exactly. Numi has his humi's dialed in correctly, and knows they're all very stable . If he weren't "a mad scientist by nature" there would be no need to check them (hygrometers) every so often. Heck, he wouldn't even bother changing the batteries.

I don't. But, I'm not a mad scientist, or ocd for that matter. Lol!

Edited by user 13 years ago | Reason: Not specified