Best hygrometer?

[danielmgibbs]

please feel free to direct me to a previous thread...

…i've got a few humidors on the go. one is a converted wine cooler and is large enough that I've put a Cigar Oasis XL in there but the others are just desktop humis.

i'd like to put a couple of extra hygrometers in the wine cooler humi to check for variation top to bottom.

what have you found to be the best. I've got a couple of Xikar and a couple of others but just curious if there's a fan favourite for consistent accuracy.

cheers

D

[sactochris]

I'm a Xikar man myself, from way back.

[CUBANO]

I have hygrometers from Dimond Crown, Xikar, Caliber III and Springfield from Waltmart. They all are very accurate with 2 to 3 points off. To me the Sprinfield is the better deal, but is all about what you want

[CUBANO]

I have hygrometers from Dimond Crown, Xikar, Caliber III and Springfield from Waltmart. They all are very accurate with 2 to 3 points off. To me the Sprinfield is the better deal, but is all about what you want

[fokker4me]

The Xikar is the best deal even though it is not the best as it has a lifetime warranty. I personally have 3 Savoy branded, which is owned by Ashton and a Western digital which seems the most accurate and reliable.

[Rye]

I really like the Caliber 4R. They look great, keep record of the highs and lows, and last a very long time on each battery. They can be used in the cutout on most humi's with adapters, and all 5 of mine test identical to each other.

[...]

+1 on the caliber. Salt test them every 6 months but are quite steady

[Guyman1966]

I have been using a remote weather station with three monitors. Each monitor is in a different humidor. The weather station can support as many as 10. The nice thing is that I can see the temperature and humidity of humidor without opening them up. My kids call it my Cigar Command Center. LOL

http://www.ambientweather.com/amws10.html

[cpmurrin]

this probably isn't what you are looking for as they go for $100 a pop U.S. on amazon but i got one on mr. piggy's recommendation and it seems to be the best

Lascar EL-USB-2-LCD+ High Accuracy Humidity, Temperature and Dew Point Data Logger with LCD

[CUBANO]

^ x2 on this. Have one as well. You will be able to know what happens in your humidor 24/7

[rtrimbath]

I have been using a remote weather station with three monitors. Each monitor is in a different humidor. The weather station can support as many as 10. The nice thing is that I can see the temperature and humidity of humidor without opening them up. My kids call it my Cigar Command Center. LOL

http://www.ambientweather.com/amws10.html

I use the Ambient Weather WS-07 myself and couldn't be happier. I use 2 remotes in my wineador and 2 in my coolidor, which both share the display monitor. Convenient and calibratable. I love it.

[jeremyk]

The Xikar is the best deal even though it is not the best as it has a lifetime warranty. I personally have 3 Savoy branded, which is owned by Ashton and a Western digital which seems the most accurate and reliable.

How do u go about claim on this lifetime warranty I have one that is 8% off I've bought two bovidia 75% calibration packs n salt tested it three different times also n it's way off every time.

[cigarsandcoffee]

How do u go about claim on this lifetime warranty I have one that is 8% off I've bought two bovidia 75% calibration packs n salt tested it three different times also n it's way off every time.

I have wondered about whether or not digital hygrometers are linear when calibrating at 75%. Based on another suggestion I calibrated several hygrometers at once using a large 69% Boveda pack, placed in double zip lock bag for 36 hours. I found a difference when calibrating at 75% and 69%, so based on my results I calibrate at the desired RH for smoking. I'm going to try it again with a large 65% Boveda pack.

[PapaDisco]

Any thoughts on the accuracy/reliability of synthetic hair versus bi-metal hygrometers?

[dvickery]

sorry in advance for being a downer .

calibrating hygros in your kitchen is (in my opinion ) a monumental waste of time and a few bucks .

i would recommend getting a hygrometer that cannot be calibrated or dont get one at all .

the best way to tell what is the best smoking environment for your smokes ... is your time and experience .

use a cheap hygro for a base point if you must ... but LEARN TO JUDGE FOR YOURSELF ... where your cigars are smoking best and go with it .

derrek

[danielmgibbs]

thanks everyone. i'm definitely intrigued by the Lascar. i'll check it out - i like the idea of continuous monitoring. i'm UK based so we're most familiar with cold grey weather (hence no air con) but this summer has been scorching and I'm sure the RH has been fluctuating like mad!

cheers

[Pedro2486]

I have wondered about whether or not digital hygrometers are linear when calibrating at 75%. Based on another suggestion I calibrated several hygrometers at once using a large 69% Boveda pack, placed in double zip lock bag for 36 hours. I found a difference when calibrating at 75% and 69%, so based on my results I calibrate at the desired RH for smoking. I'm going to try it again with a large 65% Boveda pack.

I don't believe they are, especially calibrating in an uncontrolled environment like our homes. I watched this happen with a boveda cal kit and a hygrometer, I checked it every few hours over the course of 72 hrs and watched the rH shown vary wildly according to temp. I then used a 62 rH sachet and ran it again, ambient temps were reasonably similar. Same results were seen.

I realise my very faulty diagnostics are nowhere near the caliber of our consummate experts, but it helped me understand what I need to do to store my cigars how I like them - 15 to 20 degrees C with my hygrometers showing about 59 - 63% rH. Burn is perfect and taste is good.

I think unless you are prepared to go to the effort of Piggys scientifically quantified method you should basically just find a zone that suits your tastes and are comfortable storing your cigars in.

[Smallclub]

calibrating hygros in your kitchen is (in my opinion ) a monumental waste of time and a few bucks .

i would recommend getting a hygrometer that cannot be calibrated or dont get one at all .

the best way to tell what is the best smoking environment for your smokes ... is your time and experience .

This.

[asmartbull]

A few years ago I bought this

http://www.theweatherstore.com/nicedihy.html

Then used it as a reference for all the others.....I think new guys spend way to much mental energy on this...

[Skyfall]

Honeywell/Meade TM005X

[GodofFire]

I use both the caliber I I I and IV accurate right out of the box.

[TypicalSituation]

I use both the caliber I I I and IV accurate right out of the box.

I use both as well. Super accurate. Had to adjust my caliber IV one degree of humidity up, but still very solid.

[potpest]

I also have a western caliber 4, very happy with it, wouldn't use anything else.

[actzz541]

Xikar fan here as well but honestly not as impressed with their newer hygrometers. Stellar customer service though and will try like hell to exceed your expectations.

[rtrimbath]

Xikar fan here as well but honestly not as impressed with their newer hygrometers. Stellar customer service though and will try like hell to exceed your expectations.

I agree with you in every way. The earlier Xikar models that you could calibrate were great. The newer "self-calibrating" models not so much. Xikar's Customer Service is probably the best I've ever seen though.