Cigar Weekly

Vince · 05-09-2009, 12:07 PM

Are all digital hygrometers intended for humidors basically equal, or are some of superior quality? If some are superior, what brand are they? I'd consider an analog as well, if it's worthwhile. I've read about synthetic horsehair models like the Credo unit that are supposed to be okay.

I ask because I've had two digital hygrometers fail on me in the last couple of months. Both were the adjustable round kind that are meant to fit in the cutout for a stock analog hygrometer. I took the battery out to reset them, but both were clearly broken (one climbed from 66% to 75% and stayed there when I took it out of the humidor, but the room certainly wasn't anywhere near that). I wondered if something about my setup might have damaged them, but I can't imagine what that would be. They're secured with the included magnet about an inch above the humidifier (Heartfelt's small bead puck), and there's nothing unusual about anything else in my setup. Other than the magnet on the hygrometer, there are no strong magnets nearby. I assume it's just a quality issue.

When I bought the first hygrometer, the tobacconist warned me that "any hygrometer can lie to you, but your fingers never will." I agree, and was later tempted to just go without a hygrometer. But a hygrometer is helpful for gauging how quickly your humidifier dries out (indicating the possibility of a leaky humidor). You can also get a feel for how stable the humidity is. So, although I'll use my fingers to assess the cigars' condition, I'd like a reliable hygrometer to assess my humidification's performance.

casual · 05-09-2009, 02:38 PM

My first hygrometer was a Caliber II. It is still working fine. I've been through several cheapos that just were not accurate and quit working.

Another one I had that I liked was a radio shack one, but I accidentally dropped it in a bucket of water and it killed it.

Kilobyte · 05-10-2009, 02:08 PM

Get a Western Caliber III, they rock.

MountChuck · 05-14-2009, 09:39 AM

I'm happy with my Xikar hygros.

Castanza · 05-15-2009, 05:23 AM

I 2nd the western caliber. Plus its inexpensive.

Breech · 05-22-2009, 03:47 AM

Don't remember what mine is called, but its about the size of a Rothchild cigar.... Have many of them...

Got it: Little Havana Cigar Hygrometer

Fantastic

05-09-2009, 12:07 PM	#1
Vince Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 142	Suggestions for quality hygrometer Are all digital hygrometers intended for humidors basically equal, or are some of superior quality? If some are superior, what brand are they? I'd consider an analog as well, if it's worthwhile. I've read about synthetic horsehair models like the Credo unit that are supposed to be okay. I ask because I've had two digital hygrometers fail on me in the last couple of months. Both were the adjustable round kind that are meant to fit in the cutout for a stock analog hygrometer. I took the battery out to reset them, but both were clearly broken (one climbed from 66% to 75% and stayed there when I took it out of the humidor, but the room certainly wasn't anywhere near that). I wondered if something about my setup might have damaged them, but I can't imagine what that would be. They're secured with the included magnet about an inch above the humidifier (Heartfelt's small bead puck), and there's nothing unusual about anything else in my setup. Other than the magnet on the hygrometer, there are no strong magnets nearby. I assume it's just a quality issue. When I bought the first hygrometer, the tobacconist warned me that "any hygrometer can lie to you, but your fingers never will." I agree, and was later tempted to just go without a hygrometer. But a hygrometer is helpful for gauging how quickly your humidifier dries out (indicating the possibility of a leaky humidor). You can also get a feel for how stable the humidity is. So, although I'll use my fingers to assess the cigars' condition, I'd like a reliable hygrometer to assess my humidification's performance.

05-09-2009, 02:38 PM	#2
casual Club Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Stuck in a cube, man!! Posts: 4,138	My first hygrometer was a Caliber II. It is still working fine. I've been through several cheapos that just were not accurate and quit working. Another one I had that I liked was a radio shack one, but I accidentally dropped it in a bucket of water and it killed it. __________________ Scot

05-10-2009, 02:08 PM	#3
Kilobyte Herf Meister Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 5,248	Get a Western Caliber III, they rock. __________________

05-14-2009, 09:39 AM	#4
MountChuck Club Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Columbia, MD Posts: 2,154	I'm happy with my Xikar hygros. __________________ Charlie Please visit our cigar blog, Nice Tight Ash Full Flavor Federation (FFF)

05-15-2009, 05:23 AM	#5
Castanza Club Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Mobile, al Posts: 3,740	I 2nd the western caliber. Plus its inexpensive. __________________ "The way to be safe is never to be secure".

05-22-2009, 03:47 AM	#6
Breech Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Inna Godda Devita...... Posts: 3,838	Don't remember what mine is called, but its about the size of a Rothchild cigar.... Have many of them... Got it: Little Havana Cigar Hygrometer Fantastic __________________ Now, when I was young boy at the age a-five, my mother said I was gonna be the greatest man alive - Muddy Waters Talkin' 'bout some back rent, she lucky if she get any front rent.- John Lee Hooker Strike While The Iron Is Hot!!

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