Caliber III vs. Radio shack DIGITAL hygrometer

[Ermo]

I'm going to buy a didital Hygrom. to monitor some "real" cigars I just got in. I use the beads, and I'v heard you don't even need a hygro with beads, but I dont agree with that. I also need it for the temp during the summer.

I'd like some people to post what DIGITAL hygro's they have and have had. A brief description or model number and a good or bad will suffice. Some people will disagree, so I will tally it up in about one week and see which hygro comes out on top. If you have another brand, make sure you include the manufacturer and i'll consider it.

I had:
Wally world 7$ precise temp digital temp./hygro -- returned it today, 10% off as you can read in that thread

I'm relying on the beads for a few days until I get some solid advice on what to get.

Floydp-nice call on the pb207, your opinion counts double if you help me on this one.

Wanna plug your own hygro, be my guest.

Thank You,
Eric

[White97Jimmy]

ebn- I would try the Wally one again. I have 2 and one of them reads dead on, the other is 6% off, but the temps on both read the same (which is accurate). For the price, you really can't beat it, and if something goes wrong, you can always return it.

[montecristo#2]

I'm going to buy a didital Hygrom. to monitor some "real" cigars I just got in. I use the beads, and I'v heard you don't even need a hygro with beads, but I dont agree with that. I also need it for the temp during the summer.

I'd like some people to post what DIGITAL hygro's they have and have had. A brief description or model number and a good or bad will suffice. Some people will disagree, so I will tally it up in about one week and see which hygro comes out on top. If you have another brand, make sure you include the manufacturer and i'll consider it.

I had:
Wally world 7$ precise temp digital temp./hygro -- returned it today, 10% off as you can read in that thread

I'm relying on the beads for a few days until I get some solid advice on what to get.

Floydp-nice call on the pb207, your opinion counts double if you help me on this one.

Wanna plug your own hygro, be my guest.

Thank You,
Eric

I use the western caliber III, however, I have a glass top humidor, so I just place it on the top shelf and can read it through the glass. The temperature seems to be pretty accurate and it comes calibrated for RH (it does not recommend that you perform a salt test on the instrument). So far no real complaints, in the beginning I had a little trouble with the high/low feature not being accurate (reporting extremely high or low temps when they did not occur), but the last couple of days it seems to be behaving a little better. Someone recommended changing the battery and when I posted the problem, most people had not seen it with their instruments. I actually went out and bought a second one today for new (second) humidor.

I've thought about getting one of the wireless ones from radioshack, I think it would be pretty cool to have a sensor in the lower compartment so I can know the RH down there without having to open my humi and move my digital III. I have found the RH can vary in different parts of my humi, not that it matters much, but it does. I know if I didn't have a glass top humidor, I would definitely buy one of these so I didn't have to open it to see the RH/temp. I would be interested in knowing what people think of the wireless radioshack one as well, I'm glad you made this post.

[zamco17]

I love my western, i think im gonna get another one now that you mention it.

[larryinlc]

I have both the Caliber III and a Radio Shack. They both work very well. The Caliber III reads 3% low on the humidity, but the temp is spot on. My personal preference is the Radio Shack. This is an older model, so I can't speak for their current offerings. The reason for my Radio Shack preference is the response time. It measures accuratly, but at a slower rate of change than the CIII. This helps me to not become so anal about minute by minute fluctuations of humidity, which means little to the cigar, when my cooler cycles.

Larry

[whiteboard]

I have both the Caliber III and a Radio Shack. They both work very well. Likewise. I have both. And both are -2. Actually, I have two of the Shack sensors and both are -2. If you are using a cooler or large cab, you can't beat the remote capability of a Shack wireless unit. Very convenient, supports up to three sensors, large format display and helps keep your storage environment stable since you don't have to obsessively open it to check your RH.

But your mileage will vary if you buy enough of either of these. I've had calibers that have been off significantly and some folks have had Shack sensors that are less than accurate.

As to my personal experience, I'd recommend both. Be advised that the Shack sensors are a little too large for a desktop as they are about the size of a garage door opener.

Do a CS search on radio shack for some recent reviews.

[Ermo]

James -white97jimmy

You must have bought the two good ones from our local wal-mart (damn you!!). Mine was off 10% with a salt test and a Heartfelt beads test. I just dont want to save 20$ by buying a cheap hygro to humidify $500 of cigars. I just want the best, a small difference in price is worth it for accuracy.

P.S. I returned it today.

[Hammerhead]

Eric, I started with a Western Cal III, but changed to this wireless sensor arrangement by Oregon Scientific.

http://www2.oregonscientific.com/assets/product/photos/RMR602A_rg.jpg

The Western I had was spot-on accurate, but reacted far too quickly to RH changes, as the other LLG's have noted, which makes managing RH kind of like checking to see if the light in the refrigerator goes off when you shut the door. You gotta be real quick.

The benefit of a wireless setup is that you can monitor three humidors at all times, and know the temp and RH without opening up the box. As noted, not all digital hygrometers are always set precisely. They can be off by as much as +/- 5%, but that's far more accurate than an analog. Doing a salt test will remove all doubt. Of the three sensors I have, two are -3% and one is -1%, but doing the math in my head is well worth not having to chase down three locations. One other benefit is that if you get them on sale, the wireless units wind up being the same price, or often less, than three of the Western units.

Funny thing, where the Cal III reacted too quickly, the wireless sensors tended to react too slowly. See my website for a simple and fun project that can help remedy that, so that the wireless units react a bit more quickly.

Wireless Sensor Fix (http://gothammarketing.com/rck/sensorfix.htm)

Hope this helps!

[larryinlc]

It's my understanding that wireless sensors send updated information to the base unit only every 30 or 40 seconds? Am I wrong about this?

Larry

[Ermo]

Brilliant!!

I will modify any hygro I end up buying using that link. Thank you for the detailed instructions.

As far as wireless, I have a single humidor with a glass top, 150 capacity,(that is full as of my devil site shipment today, need a 500, any suggestions?) I may go the wireless route.

I have slipped WAY down the slope in the last month, as you can tell!

[Hammerhead]

It's my understanding that wireless sensors send updated information to the base unit only every 30 or 40 seconds? Am I wrong about this?

Larry
Larry, that sounds about right. I haven't found it to be a disadvantage at all.

[jgros001]

I have the radio shack wireless and recommend it highly - right on target. I would only use this in a cabinet or cooler...it is kind of big for a small desktop.

I have two perfecto humiguages for the desktops - work great, maybe 1% off. Great size for a desktop - fits on the lid with a magnetic strip. http://littlehavanacigars.com/proddetail.asp?prod=HY1062LT

[Hammerhead]

Eric, by the way, the RS unit is made for them by Oregon Scientific. The sensors are interchangable.

[Ermo]

Thanks for the link, that magnetic strip is exactly what I need.

[whiteboard]

Brilliant!!

I will modify any hygro I end up buying using that link. Thank you for the detailed instructions.

As far as wireless, I have a single humidor with a glass top, 150 capacity,(that is full as of my devil site shipment today, need a 500, any suggestions?) I may go the wireless route.

I have slipped WAY down the slope in the last month, as you can tell!ebn, please be advised that the wireless sensors will take up quite a bit of space in a desktop. They certainly aren't going to work well in a top tray and they will occupy precious real estate in the bottom cavity -- especially if you use humidification that also occupies space in the compartment of your humidor. Make sure you take that into consideration. These units are great. But they are better suited to coolers and cabinets than they are to desktops.

[Hammerhead]

ebn, please be advised that the wireless sensors will take up quite a bit of space in a desktop. They certainly aren't going to work well in a top tray and they will occupy precious real estate in the bottom cavity...
I just went to Home Depot and got some self-stick Velcro fasteners and put my sensor in the lid. Gets it out of the way, and it's pretty much the the same depth as my humidification element that I keep my beads in which is also mounted in the lid.

[whiteboard]

I just went to Home Depot and got some self-stick Velcro fasteners and put my sensor in the lid. Gets it out of the way, and it's pretty much the the same depth as my humidification element that I keep my beads in which is also mounted in the lid. Well there you go.

I can't acommodate anything on the top lid. My captives have their face up to the glass :D

[chip]

I have the RS/Oregon Scientific wireless unit, and it tested -1.
I have it in the chiller, and it does an excellent job.
I also have one of the old RS units, small size and it also tested -1.
I am happy with them, they work well and are accurate enough that I don't worry too much. Radio Shack is everywhere, so pretty easy to get them.

[dyj48]

yeah, I have both as well. I have one caliber three and two of the radio shack wireless sensors. For one of my humidors, I tested the Caliber III and a RS and they were both very consistent with each other. I salt tested all of them, put a piece of tape with the correction on it and they've been spot on most of the time. My CIII is actually +4 while the RS are -2 and +3. They all seem to work well.

[montecristo#2]

I thought you weren't suppose to salt test the Western caliber III, do you really need to do this? The package insert says you void the warranty if you salt test the machine (not that I care about the warranty). Do most people salt test their caliber III?

I am using activator solution to start since I have only had my humidor about two weeks and with it empty the caliber reads 70%, as I put more sticks in it deeps to 65% and gradually goes back to 70%. Is it worth salt testing? When I seasoned my humidor, using the boveda seasoning packets (yeh yeh I know, there are cheaper ways to season a humidor), after 7-8 days, the gauge was between 70-73%.

I'm getting a second caliber III for my second humi, I suppose if they read the same I should be fine.

[dyj48]

I thought you weren't suppose to salt test the Western caliber III, do you really need to do this? The package insert says you void the warranty if you salt test the machine (not that I care about the warranty). Do most people salt test their caliber III?

I am using activator solution to start since I have only had my humidor about two weeks and with it empty the caliber reads 70%, as I put more sticks in it deeps to 65% and gradually goes back to 70%. Is it worth salt testing? When I seasoned my humidor, using the boveda seasoning packets (yeh yeh I know, there are cheaper ways to season a humidor), after 7-8 days, the gauge was between 70-73%.

I'm getting a second caliber III for my second humi, I suppose if they read the same I should be fine.


Hi Aaron,

Yeah, I did it anyway. I think the concern was that the salt might damage the CIII if any of it spilled on it. I placed a small glass bowl (actually used for salt while cooking) with the salt and water in it and put the whole thing in a small tupperware container. I didn't do the baggie number since the potential for spills was greater. I left it there for four days to insure that the humidity was accurate. It stablized after two days. I used this same technique for all my RS wireless hygros as well.

[txmatt]

Any of the recommended options will work. I have the Radio Shack one and it does the job. I think it was off a couple percent, can't remember if it was plus or minus though, doesn't matter IMO.

After you have had your humidor going a few years, you will be able to tell if it is properly humidified when you put your face in for that wonderful whiff of air..

A hygrometer is just a crutch or double check IMO, it isn't going to stop your cigars from getting dried out whether you buy a $6 one or a $500 one. It is your media that is important; put extra money into extra beads instead of a fancy hygrometer.. Originally, I was using 1/2 pound of beads in my 60 quart humidor. I am now using 1.5 pounds, and I have to fill the beads a lot less often.. I might add another pound yet.


:2
-Matt-

[Isombitch]

Has anyone ever mentioned the idea of a Hygro-template test. In other words, salt test ONE hygro and then use it as a template for subsequent/other ones. It would be much quicker and, if done right, just as accurate. If you have one known why not use it? :D

[montecristo#2]

Hi Aaron,

Yeah, I did it anyway. I think the concern was that the salt might damage the CIII if any of it spilled on it. I placed a small glass bowl (actually used for salt while cooking) with the salt and water in it and put the whole thing in a small tupperware container. I didn't do the baggie number since the potential for spills was greater. I left it there for four days to insure that the humidity was accurate. It stablized after two days. I used this same technique for all my RS wireless hygros as well.

Got a second caliber III today and with my luck it reads different from my first. The temperature is pretty close (within one degree), however, the RH is off by 3-4. It is actually lower than my first, so if it is correct, my sticks have been closer to 61-62% than 65-66%. They still seem fine, so I don't think it is a real problem.

To solve the problem, I decided to setup the salt test, I'll see how close they are when I get home tonight. At least I will know if they are off in the future.

[stogie_kanobie_one]

I just went to Home Depot and got some self-stick Velcro fasteners and put my sensor in the lid. Gets it out of the way, and it's pretty much the the same depth as my humidification element that I keep my beads in which is also mounted in the lid.
It's a good idea for the mounting in the desktop humis. I have one in my 75 ct desktop and it has never really bothered me since I keep it only about 1/3 full with bundles. But this gives me back some space I would not have otherwise had! Good idea......

And duh on my part :)

[montecristo#2]

Did the salt test on my two western caliber III's and when I opened the lid after 9 hours, both read 73% RH. The temperature was also within a degree. Got them in the same humi right now and they are both reading 65%. So maybe the second unit just needed a while to normalize.

[Junior]

I have the Western Digital III, Wal-Mart $7, and Wal-Mart $12 one. I did not salt test them but did test them with the Fuente humidor bag that is set at 70% test is as follows: WD III=70%, WM $7=75%, and WM $12=63% after 12 hours. My vote goes for the Western Digital III. I also have a glass top Humi that I normally leave it in the top but will normally move it around just to keep an eye through out. I am thinking about getting one with remote sensors for my coolidor. Does anyone know is there one that will monitor 3 sensors?

[Ermo]

The radio shack digital wireless one will monitor up to 3.

[Corona Gigante]

I use my R/S sensor in my coolerdor so I can monitor the humidity without opening the lid. I'm using beads so I'm not too worried about the accuracy of the sensor (+/-5% or so) so long as the reading stays constant. When the reading starts to go down, I know I need to recharge the beads.

I use a cheapo digital thermo/hygrometer in my desktop humi. I could use a second R/S sensor but it would take up probably 3/4x the space. Again, I don't worry too much about absolute accuracy. I'm more interested in the delta.