cavadge
03-31-2009, 12:20 AM
Greetings all,
Would like to relate my findings on a topic that has driven me mad for some time - hygrometers. Over the years I've tried many, and over these same years I've never found one that was truly accurate, at an affordable price. However, my search has ended. I am now finally complete. :)
I have ten of these things, in my home, garage, outside in my basement, and three in my grow area. Four analog and six digital. And they all read differently, except for two - one in my touch-screen programmable thermostat, and one in a weather station in my kitchen. They are at least within 1% of each other, although I wasn't sure if they were accurate or not. All the rest read anywhere from +15% to -17% of those two. Which one to believe?
So I began looking at these. You can buy lab quality units, but I didn't want to spend over a thousand dollars. I looked at psychrometers, otherwise known as wet/dry bulb hygrometers, but seems there is a lot of disparity there as well. So I kept searching and reading.
And finally, finally, hallelujah!!! I found one that many mfs actually use to measure the accuracy of their own units. The standard, if you will. And it doesn't cost a fortune - in fact I paid $16.99 apiece for these (they were on special - regular price is $19.99). After a week's use, moving them around the house, I now see my thermostat and weather station are good, everything else is out to lunch. They now reside in my grow area.
And interestingly enough, these hygrometers were designed primarily for use in a cigar humidor. It is the Western Caliber III digital hygrometer. And similar to many grow room type units, it measure temperature as well, with min/max readings. They are available at a number of online sites; I got mine here --> Ultra-accurate digital hygrometer (http://www.bargainhumidors.com/bh/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=ACC-CALIBER3)
Given how imporant humidity is to a grow, I was determined to find something I could rely on. And I wanted to pass this info on to anyone who wants an accurate unit that you can trust. Cheers. :smokin:
Would like to relate my findings on a topic that has driven me mad for some time - hygrometers. Over the years I've tried many, and over these same years I've never found one that was truly accurate, at an affordable price. However, my search has ended. I am now finally complete. :)
I have ten of these things, in my home, garage, outside in my basement, and three in my grow area. Four analog and six digital. And they all read differently, except for two - one in my touch-screen programmable thermostat, and one in a weather station in my kitchen. They are at least within 1% of each other, although I wasn't sure if they were accurate or not. All the rest read anywhere from +15% to -17% of those two. Which one to believe?
So I began looking at these. You can buy lab quality units, but I didn't want to spend over a thousand dollars. I looked at psychrometers, otherwise known as wet/dry bulb hygrometers, but seems there is a lot of disparity there as well. So I kept searching and reading.
And finally, finally, hallelujah!!! I found one that many mfs actually use to measure the accuracy of their own units. The standard, if you will. And it doesn't cost a fortune - in fact I paid $16.99 apiece for these (they were on special - regular price is $19.99). After a week's use, moving them around the house, I now see my thermostat and weather station are good, everything else is out to lunch. They now reside in my grow area.
And interestingly enough, these hygrometers were designed primarily for use in a cigar humidor. It is the Western Caliber III digital hygrometer. And similar to many grow room type units, it measure temperature as well, with min/max readings. They are available at a number of online sites; I got mine here --> Ultra-accurate digital hygrometer (http://www.bargainhumidors.com/bh/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=ACC-CALIBER3)
Given how imporant humidity is to a grow, I was determined to find something I could rely on. And I wanted to pass this info on to anyone who wants an accurate unit that you can trust. Cheers. :smokin: