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What are some recommended inexpensive hygrometers? You know, the price range is all over the place, and I suspect the quality is too. With most scientific instruments, you pay for accuracy, and I don't need to know if it is 47% humidity or 47.39125% humidity in my shop. I'd say, plus or minus a few percentage points is accurate enough for me. Any ideas?

Thanks,

Dennis

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Dennis Leahy
Duluth, MN, USA
7th Sense Multimedia

Home depot has digital outfits for around $10.00 that give readout of temp. and RH

I see where you can buy the dial-type hygros from Woodcraft for a few bucks. Dunno about their accuracy.

I opted for a digital model from Radio Shack that has a remote sensor, so I could monitor shop temp and RH as well as external temp and RH. I see now that Radiosnack has supeceded the model I bought with this one. Functionally it appears to be equivalent, but mine was about $10 cheaper last year.

Accuracy of the RH is +/-2%. Close enough for me.

Best,

Michael

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Live to Play, Play to Live

I bought one of those digital ones at Wal-Mart for about 15 bucks. It stays within a point or 2 of the meter on my humidifier.

I supply a cheaper ($20CDN) Hygrometer from Home Harware with each of my guitars but I have found that you need to check there accuracy. They say they are +/-2% but I have had a few that were as much as 10% off. Ussually though they are within 5%. They replace the ones that are off but if you don't check they may throw you for a loop.

I have a calibrated lab quality Sling Psychrometer and also a cheapie digital Radio Shack unit. The RS unit is within 1/2% of the Sling and a LOT easier to use.

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tim...
http://www.mcknightguitars.com

   How does one check them for accuracy? One against another?

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Give me 50 cents worth of regular.
Check my oil too, if you don`t mind,,,

My Sling is calibrated so therefore I check the RS unit against it and it always reads within 1/2% of the Slings measurement. I rarely use the Sling anymore as it's just a too much hassle.

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tim...
http://www.mcknightguitars.com

I opted for a Radio Shack system because it has a main panel and remote sending units. I have the main unit in the family room where I can't forget to check it. Other places have these units. A main unit and 1 remote should cost around $35-40.

Let's face it, gadgets are fun!

Steve

Here is one method to calibrate a analog hygrometer.

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Don Atwood
Arlington, VA

I have found most to be close as you say tim but I had one that was off by over 10%, another that I had for 2 years suddenly went off by 12% no idea why? To calibrate use a wet/dry thermometer. here is how to make one

Thanks everyone!

It sounds like even the really cheap ones may be accurate enough. I checked out several (online), and see the Radio Shack unit for about $50, and Home Depot sells one for about $18. There's not much on Ebay to compete with $18, once shipping is added.

I'll probably go with the cheap one from Home Depot, the Springfield Tri-View Digital Thermometer & Hygrometer with Clock, Model 91066.

"Displays indoor and outdoor temperature in Fahrenheit. Displays relative humidity from 20% - 90%. Automatic daily reset option of min/max memory. 12/24 hr. selectable clock with alarm. Weatherproof 10 ft. sensor probe. Built-in table top stand or wall mountable. Requires 1 AA battery. "

Store SKU # 420916
Internet # 161341
Catalog # 100032473      
Price: $17.99/ea

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Dennis Leahy
Duluth, MN, USA
7th Sense Multimedia

Personally I have had really bad experiences with the indoor out door ones not being accurate. Mind you that has been when people have them set up by a window to measure the out door data as well. I think that the relative humidity is probably higher by the window and throws everything off.

I have several of the StewMac's. They seem to work well. I also have several of the Musicians Friend, $12 specials while they seem to be in the range of the others ( within a few deg.) they often just shut off or don't display at all. Pretty much Garbage.

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Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

Dennis,I have two similar to the one you have pictured there. A base unit for in the house and a remote for out in the shop. I ordered two base units and five remotes from Amazon and kept the two that were most accurate and returned the rest.

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Scott Thompson
Port Townsend,WA

"In a perfect world we'd all sing in tune
But this is reality so give me some room"
-Billy Bragg