How accurate are the Set & Forget systems?

[JE3146]

I have a hydra. While it works, it's very inaccurate, as are most oasis systems I've heard of.

So how accurate are the Set & Forget systems in regards to the humidity they display?

[bobarian]

If you are referring to Bob Staebell's systems, I have heard that they are as good as it gets. Another system I have heard good things about is the Moist-N-Aire.

[LasciviousXXX]

SUPER accurate. Have had the set n forget system for about 4 years or so (thanks CA fam) and it is the most accurate automatic system I've ever used.

+1

[CigarNut]

One thing with my Hydra -- I find that it is accurate as far as achieving and maintaining my specified RH. However, I also find that the RH (hygro) display on the unit is so far out of whack that it is impossible to calibrate.

To make this all work I use calibrated hygros to check/validate my hydras. Seems to work OK (so far).

Originally Posted by bobarian

If you are referring to Bob Staebell's systems, I have heard that they are as good as it gets. Another system I have heard good things about is the Moist-N-Aire.

Mine is plus or minus a half %

[Starz26]

Mine is set to 67% and I have two hydrometers in the aristocrat as well. Both hydrometers read 62 on top and bottom when the set and forget is at 67%....So I guess it is precise, but not accurate! And yes, both hydrometers read on the dot when doing the salt test...

[Mikes]

Had my unit since 00 and only had one issue. There was a run of these that included my batch # where the transistors would fail over time causing the unit to read low thus overhumidifying the cabinets. I caught this when I noticed the sticks in my singles drawer not burning. I called Bob up and we figured my unit was in this bad build batch. He paid for shipping back to him and sent me a loaner unit while mine was being fixed. Never had a problem since. Keeps my walk-in at +/- 2% of what i set the humidity to, which in my case is 63% so it will buffer up to 65%.

Bottom line is that you get what you pay for. Bob's unit is in a whole different league than beads, moist and air,hydra, etc.....


EDIT**********

Btw I believe these units (Bob's) are professionally calibrated in a lab thus if you have other 'salt tested' hydros in the same humidor I would expect that there will be different readings. Which one I would trust would be simple......The one that was professionally calibrated in a lab and not at home by a salt test. Your view may of course be different than mine ;o)

[captain53]

Originally Posted by bobarian

If you are referring to Bob Staebell's systems, I have heard that they are as good as it gets. Another system I have heard good things about is the Moist-N-Aire.

I am a former user of an Oasis and it was pure junk.

[marge796]

Originally Posted by SilverFox

Mine is plus or minus a half %

Mine is + or - a full percent. I've had my Aristocrat for a 10 months and it's run steady with this fluctuation so I'm happy with that.


Chris.....

[Ashcan Bill]

Jordan - I have hygrometers on the top and middle shelf of my Aristocrat. While there's a RH differential between the two shelves, the readings themselves never change. Doesn't matter if it's summer (when the cooling system kicks in fairly often) or winter. The temperature and RH stays rock constant.

I'm not sure if the controller is accurate in the reading it displays or not, because I originally adjusted everything based on "feel" rather than what any of the hygrometers said. I don't worry much about the numbers. But once I got things acclimated to where I wanted it, it's never changed. Also I have one of the older LCD controllers, not the newer LED one (not that it should matter). It's a great system.

[Blueface]

I have Bob's on my Aristocrat and it runs like a charm, extremely accurate.
I check on it once every six months or so by comparing with another digital hygrometer.

[Taylor61]

I wish I had bought one from Bob based on all the info I have reviewed. I bought a Le Veil humidifier because I read too many bad reviews on the Oasis. I have had it about a month and I already have issues with it not working properly. I would go with Bobs system.

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by Starz26

Mine is set to 67% and I have two hydrometers in the aristocrat as well. Both hydrometers read 62 on top and bottom when the set and forget is at 67%....So I guess it is precise, but not accurate! And yes, both hydrometers read on the dot when doing the salt test...

I am in the same boat, my digital readout is about +2 or 3 to the actual RH, but as long as I know that and it functions precisely, I have no problem with the issue.

[JE3146]

Good to hear.

This is definitely my next step.... just a matter of when.

[Starz26]

Originally Posted by Mikes

Btw I believe these units (Bob's) are professionally calibrated in a lab thus if you have other 'salt tested' hydros in the same humidor I would expect that there will be different readings. Which one I would trust would be simple......The one that was professionally calibrated in a lab and not at home by a salt test. Your view may of course be different than mine ;o)

I will also add that in a cooler with 65% beads, the hydrometers (diamond crown) read exactly 65...so something must be wrong with my set and forget as two other devices reading dead on using beads and salt test, contradicting the set and forget......

But the set and forget is accurate (consistently the same wrong number) just not precise (same and correct number) and keeps the same numbers so I just note the difference and keep an eye on it for any drift in tthe readings

I've had mine for 7+ years and it has never read more tha 1* off from my other units. If it ever has problems I'll get the new upgraded unit from Bob.

[ucla695]

I use mine primarily for the cooling. I'm close enough to the beach where it was a biatch trying to keep my RH lower than 70 using the reservoir, so I switched to beads.

[cobra03]

I have a humi-care and that thing runs a good 7% off i have it set at 60.5 to get 67%. Other than that it works great. keeps my smoke in perfect shape and in the end thats all that matters.