Xikar hygro accuracy VS. Wal-Mart hygro. accuracy

[Goldie]

I just bought the two pack of Xikar digital hygros from Rod. I got them and wanted to salt test them for accuracy, and calibration so I can know the exact RH in my new humi. So I take the cheapo hygro. along with the Xikar, and place them in a ziploc baggy with the salt solution. The next morning the cheapo hygro was reading 75%, and the Xikar was indicating 72%.

Here is the question, which one should I believe as being more accurate. I want to think the Xikar is the most accurate, but the cheapo hygro was indicating 75% as it was supposed to. I guess it really isn't that big of a deal, we are only talking a few percent, but I guess I am just being particular. What do you guys think?

 

[tomthirtysix]

If you did the test right, the cheapo is correct. If you were just going to go off the Xikar one, why bother testing at all?

 

[LouieD]

Aren't the Xikars adjustable?

 

[rectifythis]

Well you would think the cheapo is more accurate, but my experience has told me that bagging them isn't quite enough. A single bag is somewhat permeable, and subject to fluctuations if it is disturbed. When I salt test, I get a clear piece of good tupperware, tape all hygros facing outward so I can read them from the outside, set the shotglass of slurry in the center, double ziplok the entire thing, and let it sit 12-24 hours.

If the cheapo still reads 75, it's accurate....albeit an anomoly IMO, but accurate.

 

[Goldie]

Yeah the Xikars are adjustable, but I need to get it right at 75% in order to calibrate.

That is a good question as to why I decided to salt test both since I was just going to run the Xikar, I guess I was just wondering for personal knowledge.

 

[souldog]

My experience:

Digital Wally World Hygro: +9% above the actual rH.

Not-A-Wally-World Hygro: -2% below actual rH.


Xikar hygro for the win! :thumbs:

 

[bigmanfromou]

Go get a Boveda Calibration Kit. Leave it in the bag for 3 days and then adjust it. The bags are calibrated to 75.5%

 

[klipsch]

Actually...with the Bovida calibration kit, it only takes 24 hours. If the Xikar hygro read 72% instead of the expected 75%...you just adjust it 3 clicks clockwise so that it reads 75%. After making the adjustment, you can recheck it using the salt test again. I've got two Hygroset II's which I believe are the exact same hygrometer as the Xikar, except that they both came with Bovida calibration kits. I've only had mine a couple of weeks, but I couldn't imagine using anything else. :thumbs:

 

[masterp0606]

I have one from wal-mart ??? . I think it works pretty nice tho, it stores the high and lows on both temp and the humidity .

 

[masterp0606]

I just salt tested my wal-mart hygro meter and it was spot on.

 

[PhatCat]

I just salt tested my wal-mart hygro meter and it was spot on.

As they say, even a blind squirrel finds a nut sometimes. It's entirely possible that a wal-mart "cheapo" could read spot on. That's great luck.

BR

 

[smokintexas]

Actually...with the Bovida calibration kit, it only takes 24 hours. If the Xikar hygro read 72% instead of the expected 75%...you just adjust it 3 clicks clockwise so that it reads 75%. After making the adjustment, you can recheck it using the salt test again. I've got two Hygroset II's which I believe are the exact same hygrometer as the Xikar, except that they both came with Bovida calibration kits. I've only had mine a couple of weeks, but I couldn't imagine using anything else. :thumbs:

With the Xikar don't you just press down the green diamond in the middle and that resets the hygros reading to 75%? ???

 

[jcv63]

I'm with smokintexas, just press the button while it's still in the ziplock to calibrate the Xikar. At least that's what I do with mine and it seems to work just fine.

 

[NullSmurf]

I've had cheap ones that were dead on and more expensive ones that weren't - and vice versa. You're spinning the wheel with them If you're really stuck on accuracy, get an adjustable.

 

[Rod]

Actually...with the Bovida calibration kit, it only takes 24 hours. If the Xikar hygro read 72% instead of the expected 75%...you just adjust it 3 clicks clockwise so that it reads 75%. After making the adjustment, you can recheck it using the salt test again. I've got two Hygroset II's which I believe are the exact same hygrometer as the Xikar, except that they both came with Bovida calibration kits. I've only had mine a couple of weeks, but I couldn't imagine using anything else. :thumbs:

With the Xikar don't you just press down the green diamond in the middle and that resets the hygros reading to 75%? ???

Yes.

 

[mtshdtv]

You guys with the cheapo Springfield Precision must be real lucky because mine are about 15%RH off. The xikar is the way to go, the only other that's close is the little havana dead on within 1%.

 

[Joho]

I put my Western Caliber III in the calibration kit about 12 hours ago and it's reading 74%; it still has 12-24 more hours to go in the bag.

 

[DePasta]

I've had cheap ones that were dead on and more expensive ones that weren't - and vice versa. You're spinning the wheel with them If you're really stuck on accuracy, get an adjustable.

Yep, it's a crap shoot with anything except lab quality equipment.....even then they need to be calibrated.

 

[lurch]

I put my WallyWorld one into a salt-test last night so tonight I'll see how it's sitting. This morning it was sitting at 71%...

 

[Q_The_Cop]

I guess I lucked up cause I got in indoor/outdoor hygro from Wally-world in my coolerdor, and it's spot on 65% (with 65% beads). Salt tested perfect.