Humidity gauges
Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2020 4:49 pm
Thought I'd share a quick review of two digital humidity gauges I recently acquired. Both were recommended in lutherie articles I found online, purchased on Amazon...(I really try to avoid Amazon, and swear they are going to own us all one day, but sometimes it is just too convenient and cheap)
Testo 608H1 (~$70 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002Y ... UTF8&psc=1)
and
Acurite (model 01083, ~$15 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HD ... UTF8&psc=1)
Here is a photo of the two side by side (sorry for the glare)
Testo:
-claims to be calibrated to a certification standard, but no certificate or documentation provided
-claims 3% accuracy for RH
-no calibration procedure or adjustments documented, nor do any appear to be possible
-3 digit display
-tracks min and max readings, but must press a button to see them
-uses 9V battery
Acurite:
-packaged in generic brown box, no branding
-no accuracy specified in manual, amazon page listing claims 2% RH
-has "calibration" function which allows you to apply a simple +- offset to the reading
-displays min and max right on the screen, no need to press buttons
-tracks min/max for both last 24 hours and all time min/max (since reset) - must press button to change which is displayed
-shows trend up/down for both RH and temp
-2 digit display
-smaller display than Testo, but easy to read
-uses 2 AAA batteries
Given the significant cost difference and the fact both are reading essentially the same RH, the Acurite is the clear winner in my book. Unless you really need the larger display, or like seeing the extra digit (to catch trends), I can't justify the higher cost of the Testo. I'm considering ordering a few more of the Acurite meters and sending the Testo back. Hope this helps someone.
Mark
Testo 608H1 (~$70 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002Y ... UTF8&psc=1)
and
Acurite (model 01083, ~$15 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HD ... UTF8&psc=1)
Here is a photo of the two side by side (sorry for the glare)
Testo:
-claims to be calibrated to a certification standard, but no certificate or documentation provided
-claims 3% accuracy for RH
-no calibration procedure or adjustments documented, nor do any appear to be possible
-3 digit display
-tracks min and max readings, but must press a button to see them
-uses 9V battery
Acurite:
-packaged in generic brown box, no branding
-no accuracy specified in manual, amazon page listing claims 2% RH
-has "calibration" function which allows you to apply a simple +- offset to the reading
-displays min and max right on the screen, no need to press buttons
-tracks min/max for both last 24 hours and all time min/max (since reset) - must press button to change which is displayed
-shows trend up/down for both RH and temp
-2 digit display
-smaller display than Testo, but easy to read
-uses 2 AAA batteries
Given the significant cost difference and the fact both are reading essentially the same RH, the Acurite is the clear winner in my book. Unless you really need the larger display, or like seeing the extra digit (to catch trends), I can't justify the higher cost of the Testo. I'm considering ordering a few more of the Acurite meters and sending the Testo back. Hope this helps someone.
Mark