I have a Western Caliber III right now. Right on the money and requires no calibration. However, I need a second one, under $20, mainly for travel.

Looking at the Xikar:
http://www.amazon.com/Xikar-Adjustab...8135617&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.com/Xikar-Round-Di...8135617&sr=8-3

Or maybe the Hygroset II:
http://www.amazon.com/Quality-Import...8135617&sr=8-4

Or I could just get another Caliber III. Figured I'd maybe give one of the small round ones a shot though. Any recommendations? Can get another Caliber III or these for like $19 shipped.

Cigar Monster has the Hygroset II for $15 shipped fairly often.

Edit: Caliber III claims +/- 1% and most of these are +/- 2%
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I have the round Xikar and it works well. I just recalibrated it after 6 months and it was only off a couple percent.
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Well I jumped the gun and just decided to go with another Caliber III for $18.95 shipped. :-)

Thanks for the response though.

I figure I'll stick with a known good, that advertises +/- 1%.
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I use two of the small Xikars. I have had no issues but the batteries can be tough to find.

Luckily a local radio shack carries them.
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Caliber III

Spot on.
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I have the small round Xikar in my desktop, was accurate out of the box, I've been eyeing one of the rectangular ones for my vino
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I'm happy with my round Hygroset II. I salt-calibrated it to 75%, and it read 66% after a day in ziploc with brand new 65% Shilala beads. Close enough for me.

I actually passed up the Caliber III because it lacks any calibration feature. But it sounds like other people have good luck with them? I'd love a hygro that doesn't need calibration between battery changes.
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Yeah mine was spot on from the factory. We'll see how long it lasts. Seems to have good reviews.
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Just calibrated my HygroSet I, it was off by 1% with the Boveda 75% calibration pack. Put it in the humi before I left for work, it'll be interesting to see what it reads when I get home. I either have a really leaky box or the cheap analog that came with it is way off.
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Could be both.

I'd grab a digital Hygrometer and use that so you can be sure.

Calibrate that as well though.
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I believe the Hygroset 1 he mentioned is a digital hygrometer, just rectangular.

He probably means he hasn't had a digital hygrometer in that box before and is curious about the accuracy of the analog that came with it.
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One thing to do -- for all brands of digital hygrometers -- is change the batteries about every three months. You can usually get replacement batteries for a bout $2 on sale.

As the battery degrades so does the accurcy of the hygrometer.
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Just to clarify -- when the hygrometer was off by 1% did you adjust the calibration knob and hit the "reset" button to save the calibration change?
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It is the digital one and you are correct, I'm wondering if the analog is accurate. I think the humi is going to need some sealing around the glass and the analog hygrometer that came with it.

Yes sir :-)

I got some HCM beads and once I know the box isn't leaking, I'll replace the "beads" that I'm using now.
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What I should probably do is put my sticks in a tupperware container for now, then seal around the glass and the hygrometer hole on my humidor. Let it air out for a couple days and reseason it. I just need to bite the bullet and get it done.
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