Simple question. which is a better product. had been looking at a Cigar oasis but then found the hydra which has fan outputs. This will be for a 500count footlocker humidor(aprox. 15x10x15 inside). More opinion then fact but id like to hear from everyone experience!

I know this question has been asked before, but the results i found were from years back. So there has been more "feild testing" at this point.
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Beads
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:-)

Both an Oasis and Hydra seem a bit overkill for that size humi. But even if they werent overkill, Id say beads- Shilala beads to be exact.
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i respect your opinions but with me. 2/3 things come up. Im lazy because i know how OCD i would be when properly using beads and i personally use way more then necessary because id rather have to much of something then not enough. :-)
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I use an original oasis. works fine. got it for free.

If i had a couple hundred bucks for humidity i'd probably buy a hydra instead.

I also use beads. ... in tandem with the oasis.
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Your dimensions really aren't big enough for an active humidification unit. Just by having the container of distilled water you could run the risk of having a high RH by evaporation. Beads are easy and will last forever if you take care of them, plus you can get a Lb of beads which is almost 3x the amount you need for about 30$. In my opinion active humidification should only be considered if you are pushing 8 cubic feet or more. I could be wrong but you can't go wrong with beads.:-)
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shilala beads seem easy enough and they are way cheaper. hmm must look more
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These are what I was talking about but shilala work too.

http://www.heartfeltindustries.com/p...Humidity+Beads
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I prefer beads :-)

But both the Oasis and the Hydra are good...
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Active would be overkill in a mini-humidor like that and beads are easier to maintain than an active humidification system anyway.
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I used one in a foot-locker sized humidor (a little smaller actually). it worked well. Twasn't overkill since there were two layers of drawers to circulate through. I will say that it did take up a bit more space than I anticipated.... But, by the time you put a half lb of beads in there (and throw in a couple of oust fans) it would get almost as equally snug.
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hmmm can both of you explain your reason for preferring the shilala beads vs the heartfelt beads? you guys make very good point but no im caught between different beads...

so ill need fans with the beads then?














*why cant this just be easy?
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You won't need fans unless you are going a long while without opening the humi.

I have an Oasis and beads in my cabinet but it's a big one, about 6 foot tall. The Oasis is a pain in the ass to be honest, I have to refill it all the time. I've had it unplugged for like 6 months but I'll probably get it going again for the winter.

I'd say just go for beads. If for some reason they don't cut it then go with active. But I think just beads will be fine.

It is easy, by the way. They are just cigars. Don't over think it. :-)
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It is easy Devan. Beads.

Shilala, Heartfelt, or Humipuck from Cigarmony will all work well.

I cant speak for the Humipuck, because Ive never used one. I have however used both Heartfelt, and Shilala beads.

Shilala beads worked better for me. You wanna talk lazy??? Toss Shilala beads in and walk away, no misting, no worries... set and forget.

The heartfelt worked ok for me, but the constant RH fluctuations gave me agita! A lot of guys swear by Heartfelt, but I can only imagine its because they never used Shilala beads.

Oust fan is not necessary in a humidor your size.
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Ha! Agita! Love it Moe. Where is our Italian horn emoticon? I guess this is the closest....:-) :-):-)

Opposite for me though, my heartfelt beads are a little more stable than my Shilala beads. But my beads are the old clay ones, I guess the new Shilala formula is better?
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shilala- they will require maintenance eventually though, looks like dealing with that is by putting a sponge of water in the humi?

andrew: im guessing by long time you mean 6+ months?
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:-) Just spread out about 1/2-1 pound of beads and it will be just fine. An active system would take up a similar amount of space assuming your seal is sufficient the beads will be easier to maintain. I wouldn't even consider active humidification until your humidor size gets to atleast end table size, and even then it's not neccessary. :-)
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What about a vino? opinions?
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In two years, with more than 5lbs of beads, Ive had to do this only once.

Vino would probably be the same size as some end table humidors. This would be the smallest application Id use active humidity in.

Still, I used beads in my vino, I use beads in my tower... I have a "set and forget" system in my other cabinet and its a giant pain in the ass.
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Like several months.
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