Bluetooth/Wireless Hygrometer

[Chef]

Over the past year, I have gone through half a dozen Amazon-bought hygrometers. Each has had its pros and cons. The one thing they all have in common is inconsistent readings within each brand.  Meaning, I have ordered three of each model at a time, and not all three display the same temp/RH.  The models that actually would display at least 2 out of 3 the same (almost) can’t be calibrated.  It’s been a little frustrating.

I’ve just found out about these Bluetooth capable hygrometers. I think it’s a nice advantage to be able to gauge temperature and relative humidity without having to open the humidor.  I know Boveda makes one, but I’m mostly looking at the SensorPush and Wireless Tags.  

I have read through a couple of threads regarding both of these hygrometers. What I’m interested to know are opinions of either/both after having used them for at least 6 months or so.  Does performance wane as battery life decreases?  If you own multiples of either, does each device read consistently with each other?  

Please, let me know your thoughts. 

Much thanks, 

Mike

[Trevor2118]

I've gone through a few.  My current is Meade TM-005X with three TS33C transmitters.  It is clear, accurate and easy to set up and re-connect as required.

 

[J-ROB]

Have you considered the Boveda Butler? I have three and I have found that they are within a point RH and a degree F of each other after calibration.

Price is also pretty good.

The concern might be the accompanying apps. I read that the Android app is flaky, so further research might be wise,  and the iOS app that I use on my iPhone recently went blank twice in two weeks, getting stuck in blank screen mode for a day or so at a time.

Generally, however, I am very happy with the overall concept and  convenience of the Bovedas.

No direct visual readout though, Need a phone or bluetooth tablet/netbook.

 

[Burningman]

My Bovedas were working just fine until I updated the app last week. I can't get them to connect to my phone anymore. It's a bit annoying. I don't have time to troubleshoot just yet so I threw some of my conventional hygrometers in there for now. 

[bsubtown]

I really like my 3 SensorPushes and the gateway. Two are in the same wineador and the other is in a cooler. I have not had them all 6 months so I cannot comment on that. The one I have had for over 3 months and that was long enough to make me decide to buy more. Even when they were in the same vessel during calibration their numbers were never a duplicate of one another. I calibrated them to 75% based on the average of the final two days of data after sitting there for four days. They are all within 1% of each other but hardly ever synch. It might be too much data at a granular level. You can see the changes to the graphs over time and it will look like a big change took place but then you realize the scale is set to .4%. 
I really like the gateway. It is too expensive but a lot of fun to check on the humidors while at work. You can also tell if it has been opened by the sudden drop in humidity and set alerts if the temp or humidity stray out of range. 

[jazzboypro]

11 minutes ago, bsubtown said:

I really like my 3 SensorPushes and the gateway. Two are in the same wineador and the other is in a cooler. I have not had them all 6 months so I cannot comment on that. The one I have had for over 3 months and that was long enough to make me decide to buy more. Even when they were in the same vessel during calibration their numbers were never a duplicate of one another. I calibrated them to 75% based on the average of the final two days of data after sitting there for four days. They are all within 1% of each other but hardly ever synch. It might be too much data at a granular level. You can see the changes to the graphs over time and it will look like a big change took place but then you realize the scale is set to .4%. 
I really like the gateway. It is too expensive but a lot of fun to check on the humidors while at work. You can also tell if it has been opened by the sudden drop in humidity and set alerts if the temp or humidity stray out of range. 

The gateway is use to make the sensors working on wifi network and accessible from the Internet. As far as i am concerned, this should not require a seperate gateway. It should work with any standard wifi router that most of us have at home anyways. Their sensors might be good but just because of that gateway thing they won't get my business.

[Lotusguy]

I have 5 of the Bovedas in the mail - at basically the same price as a decent standard hygrometer it seemed like a good deal. Will report back.

[hunterbeav]

I have 3 of the Boveda Butlers and they have been nothing short of perfect.....just my findings with the ones I have...

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[Tundrahi]

I’ve used the xikar puro temp for over 2 years with no problems.  Accuracy and battery life are good

[stunod]

Does the Bovida Butler have a monthly charge ?

[btort910]

The Boveda Butler is basically useless if you plan to use it with the android app. There is no way to get it to give you the history via the app. Also, the calibration took a couple of tries with the help of tech support to get my two to finally work.

[Richard]

I am happy to see that the majority of you have had success with the Boveda Butler's. I have had nothing but issues with the 2 that I have. From one not being able to calibrate at all, it stays stuck at, "finalizing calibration" to the other one not connecting to my Samsung Note 9 at all once it was calibrated. As you can see, one hasn't been calibrated since January and the other one isn't connecting to my phone. Personally, I can't get rid of these Butlers fast enough. I just relay on a few Calibre 4R hygrometers and call it a day. Ph and that 52° rh that's showing isn't even close.

 

[Richard]

2 minutes ago, btort910 said:

The Boveda Butler is basically useless if you plan to use it with the android app. There is no way to get it to give you the history via the app. Also, the calibration took a couple of tries with the help of tech support to get my two to finally work.

And there you have it... 

[hunterbeav]

The Boveda Butler is basically useless if you plan to use it with the android app. There is no way to get it to give you the history via the app. Also, the calibration took a couple of tries with the help of tech support to get my two to finally work.

I have an android and have no issues with my galaxy s9+

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[Lucass111]

I emailed the company about the Boveda Butlers and they said in a few weeks they are releasing an update that will make android work. Just FYI. I have 3 and they work but not the best.

[btort910]

You are lucky. It does not work with my S7. They claim they soon will be coming out with an update that will "address the problems" many android users are experiencing. We are still waiting.

[TripleS]

I have SensorPush and Bobeda butlers - both work flawlessly.  Think I like the SP better, but the butlers are 20 bucks or so and come w the calib bag - cheap.  While the gateways would be nice, I don’t travel for long periods of time so what’s the point. 

 

Iphone platform

[WoadyCypress]

I have used Boveda for about a year and love them. They do run through batteries fairly quickly and I typically recalibrate every 3-6 months.

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[CigarScentedBeard]

My boveda has worked great, I don't have problems with history either. Fuuny, I was worried it would be a bad product, turns out I'm one of the few without issues.

[cigaro]

I had a Boveda. It never worked with my Android. Sent in a support request and never received a response. Then I asked for a refund and they quickly refunded me within 24 hours. If you have Android I would be cautious. I got the sense they know they have a big problem with that OS. 

 

[Bucky McSwensen]

I second the sensor push recommendations.  Hard to stomach the cost but no regrets.  I love it.  Checking on it while on vacation is nice.

[hunterbeav]

Does the Bovida Butler have a monthly charge ?

No

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[JeffreyLebowski]

I have 3 Sensor Push devices. 3 months total. iOS app is excellent. Devices have each converged on relatively close readings straight out of the box when put into the test environment for roughly 72hrs. Yes, 72 hours. Using the Sensor Push app, I got a much better feel for the curve of a stablizing RH - it takes quite a while.

Conclusion: from device to the app, the whole package just works.

[J-ROB]

31 minutes ago, WoadyCypress said:

I have used Boveda for about a year and love them. They do run through batteries fairly quickly

H'mm, maybe that is the key to my recent iOS "dropout" problem....batteries.

Had mine ~4 months on the original batteries. Does that seem within expected service life? 

Will fresh batteries affect calibration?

Until last week, my experience on iPhone has been virtually unproblematic and I would have been quick to recommend the Butlers with this platform. 

I'll go ahead and swap the cells out and see if that resolves things.

[Chef]

28 minutes ago, J-ROB said:

H'mm, maybe that is the key to my recent iOS "dropout" problem....batteries.

Had mine ~4 months on the original batteries. Does that seem within expected service life? 

Will fresh batteries affect calibration?

Until last week, my experience on iPhone has been virtually unproblematic and I would have been quick to recommend the Butlers with this platform. 

I'll go ahead and swap the cells out and see if that resolves things.

Excellent question. Anyone?