digital vs analog help please

I have the accu rite digital monitors but it seems they aren't very accurate. They (4) all read different temps and humidity levels. (even in the same cage in the same spot) I am wondering and have been searching the forum, are analog humidity gauges better? I have a temp gun to check the temps too, but I'm concerned about the humidity. The reason for my concern is one of my snakes has been attempting to shed for 2 days and has been having trouble. I soaked him and that didnt help, I added some sphagnum moss and that didnt help... now he's soaking as im helping him shed. How can i avoid this? My other 3 have no problems. They are all in 24x24x11.5 boaphile cages. Thanks.

How much are they varying by? They all have a degree of error but they are accurate for the most part. As for analog, not a chance they would be better.

at the same spot in same cage one will say 84 degrees F 54% humidity and the other says 81 degrees F and 72% humidity

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Originally Posted by onedroplet

at the same spot in same cage one will say 84 degrees F 54% humidity and the other says 81 degrees F and 72% humidity

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Hmm, that is a big difference. I would look up how to fix/tune them if thats possible with those. I've heard something about putting them in salt (it may only work with analog ones) but i would just google that and see if there is a fix. Also it may not be the probe that is reading the humidity, that could just be the temperature, so if they were sitting in different areas they could have been reading that areas humidity. Look and see if there are holes on the backs of the unit itself, that is probably where it reads humidity.

there are no probes

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Originally Posted by onedroplet

there are no probes

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Ah ok, I bet its the same one i have. Im guessing they both have a error of about 10% and are just on opposite ends of the spectrum. It's probably somewhere in the middle (around 60%). If all the other snakes are shedding fine and you don't have wet substrate or lots of condensation on the sides i wouldn't worry about it. You at least know the humidity isn't too LOW, and by checking the things i just said you can ensure its not too high.

So far as I know, there is no "temp gun" equivelent for measuring humidity. Digital is usually the most accurate, but even the digital ones can be a bit wonky. When it comes to humidity, I don't think it's something you need to fret about as far as specific numbers. Stick with one meter...note the typical humidity levels it is giving you. If your snakes shed well at those levels, then just aim to keep it in that range and you'll be fine. If they have trouble, then work on upping the humidity by 5%-10% until you get it dialed in.

Occasionally, a ball python (or any snake) will just have a bad shed, no matter how spot on your husbandry was. If all the other snakes shed well, and this is the first bad shed you've experienced, then I wouldn't panic about your humidity levels yet. Wait and see what happens if you maintain the status quo.

More rarely, you'll find a snake that never sheds easily, no matter how you tweak the environment or try to "help."

Make sure you're not soaking BEFORE the actual sloughing of the skin. That can cause more difficulties, rather than help.

I have digital hygrometers that are more than 50% wrong. One never reads over 18% no matter the actual humidity. Cheap digital units (temp and hygrometers) with with resistive sensors they measure the electrical resistance at different humidity levels (and in the case of thermometers temperatures) this as you may have guessed is very small variations. That is the root of the issue. It is measuring very small variations and it takes very small flaws to make a difference. A bent cord, a bad solder joint on a board, the presence of contaminates on the surface of the sensor (dust, salts, urine...) even if a digital unit started accurate it can quickly change to inaccurate depending on what it has been exposed to. There are better digital units for both that are actually calibrated at the factory to insure scientific accuracy (traceable units) but they are usually very expensive (the unit I use in my professional life it over 1200$ and costs 300$ a year top re-certify)

The belief that a digital unit is more accurate than analogue is a myth. There are very accurate digital units and very accurate analogue units. (both hygrometers and thermometers) typically analogue units of equal accuracy are about 1/3 the price of the digital units. The real issue is how much accuracy do you actually need and how much accuracy are you willing to pay for with how much effort it takes.

I take this view. I want 1ºF up or down accuracy in temps and 5% up or down humidity. Most digital thermometers (like your accurite are rated to +/-2ºF and +/-10%RH) So a unit that is in this range is considered to be within an acceptable tolerance. Not all units are on the ends of that extreme but some might be. My thought is to buy the lowest priced digital thermometer with a probe you can find, but don't just get two get at least 3 and 5 would be better. (the last time I bought thermometers I found some on ebay for 1.20 shipped each I bought 15.) Lay them all out away from drafts and some where the temp is consistent wait 30 min and check them against each other many will basically be the same and a few will be quite different make the ones that are not (basically <half a degree>) the same and set them aside for parts or to get rid of (rehome repurpose toss) and use only the same reading ones. I re-check these every 6 months.

hygrometers I use an analogue 'hair' spring type they are robust as they are not bothered by dust much and read quickly. The things to look for in a good one are a metal face card (not cardboard like the reptile ones that often swell and jam the needle) and a calibration screw on the back. Hygrometers are easily tested (google salt test) and this type can be adjusted to read correctly if needed. Digital ones can be tested but few can be calibrated to read correct again, and often are inconsistent, and will not read the same error amount hours apart. (depends on the fault it has)

Personally I like the instrument to be correct but just make an educated guess to the humidity inside the enclosure. I place the hygrometer centrally in the enclosure and just figure the hides will be a few % different than the ambient (cool more hot less) and go from there.

There is a 'gun' hygrometer/ thermometer but if you have read the above they are cost prohibitive. I looked at this one for my work...

https://ecat.fishersci.ca/(S(d5kxbz4...spx?cid=191639

We have talked with different manufacturers about bringing an affordable yet accurate humidity gauge to the market, but the consistent answer is "Not for less than $200 retail".

I think the inexpensive humidity gauges are a waste of money. But moisture gradients and levels are quite important for a number of species. I get the best results by reading the animals themselves, along with setup/caging cues, and adjusting accordingly.

Stuck sheds=too dry. We raise moisture levels and/or limit venting.