Tim granted accurate and precise isn't that same but typically a very precise instrument is usually accurate as well unless some major error has come about. I have good very precise and accurate thermometer at work (RTD platinum traceable) and I know how bad the cheap ones are. Hygrometers are easy and sadly can be with in 2% with out spending much over 10$ and just a small investment in time, it really, in my opinion, isn't that critical (I did it anyway if it can be it should be right?). Thermometers are a whole different game, calibration is problematic at best, and accuracy is very costly. The best that can be expected from a cheap one is 2ºF +/- .
I am OCD and simply can't relax knowing the temp could be 88-92º and not knowing which. I could not imagine anyone accepting that kinda of a range. I kept bringing that up here and there but it was pointed out to me not everyone was afflicted with my special kind of crazy. I was actually curious what the range was for others.
For me I can live with 1ºF +/- in temps and 5% is fine for hygrometers, although I did check and calibrate mine so they are 1%. I bought Herpstats because of the accuracy or the probe and at 0.9ºF +/- I can live with it. I have little notes on a grab bag of cheap digital ones, -1.6, +1.9 , -2.9 do not trust... My IR gun is ok it is 1.1 low on the bench but they vary so much with surface it is hard to be sure at all.
I was just trying to see what was ok by the community and try to remember that my ok and your ok against joe keeper may not be even close.
Out of curiosity what T-stat do you use for your incubator?
Chris, Hygrometers are easy I'll post the ones I checked and ended up going with. Temps are well hard really hard. I have some LC ones that are good to 0.5º but they are impracticle to use. I use it as a control. A good digital is very costly the one work has was over 1600$ The best I have easy access to and affordable is the Herpstat, I think the helix is about the same. It sounds crazy to use a herpstat to measure temps but I do, the probes are good and mine the worst I have is off by 0.7ºF the rest are better the best is 0.1ºF they are vary. All are within the specs. (out of 15 probes)
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