[pianotech] Thermoworks hygrometers, etc.

[David Skolnik]

Rob -
I didn't mean what I think you thought I meant.  I should have said 
"...even if they didn't work".  I did not mean to question the 
quality of the unit in any way, as I've never seen them.  That my 
deepest-most sense of cosmic order might be in turmoil to consider 
that I could get, for $25, what I paid 8 times as much for, is 
something I'll have to work out with management.

The rest of what I said I think is relatively accurate and straight 
forward.  I agree with you (and RonN) that there is limited value in 
absolute accuracy, however, as Ron did point out, consistency and 
repeatability is important.  The challenge, with any such device, is 
to be able to verify its level of accuracy on an on-going 
basis.   Also, it makes a difference to me to know, even with a 
certain percentage less accuracy, whether the gauge wants to tell me 
19% or 7%.

Again, thanks for the info.

David Skolnik


At 03:28 PM 9/9/2012, you wrote:
>David,
>
>Go to the link in my original email for the item and click under 
>accessories...
>
>You'll find the option to have NIST Traceable RH 
>Calibration.  Anywhere from 1-3 points including report and actual 
>test data. Anywhere from $35 to $90 extra. The characterization of 
>there item as cheap simply because it's inexpensive I must disagree 
>with. They make many good products, they have all levels and budgets 
>to appease even the most discriminating hydrologists, or whatever 
>they call them...  :-)
>
>It's well within my budget, it's compact and easy to carry, easy to 
>read, and I find it accurate enough for the work I do. They say 3%, 
>you want 2%...  That's irrelevant to me, although it may be what you 
>need. The price, features, accuracy, and customer support add up to 
>a winner for me.
>
>Regards,
>
>Rob McCall
>
>McCall Piano Service, LLC
>www.mccallpiano.com
>Murrieta, CA
>951-698-1875
>
>On Sep 09, 2012, at 09:31 , David Skolnik wrote:
>
> > Rob -
> > Thanks for the information.  I'll probably order a couple.  At 
> that price, it's a pretty good deal, even if they don't work!
> > Still, there are some other considerations. Manufacturer's specs 
> aside, you really don't know how accurate a particular device is 
> unless you have a more reliable one to compare it to.  This goes 
> all the way up the chain.  You can spend significant sums for a 
> measuring instrument, and then almost double that price to have it 
> arrive with written certification.  At some point, we're looking 
> for a balance between reliable functionality and rational objectives.