I use the Tramex non invasive moisture meters for both concrete and wood substrates. I love them. I have often come behind clean up contractors after water damage claims and found wet floors where their meters have shown the floor to be "dry".

I have been using a cheap pen type hygrometer to get a thumbnail reference of the humidity levels in a home. But it is time to set up that monitoring ability. Eventually I would love to invest in a system that I could monitor remotely via my computer. I like to be in control of my job sites. I know these are available but come at a serious price.

For now I need to upgrade to a reliable accurate hand held hygrometer. What are the favorites any of you are using, and/or how many contractors are really measuring at all? Might not get many to admit if they are not but I have a hunch that many don't.

Any suggestions for brand and model would be wonderful.

I have an inexpensive digital model (battery operated) by Acurite that I often will set up in a customer's home. It has a memory feature in that it remembers the highest readings and lowest readings. It also is a digital thermometer with the same abilities. It tells me if the client has lowered the temp and thereby, raised the humidity, while I was away. I can't say if it's super accurate. How would I know? But it is made by a well-known American Company and at least not from China.

http://www.achooallergy.com/acu-rite-hu ... utm_id=800

Any one else but Gary use a hygrometer?

The pen type I use like most is +5%. This really does not seem very accurate. But to step up to one that is +2% it is over $1000.00 with no calibration kit, that is another $800.00. I can only find one company that offers one. The rest you have to go on blind faith that the meter is working properly.

I want to step up and do better, but it needs to be with confidence. I am fairly frugal about spending money on tools. I want to understand that it is absolutly necessary and essential to perform the specific needs I have for it. I am inclined to make this upgrade it just does not seem accurate enough for a professional to use a meter with such a variance in readings. The one that I have been using now I have felt is only truly adequate to give a thumbnail picture of the atmosphere in a home. The home would have to be quite out of the norm to give readings that would be outside of the industry or manufacturers standards.

Yes, I use a hygrometer but it is a very inexpensive model similar to the one Gary posted. Starting a couples years ago I give each homeowner one too. When I bring the wood in to acclimate I open a new one and go over a few things about keeping a watch on the humidity levels.

I got a feeling what you are talking about is using a highly calibrated model to use when checking the true MC in wood.