youve seen it before: Oasis vs. Hydra

[Devanmc]

Simple question. which is a better product. had been looking at a Cigar oasis but then found the hydra which has fan outputs. This will be for a 500count footlocker humidor(aprox. 15x10x15 inside). More opinion then fact but id like to hear from everyone experience!

I know this question has been asked before, but the results i found were from years back. So there has been more "feild testing" at this point.

[joeobx]

Beads

[md4958]

Beads

:tpd:

Both an Oasis and Hydra seem a bit overkill for that size humi. But even if they werent overkill, Id say beads- Shilala beads to be exact.

[Devanmc]

i respect your opinions but with me. 2/3 things come up. Im lazy because i know how OCD i would be when properly using beads and i personally use way more then necessary because id rather have to much of something then not enough. :sh

[s15driftking]

I use an original oasis. works fine. got it for free.

If i had a couple hundred bucks for humidity i'd probably buy a hydra instead.

I also use beads. ... in tandem with the oasis.

[688sonarmen]

Your dimensions really aren't big enough for an active humidification unit. Just by having the container of distilled water you could run the risk of having a high RH by evaporation. Beads are easy and will last forever if you take care of them, plus you can get a Lb of beads which is almost 3x the amount you need for about 30$. In my opinion active humidification should only be considered if you are pushing 8 cubic feet or more. I could be wrong but you can't go wrong with beads.:2

[Devanmc]

shilala beads seem easy enough and they are way cheaper. hmm must look more

[688sonarmen]

shilala beads seem easy enough and they are way cheaper. hmm must look more

These are what I was talking about but shilala work too.

http://www.heartfeltindustries.com/products.asp?cat=65%25+Rh+Humidity+Beads

[CigarNut]

I prefer beads :)

But both the Oasis and the Hydra are good...

[chippewastud79]

Active would be overkill in a mini-humidor like that and beads are easier to maintain than an active humidification system anyway.

[s15driftking]

Active would be overkill in a mini-humidor like that and beads are easier to maintain than an active humidification system anyway.


I used one in a foot-locker sized humidor (a little smaller actually). it worked well. Twasn't overkill since there were two layers of drawers to circulate through. I will say that it did take up a bit more space than I anticipated.... But, by the time you put a half lb of beads in there (and throw in a couple of oust fans) it would get almost as equally snug.

[Devanmc]

hmmm can both of you explain your reason for preferring the shilala beads vs the heartfelt beads? you guys make very good point but no im caught between different beads...

so ill need fans with the beads then?














*why cant this just be easy?

[AD720]

You won't need fans unless you are going a long while without opening the humi.

I have an Oasis and beads in my cabinet but it's a big one, about 6 foot tall. The Oasis is a pain in the ass to be honest, I have to refill it all the time. I've had it unplugged for like 6 months but I'll probably get it going again for the winter.

I'd say just go for beads. If for some reason they don't cut it then go with active. But I think just beads will be fine.

It is easy, by the way. They are just cigars. Don't over think it. :)

[md4958]

hmmm can both of you explain your reason for preferring the shilala beads vs the heartfelt beads? you guys make very good point but no im caught between different beads...

so ill need fans with the beads then?

*why cant this just be easy?

It is easy Devan. Beads.

Shilala, Heartfelt, or Humipuck from Cigarmony will all work well.

I cant speak for the Humipuck, because Ive never used one. I have however used both Heartfelt, and Shilala beads.

Shilala beads worked better for me. You wanna talk lazy??? Toss Shilala beads in and walk away, no misting, no worries... set and forget.

The heartfelt worked ok for me, but the constant RH fluctuations gave me agita! A lot of guys swear by Heartfelt, but I can only imagine its because they never used Shilala beads.

Oust fan is not necessary in a humidor your size.

[AD720]

The heartfelt worked ok for me, but the constant RH fluctuations gave me agita! A lot of guys swear by Heartfelt, but I can only imagine its because they never used Shilala beads.



Ha! Agita! Love it Moe. Where is our Italian horn emoticon? I guess this is the closest....:fu2 :D:D

Opposite for me though, my heartfelt beads are a little more stable than my Shilala beads. But my beads are the old clay ones, I guess the new Shilala formula is better?

[Devanmc]

It is easy Devan. Beads.

Shilala, Heartfelt, or Humipuck from Cigarmony will all work well.

I cant speak for the Humipuck, because Ive never used one. I have however used both Heartfelt, and Shilala beads.

Shilala beads worked better for me. You wanna talk lazy??? Toss Shilala beads in and walk away, no misting, no worries... set and forget.

The heartfelt worked ok for me, but the constant RH fluctuations gave me agita! A lot of guys swear by Heartfelt, but I can only imagine its because they never used Shilala beads.

Oust fan is not necessary in a humidor your size.

shilala- they will require maintenance eventually though, looks like dealing with that is by putting a sponge of water in the humi?

andrew: im guessing by long time you mean 6+ months?

[chippewastud79]

Oust fan is not necessary in a humidor your size.

:tpd: Just spread out about 1/2-1 pound of beads and it will be just fine. An active system would take up a similar amount of space assuming your seal is sufficient the beads will be easier to maintain. I wouldn't even consider active humidification until your humidor size gets to atleast end table size, and even then it's not neccessary. :tu

[s15driftking]

I wouldn't even consider active humidification until your humidor size gets to atleast end table size, and even then it's not neccessary. :tu


What about a vino? opinions?

[md4958]

shilala- they will require maintenance eventually though, looks like dealing with that is by putting a sponge of water in the humi?
?
In two years, with more than 5lbs of beads, Ive had to do this only once.

What about a vino? opinions?

Vino would probably be the same size as some end table humidors. This would be the smallest application Id use active humidity in.

Still, I used beads in my vino, I use beads in my tower... I have a "set and forget" system in my other cabinet and its a giant pain in the ass.

[AD720]

shilala- they will require maintenance eventually though, looks like dealing with that is by putting a sponge of water in the humi?

andrew: im guessing by long time you mean 6+ months?

Like several months.

[Devanmc]

Now you guys say spread ou,. Would an 8oz bag in the bottom and another in the top tray be enough?

[joeobx]

:tpd: Just spread out about 1/2-1 pound of beads and it will be just fine. An active system would take up a similar amount of space assuming your seal is sufficient the beads will be easier to maintain. I wouldn't even consider active humidification until your humidor size gets to atleast end table size, and even then it's not neccessary. :tu

What he said :2

[joeobx]

Just whatever you do DON"T SPILL THEM......talk about a pain in the ass

[Devanmc]

Oh also*warning very opinion based question come* what would be a good mid-longterm storage humidity to order the beads set at?

[md4958]

Oh also*warning very opinion based question come* what would be a good mid-longterm storage humidity to order the beads set at?

what do you like to smoke your cigars at? Buy that RH%

[joeobx]

I got 65 % ....just me

[Devanmc]

I've personally had about 4-5 more months smoking cigars then I've been on this forum, so maybe 8-9 months smoking to be honest. I really don't have enough experiance to know. :sh

[AD720]

65% is the most popular.

[Bill86]

I buy 65% RH beads. In my experiences they are remotely close, not exact. So 65% RH beads = 62-65, 70's would be like 67-70.....etc. So My 65's hold usually 62-64, I wouldn't drop to 60's because they would probably hold 57-58 RH.

VMMV This is just my experience.

Also for that foot locker I'd definitely get a full pound of beads, I have a 8oz tube in my el diablo and it doesn't hold RH worth a crap. 65 RH tube I get 59-61 RH in it. Get a full pound, divide them in half.

[dwoodward]

I know ill get flamed for this, but personally my shilala beads don't work at all in both of my humidors. Say what you want people, the humidors are not leaking. I have even taken my large bag out at placed it in a ziplock bag with a sponge and kept the sponge wet for 3 days, the humidity got up to 76% in the bag. I took the beads out and put them in a 2nd bag for 24 hours and the beads were back down to 58%. My beads are defective or something and simply will not recharge.

Not that it matters, I am looking at a edgestar for xmas and will probably switch to an oasis for that.

Just my 2 cents. And btw, if your beads don't work, expect to get flamed on the forums for it. :2

[icehog3]

You aren't getting "flamed", Derrick, it's just that 99% of people here have had a different experience with the Shilala beads than you have, so when you rip on the beads, they feel ok with posting their positive experiences. It would be like the eBay seller with the 99.9% positive rating, but the one buyer says he's a "crook". I think all the regular readers here are aware of your negative feelings towards the beads....they can disagree with you without being "flamers". :2

[Devanmc]

I'm going to start out with a pound, probly up it 2 once I'm home. Michigans cold dry winter is going to make it hard to keep rh, so ill over do things. Just to make sure

[MajorCaptSilly]

I'm probably in the minority, but I use Boveda packs in the winter to enhance the Heartfelt & Shilala beads I already have. It gets really dry here in Indiana just like Michigan and the extra help for 3-4 months really helps keep the humidity constant. I use the Boveda packs in all my humidors except the Vino.

MCS

[chippewastud79]

Vino would probably be the same size as some end table humidors. This would be the smallest application I'd use active humidity in.

I use beads in my tower.

:tpd: No need for active in a vino, spread out beads work fine. The same is true with a cabinet, although thats when I added a few Oust fans. If the beads are spread out, it should be sufficient in any size humidor in reasonable climates. :2

[md4958]

My beads are defective or something and simply will not recharge.

have you contacted Scott or the new owner (Im sorry I forgot who sells them now!) about whats going on, or perhaps exchanging them?

[Devanmc]

Any other advise for a humidor that size? I'm probly forgetting something since its my first

[Prospector]

What about a vino? opinions?

Since Vinos have a very good seal beads are a good option (I did plug the drain though). I have 2 pounds of Heartfelt beads in mine and have had no problems for the two years its been operational. I only have to mist the bags of beads every 4 or 5 months when I notice the RH start to drop. Also have no additional fans other than the one that comes with the Vino.

[itzfrank]

shilala beads worked better for me. You wanna talk lazy??? Toss shilala beads in and walk away, no misting, no worries... set them down and forget.



lol. Fixed.

[md4958]

lol. Fixed.

no, it was right the first time... you know set and forget... like the Ronco Rotisserie Oven!

:r :r :r

[bishjd123]

I've got the 65% Heartfelt beads. They've been spot on and maintenance free in my unplugged Edgestar and my 120qt cooler since January.