The uncle try to con you, no way silica gel can last that long. Even if he keep the drybox unopened for long periods, moisture will still manage to seep in somehow.
Actually, silica gel or thirsty hippo would give you about 40% RH...which is ideal for storage of your equip.
Its really a preference if theres a need for a dry cabinet or even a dry box (a normal tupperware lookalike would do).
Saves your $100 upfront. =)
I have a spoilt dry cabi, the electronic part kaput after few years and replacing the part alone is as good as buying one, I did bought one.
Nevertheless, I modify the spoilt one a bit to airtight it and place a Hippo or equivalent inside. It was a 26L one. It has been 5 or 6 months and I havn't change it and the Rh is 30% - 35%. I store my old camera or old electrical stuff. Silica is way too troublesome, need to change very often.
Bro calebk has his point too. If you intend to go into SLR n stuff better buy a decent one as even with the method I use, I can't control the RH level . The hippo takes quite a space in the cabi.
just my 2 cents
Ah ha, same here. Got a spoilt dry cabinet, use a hippo or equivalent (can't remember the brand), was able to maintain the 40-45% RH(this reading was taken with multiple hydrometer, analog and digital) for more than half year. However, my main equipment are still kept in the newer DigiCabi ;pI have a spoilt dry cabi, the electronic part kaput after few years and replacing the part alone is as good as buying one, I did bought one.
Nevertheless, I modify the spoilt one a bit to airtight it and place a Hippo or equivalent inside. It was a 26L one. It has been 5 or 6 months and I havn't change it and the Rh is 30% - 35%. I store my old camera or old electrical stuff. Silica is way too troublesome, need to change very often.
Bro calebk has his point too. If you intend to go into SLR n stuff better buy a decent one as even with the method I use, I can't control the RH level . The hippo takes quite a space in the cabi.
just my 2 cents
I do not want to warm up my room, so no electric cabinet for me and save electricity
The uncle try to con you, no way silica gel can last that long. Even if he keep the drybox unopened for long periods, moisture will still manage to seep in somehow.
brotherrrr moi no use dry box. we use air tight glass containers. the silica gel still dark blue;D
read AIR TIGHT GLASS CONTAINERS
not ur cheapo 2 dollars pasarmalam plastic dry box brother
i feel so HEARTBROKEN
It's a one-time upfront payment for the cabinet, with really low electricity consumption. And you are more or less guaranteed that your equipment is stored in a controlled environment.
I don't understand why everyone wants to try and use thirsty hippo and all, where you have to keep replacing it from time to time, and you are not even close to 100% sure that you have the right RH% value.