Cigar Oasis XL Plus

[Dr. Stogie Fresh]

Product: Cigar Oasis XL Plus
Type: Electronic humidifier
Website: http://www.cigaroasis.com

We recently reviewed and rated the younger sibling of the XL Plus (See Cigar Oasis XL rating: December 12, 2005) and found it to be an excellent humidifier. The XL Plus features the same microprocessor technology as the XL. The primary difference is that the new water cartridge and airflow mechanics allow the XL Plus to pick up more moisture and provide more rapid humidification. This is especially useful with larger humidors and cabinets, which lose humidity rapidly when opened, and whose volume requires rapid re-humidification. The better performance of the XL Plus is due to replacing the water wicking system with a foam system.

You can also purchase the optional battery pack, though I hardly see this as useful when used with a large humidor. In a large humidor the Cigar Oasis will be running frequently, especially if the humidor is opened often. This would exhaust batteries quickly, requiring constant replacement. The Cigar Oasis also comes with a flat cable that is useful if you do not have a large opening through which to pass the A/C cable and you don’t want to lose the humidor’s seal.

SET UP AND USE: [Score: 94] The directions are easy to follow, though the instruction guide is not very user friendly. Regardless, the XL Plus is very intuitive. Just fill the water cartridge, plug in, and set the desired humidity level using the buttons located on the top of the unit. There are only three buttons: two to set the humidity (up, and down), and one to reveal the digital readout of the current humidity. The digital panel lights up when one of the buttons are depressed so it can be seen easily from with the darkness of a cavernous humidor filled with your favorite smokes.

FUNCTION: [Score: 92] This product works as advertised. The unit is factory set at 70% RH and the fan kicks on when the humidity is too low and runs until the desired RH is met.

There are electronic devices that have more features than the XL Plus. For example, there is no alarm mode to warn that the humidity is too low. With the XL Plus you need to press the Display button to get either a low battery or low H20 warning. Also, the XL Plus is not a thermostat. It doesn’t regulate temperature, nor does it give you any information about temperature. If you want to know the temperature of your humidor, you need to use some other device. This is a feature that should be included in future versions. Without a temperature readout, most collectors and cigar aficionados will want to place a secondary digital hygrometer/temperature gauge in their humidors. This is an unnecessary redundancy.

Overall this is a great product. What it does, it does well, which is humidify your humidor. It works as advertised and it’s easy to set up and use. My only gripe is the cost. At $139.00, it’s a bit pricey. On the other hand, what value do we place on the condition of our primo smokes?

OVERALL SCORE: 93 = GOLD STAR RATING

[justinphilly]

you can get the oasis xl and the xl plus from me for alot less than $139.00

[Mindflux]

I got to thinking about these. Since they are active humidifcation systems, could you 'theoretically' toss one in a fresh box (not even seasoned) and stack your smokes in? Since it'll kick on the fan and hydrated the humidor when the humidity drops... one would think you could effectively season your humi/use it right away. Sure it may run non stop for the first few days... but why not?

Of course, I'm ultra-newb... so maybe that aint keen.

[justinphilly]

you can stick one in a fresh box, and wait till it seasons it, then throw the sticks in.

[jkim05]

Wow, that's a serious humidifier.

[stormblade]

I have one and use it in my 300 count humidor. The Dr's review is spot on. It works fine and keeps the box at the correct RH. I keep it plugged in to the wall and the very thin power strip is just right to keep the seal on a good humidor.

The Dr's observations about temperature and alarms are perfect. Setting it is easy and adjusting it is just as simple. It is worth its weight in gold if you open your humi very often. The water tank is simple to use and maintain. No worries about ruining the stogies.

Overall I have been very satisfied with the value I got from this.

Note, I felt more confident leaving my cigars by themselves for two weeks while I went out of the country for work because I knew this thing would keep looking after them.