Everybody here's got it right, and Bobberrific is smart for keeping it simple. You don't have to go "Rolex" or "world class" to keep cigars well. If your humidor really is at 85% right now, then it's close to raining in there, all over your cigars. If you live in the Northeast, that's not all that unusual at this time of year. But just to be on the safe side, get yourself a digital, and don't forget to do "the hygrometer salt test" before placing it in operation. As for the humidity level remaining high, even keeping it open in the Northeast at this time of year might not bring the humidity down. In some cases, it could go up. :dunno: