I have used the Soil Moist crystals with success. They can buy you time between waterings, for sure. But I think they can make it harder to decide when they need more water, too. It varies so much with sun exposure, size of the pot, size of the plants...
Does the moisture control soil contain the same type of crystals? Someone told me that the soil is sprayed with something to help hold moisture. I've never used it.
Karen