I realize this question has been asked before, but I've searched the forum for relevant threads and haven't come up with much. Plus, there's nothing wrong with a fresh opinion :-)
I'm going to be building an incubator this week. I already have a herpstat pro which is capable of maintaining two systems at different temperatures, but the problem is I don't have room to have my rack system and incubator in the same place. I've come to terms with the fact that I'm going to be needing a second thermostat.
My question is what thermostat will give me the most bang for my buck? What in your experience is the most reliable? Do the cheaper ones tend to cause more trouble? I'm thinking I will use the herpstat pro to maintain the temperature in the incubator, so the new thermostat will probably control the rack system.
0.1 07 Normal "Bigsnake"
1.0 08 Lesser "Congo"
1.0 06 100% het pied "Reptar"
0.1 06 100% het pied "Cuddles"
I use the herpstat ND for my incubator. adjustable at 1/10 of a degree plus it has the low and high level alarms that you can set the range. it also tells you the power useage in %. I don't use the built in nite drop feature, where it gets the ND name. but this is the lowest model that has all the features that I mention.
I think there's a lot more risk in buying the cheap t-stats you can find in some pet stores. They have a higher failure rate and when they fail, they tend to let ALL the power through rather than shutting it off...so instead of turning off the heat, they can cook your snakes. Some people use the cheap ones with no problem...but for me, the increased risk is simply not worth it.
You can get a good reliable on/off t-stat for around $60...Ranco or Johnsons...both good brands. I wouldn't use an on/off for an incubator, but you've got that covered and the Ranco or Johnson would be fine for a rack.
-- Judy
"True self control is waiting for the movie to start to eat your popcorn."
"Why would the movie eat my popcorn???"
ive been looking into a new thermostat.. i ordered a herpstat nd today.. but how bout the herpstat 1? its cheaper and could run incubator and or a rack .. or later use as backup....BUT i will also say ive been useing a hydrofarm (30$)stat off amazon.com since may and its held up decent enough and has proved to be acurate .for me that is..yeah yeah buy cheap you get cheap.. "you get what you pay for" but seriously for the money its done me good..and yes its cheap. the probe sucks as its not replaceable but hey 30 bucks..
How much is the clutch worth? I guess that is the real question if you say under 200$ get a cheap one over that well you will pay for a herpstat.
The other thought is can you use a probe extension? Can you run 2 of them (ask Dion if you can...) but that maybe a cheaper option. Personally I have a backup herpstat just in case, they are much cheaper than the animals lives are.
ive been looking into a new thermostat.. i ordered a herpstat nd today.. but how bout the herpstat 1? its cheaper and could run incubator and or a rack .. or later use as backup....BUT i will also say ive been useing a hydrofarm (30$)stat off amazon.com since may and its held up decent enough and has proved to be acurate .for me that is..yeah yeah buy cheap you get cheap.. "you get what you pay for" but seriously for the money its done me good..and yes its cheap. the probe sucks as its not replaceable but hey 30 bucks..
just ranting
it's good but with fewer options. the herpstat ND is what I have on all my incubators, for a little more it has some nice options over the standard herpstat. you will love the herpstat ND for your incubator and you'll be glad that you spent a little bit more for this model. don
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Some people use the cheap ones with no problem...but for me, the increased risk is simply not worth it. 
Originally Posted by jonesy72
