Hi everyone, I'm sorry I have a lot to say but my snake means a lot to me.
In several days I will have a brand new home for my ball python. It is a 36x18x24 inch cage which will have an 80 watt radiant heat panel.
My questions today are directly related to maintaining the correct habitat within my ball python's new home.
I have already decided to use the VE-200 thermostat from Vivarium Electronics to control the heat panel, so barring any number of people telling me it's a piece of junk and never to rely on one, that part is already set.
What I really need help with is the best way to monitor and maintain the temperature and humidity. I have looked at some of the recommendations on this site so far but the more I read through reviews online the more paranoid I get. I've been looking at a couple on the AcuRite website (00891W3 and 00891A2 / 00892) but I've seen on this very forum that the hygrometer component on AcuRites can be off by as much as 10% in either direction.

I am asking for recommendations on a thermometer/hygrometer which can monitor the humidity level in the cage as well as the temperatures on the hot and cold side. I was planning to mount the probe from the thermostat right by the heat panel on the ceiling, and adjusting the thermostat until I had the correct temperature down on the ground (maybe I would need to set the thermostat for 96 degrees in order to achieve a ground level temperature of 91).

What is the best tool I can use to ensure I always have correct measurement of hot side/cooler side temperatures as well as the humidity level in the cage? If I know the temperatures are correct then I can easily optimize my equipment to provide the correct environment.

Thank you to everyone who stuck with me through this novel. I mean post.