Inexpensive thermostat?

I am looking for a less expensive, but still reliable good quality thermostat. Any recommendations?

Define cheap. Herpstats can be obtained for $100-$150 Rancos can be obtained for $50-$75, and hydrofarms can be obtained for even less. I would go in that order as far a quality

Ugh, I am trying to save money, but the more I think it over, I think I should just go with quality once instead of something for right now that I will want to replace later. So, which HYerpstat model should I go with to monitor 5 tubs in a rack system?

A Herpstat ND will be fine.

You do even need the ND the regular would be fine. Few use the night drop feature.

Don't take this the wrong way but should you be looking at expanding when you are having trouble spending a few hundred bucks on the primary health and safety tool needed? It is like buying a car with no wheels and trying to save cash by attaching bicycle wheels. You get what you pay for, and IMO a fail safe t-stat is not really an optional item especially with a rack.

I'm not having trouble purchasing it, I'm just cheap!:P In my second post on this thread, I said that I had decided to go with quality instead of cheapness...
My 1989 Oldsmobile rides just fine on it's four wheels without being a Benz, by the way. I don't see anything wrong with wanting to get a reasonable, reliable product for less money. I know with a lot of things you get what you pay for, but with other things you don't have to spend as much to get something that works just fine for your purposes.

I've been thinking about getting a VE-100 (http://www.reptilebasics.com/ve-100) for a short while now. Planning my first rack system, so this little thing is kinda important. Unfortunately I haven't heard much about them. The price is pretty reasonable, and I personally like the looks over the basic Herpstat or Helix.

A VE-100 is not a proportional thermostat like a Herpstat or Helix. It is a on/off type like a Ranco or hydrofarm. A proportional thermostat will regulate temps. much better than a on/off type. If you are going to get an on/off type thermostat you might as well get the cheaper Ranco.

Thanks SerpentMerchant. I almost bought the VE-100 today before seeing your post, it was what the pet store recommended when I said that their options were substandard... (why does everyone love zoo-med so freakin much??) So you def just sold the Herpstat ND, final choice. :D

There's a saying in the automotive world that sort of applies here:

Cheap, Fast, and Reliable. Pick two.

Bottom line is the less you spend, the more issues you "may" have.