Soo.....hydrofarm opinions??

Ok so for my birthday (november 13) im planning on getting a T8 and was wondering if getting a hydrofarm for the flexwatt would be ok until I can get a herpstat 2? I would get a temp gun because I know they aren't accurate and it would be checked regularly....opinions?

They are ok, not very accurate and have no safety features. I think they are fine for short term use.

I agree with Aaron. I've had mine while I'm saving up for my herstat 2 and it runs fine. I just check with a temp gun twice a day. It's mostly accurate.

I've bought 2, one showed up DOA, the other is being used on a quarantine rack and works "ok"

Poor, I have now had 12 pass across my work bench and not one is accurate. The best is still 1.3ºF high all 12 were high. They are spec'd at +/-2ºC (4ºF) so as long as they are with in this 8ºF window the manufacturer feels they are perfect. The hysteresis (amount over and under of the set point it will shut off or on is) is 2º under and 1º over this adds more accuracy issues. Then there is the swing... the metal probe and slow circuits it translates to a delay in response to changes. There are conditions where most of this can be neutralized (like a rack in a temp regulated room for example or even a heavy enclosure in a semi regulated room). But the place that shows the failings the greatest is thin walled enclosures (tubs) in unregulated rooms sadly this is the most common usage for beginners . I do not feel that it is a good thermostat to be used in this fashion.

They are serviceable I currently use one and the temp increase button broke randomly. Luckily it's stuck at 91. It usually stays between 88 and 93 I do check 3 times a day with a temp gun for peace of mind!

So if I get my t8 on my birthday and the hydrofarm do u think it would be fine until after Christmas? I should be able to get the herpstat sometime then

It's really up to you. I know a lot of people that use hydrofarm tstats for other reptiles and they've been ok with it.

If you have a temp gun and you are going to check it often I would get a lamp dimmer before I would get a cheap thermostat.

i have been using the hydrofarm for 6 months now and so far no issues works great once you mess with the temps.