ZooMed "Reptibator" (lol) quality?

So I just read this review, linked on MFK (monsterfishkeepers) and I'm curious about the product.

http://blogs.thatpetplace.com/thatre...ed-reptibator/

Aside from it having the worst name ever, anybody think it's actually any good? Frank gushes about it, but he's writing for a website that sells it.

I've had negative experiences with some zoomed products mechanically, so my first instinct is skepticism at the reliability/accuracy of such a unit, especially in a low price range.

Sorry if this should be in husbandry, feel free to move.

(I'm sure there are plenty of other threads about what the best incubator is--I'm down to read that below but please try to include how they compare to this unit. I'm using it as a starting point in my research.)

I really don't think it a top quality product personally. I wouldn't trust it with any off my eggs. When I first got into the hobby I knew that one day I wanted to be a breeder so I did tons, and Tons, and TONS of research and I still am to this day to make sure I have all the things I will need to breed my animals with the most success. So when I was researching incubators I stumbled across this one and thought at first glance that this is a pretty cool product! And even contemplated buying one, until I read the reviews. And I read reviews on many Many different websites where people have shared their personal experiences with it. Basically I read through a lot of horror stories of Extreme temperature spikes or it just completely stops working during incubation or has extreme temperature drops which cost a lot of people their eggs. So personally I would never own one or recommend it. I think there are some that had a pleasant experience with it and everything worked out for them but that number is very small compared to the negative experiences. The only incubators I would buy are from Natures Spirit or Hotbox Incubators or another incubator similar to those. They are expensive but you don't have to worry about them failing. But for now since I don't have the money to afford one of the big ones I'm making one myself for $50 out of a Wine Cooler on Craigslist. Just stick some heat tape inside plug it to a reliable thermostat and run it to make sure temperatures stay steady and adjust anything to make sure everything is perfect :) sorry for a long post but I hope I helped answer your question.


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Their thermostats are garbage. I wouldn't use one personally.

If you are looking to hatch a single BP clutch then it might be ok, but if you are looking to breed then you will outgrow it's capacity very quickly, and it isn't something I would trust with very many clutches.

There are much better incubators out there, some of them are expensive though. Most people build their own incubator. They can be as simple as a foam cooler with some heat tape and a thermostat to elaborate fridge style systems.

Here are some DIY guides:

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...oler-incubator

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...bator-Tutorial

If you are looking to buy something ready made here are a few good ones:

http://www.nsreptiles.com/incubators

http://www.apcages.com

Quote:

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

Their thermostats are garbage. I wouldn't use one personally.

If you are looking to hatch a single BP clutch then it might be ok, but if you are looking to breed then you will outgrow it's capacity very quickly, and it isn't something I would trust with very many clutches.

There are much better incubators out there, some of them are expensive though. Most people build their own incubator. They can be as simple as a foam cooler with some heat tape and a thermostat to elaborate fridge style systems.

Here are some DIY guides:

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...oler-incubator

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...bator-Tutorial

If you are looking to buy something ready made here are a few good ones:

http://www.nsreptiles.com/incubators

http://www.apcages.com

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Thanks! I don't trust myself to DIY but didn't know AP made them as well! I will def go with AP when I'm ready as I love their cages.

I'm hoping to use the same incubator for g. spengleri eggs, although obviously they would be incubated at a different time than any bp ones as spengleri like it cool.

I have never used it but I will give it two thumbs down. Heard of a lot of issues with that incubator. You can search this forum and find plenty more negative comments regarding it as well. Good Luck which ever way you go.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

If you are looking to buy something ready made here are a few good ones:

http://www.nsreptiles.com/incubators

http://www.apcages.com

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I can't vouch for AP's, but I LOVE my NS incubator, that thing was worth every penny and then some.

I honestly have had no problems with my Reptibator incubator. i hatched several leopard geckos out of it and a clutch of bullsnakes.
The humidity kept fairly steady and my temps were perfect. I have nothing bad to say about my experience with it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Badgemash

I can't vouch for AP's, but I LOVE my NS incubator, that thing was worth every penny and then some.

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Yeah, my initial thought was "AP! Awesome! I love those guys!" but when I went to the two sites, the NS simply lists more features for a cheaper price. That's probably what I'll go for.

I actually did a pretty thorough review of the Reptibator that you can see here: http://www.reptilescanada.com/showth...ew-amp-Fix-Mod

I have two of them, one as an emergency backup that is kept in the closet, and the other is for my hognose eggs since they like to be cooler than the ball python eggs that I keep in my large DIY incubator.
They can work quite well if you address their default issues.

I know people that have tried to use it and have had issues with it. The thermostat is junk. I wouldn't use it if it were given to me for free, that's how bad it is.