thermostat or rheostat?

i want to get either a thermostat or a rheostat to control the temps in my bp enclosure. from what i have read a thermostat controls the temp by turning your heating device on and off and a rheostat controls it by controlling how much power the device receives. i am wondering if anyone has a preference toward one or the other and why. i've heard that some people prefer the rheostat because it seems to keep a more consistent temperature since it isnt turning on and off all the time. what do you guys think?

I like the thermostat because it keeps you in a good temperature range even if the temperature in the house drops or goes up significantly. If it's too cold, the heat will stay on, if it's too hot, the heat will stay off. It doesn't stay a constant temperature, but it stays within a good range. But I have never used a rheostat, they might work just as well, I don't know.

Rheostats did nothing for me. They will only decrease the amount of power/heat your UTH gives off. When I set them on the lowest possible setting my UTH's got too hot. I like the thermostat since it will turn your UTH if it gets too hot, if it got too hot on a rheostat you're out of luck.

A rheostat is for all intents and puposes a dimmer switch, period.
If the temps in your house change it will stay the same. So there good if your home and can tweak.
The t-stat IMO is the only way to go. set the temp and it will turn off and on to maintain as temps around change.
I would never leave my bp for more than a day w/ the dimmer but now w/ the t-stat i can stay over places and not worry when evening comes and my house cools down because it will adjust to keep it at the pre-set temp I have chosen.
Hope this helps!

wow ok that totally answers my question. i didnt realize that the rheostat wouldn't keep a steady temperature. my apartment warms up a lot during the day with the nice georgia sun coming in so i can't be risking soaring temps in the enclosure. thanks for you input guys--i'll be ordering myself a thermostat today 8)