Differences between Herpstat and Vivarium Electronics?

Looking at the two, the big differences I see aside from the price is that the Herpstat has multiple temperature probes while the VE does not or at least it appears that it doesn't, Are there any other major differences between the two? I'm adding a 2nd rack and a 3rd rack in the summer. All racks are housing hognoses and sand boas with the 3rd housing baby hognoses. The sticker price on the Herpstat 4 is tough to swallow but I'm not about to skimp on a thermostat or cut corners.

edit: I'm using V-18 racks and a colubrid rack from C-Serpents.

Not sure about the VEs but anything from Herpstat 1 and above have a mechanical relay that will pop and turn off all power if something goes wrong. They also have user set high and low threshhold limits that you can set as well as options to just turn off one channel or the whole unit in case of an error.

And yeah definitely dont skimp on the T-stat. My vote goes to Herpstat hands down because I've been using them for 5+ years and never had a failure. They are kind of spendy though. I picked up 2 Herpstat 6 and i love them. Sold off most of my old Herpstats though. Got the 2 Herpstat 6 and one Herpstat 1 Redline left.

Same. No experience with VE, but I chose the Herpstat 2 for the safety features. It works great!


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Herpstat only had Multiple probes if you buy the Herpstat 2/4/6 ect.. VE i think makes more than a 1 channel Thermostat in the line-up too but Im not familiar with them at all. I say when your buying something like thermostats or heating elements you go with the best possible, especially for safety reasons. As far as I'm concerned Herpstat is number one all the way.

I will just second the Herpstat. I was thoroughly pleased to read about all the redundant safety features that make sure, even if it does fail, it will fail OFF so your pets don't get hurt. Having extra probes is handy too if you have (or might have) multiple snakes or heating elements. I'd say the extra money is worth it to know your snakes will be well cared for.

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I have all VE-300 thermostats on my units and have not had any issues at all. I do backup the VE-300 with their VE-100 as an added safety feature.

the VE-300x2 is a two probe unit.
I have a bunch of VE-200s and have never had a problem with them.

VE-200 and above are comparable to herpstat. Anything below is not proportional heating and not worth getting. The VE-200D is dimming which is ideal for almost ever application. Herpstat above the EZ line have night drop capabilities built in and everything herpstat 1 and above have hardware clocks (meaning times stays after power loss) and hardware relays for safety shutoff.

So as long as you are either getting a VE-200 or above or herpstat intro or above, they are pretty similar. I prefer herpstats myself and will be all I buy until someone makes a reliable networked "smart" thermostat.

I have two VE-100 (I got them when I didn't understand what proportional heat was), but I'm looking into getting a Herpstat 4 now that I have two T8's.

Also forgot to add, from what i am aware of, the only VE that is a dimming proportional model is the VE200D. All the others are pulse proportional. Really doesnt make that much of a difference but something to note. All the Herpstats from Herpstat 1 and up are both pulse and dimming proportional. I personally prefer dimming as it just throttles the power where as pulse proportional cycles on and off really fast. Supposed to relieve the hum of heat tapes on metal grates.