ReptiTemp 500r = garbage

Can anyone tell me what the ReptiTemp 500R is like on a rack? Is it better when used with heat tape instead of UTH's?

I am ordering a rack in about a week and I am just wondering if these Reptitemp 500r's are better with racks instead of tanks or if I should go with something a little more established like a Helix.

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Originally Posted by PurplePython

Can anyone tell me what the ReptiTemp 500R is like on a rack? Is it better when used with heat tape instead of UTH's?

I am ordering a rack in about a week and I am just wondering if these Reptitemp 500r's are better with racks instead of tanks or if I should go with something a little more established like a Helix.

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The flexwatt will be better than a UTH b/c the ZooMed UTH's ALWAYS try and peak out on you vs the flexwatt doesn't. I personally wouldn't trust my 500R on my rack. I like having the feeling of not having to check it 4 times a day so Im not freaking out all the time.

Sorry to hear that. I'm a big believer in the Herpstat products from Spyder robotics. It'll cost you a little more in the long run but its piece of mind is priceless.
The dimmers will work fine as long as your room temps stay the same. Room temps go up or down you have to adjust the dimmer accordingly
But look at it this way. Worst case your only out 22 bucks.

I have one stashed away somewhere. I would always get crazy temp swings with it so I quickly changed to my Helix.

I had the same it is an on and off unit 100% power no power it can do nothing other than spike. Get a proportional Thermostat they are worth the money and peace of mind! the time I spent trying to get a 500r correct was worth more than the difference in price.
Alex

I have the 500r on my 11 bin rack and have not had an issue for 3 years now.
I do have a herpstat as well for my incubator but the rack has been fine for years.

I'm using 11" flexwatt and it's back heat, so I just crank up the 500r to max and it runs the flexwatt at about 102 degrees. But because it's back heat the back side of the tubs only get to 94 degrees max.

I don't recommend them at all but mine has not failed me so far, but like I said I do have a Herpstat as a back up and wil swap it out at the first sign of malfunction. Why fix what ain't broke??


Gavin

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Originally Posted by PurplePython

No no no, the probe is fine. The probe never falls off. I am talking about the Unit itself falling off of the side of my tank repeatedly because the sticky back is terribly cheap.

I have the probe right where it should be, but for some reason my temps are all over the place.

I wish I would have just spent $8 and got another lamp dimmer instead of this reptitemp.

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Oops! I completely misread that in your OP.

It works great for me... except the sticky tape, that sucks!

:P You get what you pay for, its a nice starter stat for beginners who don't want to spend more for there thermostat then they did for there snake. Beyond that and..... yeah lol

in 1 year i have not had any issues with the two i have been using. its prolly defective or the way its setup.

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I am ordering a rack in about a week and I am just wondering if these Reptitemp 500r's are better with racks instead of tanks or if I should go with something a little more established like a Helix.

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If your room fluctuates a lot it might affect it, I dont know.

Herpstat FTW.
Spyder Robotics blows Helix and every other thermo out the water, with my second fav being BAH Herp Power, but it's analog.

With Helix you cant adjust the temp up and down at will, you have to cycle through the whole range of temps if you overshoot.

Some people do good with the ReptiTemp though man....