Re: Need help choosing a thermostat
Quote:
Originally Posted by
jason_ladouceur
I have a herpstat basic controlling 2 racks and it works fine and has for years. I also have a dual zone ve running a heater for my Herp room and an incubator, it also works fine and has for ages. The difference I see between the 2 brands is price. I will never again spend the extra money for a herpstat over a ve. It was stated earlier in the thread that the herp stat dual sone will run 500 watts. The ve dual zone is not only cheaper but it is rated for 900 Watts. So for me the choice is pretty clear.
The Herpstat Basic was launched Feb 2012. You may have had the original Herpstat or Herpstat ND if your thermostat was working fine for years. There is significant difference between the two brands. The Herpstat 2 (new version was also released Feb 2012) is the same price as a VE-300x2. Both Herpstat 2 and VE-300x2 have a total output of 900 watts. However, you additionally get with the Herpstat 2:
Both pulse and dimming proportional control and either outputs mode can be configured seperately
Safety relay that can work with the high alarms to cut power to output circuit in case of solid state failure (BIG FEATURE)
Adjustable slow ramping time (up to 10 hours) to mimic nature
Automatic slow rampup to keep the heater from going straight to 100% when a incubators door is opened
User settable security passcode to prevent tampering by others
Custom white text on blue background LCD
Ability to use Humidity probe to control misting systems, foggers, ect
Add to that you get a product that has been built by a company that has been designing and building reptile thermostats since 2004 and the Herpstat track record. We build the circuit boards and assemble the product in house in Illinois USA. The comparison to VE are apples to oranges. The features comes down to single output Herpstat 1 units as well. Same price as a VE-300 but again you get all the above extra features with a 700 watt rating (same as VE). Herpstat 1 Basic competes at a price level with VE-200 but includes basically everything above but the safety relay,humidity option, and uses a software clock. The Herpstat 1 Basic does nightdrop out of the box while the VE-200 requires a addon module which adds another $24.99 to their price. The new model line packs a punch and I was able to find ways to bring the cost down while increasing safety compared to our previous generation. Since our tech has taken a healthy lead I have focused a bit on the "cool" factor and we are releasing custom versions of Herpstat 1 Basic, Herpstat 1, and Herpstat 2 with a red led glow system in translucent boxes. They release tomorrow. We continue to push forward for our customers and as always appreciate the support we have received over the years from our friends in the reptile community!
Dion Brewington
Owner, Spyder Robotics
Re: Need help choosing a thermostat
They do advertise their product as stackable. However, heat is one of the main causes of electronic failure. Why one would want to stack thermostats (that by design generate heat internally) and limit the airflow I can't understand. Especially when they are passively cooled without fans. Also I have found that many items on my desk were not advertised as stackable and yet I have found many ways to stack them (or occasionally overstack them). :D
