Herpstat 1 vs Intro

So I'm looking Into ordering a BETTER thermostat to go with boo's custom PVC tank I'm ordering.

The herpstat 1 is only $35 more than the herpstat intro.

Should I just spend the $35 extra? Or is the herp intro fine?

I've never used anything other than the non fancy thermostat I got for him at the reptile show.


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The Basic will be fine. I personally use the Herpstat 1, but it is overkill for a lot of situations IMO.

There's the herpstat basic and the herpstat intro.


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The intro would work as well, but is more set up for mounting to incubators. I would get the Basic for your PVC cage

I would go with the basic or 1

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Originally Posted by jinx667

The Basic will be fine. I personally use the Herpstat 1, but it is overkill for a lot of situations IMO.

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What situations would need the Herpstat 1 over the Herpstat Basic?

The Herpstat basic doesn't have an internal clock (so no night drop functionality) lacks a safety relay, And humidity control abilities.

The Herpstat 1 is slightly safer because of the safety relay, but the proportional control circuit is the same in both models so 99% of the time there would be no difference between them.

The Herpstat basic cannot be used as a humidity controller

The Herpstat basic cannot drop temperatures at night (necessary for some types of reptiles, and some need it for breeding purposes)

The Herpstat basic has 1 less way of preventing a catastrophic thermostat failure.

Is the humidity controller function generally necessary when dealing with racks? Also do most breeders use night drop temperatures during the breeding season?

Very few people use the humidity function.

Something to keep in mind is that unless you have a Herpstat 2 or 4 (multi outlet models) you can't use the the humidity function at the same time as controlling a heat source.

I think that most breeders use night drops. Though they are not 100% necessary. I think that some keep the hot spot constant and drop the air temps as well.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

The Herpstat 1 is slightly safer because of the safety relay, but the proportional control circuit is the same in both models so 99% of the time there would be no difference between them.


The Herpstat basic has 1 less way of preventing a catastrophic thermostat failure.

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Can you explain what the safety relay is and what it does? My biggest fear is catastrophic thermostat failure (hence back up t-stats).

An electronic relay is basically an electronically operated switch, they can either be mechanical or solid state (moving parts vs no moving parts)

The relay prevents the thermostat from failing in the "on" position So instead of frying your snake the heat tape turns off.

In the case of a thermostat failure the relay is triggered to disconnect the power from the device.

The relay has a number of settings. default is that if a probe reports a over temp setting (you set the target temp and how many degrees away from this it shuts off) the other basic setting shuts the power down if the high temp is reached or a low temp is reached. For example using an actual occurrence the rack located in a closet and somewhere along the way the probe cable was pulled during the door closing and pulled free of the rack. This caused the T-stat to try to heat the probe to the target temp. It killed a number of snakes by over heating them. The relay if enabled would shut down the heat when the temp had a substantial temp drop rather than max out the heating element like all the other T-stats currently on the market. This makes the need of a second failsafe t-stat questionable.

Interesting, thanks for the for the answers! Is the best place to order these direct from Spyder?

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Originally Posted by Jabberwocky Dragons

Interesting, thanks for the for the answers! Is the best place to order these direct from Spyder?

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that's where I buy mine

Alright, that's what I'll do then. I use the VE-200s now but I'm going to try the Herpstat 1 out.