thermostats

so i'm finally going to get a thermostat for my girls, and i'm wondering if you guys have recommendations, i'd like to keep the cost down a little, but, i don't want something that isn't gonna work, or will fail and cook them eiither. also proportional, or straight on/off. i've heard arguments for either, but i'm not sure

Can't go wrong with a herpstat...more expensive then most but the peace of mind is priceless.

is one herpstat better than the other?

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Originally Posted by Joeysham

is one herpstat better than the other?

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I just ordered the Herpstat 4.... There are 4 imputs so I can control my 2 tanks my lights and humidity (probably not going to purchase separate humidity probe) but it has the capability.

I plan on getting another tank which is why I wanted the extra inputs.

I currently have a Hydrofarm, and it works. My biggest complaint is it IS the on/off type. I am getting ready to build a rack, and will upgrade to proportional thermostats.

Intro +, HS 1, HS2, HS4 would be my suggestions they all have the built in relay that allows over and under shut down set points. They also have a mechanical relay that typically fails closed rather than open. These make them the most safe on the market.

Herpstats are my favorite at this time. I run h1 and h2 never an issue.
I also use a helix...but just on my incubator. As a first proportional for one rack or tub I'd say a herpstat 1.

Herpstat 1 and 2 and 4. They all have safety's you can set for high / low alarm levels to kill power and sound an alarm. Great stuff.

We use VE-200s, love them and can't complain. Doubt I'll use anything different than Vivarium Electronics thermostats. Here's a link: http://www.reptilebasics.com/ve-200

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Originally Posted by kitedemon

Intro +, HS 1, HS2, HS4 would be my suggestions they all have the built in relay that allows over and under shut down set points. They also have a mechanical relay that typically fails closed rather than open. These make them the most safe on the market.

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x2

I LOVE MY HERPSTAT.

so two forums have told me to go with herpstat. which is kinda what i expected to happen. guess i'm going with a herpstat.

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Originally Posted by Daybreaker

We use VE-200s, love them and can't complain. Doubt I'll use anything different than Vivarium Electronics thermostats. Here's a link: http://www.reptilebasics.com/ve-200

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i noticed the ve-200 and the ve-200d are the same price. do the pulsing or dimming thermostats have any advantages over the other?

We only use the VE 300 for our rack systems. The proportional heating does an awesome job. I much prefer the VE to the Herpstats personally.

bump for my curiosity?

I like my helix but I LOVE my VE200s:gj::gj::gj:

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Originally Posted by creepin

i noticed the ve-200 and the ve-200d are the same price. do the pulsing or dimming thermostats have any advantages over the other?

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I have a ve200d and I like it a lot. One thing about it is it displays the % of power it's drawing. Mines usually about 30%. When this came in handy is when my probe came unstuck from my flexwatt. I noticed the thermostat running at 100% so I knew there was a problem. Just a thought


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Most of the herpstats are both dimming and pulse. They also have far more safety features than any other. To my mind it is the herpstats or ecozone the VE series never enters into consideration the newest model started playing catch up on release and is still miles behind the others.

Why does one chose the VE200 over the Herpstat?

Because you like the sales person this is the biggest reason why.

The rest of the 200 features are fully duplicated in the herpstats, eco zone, and herpkeeper lines. For the most part the herpstats offer a low temp shut down, soft heat, and additional flexibility. The eco and herpkeeper are about the same but for the far superior alarms they are capable of. Both units can be configured to email a phone or computer and can be monitored and adjusted remotely. They are a higher price point however the herpstats intro+ is less than the VE with far superior safety features. To get the same in the VE200 you woud need to buy a ve100 to act as a low temp shut down failsafe that is built into the herpstat that doubles the price of the herpstat.

I absolutely love my Vivarium thermostat, it's from Reptile Basics. Awesome thermostat for a good price with lots of bells and whistles. I got the one that can control two different racks, it has an alarm that goes off the if the heating element doesn't respond correctly. I love it and I don't know that I would get anything else.

I have a Helix (which was replaced by Vivarium), and a Rancho as well. I use my Rancho to control the space heater in the snake room and the Helix is on my incubator until I replace it with another Vivarium. I recommend any of these brands.

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Originally Posted by kitedemon

Because you like the sales person this is the biggest reason why.

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Actually NO.
Because I have had them running for almost two years with no problems what so ever. Yes, Rich has great customer service and goes beyond what anyone would expect.
You can preach about all other units you want BUT nothing that has an electrical current flowing through it is safe PERIOD.
I use what work and I also run backups just incase but could a VE still burn my house down? Yes.
Again, they are a great product and hundreds of thousands think so too. :gj::gj:

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

Actually NO.
Because I have had them running for almost two years with no problems what so ever. Yes, Rich has great customer service and goes beyond what anyone would expect.
You can preach about all other units you want BUT nothing that has an electrical current flowing through it is safe PERIOD.
I use what work and I also run backups just incase but could a VE still burn my house down? Yes.
Again, they are a great product and hundreds of thousands think so too. :gj::gj:

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x2 except i wouldnt say hundreds of thousands of people agree. Slight exaggeration imo haha.

Not that i am saying this is a good idea or that Pit does it; but sometimes the attitude of the salesperson can seriously influence purchases. Negatively and Positively. I have the VE-200 and it runs my rack just fine and has been for about a year now. :)

On a related note, for my incubator i plan on getting a herpstat so i can compare these two and develop my own opinion on them. :gj:

All we run is Herpstats from Spyder Robotics. Love em.

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

Actually NO.
Because I have had them running for almost two years with no problems what so ever. Yes, Rich has great customer service and goes beyond what anyone would expect.
You can preach about all other units you want BUT nothing that has an electrical current flowing through it is safe PERIOD.
I use what work and I also run backups just incase but could a VE still burn my house down? Yes.
Again, they are a great product and hundreds of thousands think so too. :gj::gj:

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I never said they were not a good product they are. Sadly they are also a bit dated and obsolete now less than 2 years after release.

Agreed, nothing is safe. Failsafe/ backups are always a good plan.

Herpstat offer far more safety features than the VE in a single unit fact, check the features. They offer far more options and flexibility in a single unit as well. They also have the test of time behind them. Lets be fair, Dion has amazing service, I have been most impressed with it. Heck a while back he replaced a probe for a guy here who bought a original unit used at no charge long out of warrantee and not even the original customer. That is service. Rich also has a rep for great service.

The simple fact is the ve200 is an undated helix with a few tweaks and additions. The ecozone, herpkeeper, herpstat have advanced far beyond this simple beginning, and the new kid on the block decided to reinvent the wheel rather than look at the advances made and add to them.

I would love to see a unit with most of the herpstat features and the communication features of the ecozone/herpkeeper built in. Nothing is safe so adding as much safety tech into a product increases the safety of it.

It is like comparing safety of cars one with a seat belt, against one of the same quality and price with a seat belt, side impact protection, air bags front and side, active head rests, traction control and anti lock breaks.

Additional safety features make a difference, the price is about the same and reliability about the same. All units do fail, but there are a lot of issues that can and do happen with the unit functioning correctly having features that can help during these happenings are a plus.

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Originally Posted by kitedemon

I would love to see a unit with most of the herpstat features and the communication features of the ecozone/herpkeeper built in. Nothing is safe so adding as much safety tech into a product increases the safety of it.

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As it also increases the chance of the additions to fault thus causing the same problems or worse of a KISS item.

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Originally Posted by kitedemon

It is like comparing safety of cars one with a seat belt, against one of the same quality and price with a seat belt, side impact protection, air bags front and side, active head rests, traction control and anti lock breaks.

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Ironically injury and deaths in automotive accidents are at an all time high.
I build luxury armored vehicles now and you would be surprise at how much we have to "dumb" them down to keep them safe for the driver and passengers;)