Variflow and the new reptile basics valves are both good, you'll have to just give them both a shot to see which you prefer best yourself. Here is what I posted on variflow vs reptile basic valves before...
I don't know which valve (vari-flow or the new rb style) that I like best, I have both and don't normally have trouble out of either.
What I do find, is the RB valves are typically more plug and play, where the VF does require some adjusting to get the drip amount correct normally. I've had one out of about twenty RB valves that dripped way too much from the start, I took it apart and stretched out the spring just a touch (probably less than 1/8 of an inch) and it worked great after that.
Trash inside them can make both valves either stop up completely or leak out more depending on how/where the trash is in them, it does seem like if it's causing it to leak extra when they get a drink, that the RB valves are more likely to leak out a whole lot more extra.
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