That video is quite bad for RD to have posted though I think he said something about needing a thermostat b/c I remember him talking about his helix.

All heatmats need a thermostat. If going thru wood, heat pad needs to be on the outside of the cage.

Only heat pad that could possibly not use a heat pad would be:
http://www.reptilebasics.com/ultrath...th-11-x23.html

But it is still highly recommended that every heat source has some type of control on it. Thermostats are optimal devices.