I have both units. I use a Herpstat on my green tree pythons cages. They are both set up the same and read the same temp at all times. I have had it for over 4 years now. I just got the helix and it powers 1 of my rack systems now. It will soon power my other rack system as soon as I finish building it. Yes they will both be exactly the same also. I like them both and they both really do the same thing. My Helix came with a 3 inlet chord and my Herpstat only has 2 chord inlet.