I recently purchased the VE-300 from rich about 2 weeks ago along with a couple of the CB70 racks and I have nothing bad to say about it at all, even though this is the first real thermostat I have used it was real easy to setup and works flawless and looks real nice sitting on top of the rack instead of hanging off the side or onhe wall. I have the probe directly on the heat tape like rich suggested and the difference between the top slot and the bottom slot is only 1 to 2 degrees I am very happy with this thermostat and will be buying more in the future.