Why is this digital thermostat so cheap?

[spyderrobotics]

Do you think one could attach the Herpstat probe with hot melt without damaging the probe?

Definately. The sensors have a plastic molding and the wire is durable. The sensor itself is capable of high temperature. I've actually sold some custom firmware units for people using them to regulate chocolate production and even home brewing use where the temps reached up to 200F. I bet the hot glue would peel off pretty easily to if you needed to relocated it. The only thing to be careful on is not to tug at the connection point where the wire enters the plastic probe tip.

-Dion