Interesting, The panel I have Reptile basics hits 170ºF maxed out. My flexwatt maxed out hits 190ºF not very different. I guess that placement is as good as any I had thought to place the probe on top of the hide. But they move around too much.
170 wow I couldn't get mine over 98 on the cage floor (but it is mounted in a 2 foot tall enclosure so I'm sure that factors in) what wattage did you get?