Herpstat vs Vivarium Electronics

[Gene Collins]

I have pretty much only seen the Herpstat thrown around on here but I just ordered some stuff from reptile basics and I noticed they sell thermostats that seems similar to the herpstats only a little cheaper. The herpstats are a bit pricey for me so I was wondering about these Vivarium Electronics ones. Anyone use them or know about them?

[DooLittle]

Sorry, can't help I use herpstat. And I love them.

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[1nstinct]

I only use herpstats sorry, but a lot of people use the VE with great success.

[The Serpent Merchant]

To get a thermostat equivalent to a Herpstat 1 you have to get the VE-300. The VE-100 isn't proportional (it's a on/off style like the hydrofarm/Ranco) the VE-200 is proportional, but only pulse proportional (rapidly turns the heat source on and off to regulate the temperature. Like a on/off style thermostat on steroids) the VE-300 has dimming proportional control, which means that it actullly reduces the amount of power going to the heat source. Like an automated dimmer switch).

The Herpstat 1 has dimming proportional control, more safety features, can run lights/humidity systems, and fans.

[kitedemon]

I believe it is the 200D that is dimming, and the 300 is pulse or on off. Look at the features of the units. The herpstats offer 3 major safety advances (mechanical relay, high and low shut down and soft heat ramping) They also have 4 additional features as well (lighting controls, cooling, humidity, and night drop) and all the functions the VE offers (200 and 200D and 300) all in a single unit. The VE units are the most basic units around they are very similar to the helix units that are now close to thirty years old.

The proportional units on the market for reptiles (N. America anyway), Helix (original), Ecozone, herpkeeper, Herpstat and VE. From the original helix each brings some new innovations to the table, until you get to the VE that ignores all innovations that came before it. It is already in catch up mode as a new flavour is released every few months it seems.

[I-KandyReptiles]

Sorry, can't help I use herpstat. And I love them.

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[Kaorte]

I own a herpstat 1,herpstat 4, a VE100 and a VE300x2. I like the herpstat a LOT more. I can tell you that. As far is how they do with temps? They both hold nicely. The proportional is very nice but not a necessity. Unless its on an incubator in my opinion.

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[Mike41793]

I have a VE 200 and it works great. When i go to get a tstat for my incubator im going to get a herpstat so i can formulate my own opinions on the two.

[Jabberwocky Dragons]

I have a VE-200 and several Herpstat 1's. There's really no comparison. If nothing else, the dimming mode of the Herpstat seals it for me.

Each of my Herpstat's are backed up by a VE-100 though so my advice would be to get one of each.

[Gene Collins]

Thanks a ton everyone for your responses!! I am still not sure which I will fit into my budget but you guys do have me wanting the herpstat instead seeing as how I would need a higher level VE to match the herpstat 1.