The full herpstat1 series it is more questionable. They have (if you set it up this way) the ability to shut down if the probe is too hot (all do this) and if it becomes too cool the mechanical relay should fail off rather than typically on like most other units do. This is a huge innovation and massive step forward in tech of the industry. This unit poses the question if it is needed or not. Any other unit on the market my answer is YES it is needed. My personal feeling is with the unit set up for over and under shut down it all comes down to the heater used. If you have low wattage heaters that have relatively low max temps (I always run a controlled max temp test before the snake is added just plugging in the heater to the wall no T-stat and closely monitoring the temps. If the temp stabilizes at or below 100ºF and you have the herpstat with the mechanical relay and it is set up for over and under then no it is unlikely to be needed. If the max run test the temps hit well over the 100º mark (I have had heaters hit 170º+ I never allowed it to run higher it was still climbing at 170º yes you still should have a failsafe. The temp is too high to risk. Things can go wrong and if they do completely fail (power surge for example) it not only could kill the snakes but start a fire the risks are too great to not have a failsafe.
You should also have a surge protector for all proportional T-stats as well... FYI in case you didn't read that part in the instructions... it isn't as simple as it sounds however...
http://spyderrobotics.com/home/suppo...ppressors.html
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