Quote Originally Posted by Sauzo View Post
Thermostat is something you don't want to go cheap on. Get the best and be done with it. Its the most important item. I prefer Herpstats but there is also Vivarium Electronics. Try and get one with safety relays that cut power off during a malfunction so it doesn't run full power. Herpstats also have high/low alarms which will give audible warnings and in the case of too hot, it will cut the power off on the unit. I do got one of those Hydroponic/Jump Start ones which I use as a back up but I use Herpstats as my main T-stats.
I got one of those hydroponic/jump starts and I seem to be the only person that hates it. It was only like 20-30 bucks but for us I feel like they're just bad. I set mine at 90 and it wouldn't turn the mat on until 87 and then it would turn off at 91 and climb to 92 or 93 non stop. I'm sure those temps are fine and all since it still had to go through the enclosure's wall and that small amount of substrate, but I hate the idea that it was turning on and off so much. Not to mention it was mechanical so every on/off there was a noticeable click that got annoying.