i am using a lamp dimmer on flexwatt now and its doing an ok job, i am using a dimmer because i would save money by not having to buy a thermostat. but i am now sick of the fiddling of having to adjust the dial all the time and don't want to risk the health of my ball python anymore because one time while i was at school i came home and the temps were way to high. so i have a ranco thermostat that should be arriving in the mail any day now.