I've had it!!!

[elevatethis]

The Repti-Temp 500R is a dial-type thermostat that isn't worth the plastic its made of....

I used one way back when and when it broke, rather than shut off, it just ran the heat element it was supposed to control at full power....good thing I was home to see it before it got too hot in there....

For a RELIABLE entry-level thermostat, Ranco or Johnson Controls is the way to go. They are built like tanks and will last a long time.

[Sh0rty]

I was looking at all your suggestions, but the fact is a simply CAN'T afford one of those thermostats. Maybe after I get a job, but college is wiping me clean.

[starmom]

I was looking at all your suggestions, but the fact is a simply CAN'T afford one of those thermostats. Maybe after I get a job, but college is wiping me clean.

I totally hear you~ I'm in grad school and I know how it feels to live on Ramen (just ask my kids!) Can you beg? Borrow? Have any left over from financial aid? Look on Craig's List for your area and maybe check out an animal shelter; you never know, they might have one to lend until you can get yours! Good luck!

Ooops, I nearly forgot> a Helix is $135.00; that can be saved up!! Don't give up, for the safety of your snake!!

[Sh0rty]

what I'll probably end up doing is getting the Repti-Temp for the time being. Better then a home-made rheostat. Then in the summer when I save a little money, I'll pick up a better one.

Oh man, don't even talk about Ramen, that's my breakfast lunch and dinner. I got the freshman 15, but in reverse!!!

[Inknsteel]

I have been using the 500R since I got my bp about 3 months ago. I'm not having any problems with it. My only complaint really is that it allows for about a 4-5 degree variation in temp. The way I have mine set, it turns on when it gets to 89* and turns off at 94*. I do have a couple small pieces of advice for you though. Make sure you have your t-stat and thermometer probe set right next to each other. You may even want to use a nylon zip tie to fasten them together by the probes. Also, you will need to monitor the temps at least daily as you may need to adjust the setting as external temps fluctuate.

Overall, my opinion is that if you have one snake, one tank or tub, it will work for you better than a rheostat. If you're planning on running a rack with multiple tubs, I would invest in one of the higher end stats...

Good luck!

[cinderbird]

really, the reptitemp is awful. it would freak out on me. dropping to 72 and then spiking to 114. its not healthy at all for these animals. i spent the money and invested in a johnson ( 87.00 with shipping i think ) and it works perfectly. i only ever slightly adjust the thing if it gets well below freezing outside ( my snake is near a wall that is an outdoor wall ). other than that, its perfect. the reptitemps are 53, i'd see if you could get the other 30ish dollars and just spend the money once. and believe me, i know the money thing is a pain ( <<< fellow college kid! ).

good luck!

[Inknsteel]

Hmmm... Maybe you got the lemon of the bunch, or I got the one good one out of the lot. I have mine set up on an outer wall also, but don't have any problems with temp spikes... And for the price, it works great for me. I got mine through reptilesupply.com for just over $20...

http://www.reptilesupply.com/product.php?products_id=75

[elevatethis]

I have been using the 500R since I got my bp about 3 months ago. I'm not having any problems with it. My only complaint really is that it allows for about a 4-5 degree variation in temp. The way I have mine set, it turns on when it gets to 89* and turns off at 94*. I do have a couple small pieces of advice for you though. Make sure you have your t-stat and thermometer probe set right next to each other. You may even want to use a nylon zip tie to fasten them together by the probes. Also, you will need to monitor the temps at least daily as you may need to adjust the setting as external temps fluctuate.

A good thermostat maintains a set temperature regardless of what the outside environment does. That's the whole point of having a thermostat. IMO the Repti-Temp barely even does that, not to mention the lack of safety features built it. If the fuse that turns the power on and off blows, the thermostat runs at full power. Not a very good scenario when live animals in confined spaces are involved...it's just a bad product overall. If you used one of the better thermostats for just a week, trust me, you'd agree.

[Argentra]

Ok, granted the ReptiTemp is a piece of ****, but it's a WHOLE LOT better than no stat or a crummy dimmer! What this guy wants is something 'good enough' until he can afford the good stuff! I hear that, since I am also a college student living on loans.

I say, go for it and get the ReptiTemp...but get it at ReptileSupply.com. They are dirt cheap there for the same product. I currently have 4 running (mostly due to QT arrangements) one of those I've had for 6 months or more and no problems yet. Yes, you do have to tweak the thing from time to time, but it's a ton better than having your temps all over the place. Get it and set it up ASAP, then start saving the $80-$120 for a really good Johnson or Helix.

[PythonWallace]

I think that using a $9 dimmer is a better idea than depending on a $20 thermostat. The temps in my snake room stay pretty consistant, so both my racks in there are on dimmers and I never really have to mess with them except for dropping the breeders at night. I would never trust a Reptistat after reading about the crazy fluctuations. I use a Helix for the rack in my living room and a Herpstat for my incubator, and I can't see myself ever buying a thermostat that wasn't a digital proportional. My .02 is to rig up a dimmer and start saving for a Herpstat.