If you don't want to spend $100+ on a proportional thermostat, get an on/off thermostat such as a Johnson or Ranco. They work nearly as well, just a slightly higher temperature differential.

http://reptilebasics.com/Johnson-Con...d-p-16178.html

http://reptilebasics.com/Ranco-ETC-1...d-p-16172.html

Both of these are also pre-wired, which is a huge plus.

But, yes you are correct in assuming that Alife thermostat is a "you get what you pay for" situation. The Zoomed that's an extra $7 is also equally as crappy.