I don't think the basic Herpstat or Helix really does not have any major differences other than the probe on the basic Herpstat is a plug in type unit so if it ever has a problem you order another $20 probe. Compared with the Helix you have to send the unit in. With this said I have yet to have a probe go bad and neither my two Helix units or two Herpstat Pros have given me any problems. That makes it a personal choice for me at this time and I say Herpstat, but that is just me. If you can swing the little extra get the Herpstat ND (Night drop) as it adds alarms and other features that are nice to have around. Hopefully you have someone close by to help out a little with the flex watt your first time trying it. If not someone on-line here can direct you to the write up most preferred by members on the site at this time. I do things differently and if you PM me I can direct you to another forum where I posted one of my earlier methods of doing it before I spent the money and bought the proper crimping tool. I would post it here, but I feel it can be a little tacky posting links to other forums on an established forum. So I avoid it when I can.