Probe Placement?

[HypoPita]

Hey guys. I have a question that might seem odd, so bear with me. Before I got my snakes, and occasionally since then, I have looked up information on proper temps and placement. All the information I have found has been really consistent, but being so has also lead to this question.

For belly heat (UTH) I have yet to find the proper placement for the hot side's probe, which can make a huge difference in temp readings. I use paper towels as my substrate ever since my little spat with mites. I had originally just laid the sensor on top of that for my readings. This, believe it or not, gets pretty annoying, since the sensors are flat and ovular with an opening on only one side (Zilla dual probe)- so it gets bumped, the temp changes.

To complicate things I fond that the temp in the hide was VASTLY hotter than the other location. I cut holes in it to elevate the large difference (before I picked up a dimmer).

Now I am finding literature that talks about heat temps instead of hotspot temps (such as the breeding calendar on 8 Ball Pythons). Where is the proper spot to take the reading? If I put the sensor under the bins UTH I get something along the lines of 110deg, in the hide under the paper towels is lower, and then in the hide but on top of the paper towels is lower than both. huge span in temp. The last is the most annoying since as soon as he touches the sensor, it throws everything out of wack and I don't know if that is really the temp or if it is because it's reading him instead XD

The enclosure I am talking about specifically is a 20gal tank, though my question is more towards general rule of thumb. I have a herpstat running my girls 40gal...while I have been waiting way, way too long for my darn rack to get here- FIVE WEEKS PEOPLE!!

Thank you all in advance! Let me know if anything is unclear.

Pita

[waltah!]

I have back heat so it's a bit different. I tape the Helix probe about a half an inch away from the flexwatt on the back wall of my racks. Doing this gives me the exact temp that I set it for inside the tubs next to the back wall. That being said, I think most people tape the probe directly on the heat flexwatt/uth with belly heat. Rich at RBI suggested the way I do it and temps stay exactly where I want it.
The one tool that I suggest the most is a temp gun. I got mine from Reptilebasics for around $50, but you can get them a bit cheaper. I use it to monitor my room temps and inside the tubs of the racks. It shows the highest temp within a sweep as well as the temp at the last point the laser was pointing at.

[simplechamp]

Inside enclosure: Measures exact belly temp, but probe can be moved and messed with by snake, tape can be hazardous.

Outside enclosure: Not getting exact belly temp, so you must determine what temp on external heat tape translates to 90-92F belly temp in enclosure. No chance of snake moving probe.

It's all a matter of preference, and there is really no right answer. I personally put my probe inside the enclosure directly on glass floor. Also, I think a digital IR thermometer is a must.