What is the best Rheostat/thermostat at a good price?

[firecrested]

I'm looking for a good thermostat, no more than $300, for ball pythons.  I would like to find one with 2 or more probes.  What would be the best at a good price?  I have looked at the Herpstat, Herpstat II and the Ranco.

[laciep]

Have you checked out the helix?  Thats what i plan to use when i get all my racks built in the next two months. 

[firecrested]

I didnt see the Helix yet.  I've heard a lot of people use it.  So far I only looked at the ones on MS reptiles.

[Anthony Caponetto]

The Herpstats are nice because they're proportional...meaning they trickle power to the heater as needed, but unless you're using it for an incubator, you really don't need anything that fancy.  A good on/off (like a Ranco or Johnson Controls) works just fine.

Unless you're getting a "double" unit (two thermostats wired together...one as a backup), I've never heard of a single thermostat with two probes.

I've used Ranco, Alife (cheap, but good), Big Apple and Helix and they all seem to work great.  I've heard there are a lot of problems with Helix lately, but the old one I have works fine.

[firecrested]

thanks.  It's going to be used for the vision rack system with the 10 sterlite containers

[Anthony Caponetto]

I just saw the Herpstat II.  It's essentially two thermostats in one...two probes, etc.   It costs double the money, so I don't really see the advantage over just buying two thermostats.

BTW, I just ordered a Herpstat the other day for another python incubator.  I'll post the results here.

[firecrested]

How's the herpstat doing?  I just ordered my rack and that is one that i'm looking at buying.

[NYCrestie]

mgreptile.com has a nice comparison of a bunch of thermostats

ive been looking at thermostats myself lately because i thought about getting into corns, have put that on hold for the time being and just plan on keep geckos for a little bit longer, with that said ive been looking around at thermostats alot lately and heres a direct link to his comparo

http://www.mgreptiles.com/THERMOCOMPARE.html

would also like to hear anthony's opinion on the new herpstat as well, even though my ventures are on hold, always good to get real person opinions

[Powergeckos]

I've used Big Apple Proportional Thermostats for over 3 years without a problem.  Rock solid - and around a hundred bucks.

[Jamie]

I know this is an older thread but....

I use the cheap zoo med (15-20) and alife(20-30) along with a Helix thermostat(150 with grounded).  I think it would all depend on what exactly your using it for.  I absolutely love my Helix used for my snake rack system (3-4 years old), I like the Alife thermostats i use them with all the snake cages and leos (I have at least 6 of them), and I'm currently using the zoo med for my boa constrictor but when she moves into her permenant home I will get a bigger heating pad and another Alife.

If I had to "rank" the 3 models i've used it would have to be the Helix first, then Alife, and last zoo med.  Personally I would never spend money on the zoo med ones again (it was my first rheostat) and when I move my snake up to her permenant home it will be trashed.


I got instructions printed off that i could build my own rheostats and the supplies to build 2 or 3, but i just don't trust myself to build them yet.  I've had the supplies for a few years (only spend about 20 bucks) but i'm worried i would do it wrong and somehow start a fire or something (overly parinoid).