I have used Dimmers rated for 600 watts from Home Depot and Lowes. They work but there is one major drawback. They are really not designed to be on 24/7 which results in them turning off. I just got in the habit of checking it first thing in the a.m., when I got home from work, and just before going to bed. I would just slide my hand between two boxes and touch the flexwatt.

I have not had this type of problem with rheostats sold for reptile use. I have not invested in the higher quality devices such as helix or johnson, etc. I use the less expensive models and calibrate by using multiple thermometers in the boxes. When the temps inside of the box are at the desired level, I mark the dial with a thin piece of tape indicating the high point. I do this a couple of times, fine tuning. I started doing this because probes in the boxes can moved around, even when taped down. My probes are outside the box, near the heat source. I did the same thing with the dimmers, worked fine for me.

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