Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok I have been looking at proportional thermostats as a christmas present for someone to get me. I was leaning towards the Helix but after the previous post and reading on MGreptiles I have started to move away from Helix. Now I guess I am looking at the Herpstat or the Herpstat ND. They both seem the same excpet one has the night drop with it, which would be nice if I ever decided to use it. Am I right in assuming that Herpstat would be the way to go, instead of the Helix or other proportional thermostats. Right now I have the cheaper ones that you can get at decent pet stores but those are on/off and the temps differ to much for my liking. I would really appreciate a kinda definite answer. Thanks
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1.1 Motley het butter corns
0.1 Snow corn
0.1 Okeetee corn
1.0 Anery mutt corn
0.1 Stripe Ghost corn
0.1 Amelanistic corn het carmel
2.1 Colombian Redtails
1.0 Hypo Colombian redtail
1.0 Brazilian Rainbow Boa
1.0 Anery Kenyan sand boa
0.1 Normal Kenyan sand boa

Did you see my comment on user error in the previous post? The finest controller in the world can't stop someone from misusing it.

This isn't like buying a car where you have vast differences in styles and performance. You are choosing between devices that basically do the same thing. Maybe some have a digital readout and maybe some have higher output ratings. But they do not work that much differently. I have at least 4 different makes of proportional, and all work great for the intended application. Includes Helix, Herpstat, Omega and Big Apple's. I love the simple analog dial of the Big Apple units, and I appreciate the Herpstat design too. The Omega and Helix provide a digital readout, and that can be handy to.

Do you want a digital readout? If yes, narrow your scope to those types. If no, then go for the more simple units. MG Reptiles has the comparisons.

I'm just trying to point out the difference between feeling one manufacturer's controller is subpar (keep in mind any one device can fail) as opposed to using it in a manner that is not the intended application and blaming the device. I've used them incorrectly too and thought the unit was bad, only to realize my error later. Helix models are good devices. So are the others. Look at the features and go for one. You will be pleased whichever you get.

Well on the comparisons on MGReptiles it says that their are a lot of complaints on the Helix. I like the idea of a digital read out also. I just want to make sure that I can get one that will run a couple of heat tape set ups for my cages and will last and give me a constant temp.
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1.1 Motley het butter corns
0.1 Snow corn
0.1 Okeetee corn
1.0 Anery mutt corn
0.1 Stripe Ghost corn
0.1 Amelanistic corn het carmel
2.1 Colombian Redtails
1.0 Hypo Colombian redtail
1.0 Brazilian Rainbow Boa
1.0 Anery Kenyan sand boa
0.1 Normal Kenyan sand boa

I can't speak about other manufacturers, I only have Helix DBS1000's I do have over a dozen and each one is working fine for me. I started with a couple and liked them so I got more. And am planning on getting even more of them in the future as I expand the collection/caging. I like the digital readout and prefer the lack of knob that can be bumped. Since the readout is the probe temp, it can be used as a secondary thermometer as well.

Like said earlier, any one unit can fail and it is important to use correctly. Several of mine are controlling multiple heat sources but in each instance, all the heaters are identical except for one stack of mixed boaphiles and I verified they are within reasonable heat ranges between the different sized UTH's.

I'd think that if everyone chimed in, you'd hear stories about every different type of stat failing one way or another. The big plus I see with Helix is the advertise a dynamic type system that will shut down on failure, not run wide open.

Of course probe placement is critical....if the probe is cold, the stat will keep ramping up the heaters to full on. For that reason the probes should be secured in place!!
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC)
0.2 kids (CBB, selectively bred from good stock)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
13.26 BRB
11.16 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats