Reptile & Amphibian Forums

First, is the probe metal? Doesn't it get hot enough to burn if they're basking on it? Second, if they are laying on it while basking, won't it register a lower temp (since they are blocking the light) and therefore make the basking spot way to hot? Third, do the analog termostats (with a variable setting from low to medium to hot work well, or should I go for the digital. By the way this is semi-temporary, I sent my powersun in (it wouldn't always turn it self on, so I stopped trusting it) and they seem to be taking there time getting it back to me.

The probe on mine is plastic.
To get a reliable temp you just have to make sure your beardie isn't on the probe. Or else as you said the temp will be lower with your beardie on it.

n/p

best way to test the temperature of you basking spot is when the dragon isn't in the cage, or on it. I typicallly leave the probe just lying on highest area of the log where my dragon can bask and it stays constantly around 100-105 F. He moves all over the place during the day to regulate his temperature so I don't worry to much some days when he knocks the probe off his log or lies on top of it (in fact, the probe now has alot of little pits in it from where his scales pressed into the plastic and left indentations). I only really watch the temp when it gets hot in the house as I don't have any air conditioning...but with summer gone, not as concerned about over heating.

So, don't worry about the drop in temperature when the dragon is lying on the probe. If you monitored the temperature for a few days to find what the highs and lows are, you get a very good ideal what the constant temp is in the basking area.