Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've decided to upgrade on my thermostats. I'm currently using the cheaper $30 thermostats, but I've heard so many good things about accuracy and relability of the more expensive models.
The 3 units I'm considering include the following:
Helix, Ranco, and the Big Apple Proportional Thermostat
Which do you use? Why do you prefer it over the others? If anyone has experience with several of these units, please let me know which one is a better unit?
Thanks,
Peter F.

I prefer Helix DBS 1000 first, then Ranco. I don't have a Big Apple at this time. The main reason I like the Helix better than the Ranco is the Ranco makes clicks as it turns on and off which is a little annoying. So far both the Helix and Ranco work great.
Lora

Helix and Big Apple are proportional. The Ranco is On/Off. I have all three. I use Helix (Super Systems) and Big Apple's to heat cages. I use the two stage Ranco for redundant/backup heating and cooling in my snake room. The proportional one's are better for more precise temperature control.

Robert

>>I've decided to upgrade on my thermostats. I'm currently using the cheaper $30 thermostats, but I've heard so many good things about accuracy and relability of the more expensive models.
>>The 3 units I'm considering include the following:
>>Helix, Ranco, and the Big Apple Proportional Thermostat
>>Which do you use? Why do you prefer it over the others? If anyone has experience with several of these units, please let me know which one is a better unit?
>>Thanks,
>>Peter F.

drphibes hit the nail on the head in his reply. If you need a backup thermostat for a room heater, or a simple ON/OFF control for a light-emitting heater like a spot lamp, then a Ranco is perfect for the job and economical as well. Any heater with fans and moving parts should be controlled with an ON/OFF controller like a Ranco.

If you are controlling heat tapes, heat pads or non-light-emitting heaters like ceramics and heat panels, then a Helix or Big Apple Proportional controller will give you the best control with the least temp cycling and will extend heater life.

I,ve used all three and like them all i'm currently using Ranco as they are best suited for my application.

-----
Thanks,
Chuck
Animal House

what is your application??
-----
0.1 Rubber Boa
1.0 Eastern Hognose 2003 super red
0.2 Eastern Hognose Snakes
3.3 Western Hognose Snakes
1.0 Durango Mountain Kingsnake
1.1 Woma's (new!)
Spadefoot
Black Knobbed Sawback
Northern Diamondback
Florida Redbellied Slider
Western Painted
Southern Painted
1.0 African Hedgehog
1.0 Sulcata

1 Pleco
2 Silver Dollars
3 Bosemian Rainbows
1 Cory Cat
1 Upside Down Catfish
2.0 Fire Guramis

uhh... I think that is it.

>>what is your application??
I,m using 10 of them at the moment.
1 runs the air unit in my snake room
1 runs the heat
8 take care of the heat in the cages
I have several boas and pytons and a few colubrids
Any ?s feel free to email me
Chuck

>>-----
>>0.1 Rubber Boa
>>1.0 Eastern Hognose 2003 super red
>>0.2 Eastern Hognose Snakes
>>3.3 Western Hognose Snakes
>>1.0 Durango Mountain Kingsnake
>>1.1 Woma's (new!)
>> Spadefoot
>> Black Knobbed Sawback
>> Northern Diamondback
>> Florida Redbellied Slider
>> Western Painted
>> Southern Painted
>>1.0 African Hedgehog
>>1.0 Sulcata
>>
>>1 Pleco
>>2 Silver Dollars
>>3 Bosemian Rainbows
>>1 Cory Cat
>>1 Upside Down Catfish
>>2.0 Fire Guramis
>>
>>uhh... I think that is it.

Hey,

I was going to purchase a baby green tree python. I wanted a unit that would be better at monitoring the temps than my current $30 units.

It seems like any of three (Helix, Ranco, Big Apple) would be an improvement...

Peter F.

I use a BAH for my GTP's cage. The thermostat controls a 9x12" radiant heat panel.

I also use a few more BAH thermostats in addition to a couple Microclimates, Habistats, and Thermotronics.

I like the BAH thermostat -- no problems, just great performance.

Bill

>>I've decided to upgrade on my thermostats. I'm currently using the cheaper $30 thermostats, but I've heard so many good things about accuracy and relability of the more expensive models.
>>The 3 units I'm considering include the following:
>>Helix, Ranco, and the Big Apple Proportional Thermostat
>>Which do you use? Why do you prefer it over the others? If anyone has experience with several of these units, please let me know which one is a better unit?

I've been using the Helix Basic (DBS-1000) controls for quite a while and been happy with them. If you have multiple cages, you might want to look at the thermostats made by GSC reptiles. They're $260, but that unit will control four cages, each with a separate probe, target temperature, nite drop, etc. Of course, they're proportional thermostats. Looks like they have a new single-cage setup, too. I haven't used their stuff, but for $65/cage that four-cage thermostat looks pretty attractive!
GCS Reptiles