Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm tired of messing with my heat, I'm going to buy one of these thermostats, any suggestions which is better.It will be used on flexwatt heat pads, and maybe some cerarmic heat emitters.They both seem good to me from what I've read. Thanks, Ethan

Hey Fishkiller,
I've been using a "Helix Basic" for a while now, and I love it and what it is capable of. It is a pretty versatile unit and can handle up to 500watts combined total. I have used this unit both for my incubator and cages and find it to be a realiable piece of hardware I wouldn't be with out. As for the Big Apple thermostat, I hear good things about it, however, I don't like the fact that the unit does not have a digital read out that displays what the temperature is of the cage on the unit. However, barring that, they are both proportional thermostats and are very good for maintaining temperatures in the enclosure (s) of your choice. You might want to look at the Helix db1000 too. You can call Helix and talk to Kevin.
- Angel
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In the theater of my life, this pickle has no goal!!

I have both and I prefer the Helix since it is easier to read and gives me more confidence in its performance. The Big Apple has been a bit inconsistent in my experience.

Thanks Angel and Rich, I think thats all the 2 cents I need to make a choice.Having the cage temp reading will also be a plus.I'm working on my stack melamine cages got two basically done, can't wait to get everything dialed in.I think I'm working way to hard at trying to keep everything at ideal conditions.

Hi Ethan –

I figured I ought to weigh in on the pro-Big Apple side since I bought 15 of them last year. If you search either the old or new Kingsnake archives, you’ll find a ton of posts on proportional thermostats, mostly discussing Helix vs. Big Apple. Here’s one thread that covers some interesting details: forum.kingsnake.com/caging/messages/15978.html .

I knew I’d do okay with either product. After doing research like you’re doing, I think I was swayed by the fact that delivery seemed to be an issue with Helix every year; not so with Big Apple. So check that your vendor has what you want in stock! Didn’t you say in a previous post that you use Vision cages? I do, and the crappy mounting system (really cheap double sided tape) on either brand doesn’t adhere to the Vision plastic for long. After a few weeks, I’d find the thermostats on the floor. That was easily fixed by buying some better quality 3M double sided tape.

Just one other detail to consider: If you think you might have problems with visitors messing around with your temperature settings (young children, maybe?) – the Big Apple has a big, easily accessible dial on the front; the Helix basic has a tiny set screw requiring a jeweler’s-type screwdriver to change the temp settings. Someone posted a while back of a disaster he experienced in his collection when someone he was showing around fiddled with the dial of his thermostat and turned the heat way up. He didn’t realize what had happened until after he found his animals dead. Barring a disaster like that, I think you’ll be pleased with whichever one you choose.

-Joan