Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Do these things work well? I am thinking about ordering some but I have never heard of anyone using them. Any help would be appreciated.

Ken
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0.1 Albino Cal. King (Fokker)
1.0 Reverse Okeetee Corn (trouble)
0.1 Creamsicle Corn (Spot)
0.0.2 Anery (Thanks Jimmy)
1.2 Dogs(2 Boxers, Cookie and Joe, Lhasa Apso, George)
1.0 Betta
0.1 Wife
0.1 Kid

From my research on a desert rays vs a pro-products or helix panel, you get what you pay for. The helix and pro products panels cost more, but they are well worth it. You can even see in the pictures (at big apple herp) where they look nearly like flexwatt. The pro-products and helix panels are constructed for much heavier duty use. The pro products (which is what i use) has a 10 year warranty on it. Made to last 30-50 years, however. I've just been told by people who have ordered both pro products and desert rays panels, the desert rays aren't worth anything.

But thats just what i've heard, and i know my pro products panels work very well. been told helix works just as well.
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-Chris

The reason mainstream thought is thought of as a stream is because it's so shallow. -George Carlin

A fool doesn't learn. A smart man learns from his mistakes. A wise man learns from the mistakes of others. Which one are you?

My Website
Rat/Corn snake care sheet I wrote

Current snakes:
0.1 Licorice Stick Black Rat (Lola)
1.0 Black Rat (Frankie)
1.1 Texas Bairds (Jose and Rosa)
0.1 Blue Beauty (Brunhilde)
1.0 Green Tree Python (Claudius)... coming soon

I'm not overly impressed with the one I own. I bought it as a temporary solution, and if you seriously need decent heat it would be wise to invest in a higher end brand. ;o)
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1.0.0 BP
1.1.0 Chondro

I own 16 of these panels and they are great. It appears to me that people are not understanding how to use them. By this I mean they are low wattage panels that need to be used in smaller enclosures. I have sucessfully used these panels as my heating source in 48" enclosures because I have very little ventilation.

The biggest panel that Big Apple Herp makes only has 50 watts so don't expect a miracle from them. However, if used in a properly ventilated cage they can be superb and you can't beat the price. Therefore, don't say they are not impressive, they are, but you must use them correctly.

Why don't you try calling Big Apple, they have always been helpful with product applications for me.

Winston

All they are is a peice of flexwatt that is marketed to be used on the top of the cage instaed of the bottom.. Buy ya some flex and put it on the top of the cage..same thing....
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www.mgreptiles.com
CBB Herps and Heating Supplies

Mr. MgReptiles, I use both the Desert Rays and Flex Watt Heat Tape. I have over 50 feet of heat tape running on my rack system and Desert Rays Panels running in a number of cages so I'm quite familiar with both products.

From your last reply it appears that your not at all familiar with the Desert Rays and possilby misinformed of the uses of Flex Watt. Therefore, for the safety of those who may have read your reply with your suggested use of heat tape I would like to provide some input.

To begin with, Flex Watt is not double encapsulated or water proof so why would you advise me to put Flex Watt inside an enclosure where my misting system will spray on it. To be perfectly frank, that sounds like a very poor suggestion and a possible dangerous one.

Second, Flex Watt was originally designed for operation under floors. Using it as a "wall heater" works poorly and assumes unnecessary risk since it is neither water resistant nor water proof. Desert Rays operate at temperatures 20 degrees higher than the Flex Watt I purchase making it far more effective.

Last, I find it interesting that your a competitor of the company that manufactures the Desert Ray Panels and you have the audacity to not only misinform but to knock a competitors product in such a tasteless manner.

Winston

"Caring for a pet is serious responsibility, its life is in your hands"

they are not a competior of mine. I do not sell them or any sort of overhead raeiendt heat panels. You CAN use flexwatt inside a cage! If has to be sealed and I think everyone knows that. I am really sorry you took a personal offence to this. The customer and the animals are the most importanit thing for me... I Would not do anything to harm them in the slightest...
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www.mgreptiles.com
CBB Herps and Heating Supplies

Also I have and use the radient panels... The Flexwatt is made for reptile care. One item can be marketed for more than one use.. Here is a link...
http://www.calorique.com/products/reptile.asp
I was simply stating a derogiroary remark not a suggested use...
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www.mgreptiles.com
CBB Herps and Heating Supplies

I use both the Helix panels and the Desert Ray panels. The Helix are by far the better of the two in both the heat they generate and their construction. I find the Desert Rays work much better when I mount them on a piece of 1-inch foam insulation that is cut to a size which is slightly bigger the panel. I also sandwich four piece of foil between the insulation and the panel. I then tape the whole thing together with duct tape. I find that this helps to reflect much more heat downward, and prevents my snake form getting wedge between the panel and the cage roof. The only problem with this method is that the panels are ugly compared to the Helix panels.