Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello all Happy Holidays,

I am looking to findout the differnces Between the two thermotats?
1) Which one is better and why?
2) What are the differences?

The reason I ask is I am getting ready to build a rack system for my reptiles and I would like the best possible equipment. I only want to have to build this one time if you get my meaning.

Thanks Again and again Happy Holidays
Bill
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Leos
1.0 Blizzard "Mr.Freeze"
1.0 SHCT Baldy "Thor"
0.1 Bell Albino "Pinky"
0.1 Tremper Albino "Betty"
0.1 SHCT Baldy "Lemon"
0.1 Hypo Tang "Sherbert"
0.1 Hypo Golden "Dott"
0.2 juveniles " Spot & White Stripe"

Boas
0.1 Nicaraguan "Peaches"

Domestic Livestock

0.1 WIFE "PAM"
0.2 Daughters "Haleigh & Chloe"

Canines
1.0 Beagle "Chance"
0.1 Pit rodesian ridgeback mix "Missy"

My opinion is the Helix is better. But than again the herppower comes with the night drop and you have to buy the cord to activate it with helix. Also the helix has a digital readout and adjustments the HP is a dial and has no readout...
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www.mgreptiles.com
CBB Herps and Heating Supplies

I think they are both good units, I have used both but the fact of the digital readout is not a plus. I find that the readout from the Helix and the readout from my laser thermometer are not the same and my thermometer is accurate to 1/5 of a degree.

On the other hand I can set my Herp Power to 86 and it is 86 in the cage. Additionally, the Herp Power has an external fuse which I think was very smart of the manufacturer for easy changing. Finally, why should I pay $150 for what I can get for $109? If you buy 6 units that really adds up.

Winston

Both are great units. I like the Herp Power because the cycle time of the proportional cycle seems just right for the type of heaters I use with this device i.e. Flexwatt, heat rope, heat pads and heat panels. What this means is that the device keeps the temp very constant. Plus, these units are $109 which is a great price when you need multiple units.

The Helix is also a winner but costs more. I find the digital readout not an absolute necessity for a controller. A separate thermometer works perfect for that job (and you can move the thermometer around.)
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Mark G
Collection:
CA coastal rosies "the uglier the better"
Sinaloan milksnakes

I have another vote for Herp Power. I have 5 of them running right now and have not had any problems. As the others noted, they are pretty darn accurate; what you set the dial for is what you get.

Good proportional operation and the night drop cord is included. Very simple to use and connect. External fuse, just in case.

Also, it's always a good idea to use a thermometer to verify any thermostat, whether the thermostat has a digital readout or dial.

Bill

Is the herp power the same as the herpstat thermostat or are these 2 different items??

It seem that the general opinion is go for the herp power from Big Apple . I think I have another problem though, I don't think the Herp Power will handel 50' of 3" flex watt. How do you figure out over all wattage. Fro mwhat I can gather the herp power will run a max of 300 watts? but the Helix will do 500, is this assumption correct? If so I assume that multiplying the amount of feet by the wattage per foot would give me the amout of watts I would need correct?

Thanks for all your help
Bill
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Leos
1.0 Blizzard "Mr.Freeze"
1.0 SHCT Baldy "Thor"
0.1 Bell Albino "Pinky"
0.1 Tremper Albino "Betty"
0.1 SHCT Baldy "Lemon"
0.1 Hypo Tang "Sherbert"
0.1 Hypo Golden "Dott"
0.2 juveniles " Spot & White Stripe"

Boas
0.1 Nicaraguan "Peaches"

Domestic Livestock

0.1 WIFE "PAM"
0.2 Daughters "Haleigh & Chloe"

Canines
1.0 Beagle "Chance"
0.1 Pit rodesian ridgeback mix "Missy"

If you purchase 3 inch heat tape in the 6 watt version than 50 x 6 = 300 so I don't see any problem. However, some companies sell the 10 watt version of 3 inch heat tape and you will need 500 watts if this is the case. Take a look on the supply companies website... I know that I get my tape from Big Apple and their site says 6 watts per foot. However, the Bean Farm's website says 10 watts per foot. I'm not sure why the different versions but my 6 watt heat tape works great.

Winston