Actually Dave we do agree
Just playing devils advocate to coax the answers that were needed instead of back and forth. I'm more curious to get you and FR on to why instead of back and forth on whether they do since that is proven.
The fact that termite mounds maintain more stable temps for the year. 200 plus days just to get to the hatching point means the female needs a spot that will be good for the whole year (Agree?). That would be hard to do in any rotting tree or log unless it is in the tropics where the temps do not change drastically (Agree?) . Lace monitors are not the only ones know the take advantage of using termite mounds (proven).
Hence why I didn't focus on where but more on stability of temps and humidty that you aim for in your nest box which does not have termites. I for one cannot vouch/deny etc for anything that varius does in the wild or captivity other then what can be read.

I have tried nest boxes and have not had success with them. Do they work..yes (proven) should we offer more choices also..yes (proven). Why? Each monitor is an individual and have their own ideas on perfect (agree?)

Trying to switch the focus off of whether they use termite mounds (proven) to why would they want to. Temps, humidty and more stable year around.

Was I aiming to get onto a topic like you posted above.. YES!!!! WHY? I plan to reconstruct my croc cage soon and I was more curious on the humidty, temps, etc for better nesting options in captivity without moving in a bunch of termites in

P.S I plan to use both nest boxes and heated substrate with the same material and both will have heat pads and thermostats and I will aim for similar temps as yours.
Cheers
Good read above btw