Which of these Herpstats is the most reliable imo?

[antinous]

(Meant IYO: in your opinion in the title...)

Not sure if I should go for the Herpstat Into+ (http://www.spyderrobotics.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=30), Herpstat 1 Basic (http://www.spyderrobotics.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=24) or the Herpstat 1 Redline (http://www.spyderrobotics.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=32). Don't want to go for the cheapest one necessarily, but I don't want to go for the most expensive. I'll be using these attached to Flexwatt to heat an aquarium as an incubator for my T's btw.

Also, Ive been looking at the VE thermostats, how do they compare? The one in question is this: http://www.reptilebasics.com/ve-100

What are your opinions on these? Also, if you do own one of these, how long do they last approx.?

Thanks!

 

[The Snark]

Looks like any of those would do the job. Assuming they are CE or UL certified. Just pick the bells and whistles you want.
But I'm going to add a little something. A critique of the massive blowfest sale pitch on those pages:

·Proportional heating constantly monitors and adjusts amount of heat necessary to maintain a target temperature (usable range from 40°F to 150°F or 4°C to 65°C).
As opposed to what? On full blast? It's a thermal controller! Of course the output is proportional!

·Soft startup slowly applies power during initial warm-ups.
All triac-diac output regulators are soft start up. That's like selling a new car by saying 'It comes with tires!'

·User selectable temperature and light ramping allows day to night changes to occur slowly. (Up to 10 hours)
Ramping is a nice idea. The words -user selectable- is idiotic. Who else is going to select the settings, the dog or your next door neighbor?

·Sensor Matching allows the user to digitally calibrate the sensor output to match other equipment.
If you buy other equipment from them that speaks the same language and interfaces with their set up.

·Configurable for Heating, Cooling, or Lighting.
Uhh, yes? That's why the person is buying it. Power output control. Not of much use for painting the garage or mowing the lawn.

·Auto Power Matching constantly adjusts the power output curve to match the enclosures efficiency.
Wow. It's got a sensor probe you stick in the enclosure!

·High / Low temperature tracking helps monitor heating system and enclosure efficiency.
Let's assume it has a memory feature so when you get bored you can go over and check how hot and cold it has gotten in the enclosure. This tells you it is doing the job you paid those hefty bucks for.

·Precision sensor with internal resolution of .1125 °F and is accurate to ± .9 °F
And as we all know, the average animal can tell the temperature within .1125 of a degree.

·Display and setting in tenths of a degree.
We're talking keeping animals here, not running stem cell research control.

·All settings are retained in memory even if power is lost.
It's got SRAM memory just like your cell phone or memory stick or Go-Pro or just about every other electronic gadget of today.

·Power Outage detection / tracking.
If it has a battery back up. Not seeing that on the list.

·Temperature can be set / displayed in Fahrenheit or Celsius.
As can your average $10 household thermometer.

·Easy to read backlit LCD display.
As opposed to impossible to read unbacklit LCD display.

·Removable 12' temperature probe allow for easy replacement if necessary.
The temp sensor probe has a 12 foot cord with a plug.

·User replaceable fuse.
Amazing. Wish my wife had one.

·Audible alarm system
It buzzes or beeps instead of blinks.

·Individually selectable High/Low temperature threshold alarms.
About average for your HVAC controller: Houston, we have a problem.

·Security Passcode option deters vandals.
Nifty. Someone breaks into your house and instead of stealing your near priceless herps he tries to sabotage your temperature controller settings!

·Internal error detection shuts off heat if sensor fails or is disconnected.
It's called a fail safe. A zero detect. Just about every electronic gadget with a warranty has one.

·700 total watt output for the Herpstat 1
Or you could connect a relay to the output and run your 3 phase 200,000 BTU gazillion watt refrigeration system with it, or a few other things.

·1 year limited warranty
Love that word 'limited'. It usually equates to one of two things. The company will repair or replace anything in the unit provided the breakdown involved a pair of eagles, a wombat and a toaster or they will consider repairing the unit if it fails providing you ship it to Ferdinands Appliance Repair and Manure Supply in El Salvador and wait 3 and a half months.

 

[Tim Benzedrine]

·1 year limited warranty
Love that word 'limited'. It usually equates to one of two things. The company will repair or replace anything in the unit provided the breakdown involved a pair of eagles, a wombat and a toaster...

Which is why I never fool around with filling out the warranty card anymore. I mean, what are the odds of that incident happening to me TWICE?