Thermostat questions

[GeckoCrossing]

Has anyone ever used a Ranco non-proportional thermostat?
This is it: http://boamaster.com/products/Ranco_Thermostat-5-2.html

One came with my 6ft incubator but kept giving out an E2 error, so I got an old Original Herpstat from the owner to replace it. Works fine now

My problem is I'm about to build two new racks and trying to cut down on costs with them. Has anyone ever used the Ranco? I can get two for the price of one Herpstat. But I don't want to cause any problems.

Any and all input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[forgivenick]

I am in the market for a thermostat too. I was looking at the Ranco thermostat reviews on Fauna Classifieds and it seems like people like them (9.2 average rating from 5 ratings with 100% recommending them):
http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/reviews/showproduct.php/product/9



I think I might try one of these less expensive solutions.
http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPRTC-Digital-Thermostat-Heat/dp/B000NZZG3S/ref=pd_sim_hpc_8

Would anyone who has actually used one, advise against the Hydrofarm thermostat?

 

[meg1877]

I have the Hydrofarm thermostat and Use it in my corn snake tank. It works well, I have it in the tank on the glass, buried in her bedding. I have it set to 87 and it is always within a degree or two. Ive had it since august 2011 and not had a problem with it. The only thing i would wonder about is where you would put the temp probe in a gecko tank? Let me know if you have any questions about it.

 

[forgivenick]

In the tank, under the tile I am about to install.
Another good reason to use tile I guess, although my male has been on sand (yes, calci-sand) for 8 years since he was a hatchling with no issues at all.
I really just want to try the tile and like the idea of it being easier to keep clean. (I find gross "stuff" in the sand every so often (cricket legs, etc).
I suppose it could be a degree or two cooler on top of the tile than below the tile where I plan to keep the sensor, but yeah, I guess I will just have to collect data with the temp gun to find out, then adjust as necessary. Apparently tile is pretty conductive and evenly radiant, so I am hoping there won't be too much adjustment needed.