Good thermostat for rack?

[GexPex]

So I'm looking into getting a hatchling rack, possibly making my own, but need to know what kind of thermostats you all recommend. I'm wanting something $100 or less, but I'm wanting a proportional thermostat for a reasonably cheap price. I plan on having about 6-8 shelves holding two 6qt tubs each, so it's not a big rack whatsoever.

 

[SC Geckos]

For that budget a proportional thermostat will be hard to come by unless you find one used. For a little more ($120 - $150 range) there are quite a few, like the ones made by Herpstat and Vivarium Electronics. I have the herpstat 1 and the VE-200D (which is the model that is a true dimming proportional stat)
I also have a few that are much less money that are on/off thermostats and they work just fine too.

 

[GexPex]

Wouldn't on/off stats wear out the heat tape faster? Are they more of a fire risk than proportional? Or is this opposite?
I've considered them, but I'm weary about how effective they will be long-term.

 

[SC Geckos]

I guess any heat source regardless of how you regulate it is a potential fire hazard. I can't say if it shortens the life of the heat tape either way but I have had two of my racks for close to 5 years, one with an on/off stat and the other with a proportional and have yet to have a heat tape failure with either.