What's the best thermostat?

[Geckonut]

I'm starting to get a bit tired of constantly having to adjust my Repti-temp 500r thermostats. I get them set for a good range, then I check them the next day and the ranges are off again! I check my temps carefully, surface level with a $300 digital temp unit. I like the features of the thermostat but these just seem to fluctuate too much. I'm ready to throw them all in the trash and get better thermostats. Any others finding problems with these units?
What thermostats work best for individual UTH terrarium setups? Input appreciated.

 

[arborman]

Wow, that is the same problem I am having. I set the temp, and it shifts like the stock market! I finally found a setting where the range stays between 92-97, but I am waiting for that to end. Kind of irritating

 

[Geckonut]

Wow, that is the same problem I am having. I set the temp, and it shifts like the stock market! I finally found a setting where the range stays between 92-97, but I am waiting for that to end. Kind of irritating

Exactly! I like a range of 88-92. I get it set perfectly with a high quality digital therm, get it in the perfect range, then check it the next day and it will be 95 or 82! Weird. I've had it. I hope we get some good input here on better options for thermostats. I don't care if I have to pay more. My time is valuable and my leos deserve the best.

 

[Tammy]

I have the same problem with my Repti Temp 500R too.

 

[Geckonut]

Rept temp units are "on-off" thermostats and have a lot of variability, much more than I expected. Dimmer units are even worse! So it sounds like the proportional thermostats may be the way to go but they are $150-200....might be money well spent though. Hope we get some good info on this thread from those using better quality thermostats.

 

[Extreme-Geckos]

Rept temp units are "on-off" thermostats and have a lot of variability, much more than I expected. Dimmer units are even worse! So it sounds like the proportional thermostats may be the way to go but they are $150-200....might be money well spent though. Hope we get some good info on this thread from those using better quality thermostats.

If a helix is out of your budget, good "on-off" thermostats are johnson controls work really well.

 

[Geckonut]

If a helix is out of your budget, good "on-off" thermostats are johnson controls work really well.

What helix do you recommend? Do they hold temps in a close range as with proportional stats?

 

[stewy84]

+ 1 on the johnson/ranco ive had 3 rancos for 3 years and they have worked great, prob not as close as a proportional but with in a +/- 1 degree witch is good enough for me and they are half as much as most proportionals

 

[spykerherps]

Just got an e-mail back from AP. if you want your heating elements to last longer including the heat tapes and heat cords invest in a proportional thermostat you will save more money in the long run by not buying more replacement elements they burn out too fast with on / off thermostats.

 

[Mel&Keith]

Can't beat Johnsons for the price. We use them on all our racks and love them.