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New Herpstat Models Coming

S

Scott Ashton

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I had the opportunity to exchange emails today with Dion Brewington, owner of Spyder Robotics - manufacturer of the Herpstat line of thermostats.

Specifically, I had contacted Dion to find out the scoop on the Herpstat Pro, a 4 zone model that Spyder has been working on for a while, but put on hold to release the Herpstat 2. The good news is that it looks like the Herpstat Pro should be available come mid-August (okay wipe the drool from your chins).

Just when I thought the news from Spyder Robotics couldn't get any better, Dion tells me that he has an updated unit which will replace the original Herpstat. The Herpstat ND (Night Drop) will feature the same functionality of its big brother the Herpstat 2, including a built-in clock and resettable fuses. The unit requires no additional cables or external timers to facilitate the Night Drop feature, everything you need (except of course Flexwatt) is in the box.

If that weren't enough, the Herpstat ND will have a higher wattage rating than Spyder's original Herpstat and will be - now hold on to your hats......priced comparable to the original!!! Look for the Herpstat ND to be available in the next 45 days.

Dion sent me some photos of the new unit to share with my fellow Fauna members.
 

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This is a complete replacement for the original? Bummer... I better go buy up a bunch of the originals now then.
 
Lookin good Scott! I wonder who will be selling it. I guess you can always get it direct from Dion. I wonder if Rich at Reptile Basics will be selling it. Thanks for the heads up!
 
jglass38 said:
Lookin good Scott! I wonder who will be selling it. I guess you can always get it direct from Dion. I wonder if Rich at Reptile Basics will be selling it. Thanks for the heads up!
Click to expand...


Jamie -

Here are Spyder's current re-sellers.


http://spyderrobotics.com/order/resellers.html

I don't think GLK carries the Herpstat 2, so I'm not sure if they'll pick-up the Herpstat Pro.
 
Scott Ashton said:
the Herpstat ND will have a higher wattage rating than Spyder's original Herpstat
Click to expand...

Scott, did he say what the new wattage will be?
 
Sounds Awesome!

That's exactly what I need. I was waiting for something capable of being programmed for a night drop plus lighting, etc. I hope the capacity will be 1500 watts though because I have an oil filled radiator hooked up to a Helix right now. The power source to the unit gets so hot I have it sitting on a ceramic ash tray to insulate it from everything.
Thanks for the good news. I'm definitely going to pick at least one of those puppys up.
 
The Bean Farm

i just ordered two herp stat II's from the bean farm,$410 to my door (price match),and they are without a doubt the most pleasant folks to work with that i've ever run across.
now a unit with four probes,hmmmmmmmm i wonder if they could make the probes wireless ???


TIMOTHY W. HURKMANS
 
twh49801 said:
i just ordered two herp stat II's from the bean farm,$410 to my door (price match),and they are without a doubt the most pleasant folks to work with that i've ever run across.
now a unit with four probes,hmmmmmmmm i wonder if they could make the probes wireless ???


TIMOTHY W. HURKMANS
Click to expand...

Tim:

Whose price did they match? I need to pick up a couple.
 
MG Reptiles

........matched MG Reptiles advertised sale price.when you look at the features for that price it's a "no brainer".have fun! TWH
 
Hello folks! Dion Brewington here from Spyder Robotics. Don't panic! The Herpstat ND will not replace the original Herpstat. :^) What its intended for is to allow those who use the night drop option to have a thermostat that doesn't require a appliance timer and the extra cords. Saves money, hassle, and you get a nice digital clock built in to control your dusk/dawn times instead of using a cheap appliance timer that constantly has to be adjusted. Currently the original Herpstat msrp is $109, the night drop cable at $25, and a cheap appliace timer runs $6 bringing in a total of $140. When released the Herpstat ND will msrp at $135 saving some money. So for those who don't need the night drop option save some money and go with the original (you can always add the nd cable/timer later). If you know you want the night drop option from the start then the Herpstat ND is the right choice.

In keeping the cost down the device will not have a fan like the Herpstat II therefore the wattage will be somewhere in the middle between the original Herpstat and the Herpstat II (expecting 600 watts). I will be doing thermal tests soon to see what it can safely take. Won't be 1500 watts. To switch that much power proportionally you need serious heatsinks and a lot of airflow (think car audio amplifiers). The 1500 watt thermostats out there are relay controlled so they are a on/off style. They work nice in many applications but you do have to listen to the loud clicking of the relay engaging. I used one to control a space heater in one of my rooms and it drove me nuts.

I would like to say I appreciate everyones business and support! I do get a lot of wonderful comments emailed to me from satasfied customers. We do build these specifically for the reptile industry so customer feedback is always helpful. I look forward to the release of the Herpstat ND and providing another great heating solution.

-Dion Brewington
 
dion you didn't mention...............

..........anything about the pro model,anything you can share? BTW is it financialy feasible to have wireless probes for a multi probed thermostat.i luv your stats and will order nothing else for my future needs.have fun! TWH
 
I already use a regular Herpstat (works great). I really like the screen on the ND version!! Can't wait to get my new Herpstat II!!! Then, on top of that, we get a Pro Model (with 4 probes)!!! SWEEEET!!! :)
 
twh49801:
The pro model will basically be a four output version of the Herpstat II with a larger display. Wattage per output is still to be determined as I am evaluating different enclosures. The current AC cords are rated at 1625 watts which would limit the wattage of each output to 400 watts. In testing many different rack systems most draw 300 watts or less.

Wireless probes wouldn't be cost effective for most but to answer your question I have experimented with RF wireless transmitting the data and considered "through wall" style data transfer (such as the X10 home automation technology). However, the price of doing such does put it out of the range of most and I am not sure the demand is there.

Bill & Amy:
The screen on the Herpstat ND is the same one used in the Herpstat II. They are nice units. Very clear and pleasant to look at in both daylight and darkness due to the bright backlight.
 
spyderrobotics said:
twh49801:
The pro model will basically be a four output version of the Herpstat II with a larger display. Wattage per output is still to be determined as I am evaluating different enclosures. The current AC cords are rated at 1625 watts which would limit the wattage of each output to 400 watts. In testing many different rack systems most draw 300 watts or less.

Wireless probes wouldn't be cost effective for most but to answer your question I have experimented with RF wireless transmitting the data and considered "through wall" style data transfer (such as the X10 home automation technology). However, the price of doing such does put it out of the range of most and I am not sure the demand is there.

Bill & Amy:
The screen on the Herpstat ND is the same one used in the Herpstat II. They are nice units. Very clear and pleasant to look at in both daylight and darkness due to the bright backlight.
Click to expand...

Well there you go - from the man himself!!!

Bill - I can't wait for the Pro unit either.

And Sammy - looks like you can keep some money burning a hole in your pocket for awhile.

Talk about variety!
 
Golden Gate Geckos said:
Are these controllers proportional band or on/off? How do they compare to Helix?
Click to expand...

Marcia:

They are proportional.

I've never used a Helix, but I have been using a Herpstat 2 for about 6 months and have been very happy.
 
I also have a helix contoller and my Herpstat works just as well as the Helix has. I like the display Herpstat has in tenths of a degree, they are proportional also.
 
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