Helix Tstats

i'd like to hear from helix owners please. if any of you have/had any problems with helix stats. i've heard alot of rumors about them not working or working correctly? i have these on my racks and incubator and have not had any problems. i see alot of posts with people using helix, i'd like a show hands. how many poeple have helix and how many people are having problems with them?

inquiring minds want to know


vaughn

I have used a Helix and was happy with the results for a long time until the temps started creeping. I'd reset the system and it would go back to normal but a week later i would notice the temps slowly creeping up again. I sent the Helix back and recieved a new one which seems to be working perfectly. Right now I just can't decide which reading is right, the helix, the ESU theremometer , or the flukers theremomter!

I've owned several Helix Thermostats (DBS1000), with mixed results. Right now I have one working and one sitting in a box from a electronic malfunction, both have needed fuse replacements (i.e. I found them no longer functioning) in situations that seemed random. I know many people love them; they were one of the first proportionals to by widely deployed for reptiles and have a good system for larger facility integration. But they are fallible – perhaps more than some would admit, less than others are suggesting.

So when it was time for me to choose new thermostats for 2 incubators, Helix wasn’t my choice because they didn’t do all that I wanted and from my experiences with them, I’d always wonder if it was working. So went looking for something to fill the following:
• Made from modern technology
• Easy to setup/use
• Has audible Hi/Lo temp alarms (an incubator must)
• Outage memory and report

I had examined a couple of choices, but I ended up with a Herpstat II by Spyder Robotics (from MG Reptiles). It an amazing piece of technology that has the ability to adjust the proportional power curve (another great feature for incubators) and control lighting. It’s been running both incubators for months now with no temperature fluctuations or problems of any kind – I’m very happy with my choice.

*During this same period - I’ve had 2 Big Apple thermostats – both working 24/7 for years now. They are fine, just a bit too basic for what’s available now for the cost.

Those are just my experiances - others will differ.

I have the regular Herpstat that I bought from Matt at MG Reptiles running on one of my racks and it works flawlessly.

Helix has a bit of a quality control problem but the Herpstats are definitely worth looking into if you want a new thermostat.

We have had several customers complain about the helix stats and have opted for another "brand" before ever calling us. Companies and products change sometimes for the better and sometimes for the, well yo uget the point.. I stopped carrying the Helix stats about 7 months ago becasue of customers complaining they were not holding steady temps and also of having a hassle when something with the unit arises.. If I am going to carry a product the manufacture has to be behind there product 100% not saying that Helix does not have good customer service it is just not what I thought was right for my customers if they had a problem!

I bought a Helix and all I got was a very EXPENSIVE thermometer. It could tell me that it was cooking my animals very well. The shut-off function (you know, the thing that makes it an actual "thermostat") was completely non-functional. In a bind, I bought a Herpstat and I couldn't be happier...it's been running for 6 months with no more than 1/2 degree variance. Now THAT's what I expect out of a thermostat that cost $100 +.

Hmm, I might've been lucky. I bought 3 units of Helix thermostat about 3 months ago, and all seem to be working very well (still). There is a 3 degrees temperature fluctuation though.

Originally Posted by gothra

Hmm, I might've been lucky. I bought 3 units of Helix thermostat about 3 months ago, and all seem to be working very well (still). There is a 3 degrees temperature fluctuation though.

3 degrees on a proportional thermostat is not working well..lol.. I would expect temps like that from a Zoomed thermostat..

wow, out of the thousands of helixs' sold and the thousands more in use everyday, i would of thought that hundreds would be replying saying how they had problems! doesn't sound like a major problem to me considering the amount sold and in use! i myself had a failure with a herpstat, but dion at spyder robotics was very professional and repaired/returned it
promptly. interesting responces.



vaughn

Originally Posted by V2Slerp

wow, out of the thousands of helixs' sold and the thousands more in use everyday, i would of thought that hundreds would be replying saying how they had problems! doesn't sound like a major problem to me considering the amount sold and in use! i myself had a failure with a herpstat, but dion at spyder robotics was very professional and repaired/returned it
promptly. interesting responces.

Spawn

Just give it time more will come.. I made a ton of cash selling the helix stats and make less selling the herpstats.. I just think it is better to sell someone a working and relicable unit as opposed to the customer haveing trouble and not being satisified. Just curious but are you on the Helix payroll now? If you are you need to tell the 1000 kids in singapore building these things to double and triple check their work...