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Herpstat vs Helix DBS-1000

Herpstat vs Helix DBS-1000

  • Herpstat

    Votes: 68 63.6%

  • Helix DBS-1000

    Votes: 39 36.4%
  • Total voters
    107
Herpstat vs Helix

Herpstat by Spyder Robotics is fairly new to the market. This is the only product offered by Spyder. Spyders track record for product performance and customer service is not as well documented as Helix. Techicnal specifications of the Herpstat are almost Identical to the Helix unit. Herpstats are about $30.oo cheaper per unit I believe. Helix has a longer track record and offers a wide range of add on products such as wattage boosters, autodialers, etc... but you are paying a premium for the name. I have heard only good things about the Spyder units field performance. As competition benifits the consumer, I would give the Spyder unit a shot if I needed a small quantity of stats with those specifications. If I didnt need a proportional stat, but needed a night drop feature, I would go with a Johnson Controls A419. If I just needed a stat with an on/off control, and no night drop, I would go with a Ranco.
 
Definitely get a proportional. Flexwatt will run at around 115°F if left unregulated from what I hear.
 
Proportional or on/off

You could use an on/off stat for Fexwatt as it is designed for constant on use if needed. Regarding the concern about a high temp output, just be sure that no part of the living enviornment reaches a dangerous level. a proportional stat will give you a more stable temp over all, but this may not be needed depending on your requirements. I believe proportional stats extend the life of the heating elements they control when compared to an on/off stat.
 
Ophis said:
a proportional stat will give you a more stable temp over all, but this may not be needed depending on your requirements..
Click to expand...

I'm not going to be using it in an incubator so plus or minus 2 degrees of what I have it set on isn't that big of a deal

Ophis said:
I believe proportional stats extend the life of the heating elements they control when compared to an on/off stat.
Click to expand...

I have heard this, that is the only reason I have been leaning toward a proportional instead of an on/off.
 
Go with the Herpstat and get it from mgreptiles.com . Great product at about $40 less than Helix combined with great customer service and quick delivery from Matt at MG. You wont be sorry. I have it on my breeder BPs and it has been rock solid!

Jamie
 
I already beat you to it Jamie! Matt should be sending mine out sometime today. Thanks for the input!!
 
I agree that guy from Mg reptiles is awsome and pretty good lookin too...hahahaha Im kidding of course.. Gemme a herpstat anyday.. Just wait until the Herpstat PRO comes out..lol.. AWSOME......They are what everyone has been asking for but cant seem to get.. Oh yeah good stuff..But months away...Thanks for the props Jamie, I really appricate it!
 
Generally you wouldnt. However, if you have a well insulated incubator, an on/off can keep it pretty stable. I am using an on/off (i had nothing else at the time) and I am not getting more than a 2 degree swing. Professional breeders will definitely tell you, and rightly so, to use a high quality proportional like a Helix or Herpstat. Hope this helps!

Jamie
 
well i plan on making 1 from a 48qt coleman cooler. i want to run flexwyatte on the bottom and then set 6qt steralite storage boxes in the cooler. do you think i could use an on/off for that? do you think that is even a good idea or should i try somethin else?
 
A proportional is your best bet with any incubator.. LIke Jamie said top breeders use them and have excellent sucess with them...
 
Last edited:
Well that is understandable, but when it comes to incubating eggs so many things can go wrong with the perfect setup that you really dont want to chance loosing the clutch to a temp flux....
 
I need a Thermostat for a Vision Cage #322 which I think I am going to get unless there is a better cage that somebody recommends for a Ball Python..

what type heating and thermostat should I use with this?
 
well from looking at the AP products, they don't look that great I dont' think, and this cage is going to be sorta a display cage in my living room for the pet Ball Python. What features do you find that the AP cage is so much better than the Vision cages? Plus the AP cages for the same size are more expensive.

For instance I can get the Vision #322 for about $200 shipped to me. And the comparable AP cage is the T5 with sliding glass which costs $245 before shipping. Plus it has no light vents on the top so you can put flourescent lighting in the cage. Also I am not fond of the frame in running down the middle of the cage in the front. I like the full open view..

I just dont' see why the AP cage is such a better cage, maybe I am missing something who knows
 
squale said:
I need a Thermostat for a Vision Cage #322 which I think I am going to get unless there is a better cage that somebody recommends for a Ball Python.. What type heating and thermostat should I use with this?
Click to expand...

I woudl recommend a Johnson Controls or a Ranco for that. Now if your plans are breeding then you will need a proportional thermostat to be able to activate a night drop... And yes AP caging is the only way to go in my opinion. I dont use any other caging but theirs. I use AP racks as well but the majority of my racks come from Casey from www.nsreptiles.com Awsome struuf from both places...
 
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