• Responding to email notices you receive.
    **************************************************
    In short, DON'T! Email notices are to ONLY alert you of a reply to your private message or your ad on this site. Replying to the email just wastes your time as it goes NOWHERE, and probably pisses off the person you thought you replied to when they think you just ignored them. So instead of complaining to me about your messages not being replied to from this site via email, please READ that email notice that plainly states what you need to do in order to reply to who you are trying to converse with.

(INFO) HERPSTAT and HELIX electrical cords.

Kingetula

New member
Joined
Jun 25, 2006
Messages
499
Reaction score
6
Points
0
Location
Florida
Well my first choice is a Herpstat 2 or PRO but from all the pictures I have seen the box is black but the prob wires and electrical wires are white!

Does the HERPSTATS have a black wire option? If not does Helix?

I have BLACK Animal Plastic cages coming with BLACK EPOXY coated wired shelves... (Get the picture yet?) I don't want WHITE WIRES/CORDS or whatever!
 
The cords on both are white. The probe on the Helix is black (on the DBS-1000). The new Herpstat probes are gray. The Herpstat Pro has a LOT more features than the "2". The "ND" is the same as the "Pro" but in a single version instead of 4.

The Herpstat pro sits well on top of a stack of cages. The outlets for the heat are in the back, and you have one cord to plug into the wall. Run behind the cages you'd never see it. If it really bugged you you could get black electrical or duct tape and cover the cord and tape it down to the cages.

Both the Helix and Herpstat Pro are great thermostats. I have both as well as some regular Herpstats. I would use the Pro if you will be cycling for breeding. Other wise use the Helix. I use the Helix for all of my racks and Herpstat on the cages.

If you REALLY felt like it you can un-screw the thermostat, detach the white cord and re-solder a black one.
 
I also wanted to know how the customer service was for both companies. If I have a problem do i have to wait forever for a replacement etc...
 
I dealt with a broken herpstat once. The guy at Spyder Robotics ( the maker ) told me how to send it and it was done and back in my hands in 5 days from the time I shipped it till I got it back.
 
I'd say customer service with Herpstat is the best. I've never been able to get in touch with the Helix company and have bought those from other sources (lllreptile, etc.). Herpstat's fuses are built in. To re-set you unplug it for 5 minutes and plug it back in. The Helix has a glass fuse. If it blows you un-screw the back panel, pop it out, and put in a new one. Those are really the only service things they should ever need. Or new probes. The Helix probe plugs in inside (again access through panel). The Herpstat probe is outside and a little easier to change. I also like the metal probe end on the Herpstat. If it is inside the cage that will last longer. The rubber wrapped probe on the helix I'm afraid of getting damaged (this is one reason I use it for racks). The AP cages have a slot for the probe to keep it out of the cage interior. It will lie beside the heating cable.
 
I have both helix and herpstats as well. I just recently bought the ND and I am extremely satisfied with it. Dion at spyder robotics is great to work with as well. I blew a fuse in one of my herpstats and it was back to me after shipping with 5 to 7 days. He is also very easy to get a hold. I would not hesitate to buy from him again as I plan on replacing all my helix's one at a time with the Herpstats.

John

1 WC GF
2 Captive Born kids
3 cats
1 chocolate Lab
4 Turtles
1.1 coastal carpet pythons
2.5 Boas
2.3 Retics
 
Dion at Spyder Robotics is the best. He not only addresses any issue with his products in a very fast and professional manner, he goes above and beyond reasonable expectations in every facet of his business. From customer service, to communications, to shipping in a timely fashion, to replacing defective units, to listening to customer input, etc, etc.

Spyder Robotics is the only company I use now for reptile thermostats.
 
I bought a herpstat pro earlier this year & think it's fantastic.
No problems yet, knock on wood.
What sold me was independent control over four plugs.
I'll probably get a second one later this year when I set up more rack space.
 
I've got the herpstat IIs and herpstat Pros. I like the PRO way better. It's much easier to set up and you don't have to wait for it to go through all the options like you do on the herpstat II.

As for the cords, on the herpstat II there are three cords, all of which are white. The probe cords i got with them were white as well. I have since ordered the herpstat pros and the first ones I got had grey probe cords, then the last one I bought have thicker black probe cords. So, I think if you get the Pro now you will get the black probe cords. On the Pro you actually need to buy the little extension cords to plug your heating devices in to, or you can just plug them straight into the Herpstat Pro. So, you can get any color you want. The Pro does still have the one white cord that plugs into the wall.
 
BenR said:
I've got the herpstat IIs and herpstat Pros. I like the PRO way better. It's much easier to set up and you don't have to wait for it to go through all the options like you do on the herpstat II.

As for the cords, on the herpstat II there are three cords, all of which are white. The probe cords i got with them were white as well. I have since ordered the herpstat pros and the first ones I got had grey probe cords, then the last one I bought have thicker black probe cords. So, I think if you get the Pro now you will get the black probe cords. On the Pro you actually need to buy the little extension cords to plug your heating devices in to, or you can just plug them straight into the Herpstat Pro. So, you can get any color you want. The Pro does still have the one white cord that plugs into the wall.


Ben, that thicker black probe cord. How do you like it? Is it much bigger?

I just got a reply from Dion and for a little more he said he could put the black AC cord on for me and add the thicker black probe. Sounds like he is willing to give me exactly what I want and need. Can't beat that!!!

I'm just wondering about that thicker probe and cord.
 
I've been holding off on getting the Pro, but I think it's about that time. I like the idea of 4 zones a whole lot. I assume each zone has it's own probe, right? LOL And since he seems willing to work with you, I assume you could order a longer cord or probe if needed?

I also like what I am hearing about the service. Sounds like My kind of place. :thumbsup: Gonna have to go for it.


Rick
 
Well Dion and I are closing the deal as we speak.

5 Herpstat pros all with black AC cords and black wired probes. (A little extra $$ but IMO worth it)

Everything has gone very well so far.
 
5 PROs, how many cages do you have coming from AP? That might be the large order holding back my cage, lol.

I haven't seen the new thicker black cords, just the gray on my last one (bought in December).

The 4 zone thing is great, each one of my cages is on one thermostat. Before that was $105-145 each depending what I got, now with the PRO I spend $319 and that covers 4. It's like a buy 3 get one free deal!
 
The gray probes are our standard. We do have heavy duty black ones that can be substituted for the gray on request. If there is a supply shortage on gray cables some units ship with the black ones instead. The gray ones are a little more flexible and still plenty strong for most. The black ones are slightly thicker with a shielded cable design.

I personally like the look of black ac cords as well but it comes down to cost and availability. The black cords are 3 times as expensive and usually only come in shorter lengths. We are a customer friendly company and if someone wants black, green, or pink if we can accommodate them we will. Since we build everything in house we have some control of those things. Thats one nice thing about a "hands on" company like ours. If you own a Herpstat it was built here and personally tested before it ever made it to a box.
 
Dion is a great guy to deal with and is very customer friendly. I was selling helixs before going to Dion and I don't think I will be selling helixs any more. The herpstats are a much better design, and I think a lot of thought went into the design. Good products and good customer service is exactly what a good business should be about.

Greg West
 
Just out of curiosity, I saw the PRO advertised at a lower price on another website, does SpyderRobotics price match, or anything like that?

Thanks
 
WOW! Dion made the changes to the power cords and sent them out today. That was fast! Everything went out ahead of schedule!!

Thanks Dion!
 
The mail man just delivered them!!

Thanks again Dion for putting the black AC wires on, I'm really happy with my purchase and the customer service!!!

A+
 
Pictures
 

Attachments

  • 100_0847 (Small).JPG
    100_0847 (Small).JPG
    34.5 KB · Views: 69
  • 100_0848 (Small).JPG
    100_0848 (Small).JPG
    40.4 KB · Views: 68
last year i ordered two herpstat ll's from the beanfarm and they price matched from a advertised price,great service.
from now on i'll purchase nothing but herpstats,when you look at quality,features and price it's a no brainer IMO. have fun !
 
Back
Top