Which controller?

[Bacon]

Search didn't yeild me anything but I'll take a link if there's been recent discussion on this...

I'm looking to get a controler (looking at herpstat 4 and ecozone ez500) - does anyone have and thoughts about either of these? The ecozone is more appealing at the moment but I'd love to hear from anyone who's used them.

[Sublimeballs]

I don't have a herpstat 4 or a ecozone... But I do have 3 herpstat 2s, a herpstat, a ranco, a ve300, and 4 hydrofarms.... I'm very interested to try out the ecozone stat(im torn between trying one out or getting another herpstat). But as of now nothing beats a herpstat(in my experience) my oldest one is 4-5 years old and no issues original probe and all. Some of the best customer service in the industry and constantly improving.

[trailblazer295]

Personally I use ranco stats. I haven't had them long so I can't comment on long term reliability. I wanted to use a product approved for use in Canada for my own piece of mind and in case something went wrong for insurance reasons. Techincally any herp specific stats are illegal in Canada because they aren't tested. I don't particularly like the fact that US laws on electric devices is so lax that anyone cant make a product and sell it without safety testing. No offense but doesn't seem like a good idea to have no regulation for safety. Same reason I ended up buying pro products RHP, they are the only one tested by UL ULC and CE and ironically I had to order direct from the US but could buy illegal ones locally.

[Sublimeballs]

Personally I use ranco stats. I haven't had them long so I can't comment on long term reliability. I wanted to use a product approved for use in Canada for my own piece of mind and in case something went wrong for insurance reasons. Techincally any herp specific stats are illegal in Canada because they aren't tested. I don't particularly like the fact that US laws on electric devices is so lax that anyone cant make a product and sell it without safety testing. No offense but doesn't seem like a good idea to have no regulation for safety. Same reason I ended up buying pro products RHP, they are the only one tested by UL ULC and CE and ironically I had to order direct from the US but could buy illegal ones locally.

Really? I've had my ranco for years with no issues(and I got it used). It has a pretty broad temp range(compared to the proportional stats and on par with the hydrofarms) but super dependable; so no worries. I haven't tryed a pro products panel yet but have 7 rbi panel and love them. But I'm a little bias, reptile basics is seriously one town over. Been there many times great people, bought my first captive snake from them in the 90s when they used to only sell reptiles. Just got in 3 of their new and improved panels this week for the new additions I've got/getting. So far the one I have in use is awesome.

[trailblazer295]

The laws are different up here. Any electric device has to be tested by an approved safety standard, (CSA, ULC, CE etc) In the pet trade though it seems enforcement is extremely lax as you can buy untested products in chain pet stores. But if one of those products were to cause a problem in your house it could give your insurance company an easy excuse not to cover the damages. The US doesn't have that regulation so that's why US made and sold pet equipment isn't tested and they won't spend the money for the comparatively small Canadian market. I know guys use well known brand products without issues but no product is perfect and someone will have a problem eventually. It's unfortunate the dollar trumps safety.

Uncertified electrical devices sold in pet stores, online - Edmonton - CBC News (http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/uncertified-electrical-devices-sold-in-pet-stores-online-1.1857886)

[pet_snake_78]

Herpstat is a great product. I get the models with safety relay and set high and low alarms. I have some rancos too and they work fine. Although I am using some hydrofarms, I would not really recommend them. I've already had one flake out on me. After it failed open, I started combining them with a more reliable tstat.

I am using them only as backup tstats now to make sure the primary doesn't fail open. I set the hydrofarms a few degrees higher than temps should ever actually go so really they should always supply power and only ever turn off if the primary fails open. For the price, they make a nice insurance policy, though. Make sure to periodically test them to make sure they are still working and not stuck in the on position though or they aren't really doing anything for you.

Herpstat is definitely a great product and you won't have any issues with it, but if your insurance will only pay a claim with approved devices, then the Ranco might be the way to go just in case there's ever an issue.

[Bacon]

Guess my notification is weekly :0 sorry for the delay
Thanks for the suggestions! Do you find the herpstats easy to set?

I've got a couple of hydrofarms right now but really want to get something with a sunrise/sunset feature. I like that the ecozone also has seasonal programming and weather simulation (more novelty in my case but still cool). I'd like to get a chameleon down the road and would want a more versatile controller than a heat stat.

Are the rancos thermostats? I might not have found the right page.

[trailblazer295]

The Ranco is an industrial HVAC stat so it has to be UL tested. It can be setup to control a lot of things. I've read people having issues setting theres up but personally set up my heat span, F or C, and set point within a minute. ETC-111000 is the part number on my box.

[yeloowtang]

I've also used and still use two rancos, but i have 2 herpstat2, 2 herpstat4 and 1 herpstat1. I have never had issues, but what trailblazer is saying is true..

and that's one of the reason most insurance companies will refuse to insure you if you mention you have reptiles..I had to switch once i found out this was the case and it wans't easy to find a company either !!! the one i did find added a clause that said they would not cover if someone sued me for injuries related to my snake or theft.. they didn't mentione anything about fire related incidents when i asked..
but most companies will use that reason (fire) caused by equipment failure to say sorry we can't insure you..

but to get back on subject, i love my herpstats and you can't go wrong with them.
never tried that other one but read about it, sounds like a cool product