Heat mats are used for a lot of different reptiles, such as snakes and leopard geckos. They have a tendency to get extremely hot, which isn’t good for some animals. There is no one to regulate the temperature of the heat mat without a controller, so you have no idea if it really is at an ideal temperature for you pet. Controllers are a must have for all reptiles, and with all those choices, how do you decide?

There are several options for controllers, here are a few that we will speak about:
1. Herpstat
2. Helix
3. Rheostat
4. Ranco

Herpstat is manufactured by Spyder Robotics (http://spyderrobotics.com/). They offer 4 different products, Herpstat, Herpstat ND, Herpstat II, and Herpstat PRO. The common, and cheapest model, the original Herpstat, allows users to use a box with a small digital display to regulate the temperature. The ND model gives the option of Night Drop (temperature drop in the evening between x and x time). Herpstat II gives the option to have two outputs, while the Herpstat Pro has 4. Herpstats (original and HD) have a small extension cord with 3 plugs so you can plug in multiple devices to be controlled (usually heat tape).

Helix is manufactured by Helix Control Systems (http://helixcontrols.com/). They offer one model, the DBS-1000, which can be purchased with grounded power cord or without. The other selection for the model is if you want one with temperature control 40-100F, or 65-110F. The units all have 3 plug cords, so multiple devices can also be placed in.

Rheostats are manufactured by Zoo Med (http://www.zoomed.com). They have 3 different models, ReptiTemp 500R Therm/Rem Sensor UL List, ReptiTemp Deluxe 500, ReptiTemp Rheostat. The ReptiTemp 500R allows the user to control multiple devices from 70-110F, and gives a Night Drop feature as well. ReptiTemp Deluxe allows 2 devices to be plugged in (up to 500W), controlled with a slide bar from low to high. The ReptiTemp Rheostat also allows 2 devices (up to 150W), using a knob that turns from low to high. The problem with all three of these devices is that they are on/off thermostats.

Ranco controllers are also on/off thermostats. They are generally purchased without wiring, so that is a downside to people who are not tool savvy. A few companies sell the units wired, but they are a lot pricer. Personally I do not recommend using Ranco, so I’m not going to go into details on them. You might as well just buy a Herpstat for the money you will spend buying a wired Ranco.

Herpstat and Helix are both proportional thermostats, which means they adjust the power given to the unit, while Rheostats and the Ranco just turn the thermostat on and off. The on/off method does not always allow the unit to heat up enough. This is okay with incubators, but a pain when dealing with heat tape and heat mats.