Jump Start Thermostat: In-Depth Review
The thermostat from Jump Start is growing in popularity among reptile and amphibian hobbyists. It is mostly used as a heat mat thermostat for seed germination but has quickly become a favorite for reptile husbandry.
It’s an ON/OFF style thermostat with the capacity to control 1000 watts safely between 68 °F to 108 °F. You can buy them online for around $40. Is it worth the price or would a different thermostat be more suitable for you? That’s the question I’ll answer in this review.
Should You Buy A Jump Start Thermostat?
The Jump Start thermostat is about as user-friendly as a digital thermostat gets. It displays the temperature as either Fahrenheit or Celcius and setting the temperature is easy. Simply hold the “SET” button for a few seconds then use the up/down buttons to set the desired temperature. That’s it.
Its digital display reads the current temperature at the probe. In addition to this, there is a “heating” and “power” light that indicated when the heating element is running and that the thermostat is powered on and working.
Pros
- Simple setup, easy to use
- 1 Year Warranty
- Fahrenheit or Celsius
- Quality, lengthy cables
Cons
- 1 Heater Receptacle
- 108 °F Maximum
So, the question remains, should you buy a Jump Start thermostat or something else? Well, it depends. For roughly the same price, you can get a thermostat that controls up to 3 heating elements. For nearly half the price you can get a thermostat that does exactly the same thing.
If the number of heating receptacles and price aren’t a concern, won’t be disappointed with this product.
By the way, I’ve been testing and reviewing 5 different thermostats in order to give my readers the best recommendation. The Jump Start thermostat is fantastic but isn’t my first choice.
If you’re looking for a dependable, digital thermostat and don’t need to power multiple heaters, and this happens to be the cheapest option at the time, then go with a Jump Start thermostat.
My Experience With The Jump Start Thermostat
I bought this thermostat almost one year ago (at the time of writing this review) to be used with an under-tank heater. So far it’s still working! I like it.
In my opinion, there is nothing that really sets this thermostat apart from the others aside from how easy it is to program. You literally hold the SET button for a few seconds then use the UP or DOWN buttons to program the desired temperature. That’s it.
It has a single receptacle to run one heating element and it can accurately and safely control one heater up to 1000 watts between the ranges of 68 to 108 degrees Fahrenheit. This is about average. Most thermostats in the reptile industry are capable of handling around 1000 watts while having a temperature range between the mid 60’s to low 100’s.
The power cable is heavy, it’s made from quality materials. The cord with the temperature sensor is heavier than most but not as much as the Exo Terra 100w Thermostat (link goes to a review on this website). Regardless, this cord is still easy to bend and place wherever you need it. You can see a picture of the probe below.
While I like everything about this thermostat, I wish it could control one more heating element.
For gardening and seed germination, controlling a single heat mat is really all you need. At least that’s how I see it. In reptile and amphibian husbandry, it’s not uncommon to have two heating elements on the same enclosure.
It’s a bad idea to have one thermostat control multiple enclosures, especially with a single temperature sensor. But, having a heat lamp and an under-tank heater for one habitat is common and because of that, it would be nice to see two receptacles.
This thermostat is remarkably similar to the VIVOSUN thermostat, although I believe the Jump Start version has been around longer and costs nearly twice as much.
My Final Rating: The Jump Start Thermostat
I like this thermostat and certainly feel comfortable recommending it to you. I think you’ll get your money’s worth and won’t be disappointed.
Having said that, I encourage you to check out my post on the best thermostats for reptile and amphibian enclosures. You may find something more suitable for your needs.s
Features of the Jump Start Thermostat:
- Temperature range between 68 – 108 °F
- Up to 1000 watts
- 1 Year Warranty
- Heavy, lengthy power cables
- Easy to set up
- Fahrenheit and Celcius readout
- Water resistant temperature sensor
Online reviews give this item an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars… and there are a LOT of reviews. I agree with this rating but, when comparing it to similar thermostats in the same price range, it’s lacking in features. For this reason, I give it a 4 out of 5.
TLDR; Should I Buy A Jump Start Thermostat?
My final input is this: If you buy Jump Start’s thermostat, you won’t be disappointed. It’s a great product. However, there are other reptile thermostats with more features for around the same price.
This thermostat is made with quality materials. It has thick, lengthy power cords, a water-resistant temperature probe, and it’s incredibly easy to program.
Related: The Best Thermostats for Reptiles & Amphibians Under $60
It only controls one heating element and the maximum temperature is 108 degrees Fahrenheit. The max temperature won’t be a problem for most pet frog enclosures, but it can be an issue for certain types of reptiles. Also, powering two heating elements for a reptile or amphibian enclosures is common. You can’t do that with this thermostat.
I hope this review helps you make an informed decision. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below.