Light timer - looking for something new

[mdrossncsu]

Just curious what everyone is using for as a timer for their lights, and if they're happy with it.

I've been using a kind of mechanical timer... something like this:
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752180

But its been getting stuck in one position lately so for the short term i'm just doing it manually for now until i get something new. Is digital the way to go?

I'm almost tempted to go overboard and get this:
http://www.iobridge.com/store/
Just set up the whole cage for monitoring over the Internet. I'd love to be able to check on my chameleon from work ;-)

 

[dodolah]

Just curious what everyone is using for as a timer for their lights, and if they're happy with it.

I've been using a kind of mechanical timer... something like this:
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752180

But its been getting stuck in one position lately so for the short term i'm just doing it manually for now until i get something new. Is digital the way to go?

I'm almost tempted to go overboard and get this:
http://www.iobridge.com/store/
Just set up the whole cage for monitoring over the Internet. I'd love to be able to check on my chameleon from work ;-)

I used the petsmart one.. dohhh! I hate it...
If there is something wrong (such as black out and such) that requires you to set up the timer again, you need to wait till tomorrow to see the result.

That 88 dollar one looked sweet
Internet monitoring seems awesome huh?
If i did not work from home, I'd probably do it
The idea to b able to see my cham even when i am not at home is great!!!

I bought mine from Target.

 

[OntarioLizardman]

i just use one a bought at walmart for like 3$ to 6$ works great! and probally alot cheaper than the "reptile" light timer lol

that petsmart zilla timer is 40$ !!! thats rediculous. i could buy 5 or 6 seperate ones from walmart for the same price, and have them each set on different times. just remember just because petsmart sells it and says its for reptiles doesnt mean thats the only thing you can use lol. the things they try to get away with ...

 

[dodolah]

i just use one a bought at walmart for like 3$ to 6$ works great! and probally alot cheaper than the "reptile" light timer lol

that petsmart zilla timer is 40$ !!! thats rediculous. i could buy 5 or 6 seperate ones from walmart for the same price, and have them each set on different times. just remember just because petsmart sells it and says its for reptiles doesnt mean thats the only thing you can use lol. the things they try to get away with ...

yes!
I bought 1 long time ago when I thought pet smart is the only place to buy your pet supplies

 

[Gaerei]

iwas thinking about asking the same thing. I currently use one of those rinky dink black pm white am dial timers with the little red and green switches that fit in each time slot.... Yeah one of those. The real time constantly changes, either slow or fast eventually after only one day, so I have to reset it each evening. Kind of defeats the purpose right? So I went into radio shack to see what the digital timer market was like. The guy offered me an alarm clock, a thermometer, and another digital something or another. So no dice.

Is the only good digital light timer really over 40$?

 

[mdrossncsu]

iwas thinking about asking the same thing. I currently use one of those rinky dink black pm white am dial timers with the little red and green switches that fit in each time slot.... Yeah one of those. The real time constantly changes, either slow or fast eventually after only one day, so I have to reset it each evening. Kind of defeats the purpose right? So I went into radio shack to see what the digital timer market was like. The guy offered me an alarm clock, a thermometer, and another digital something or another. So no dice.

Is the only good digital light timer really over 40$?

I have to imagine there is a better one for less than $40, that's why I posted here. The one from pet smart that i linked doesn't work after about a 6 months to a year so don't buy it!

I also have one of the ones you're describing and I see the same issue, inconstant time keeping. I think I'm just going to make my own and have it sink to time.gov ;-)

 

[Gaerei]

^ make it 2 and name your price. Im sure something can be negotiated

 

[Gaerei]

A google search turns up an improvementscatalog.com link with a one socket timer starting at 12.99. Seems like it's worth a try, it also has battery back up for storm season and frequent power outtages.

 

[OntarioLizardman]

once again i just use the ones from walmart and they work great! around 6 bucks

 

[sageghost]

I got my digital timer at Lowes for $15.

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=210579-251-DT500CL&lpage=none

Works great!!

 

[Syn]

yes!
I bought 1 long time ago when I thought pet smart is the only place to buy your pet supplies

I bet at one point in time we all thought this.

 

[Gaerei]

once again i just use the ones from walmart and they work great! around 6 bucks

6$ sounds great, but you never specified what kind it is? Digital, 1 outlet? Multiple set times? Any other justifying specs other than it's price? Also this is personal preference but I choose not to shop at walmart so even a model name would be helpful.

 

[Gaerei]

I got my digital timer at Lowes for $15.

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=210579-251-DT500CL&lpage=none

Works great!!

Excelent! This is the same one I quoted after a google search. Knowing it's at lowes makes descision making a bit easier. Thanks!

 

[Argentra]

I use timer strips similar to the crappy dial type, but they're digital:
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2752178

They work a lot better than the dials, and even though they do have to be reset and go through a 24hr cycle before timing again, just changing the 'mode' to on and then back to auto at night lets you avoid loosing that day.
The best thing about these is the extra 'normal' outlets which are great for heat control and space heaters.

I have about 5 of the WalMart timers, and use them for the space heaters (and fans in summer), but I just really like the strip timers for lights.

 

[chaMELeon012409]

I also have a cheep-o timer from wally world. It has a single plug, but put a power strip/surge protector in there and VOILA! My only problem with it is it covers one of my other plugs up. There's also a digital one at wal-mart. Also single plug, and only around $15(I think?)