Heat Mats - need your opinons please?

I'm considering doing a heat mat co-op...but I'll admit it...I'm clueless as I've *hanging head* never owned one myself. Soooo...all you experts...time to chime in and share your wealth of knowledge with me. Which would you tell me to stay clear of...which ones would have you good luck with...any supply vendors you'd suggest above the rest?

I'm watching this thread as I so need 4 mats so I'll hold off just a bit to see how soon this might be a go. I've been eyeing the mats at parks seed. I've never used them but have been playing with a heating pad and man the difference that has made, so now I want to start all my seeds with them.

Hope others find this thread soon so we can get this figured out and get them ordered,

Heat mat wanted here too. Funny - Parks seed was my first choice too. I'm interested in the thermostat too.

I may be interested....I've never used one either, but I might like to give it a whirl...thanks

chantell, i got mine from garden supply

I use a "Hydrofarm Seedling Heat Mat" and along with a tall humidity dome, seems to speed up germination, but the real key for me has been to use "Super Stater Plugs" from Sunleaves. They are too pricey for my taste, but the combination of humidity dome, heat mat, and starter plugs has assured me 100% germination in about 1/3 of the time specified on the packet (if it doesn't sprout in 2-3 days it is either a "long" germinator or non-viable seed).

The Hydrofarm ones are the ones that Parks offers -- or at least that's what mine was when I got it from Park's a few years ago. I got 2 double size ones plus a thermostat, and I LOVE them. Parks does give some quantity discounts, so they might be willing to talk co-op discount... you never know until you ask! :-)

I don't use a traditional heat mat, but it works just fine. I put some Christmas lights in a Rubbermaid container and put the lid on sideways, then put the seeds on top. Works like a charm.

Verwy Cwever!

I would be very interested!!

There's definitely enough interest - I'll post a sign up thread (here in this forum) IF I can find someone with good prices. Please ask around so we can get names of reputable vendors or names of specific mats. That would be a huge help for me.

I bought a 2-flat and couple of 4-flat mats from these guys:

http://www.greenhousemegastore.com/prodinfo.asp?number=PR%2DHMH

They work fine, but I think the 4-flat mats create a lot more heat. I also bought the thermostat, but frankly I couldn't tell if it was actually working or not.

I have bought a lot of supplies from this company, and they have been good, although they did send me a funky old mercury-filled max/min thermometer. I think it had been in storage since the sixties. Works good, but it is just weird to see a mercury thermometer these days.

I'm thinking the 20 x 20 size....states it'll hold 2 flats - thoughts?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000E3DDP2/ref=pd_cp_hi_1?pf_rd_p=277661601&pf_rd_s=center-41&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0002L7WLM&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1YFQDQA3SEJWSDMZ2FKV
http://www.amazon.com/Seedling-Heat-Mat-Heats-Trays/dp/B0002L7WLM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=A1CMAQ3DUOZFMP&s=generic&qid=1209752381&sr=1-1

Don't forget to compare the shipping too. I get tripped up that way a lot.

Oh believe me...if you knew what an El Cheap I was you'd know that s/h is one of my pet peeves...esp when they jack it up!!!

I've used heat mats for a couple of years and they work great.One thing to be aware of is that they do burn out and if you buy a large one and it burns out the whole pad is usless

Here's the hydrofarm website.

http://www.hydrofarm.com/about.php

Sounds like you have to be a retailer, though. Ebay seller?

Definitely interested! makes quite a difference when propping cuttings.