Bators, bators and more bators...

[lovin'mychicks]

So I know we all love, or love to hate our bators.

DH and I are currently using a old model Roll-X incubator. We love it! It is dead on temp accurate. I can start it up and have it ready for eggs in 20 minutes.

We are looking into buying/making another one. So, we want to know what you love and hate about yours. I am sure there has been another thread like this but I could not dig it up. So, please list

(1) what type of bator your have
(2) the price range
(3) the best quality
(4) the worst quality

Feel free to include pictures of your favorite hatches!!

Have fun and I think we can all learn a lot.

 

[Dirt Road]

I suspect folks are a little nervous about the possible unpleasant disputes that this question has sparked before. It is a valid and worthwhile question, if everyone would just state their personal experiences with their own machine instead of repeating what they have read somewhere. Hope the bump helps.

Jim

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

HovaBator 1588 is great. Holds temp steady. Its great. So is the Brinsea Octagon 40.

 

[rizq]

lovin'mychicks :

(1) what type of bator your have
(2) the price range
(3) the best quality
(4) the worst quality

(1) Brinsea octagon eco
(2) less than $200 (with turner and shipping, on sale)
(3) Rock solid temps
(4) Looks like it will be a bit crowded at hatch time, only sets 24 eggs

I am on day 9 with my first hatch in this bator, so cannot really give a full review, but so far I love it. Set it and forget it, it seems. My eggs are developing beautifully and I love not having to check the temp (and adjust it) constantly. I had an old still-air LG and an old forced-air hova prior to this and had to watch both of them like a hawk, but the LG in particular. It is great not having to worry about cooking or freezing my eggs with the temp swings.​

 

[pascopol]

Quote:
This is an honest asesment.

You are putting the styrobator against a lasting heavy duty plastic moulded bator.

Take your pick.

 

[lovin'mychicks]

Quote:
Thanks Jim, I hope everyone will do this as I really would like input. Like you say, if everyone will just put their opinion of their bator, we can all weigh/decide for our selves...

Please follow Jim's advice!!

 

[NYREDS]

I have had small styrofoams models in several permutations, a Sportsman, 2 ROLL-Xs & 2 old Redwood cabinets.
All worked well as long as I did my part.
The one I liked least was the Sportsman [however it was an older one & did not have an electronic thermostat].
My favorites, and the least expensive, are the 2 old Redwwod cabinets I have now. Paid $65 for one & got the other free for hauling it away.
An incubator is a heated box with a temperature control mechanism. IMO they are all only as good as the operator.

 

[tielsflyhigh]

brinsea octagon 20 eco- my favourite

pros: steady temp
does not need days to stabilize - I can have it ready in 10 minutes
temperature only takes 5 minutes to bounce back after opening
good humidity
you don't have to turn every single egg - just turn the whole unit
works well even without turner
price is reasonable
outstanding quality
good customer service
easy to clean

cons: does hold less eggs

payed $99 for the bator and $50 for automatic turner plus s/h

 

[ChickenPickenMamma]

Quote:
I firmly believe this! I have an LG still air model 9200. it ran me $52 and change. also got the auto egg turner $42 and change. it holds 48 eggs at a time. Just about completed my first hatch and had a great success. out of 24 eggs 19 have hatched and not giving up on the other 5. it has a bit of a touchy thermostat would be a con of this bator. i did notice i had to watch pretty close when i messed with it so i didnt screw up and freeze or fry the eggs. but when you dont mess with it holds temps great. I feel for being one of the cheepies i got what i paid for and it is working for me. there are probably more reliable bators out there as far as how quickly and easily you achieve the temp. you want but this bator works for me for the time being.

 

[sben451]

I love my Brinsea Octagon 20 Eco with the auto-turner. It keeps absolutely steady temperatures, humidity control is very easy, turns the eggs quietly, is easy to clean. It holds 24 regular sized eggs. Does get a bit crowded at hatch time, but I got 100% hatch on shipped eggs from another BYC member!! (Cost on sale was under $200).