Brinsea Octagon 20 Eco?

[hd_darcy]

I have a question on the Brinsea Octagon 20. I am thinking I "need" an incubator and am wondering if this is a good choice? I do not want to spend a whole lot as I will not be hatching often. Is this particular model a good one? Am I understanding correctly that I just have to turn the incubator itself in order to have the eggs turned (instead of handling the eggs directly)? I know you can get an advanced model, but am wondering how the basic one works.

I'm considering this one or the mini advance. I see they are both on sale, and both similar in price. Any thoughts or opinions would be GREAT! Thank you in advance!

 

[KyBlue]

I bought a Brinsea Octagon 20 ECO when they first starting offering them. I really like mine! There is no comparison between the ECOs and the styrofoam bators in my opinion. I have an LG styrofoam bator and it is really difficult to stabilize the temp in it. It can be done and it holds more eggs but I generally only use it now for a hatcher. The temp in the ECO is always very stable and no worry. It is real easy to turn your eggs. You don't have to open it- you just roll the whole unit over. I do have the Autoturn cradle now which makes it even better. (I think it runs about $49.) I just fill the water channels about once a week and then forget about it. I always have a good hatch in my ECO.
This spring I bought a Brinsea Octagon 20 Advance and it is great. The only diffence in it and the ECO though is that it has a digital read-out to let me know the temp and humidity. Both are great products and worth the few extra $ that you pay for them.

 

[One Acre Wonder Farm]

I love this incubator

The Eco 20, without turner is the best bang for your buck, IMHO. Plastic far outperforms styrofoam. I have three incubators, an LG still air, a Genesis 1588 and the Brinsea Eco 20 and the eco 20 is my fave. I love that it is plastic, holds temps steady and you can manually turn without touching the eggs. If the size/capacity is not an issue (it only holds about 24 chicken eggs) then this is your incubator. There are a few things I wish were different (more and shallower water wells, more headroom for hatchlings, easier/more functional way to add water without opening) but overall this is the most reliable incubator in this price range. Oh, and wait till they go on sale for $99

 

[poularde]

The eco 20 is my first incubator. It has worked great for this newbie. Out of my first 3 hatches no problems. You read all the problems people have with their incubators and I have no complaints about mine well maybe that it is a little tight for the chicks. A nice worry free incubator.

 

[hd_darcy]

Quote:
It's on sale right now

So, you are saying I should skip the turner?? I see it is on sale for $50 right now. Thanks so much for the info!

 

[smfildes]

:/The incubator sounds great! Who has them on sale? Thanks so much.

 

[hd_darcy]

http://www.brinsea.com/prod-Octagon_20_ECO_egg_incubator-224.aspx

Here it is

 

[KyBlue]

The turner is well worth the extra $.

 

[One Acre Wonder Farm]

Quote:
It's on sale right now

So, you are saying I should skip the turner?? I see it is on sale for $50 right now. Thanks so much for the info!

if you can afford the turner cradle you should buy it! I bought just the incubator last year and bought the turner this spring. I was always forgetting if I had turned the eggs already or not and sometimes felt like I forgot completely. The turner makes it SO simple, just periodically check you humidity.

 

[hd_darcy]

Quote:
Oh, I don't know if I can "afford" it, but I could buy it and then feel guilty

I mentioned it to DH that I was going to get one w/out the cradle and he says "If you are going to get one, get one that automatically turns, but I don't think you need one at all!"

LOL.. I get so OCD about stuff, I'm afraid I wouldn't stop hatching if I have an incubator....UGH... I need to decide soon as I'm going crazy thinking about it!!