Which incubator would you buy?

[hencackle]

My LG served it's purpose well for several years and I had no complaints until last year's temperature spike ruined some expensive eggs. Dh said he would buy a nicer incubator for my Valentine's Day/birthday gift if I would tell him which one I wanted. I'm stuck and can't make up my mind.

If you use one of the following models, would you recommend it? Any comments you have will be appreciated.
Hovabator 1588
R-Com 20 Digital
Brinsea Octagon 20 Advance
R-Com King Suro

 

[Gonzo]

I've heard wonderful things about the 1588!

 

[Chipper]

I have the Genesis 1588 with auto turner and I love it.Very easy to use and accurate.

 

[TimG]

Quote:
Do I have this about right:

Hovabator 1588 is ~$130 and holds 50 eggs.
Brinsea Octagon 20 Advance is ~$300 and holds 24 eggs.
R-Com 20 Digital is ~ $370 and holds 20 eggs.
R-Com King Suro is ~$250 and holds 24 eggs.

The R-Coms have built in egg turners, the other two have optional egg turners. If read things right, the 1588 takes a 1611 egg turner that reduces capacity to 42 eggs and cost an additional $45 or so.

I've been wondering recently whether there is anything between the hova-bator type incubators that might be around $100 and hold 4 dozen eggs and the cabinet models that cost $600+.

 

[Laurieks]

I had the same problem with the LG
R-Com 20 Digital-------------------------> set & forget, works great, LOVE it. Although I never thought I'd need more room... suddenly now I need more room. Hmmm, maybe I can have one for Vday too if I ask real nice!

whoa $370! Mine was less than that... like 325ish? will go look and add to post. Set & forget is worth it... sometimes I'm called to work for 20 hours straight, & can't depend on the guys to watch it. Just be careful adding water... if you add too much or push down the little styrofoam ball it can overflow the reservoir and seriously bump up the humidity for a few days.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=245985 old thread on incubator comparisons

OMG it has gone up.. http://www.jmtdistributors.com/rcom-suro-20-n20.html ....I got lucky and it went on sale just before I bought. I've heard the King Suro is great too. I went with the 20 for visibility, lol and it looked more compact; it actually takes up quite a bit of my kitchen counter... no where else to put it, temps still too variable in the back porch where I wanted it.

 

[Bedste]

http://dblrsupply.pinnaclecart.com/...or_110_volt_60_Hz_0r_220_volt_50_Hz-3-11.html

 

[hencackle]

Thanks, Laurieks...I was wondering about the King Suro taking up more space than I would like, whether in use or in storage--that's the problem of living in a small house. I did happen to see an R-Com 20 Pro USB when I went with a friend to pick up the chicks that an acquaintance hatched for her. She was in a hurry and I did not have a chance to ask about the incubator. It was larger than I anticipated, but I don't need that particular model, I think the other one will do just fine.

Were the instructions clear? I think I remember reading about the instructions being a poor translation from Korean into English and were confusing. Did you any trouble seeing the chicks through the colored plastic window of the R-Com?

Whatever I get, it will be a big adjustment from using the Dry Incubation Method and digital probe/water weasel combo. My LG didn't have the fan or turner either, so it will be nice to have something automated.

 

[SilverPhoenix]

I'm fairly new to hatching, but I bought the 1588 about a month ago and I LOVE it! It regulates temperature so well, and humidity is really easy to get to whatever level is necessary. It's an absolutely wonderful, reliable incubator.

I highly recommend it! I haven't had any problems whatsoever with it so far.

 

[Mahonri]

Brinsea Octagon 20 Advance

set and forget.

 

[nuts4chickens]

I have the suro 20 and I absolutely love it! It will hold 38-40 banty eggs which is perfect for me. It doesnt take up as much space as the 1588. It is all digital, turns eggs, and you can adjust for different sizes. For the price, you cant beat it.