I'd recommend the technology - coming home after a day out to find your reptile has expired because of overheating is not a nice experience...

Definitely need a thermostat-controlled heating pad, and especially in winter, when the background heating is on the apartment as well...in fact, I'm surprised they sell heating pads without thermostat controls...

I think my dad uses heat lamps instead of heating mats - the lamps are attached to the thermostat and turn on/off so you can tell by looking at them if they are functioning properly - he has 40+ reptiles and seems to keep them happy most of the time...