I turned my cycle rate to cr-0 so it would stop turning on and off and operate in a +- 0.5 degrees, which is fine for me

However what seems to be occurring is that at the beginning of my preset program, it frequently turns on and off before reaching the set temperature. I'm trying to get it to just turn on until the set temperature and then turn on and off every +- 0.5 degrees

Any help is appreciated

Are you shure this is a thermostat problem. Furnace could be turning of and on because a limit is opening do to poor airflow, dirty filter etc.

I don't think it's a furnace problem
Before when I just had the mercury kind with the little temperature dial, and it would just run
Plus once it reaches the set temperature, it will go up to 0.5 above the temperature, drop down 0.5 below the temperature and then rise back up

Good ole' Canadian Tire cheap stuff!

Try this link. UPM Marketing Inc. -Programmable Thermostats