All over the forums they are saying buy the ss because the threads are better. Strange.
It's the threads on the 510 on the top head that can be an issue with VAMOs. It might be the people who "say that all over the forum" think that a SS VAMO has a SS top head, it does not. All of the VAMOs have the same chrome plated brass top head. It is replaceable and several here have done that including myself. The AL, SS, Chrome versions only refer to the tube material. Some have been bad from the manufacturer some have been damaged by the owner (like me). Since the top head threads are brass, it is easier to cross thread, strip or pull than if it would have been made of SS. However, other mods and many tank bases use chrome plated brass as well. Realizing that there are different manufacturers of VAMOs it is plausible that there was one or two that had QC issues which may limit it to a particular type, like say SS VAMOs if that manufacturer only makes the SS version for example. I don't know, pure conjecture but plausible. It could also be that the manufacturer messed the threads up while doing a QC test or the seller pulled one off the shelf that someone had messed up. Hard to say. But I do wish the top cap on the VAMO was SS instead of brass.
Now with that said, if you ever drop the VAMO then AL or chrome plated brass VAMOs might have issues with the tube threads. Which I don't know, may be what "people all over the forum" are saying. SS tubes will be much more resilient to accidents. Which is how I messed up the 510 threads on my SS V3, I accidently dropped it. When I picked it up I noticed the tank was at an angle to the tube body. Luckily the tank didn't break and there was no damage to the tube but it did pull the treads in the top cap 510 connector. I have since replaced the top cap on the SS V3 and all is well again. On my V2, my grandson and I were rough housing a bit and I crushed the tube on my chrome V2. I was able to get the tube back to round but the threads on the tube did take damage, but it still screws together securely and works fine.
Also, I would suggest an adjustable air adaptor. It will allow air control with the protank and help protect the 510 threads on the VAMO. After screwing in the adapter, I spin the top collar on the V3/V5 up to meet the adapter base.
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If anyone could answer these questions I'd be grateful
2. Can I expect a big difference in the vape itself (currently using eGo-C upgrade batteries with Protanks)? Or will it be much the same?
Yes, I used Davides with Protank coils, so to me that is the same in vape experience as a Protank and the vape was far better in taste, throat hit and vapor production on VAMO than an EGO 650 or 1100. Precisely for the reasons others have mentioned, you can control the power delivered to the coil and I too think 2.5 ohm is a far superior vape experience than 1.8 having tried both. I also have a Vision spinner and even on its lowest setting of 3.3V, it can burn on some atty/coils where the VAMO set low in power does not. I suggest you start at 4W and don't go beyond 8W and follow the RMS advice. I prefer airy (defined as unrestricted draw) cool, full flavor, and sufficient vapor production for a lung hit. I mix my own 100% VG with Virginia flue flavoring and had have to drill out holes on most fixed air attys. As everyones' tastes are different, YMMV. I also have the Aero tank and the Nautilus, the Naultilus is far superior than the Aero and the Aero is better than the Davides using protank coils. Better and superior defined as taste, throat hit and vapor production. The spinner is ok for the Nautilus and the VAMO is best but the EGOs just don't deliver the power. On my rebuildables not even the spinner suffices. So while you are using protanks today and if you're happy then by all means stick with it but if you ever get something else for any reason, a VV/VW APV like the VAMO will enable that. There is night and day difference between an EGO with davide/protank coil and VAMO with Nautilus, the later being far superior in terms of vape. And also there is the vape time between charges which is longer with the 18650 VAMO than my EGOs or my spinner. I do still use my spinner and egos with minis as they are smaller and are easier to carry and use in certain situations than the larger VAMO/Nautilus.
4. Any problems with me using button tops over flat tops?
No, I have both and either works fine with my V2, 3 and 5, the spring in the bottom cap and the protruding center post from the circuit board at the top of the battery tube take care of that. However, if that center post ever gets pushed in or damaged, flat tops could be a problem.