So I just want to put something out and see if I can generate some discussion. After using the ego-c twist battery today, I assert that this product is the most important, game changing device since the DSE 901 and original joye ego.
So here's my reasoning. I'll note up front: All my "evidence" is merely my perception and belief from just hanging around the community since 2007. In other words, everything here is my opinion, I've got nothing to back it up. That said, please bear with me and read this very long post. I'm really interested to hear what people think.
Most folks who come to vaping from smoking are looking for a way to quit without quitting, if that makes sense. More likely than not, they have tried gum, patches, cold turkey without success. More often than not, they are introduced to ecigs via some kiosk in the mall and pay incredibly high prices for basically low end devices. The only good news about this is that these low end devices are better than the ones you found in these kiosks several years ago. The bad news is that unless they are lucky, many of these newbie vapers will go back to smoking. The reasons are varied, but I am going to assert that the root cause is really two things: inability of low end devices to deliver the VTF needed to successfully replace smoking with vaping and, their ignorance that there are other devices that will meet their needs. For the lucky ones, they find their way to this or the various other ecig communities. At that point, their chance of success increases dramatically due to the incredible nature of these communities -as a result, more likely than not, these newbies end up with a 510 device of some sort, almost always, an ego or a knockoff.
So, here's where the ego twist has its first potential game changer: soon, I have to assume that many, if not all, ego starter kits will come with at least one twist, if not two. The implication of this is powerful: at the very beginning of a vaper's experience they have - either in their hands or very cheaply (as little as $20) a true variable volt device.
Look through the "what's new" search results of ECF every day for a week. Inevitably, there is thread after thread asking essentially the same two questions: what can I do to keep vaping or, why is my ecig not performing. I'm going to assert that the root cause of these threads is really this: "help, I may go back to smoking!" Now, most folks here know that these issues are solved in a couple of ways: getting a better performing device, upping (or lowering) the nictotine content of the users juice, or finding a better tasting juice.
My contention is that, generally, a VV device will solve - partially or fully - these issues. Yes, it won't fully solve the nic or taste issues fully - but, VV has the potential to make a less desirable tasting juice a bit better or, give a better throat hit to a lower nic juice. But up until now, the only way to get a newbie to a better device was basically recommend a MOD. To be quite frank, as a community and as an industry, despite all the awesome mods, things are just too confusing: volts vs. watts, cartos vs. attys, dripping, tanks, ohms. To be honest, after all these years vaping even I get confused sometimes. Luckily there is a great cottage industry of youtube vapers who provide a great service with reviews and education on these issues and such. Even so, until now, there has not been a simple consumer friendly device that could meet 75% of vaper's needs.
I content that what the ecig world needs is the "iPod of ecigs": simple, small, nice looking, good performing, easy to use and meets most vaper's needs. The ego-c twist may not be that device 100%, but it's damn close. Damn close. If the twist does make it into the starter kits, the first response to any issue a vaper might have should be, simply, twist the bottom cap and see if that solves your problem. powerful.
Now, I am making the assumption that most users will end up with ego kits early in their vaping lives and, I am also assuming, obviously, that the twist finds its way into those kits. Moreover, I am also assuming that the ego knock-offs will copy the twist. But, I think these are all safe assumptions from watching this industry essentially since it's inception in the US.
This post is not really a review of the twist per se, I'll refer you to others who do a better job of those for that (I'd recommend starting with pbusardo's YouTube review and I suspect grimmgreen will have one up shortly). But, I guess I should say a few things about the device.
EDIT: gonna add something neon mentions below that I missed pointing out and I think is essential for folks to know if they are not familiar with the twist. I'll just paste his words here:
And its regulated, we're talking 4.8 Volts under load!
[/EDIT]
In essence, it's a lavatube in an ego form factor. For 20 or 30 bucks, not 50 to 70. In fact - and I know I am gonna get slammed for this comment - it goes a long way to being a good subsitute for a provari or Kicked SB or other tube mod. I think it goes without saying that given the twist's pricing, buying a lavatube is probaby not worth it now. Yes, I know, I know, there's no way that can be true but my contention is that for most vapers, the "extras" that these high end devices provide aren't worth it *for them*.
Now, the twist has got its negatives : there's no display (although I'll argue: why do you need one?). If you vape above 4.8 volts consistently, it's not for you. It's battery life is not comparable to these high end mods with AWR batteries. All true. But. It's. 20. Bucks. And its a tried and true device: the ego with the addition of the exact same circuitry and protections in the lavatube and (I believe this is a correct statement, but I could be wrong) the provari. Its small, has decent battery life and performs just like it should (check out pbusardo's video for the data). I think alot of people would agree that it's the best VV device for the money available today.
Which brings me to game changer #2: as the twist gains traction among the ecig community I think it's going to force a significant price drop at the high end. I mean: is a display and a bit longer batter life worth $100 more if you vape at 4 or 4.5 volts all the time? Even if you vape at the "sweet spot" 5V, 4.8V may be close enough. Moreover, with those devices (and again, I'm assuming you dont vape over 5V consistantly) are bigger and heavier.
That said, there is going to still be a need for these high end devices. I know that a not insigificant percentage of this community vape above 5V or at 6V. But, If things go as I think they are gonna go, basically economics says that the twist is going to pressure the high end by taking away potential users. And sadly, we may see some of these high end mods go by the wayside simply because it doesn't make economic sense to keep producing them. Those high end devices that survive are going to have to do it either at a lower price point or by providing additional benefits and features to justify an additional $100 or $150.
Anyway, that's basically my rant. I could be wrong. I know there have been a couple of ego type VV devices before this that didn't reshape the industry. I guess I am assuming that this time it's different for a couple of reasons: same circuitry,the most popular manufacturer, the most popular form factor with the significsnt potential to make VV the standard for all starter kits. Not to mention that based on my usage and seeing some reviews from others, the twist delivers performance-wise. Really well.
So, please have at it and tell me where I'm wrong or, maybe even more interestingly where you think the industry is going (maybe vv is not the future and variable wattage is). Thanks for reading this far.
Regards, Dan
So here's my reasoning. I'll note up front: All my "evidence" is merely my perception and belief from just hanging around the community since 2007. In other words, everything here is my opinion, I've got nothing to back it up. That said, please bear with me and read this very long post. I'm really interested to hear what people think.
Most folks who come to vaping from smoking are looking for a way to quit without quitting, if that makes sense. More likely than not, they have tried gum, patches, cold turkey without success. More often than not, they are introduced to ecigs via some kiosk in the mall and pay incredibly high prices for basically low end devices. The only good news about this is that these low end devices are better than the ones you found in these kiosks several years ago. The bad news is that unless they are lucky, many of these newbie vapers will go back to smoking. The reasons are varied, but I am going to assert that the root cause is really two things: inability of low end devices to deliver the VTF needed to successfully replace smoking with vaping and, their ignorance that there are other devices that will meet their needs. For the lucky ones, they find their way to this or the various other ecig communities. At that point, their chance of success increases dramatically due to the incredible nature of these communities -as a result, more likely than not, these newbies end up with a 510 device of some sort, almost always, an ego or a knockoff.
So, here's where the ego twist has its first potential game changer: soon, I have to assume that many, if not all, ego starter kits will come with at least one twist, if not two. The implication of this is powerful: at the very beginning of a vaper's experience they have - either in their hands or very cheaply (as little as $20) a true variable volt device.
Look through the "what's new" search results of ECF every day for a week. Inevitably, there is thread after thread asking essentially the same two questions: what can I do to keep vaping or, why is my ecig not performing. I'm going to assert that the root cause of these threads is really this: "help, I may go back to smoking!" Now, most folks here know that these issues are solved in a couple of ways: getting a better performing device, upping (or lowering) the nictotine content of the users juice, or finding a better tasting juice.
My contention is that, generally, a VV device will solve - partially or fully - these issues. Yes, it won't fully solve the nic or taste issues fully - but, VV has the potential to make a less desirable tasting juice a bit better or, give a better throat hit to a lower nic juice. But up until now, the only way to get a newbie to a better device was basically recommend a MOD. To be quite frank, as a community and as an industry, despite all the awesome mods, things are just too confusing: volts vs. watts, cartos vs. attys, dripping, tanks, ohms. To be honest, after all these years vaping even I get confused sometimes. Luckily there is a great cottage industry of youtube vapers who provide a great service with reviews and education on these issues and such. Even so, until now, there has not been a simple consumer friendly device that could meet 75% of vaper's needs.
I content that what the ecig world needs is the "iPod of ecigs": simple, small, nice looking, good performing, easy to use and meets most vaper's needs. The ego-c twist may not be that device 100%, but it's damn close. Damn close. If the twist does make it into the starter kits, the first response to any issue a vaper might have should be, simply, twist the bottom cap and see if that solves your problem. powerful.
Now, I am making the assumption that most users will end up with ego kits early in their vaping lives and, I am also assuming, obviously, that the twist finds its way into those kits. Moreover, I am also assuming that the ego knock-offs will copy the twist. But, I think these are all safe assumptions from watching this industry essentially since it's inception in the US.
This post is not really a review of the twist per se, I'll refer you to others who do a better job of those for that (I'd recommend starting with pbusardo's YouTube review and I suspect grimmgreen will have one up shortly). But, I guess I should say a few things about the device.
EDIT: gonna add something neon mentions below that I missed pointing out and I think is essential for folks to know if they are not familiar with the twist. I'll just paste his words here:
And its regulated, we're talking 4.8 Volts under load!
[/EDIT]
In essence, it's a lavatube in an ego form factor. For 20 or 30 bucks, not 50 to 70. In fact - and I know I am gonna get slammed for this comment - it goes a long way to being a good subsitute for a provari or Kicked SB or other tube mod. I think it goes without saying that given the twist's pricing, buying a lavatube is probaby not worth it now. Yes, I know, I know, there's no way that can be true but my contention is that for most vapers, the "extras" that these high end devices provide aren't worth it *for them*.
Now, the twist has got its negatives : there's no display (although I'll argue: why do you need one?). If you vape above 4.8 volts consistently, it's not for you. It's battery life is not comparable to these high end mods with AWR batteries. All true. But. It's. 20. Bucks. And its a tried and true device: the ego with the addition of the exact same circuitry and protections in the lavatube and (I believe this is a correct statement, but I could be wrong) the provari. Its small, has decent battery life and performs just like it should (check out pbusardo's video for the data). I think alot of people would agree that it's the best VV device for the money available today.
Which brings me to game changer #2: as the twist gains traction among the ecig community I think it's going to force a significant price drop at the high end. I mean: is a display and a bit longer batter life worth $100 more if you vape at 4 or 4.5 volts all the time? Even if you vape at the "sweet spot" 5V, 4.8V may be close enough. Moreover, with those devices (and again, I'm assuming you dont vape over 5V consistantly) are bigger and heavier.
That said, there is going to still be a need for these high end devices. I know that a not insigificant percentage of this community vape above 5V or at 6V. But, If things go as I think they are gonna go, basically economics says that the twist is going to pressure the high end by taking away potential users. And sadly, we may see some of these high end mods go by the wayside simply because it doesn't make economic sense to keep producing them. Those high end devices that survive are going to have to do it either at a lower price point or by providing additional benefits and features to justify an additional $100 or $150.
Anyway, that's basically my rant. I could be wrong. I know there have been a couple of ego type VV devices before this that didn't reshape the industry. I guess I am assuming that this time it's different for a couple of reasons: same circuitry,the most popular manufacturer, the most popular form factor with the significsnt potential to make VV the standard for all starter kits. Not to mention that based on my usage and seeing some reviews from others, the twist delivers performance-wise. Really well.
So, please have at it and tell me where I'm wrong or, maybe even more interestingly where you think the industry is going (maybe vv is not the future and variable wattage is). Thanks for reading this far.
Regards, Dan
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