Kayfuns down the years...
With the release of V3 in mid-2012 SvoëMesto created a stir, heading differently and giving us an easier option from the Gennys - which were prevalent that time. Easy wicking and assembly, non leaky scenario, filling valve, tank options etc ~ and all the while vaping pretty well.
It wasn't marred with issues tho, and thus was the V3.1 born, soon! Which took away most of the concerns people had ~ was easier to fill, had a better deck arrangement, the chimney was split into two for an easy rebuilding experience and a catch-cup was introduced to eliminate leaking. And boy, it was an instant success!
Versions and the order they were released:
1. Kayfun V2............. 2011/2012................. Made in Russia
2. Kayfun V3 ES......... 2012......................... Made in Germany
3. Kayfun V3.1 ES...... January 2013............. Made in Germany
4. Kayfun Mini........... March 2013................ Made in Germany
5. Kayfun Lite............ May 2013................... Made in Germany
6. Kayfun Lite+.......... September 2013......... Made in Germany
7. Kayfun Lite+ V2..... Since February 2014.... Made in Germany
However, it was only in mid 2013 that the Kayfuns really caught on. With the advent of its LITEer avatar SvoëMesto really took the vaping world by storm ~ offering an affordable atty. A smaller and simplified version but with all the key features remaining intact. Exit the collector tank and the problematic fill-valve ~ the idea was devilishly effective!
The Russian fiasco
Along the same time The Russian came in as a blatant copy of the 3.1ES and soon it also came out with a better iteration of the LITE - The Russian 91%, adding an AFC to the small form factor. Both of which were made pretty well using the same materials and quality of workmanship (ah, made in China tho) and priced similar (tho the full version was way cheaper).
Was SM to be left behind?
No, four months to the Lite SM added the AFC, tad differently but nonetheless - and continued to keep the price at where it was. Thus we had the Lite+ and its success was imminent. Few months later they also upgraded the Lite+ making the fill port sturdier and adding a new type of drip tip. Thus the Lite+ V2.
User friendly, easy setting up and good price vs. quality makes the Kayfun appealing to both beginners as well as hardcore vapers. No wonder it sells approximately
1500 units a week around the globe!
Kayfun V4
Yes, an entire year goes by, much changes in the vaping environment, Kayfuns no more remain 'an atomizer' - but becomes "a type of Atomizer"! And there come a myriad of spinoffs of this 'type of atty', including a plethora of clones. Fairly long period, folks said, for no further innovation!
Whaat? No, SM dedicated this period to R&D. Took down one (the KF-Mini) and deliberated / dedicated all resources for a new version.
The Kayfun 4 is born! And the saga continues.
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Inputs from:
a) Kayfun4 : caractéristiques et review d'un futur best seller
b) SvoëMesto | ask.fm/SvoeMesto