Billet Box and BB Clone

[distruzio]

Hi there!

I'm Tito and I've a question for you folks...

What is the consensus about the Billet Box (and clone)? Is it a practical and worthwhile vape or is it more of an aesthetic novelty (and a stroke to the ego rooted in exclusivity) item?

I find myself preferring cloned devices so if I were to go for a BB I'd grab a cloned BB. I just can't see myself committing so substantial an amount of money for a product I'm not certain (yet) I'd use. I spent well over $100 on my ipv mini 2 and it crapped out a month after the warranty expired. I spent almost $100 on my eGrip and I never use it. I spent $30 on my Brigada clone and I use it every day. So, knowing clones tend to be sneered, and knowing my experiences with moderately substantial vape hardware purchases, I trust I'll be forgiven for my ambivalence toward spending $180 on a BB.

What are your impressions of the BB, o' levened and unlevened masses of the ecig fora? Is it an item - authentic or otherwise - that you could see yourself owning? Why or why not?

 

[Katdarling]

Hi there, Tito. Hazarding a well-substanstiated guess, I'd say the B Box is loved and highly prized by most owners. I find it practical (as a nearly perfect out and about or pocket mod), and definitely worthwhile as a quality piece of vape gear. I think of it as finely engineered art, practical and aesthetic. Not once did it ever dawn on me that it might be "a stroke to the ego rooted in exclusivity", but it did dawn on me that it was an excellent decision.

So much so, that I now own two of them.

I have seen the B Box clone (seen, touched, vaped), and it was completely lacking in the qualities of the original authentic. The fellow who owned it actually was embarrassed to show it off, and readily acknowledged that he should have bought a real B Box. Having said that, if you find that your tendency leads you to happy vapes (with clones), you'll need no forgiveness, from me at least.

Hopefully some other B Box owners (or those also thinking about owning one) will come in here and give you their thoughts.

Til then, happy vapes to you.

~Matzah

 

[r77r7r]

Nice looking and well crafted, but waaay too many limitations for me even as a carto fanatic. Doesn't seem like a value. I doubt the clone is that bad if you check out more clone users.

High priced mods don't seem to be holding their value for a turn-around.

 

[ckquatt]

Nice looking and well crafted, but waaay too many limitations for me even as a carto fanatic. Doesn't seem like a value. I doubt the clone is that bad if you check out more clone users.

High priced mods don't seem to be holding their value for a turn-around.

I seriously disagree with that last statement! Go check out the Billet Box FB page and see what people sell them for. Very little if any value loss. Theyre like a Reo. Even well used, they still sell for almost purchase price.

 

[Katdarling]

So, so true, ckquatt! Many even sell for a LOT more than the original purchase price.

 

[spacetime]

For me, it's the easiest, no fuss, all in one box that I can't set down. I too have tried a number of devices. I own a couple of different temp controlled mods, big watt boxes, mech mods, etc. It wasn't until I found the Billet Box that all of that stuff was shelved. My BB is currently sitting with a Billet-Bridge and 1.6 BVC coils. It is the perfect vape for ME.

The quality of the BB is amazing, the engineering is outstanding. I can't say the same for the clone. With that being said, it's as tough as a rock. It's the mod you can throw in your pocket and not worry about it. Pull it out and it just vapes. No fiddling with air-flow, dripping, leaky tanks, etc.

It was a little tough to get one but can be done. I would absolutely recommend one. Keep in mind, it's not a cloud machine and can only fire 1 ohm coils and higher (I think?).

 

[Bamrz]

Hi Tito! I can't speak to the clone, since I've never seen one in person or used one. But I can speak about the authentic!

I was lucky enough to get one of the early 1.0 BB's, polished with no engraving inside the door. I'm still in awe at how well designed it is, how tightly the door fits, how well it functions, and even how well it's held up after pretty much daily use since I got it. It's perfect for me at work, I keep it in my back pocket. The tank is big enough that I don't need to worry about a refill during the day, and if I bring one set of extra batteries, it's going to keep me happy for my whole work day, even with a little overtime.

The polished finish does need a little bit of maintenance, a buff now and then, and a bit of cleaning around the door and brass ring, followed by a touch of olive oil. I decided to get a second BB, an anodized one, and it's practically maintenance free!

Along with regular cartos, I've also used the Sabot and the Billet Bridge in my BB's. Any of these are excellent choices, and I believe there are even more options available now.

BTW, I am not an anti-clone person. I own a few clones of other devices/attys, and I think they are a great way to try something before shelling out mega bucks for an original. BB clones have only recently become available, and I'm not sure if I would have gone that route or not if they were around before I got my first one??

 

[5cardstud]

The difference is also something I learned a long time ago. You get what you pay for. The creator of a product puts a lot of thought and love of the product he has created. It is his masterpiece with his name and who he or she is. With the billet box the style, material, and everything about it was investigated. The copycat or clonee has one thought in mind, Money. Nothing else about that infringement on someone else's creation matter. The Billet Box and the clone are no different than any other nice product and a cheap knockoff. I reiterate you get what you pay for.

 

[Krisma]

I have three genuine BB's and 2 clones that I resurfaced with wood panels and did not want to wreck a genuine.

The differences.

The clone is less finished and lighter. By that I mean the edges are sharper and overall the box is lighter and door has some flex. The button is softer. The carbon fibre facings appear thinner on the clone. The tanks are slightly different in shape so the pieces are not interchangeable. The boro tank does fit but it's snug and can stick.
The clone has the extra bits. The extension to have a tank on top. In theory this looks like a good option but the reality is that any sizeable tank is too heavy for the thin profile of the BB and you have a lot of instability. I used acrylic tanks an it fell over a lot. The clone comes with a cloned billet bridge that seems to perform the same as a genuine however the walls of the tube piece is thicker so is not interchangeable with genuine brass screws.
The clone has battery connections that are extremely tight and you need to be careful that your batteries do not get stuck.
The clone colours are different (except black)

Performance. The clone does not hit as hard as the billet box but once you have settings worked out then it seems to work ok. I Vape at 8watts so I am not likely to fry anything unless the dial has spun accidentally. I would not trust it to Vape high temps or low ohms. That's just me and the thought of stressing small batteries.

I will always reach for the genuine one because it feels nicer. With the way I Vape the clone still works. I can see the attraction of the clone but if you see and touch them both you can tell the difference. Whether or not you find the differences a deal breaker is up to you. If this is your first BB then I suppose the justification for the clone is the price to try but they are not super cheap and a second hand or preloved genuine one will keep its value.

I am saving my money for another genuine one. I just trust it more and it feels more balanced and nicer in the hand.

I didn't really answer your question on whether you should actually buy either. That's a very personal choice. I lusted after the look for a long time but now it's all about function. They just work for everything I Vape. Personally I luv mine and they have been in my hand every day since I got them. I don't regret anything about the purchase and trust me I had to go through hoops to buy them.

 

[RickCain]

I own two genuine BB's and have only held a clone once. There is a difference in hand for sure but not sure how much that truly affects performance.

I am loyal to the guys and gals that come up with these designs and refuse to support clones so I consider myself biased - my view is a clone of lesser quality materials and machining can ruin the perception of the real ones. I have yet to find a clone of a quality product such as the BB that uses the same material (quality) and typically cuts corners on machining and/or electronics.

It's your $ and only you need to feel good about the purchase.


Sent from my iPhone 6+ using Tapatalk

 

[Uncle]

I really don't know if I can add too much the conversation, other than to say - I am always looking for a more inexpensive way to get whatever I need or possibly want. So when it comes to all the expensive Vaping Equipment that is out there - "Clones" are very tempting, especially as someone on an extremely limited budget being retired and disabled. AND - Since the Billet Box debuted I have always been interested, however I couldn't afford one and considered the same route "You" are now. However, I have gone down that road a few times on other products and have regretted it ever since I received them - either they didn't meet up to what was promised, had to fiddle with them way too much from the get go, or they wouldn't function at all and the vendor refused to replace the item. Also - When I was lucky enough to get an original product, I could actually see the major difference in quality first hand. So lesson learned . . .

Even with that said . . . As for an Original Billet Box, I was actually lucky enough to WIn one in a contest here on ECF a few months ago that was held by the creator of the Billet Box - "Doug Dino" . . . So "My" comments may be a little "tainted" . . . Also - I am neither a professional engineer, nor have I fully made the Transition into the Vaping World as a full time Vapor yet . . . Given this I can only provide a very limited impression about an Original Billet Box based on "My" experience with the one I received, especially compared to some other APV/MODs I have . . .

First and foremost, IMO - the quality and build on an Original Billet Box is outstanding. As such, everything has a place and there is a place for everything - it just fits (which is a very good thing since I "HATE" having to fumble with anything, especially being the Curmudgeon I am) . . . From the Voltage Control, to the Tank - be it either of the Boro Tanks or the Delrin Tank, and Battery cradle . . . The best part is, there is only one way that everything goes together and "You" will know if you are doing something wrong too (BEEN THERE - DONE THAT ). The access door to the back of the Billet Box slides open very easily and you know whether or not it is closed all the way too - since you will hear a "Click" when it is shut properly. More importantly, having fairly large hands with short fingers, the weight and feel in "My" hand is great and quite comfortable, especially given the rounded edges and accessible "Firing" button. Last but not the least of all - is the finish, which is very smooth and quite touchable in more ways than one . . .

NOW - I would be very remiss if I didn't tell "You" that at times I personally do have a problem filling the tank and only because I have a tendency to fumble with the insertion of a pre-punched cartomizer and/or Billet Bridge. Also - I have to double check to make sure they are "seated" properly in the tank or lose the "E-Liquid" I just filled the tank with. But - "You" may not have those problems as I do . . .

So all in all - IMO - Without a doubt . . .

"You" Will Not Go Wrong Purchasing An Original Billet Box . . . ​

BTW: If Ya' do get an original Billet Box and realize it is not for "YOU" after all - "You" can always send it to "Me" . . . Just Sayin' . . .

 

[Strings]

An authentic BB holds it's value. On the BB facebook page, I just had someone quote a price of $1k for a pair. And I regularly see them go on ebay for more than retail (when they show up, at least. Not many do)

I debated picking up a clone: instead, I'm saving for an authentic. Reviews on here, and knowing I can just drop a PM to the manufacturer if something goes wrong, makes it worth the price to me

 

[DPLongo22]

I can't speak to the clones, as some others have, but I can speak to the originals. The Billet Box is the single most un-expendable device in my arsenal. One of mine is almost two years old, another is well over a year (a third is new).

All run perfectly well, and you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference between them, even aesthetically.

So I heavily support BBV, and would recommend them to anyone. I simply don't have the confidence that clones will hold up, all things being equal, based on past experiences with other devices.

 

[distruzio]

Wow. Thanks for all the replies and advice. I certainly am better educated than I was before. Pinching my pennies and holding off for the real deal seems the likely route I'll be taking.

 

[Katdarling]

One might just have to say........ WISE choice!

 

[DPLongo22]

One might just have to say........ WISE choice!

...two, even.

And counting.

 

[Katdarling]

 

[DPLongo22]

Nice looking and well crafted, but waaay too many limitations for me even as a carto fanatic. Doesn't seem like a value. I doubt the clone is that bad if you check out more clone users.

High priced mods don't seem to be holding their value for a turn-around.

Hey @r77r7r , I actually sat on this for a bit, but I really need to ask you a question. This is very genuinely and sincerely too - not an attempt to flame or dispute what you said in ANY way.

So, I get where there are limitations for many users, particularly ones who might prefer higher power, with drippers or RBA's, etc. But from a carto-user's perspective, would you mind explaining a bit more (the limitations)?

I ask because for me it was the exact opposite. I was using cartos exclusively when I got my first one, and it was OH-so-perfect (for me).

Thanks (in advance),
Dave

 

[crxess]

BB Clone is not exact 1:1 so there ar issues you should research and decide if acceptable before purchasing.
Original BB is very well designed for its intended purpose and with some adaptation can do even more.

 

[r77r7r]

Thanks (in advance),
Dave

Thanks Dave. Another time, another place perhaps. Sun's in my eyes here.