I was in a similar position about 3 months ago. I had been using my Provari nearly 100% of the time, both at home and away. But I was starting to get a little weary carrying that hefty device everywhere, and for quick runs to the grocery or convenience store, had begun grabbing my 14500 Altsmoke BB for those short trips. It was so light and pocketable I loved it, but I missed the variable voltage.
I looked at the same two 14500 variable voltage devices you are. I wanted something short like the BB, but the eGo was too long for my tastes. (I hate/dislike the length of long mods) I liked much of the Robust's form factor, but reading the user comments here on ECF and a somewhat negative review of it by PBusardo, I decided to go in an entirely different direction.
Smoktech VV Gripper
I got the above Gripper. Size and weight of a pack of analogs. 18650 size battery. 3-button controls. Ohm and voltage meter. Known construction issues, but for $30 I could live with those. Turns out I absolutely loved the comfortable form factor of the Gripper. Like most of the inexpensive imported PWM devices, it had a tendency to output at least 0.5v higher than user set, but I compensated. Within 7 weeks of it's 8 week warranty, the three front buttons fell into the body. It was sent in to Mad Vapes for an exchange for a new one since still under warranty.
In the meantime, I began looking at other mods in this category. Still in the $30 price range was the Ovale V8:
Ovale V8 and leather pouch/lanyard
I purchased one at Discount Vapors for $30, and also got the $9 leather pouch/lanyard. This unit is much better constructed than the Gripper, same size and weight. Same features as the Smoktech, but uses 2 18350 batteries instead of the single 18650 of the Smoktech. The battery compartment is tight for the dual batteries to fit in, but that is the only complaint that can think of. The Ovale V8 is what I should have gotten in the first place.
So the replacement Gripper has now arrived, and now I have two very similar gripper-box-mods for out-and-about use. I highly recommend giving the Ovale V8 a look see.
More food for thought. Hope that helps some?
EDIT: I forgot to say above, PBusardo did reviews on both of the 14500 PV's that you inquired about. Kind of influenced me not to buy them. The 14500 battery just doesn't have the reserve to power variable voltage on a steady basis.
However, if you know that you won't be using higher voltage with either one of these, both of these could serve your expectations. I came within a hair of buying the Robust.
