26650 The Helmsman ------- Is this the game changer?

[Completely Average]

So, we've all gone through the clone vs authentic mod debate a hundred times, right?

I've said in many debates that authentic original mods are simply overpriced, which was always met with comments about design costs and how hard it is to make, etc.... Well, it seems my favorite clone maker is now going to make their own statement in regards to this whole issue.

I present to you, the hcigar Helmsman mod:

All original design. 100% Authentic.

Price............ $40.



And that's not all. They're now making their own RBA designs as well.

Now, how would the other authentic mod makers react if this starts to take off and the Chinese start flooding the market with $40 original mods? Forget the clones, now $40 originals are here.

 

[Miata GT]

Nice mod! The HC looks A LOT like a Kayfun clone with a different tank section.

 

[havoc1967]

I could not possibly agree more with the original poster.

 

[BeRight]

Another china company (IMHO) making excellent quality originals is ciggreen - 101vapes sell some. New RDA - Explorer - $19.99 - TOBHish but different dimensions/airflow control and wells. suckmymod (youtube) review.

If I wasn't topped out with clone/like others style RDAs (Magma, Origen, Nimbus, Patriot, IGO-Ls, IGO-Ws, + others) - I would buy one of these.


No - I am not connected with ciggreen nor 101vapes in anyway.

 

[BeRight]

So, we've all gone through the clone vs authentic mod debate a hundred times, right?

I've said in many debates that authentic original mods are simply overpriced, which was always met with comments about design costs and how hard it is to make, etc.... Well, it seems my favorite clone maker is now going to make their own statement in regards to this whole issue.

I present to you, the Hcigar Helmsman mod:

All original design. 100% Authentic.

Price............ $40.



And that's not all. They're now making their own RBA designs as well.

Now, how would the other authentic mod makers react if this starts to take off and the Chinese start flooding the market with $40 original mods? Forget the clones, now $40 originals are here.

Sold out everywhere in internet search - price has dropped to $34.99 - assuming you can find one.

 

[BeRight]

Hcigar Helmsman mod - found them on ebay marked up to $50

 

[Bad Ninja]

I'd buy one of these.
Looks great, priced right.
Apparently, production costs drop when you don't have to factor in the overhead of 6 months of Internet hype.



How about supporting a company that isn't trying to grab as much profit from every single customer it can?

 

[bsoplinger]

In addition, there's the company that makes the Fogger, their V4 finally got it right. And UD and the myriad Igo-whatever models, all originals, not to mention their mechanical mods, which are hard to find but inexpensive and one or two got very favorable reviews. And Kamry, makers of the inexpensive aluminum e-pipe and K100, K101 and other mods.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Xparent Purple Tapatalk 2

 

[havoc1967]

Honestly the only reason I haven't ordered one (yet) is that it's 26650 and I am just not looking to branch out into a different battery at this time. However they put out one of these in 18650 I'll buy it right away. I am very pro originals that are actually affordable.

 

[Bad Ninja]

Honestly the only reason I haven't ordered one (yet) is that it's 26650 and I am just not looking to branch out into a different battery at this time. However they put out one of these in 18650 I'll buy it right away. I am very pro originals that are actually affordable.

Couple of o rings to shim the sides of the battery and 18650s will work.
I rock 18650s in my hades when my big batteries are low.

Only size difference is diameter

 

[icemanistheking]

In addition, there's the company that makes the Fogger, their V4 finally got it right. And UD and the myriad Igo-whatever models, all originals, not to mention their mechanical mods, which are hard to find but inexpensive and one or two got very favorable reviews. And Kamry, makers of the inexpensive aluminum e-pipe and K100, K101 and other mods.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Xparent Purple Tapatalk 2

K100 and K101 are both clones of the Empire Mod.

 

[Roccov]

Sold out everywhere in internet search - price has dropped to $34.99 - assuming you can find one.

Jovapes just got a new batch in on the 16th I believe. Enjoy the day! Jovapes

 

[nube creador]

Im not pro clone or pro authentic. I think a nice mod is a nice mod. Now that being said, how is this a game changer? If I took a Nemesis mod, copied it, but then added a different laser etch logo how is that any different from a clone? I don't care that its a clone, but how is it different? The helmsman looks like a larger nemesis with a slightly different top. And the RDA is just a kayfun clone with a different tank? The price is great, but I don't think it is by any means a game changer. Igo makes some awesome cheap RDA's that are not clones and have been for a while now.

 

[FearTX]

Good on them for making an attempt at being "original"

Helmsman looks a lot like an "interpretation" of a Nemesis in a larger non-segmented tube model.

The other thing looks a lot like a kayfun clone with a different tank.

By the way, HCigar is a re-branding company, they manufacture nothing.

Not to go all "clone debate" but your chinese peoples over there are working for pennies where Americans and Europeans are working for dollars. Pretty sure their profit margin percentages are still higher than US or European counterparts.

Anyways, good on them, both look nice. Not something I would buy but I am happy that those who cannot afford high end hardware have other options besides clones.

 

[Ilovenips]

Watched this video today on the hcigar helmsman 26650
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdFMEBACGuc

 

[dr g]

It's a chinese mech. What's game changing about that?

 

[sando7]

watched a video on the helmsman & the firing switch catches and misfires if you don't press it directly in the center of the button, i guess if you take the switch off and bevel the end of the tube it would be a decent mod

 

[Ryan Kelly]

this has been my stance on clones from day one. i understand the ethical issues behind it, a modder spent day and night designing and perfecting his product and after releasing it sees a drop in sales and stolen customers when all the clones flood the market from china. BUT they are just simply overpriced. i mean in all reality when you buy a mech mod, you are buying a flashlight tube with a 510 connection and a spring or a couple magnets on the other end. when its all said and done originals are marked up hundreds of dollars simply for the design. materials cost is not that expensive for brass or copper or stainless steel, and yes paying for the production of them can be quite pricey but with my knowledge of metal pricing and factory costs i can't see something like an original brass stingray costing more than 30 dollars a piece to make. yet they sell them for 215. why? clones offer a product very similar in quality and is much more affordable by to 99% of the population. hell if i had 250 bucks to spend it would be an amazing feeling to own an original but i don't have that kind of money and not many people do. if i were to create my own mod with a cool design i would not sell it for more than 80 dollars. that is relatively affordable and even if 30 dollar clones were available i think people would be willing to spend A LITTLE extra to say they have an original. but not 175 dollars extra. my favorite quote of all time is: opinions are like a*#$^&@#!, everybody has one. so if you don't agree with mine feel free to move on to the next comment. happy vaping! (sorry for the long winded response, i have been waiting for my chance to get all that off my chest)

 

[milescadre]

ok I dont know if anyone else said it, buuuut

Is it just me, or does it look liek a overgrown nemesis in 18650 mode? XD

Looks nice tho, I might consider one!

 

[sando7]

ok I dont know if anyone else said it, buuuut

Is it just me, or does it look liek a overgrown nemesis in 18650 mode? XD

Looks nice tho, I might consider one!

yep but a 30mm diameter Nemi look-alike.....i have a Hades and it's a hand-full and actually my 22mm mech's hit as good or better....the 26650's just last a bit longer as long as you don't go super sub-low and you can use them for self protection!