A little more advice needed before I take the mod plunge. Absurdly long post. My bad.

[9teej]

I've started a few threads about this and have gotten killer feedback, but wanted one last flip through the vast resource that is the ECF members.

Ok, so I'm a month into vaping and loving it, no analogs at all. I have been using egos and they have been great but I have had one die on me already (it was replaced by the excellent cignot within three days) and because of that I am wanting to get a mod for reliability's sake and to save on the inevitable battery replacement.

After hours of research I have decided to go with a 18650 tube mod. Now I have narrowed it down to a few that I like the Silver Bullet, the Bombshell and the maxi Roughstack. Price isn't that big a deal to me but I obviously want the best value for the money. I don't feel the need for a VV or anything like that. It seems way to much for what I need/want.

What I'm looking for is quality, longevity and consistency. I'm not much of a tinkerer so I want something that I'm not really gonna have to fiddle with too much and more importantly will last. Also I would like it to come from somewhere that if I have an issue and the warranty is out of date I can still send the PV in and get it fixed reasonably. I don't intend to collect Pvs I just want something that will work and last a long time. Help?

The roughstack seems fine but the low price actually scares me. So does the readily available replacement switches, makes it seem as if they expect them to fail sooner than most. Also I'm not sold on the top-switch. On the other it has a very dedicated fanbase.

The bombshell, I know nothing about. Pretty good reviews, looks like a slighty cheaper SB with a odd button. Good price.

The SB is everywhere, people love it. My concern is it has been around for a while and my go out of date technologically soon. (although I'm not sure if a tube with batteries in can go technologically out of date...it can't can it?)

Sorry for the long post but I really want to make the right choice for me in my next step in vaping. Any feedback/help is greatly appreciated.

 

[BWG707]

You might want to take a look at the GLV-2 or the super mini. That's Great Lakes Vapor. I have owned a GLV-2 5v. for almost 8 months and it has been great. Also, they have a lifetime warranty. Good luck finding what you want.

 

[Iffy]

Price isn't that big a deal to me but I obviously want the best value for the money. I don't feel the need for a VV or anything like that. It seems way to much for what I need/want.

What I'm looking for is quality, longevity and consistency. I'm not much of a tinkerer so I want something that I'm not really gonna have to fiddle with too much and more importantly will last. Also I would like it to come from somewhere that if I have an issue and the warranty is out of date I can still send the PV in and get it fixed reasonably. I don't intend to collect Pvs I just want something that will work and last a long time. Help?

I know you said ya didn't want a VV, but the BUZZ PRO and the Powerizer Buzz battery/charger kit for under $141 shipped can't be beat! Be sure to use the coupon ECF Buzzkill di$count code.

With the BP VV ya can dial in the atty/carto that's on $ale. Just my $.02 FRN...

 

[icemanx3]

I've used a RoughStack for 1 year now. Never had an issue, and don't expect to. Best choice I could have made 1 year ago as a noob and on a budget. Just bought the Maxi RoughStack a couple weeks ago. Love it the same, and I can use a single 18650 for 3.7v, or two smaller 3v batteries for 6v. Or two 18350's for 7.4v.

However, if money isn't a concern, and you want some sleekness - go with the silver bullet. All the pros and vets use them and I've yet to hear a negative for those.

Maybe grab a Maxi RoughStack for home use, and a Silver Bullet for out and about use.

Good luck!!

ice

 

[Boodle]

I love my Silver Bullet (SB). AltSmoke provides excellent customer service. I have their SB, Omega and had a BB (lost it, dang it). The SB is the best in their line imo. With a battery change you can vape at 7.4v, 6v, 5v and 3.7v. Technologically I don't see an issue. You're won't be 'behind the times'. My only issue with my SB is that it's a big mod. I'm female with little hands.

I have never vaped with a Roughstack. I was like you, not shopping price. I wanted a fail-proof mod. The SB is about as close as you can get other than a GLV. The bad news on a GLV is the wait. It's 4-5 weeks to get one. They're custom made. I found one vendor that stocks a few at thatsnotsmoke.com but colors and styles are limited. AltSmoke usually has SBs in stock.

Here's a pic of an SB and GLV beside a 15ml bottle of juice for perspective. Happy shopping

 

[wv2win]

You might want to take a look at the GLV-2 or the super mini. That's Great Lakes Vapor. I have owned a GLV-2 5v. for almost 8 months and it has been great. Also, they have a lifetime warranty. Good luck finding what you want.

I agree with BWG. The 5 volt GLV2 is probably the best built fixed voltage model on the market. The only one that comes with a lifetime warranty. If I was going with a fixed volt PV, I wouldn't want to be stuck with one that only does 3.7 volts or 3.7/6 volts, one being on the light side, the other on the hot side. 4.5v - 5v is preferred by many vets.

Another option is a good variable volt like the Darwin.

5 volt GLV2: Electronic Cigarettes and E-Liquid - Great Lakes Vapor

 

[tj99959]

My experience is that over time your tastes will evolve, and who knows which direction they will go.
For that reason I would suggest a good solid foundation mod at this time.
Nothing fits that spot better than a SB. It will become the mod that you use to compair everything else to, both in quality & workmanship, and the way they vape.

 

[9teej]

Correct me if I am wrong but can't most 18650 tubes do 5ish volts with Nimh batteries? Specifically the ones from madvapes are the ones I have seen.

 

[Valsacar]

VV is a nice feature, but the thing you really want to look at is regulated power (which you're generally going to get with a VV mod). That adds consistency, each hit is the same until the battery dies, instead of tapering off as the battery gets low.

I've owned the Buzz (original), Provari, and GGTS. Only one I use now is the GGTS (with UFS and dual coil cartos), only problem I really have with it is the lack of power regulation, but Imeo is adding a VV module to it that should solve that.

 

[Strigoi]

I've got a Silver Bullet and the 2xAA box mod from Madvapes (both @ 3.7) and I like the box mod better. The Silver Bullet is just too big and heavy. It pulls down on my pants when in my pocket and it's long when you have the XL cartos + drip tip on it. For the price, you can't beat the MV box mod IMO. Yeah, the batteries don't last as long (900mah vs. 3000mah), but they're half the price of 18650s so keeping several on rotation isn't an issue. I really like having an on/off switch on the box mod as well. One of my friends that's a vaper tried the box mod last night (he also has a SB) and after messing with it for a minute he's buying one.

I got the assembled Madvapes box mod for $35 with two 14500 batteries and Priority shipping. I already had a charger that would work so that wasn't an issue.

I've had a Chuck (sold to my roommate who likes my SB more), Silver Bullet and now the 2xAA box mod.

 

[MTV]

I love the SB...can't go wrong there...but for no hassle the bottom feeders are the best hands down.

 

[cskent]

As you can see from my sig line I've got a few mods, including an SB and a Maxi Roughstack. The RS hasn't seen the light of day since I got the SB about 6 months ago. The build quality is so much better on the SB that there's no comparison. The switch is the nicest I've seen on a mod, whereas the RS switch doesn't feel solid at all in comparison. I had to replace the switch on the RS after a few months of use, and it's a common problem as you've noticed. For someone who's looking for an 18650 mod on a budget, the RS will fit the bill. But the SB is worth the extra cost no matter how you look at it. I've never had a lick of trouble with it and don't expect to.

I've also got an Omega which uses an 18650 batt, and it's built every bit as good as the SB. I just prefer the switch on the SB to the top plunger switch of the Omega. But it is all mechanical so there's little chance of anything ever going wrong with it. It does need cleaning inside now and again, but after the first time it takes only a few minutes to do.

If I could only have one mod it would be a Silver Bullet, and I'd be happy with it.

 

[Allan.GH]

I have to chime-in and highly recommend the Prodigy V3.1 at 6 volts. (PureSmoker.com)

 

[wv2win]

As you can see from my sig line I've got a few mods, including an SB and a Maxi Roughstack. The RS hasn't seen the light of day since I got the SB about 6 months ago. The build quality is so much better on the SB that there's no comparison. The switch is the nicest I've seen on a mod, whereas the RS switch doesn't feel solid at all in comparison. I had to replace the switch on the RS after a few months of use, and it's a common problem as you've noticed. For someone who's looking for an 18650 mod on a budget, the RS will fit the bill. But the SB is worth the extra cost no matter how you look at it. I've never had a lick of trouble with it and don't expect to.

I've also got an Omega which uses an 18650 batt, and it's built every bit as good as the SB. I just prefer the switch on the SB to the top plunger switch of the Omega. But it is all mechanical so there's little chance of anything ever going wrong with it. It does need cleaning inside now and again, but after the first time it takes only a few minutes to do.

If I could only have one mod it would be a Silver Bullet, and I'd be happy with it.

What if you want to vape at 5 volts or 4.5v - 5.0v and don't want the short battery time of Nihm battery? If 3.7 volts is all you want, then it's great.