After Provari....

[PLANofMAN]

There you go with that "weaker Provari" thing again. When your 11 month old unmodified sigelei turns 3 years old, we'll talk.....

When you have any APV longer than 11 months we can talk, too.

My ProVari is over three years old. What'cha want to talk about?...
...How about the Microstick. I've always wanted a mod the size of a Zippo. ProVari mini's are so big. I mean, they're the size of a bic...and who wants that?

 

[Lord Vaako]

i was in the same boat. I got my provari fixed and picked up a second one as a backup. Then I got in the whole kayfun craze. After learning how to build dual coil set ups, I wanted to vape sub ohm. I did some research and fell in love with the Paps X. I just got it about a week ago and love it. I picked up a Kick 2, but honestly I don't even use it.

You can achieve higher amps without the Kick. You also don't need 5 batteries a day. I carry 3 Sony 18650 2100mah VTC4 30amp batteries and 1 Orbtronic Ultra High Drain 22amp. The Orbtronic alone will last most of the day. It's my emergency backup. The VTC4's are for all out power, so they won't last as long. I also carry 2 KFL's - one with 30g kanthal and one with 28g. Both dual microcoil builds wicked with cotton. The spare KFL goes in the small pocket of a pair of jeans. It's also just there as an emergency backup. The PapsX is smaller than a Provari, super durable (especially if you go all stainless for the KFL tank), and gives you top tier sub-ohm performance. Putting a Kick into it is really taking a step backwards since it will limit the amount of amps. Sub ohm dual micro coils and max amps is where cloud and flavor chasing is at.


For fun, I ordered a new Svoemesto SMV3 kit and sticker just because I liked the looks. It hasn't arrived yet though (only the sticker) The Provari's were good, but when you're ready to graduate, get a high-end mechanical mod and keep the Provari as a backup device. Just make sure you order some extra insulators for your KFL as you'll likely melt a few trying to perfect your micro coils when you start out.

 

[p.opus]

i was in the same boat. I got my provari fixed and picked up a second one as a backup. Then I got in the whole kayfun craze. After learning how to build dual coil set ups, I wanted to vape sub ohm. I did some research and fell in love with the Paps X. I just got it about a week ago and love it. I picked up a Kick 2, but honestly I don't even use it.

You can achieve higher amps without the Kick. You also don't need 5 batteries a day. I carry 3 Sony 18650 2100mah VTC4 30amp batteries and 1 Orbtronic Ultra High Drain 22amp. The Orbtronic alone will last most of the day. It's my emergency backup. The VTC4's are for all out power, so they won't last as long. I also carry 2 KFL's - one with 30g kanthal and one with 28g. Both dual microcoil builds wicked with cotton. The spare KFL goes in the small pocket of a pair of jeans. It's also just there as an emergency backup. The PapsX is smaller than a Provari, super durable (especially if you go all stainless for the KFL tank), and gives you top tier sub-ohm performance. Putting a Kick into it is really taking a step backwards since it will limit the amount of amps. Sub ohm dual micro coils and max amps is where cloud and flavor chasing is at.

View attachment 316391
For fun, I ordered a new Svoemesto SMV3 kit and sticker just because I liked the looks. It hasn't arrived yet though (only the sticker) The Provari's were good, but when you're ready to graduate, get a high-end mechanical mod and keep the Provari as a backup device. Just make sure you order some extra insulators for your KFL as you'll likely melt a few trying to perfect your micro coils when you start out.

Funny how we come full circle.....

We Start on Ego Stick or Cigalike. Don't like the voltage lag that occurs during vaping...So we graduate to a regulated mod.
Now we are on a regulated mod, but don't like the fact that the mod regulates how many watts we can push to a coil. SO.....
We graduate to a mechanical which allows us to sub ohm all we want to and experience the voltage lag that we initially thought was so bad....and the cycle continues.

 

[brekec88]

There you go with that "weaker Provari" thing again. When your 11 month old unmodified Sigelei turns 3 years old, we'll talk.....

well to be fair for the same amount of money you could buy 4 ZMAX's

 

[p.opus]

well to be fair for the same amount of money you could buy 4 ZMAX's

Very True...

For the cost of a Zippo you can buy 4 Bic Lighters. There are some who prefer to buy the Bic's and some who prefer the Zippos.

For me....(and this is only MY opinion), if I am going to buy something that's disposable, then I might as well get something like an MVP which can charge my phone and also has built in charging circuitry so that I can vape while charging and not have to lug around extra batteries. Since I vape in the 8.0 to 9.0 watt range on my Kayfuns, the Sigelei holds no advantage for me over an MVP.

Now if I AM going to get into rechargable batteries and invest in an external charger and use a tube mod, then I expect the tube mod to outlast the battery I put into it.

I prefer my MVP's for away from home because of their insane battery life and ease of charging. I will continue buying them (or their current equivalent) whenever they die as long as it is economically feasible to do so.

However, I do like the sense of security that my ProVari's provide me. A very fine operating machine that will last years and years of normal use without having to make any additional investment in the mod. This is especially comforting as it appears every local, state, and federal entity is attempting to make these devices MUCH more expensive in the future.

 

[Lord Vaako]

I couldn't agree more. You get what you pay for. If you buy something cheap, you'll just end up spending more money in the long when that cheap device breaks.

 

[Muggs]

Funny how we come full circle.....

We Start on Ego Stick or Cigalike. Don't like the voltage lag that occurs during vaping...So we graduate to a regulated mod.
Now we are on a regulated mod, but don't like the fact that the mod regulates how many watts we can push to a coil. SO.....
We graduate to a mechanical which allows us to sub ohm all we want to and experience the voltage lag that we initially thought was so bad....and the cycle continues.

So true my friend, I followed the same exact path.

 

[yellowrider]

Id go with the one your wallet allows... But definately get the provari fixed and keep as back up or what not.
It is all really dependent on what atomizer and ohms you want to run.. As dna 30 would do me no good as I never even go past 9w.

 

[cocacola31173]

China needs to realize that brass is not a good material for threads! So far the only problem I have had with my other mods are the threads stripping really easy. A provari has stainless steel threads and no worries of them stripping anytime soon.

I have a standard Provari and plan to buy a mini if any comes on clearance. I am completley sold on them.

 

[schuff]

Upgrade to a meachanical device and get rid of that cheap board no matter where it's from. In no other industry does the board start going out after three years and people call that "great." Get an authentic grand vapor mod, an authentic Kayfun, Sony 30 amps and a kick 2 if you prefer. Better setup by far than anything regulated yet.

 

[Richard75]

Upgrade to a meachanical device and get rid of that cheap board no matter where it's from. In no other industry does the board start going out after three years and people call that "great." Get an authentic grand vapor mod, an authentic Kayfun, Sony 30 amps and a kick 2 if you prefer. Better setup by far than anything regulated yet.

If you're using it all day, every day, inside and outside, winter and summer... I'd say three years is pretty good. A new laptop starts to slow down after three months.

Personally, I've been falling back in love with 1.2+ ohms. I've got my Bliss set up with a 1.4 ohm microcoil with mesh, on top of my Provari set at 3.7 volts. The vape is outstanding!

I say fix your Provari (or even buy a new one), and get a mech. I would hate being confined to a single system.

 

[B1sh0p]

China needs to realize that brass is not a good material for threads! So far the only problem I have had with my other mods are the threads stripping really easy. A provari has stainless steel threads and no worries of them stripping anytime soon.

I have a standard Provari and plan to buy a mini if any comes on clearance. I am completley sold on them.

Brass is better for conductivity. Lots of high end devices use brass. Be more careful and you're fine.

 

[The Ocelot]

How about a Reo? It doesn't meet any of your requirements, but they are nice.

 

[p.opus]

Upgrade to a meachanical device and get rid of that cheap board no matter where it's from. In no other industry does the board start going out after three years and people call that "great." Get an authentic grand vapor mod, an authentic Kayfun, Sony 30 amps and a kick 2 if you prefer. Better setup by far than anything regulated yet.

Let me see if I get this straight. Upgrade to a mechanical device and get rid of that cheap board (ProVari), and then buy a cheap board (Kick 2) to put into the device....

So I can pay $45.00 for a Kick 2, which I have to remove to make adjustments, have no way to read the ohms on my coil and provides no where near the accuracy of the ProVari OR I can pay $65.00 for a brand new control board which will most likely last for another three years, I get the ProVari accuracy and the flexibility to change settings on the fly and read my coil resistance on the device.

The kick 2 is better HOW????

 

[schuff]

Let me see if I get this straight. Upgrade to a mechanical device and get rid of that cheap board (ProVari), and then buy a cheap board (Kick 2) to put into the device....

So I can pay $45.00 for a Kick 2, which I have to remove to make adjustments, have no way to read the ohms on my coil and provides no where near the accuracy of the ProVari OR I can pay $65.00 for a brand new control board which will most likely last for another three years, I get the ProVari accuracy and the flexibility to change settings on the fly and read my coil resistance on the device.

The kick 2 is better HOW????

I said the kick 2 if you prefer it. Some people can't live without regulation. Even then even if you somehow break a kick to its plug in play. No removing soldering, press fitting, epoxy etc.

I just hate the idea of buying a $200+ mod that can become unusable because of an electrical part that I can't personally replace in a jam. For everyday worry free vaping a mechanical is my only choice. Built like a tank, easily repaired with $10 or less parts that can be added at purchase for $20 - $30 and they can outperform a provari by not being limited by a board.

Maybe up to a year ago I could see the provari as a viable choice for its price but now that competing North American companies have produced devices that far exceed the functionality of the provari while also including customer service and quality control it's just an overpriced brick in my book. Even with the better regulated mods rolling out though it still isn't user repairable for most.

A mechanical has what 7-8 pieces total not including the battery? Short of you somehow breaking the tube ( I would love to hear the that story) every part is readily available cheap from multiple vendors and can be easily screwed in by the user. Way better choice for your go to device IMO.

 

[The Ocelot]

The kick 2 is better HOW????

It's round.

 

[schuff]

It's round.

Hahahahaha, I guess I didn't mention it isn't a FUNDAMENTAL part your device unusable without also.

 

[B1sh0p]

I said the kick 2 if you prefer it. Some people can't live without regulation. Even then even if you somehow break a kick to its plug in play. No removing soldering, press fitting, epoxy etc.

I just hate the idea of buying a $200+ mod that can become unusable because of an electrical part that I can't personally replace in a jam. For everyday worry free vaping a mechanical is my only choice. Built like a tank, easily repaired with $10 or less parts that can be added at purchase for $20 - $30 and they can outperform a provari by not being limited by a board.

Maybe up to a year ago I could see the provari as a viable choice for its price but now that competing North American companies have produced devices that far exceed the functionality of the provari while also including customer service and quality control it's just an overpriced brick in my book. Even with the better regulated mods rolling out though it still isn't user repairable for most.

A mechanical has what 7-8 pieces total not including the battery? Short of you somehow breaking the tube ( I would love to hear the that story) every part is readily available cheap from multiple vendors and can be easily screwed in by the user. Way better choice for your go to device IMO.

I've broken tubes before.

 

[PLANofMAN]

...I just hate the idea of buying a $200+ mod that can become unusable because of an electrical part that I can't personally replace in a jam...

I hear you there, man. It's why I bought a ProVari. Once you get past the first month of break-in, it's almost unheard of for a ProVari to bite the dust.

 

[Kinggrond]

The kick 2 is better HOW????

You can always take it out and what's left is a perfectly functional mech mod. Looking at your sig I can understand the reason behind defending Provaris but in all honesty, Provari comes from a time when alternatives were next to non-existent, except for some crappy Chinese mods. Times have changed.

I used a Provari for almost 2 years, almost nothing to complain about it, except for:

- boring looks that almost didn't change from the first to the last version;
- slanted non-replaceable topcap (c'mon, really? Have to buy beauty rings to get a kind of reasonable look for the 22mm mods that I'm using?)
- non-adjustable center pin, more often than not I ended up with gaps between the mod and the atty, I just can't stand this.

The good? Yeah, it works, it's solid and it's also covered by some serious support even beyond warranty, but for me this is not enough anymore.
I like my mech mods because of their diversity, I don't get out every day wearing the same clothes, nor would I use the same device forever just because it works fine, it takes a little more to keep me happy.

But, to each his/her own, all above is just my personal opinion...