It used to be talking about non-V4L product lines was rather taboo....but as I see it that changed once the "OEM" kits became regularly stocked items.
The 5V OMG was an epic failure which I am glad to see gone for good. Advertised as a regulated Mod, it wasn't and it's lack of safety features along with the use of one the worst batteries used in vaping made it a pure liability. I did a video review on it and I clearly let it be known that I couldn't in good conscious endorse it.
Then came the Aurora, the "Nothing like it on the market today" a statement which spoke for itself since it had been on the market for almost a year from Ovale. Another PV that I wish had never been carried that required specific pretty costly atomizers and had leaking tank issues. Not the worst PV, but still a strange stand alone that was not compatible with KR or 510 equipment.
The KR Egos...well what can you say? They are Egos, a main staple in most Vapers arsenals as back-up to APVs (mods) the Ego is a proven product. Good battery life, lightweight, compact, high mAh rating for tanks, bringing the unregulated Egos with a KR fitting was a good move...instead of the Vgos which are/were junk. The only setback of course are those darn threads which are not compatible with any Ego collars on the market should you like to use tanks. Sure..it's an aesthetic thing, but then again aren't most purchases heavily weighted on aesthetics?
Bringing in new PV lines:
Every company wants to cater to their customer niche, V4L's has until recently focused on what are considered starter batteries. The idea of bringing in mid-level or advanced PVs to cater to the mid-level or advanced Vaper makes sense. After all, if you are going to buy them why not buy them from V4L? In no way am I dissing KR batts, of which V4L makes the best hands down, but most new Vapers are attracted to Stick Batts or KRs due to their analog like dimensions and price. After awhile they start looking around as their comfort level rises and their needs demand more than a Stick Batt can offer.
While we are still waiting (2 years now) for the V4L Mod to make an appearance one thing is clear. The first 2 choices for mid-level and higher-level vaping fell far short of the mark leaving a void in the product lines.
It's not easy finding OEM stuff out there that is good, safe, affordable, and most importantly available in high volume. There is a reason why large resellers do not carry the ProVari, Darwin, Empire Mod or items like the Lava Tanks. The manufactures simply cannot supply large resellers with the high volume numbers needed. On top of that the profit margins are so slim on these APVs or specialized accessories that just carrying them would be a complete money loser.
As most folks know I am forever trying out new PVs, tanks, etc. to stay up to date with the industry and technology. Over the last 2 years Variable Voltage mods have become very popular and with good reason. There are currently 2 VVs that recently hit the market that have really caught my eye and meet all the criteria for V4L's mid-level and high-level needs. I have personally used these units for awhile now and they are impressive.
Both are made in China from manufacturers that can meet V4L's high volume needs. Both have an adequate mark-up margin, perform well, offer true Variable Voltage and are safe.
Mid-Level: The Ego-C Twist from Joyetech is available in both 650 mAh and 1,000 mAh. I have been playing with one for several weeks and believe it would make a great mid-level addition to the product line. I wouldn't even bother with putting a KR fitting on it, instead I would just carry the 510 XL DC tank cartos and tank collars. Why not? If you put a KR fitting on it, it will require special collars for tanks..why rebuild the wheel?
High-Level: The Vmax Version 2 from Smoketech is another APV that I have become very impressed with. It has the form and function of a ProVari, the Step-Down Switch technology of the Buzz and the old familiar Ego Button. V4L has a relationship with Smoketech and I hope they take a close look at this unit.
Like most of Smoketech's attempts at PVs the Version 1 isn't very good, the button is weak, the voltage is all over the place, and voltage reset when replacing batteries is around 5.4v (unsafe) which is way too high. But the Version 2 has addressed all of those issues in the Stainless Steel model. The Chrome model claims to be a Version 2, and in a sense it is only because it addressed the voltage and reset issues, but it still utilizes the Version 1 button.
I think Smoketech has done a good job with their Tanks and Tank Cartos, but the PV's...well...not so much. I've already noted my thoughts on the 5V Mod (aka OMG aka Wow aka LMAO). Every supplier and their brother-in-law's roommate now carry The Bolt, a mechanical mod which hit the market 6 months ago. A knock-off of the Silver Bullet it is heavy duty and able to carry an 18650 battery with an added extender which leaves this Mod as ok in my book. However it suffers from wiring issues (too thin) which causes the switches to blow, especially if your using LR tank cartos like 1.5s.
That being said, the Vmax Version 2 is a step in right direction and worthy of taking a close look at.
The 5V OMG was an epic failure which I am glad to see gone for good. Advertised as a regulated Mod, it wasn't and it's lack of safety features along with the use of one the worst batteries used in vaping made it a pure liability. I did a video review on it and I clearly let it be known that I couldn't in good conscious endorse it.
Then came the Aurora, the "Nothing like it on the market today" a statement which spoke for itself since it had been on the market for almost a year from Ovale. Another PV that I wish had never been carried that required specific pretty costly atomizers and had leaking tank issues. Not the worst PV, but still a strange stand alone that was not compatible with KR or 510 equipment.
The KR Egos...well what can you say? They are Egos, a main staple in most Vapers arsenals as back-up to APVs (mods) the Ego is a proven product. Good battery life, lightweight, compact, high mAh rating for tanks, bringing the unregulated Egos with a KR fitting was a good move...instead of the Vgos which are/were junk. The only setback of course are those darn threads which are not compatible with any Ego collars on the market should you like to use tanks. Sure..it's an aesthetic thing, but then again aren't most purchases heavily weighted on aesthetics?
Bringing in new PV lines:
Every company wants to cater to their customer niche, V4L's has until recently focused on what are considered starter batteries. The idea of bringing in mid-level or advanced PVs to cater to the mid-level or advanced Vaper makes sense. After all, if you are going to buy them why not buy them from V4L? In no way am I dissing KR batts, of which V4L makes the best hands down, but most new Vapers are attracted to Stick Batts or KRs due to their analog like dimensions and price. After awhile they start looking around as their comfort level rises and their needs demand more than a Stick Batt can offer.
While we are still waiting (2 years now) for the V4L Mod to make an appearance one thing is clear. The first 2 choices for mid-level and higher-level vaping fell far short of the mark leaving a void in the product lines.
It's not easy finding OEM stuff out there that is good, safe, affordable, and most importantly available in high volume. There is a reason why large resellers do not carry the ProVari, Darwin, Empire Mod or items like the Lava Tanks. The manufactures simply cannot supply large resellers with the high volume numbers needed. On top of that the profit margins are so slim on these APVs or specialized accessories that just carrying them would be a complete money loser.
As most folks know I am forever trying out new PVs, tanks, etc. to stay up to date with the industry and technology. Over the last 2 years Variable Voltage mods have become very popular and with good reason. There are currently 2 VVs that recently hit the market that have really caught my eye and meet all the criteria for V4L's mid-level and high-level needs. I have personally used these units for awhile now and they are impressive.
Both are made in China from manufacturers that can meet V4L's high volume needs. Both have an adequate mark-up margin, perform well, offer true Variable Voltage and are safe.
Mid-Level: The Ego-C Twist from Joyetech is available in both 650 mAh and 1,000 mAh. I have been playing with one for several weeks and believe it would make a great mid-level addition to the product line. I wouldn't even bother with putting a KR fitting on it, instead I would just carry the 510 XL DC tank cartos and tank collars. Why not? If you put a KR fitting on it, it will require special collars for tanks..why rebuild the wheel?
High-Level: The Vmax Version 2 from Smoketech is another APV that I have become very impressed with. It has the form and function of a ProVari, the Step-Down Switch technology of the Buzz and the old familiar Ego Button. V4L has a relationship with Smoketech and I hope they take a close look at this unit.
Like most of Smoketech's attempts at PVs the Version 1 isn't very good, the button is weak, the voltage is all over the place, and voltage reset when replacing batteries is around 5.4v (unsafe) which is way too high. But the Version 2 has addressed all of those issues in the Stainless Steel model. The Chrome model claims to be a Version 2, and in a sense it is only because it addressed the voltage and reset issues, but it still utilizes the Version 1 button.
I think Smoketech has done a good job with their Tanks and Tank Cartos, but the PV's...well...not so much. I've already noted my thoughts on the 5V Mod (aka OMG aka Wow aka LMAO). Every supplier and their brother-in-law's roommate now carry The Bolt, a mechanical mod which hit the market 6 months ago. A knock-off of the Silver Bullet it is heavy duty and able to carry an 18650 battery with an added extender which leaves this Mod as ok in my book. However it suffers from wiring issues (too thin) which causes the switches to blow, especially if your using LR tank cartos like 1.5s.
That being said, the Vmax Version 2 is a step in right direction and worthy of taking a close look at.
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