Like most, I made my transition from cigarettes to vaping via an eGo starter kit. However, as I moved off cigs and exclusively to vaping, I quickly found myself wanting more than the little eGos could provide. Partially from a battery life perspective, partially for the need to use larger tanks for more fluid capacity, and partially just from a pure novelty/hobby perspective (its an amazing world with plenty of options!!).
My first foray into APVs was with a couple of Vamo v2s. I shorted one out and killed it (something sparked while screwing the battery bottom onto the case) but still have one of the originals working today. Enough has been written about the downside of the v2s to know why they are not my preferred APV today.
I grabbed a couple of v3s when they came out. I like the modularity, being about to go from a short stack lower profile single 18350 to a larger footprint single 18650. Unfortunately, I have dropped mine a few too many times with tanks on them and the 510/eGo thread adapter is now loose and the tank wobbles a bit. Also, the Vamos chew through batteries pretty quickly for a heavy vaper such as myself.
I picked up a Innokin Itazte VTR back in November. I loved it. The box style was a nice change from the phallic appearance of the Vamo. I kept getting a lot of weird inquiries from people about the Vamo as if they expected it to rotate, vibrate and go somewhere other than my mouth and do something other than produce clouds of vapor. The VTR was awesome on battery life. Unfortunately, in the last week, the threads have stripped out and I am barely able to use it and know it is on its last leg. I was going to buy another one until I learned stripped threading is a common problem and I don't want to buy another device with a known limited lifespan.
So, I find myself in need of a new APV but unsure of what to get. I don't need latest/greatest. I don't need gimmicky.
I thought of getting a Vamo v5 but not sure if they still eat batteries like the v3.
I thought about getting a Provari, but they are VV only. I prefer VW as I have gotten used to making power (wattage) changes via the Vamo and VTR.
I thought about a Sigelei but am not familiar with them. I don't need tilting gimmicky stuff. I like buttons.
My main go-to device has been the APV but I still use the small eGos when I need something smaller to last an hour or two or when something smaller with more discretion is needed. Something that will fit in a shirt or jacket pocket (such as in a business meeting)
My care abouts are:
1) Reliability - something that will last longer than 2-6 months.
2) Versatility - something that can change from a smaller footprint (18350/18490) to a larger footprint (18490/18650) as well as something that has 510/eGo threads for larger (510 threaded) tanks such as Protank II/AeroTanks and iClear 30s as well as smaller (eGo threaded) tanks such as Protank 2 Minis. This isn't a must as I don't mind multiple devices.
3) VW - I prefer something that can set output power (wattage). VV/VW preferred. Not a fan of VV only.
4) Format - I prefer the box style shape of the VTR (although this was my only 'box' style APV so far) over the phallic/adult toy store shape. Again, not a deal breaker.
I don't mind spending a little extra for quality. I don't mind multiple devices (small compact short battery and larger for longer battery).
I just want something that won't be trash and in the trash by Labor Day.
What would you suggest?
ETA: I forgot to mention that I have resorted back to the old V3 since the threads stripped on the VTR. Not a happy camper since battery life SUCKS (literally and figuratively) on the v3 compared to the VTR.
My first foray into APVs was with a couple of Vamo v2s. I shorted one out and killed it (something sparked while screwing the battery bottom onto the case) but still have one of the originals working today. Enough has been written about the downside of the v2s to know why they are not my preferred APV today.
I grabbed a couple of v3s when they came out. I like the modularity, being about to go from a short stack lower profile single 18350 to a larger footprint single 18650. Unfortunately, I have dropped mine a few too many times with tanks on them and the 510/eGo thread adapter is now loose and the tank wobbles a bit. Also, the Vamos chew through batteries pretty quickly for a heavy vaper such as myself.
I picked up a Innokin Itazte VTR back in November. I loved it. The box style was a nice change from the phallic appearance of the Vamo. I kept getting a lot of weird inquiries from people about the Vamo as if they expected it to rotate, vibrate and go somewhere other than my mouth and do something other than produce clouds of vapor. The VTR was awesome on battery life. Unfortunately, in the last week, the threads have stripped out and I am barely able to use it and know it is on its last leg. I was going to buy another one until I learned stripped threading is a common problem and I don't want to buy another device with a known limited lifespan.
So, I find myself in need of a new APV but unsure of what to get. I don't need latest/greatest. I don't need gimmicky.
I thought of getting a Vamo v5 but not sure if they still eat batteries like the v3.
I thought about getting a Provari, but they are VV only. I prefer VW as I have gotten used to making power (wattage) changes via the Vamo and VTR.
I thought about a Sigelei but am not familiar with them. I don't need tilting gimmicky stuff. I like buttons.
My main go-to device has been the APV but I still use the small eGos when I need something smaller to last an hour or two or when something smaller with more discretion is needed. Something that will fit in a shirt or jacket pocket (such as in a business meeting)
My care abouts are:
1) Reliability - something that will last longer than 2-6 months.
2) Versatility - something that can change from a smaller footprint (18350/18490) to a larger footprint (18490/18650) as well as something that has 510/eGo threads for larger (510 threaded) tanks such as Protank II/AeroTanks and iClear 30s as well as smaller (eGo threaded) tanks such as Protank 2 Minis. This isn't a must as I don't mind multiple devices.
3) VW - I prefer something that can set output power (wattage). VV/VW preferred. Not a fan of VV only.
4) Format - I prefer the box style shape of the VTR (although this was my only 'box' style APV so far) over the phallic/adult toy store shape. Again, not a deal breaker.
I don't mind spending a little extra for quality. I don't mind multiple devices (small compact short battery and larger for longer battery).
I just want something that won't be trash and in the trash by Labor Day.
What would you suggest?
ETA: I forgot to mention that I have resorted back to the old V3 since the threads stripped on the VTR. Not a happy camper since battery life SUCKS (literally and figuratively) on the v3 compared to the VTR.
Last edited: