APV dilemma....................need some advice

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thompsondd

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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.
 
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thompsondd

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Check out the Innokin MVP. Not super expensive but it has lots of good points.

Thanks. I know a lot of people who are quite happy with their MVPs but personally, I'm not a fan of how the tank sits 'on top' of the box and sticks out. That was why I chose the VTR over the MVP.

I would probably buy another VTR and put a 510/510 adapter on it and strip the adapter out before I went with the MVP. But that's just my personal preference.

Nothing wrong with the MVP however.
 

thompsondd

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I don't know what batteries you are using, but my Vamo V5 doesn't make my batteries die quickly. I use AW batteries both 18350 stacked and an 18650. No issues with AW batteries in my V5.

I have AM IMRs as well. I didn't think too much about the battery life with the v3s until I got the ITazte VTR. The same 18650 lasted twice as long as they had in the v3. Maybe the v5 is kinder to batteries than the v3 was. I would like to hear from others who have experience from a battery life perspective on both the v3 and v5.
 

jpwr25

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I picked up an SVD over the weekend, and I really like it. It's great for being out and about in 18350 mode, and then you can up it to an 18650 when needed (this makes it quite large with my kayfun 3.1 on top). It fulfills most of the wants on your wish list, with the exception of being quite phallic in 18650 mode if you use a large tank on top. In my opinion, definitely worth your time to look at.
 

wv2win

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I have AM IMRs as well. I didn't think too much about the battery life with the v3s until I got the ITazte VTR. The same 18650 lasted twice as long as they had in the v3. Maybe the v5 is kinder to batteries than the v3 was. I would like to hear from others who have experience from a battery life perspective on both the v3 and v5.

Using two 18350's I will get about 13 hours of heavy use on the V5.
 

thompsondd

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I picked up an SVD yesterday just to get me through. Its OK. I don't necessarily like how the tubes are of different diameters. It not only creates a gap but just feels weird. I prefer a single diameter tube, regardless of how many pieces it takes. I don't necessarily like having to screw the tube so many times to make the adjustment between 18350 and 18650 mode. I am a little paranoid that leaving the tube adjustment up to the user may place too much (or too little) pressure on the battery and the contacts.

But, at least its working (more than I can say for the VTR). It should get me through until I find something that I really like.

Looking for that single diameter feel. Maybe a Sigelei???? A Vamo v5???? I still don't know what to get. Too bad Provari is a VV only device. If it only had VW.
 
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K_Tech

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I picked up an SVD yesterday just to get me through. Its OK. I don't necessarily like how the tubes are of different diameters. It not only creates a gap but just feels weird. I prefer a single diameter tube, regardless of how many pieces it takes. I don't necessarily like having to screw the tube so many times to make the adjustment between 18350 and 18650 mode. I am a little paranoid that leaving the tube adjustment up to the user may place too much (or too little) pressure on the battery and the contacts.

But, at least its working (more than I can say for the VTR). It should get me through until I find something that I really like.

Looking for that single diameter feel. Maybe a Sigelei???? A Vamo v5???? I still don't know what to get. Too bad Provari is a VV only device. If it only had VW.

I'm on my second SVD right now, the first one failed electrically after about a month of use. No big deal, FastTech offers a 6-month warranty, but it still took about three weeks to get my replacement.

Out of your choices, in my opinion ONLY, I think that the Sigelei Zmax is your best bet. Others will disagree - there are folks that have put their Chinese mods through the paces and have had great success with their (insert mod name).

As an alternative, you could always look into the Beyond Vape Spire. It's still a Chinese-made mod with a Chinese chipset, but it was designed and is being distributed by a stateside company. It does, however, have a telescoping tube, but not the same as your SVD.

Price is about $100, and the company stands behind their device with a 1-year warranty. I cannot personally speak about their service, but that's a good sign, as I see it.

And I will definitely not try to talk you into a Provari (or any other VV device that you're not interested in) but to me, VV or VW are irrelevant beyond the fact that they allow control of the vape. If I can get a satisfying vape, I don't care if the chipset is regulating volts, watts, or joules. If I get a good vape when I press the button, I'm a happy guy.

I would say the Sigelei 20-W but there isn't currently an 18350 tube that I have seen.

I have nothing against (or for) the 20-W, but until I see some hard numbers, I'm not casting my vote.

That being said, if its actual performance matches its specs, I'll probably pick one up even though I have a DNA20 and 30.
 

Baditude

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I still don't know what to get. Too bad Provari is a VV only device. If it only had VW.
Too bad VW is such a deal maker for you. A lot of folks use only variable voltage, myself included. Most of my juice attachments are in the same resistance range; if I find that I need to make an adjustment in voltage its no big deal. Really, how often do you expect to have to change your voltage during the course of a day?

Just about any regulated mod you consider will be made by a Chinese manufacturer. NONE of them will support or repair their product if it malfunctions or breaks. They build them cheap, you buy them cheap, if they break, you'll just buy another.

Buy a Provari and you will have a product that the manufacturer supports and repairs for life. One year warranty covers everything for free. After that, you can get it repaired for very reasonable cost for life and have it back in your hands within two weeks time.

I currently have three Provari's. The oldest is 20 months in age, the next will be 1 year old next month. The third (a gift) was a gently used one whose age I don't know. I've not had any problems with any of the three. They get used every day 18 hours a day, in the house and out-and-about. I always have one in my hand or in my pocket at the ready. They have survived drops onto concrete and tile - no problem. The best smoothest vape that I've ever had. (I have 10 mods in total.)

To me they are worth every penny they cost. Dependable, reliable, durable, and consistant from the first puff to the last. Despite not having a lot of bells & whistles (including variable wattage), there's many reasons why the Provari is so popular despite no major upgrade in over 2 years. IT JUST WORKS.

Why Provari?
 
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f1vefour

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Dec 3, 2013
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My care abouts are:


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.

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.

These are contradictory.

I have a V3 VAMO and the battery life is outstanding, I can get about 4.5 hours of vape time (2 Ohm @ 8 watts) on a single 18350. Something is wrong with your device because in that 4.5 hours I can vape 3ml of eliquid no problem.

Does your v3 have a single 18650 tube or the stackable tubes? I ask because mine has a separate full length 18650 tube which seems to be a different manufacturer than most other v3 VAMOs.

If you like the VAMO I would recommend getting a stainless version, no worries with threads and a different device should net you better battery life.
 

dutch onsea

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For your buck I guess the provari is one of the best deals. I own a Futura and it`s similar but better, but also more expensive and not so readily availible. I believe DNA is the way to go. OK, they`re still pricey but if you like vaping, I know you`ll get there anyhow and something like the Futura or Hana is build to last.
 

schuff

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I know they're rare but I see the OP said he prefers box style and money isn't the issue.

Rather than $200+ on a DNA / provari. Why not put it towards something like a OKR10, Gi2, Duke or supermax???

Best of the best for the regulated mods as far as functionality, all box styles and are equally priced with the DNA devices. If the wait isn't an issue I would go that route.
 

dutch onsea

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Togethet with the futura, I have two others. The vapourshark and an Hana. Its not because theyre availible that its easy. The wait for all three of them was long (months). So what you are suggesting is getting that unicorn.
And on top of that I am not sure if there is anything better than the Evolve chip.
Another suggestion, the wait for Proteus from Imeo( Golden Greek) shouldn't be long anymore. I wouldn't be surprised if it's another gamechanger. All these new things have to proove themselves. You want to be sure, buy a provari
 
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