Bam-o, the VAMO!

[MorpheusPA]

Mine arrived today while guests were here. So of course I zipped out, got the mail, and opened it to let the VAMO warm a bit. Then took it down. People wanted to know if I could beat someone to death with it.

OK, the thing is huge, and heavy, but I actually found I liked that. The gun-metal is a nice color, too. I know it may wear off, but I'm not hard on my toys.

And if I want to shrink it, I can use an 18350 battery instead.

Flavor from a standard CE3 clearto was perfect, and I gravitated immediately toward the variable wattage settings (I know I like around 5.5 to 6, and that was true here as well. 5 was too weak, 6.5 a bit rougher than I care for).

The ohm meter is useless to me, but nice to have, I suppose. The battery voltage IS nice to have and VERY useful. I have a good idea of how much time I have left!

I seem to have gotten the old silver spring, but mine doesn't rattle and the base didn't get warm. At 5.5 to 6 watts, I wasn't making huge demands on the electronics, though.

All things considered, HUGE thumbs up.

 

[Cursive]

Just received my first Vamo yesterday as well. Wasn't sure about it at first due to it's size and weight. I've only been using ego type batteries up until now. But, as of now I'm loving it and haven't given my ego a second look.

 

[kiwivap]

I seem to have gotten the old silver spring, but mine doesn't rattle and the base didn't get warm. At 5.5 to 6 watts, I wasn't making huge demands on the electronics, though.

The spings you have shouldn't get hot, so you're ok there - it was the new ones after those that were too conductive. I use the old spring on my chrome Vamo, and apart from a small amount of rattle - more like a soft plop inside, it was fine. I stretched the spring up a bit and got rid of the plop sound as well.

18350 mode is great for out and about I've found. I've been using mine with an 18350 at work every day.

 

[TraceyS]

Just received my first Vamo yesterday as well. Wasn't sure about it at first due to it's size and weight. I've only been using ego type batteries up until now. But, as of now I'm loving it and haven't given my ego a second look.

I think they are huge also but also only had the twist and mini. I like mine a lot also. I use it at home and still carry my twist to work and back!

Tracey

 

[MorpheusPA]

The spring does feel a bit flimsy, comparatively speaking with a flashlight. Resistance measures at about 0.3 ohms, though, which is acceptable--although it still wastes about 1/8th of the power flowing through the system as heat.

 

[donesmokin]

My "pink" button unit. Efest 18350 flat top in first then a nipple top. No rattle, the spring is probably compressed almost flat. No heat at the bottom cap running @ 12.5 watts with a DC XL 2.5 ohm in a tank. This is the best device I have for running these power hungry cartos. Love my Vamo!

 

[MorpheusPA]

My "pink" button unit. Efest 18350 flat top in first then a nipple top. No rattle, the spring is probably compressed almost flat. No heat at the bottom cap running @ 12.5 watts with a DC XL 2.5 ohm in a tank. This is the best device I have for running these power hungry cartos. Love my Vamo!

View attachment 172904

OK, that spring is WAY trimmer than mine is. Mine uses up the whole base cap.

I'm currently using a (cheap) Joyetech IMR 2000 mAh battery 'cause that's what I have. I think I'm going to need an AW IMR. I'll get there. It's definitely not in the budget for this month, maybe next month.

 

[donesmokin]

From what I read single battery performance would sag as the battery discharged like the LavaTube. These DC 2.5 cartos need POWER!

 

[MorpheusPA]

I had a partially charged 18650 yesterday and ran it from 3.8 to 3.5 volts yesterday. I didn't really notice a drop in power, but at 5.5 watts, I'm not so sure I would!

Said battery is back on the charger (currently at 3.9 volts and rising), so I'll play with it this evening and tomorrow and see what happens.

 

[donesmokin]

Enjoy your Vamo, it's a great mod!

 

[Icoth]

I had a partially charged 18650 yesterday and ran it from 3.8 to 3.5 volts yesterday. I didn't really notice a drop in power, but at 5.5 watts, I'm not so sure I would!

IMR's are recommended because of current draw, amps, not mAh. The Vamo always runs at 6 volts regardless of what voltage/wattage you have it set for. It changes the duty cycle, turning power on and off, to give the effects of a lower voltage. It also uses power to increase the battery voltage to 6 volts. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it requires a lot of amps, more than a standard lithium ion battery is designed to deliver.

 

[MorpheusPA]

IMR's are recommended because of current draw, amps, not mAh. The Vamo always runs at 6 volts regardless of what voltage/wattage you have it set for. It changes the duty cycle, turning power on and off, to give the effects of a lower voltage. It also uses power to increase the battery voltage to 6 volts. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it requires a lot of amps, more than a standard lithium ion battery is designed to deliver.

No problems there, but thanks! I have and use an IMR in it.

 

[VaperBart]

Got my Vamo a couple weeks ago and i luv it! I have only had ego Batteries (VV) and wanted to get a MOD so when i saw this at the low price i Jumped on it! I did get the SS version and it had the "stronger" spring in the end cap.

Unfortunatly it wasn't the non-resistant spring so it was heating up on me. The guys over at Smoktek really came thru and supplied me with the New new spring that is gold in color and that took away the heat problem.

Lucky for me the SmokTek office is just a few miles from me and i went over and picked up the spring for free.

 

[kiwivap]

My "pink" button unit. Efest 18350 flat top in first then a nipple top. No rattle, the spring is probably compressed almost flat. No heat at the bottom cap running @ 12.5 watts with a DC XL 2.5 ohm in a tank. This is the best device I have for running these power hungry cartos. Love my Vamo!

View attachment 172904

That's what the spring I use is like. I have another different one that they sent but haven't used it. The thin one has worked fine for me.