Best entry level VV PV kit?

[Shiryo]

Disclaimer: This thread is not for people looking to start vaping but for those looking to expand their horizons.

Just wondering what the best Variable Voltage PV is out there for the price (Say under $75?). My friend has a LavaTube VV from Totally Wicked and I'm really contemplating on getting one. Not sure why, but when he said vaping his Pink Spot liquids at 6v gives you a HUGE burst in flavor. All I could think of was, "A burst in flavor on my Pink Spot liquids?!? COUNT ME IN!!!"

I'm looking to get a 510 connection as they are very readily available at any local vendors and especially at online vendors. Moreover, a 1200mAh or even 3000mAh battery (IMR 18650) sounds really good.

Thanks everyone!

 

[Tookiedoo]

Madvapes sells a VV box mod on their website. It's $35. It takes the 14500 900mah batteries. I use one myself, and I get about 12 hours of usage out of a fresh pair of batteries.

 

[muzichead]

First of all, I would never suggest any vvpv to anyone as an entry level device!!!! I would think that anyone that does so is careless in doing so. The first thing someone needs to learn and understand is the basics of vaping. There are many variables and possible dangers in vaping and if you are not aware of what they are and how they can happen, then you are just asking for something to go wrong.....

I have been vaping for over a year now and at times have a hard time trying to figure out why some things work at times and at other times they don't. You will usually find on most vendors websites, disclaimers on such devices, (mods in general VV or not), and are for experienced vapors only. The world of vaping can be at times a very expensive proposition to say the least..... If I were to suggest an entry level device it would be an eGo type of pv. I still use one today as I have for almost the entire year+ I have been analog free. I also have been researching other pv's during this time and still am not sure of what to upgrade to as the world of vaping seems to evolve almost on a daily basis.

This is not to say someone couldn't start out with an advanced device, but also keep in mind the learning curves associated with them. Check out all the threads on the Kick from Evolve.... Even most vets that bought them are having big problems with them and now they are starting to show up in the classifieds section of the forum. It was to be the next best thing and yet most of the threads I have read, (since being shipped 2 weeks ago), are nothing but problematic at best.... Yet I have watched the video from Super-T Mfg and it seems easy enough, yet all these problems.... I thinks noobs should learn the basics and use the basics before moving to advanced items.... Unless you have the money to burn!!!!!

 

[warlike36]

For safety sake I will only suggest this vendor Notcigs and these units Buzz Pro IPro VVPV ( includes batts + charger ) - notcigs.com

Many safety features built into all of Mikes mods, also all three of these are VV

 

[cskent]

Two low cost VV units come to mind first, the Madvapes boxmod as suggested by Tookiedoo, and the LT. The boxmod is a bit cheaper but the LT is more durable.

Here's links to both:

Variable Voltage Box Mod, at about $35 it's the least expensive option, although it takes a pair of 14500's so you really need to buy 4 of them to have a backup set. That probably puts it in the same price range as the LT.

Electronic Cigarette - Starter Kits - LT VV, use the 20% off button in the top left corner and it comes out the ~$48. It uses an 18650 for a good long runtime.

 

[sailorman]

First of all, I wouldn't necessarily advise a VV as an entry level device, but I took your question to be the best entry level VV. Those are separate questions.

I've been vaping for 2 years and the LavaTube/V-Tube/Torpedo (same machine, different names) is perfectly good for a first VV. I just got one a couple weeks ago as my first VV. I would have handled a more advance PV just fine, but if you don't have unrealistic expectations of a $60 PV, it should suit even a relatively inexperienced vaper.

First of all, it has some limitations that are specifically designed to keep a newbie from messing things up. It'll lower the voltage on you if your atty resistance is too low. Some people think that's a negative, but for a newb it's a plus. It's simple to operate and reasonably well built. It changes voltage in increments of 0.1V and doesn't require you to take a lid off or use a screwdriver, like some box mods. It also makes it easy to monitor the battery voltage and has an automatic cutoff if you run your battery too low. No budget box mod that I know of does that. Plus, depending on where you get it, it comes with up to a one year warranty.

As for batteries, the best IMR's out there seem to be the new Panasonic 2250mah 18650 IMRs. They have shown in tests to be superior even to the well respected AW 18650's. They are miles ahead of the generics that usually come with these VV kits. You can get them for $9.99 on obrtronics, with free shipping. That's about what I paid for a spare 1600mah generic IMR when I bought my V-Tube from Apollo.

So if you're looking for an entry level PV, get an eGo e-Power. If you're looking for an entry level VV, especially at that price point, I'd highly recommend the LavaTube/V-Tube/Tornado with the Panasonic batteries.

 

[Blakd]

If you want to learn vv I would go with a few of the gig type vv batteries. I bought a 900 mah from a local shop and found that with a dct or a boge 2.0. The 4.2 was best the settings on the battery are 3.7 4.2 and 4.7. It would allow you to play with hr and lr attys and cartos. I would say you might outgrow it pretty quickly and want something more, you might not. As for true vv you will find a voltage you like for a certain juice and addy and it might be the best for other juiceces as well, or you will change carts and juice and find a different voltage is best. The funny thing is that for the whole vv craze that people get everyone seem to stick to a certain voltage most of the time. I am one of those people.

 

[Shiryo]

Yes, sorry, I should make that clear that this is more for someone who had already started vaping and wants to go a bit more into vaping. Not as a first buyer's PV.

Thanks for all the recommendations everyone, I shall do my homework on these setups!

 

[sailorman]

The LavaTube has its own forum here. There is a lot of info and feedback about it there. Blakd is right though. I tended to settle on a cetain narrow range of voltages for a particular atty. But I do find myself changing it depending on the juice. Also, I crank down on the voltage a bit when it's late and I've been vaping all day. All in all, I don't do as much adjustment as I thought I might, but what I do is worthwhile and makes a difference.

If the Lavatube was $100 or more, I might be tempted to recommend one of the cheaper box mods or a VV that had a fixed number of voltages, like the one Blakd mentioned. But for $60, there's not much out there that's significantly cheaper or a better bang-for-the-buck.

 

[CrystalClaire]

If beginners take the time and effort to educate themselves, I see no reason not to recommend a vv.

Egos, kGos, epowers etc...are okay models, and I have them all, but the day I started using a VV, I regretted the money I spent on them. I'd have rather experienced a superior vaping experience from the get go.

 

[hairball]

For $130, get a BuzzPro. While the LT has it's quirks, the BP is a better built mod. The safety features are worth the extra money.

 

[Icig]

Lava tube from volcanoecigs. $70 just unit... $100 with charger batter case and 1 atty. plus they have $7.99 2 day shipping. Unless you spend over 100 then you get free 2 day ship. Good product and
Customer service but I cannot recommend their juice... IMHO it's crap


Sent from my iPhone.
Volt
Magma
Inferno
Lava tube
Vmod 2.0

 

[Icig]

It
Comes with the aw imr 1600


Sent from my iPhone.
Volt
Magma
Inferno
Lava tube
Vmod 2.0

 

[sailorman]

Lava tube from volcanoecigs. $70 just unit... $100 with charger batter case and 1 atty. plus they have $7.99 2 day shipping. Unless you spend over 100 then you get free 2 day ship. Good product and
Customer service but I cannot recommend their juice... IMHO it's crap


Sent from my iPhone.
Volt
Magma
Inferno
Lava tube
Vmod 2.0

That's pretty pricey. Apollo has the same unit. V-Tube $60 shipped for full kit with battery, charger and case.

If you're spending $100 on a LavaTube, you aren't shopping around. They're all over the place for $60-75.

If you're looking at a $100 LT, might as wells pend the extra $30 for a Buzz-Pro. It's better, but not 2X as good and there are no more newbie features than the LT has. In fact, you can burn coils with it. Can't do that with a LT.

 

[sailorman]

Apollo V-Tube:

The Apollo VTube Kit comes with the following:

1 black variable voltage regular (5 inches) or mini ecig (3.75 inches)
1 black ego carry case
1 High Drain 18650 rechargeable battery for regular vtube, or 18350 for mini vtube
1 battery charger
1 drip tip
1 3.0 ohm high resistance 510 atomizer
30 Day money-back guarantee, One year warranty
Mini or Full Size
Colors or Stainless steel

$59.95 Full kit
$39.95 V-Tube only
Free shipping in US

Apollo VTube Kit

BTW, the battery is a 1600mah generic IMR
For a spare, get the Panasonic 2250mah IMR from orbtronic $9.99 shipped.
Much better battery. Better than AW even and over 10% more capacity.

 

[Shiryo]

Amazing! I think i'll pick that up next month sailorman! I was very skeptical of getting it for $100 at TotallyWicked even though my friend recommends them very much.

However the kit at Totally wicked comes with:

1 x Torpedo
2 x 2200maH lithium cell batteries
1 x 2 cell battery charger
2 x 3ohm 510 bridged atomizers
1 x Chrome finished drip tip
1 x User manual.

Which one would you justify as a better deal?

 

[sailorman]

The batteries are better at TW, I think. They look prettier anyway and they are bigger. However, they are not AW's, because AW doesn't make 2200mah IMR batteries. They could well be just some generic IMR with a pretty jacket. So, that advantage is cancelled out IMO. But it is one battery extra, so point goes to TW

The case that Apollo sends is very nice. I've seen them sell for $10-15. If you use it, it's a consideration.
Point to Apollo

The TW charger is 2 cell as opposed to the 1 cell charger at Apollo. They're the same generic Chinese chargers though. That point is a draw unless you have other 18650's you need to charge. 1/2 point to TW

There's an extra atty at TW, but you may or may not use it anyway.
1/2 point to TW

TW, chrome drip tip. Apollo, plastic drip tip. 1/2 point TW

What is TW's warranty? Apollos' is 1 year with a 30 day return. That's pretty generous. You can send it back if you don't like it, even if it's not broken. I'm not sure what TW's policy is on returns for non-broken kits.

Both companies have good customer service. Ask Waynebrady about that.

Also, Apollo has the colors. I'm not sure if TW does or not. If that matters to you it's a factor.

Bottom line, TW slight advantage BUT Not worth the extra $30 Plus shipping IMO, especially if the warranty term is shorter or there is no money-back guarantee.

I'd go for the Apollo V-Tube deal.

As for the batteries, I'd spend the extra $10 and get the Panasonics. Even if you spend $20 and get two, you're still ahead with the Apollo.

$80 with two clearly superior batteries plus one decent battery OR $70 with one decent and one superior battery vs. $100 plus shipping with two decent batteries of unknown pedigree.

Spend the extra $20-30 on a "15 Boge cartos for $20 shipped" deals you can find in a few places.

 

[rolandpibb]

If beginners take the time and effort to educate themselves, I see no reason not to recommend a vv.

Egos, kGos, epowers etc...are okay models, and I have them all, but the day I started using a VV, I regretted the money I spent on them. I'd have rather experienced a superior vaping experience from the get go.

Depends on the situation. For outside in the cold weather, I'd use a KGO or eGo, my Reo mini got too cold. For out and about I have my Reo mini, it's much smaller than my sitting around PV. For me, VV is much more of a couch vape.

 

[Cloud Wizard]

I picked up the LeCig VV (lava tube look alike) with charger 2x attys, 2x 18650 batts (220mAH) and a case for $65. It's a 510 that does 3v-6v. Hardest part for me was trying to understand what combinations of ohms vs. volts so I looked for as much info as I could and expanded on a simpler spreadsheet I found in the forums here.

Here's my version that calculates Power (watts) and Current (amps) and I put in a quick calc to make sure I wouldn't destroy my other batteries by mixing and matching (calculates the elusive "C" factor based on your batt size, etc).

No warranties included, but I use every time I shop to make sure I'm getting something safe for me and my equipment.
View attachment Power Calc.xlsx

 

[sailorman]

Cloud Wizard,
Need to take a look at Pbusardo's review on Youtube about the LavaTube. He has charts and graphs that you can pause. They'll show you what voltages your VV will apply, depending on what resistance atty you're using. The LavaTubes limit the amperage to 2.5A

You don't need to worry about destroying your batteries at 2.5A, as long as you use decent high drain IMR's, like the Panasonic GCR18650CH. 2250mah $9.99 shipped at orbtronics and beats the socks off the AW.

The reason the "C" factor is so elusive is that, with the equipment we use, it really doesn't come into play. Decent 18650s have a discharge rate of 10A. That's FAR beyond anything we subject them to. When I flew RC airplanes and used LiPo batteries, the "C rate" was important because the motors were always working the battery close to it's discharge limit. And LiPos are WAY more sensitive and explosion prone than the Li-Ions or IMR's we use in PV's. A 2250mah 2C lipo might blow up in the air. A 2250mah 10C lipo wouldn't, but it cost 5X as much. We have no such concerns with PVs. A cheapie generic 2200mah 2C Li-Ion can handle 4.4A, far beyond what a PV subjects it to.

If you mix batteries, the important thing is charge state. You should always charge them in pairs. If you can put them in a carrier that connects them in parallel and charge 2X3.7V as one big 3.7V, for example, that's all the better.

Honestly, the only calc. I use for vaping anymore is V^2/I = W. The LavaTubes take care of the amps, so you don't pop your cartos. If you use 1.5ohm cartos, it'll limit you to about 4V. With 3ohm, you can get about 5V or so, If you want it to put out 6V, you need to use 4ohm cartos. That's what makes it "newb friendly".