Best PV for Long Term Cost-Effective Upkeep?

[Ansah]

Hi. I'm new to this and just got an Ego-C starter kit. I've also been reading about all of the various "mods" and brands and flavors and styles, looking up terms such as cartomizer, 510 etc., trying to get the lay of the land and figure out what I will have to buy and when so I can keep vaping since, obviously, none of the individual components of a PV last forever...

I like simplicity. I don't think I will want VV, and hope to find one excellent tobacco flavor (a DYI mix) and just stick with that...

Any opinions about the best, high quality non-VV PV for long term, cost efficient upkeep? Totally Wicked's Odyssey, for example, has $5.99 battery replacements, since it seems you can just buy the battery without the housing unit— that sort of thing.

I looked at the Provari, as this seems to be sort of the Rolls Royce around here. But besides being really pricy, it just seems too complex. (I certainly don't need LED indicators.) But what's the non-VV Provari of simplicity, efficiency, durability and thrift? I'm OK with spending more $$$ on the front end if it saves money down the road. Opinions are welcome, thanks.

 

[MattBott]

A simple mechanical mod would probably be something to interest you. "Mechanical mods" are PVs that have no electrical parts in them. Mot even wires. Basicaly, its a housing for a battery with a 510 connector.

Something I've had my eye on is the SmokTech Telescope. "Telescope" meaning it will screw in and out to accommodate just about any of the standard ecig batteries. Here's an awesome review that came out recently:

​

Pros to mechanical:

• Nothing to break
• You're only limited by your battery (Like eGos have a 2amp limit meaning going less than 1.8ish ohms is a no-no and could fry it)
• Easily "Kicked" (Read up on Variable Wattage and The Kick

Cons:

• Inconsistant output. You're Voltage diminishes as your battery is used (a freshly charged battery starts around 4.2V and lowers to 3ish) *not an issue with the kick

There are tons of mechanical mods out there, some are beautiful pieces of art and cost more than my monthly car payment (Caravela). Other's are cheap (in both senses of the word). Just remember to read / watch some trusted reviewers and research so you don't buy something that's going to fail.

 

[steved5600]

Something like a BOLT. Constant voltage but you can change the battery. But your going to be limited on the Attys as they use 3.7 volts and if you want to change wattage you have to change the ohms of the atty. A VV will give you more control and will allow you to buy other ohms and still get the wattage you want. A BOLT 3.7 volt goes for like $20.00 to $35.00. A VV like the XL 4 goes for like $40 dollars and a lambo $ for like $60.00. Good solid APV.s. They both have replaceable batteries.

 

[MattBott]

Something else like the bolt would be Boss Mod. Beastly little 3.7V regulated mod. 5 click on / off like the eGos, 18650 battery, 6amp limit, so you can throw whatever resistance atty you want at it.

 

[Nurzrachit]

Go to vapor Joe's somone had a roughstack for 20$.those mods you throw through the wall, dust the sheetrock off and vape it. Best tobacco diy flavor is realcig from vapingzone. You will stop looking once you try it.

 

[yzer]

I'm still using my E-Power 14650 a year after paying $45 for the starter kit.

 

[flintlock62]

The Provape-1 has a life time warranty. No screens, no VV.

Hi. I'm new to this and just got an Ego-C starter kit. I've also been reading about all of the various "mods" and brands and flavors and styles, looking up terms such as cartomizer, 510 etc., trying to get the lay of the land and figure out what I will have to buy and when so I can keep vaping since, obviously, none of the individual components of a PV last forever...

I like simplicity. I don't think I will want VV, and hope to find one excellent tobacco flavor (a DYI mix) and just stick with that...

Any opinions about the best, high quality non-VV PV for long term, cost efficient upkeep? Totally Wicked's Odyssey, for example, has $5.99 battery replacements, since it seems you can just buy the battery without the housing unit— that sort of thing.

I looked at the Provari, as this seems to be sort of the Rolls Royce around here. But besides being really pricy, it just seems too complex. (I certainly don't need LED indicators.) But what's the non-VV Provari of simplicity, efficiency, durability and thrift? I'm OK with spending more $$$ on the front end if it saves money down the road. Opinions are welcome, thanks.

 

[illusion]

the silver bullet from altsmoke is a solid device. i have dropped mine over 20 times, i even dropped it 10 foot off a ladder onto a sidewalk the fall broke the carto that was on it and got a tinny little nick in the paint but it still works as good as day 1. it costs around 85 bucks but its well worth the price imo.

and if you change your mind about vv/vw later on you can put a kick in it ( a kick would be a good way to get a better vape out of it and you can pretty much just set it and forget it )

 

[lazyymatt]

The Lavatube is definitely the knock off brand of the ProVari and I've been using it for the past year. It is a real good mod, but a little too big. I think I got mine from Apollo Ecigs and it was around $40-50. If you are willing to spend $$$ I JUST gave in and bought a Reo Grand from Reos Mods and I have literally been reading only good reviews. I think you should check out the forums and watch the YouTube reviews of it.

 

[Faylool]

I wanted the same kind of thing myself and price wasn't a big problem. After reading a lot and looking and asking questions I started looking for a box mod and I'm a girl who thinks they look masculine but all the basics and longevity I was wanting was there. I didn't want something that would go out of style and there is so much stainless steel tube mods....kinda space age. I like natural and durable. I do horses and dogs type thing. Ok so, I looked a quite a few custom jobs and decided I liked WoodMod by Brad Gruss. But reading the posts there was along waiting time and much frustration. I went ahead and bought one that was available now from his site and I actually like it a lot even though if I waited for custom I'd do something different. The wood is substantial, thick and the regulator is top of line and it is simple. I got the drip kind or put a tank on it and VV. I really think you'll regret not getting VV. the attys and cartos just never really act quit the same from one to the next of the same kind. They are all basically in a range. It's the nature of them. And liquids are like that too. Some need a little higher voltage. Once you find the sweet spot people talk about and experience it with your carto and device for a day for example and you decide to change flavors and put in a new carto? Tank, atty what ever and the sweet spot has shifted....it is frustrating and yes, noticeable. You can get used to it of course but long story short, why should you have to? VV gives you options and that goes hand with longevity. These kinds of mods are timeless, beautiful and durable. Plus along as he is around he gives outstanding customer service. All around BUSY good stuff. If you don't like his there are other custom wood mods out there. Brad is also making a non wood style you pretty much have to see on his site. WoodMod.com
Oh and their is a little screw to adjust the VV and you screw in a volt meter to set your volts. Sounds hassle but eliminates the led stuff and button failure probs. once set on a particular vape batch you don't need to change once you get the hang of it. ANYWAY
Go for timeless too.

 

[Racehorse]

Totally Wicked's Odyssey, for example, has $5.99 battery replacements, since it seems you can just buy the battery without the housing unit— that sort of thing.

It's a beautiful looking mod, a friend has one, BUT.........it's kinda heavy. I was surprised by that.

 

[Lowstorm]

Ya know, I started out with an ego twist, and I really like it. You CAN just set it at 3.7 volts and never touch it again-I have found my 'personal' favorite that teases my tastebuds is personally 4 volts. You don't HAVE to tinker with it if you don't want to.

 

[Racehorse]

my 'personal' favorite that teases my tastebuds is personally 4 volts.

Seems to be the sweet spot for a lot of people...........that's bout what I keep mine at.

 

[elmattias]

Two words: silver bullet.

sent from EVOLTEd

 

[jacurtwong]

u can try out smoktech Zmax2,its quit perfome now.

 

[tj99959]

Mechanical mods or 3.7v mods are no different than anything else, some will like them, and some won't. Some love the convenience of VV or VW mods, and some could care less. Personally I place a higher value on what you put on top of the mod than I do the mod itself, and you are pretty much on your own finding what heads fit your vape style and personal likes.

The two mods that I would place at the top of my list for build quality are the Silver Bullet and the Provari. I would add the Darwin, but Brandon hasn't made one for about a year. (top of the list for 3.7, VV, and VW)

With any of the mechanical mods you need to think about safety, so you might want to also spend a tad extra on batteries and get AW IMR's for it. You might also want to get a "2 cent fuse" to put under the battery.
ElectronicStix.Com · Vape Safe Mod Fuse.

 

[Faylool]

Ansah. Listened to my own advice and got the Damascus Mechanical Mod from Sweet Vapes ( not to be confused with Sweet-Vapes)
From Brad Gruss who also makes WoodMods at WoodMods.com
I actually do have a favorite all day vape that consistently vapes in low reserve cartos/atty's so I can definitely use non regulated mod just fine actually. Ya got me thinking'
Cost me money and I am in no way a collector. Do like to have a few for variety. Have fun

 

[tc1]

Variable Voltage completely changed my vaping experience for the better. You might want to purchase an inexpensive Twist/Spinner and experiment for yourself because it frankly could be mind blowing.

Going from a standard ego ... which output voltage is actually 3.2-3.3 volts to a vv device at 4-4.2 volts is night and day.

As far as a mod. If you don't want a display, you could check out the telescoping mechanical mod from SmokeTech. You can pretty much use any sized battery imaginable with ease and you can always add a Kick later on if you decide vv/vw is something you want to try (I really DO recommend it). The Bolt/Bullet mods are another great option but depending on the mod, your battery options can be limited (they do sell extension caps however).

 

[lizardnipples]

I love my Reo grand with a rba. It's a little pricey but it's simple and bulletproof.

 

[gimmieshelter31]

Provape-1. Lifetime guarantee. $90