Boro Mod's, Tanks, Attys And More

Technonut

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It appears that many of the Chinese dna 60 clone devices range between $120.00-$200.00 USD on average. I looked around a bit after seeing the $159.00 price tag of the Astro-style boro mod mentioned above, and found that Sunbox (Italy), is now offering a pretty sweet looking 3D printed boro device with the Dicodes Extreme V3 board for around $200.00 USD shipped... ;)


I've been VERY happy with the other Sunbox devices I have, and decided to pull the trigger on the limited edition B5. :) (It also helped that I was offered a pay-in-4 plan from PayPal while checking out ;) :) ) I'll post some pics and my thoughts on the device after it arrives.

EDIT: Looking at the B5, it appears to be a compact device, around the same size as the SXK Ion Box (perhaps a tad taller). It shares the same "bottom finger notch" design as my Sunbox Game Over 360 squonker, which is also compact, and a great quality 3D print. Holding my GO360, the B5's button placement may seem odd to some, but I can see where it should be very comfortable to hold / fire (I'd expect nothing less from Sunbox... ;) )


Screenshot 2022-10-18 at 10-02-40 B5 - Dicodes (Limited Edition).png
Screenshot 2022-10-18 at 10-06-10 B5 - Dicodes (Limited Edition).png
Screenshot 2022-10-18 at 10-07-08 B5 - Dicodes (Limited Edition).png
 
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Technonut

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Tek Division's 21700 Brotek boro device looks interesting as well for around $200.00 USD + shipping... Very lightweight at 51 grams unloaded, and sports the Omega Nucleo Nano board. Looks like my vape-budget next month (I've budgeted the same amount of $$ spent monthly on tobacco before switching to vaping since 2010) may be spoken for already with this one... ;)



Screenshot 2022-10-20 at 04-14-00 BROTEK Mysite 1.png
Screenshot 2022-10-20 at 04-13-19 9cae5c_2f775e6bf2a84c0b8c8ab11899962356~mv2.webp (WEBP Image...png
Screenshot 2022-10-20 at 04-12-36 9cae5c_52460ae14f0a4acab8c9e15a26b3252c~mv2.webp (WEBP Image...png


EDIT: Here's a vid review:

 
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Technonut

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I've had an opportunity to try out a handful of the more recent (to me) RBA bridges over the past few months, and just received a Wick'd Bridg'd Omega ( clone, unknown maker) the other day. Whoever manufactured this did an excellent job IMO, with smooth threading, and nice machining. I picked it up here:


The build was straightforward, and wicking as well. I chose the 1.2mm air pin, and am quite pleased with the MTL performance / vape quality. Now, is it better than others I've tried? Not really TBH. Included were the EVL Alien, Dope, Orbit, Pioneer Insider, and a few older ones. Granted, the Orbit has a unique airflow adjustment in comparison, but IMO, ALL share a smooth, flavorful vape, and are relatively easy to build / wick (with exception of the EVL's wicking..).

Unless something innovative / ultra-cool comes along, I think I'm pretty much at the end of chasing RBA bridges for awhile, and will remain satisfied with my current collection.. :) ;)

EDIT: Now, tanks and some accessories are another thing... I do have a couple of SXK Limelights and a BP Mods TMD Boro for PnP coils on the way... ;) :greengrin:
 
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Technonut

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Finally, the SunBox B5 is out of the "black hole" after leaving Italy:

Your item has been processed through our facility in ISC NEW YORK NY(USPS) at 4:14 pm on October 29, 2022.

Should be in my hands soon.... :) I'm looking forward to a lightweight, but durable boro device of excellent quality. :)

WhatsApp-Image-2022-10-24-at-19.07.50-1-225x300.jpg
 

Technonut

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Well, the B5 just arrived from Italy... VERY light, and seemingly durable from what I see. Here's a couple of quick, preliminary pics... I'm off to throw an NiFe 30 coil into the Pioneer Insider, and give this device a spin....:smokie:

As can be seen, the B5 is just about as compact as the SXK Ion Box, and doesn't weigh much at all unloaded:

SB B5.jpg


SB B52.jpg
 

Pigs

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Well, the B5 just arrived from Italy... VERY light, and seemingly durable from what I see. Here's a couple of quick, preliminary pics... I'm off to throw an NiFe 30 coil into the Pioneer Insider, and give this device a spin....:smokie:

As can be seen, the B5 is just about as compact as the SXK Ion Box, and doesn't weigh much at all unloaded:

View attachment 983947

View attachment 983946
Looks good. Will be interested to hear about af and general performance.
 

Technonut

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Looks good. Will be interested to hear about af and general performance.

I've spent exclusive time with the B5 since it's arrival, and initially had some reservations regarding QC, and ergonomics. The door panel is an odd design choice to me, since it is raised when installed instead of fitting flush. That in it's self was the choice of SunBox's designer, but the fact that the door panel exhibits an irritating amount of up / down - side / side movement when installed is just overlooked QC IMO. Kind of disappointing, given that I own a few other SunBox devices that I've been VERY pleased with.

Granted, the door panel is facing the back when the device is in use, so any thumb-fidgeting is against a solid surface. However, the occasional "clickity-clacking" of the ill-fitting panel was irritating to me. I did mange to use the "tape-trick" on the panel's back to tame it down to a tolerable level thankfully, but I shouldn't have needed to go to the effort on a high-end device IMO.

To be fair, I did receive a Vicious Ant Spade 21700 75C directly from VA that had a door panel which would literally fall off without a battery installed ( using the magnet) right out-of-the-box..

Despite the finger-notch design, the device is taking a learning-curve to find a comfortable hand position, due to the air flow opening being placed right where one's fingers want to wrap around the device. After taking it out-n-about all day on errands, I seemed to find a couple of ways to comfortably and naturally hold it.

With negatives out of the way, I am QUITE pleased with the 3D print quality / strength of the B5's body, and construction. The device is lightweight, compact, and performs fantastically with the Dicodes Extreme V3. I tried out a RDL build, and (to me) the B5 should have enough AF to please all but the hard-core DL vaper (most boro RBAs aren't geared for that style anyhow IMO).

I'm going to test out the device for a few more days, and see how I feel, but as it stands now, despite the door panel and ergonomics, I thoroughly enjoyed the device while out today, and will post more of my thoughts, observations, and detailed pics soon.... :)

B5 Xeta2.jpg


B5xeta2.jpg


B5xeta.jpg


B5xeta3.jpg
 
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Pigs

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I've spent exclusive time with the B5 since it's arrival, and initially had some reservations regarding QC, and ergonomics. The door panel is an odd design choice to me, since it is raised when installed instead of fitting flush. That in it's self was the choice of SunBox's designer, but the fact that the door panel exhibits an irritating amount of up / down - side / side movement when installed is just overlooked QC IMO. Kind of disappointing, given that I own a few other SunBox devices that I've been VERY pleased with.

Granted, the door panel is facing the back when the device is in use, so any thumb-fidgeting is against a solid surface. However, the occasional "clickity-clacking of the ill-fitting panel was irritating to me. I did mange to use the "tape-trick" on the panel's back to tame it down to a tolerable level thankfully, but I shouldn't have needed to go to the effort on a high-end device IMO.

To be fair, I did receive a Vicious Ant Spade 21700 75C directly from VA that had a door panel which would literally fall off without a battery installed ( using the magnet) right out-of-the-box..

Despite the finger-notch design, the device is taking a learning-curve to find a comfortable hand position, due to the air flow opening being placed right where one's fingers want to wrap around the device. After taking it out-n-about all day on errands, I seemed to find a couple of ways to comfortably and naturally hold it.

With negatives out of the way, I am QUITE pleased with the 3D print quality / strength of the B5's body, and construction. The device is lightweight, compact, and performs fantastically with the Dicodes Extreme V3. I tried out a RDL build, and (to me) the B5 should have enough AF to please all but the hard-core DL vaper (most boro RBAs aren't geared for that style anyhow IMO).

I'm going to test out the device for a few more days, and see how I feel, but as it stands now, despite the door panel and ergonomics, I thoroughly enjoyed the device while out today, and will post more of my thoughts, observations, and detailed pics soon.... :)

View attachment 984078
Thanks for such a detailed review.
 

Technonut

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Thanks for such a detailed review.

NP... Hope it's helpful to those interested in the device... :)

It really is very decent overall. The star of the show for me since I enjoy temp-limited vaping is the Dicodes, which if purchased separately, is a chunk out of the B5's shipped cost. I was looking at some other 3D printed / delrin DNA 60 / Dicodes boro devices out there, and most were priced at $350.00 USD and up.. o_O

Definitely the Chinese knock-offs like the SXK Ion Box, BXR, and other upcoming 3D printed and aluminum clones are the best bang-for-the-buck out there, whether with the DNA 60, or SEVO 70 boards. The QC, construction, and finishing on these devices just gets better and better IMO. I'm really interested in the Astro DNA 60 clone, but can't decide whether I want aluminum or POM.... I need to pull myself out of the rabbit-hole for sure! :D
 
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Tor R

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The star of the show for me since I enjoy temp-limited vaping is the Dicodes, which if purchased separately, is a chunk out of the B5's shipped cost
Did you purchase the chipset seperately?
If so, where.
I’ve tryed to find a place who sell the chipset
 

Technonut

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Did you purchase the chipset seperately?
If so, where.
I’ve tryed to find a place who sell the chipset

No, I was just commenting that the Dicodes EV3 would make up a chunk of the B5's overall production cost if purchased separately.

In other B5 news.... I was in contact with SunBox regarding the loose door panel, and made a vid showing it. I was disappointed with the reply, but kind of understand, taking the nature of 3D printing into consideration (I'm just glad that the "tape-trick" has taken care of 90% of the issue, and no longer annoys me ;) ):

Hello, thank you for sending the video, it's clear.


What you consider as a "cheap feeling" is the necessity of intrinsic tolerances to 3D printing. In the first B5 batch we made doors a bit larger, but due to tolerances most doors didn't fit the B5 body, so we had to make them a bit smaller to make every door fit in every body. If you slide it up and down and press, click sound is unavoidable. We are very sorry it annoys you, but that's how we had to do it to avoid an even wors situation: a door stuck in the body of the mod.

We hope this explains the situation, but we remain at your disposale for more information, if needed.

Thank you in advance for your understanding.

Kind Regards,


SunBox Team
 

Pigs

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No, I was just commenting that the Dicodes EV3 would make up a chunk of the B5's overall production cost if purchased separately.

In other B5 news.... I was in contact with SunBox regarding the loose door panel, and made a vid showing it. I was disappointed with the reply, but kind of understand, taking the nature of 3D printing into consideration (I'm just glad that the "tape-trick" has taken care of 90% of the issue, and no longer annoys me ;) ):
For the price I'd expect zero door movement. If they know it's likely, they should put a disclaimer in their advertising.
 

Technonut

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For the price I'd expect zero door movement. If they know it's likely, they should put a disclaimer in their advertising.

Agreed... There aren't any vid reviews of the device around, and I know for a fact that @Mark Todd would be all over an ill-fitting panel as a negative. I do have the satisfaction of posting a public YouTube vid of the issue, along with an update of SunBox's explanation. ;) Already has close to 800 views, and hopefully will be helpful to folks before making a purchase.

Don't get me wrong however... With the tape-trick fix, I've been VERY happy with the B5, and there really aren't any other Dicodes boro devices around in the $200.00 USD price range. I'm actually surprised with the strength of the PA 12 nylon used for the print, given it's light weight.

EDIT: Delving into the subject, I see where PA 12 nylon is great for 3D printing devices:


The material is especially stable over longer periods of time. We already mentioned some reasons but there's more: like it being insensitive to cracking, it’s strength even below zero temperatures, hardness, resistance to abrasion and of course it being very chemically resistant. Nylon 12 also absorbs very little moisture. Because of that parts made from Nylon 12 are dimensionally very stable even when humidity levels fluctuate. It’s therefore ideal for applications where safety, durability or reliability over time is critical.
 
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Technonut

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I thought I'd gotten over the BB bug but I've been bitten hard by the SXK PEI version. 188 dollars is a lot but I'm looking at the end of Chinese vape gear retail and thinking....should I? Could be a last chance. If the quality is anything like the SXK PEI delro it'll be excellent.

Now would be the time for certain.... ;) I'm starting to get antsy about the Astro clone myself... :confused:
 

Technonut

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Almost gave up looking for this until happening upon it today. I've had the Qbix since not long after it's release, and tossed it aside into the black-hole of vape gear piled up in my office right after receiving it, unused. From what I gather, they're difficult to find now. About drove me crazy wondering what I did with it... :oops:

Can't wait to try this one out..... :smokie:

qbix.jpg
 

Pigs

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Almost gave up looking for this until happening upon it today. I've had the Qbix since not long after it's release, and tossed it aside into the black-hole of vape gear piled up in my office right after receiving it, unused. From what I gather, they're difficult to find now. About drove me crazy wondering what I did with it... :oops:

Can't wait to try this one out..... :smokie:

View attachment 984494
The Qbix is my favourite boro atty. Got one like you when they first came out and fell in love with it. Built to last, wicks great, plenty of af options and never leaks.
 

Technonut

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The Qbix is my favourite boro atty. Got one like you when they first came out and fell in love with it. Built to last, wicks great, plenty of af options and never leaks.

Quick, straightforward build, excellent flavor so far, and stable in temp-limiting with the Dicodes using SS316L. No signs of leaking as well. Yep, I think I like it! :thumb:

qbix2.jpg
 

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