First, let me state that I never intended to write a review for Kens Big Brother, as there are a lot to begin with. This is not the 5v variable mod, as it is my first box mod and wasnt quite sure how the mod and myself would get along. As this is my first review ever, I am also including a background look at what Ken was dealing with when I ordered.
Staring at the Monitor
After reading tons of reviews, and looking at it through a glass-window so to speak, I was going to order a normal box mod from Ken at Boxmods.net. So I placed my order for a 4 AA size box mod with 2 switches and 2 atomizers. After I placed my order, is when the fun began. I decided to ask Ken a question about what I had ordered, what type of batteries it took and if those batteries would last around as long as my eGo did.
Within 5-8 minutes I had a reply and then an odd question asking me if I meant to order the 4 AA size box, or if I really wanted a Big Brother, which was the same price, but was smaller in size and could potentially last 16 hours. I admitted it was my first box mod, and that I really didnt know what I should have been ordering without getting in over my head.
Ken suggested for me to get the Big Brother, and if I hurried with my battery order, he could get in the mail that day. So I ordered the charger, and two sets of 14500 900 mah batteries and told him Thank you for bearing with me and being so prompt. I might also add that this whole discussion took place on the day before Thanksgiving, or the 24th of November.
First Day
On the 27th, I received my package and had my wife place the batteries on the charger and I would fool with it when I got home. What I found at home was this: A small black AA battery box with a 501 connector, and a very small square shaped button on the opposite side of the connector. First Thought: Is this going to be any good? Upon opening the box, there was a small earth magnet on the inside of the battery cover to keep it from slipping out of place, with a sticker inside of it stating Protected Batteries Only. I noticed on the mod itself, that the terminals had been switched from having different connection positions (pos side up, pos side down) to having the same position (pos side down on both batteries).
The only bit of wiring that can be seen at all is the main positive lead from the bottom terminals that ranged behind the negative terminals and into the 501 connector. The rest of the wiring is obscured by either hot glue or epoxy resin, not sure which one. So I put the batteries into the mod, screwed in my LR atomizer and dripped a couple of drops into it. Pushed the button and inhaled
HIT LIKE A FREAKIN MACK TRUCK!!!! I was almost floored by not only vapor production, throat hit, but the taste of the e-liquid I was using was again at the forefront of my vaping experience. Fast Forward 2 weeks.
2nd week impression
Still hits hard, even on the supplied atomizer that Ken had packaged with it. I have been rotating the batteries which last me almost 2 days. And I must say, that Im a moderate to heavy vaper since having the Big Brother 3.7v mod. I like it, I love it and I want some more it. I cannot say enough about how this still hits for me. I have accidentally dropped it once, and the worst that happened was the batteries were scattered across the floor. Everything else in the mod stayed put, and there was no visible damage done to it.
Overall Impression Compared to Previous Devices Used
Joye 510 PV----- Short battery life, small vapor production, light throat hit, in essence was my first PV and severly irritated me on the three reasons listed above. The only good point I can bring up on this PV is that as a beginner PV it did its job and replaced my smoking habit.
EGO-- 12 hour battery life, good vapor production, medium throat hit. I switched to this PV because I was unhappy with the Joye 510, but still wanted to use the 510 Atomizers and Cartomizers. There were enormous reviews with this PV as well. Most were good, some not so much. I loved it for a while, about four months. Even with the bigger 900 mah batteries it was still missing something. Heck I was even dripping into a cartomizer trying to up the throat hit.
Kens Big Brother 3.7v mod -- 16+ hours of vapor, great vapor production, and fantastic throat hit. More importantly is how hard it hits, I was a PAD Marlboro 100 smoker for 15 years, and this mod FEELS more like a cigarette in terms of how it performs to my lungs. I dont feel like I have to chain vape anymore, because I feel more satisfied with one or two drags that I have using either of the other two devices. I Have not switched back to either the EGO or the Joye 510 since I got it.
Customer Service Rating for Boxmods.net--Thoroughly professional, and knew what I was looking for. Very friendly and prompt with responses, even though the customer clearly didnt know what he wanted from a mod.
E-liquids used for review: JC Red Oak (VG)18mg Tenn. Cured, FreedomsmokeUSA Banana Nut Bread (50/50 PG/VG)24mg, Pursmoke (50/50) 24mg, Forest Fruit (50/50) 24mg.
Staring at the Monitor
After reading tons of reviews, and looking at it through a glass-window so to speak, I was going to order a normal box mod from Ken at Boxmods.net. So I placed my order for a 4 AA size box mod with 2 switches and 2 atomizers. After I placed my order, is when the fun began. I decided to ask Ken a question about what I had ordered, what type of batteries it took and if those batteries would last around as long as my eGo did.
Within 5-8 minutes I had a reply and then an odd question asking me if I meant to order the 4 AA size box, or if I really wanted a Big Brother, which was the same price, but was smaller in size and could potentially last 16 hours. I admitted it was my first box mod, and that I really didnt know what I should have been ordering without getting in over my head.
Ken suggested for me to get the Big Brother, and if I hurried with my battery order, he could get in the mail that day. So I ordered the charger, and two sets of 14500 900 mah batteries and told him Thank you for bearing with me and being so prompt. I might also add that this whole discussion took place on the day before Thanksgiving, or the 24th of November.
First Day
On the 27th, I received my package and had my wife place the batteries on the charger and I would fool with it when I got home. What I found at home was this: A small black AA battery box with a 501 connector, and a very small square shaped button on the opposite side of the connector. First Thought: Is this going to be any good? Upon opening the box, there was a small earth magnet on the inside of the battery cover to keep it from slipping out of place, with a sticker inside of it stating Protected Batteries Only. I noticed on the mod itself, that the terminals had been switched from having different connection positions (pos side up, pos side down) to having the same position (pos side down on both batteries).
The only bit of wiring that can be seen at all is the main positive lead from the bottom terminals that ranged behind the negative terminals and into the 501 connector. The rest of the wiring is obscured by either hot glue or epoxy resin, not sure which one. So I put the batteries into the mod, screwed in my LR atomizer and dripped a couple of drops into it. Pushed the button and inhaled
HIT LIKE A FREAKIN MACK TRUCK!!!! I was almost floored by not only vapor production, throat hit, but the taste of the e-liquid I was using was again at the forefront of my vaping experience. Fast Forward 2 weeks.
2nd week impression
Still hits hard, even on the supplied atomizer that Ken had packaged with it. I have been rotating the batteries which last me almost 2 days. And I must say, that Im a moderate to heavy vaper since having the Big Brother 3.7v mod. I like it, I love it and I want some more it. I cannot say enough about how this still hits for me. I have accidentally dropped it once, and the worst that happened was the batteries were scattered across the floor. Everything else in the mod stayed put, and there was no visible damage done to it.
Overall Impression Compared to Previous Devices Used
Joye 510 PV----- Short battery life, small vapor production, light throat hit, in essence was my first PV and severly irritated me on the three reasons listed above. The only good point I can bring up on this PV is that as a beginner PV it did its job and replaced my smoking habit.
EGO-- 12 hour battery life, good vapor production, medium throat hit. I switched to this PV because I was unhappy with the Joye 510, but still wanted to use the 510 Atomizers and Cartomizers. There were enormous reviews with this PV as well. Most were good, some not so much. I loved it for a while, about four months. Even with the bigger 900 mah batteries it was still missing something. Heck I was even dripping into a cartomizer trying to up the throat hit.
Kens Big Brother 3.7v mod -- 16+ hours of vapor, great vapor production, and fantastic throat hit. More importantly is how hard it hits, I was a PAD Marlboro 100 smoker for 15 years, and this mod FEELS more like a cigarette in terms of how it performs to my lungs. I dont feel like I have to chain vape anymore, because I feel more satisfied with one or two drags that I have using either of the other two devices. I Have not switched back to either the EGO or the Joye 510 since I got it.
Customer Service Rating for Boxmods.net--Thoroughly professional, and knew what I was looking for. Very friendly and prompt with responses, even though the customer clearly didnt know what he wanted from a mod.
E-liquids used for review: JC Red Oak (VG)18mg Tenn. Cured, FreedomsmokeUSA Banana Nut Bread (50/50 PG/VG)24mg, Pursmoke (50/50) 24mg, Forest Fruit (50/50) 24mg.
