Short answer: No. Long answer, as follows:
I have over 20 PV's and APV's. An insatiable addiction to the gear, the pursuit of the best vape, the need to know for myself how well something works, burning curiosity, and a little extra money have all led me in this direction. The silly truth is that because I didn't know exactly what I wanted, what would work best in many different situations, etc., etc., I had to own many, if not most, of the (A)PV's recommended on this site. After reading tens of thousands of posts over the last six months, since joining ECF, I'm finally getting comfortable about the vaping game, the gear, what I like, etc. So much so now, that I think I can thin the herd, and use the recouped proceeds to get exactly what I want. In thinning the herd, I will keep my favorites, still have plenty of backups, and still feel "complete." I provide this information to let you know that I am a well-informed and well-experienced vaper, having started this journey in 2009.
Along the way, I've lost some (A)PV's, most notably my trouble with the eVic. I love the eVic, I have three of them, I have brought them back from death four times, learning to solder in the process. In fact, my telescoping Kir Fanis eVic tubes will be here this week. I've lost a couple of Ego-V's, because they are not well made. I've lost my Ego-C's, because they don't work as well as most anything else. I've changed from atomizers, to clearos (40 types), to carto tanks (my current ADV), and now four nice RBA pieces. I've evolved in ways I never thought possible. I literally became prickly when the Provarinati kept extolling the virtues of the Provari, and felt they were condescending toward all other devices (and their users). I was resentful. The Provari obviously was missing variable power (Wattage), and I liked variable wattage. It didn't allow ego threading, and I liked the evod as my favorite clearo. How could any reasonable person tell me that the Provari was better than my ___________, seriously. Been through a hundred APV wars, heard it all, had it all, used it all, and I can tell you this now.
I vape. I'm hooked. I would never leave my house without my setup, and I always have backups, good ones. Today, I always take the Provari. Not because I think it has the best features. Not because I think it has the best warranty. Not because it is more accurate than most all other devices. Certainly not because it is the most expensive. I always take the Provari with me, because I believe, no I know, that no matter what happens, my Provari is going to be there, working perfectly. I'm literally afraid to be away from home without my vape gear. The Provari gives me peace of mind. An extra battery, and I will be vaping. My limitations are that I can't use my Kanger or any other ego-threaded topper. That bothered me for a long time, because that was my favorite, and I didn't like my Provari for that reason. Know all about adapters. The evod, with an adapter looks silly on the Provari, and I have my pride. The word reliability probably best describes what I'm talking about, but it's really much more than that. If I lived on the moon, I wouldn't leave my capsule without air to breathe. Taking the Provari feels that way to me. I still prefer VW, but I certainly don't need it, and I rarely change my toppers anymore. Cartos last me 3 or 4 days (it's my juice), the resistance doesn't change, so I don't need to adjust my voltage very often. I hit the fire button and vape. No muss, no fuss. I simply don't feel this way about any other batteries. I still take a backup, but that's because of what I need to do for peace of mind. I know I'll never need it, since I already have a backup 18650/490/350 battery for the Provari.
When I thin the herd, to make room for my dream mechanical and RBA, and my dream APV and RBA, with carto tank backup, I will number one keep my Provari. In fact, if I get rid of ten pieces, I'll definitely buy another Provari. I have two now, the regular and mini, both 2.5's. I will add another regular "silver" one, then my other two dream setups (a Just GG with Ithaka, and a Semovar and Kayfun 3.1ES), plus a spare carto tank (Phiniac's are my current favorite). I know that I'm nearing the end of my gear journey. I didn't know this until recently. I've had to try a lot to get there. I can see the finish line.
So, out of everything I have, I will keep the Provari's, keep my high end RBA's, my Phiniac's, and add a another Provari and the two dream setups. If everything were in stock, I'd already be there. Everyone's journey is different. Their priorities (which change throughout VapeQuest) are different. But, I've been going down this road since 2009. I know what I like and what works for me, and now you've heard my story. I cannot find a perfect APV for me, but I can feel good about what I have, gain the peace of mind that vaping addiction asks of me, and be comfortable. That would not be possible for me without the Provari.
I bought the Provari so that I could explain to you and understand myself why the Provari was less than, or equal to __________, at a fraction of the cost. I wanted to be well-informed and very experienced with the Provari before I shot down your [Provari] balloon. I know that sucks as a good reason, but it is honest.
I have many devices that are more feature-rich than the Provari, and I do like those features (they are not bells and whistles either, a$$hole...*said as the writer mused at the ceiling to no one in particular*). I have other devices that have as good a vaping range (voltage) as my Provari. I have any number of devices that have an easier, perhaps better, menu system. I have plenty of devices that are more flexible (telescoping is one example). I pretty much have it all, certainly enough to provide a qualified opinion. In a few ways, and beyond a shadow of a doubt, I know that my Provari is lacking. I have no intention of ever letting myself, or anyone else, ever run over my Provari with my/their truck. You can take it from me by prying it out of my cold dead arthritic fingers. But, I'm holding on to my Provari. I'm not a fanboy, by a long shot, I'm a vaper....a really serious vaper. Don't screw with my vaping. I love and respect your choices. My Provari doesn't need to be defended. It is what it is, and it's not perfect. But, no matter what, I'll still be vaping with it, and that's what is most important to me. Thank you Provape. Bet you didn't see this one coming.....I really was very anti-Provari for the longest time, including long after I had bought it.
Sorry for the wall of words. I couldn't think of any easier way to say it and adequately convey my feelings and thoughts. Just my two cents, and a long explanation to a simple question, or in a phase, "I may have bought it because of it's reputation, but I'm keeping it because of what it is." A completely unexpected conversion in my case. Love it even more if it had vw, but truthfully don't care that it doesn't.
The End
