Clones VS The Real Deal...

[BigCloudz]

This seems to be an ongoing debate. Some people are COMPLETELY against clones and do not condone the manufacturing or selling of them, and others do not see a problem with it.

I have been in the Mech world for a short time, about 2 or so months. Since then I have bought nothing but cheaper mods: the Magneto & Chi You Clone, and one 'authentic' in the Reo Grand with the RM2. Of the 3 the Magneto and Chi are without question my favorites. The Grand being my only authentic mod, yet being my least favorite definitely raises some 'brows (at least, for me).

I have some money and am willing for fork it out for a really nice authentic mod, however I honestly do not know if I can do it. Other than just being able to say that I have a REAL Chi/Nemesis/Caravela etc, what's the real benefit? I can buy 4 Nemesis clones for the price of 1 real one, and let's be honest, they probably vape damn near the same.

To those who have both, clones and the real deal; do you find it was worth it to fork out the $200+ for an authentic device? I will be selling my Reo just as soon as I can get verified and I will have a dilemma on my hands lol. Buy a couple clones and cloned atty's, or buy 1 authentic device.

At a local B&M they have a mod called the "Grenade". I haven't seen it anywhere but there, its absolutely awesome looking, heavy, seems well made. It has it's own little 'serial number' etc. BUT it goes for $230. I use all my Mechs on the go and have very little discipline to actually just keep a nice one at home to use on occasion. I am one that believes I should do the most vaping from my best/favorite device. That's another reason I struggle spending so much cash on an authentic.

I'd like to hear your guys thoughts. If there is a mod that is worth your money, i'd also like to hear what it is and why.

Thanks!

 

[opuscroakus]

Got my popcorn. Just waiting for the fireworks.

 

[twistedchild316]

This seems to be an ongoing debate. Some people are COMPLETELY against clones and do not condone the manufacturing or selling of them, and others do not see a problem with it.

I have been in the Mech world for a short time, about 2 or so months. Since then I have bought nothing but cheaper mods: the Magneto & Chi You Clone, and one 'authentic' in the Reo Grand with the RM2. Of the 3 the Magneto and Chi are without question my favorites. The Grand being my only authentic mod, yet being my least favorite definitely raises some 'brows (at least, for me).

I have some money and am willing for fork it out for a really nice authentic mod, however I honestly do not know if I can do it. Other than just being able to say that I have a REAL Chi/Nemesis/Caravela etc, what's the real benefit? I can buy 4 Nemesis clones for the price of 1 real one, and let's be honest, they probably vape damn near the same.

To those who have both, clones and the real deal; do you find it was worth it to fork out the $200+ for an authentic device? I will be selling my Reo just as soon as I can get verified and I will have a dilemma on my hands lol. Buy a couple clones and cloned atty's, or buy 1 authentic device.

At a local B&M they have a mod called the "Grenade". I haven't seen it anywhere but there, its absolutely awesome looking, heavy, seems well made. It has it's own little 'serial number' etc. BUT it goes for $230. I use all my Mechs on the go and have very little discipline to actually just keep a nice one at home to use on occasion. I am one that believes I should do the most vaping from my best/favorite device. That's another reason I struggle spending so much cash on an authentic.

I'd like to hear your guys thoughts. If there is a mod that is worth your money, i'd also like to hear what it is and why.

Thanks!

More like 7......lol

 

[WattWick]

Did you just clone a thread? ..... joking

There's just so many "high-end" mods out there now that it's almost rare to see ones that stand out and don't just look like a smooth tube, a tube with ripples here or a tube with ripples there. The main distinguishing visual on quite a few is the logo.

What puzzles me is the focus on straight up clones. If you have no objection to stealing ideas, why not steal the design for the best switch? The shortest tube/cap? A popular exterior? Combine all the best features? And while at it, save some money by not copying/engraving anyones overly large and often disrupting logo? I'd be all over such a thing. And I'd be willing to pay ... *drumroll* fiddy bucks for it!

I'm not endorsing clones or saying it's perfectly fine. But I have the same feelings about a lot of the "high end" mods. It's when the clones arrive you get the whole story about them. "It has a button you have to press dead center, or it'll rub. But so does the original". "You may want to change the contacts... same as on the original". And so on. And "high end" gear with polycarbonate tanks? Don't get me started

 

[ImThatGuy]

Business standpoint = bad.

Consumer standpoint = good.

 

[Fury83]

As I said in another thread 2 minutes ago. I don't understand the allure of buying a fake something logos and all. If they can duplicate, they can surely take the best features out of something and change the design and/or art to make it unique. If you can duplicate a chi you button, design your own tube, slap it on and brand it.

 

[Pinggolfer]

A clone is nothing more then a fake and cheap imitation of the real thing. Someone works hard on an idea and makes a good product and then it bought, taken apart, and remade using less then the best materials. The worst part is they use the same name as the real deal.

I have played golf for years and years and have I have yet to see a clone or knockoff club being even close to the original. Would you go and buy a clone Toyota or Honda? I'm hear to quit smoking and not here to buy some clone of anything. I'm a believer that you get what you pay for. Yes, you can buy a lemon, but how many horror stories do you read on this forum about cheap junk breaking down? That's my 2 cents.

 

[Scarey]

I absolutely support clones, as long as they don't claim to be the original. If you want a $300 status symbol, go for it. In the mean time, I'm just fine with a knock-off that functions well.

-Scarey: Pirate Vaper

 

[twistedchild316]

I absolutely support clones, as long as they don't claim to be the original. If you want a $300 status symbol, go for it. In the mean time, I'm just fine with a knock-off that functions well.

-Scarey: Pirate Vaper

This guy nailed it^^^^^

 

[BigCloudz]

A clone is nothing more then a fake and cheap imitation of the real thing. Someone works hard on an idea and makes a good product and then it bought, taken apart, and remade using less then the best materials. The worst part is they use the same name as the real deal.

I have played golf for years and years and have I have yet to see a clone or knockoff club being even close to the original. Would you go and buy a clone Toyota or Honda? I'm hear to quit smoking and not here to buy some clone of anything. I'm a believer that you get what you pay for. Yes, you can buy a lemon, but how many horror stories do you read on this forum about cheap junk breaking down? That's my 2 cents.

Not a fair comparison..The precision that goes into making a high end golf club, opposed to a fancy flash light...well, isn't even close.


Also, let's keep it real here, these companies are raping people because these things are so hard to come by. That's over half the reason why they charge $200+ dollars for these mods. I can tell you for a FACT they are not that expensive to build.

I don't think it's cool that these companies are completely knocking the mods off, but at the same time maybe this will be a slight reality check for the companies that are charging ridiculous prices for the same product.

 

[BigCloudz]

I absolutely support clones, as long as they don't claim to be the original. If you want a $300 status symbol, go for it. In the mean time, I'm just fine with a knock-off that functions well.

-Scarey: Pirate Vaper

Must agree with you, my friend.

 

[BigCloudz]

As I said in another thread 2 minutes ago. I don't understand the allure of buying a fake something logos and all. If they can duplicate, they can surely take the best features out of something and change the design and/or art to make it unique. If you can duplicate a chi you button, design your own tube, slap it on and brand it.

If it's that easy to dupe, why is the original over $300, yet the clone is $50? My Chi is heavier, and feels more well built than a LOT of 'authentic' mechs at my local shop.

 

[Pinggolfer]

I absolutely support clones, as long as they don't claim to be the original. If you want a $300 status symbol, go for it. In the mean time, I'm just fine with a knock-off that functions well.

-Scarey: Pirate Vaper

Hit a Callaway driver then hit it's clone. Fore!!!!! I have a pacemaker, but I'm sure you would settle for a clone of one. These companies do claim to be the original which is the problem. Fasttech advertises the Evod and the fact is it's not.

 

[JmanEspresso]

They charge that much for two reasons..

1)they believe their time and effort to be worth that much, and they feel based on the materials used and the quality of the product, its a good price

2)people will buy it.



Fact is, clone is a wrong word. Its unfair to call them clones, it gives them a pass. Call them what they are.

COUNTERFEITS.

 

[Pinggolfer]

Not a fair comparison..The precision that goes into making a high end golf club, opposed to a fancy flash light...well, isn't even close.

No it's not close, but the result is the same. Someone basically stealing someone's idea and making money on it. No one is raping anyone. How long if that were the case were you raped by the cigarette companies and the government who taxed them?

 

[BigCloudz]

Hit a Callaway driver then hit it's clone. Fore!!!!! I have a pacemaker, but I'm sure you would settle for a clone of one. These companies do claim to be the original which is the problem. Fasttech advertises the Evod and the fact is it's not.

How in the world are we comparing a device that keeps your heart ticking, to a flash light and flash light 'knock off'?

I agree with the poster above. They charge those amounts, because people pay it. Well maybe if they start buying 'counterfeit' 'clone' 'knock offs', they will be forced to bring the prices to within reason.

I build plastic injection molds for a living. I have a lathe, high speed CNC's, hell, I have a guy who sits in a room and polishes steel all day for a living. There is NO way in hell these 'authentic' devices warrant a $300 price tag. No way in HELL.

 

[Pinggolfer]

They charge that much for two reasons..

1)they believe their time and effort to be worth that much, and they feel based on the materials used and the quality of the product, its a good price

2)people will buy it.



Fact is, clone is a wrong word. Its unfair to call them clones, it gives them a pass. Call them what they are.

COUNTERFEITS.

You said it better then I could. Finally someone who believes hard work should be rewarded.

 

[Scarey]

Hit a Callaway driver then hit it's clone. Fore!!!!! I have a pacemaker, but I'm sure you would settle for a clone of one. These companies do claim to be the original which is the problem. Fasttech advertises the Evod and the fact is it's not.

I do agree that Fasttech could be a little less arcane in their clone disclosure. If you, for some reason, decided to not research why a mod they have is so much cheaper, you would not see one of the common "fasttech doesn't put the brand name on their clones" threads that come up on google. I would prefer the come right out and say clone.

That aside, I'll remember to research which Chinese clone pacemakers are just as reliable as the name brand, next time I need one. Just like I do for any other product that I'm researching knock-offs for.

 

[Fury83]

If it's that easy to dupe, why is the original over $300, yet the clone is $50? My Chi is heavier, and feels more well built than a LOT of 'authentic' mechs at my local shop.

I didn't say it was easy to duplicate but they have obviously already done it. So it stands to reason that they already have the hard part down, the button and somewhat the top, most chinese companies have been fine making tubes. Would you rather have a fake chi you over a mech with the same type button and different tubes/lock ring/art work?

Also, Chi's sell for $225 at retail though I do realize pricing locally in So Cal is probably jacked up. They go for that much for a lot of reasons but that's not what my post was about. It was more about why would I want a fake anything? There are cheaper alternatives without the branding. If it's about the branding, doesn't it being fake defeat the purpose unless you lied and told people it was real?

 

[BigCloudz]

No it's not close, but the result is the same. Someone basically stealing someone's idea and making money on it. No one is raping anyone. How long if that were the case were you raped by the cigarette companies and the government who taxed them?

Glad you brought this up...

Did you stand outside the tobacco shops holding up signs saying "Boycott Winston" or "Boycott PallMall"? Pretty sure these two are 'knock offs' of Marlboro's and are half the price..Juuuust sayin..