Conflicted about 3.7V Mod

[captcpu]

Well... I've been sitting here for a week trying to decide which mod to get first. I've read and read and read and watched videos, and now I'm more conflicted than ever. So much for that plan...

So, before I drop the dollars I thought I'd solicit some feedback from the fine folks at ECF on where to get a good, but fairly cheap, 3.7V or VV mod. Right now I'm leaning towards these two from mad vapes:

2xAA Box Mod with slow change LED
Variable Voltage Box Mod

2xAA box mod is just meh. I want regulated voltage as spot on at 3.7V as possible. Does such a thing exist? Thus, I'm leaning toward the VV where I can tweak it as needed. I don't mind something I have to tweak or mess with. I actually prefer that! I'm saving pennies for a Buzz Pro (or ProVari... or Precise... or Reo... or a GLV2... or... aw crap that's another post), so really looking for a decent starter mod.

The shape, type of connector (can buy a 901/808 adapter), etc. doesn't matter too much, although something good quality is a must. I don't need a feeder system at this point. And I'd like to keep it around $50-$60 mark, complete with batteries and charger, but would go as high as $100 for the right mod.

Are the others in this range I should consider?

Thanks!

 

[Animeguy]

It took me about an hour to make my first 3.7 mod. Now it takes me about 30 mins to wire up my VV box mod. Its really easy to make a simple kit from madvapes works if using it at high volts. If using 4V with 1.5 ohm atty, the box will heat up fast and sometimes don't fire up. @5v with 2.8 ohm atty its awesome. I just made another vv with info from here, http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/modders-forum/191607-easy-okr-t-vv-mod.html . Box mods are easy way to start.
The 3.7 box with lr atty is the way to go but no where as good as 5v.

 

[cskent]

I've got some 2AA boxmods as well as the VV boxmod from Madvapes. Regular boxmods don't hold the same voltage over the battery's charge range. They start out at around 4.2v and drop the longer you use it. The VV boxmod holds the same voltage until the batteries fail at around 2.8v each. So if you're looking for regulated voltage go with the VV boxmod. You can't beat the price either.

My suggestion would be to also get a regular boxmod kit too so you can have a backup mod that takes the same batteries. They only take 1/2 an hour to build if you have a soldering iron. If you don't have one, for what you save over the prebuilt box you can buy one. Unless you like blinky lights just leave out the resistor and LED and it's really simple.

 

[Animeguy]

I've got some 2AA boxmods as well as the VV boxmod from Madvapes. Regular boxmods don't hold the same voltage over the battery's charge range. They start out at around 4.2v and drop the longer you use it. The VV boxmod holds the same voltage until the batteries fail at around 2.8v each. So if you're looking for regulated voltage go with the VV boxmod. You can't beat the price either.

My suggestion would be to also get a regular boxmod kit too so you can have a backup mod that takes the same batteries. They only take 1/2 an hour to build if you have a soldering iron. If you don't have one, for what you save over the prebuilt box you can buy one. Unless you like blinky lights just leave out the resistor and LED and it's really simple.

Back ups are great indeed. The reason why i made the second vv box mod was for back up. My other back ups are 4 infernos and 2 3.7 box mods, also I have all the pieces to make another one of the OKRT vv mod

 

[captcpu]

I just made another vv with info from here, http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/modders-forum/191607-easy-okr-t-vv-mod.html . Box mods are easy way to start.
The 3.7 box with lr atty is the way to go but no where as good as 5v.

Excellent advice and thank you! And that mod you linked from bstedh is exactly what I'm looking for. I saved that post to attempt it later on. Building my own wasn't something I'd given much thought to but it sure sounds more fun!

 

[captcpu]

My suggestion would be to also get a regular boxmod kit too so you can have a backup mod that takes the same batteries. They only take 1/2 an hour to build if you have a soldering iron. If you don't have one, for what you save over the prebuilt box you can buy one. Unless you like blinky lights just leave out the resistor and LED and it's really simple.

This sounds like an excellent idea! After looking it over, building one wouldn't be difficult at all. I have plenty of 808 based batteries that fire at 4.2 fully charged up... then they drop off and I'm switching attys and cartos as it drops to get the best vape. PITA. So I either need rock solid consistent or VV. Yeah, I splurge for a Buzz Pro eventually, but you guys have given me an excellent suggestion I hadn't considered. My thanks!

(And if I add blinky lights and such I'll do my own... heh... a single LED?!? None-sense! MOAR!)

 

[studio52]

Why even fool around with mods that arent like the best? Have you looked at the Gripp from sweet vapes? Or the Monkey box, look at the thred here on ECF, or the Phidius?...Lots of good stuff out there, but shoot for the top of the line and you might be happier in the long run. Uhh I have bought 28 mods so talking from experience of buying lots of mods, not being a know it all...LOL.

 

[captcpu]

studio, mainly to have something to play around with until I take the plunge on a $200+ mod. Those are all awesome looking mods you've listed (the Phidius appears to be discontinued?) but alas, none appear to meet the criteria I'm looking for. I've looked at piles of really hot looking box mods... but I have plenty of bats that vary between 3.4 and 4.2V. I need something with regulated voltage and none of those seem to have that feature. So far it's the Mad Vapes VV box mod... or a Provari. Wee bit of difference in the degree of financial commitment.

I'll be purchasing something higher end soon enough. Waiting impatiently for the Buzz Pro to come out. Right now, I'm mainly looking for something relatively cheap and can still hold it's voltage consistently. THEN I'll start looking at those wicked nice wood bottom fed box mods.

 

[tybin]

nope the phidias is not discontinued..... not sure were that rumor started. the only thing that changed with it is that you have to buy it here on the forum through it's maker and not via inhaler.

 

[Wolf]

nope the phidias is not discontinued..... not sure were that rumor started. the only thing that changed with it is that you have to buy it here on the forum through it's maker and not via inhaler.

^ What she said. I had three delivered less than 2 weeks ago. If you're interested you should send an email to fonosmoak@embarqmail.com. He will let you know if and what is available.

 

[captcpu]

nope the phidias is not discontinued..... not sure were that rumor started. the only thing that changed with it is that you have to buy it here on the forum through it's maker and not via inhaler.

That's good news! Looks like a nice mod. It's listed as discontinued here Phidias Woodimus e-cig mod reviews. Thanks for the update!

 

[tybin]

well that's rather confusing isn't it? The Phidias is not called the Phidias Woodimus. It's the Phidias Feedimus. (the woodimus was an inhaler term). Thanks for finding that. I'll let Fono know

 

[wv2win]

First, you are smart to want regulated power. I'm not sure, but I believe there is a difference between regulated and regulated, boost circuit technology. I would strive to get regulated boost circuit technology as is in the Darwin. I think the VV's that have that technology are limited.

Another place to look at cost effective variable volt box mods is Ken's Box Mods. Ken really does a great job, stands behind his products and is well supported on ECF. Here's his site: Box Mods

 

[Nomoreash]

First, you are smart to want regulated power. I'm not sure, but I believe there is a difference between regulated and regulated, boost circuit technology. I would strive to get regulated boost circuit technology as is in the Darwin. I think the VV's that have that technology are limited.

Another place to look at cost effective variable volt box mods is Ken's Box Mods. Ken really does a great job, stands behind his products and is well supported on ECF. Here's his site: Box Mods

All 5v and vv mods are regulated whether they used a boost or buck circuit. The difference in a boost circuit is it's a step up converter used to boost the voltage from a single battery. A mod like the Provari couldn't go above the single batteries output capability without it which is 3.7 or closer to 4.2 fresh off the charger but it won't stay there long. You'd have to stack batteries for vv in a tube design without boost circuitry but you'd get better battery life and amp drain capabilities using two.

A buck converter is a step-down DC to DC converter similar to the majority of regulated mods that use 2 batteries like the one you mentioned from Kens.

There's trade offs to both and one isn't better than the other for all people. They just try to do the same thing as much as possible in a different way.

 

[captcpu]

Another place to look at cost effective variable volt box mods is Ken's Box Mods. Ken really does a great job, stands behind his products and is well supported on ECF. Here's his site: Box Mods

Nice! Now I'm eyeballing the Big Brother Vari-Cool! Thanks for the link!

 

[captcpu]

First, thank you to all for the replies. Helped me get my head around what I really wanted and some pointers on where to go. I did order the Mad Vapes VV box mod (and the 3.7V kit to fool around with lol) to try out VV vaping. Got it today and now I can't find my 510-808 adapter! ARG! Ah well, some 510 Dual Coils on the way and be here tomorrow.

Anyhow, when checking the voltage, the tweaking is a major pain. Dialing in the desired voltage requires multiple tests and tiny little nudges to get it right. This isn't a problem at all when I'm at home vaping, but it's not going to be something I carry around with me much. It'll be great for testing, of course. I kind of want a modicum of convenience for every day vaping. So, that makes me lean toward something electronic like the Pro Vari. Seems it'd be a lot easier to switch on the fly.

Are pricer mods like The Buzz or the Big Brother easier to dial in?

 

[wv2win]

First, thank you to all for the replies. Helped me get my head around what I really wanted and some pointers on where to go. I did order the Mad Vapes VV box mod (and the 3.7V kit to fool around with lol) to try out VV vaping. Got it today and now I can't find my 510-808 adapter! ARG! Ah well, some 510 Dual Coils on the way and be here tomorrow.

Anyhow, when checking the voltage, the tweaking is a major pain. Dialing in the desired voltage requires multiple tests and tiny little nudges to get it right. This isn't a problem at all when I'm at home vaping, but it's not going to be something I carry around with me much. It'll be great for testing, of course. I kind of want a modicum of convenience for every day vaping. So, that makes me lean toward something electronic like the Pro Vari. Seems it'd be a lot easier to switch on the fly.

Are pricer mods like The Buzz or the Big Brother easier to dial in?

The Provari is a fine PV, but you do have to press the button multiple times and remember the codes (I've been told) to reach the the right menu. The Darwin has a small thumb wheel that you just turn to what every power level you want and is viewed in the small LCD window. It also has a unique feature, where as it has circuity that senses the resistence change in the atomizer as you vape and automatically adjusts the power level to maintain your initial setting.

 

[cskent]

Anyhow, when checking the voltage, the tweaking is a major pain. Dialing in the desired voltage requires multiple tests and tiny little nudges to get it right. This isn't a problem at all when I'm at home vaping, but it's not going to be something I carry around with me much. It'll be great for testing, of course. I kind of want a modicum of convenience for every day vaping. So, that makes me lean toward something electronic like the Pro Vari. Seems it'd be a lot easier to switch on the fly.

When I first got my Madvapes VV boxmod I checked it with a meter every time I changed atty's or carto's. After a while I just started setting it lower than I thought it would need to be then cranking it up a little at a time until I got the vape right. Even with the same atty different juices require fine tuning sometimes. It's no big deal really.

 

[Nomoreash]

Once you find your sweet spot with an atty and juice you won't be changing it as much and you'll also get better with adjusting and be able to get fairly close even without the meter. Once you find your sweet spot you can just nudge it up or down a little if you want, it'll be a matter of taste and the numbers really won't matter at that point.

 

[captcpu]

The Darwin has a small thumb wheel that you just turn to what every power level you want and is viewed in the small LCD window. It also has a unique feature, where as it has circuity that senses the resistence change in the atomizer as you vape and automatically adjusts the power level to maintain your initial setting.

Now this sounds good! I looked at the Darwin and decided to pass on it, but for the life of me can't remember why. Looking at it now and it's definitely back in the running for my first "big kid" mod. heh! Thanks!