Darwin or Provari....

[Audio Weasel]

can't make up my mind. I'm considering letting the suppliers decide. If the Provari is available with a blue LED before the Darwin is back in stock, I'll get the Provari. Otherwise, a Darwin it shall be lol. I honestly think I like the functionality of the Darwin better (variable wattage versus variable voltage, and seems to be easier to use versus the menu system on the Provari), but I'm iffy regarding the non user-replaceable battery. Has that been a problem for anybody? Also, what's the amp limit on the Darwin? I know Provape has raised the one on the Provari to 3 amps, from 2.5.

 

[Killjoy1]

They're really two completely different animals and both are awesome mods, so ultimately it will all come down to your preference

I've owned both and still own my Darwin. Now that the V2 Provari has a higher amp limit (3.5) it is definitely more appealing to me as that was one of my negatives about it. The Darwin I believe limits at 3 amps, but since you can't take the wattage above 12.7 you can still hit that max setting even with a 1.5 ohm atty. The battery hasn't been an issue for me in almost a year of using it, it lasts me all day and sometimes longer depending on what gear I'm using on it and how heavy I'm vaping (I can get two full days with CE2s since I use a fairly low watt setting on those, but only a day with anything LR like dual coils)
The menu system on the Provari can look intimidating, but it's really easy to get used to. Sure, not as easy as just turning a wheel and adjusting on the fly, but still not as much of a hassle as I was originally expecting.
Form factor and weight of the unit, the Darwin wins this one in my book, but YMMV since we all have different tastes

Hope some of my ramblings help you. Both are great mods and I'm sure you'll be satisfied with either one

 

[vaptamist]

Pretty sure the Darwin has a 5 amp limit - but even at 3 amps that would still be enough to take a 1.5 ohm carto to the wattage limit.

Both are great mods - and the V2 release of the Provari definitely addresses a lot of issues people had with the device.

 

[Audio Weasel]

They're really two completely different animals and both are awesome mods, so ultimately it will all come down to your preference

I've owned both and still own my Darwin. Now that the V2 Provari has a higher amp limit (3.5) it is definitely more appealing to me as that was one of my negatives about it. The Darwin I believe limits at 3 amps, but since you can't take the wattage above 12.7 you can still hit that max setting even with a 1.5 ohm atty. The battery hasn't been an issue for me in almost a year of using it, it lasts me all day and sometimes longer depending on what gear I'm using on it and how heavy I'm vaping (I can get two full days with CE2s since I use a fairly low watt setting on those, but only a day with anything LR like dual coils)
The menu system on the Provari can look intimidating, but it's really easy to get used to. Sure, not as easy as just turning a wheel and adjusting on the fly, but still not as much of a hassle as I was originally expecting.
Form factor and weight of the unit, the Darwin wins this one in my book, but YMMV since we all have different tastes

Hope some of my ramblings help you. Both are great mods and I'm sure you'll be satisfied with either one

You mentioned size and weight.... I'm one of those few that seems to like a larger mod. I'm currently using a Parkes Vaping Diamond mod (built out of a flashlight so larger around than a lavatube, great inexpensive mechanical mod) and a VMod XL and I like the size and heft of both, so it may do me good to intend on ordering the larger one. I'm starting to wonder if I have freakishly large hands lol. In all seriousness, how do they compare size and weight-wise?

 

[Killjoy1]

Well, in terms of length they're pretty similar. Here's an old pic of both (Provari has 18650 extension cap on), they're not directly side-by-side, but you can still see they're pretty close to the same length (ignore the tanks, they're two different size ones so throw off the perspective a little):

With the normal endcap on the Provari, it's actually a bit shorter than the Darwin.
Because the Darwin is flat (so much smaller along that one dimension), it feels a little smaller, but really they're very close to the same size. Also because of the flatness of the Darwin I find it much more pocket-friendly even though I can't close it with a tank on. With a regular atty or carto on it, it's definitely more pocketable since it folds down alongside of the mod instead of sticking out the top all the time (so that's another case of where each one has its strong and weak point)

In terms of weight, the difference is pretty noticeable . . . at least I remember the Provari being a little bit heavier. Due to the weight of the Provari and the non-movable connector it does provide better counterbalance with heavier tanks and such.

 

[tearose50]

Seems to me the Darwin and the VmodXL are about the same weight.

The Provari is certainly heavier. (I have the extension cap & 18650 battery).

I can't recommend what would be best for you. Both are wonderful mods.

I got my Darwin first -- so it will always be the most special and I do like to rave about it!

 

[Frick]

The blue LED on the Provari will be available in mid-March.

 

[Moofaso]

I like my Provari alot, but I absolutely love my Darwin

 

[Kim151]

The blue LED on the Provari will be available in mid-March.

Can't wait! I will be stalking their website in March to get this...

 

[PsychOfMSE]

Darwins are great with a 306DCA for dripping, but putting a tank on one means you can't close the swingarm. -1 for the darwin. I swear the swingarm on the darwin was the worst idea ever.

I would go with the provari. Much more versatile device.

 

[retird]

Your decision....choose which one makes you a happy vaper.....my choice was the Darwin.....had it almost a year now, and will be getting another one...variable wattage sold me as the most important feature...

 

[wolfstone5]

It would be nice if the Darwin was ever in stock! I emailed them to find out when the next batch would be in and they couldn't give me an ETA. They did put me on the notification list. Hopefully it will be soon.

 

[nqabassist26]

I'd recommend a Provari for many of the reasons mentioned above (and now that the amp limit is 3.5 you can pretty much run LR stuff and dual coils at some really high voltage, which I still don't understand why people would want to).

The biggest deciding factor for me was the built in battery of the Darwin. The benefit of simplicity is outweighed by how easy it is to swap a dead battery in your tube mod. Many times has my Provari gotten low on battery life only to be easily switched out for a fully charged one.

On a Darwin, and although I'm sure the battery life is fantastic, you'd have to plug your entire unit to be charged, and that was a huge drawback for me since I need my PV with me at all times.

Getting a Provari also gets you either 18490 batts or 18650 batts which in turn allows you to buy future mods that use those batteries without having to buy additional batts or an additional charger.


Provari: Get a Provari with 2 batts, charge one while using one, swap when one dies, continue. Allows you to use future mods that share that battery without more battery purchases.

Darwin: Looks nice (beauty is in eye of the beholder), but is it worth living at the mercy of one proprietary battery? Also sucks with tanks unless you want to use a goose neck.


IMO, Provari.

 

[rem700]

I cant be tied to a chargeing cord I need the option of spare batteries.
And that hinged arm looks like a accident waiting to happen

 

[Hottody]

Interesting! I have a Provari and love the look, quality and ability to change out batteries! What happens with the Darwin when the unit goes dead? Do you have to buy a new one?

 

[Moofaso]

Interesting! I have a Provari and love the look, quality and ability to change out batteries! What happens with the Darwin when the unit goes dead? Do you have to buy a new one?

The internal batteries have a one year warranty, the Darwin itself is covered by a 2 year warranty. A new battery pack installed after one year is a mere $25. I get 2 solid days between charging. I have a Provari as well, but the Darwin is most certainly my go to device.

 

[fray]

I personally like the Darwin better. I hate the swing arm but it is an awesome PV.

I am a sucker for the potentiometers. I like turning a knob rather than pressing buttons.

 

[kabonk]

I was going to buy Darwin but it's never in stock when I have the cash

 

[Mr. SandMan]

I would love to see a forum-wide poll between these 2 beasts!

 

[Shortstuff116]

I would love to see a forum-wide poll between these 2 beasts!

There have been many threads that compare these two and a few Youtube videos as well and the end results are subjective. I own a Provari and have never used a Darwin so I cannot (nor can anyone else like me) say for sure that a Provari is any better than a Darwin. Likewise to a Darwin owner who never used a Provari can say for sure the opposite.

I see in the other thread that you are trying to narrow your decision down and I commend your efforts to find out which one would fill the bill for you. If I were you I would have a piece of paper in front of me with two colums, one for the Provari and one for the Darwin. Pros & Cons for each and as you read the posts write down what people say and then you can be confident that you have made an informed decision in the end.

For me, being able to carry spare batteries just in case is a positive for my Provari, especially if I find myself stuck without the ability to recharge a Darwin. I am retired and vape all day and night and my AW IMR 2000 ohm batteries will last me more than a day before having to replace it. Also, I use tanks (not all the time) and they don't fit on a Darwin when you have to fold them down to turn the unit off, without some sort of extension. Here again, my opinion is biased because I do not own a Darwin, but the cons on my "Darwin list" outweighed the Provari list.

Whatever you decide, rest easy knowing that either one would be a purchase you can feel good about as they both perform well and do exactly what they say they do!