Just my 2c on the original topic:
I think Tony stated earlier in the thread that Evolv/DNA40 is more of a "modders" board and Yihi/SX350J is more of a "consumers" board. I wholeheartedly agree with this, although I might replace "modders" with "enthusiasts."
Not that consumers can't enjoy a DNA or vice versa, but it's always seemed to me that Evolv is more concerned with pushing the envelope rather than refining a product for a wide consumer audience. On one hand, they consistently revolutionize vaping, but on the other, they completely ignore aspects that are essentially taken for granted by the rest of the industry (step-down and reverse battery protection, anyone?).
Yihi seems much more interested in refining the technology for mass appeal. Granted, the SX200 was basically a copy (in terms of performance) of a DNA20, but IMHO the original SX350 chip was leaps and bounds better than the DNA30, mostly because of small additions to improve the user experience.
I personally think both companies need each other, and the industry as a whole improves greatly because of them. I'd compare it to the auto industry - I think it's wonderful that the prototype-level race cars are always at the cutting edge of technology, introducing new things we'd never even dream of. I also think it's great that a lot of that technology gets filtered down into road cars, and air bags, power steering, and cruise control are added to it to make it more practical in day-to-day use.
What intrigues me, though, is whether the race car company will be able to evolve (see what I did there
?) to maintain greater mass-market appeal as their brand grows. They've definitely implemented some of the "air bags" into the DNA40 (although we did see some issues we wouldn't expect in a mass-market product), and they're adding even more to the DNA200, so I think it's safe to say that Evolv is learning from Yihi/Chinese mass manufacturers, too. Unfortunately, I do personally think they're their own worst enemy (LiPo pack or 3x 18650's only? Seriously?)...
Also, for everyone who says the Chinese just copy and don't do anything innovative: you're absolutely right. I mean, yeah, technically they did invent the electronic cigarette, but that's just a technicality, right?
