Ego's Are Garbage (Warning to Newbs)

[VapieDan]

I am still fairly new to vaping. While I may not have the time logged a lot of members here have, due to my background, I do know a lot about electronics, physics, computer science, etc.

My point here is to warn newbs about cheap batteries. If you are new and are thinking about buying an ego style battery, let me tell you unequivocally to NEVER do it. Ego style batteries are cheap Chinese garbage. I will say it again, cheap Chinese garbage manufactured by workers working under slave labor conditions. The goal of these Chinese companies is to churn out as many units as possible with ZERO quality control. If the battery doesn't work, it's no sweat because they know it becomes the U.S. vendor's problem. And most of the time, the U.S. vendor will not give you a refund for something DOA because the Chinese do not warranty them. These guys can't even produce manuals with proper English grammar (because they are too cheap to hire English translators), so do you really think they are going to have much communication with U.S. vendors? Nah, the Chinese are laughing all the way to the bank at our stupidity and our reliance on their shoddy "craftsmanship."

I would estimate it costs the Chinese about $1 to produce your average 600 mah ego battery. By the time they make their way to the consumer here in the U.S. (or other countries) we are paying 15-20 bucks. If you buy from a B&M, you will pay about $15 right now. On the internet you will probably find them a few bucks cheaper. Still it's a huge markup.

The biggest offender of cheap, crap products is SMOK. I bought 2 Smok Ego "Emax" batteries from my local B&M store. These are the 1300 mah VV/VW batteries that you may have seen. I spent $35 a piece (yes, way too much). Neither of them really work. The box says that you are supposed to get a "30% low battery warning." It states that the LED will flash red. Neither of my two batteries ever do that -- they just die unexpectedly. While one of my batteries will last me about 12 hours on 8 watts (which sounds about right for 1300 mah), the other one lasts me about 2 hours before it totally dies.

So I took this battery back to my local B&M and told them it dies after a couple hours (at most). They told me they will have to "test" it. They didn't take my word for it because they are basically on the hook for it since the Chinese won't warranty them. (They didn't tell me this, but I know that's what it is. Otherwise, they would just give me a new one and send the old one back). So, basically, these vendors are taking all of the risk if something doesn't work. This ends up screwing the consumer like me because the vendors are out whatever they paid for the battery plus a new replacement. So, basically, if this local B&M doesn't either refund me or give me a replacement, I will never buy from them again and make sure all the smokers I know never buy from them either.

So, my advice to newbies? Go out right now and buy a Provari or a ZEN or a Futura or another high-quality U.S. made device. Yes, they are expensive. Yes, a full kit will cost you at least $200-$300. Yes, it will hurt the budget for a while. But it is definitely WORTH it. I have spent probably $200 just on EGO batteries in the short few months I have been vaping. What do I have to show for it? Nothing. Most of them no longer work. I have two in the other room right now that are dead as a door nail after light usage over a couple of months. On the other hand, a Provari will last you (easily) 5-10 years and give you a much, much better vape.

So, for all of you veterans who tell newbs to "start with an Ego" I will have to firmly disagree. Ego's are garbage and should be completely bypassed for real equipment from day one. There is nothing "complicated" about VV/VW. Any new user can figure it out after 5 minutes of usage. Yes, sub-ohm can be dangerous and I understand why people do not encourage newbs to rebuild, but rebuilding is a different animal from VV/VW. Newbs should be encouraged to spend a couple hundred bucks up front and get the best from day one. Get good equipment and be done with it (at least for a few years).

I will never buy a Chinese battery again. I will buy U.S. mods and batteries that are made in Korea or Japan. Take my advice and save yourself a LOT of headaches. Trust me on this, newbs.

There are a lot of clones out there for the original authentic Ego. I have good luck with most clones. Some bad. I can understand your frustration if you have had a bad run. I feel that way about the Innokin SVD. I am on my second replacement and those are authentic. I would suggest changing suppliers. Perhaps better luck.

 

[Ed_C]

While I think there's SOME truth in what you say, as I think the Chinese PVs seem to have a higher earlier failure rate than I'd like to see and they usually don't have much in the way of warranty. I think you're mistaken if you think newbies should run out and spend $200-300, so they can TRY vaping out. I don't think many people will do that; I wouldn't. I also wouldn't spend $200 on the same eGo batteries if they kept failing on me.

 

[CalamityJess]

My first ecig was a Smok VV Winder. I loved it so much I bought 2 more. They are still used daily, and probably always will be. Noone with any sense is going to walk into a shop, see a $200 price tag and go "Oh hey I don't know if I'll like this, or if it'll work for me but here take my $200". Not when they can get a carton of cigarettes for 1/4 of the price.

Why do you think people have stepped away from the patch and other systems? They preach and lecture for us to quit then put the cost of the systems out of reach for the average smoker. Ecigs should be available, and priced for everyone to enjoy, and noone should be telling new vapers to ignore what they can afford and get something out of their price range. They come here for advice and support in one of the hardest journeys they could begin. Not to be incorrectly told what's within their reach is garbage.

When they want to upgrade they will, but a decent eGostyle ecig isn't a myth, there are plenty of happy owners out there to attest to that fact.

 

[wheelie]

I have four Eco-C upgrades. I like them at work and a lot of days I work off ladders. One sits in my cell phone case on my belt with a protank2. If it happens to fall out and smash on the floor I am not out a whole lot of money. I do have better models but don't use them at work on ladders or crawling around in crawlspaces or attics ect. I think they are great for beginners and general use when you want to be a little stealthier.

 

[Frenchfry1942]

eGOs are very good for starting out or carrying something for the day. Good, good value.

Definitely worth it.

 

[BigEgo]

BTW, all of my egos are genuine. My two VV/VW batteries came in a SMOK box and have SMOK stamped on the bottom of the unit. Both are basically duds. These are the "Emax" models for those of you who are familiar with them. As I said, neither give the "30% low battery warning" and one of them dies after an hour or two. Also, when charging, neither give a green light on the charger when fully charged. I have read the SAME THING (about the charging) from other users on these very forums, so I know it isn't just me or a bad charger. They are supposed to work with standard ego chargers, but there is some funny business going on with the lights (again, this happens to people all over).

The Emax is a bad product with very bad quality control. And it isn't just SMOK, as my other, smaller 900mah batteries I got a couple of months ago are shot as well (they are Ego-T's, but I am not sure from what vendor).

 

[Racehorse]

If you are new and are thinking about buying an ego style battery, let me tell you unequivocally to NEVER do it.

And that is why they are the most successful selling battery in the world, and millions of people have quit cigs using them, and even advanced vapers like myself still keep them around to use.

Ego style batteries are cheap Chinese garbage. .

Considering that the inventor of ecig was chinese....since you are so rah rah US made stuff, how did they beat us to the punch? We put men on the moon after all.

it's no sweat because they know it becomes the U.S. vendor's problem

I only buy Joyetech, as they extend a very good warranty to their vendors, which in turn allows the US vendor to make good on anything non working to me, the customer.

And indeed, the 2 times that happened, I was sent new ones that worked great, and are still working 17 months after purchase.

These guys can't even produce manuals with proper English grammar

And of course YOU can write a manual in Chinese, or any language that also uses another alphabet as well to make things even harder.

I taught english at the college level, let me tell you that most native English speakers can't even write a simple corporate communication or even a resume.

Corresponded with a few chinese vendors, they are polite and eager to please. ECF wouldn't have Co Ops if it weren't for them.

I would estimate it costs the Chinese about $1 to produce your average 600 mah ego battery. By the time they make their way to the consumer here in the U.S. (or other countries) we are paying 15-20 bucks.

That's correct, adn why almost every US manufacturer has off-shored their stuff to China. Maybe you should take that up with 90% of US companies who are selling you Nikes, etc. and charging you 200x what things should cost. There are tons of CEOs getting rich off you.

Which is why I prefer to just buy from China directly because I don't have $$ to finance these US CEOs and their early retirement, esp. when they are laying off so many people in my age group right before retirement age......greedy ....***ds.

 

[SamNapolitanke]

lol... I wish I had enough energy to sit down and write up a post this long about an ego.

 

[Jumpin' In...]

As a newbie, I received my Kanger eVod kit on September 19, 2013. Bought a couple of Kanger 650 mAh VVs shortly thereafter. Any one of them will still carry me through the better part of a day - probably almost a full day if I pushed it. I've had only 3-4 drags off a real cigarette since I got the kit, so I've used the batteries consistently for 5 months and counting. I'm so far quite satisfied with both sets of batteries.

I'll probably move on at some point to something else - perhaps a bottom feeder or a larger VV/VW APV, but I doubt I would have tried ecigarettes if I had to drop $200+ just for the hardware.

Perhaps you should have tried a "name-brand" battery like Kangertech or Joye before going ballistic?

Or not...

 

[jwoode]

In one post it's $150, in another it's $200.. which is it?

 

[BigEgo]

And that is why they are the most successful selling battery in the world, and millions of people have quit cigs using them, and even advanced vapers like myself still keep them around to use.

Good for you. A lot of people liked the old Yugo produced in the Soviet Bloc in the 80's. But most of us realized it was junk.

Considering that the inventor of ecig was chinese....since you are so rah rah US made stuff, how did they beat us to the punch?

The Chinese (probably) invented gun powder as well, but they make pretty low quality guns (AK-47 clones are a good example).

I only buy Joyetech, as they extend a very good warranty to their vendors, which in turn allows the US vendor to make good on anything non working to me, the customer.

Good for Joytech. Apparently SMOK doesn't extend the same courtesy. My B&M store said it is only a 14 day warranty. I brought mine back within a week and my B&M store wont replace it without first "testing it." This tells me that they think I am a liar.

And of course YOU can write a manual in Chinese, or any language that also uses another alphabet as well to make things even harder.

No I cannot write a manual in Chinese, but I am smart enough to hire someone who CAN. It's funny that the Koreans (who dominate the flat panel TV market) have perfect manuals with perfect English grammar. Weird, eh? Are the Koreans smarter? Nah, they just aren't as cheap.

Corresponded with a few chinese vendors, they are polite and eager to please. ECF wouldn't have Co Ops if it weren't for them.

Eager to take money from foolish Americans.

 

[Elizabeth Baldwin]

Relax......

 

[Racehorse]

It appears that some people don't know that US Corporations gave China their start. They starte this whole thing, in order to keep more an more of their profits. And created a monster, which now people complain about.

We started asking them to make everything for us. US consumers are well known to be *insatiable* when it comes to buying stuff, even stuff they don't need.

And, once the stuff is there, it's real easy to copy it and make clones. It's like giving them the design and then telling them not to make it.

I often think it's actually sort of ....... humorous.....when people complain about chinese made stuff. Most of our houses, yards, driveways and garages would be EMPTY of possessions if it wasn't for China. Cuz most people could otherwise never afford 1/8 of what they actually HAVE.

 

[zoiDman]

They are junk. Why anyone would recommend such shoddy garbage is beyond me. But, if you want to go buy a $30 battery and have it die after a month (with no warranty), then be my guest! The Chinese will laugh all the way to the bank.

Maybe the Problem is where you are Getting the Batteries From?

Are they All Coming from the Same B&M? Maybe that B&M is Buying el-Cheap-O Batteries?

 

[Legolas]

I have 2 ego's c twist that are well over a year old and they are still working great. I will continue to tell new vapers to get them. They are safe, easy to assemble, charge and little to maintain. How can you beat that?

 

[Elizabeth Baldwin]

It appears that some people don't know that US Corporations gave China their start. They starte this whole thing, in order to keep more an more of their profits. And created a monster, which now people complain about.

We started asking them to make everything for us. US consumers are well known to be *insatiable* when it comes to buying stuff, even stuff they don't need.

And, once the stuff is there, it's real easy to copy it and make clones. It's like giving them the design and then telling them not to make it.

I often think it's actually sort of ....... humorous.....when people complain about chinese made stuff. Most of our houses, yards, driveways and garages would be EMPTY of possessions if it wasn't for China. Cuz most people could otherwise never afford 1/8 of what they actually HAVE.

I totally agree. Almost everything has that "made in China" on the bottom. I bet if you go through the original posters home 90% of his stuff has this stamped on it. It's reality. And as you stated, most things wouldn't be affordable if not for China.

The instruction Manuel's you are complaining about are thrown together quickly so your ego you bought wouldn't cost you another 10 bucks.

 

[Vash]

Joyetech Egos are the perfect starting point for a new vaper and also great for Vets as well!

If you want something simple and cheap that gets the job done then it meets both those requirements

 

[BigEgo]

It appears that some people don't know that US Corporations gave China their start. They starte this whole thing, in order to keep more an more of their profits. And created a monster, which now people complain about.

We started asking them to make everything for us. US consumers are well known to be *insatiable* when it comes to buying stuff, even stuff they don't need.

And, once the stuff is there, it's real easy to copy it and make clones. It's like giving them the design and then telling them not to make it.

I often think it's actually sort of ....... humorous.....when people complain about chinese made stuff. Most of our houses, yards, driveways and garages would be EMPTY of possessions if it wasn't for China. Cuz most people could otherwise never afford 1/8 of what they actually HAVE.

You're right, of course. I don't want to turn this into a political thread, and that wasn't my intention. I only mentioned China because they make 90% of the e-cig stuff. There's no doubt that the American (and European) vendors make much higher quality stuff. Look at how well machined the Kayfun is, for instance (made in Germany). You'll never see anything of that quality come out of China. Ever. Look at the Provari or Zen's stuff (go watch Busardo's video where he tours Zen's machine shop). Even Innokin's stuff (which is high quality for China) doesn't really compare.

It's true China allows a lot of Americans to buy stuff they couldn't afford otherwise. At the same time, China has zero environmental regulations (like literally zero). They have no minimum wage or child labor laws. If you try to unionize, you will probably be jailed (or worse). So it boils down to, would you rather stuff be made in the USA for a higher price? Or would you rather buy stuff cheap all the while ignoring what goes on in China to produce it? Most people don't care and will buy it anyway. It is what it is. Of course, part of the problem is the government here taxing corporations into oblivion and forcing them offshore. But, again, it is what it is. None of us can change it.

My only point here is that you can spend more money ONCE and get a much higher quality product made in the USA or Germany or Britain or even Russia. And if it does break, you will likely have a good warranty for a number of YEARS (and not days). I am not here to "rah rah" Merica. I just want my stuff to not break, and if it does break, to be covered.

 

[Racehorse]

No I cannot write a manual in Chinese, but I am smart enough to hire someone who CAN. It's funny that the Koreans (who dominate the flat panel TV market) have perfect manuals with perfect English grammar. Weird, eh? Are the Koreans smarter? Nah, they just aren't as cheap.

I wrote user manuals for tons of proprietary computer software as well as hardware products. Let me explain to you that if a US company sends their work to off-shore to be manufactured, they are still responsible for writing the technical manuals for their products that they designed. They are only "assembled" in China.

If they don't, it's because they are too cheap to PAY a U.S. worker to do it back in their own corporate headquarters.

I lost projects that were off-shored, including the manual writing.

By the way, there is a reason why products designed in the US are made in china. It's chillingly simple:
Why Apple's products are 'Designed in California' but 'Assembled in China' | Breaking Apple News, Tips and Reviews from The Unofficial Apple Weblog

No offense but you don't seem to understand the global manufacturing and delivery system.

 

[Racehorse]

YThere's no doubt that the American (and European) vendors make much higher quality stuff.

I won't argue with you on that. My point is that so very many products are AMERICAN DESIGNED, they are just manufacturered in China.

So it's sort of hard for me to say where the fault lies in that case. All they receive in the factories over there are specifications. And then the US designer goes over and checks on progress, etc.

I can name several US designed ecig products that are designed here and made there. So how can it be the chinese's fault if the products are "shoddy" when they are being given specs, and given a price that will be paid, and they have to operate w/in those parameters????

So yes, products that are both US designed and US manufactured, like REOs and Provaris are great, but far and few between, unfortunately. If you read the article, and there are many more like it about other products, the problem is not cost, it's about adaptability and speed, too.