For the past month or so Ive been using the most interesting mod Ive yet to encounter. I expect that it might not be for everyone, but for some it could easily become an absolute favorite.
Its a EPM VW-18650, which is dual (Panasonic-CGR) 18650 pack wrapped in an absolutely beautiful brushed stainless steel body, and topped with a delrin cap and an on/off switch (to avoid pocket-firing). To say its well built would be the understatement to top all understatements. The thing is an absolute tank. The 18650 model weighs in a whopping 9.5 oz, while the (slightly shorter) dual 18490 model comes in at 7.7. By comparison, a full sized Provari with a battery and extension cap weighs 6.2 oz.. The body is completely rounded and is oval shaped when looking down on it from above. It is extremely comfortable to hold and the button is perfectly positioned. The word "unique" screams from this thing from all directions.
It its variable wattage device that goes from 2-16 watts with an 8 amp limit. Pretty impressive when compared to what else is out there. The kit also includes a car charger and a EPM matching carto tank, that will not crack or leak no matter what juice you put in it.
I will include some pictures and a link to the spec sheet for it at the bottom of this post. Therefore the balance of this will be descriptive, and my subjective experiences with it. Those interested in the technical details may engulf themselves in the spec sheet, that is very well put together for inquiring minds.
This mod comes to us courtesy of EPM Vapor Mods, out of Australia. I believe they're only doing small runs at this point, but I wont be surprised if that changes soon. This is truly something different, from just about every perspective.
For my personal tastes it is the most aesthetically appealing mod Ive ever held in my hands. The stainless steel body is impeccable and unparalleled, at least for me. A very careful examination will undoubtedly leave almost anyone impressed with the craftsmanship.
As for performance, it uses two Panasonic 2250 CGR/IMR hybrid cells, paired in series using a sealed user replaceable battery pack (available from EPM Mods only). According to Eric, the modder behind the EPM, not only is this a very safe approach, but this method also allows you achieve much better efficiency than using a buck boost in the circuitry with two cells in a parallel configuration. In my opinion the EPM performs with the very best of everything Ive tried.
For battery life, its been averaging just about twice what I get with a single Panny 2250 in a Provari, which is about what one might expect. It charges the battery through the 510 connector (so it cant be used as a pass-through) and does so amazingly fast. It charges the dual pack, from dead-to-full in about 110 minutes. US users will require an adapter since its configured for use in Australia. I got this one, for just a couple of bucks, on Amazon:
Amazon.com: Watson Adapter Plug 3 Prong Australia/Argentina to 3 Prong USA: Electronics
Now for the really interesting part; the controller. Its all driven via a single button control with a multi-color ring around it, that varies in colors along a psychedelic spectrum, straight out of Woodstock. The different colors tell you what power you're at, since there's no display screen.
Battery and wattage levels are conveyed by counting blinks in their respective responses, much like a horse banging its hoof to count off numbers. If you think Provaris single button is nuts, this one would put you in a white coat. It's not for the faint-of-heart, that's for dang sure. That being said, I mastered it in a very short time, and am actually considering getting one of the smaller (18490) ones to travel with. Because yes, its that good.
To navigate, one fast push engages the settings mode. You know this because the surrounding ring blinks very fast, colored green. From there you push again, between one and seven times, depending on what function you wish to use. Increasing or decreasing wattage is measured by watching the color of the light change, in accordance with a.chart in the directions, and stopped by pushing the button again when the desired color is reached. It's pretty much impossible to explain, and I really didn't feel like doing a video review, so this is the best description you'll get.
Reading the directions is an obvious and absolute necessity with the EPM, but thankfully they are very well written and easy to comprehend. Again though, for you people who think the Provari menu is overly complicated, please proceed to the nearest "other" mod.
PROS
Attractive design
Build quality on par with the very best
Phenomenal performance
Great battery life
Fast recharging
CONS
No display (vape-by-taste)
Single button can be a bit cumbersome
OVERALL
Id recommend it to experienced vapers who have a basic understanding of wattage & battery levels, and who are looking for something with extraordinary battery life, that charges quickly and is built like a tank.
Instructions:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B1Uk-4ztA3ZbUUxtMzU1LXFXdDA/edit
Pictures:
Its a EPM VW-18650, which is dual (Panasonic-CGR) 18650 pack wrapped in an absolutely beautiful brushed stainless steel body, and topped with a delrin cap and an on/off switch (to avoid pocket-firing). To say its well built would be the understatement to top all understatements. The thing is an absolute tank. The 18650 model weighs in a whopping 9.5 oz, while the (slightly shorter) dual 18490 model comes in at 7.7. By comparison, a full sized Provari with a battery and extension cap weighs 6.2 oz.. The body is completely rounded and is oval shaped when looking down on it from above. It is extremely comfortable to hold and the button is perfectly positioned. The word "unique" screams from this thing from all directions.
It its variable wattage device that goes from 2-16 watts with an 8 amp limit. Pretty impressive when compared to what else is out there. The kit also includes a car charger and a EPM matching carto tank, that will not crack or leak no matter what juice you put in it.
I will include some pictures and a link to the spec sheet for it at the bottom of this post. Therefore the balance of this will be descriptive, and my subjective experiences with it. Those interested in the technical details may engulf themselves in the spec sheet, that is very well put together for inquiring minds.
This mod comes to us courtesy of EPM Vapor Mods, out of Australia. I believe they're only doing small runs at this point, but I wont be surprised if that changes soon. This is truly something different, from just about every perspective.
For my personal tastes it is the most aesthetically appealing mod Ive ever held in my hands. The stainless steel body is impeccable and unparalleled, at least for me. A very careful examination will undoubtedly leave almost anyone impressed with the craftsmanship.
As for performance, it uses two Panasonic 2250 CGR/IMR hybrid cells, paired in series using a sealed user replaceable battery pack (available from EPM Mods only). According to Eric, the modder behind the EPM, not only is this a very safe approach, but this method also allows you achieve much better efficiency than using a buck boost in the circuitry with two cells in a parallel configuration. In my opinion the EPM performs with the very best of everything Ive tried.
For battery life, its been averaging just about twice what I get with a single Panny 2250 in a Provari, which is about what one might expect. It charges the battery through the 510 connector (so it cant be used as a pass-through) and does so amazingly fast. It charges the dual pack, from dead-to-full in about 110 minutes. US users will require an adapter since its configured for use in Australia. I got this one, for just a couple of bucks, on Amazon:
Amazon.com: Watson Adapter Plug 3 Prong Australia/Argentina to 3 Prong USA: Electronics
Now for the really interesting part; the controller. Its all driven via a single button control with a multi-color ring around it, that varies in colors along a psychedelic spectrum, straight out of Woodstock. The different colors tell you what power you're at, since there's no display screen.
Battery and wattage levels are conveyed by counting blinks in their respective responses, much like a horse banging its hoof to count off numbers. If you think Provaris single button is nuts, this one would put you in a white coat. It's not for the faint-of-heart, that's for dang sure. That being said, I mastered it in a very short time, and am actually considering getting one of the smaller (18490) ones to travel with. Because yes, its that good.
To navigate, one fast push engages the settings mode. You know this because the surrounding ring blinks very fast, colored green. From there you push again, between one and seven times, depending on what function you wish to use. Increasing or decreasing wattage is measured by watching the color of the light change, in accordance with a.chart in the directions, and stopped by pushing the button again when the desired color is reached. It's pretty much impossible to explain, and I really didn't feel like doing a video review, so this is the best description you'll get.
Reading the directions is an obvious and absolute necessity with the EPM, but thankfully they are very well written and easy to comprehend. Again though, for you people who think the Provari menu is overly complicated, please proceed to the nearest "other" mod.
PROS
Attractive design
Build quality on par with the very best
Phenomenal performance
Great battery life
Fast recharging
CONS
No display (vape-by-taste)
Single button can be a bit cumbersome
OVERALL
Id recommend it to experienced vapers who have a basic understanding of wattage & battery levels, and who are looking for something with extraordinary battery life, that charges quickly and is built like a tank.
Instructions:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B1Uk-4ztA3ZbUUxtMzU1LXFXdDA/edit
Pictures:
