Have had a Provari for a year now and just received my VAMO yesterday. First of all let me say I didn't get the VAMO because of dissatisfaction with the Provari. The Provari is a solid performer and hasn't given me any problems at all. But as most of us know anything mechanical will eventually need service and I didn't want to be left hanging so I got the VAMO as a backup. I was also interested in the variable wattage capability of the VAMO as well.
I was excited to get the VAMO, again not because of any complaints with the Provari, but because I'm a guy and it was a new electronic toy. I made my way to the mailbox for the second time that morning and the mailman had just arrived. I walked around the parking lot of my apartment complex three times waiting for him to finally get finished and eagerly proceeded to my box and pulled out that little manila envelope that contained my prize. Back to my apartment and the unveiling. I opened the package and pulled out the box with the VAMO inside. Opened the box and was pleased to see that it arrived inside a protective felt bag with a draw-string top. Taking it out of that I was a bit set back by its size, length wise that is. It comes with all parts attached which allows the use of the included 18650 battery. I took off the extender and used an 18350 that I had instead. That gave it a more pleasing look and it felt good in my not oversized hand.
I went to my computer and called up the instructions on how to use it and went about learning how to set the mode, watts or volts, of which I chose watts and the RMS setting of that. Not really as complicated as it may sound and once you get it in the watts setting it is a simple matter of the plus or minus button to raise or lower your power. That was a welcomed change to the Provari which requires pushing its single button five times to get it in the raise power mode or seven times to get it in the reduce power mode. I also found that to check my battery I can hold the minus button three seconds or to check ohms I can hold the plus button three seconds. This is also a bit more convenient that the Provari which requires hitting the single button eleven times to check the battery or thirteen times to check the ohms. I still have a lot to learn about the VAMO but do find the additional buttons to provide greater flexibility with much quicker changes and checks than the Provari.
As for the aesthetics the Provari is a winner hands down. I have never had to wipe a finger print from it as they don't show. That is certainly not true of the VAMO which looks like I've been using it for weeks after just a short vaping session. The Provari looks and feels and no doubt is much sturdier than the VAMO. It just gives the feeling of being much better put together and more durable than the VAMO. Also the Provari is about 3/4 inch shorter than the VAMO which makes it feel better in hand. The VAMO with the 18650 battery in it could double as a night club though I doubt it would bear up under such usage because of its perceived inferior construction.
I read the post that is on this site somewhere where someone put both on a meter and showed that the Provari deliveries power to the atty in a much smoother flow than does the VAMO. I was impressed but to be honest I haven't noticed any difference in what they deliver from a practical standpoint. They both deliver a great vape and with the ability on each to adjust the power to the atty you can find your sweet spot using either.
I've droned long enough so I'll get to my conclusions. If I had it to do all over again I'd still get the Provari. I appreciate a piece of equipment that is solidly built and gives me the confidence that it will last over the long haul. I'm happy though to have the VAMO as a backup and will enjoy using it from time to time. It will be interesting to see if it holds up especially since I have read some posts that indicate otherwise.
Should the VAMO come out as a unit with the Provari's reputation of quality this review might have a very different conclusion.
I was excited to get the VAMO, again not because of any complaints with the Provari, but because I'm a guy and it was a new electronic toy. I made my way to the mailbox for the second time that morning and the mailman had just arrived. I walked around the parking lot of my apartment complex three times waiting for him to finally get finished and eagerly proceeded to my box and pulled out that little manila envelope that contained my prize. Back to my apartment and the unveiling. I opened the package and pulled out the box with the VAMO inside. Opened the box and was pleased to see that it arrived inside a protective felt bag with a draw-string top. Taking it out of that I was a bit set back by its size, length wise that is. It comes with all parts attached which allows the use of the included 18650 battery. I took off the extender and used an 18350 that I had instead. That gave it a more pleasing look and it felt good in my not oversized hand.
I went to my computer and called up the instructions on how to use it and went about learning how to set the mode, watts or volts, of which I chose watts and the RMS setting of that. Not really as complicated as it may sound and once you get it in the watts setting it is a simple matter of the plus or minus button to raise or lower your power. That was a welcomed change to the Provari which requires pushing its single button five times to get it in the raise power mode or seven times to get it in the reduce power mode. I also found that to check my battery I can hold the minus button three seconds or to check ohms I can hold the plus button three seconds. This is also a bit more convenient that the Provari which requires hitting the single button eleven times to check the battery or thirteen times to check the ohms. I still have a lot to learn about the VAMO but do find the additional buttons to provide greater flexibility with much quicker changes and checks than the Provari.
As for the aesthetics the Provari is a winner hands down. I have never had to wipe a finger print from it as they don't show. That is certainly not true of the VAMO which looks like I've been using it for weeks after just a short vaping session. The Provari looks and feels and no doubt is much sturdier than the VAMO. It just gives the feeling of being much better put together and more durable than the VAMO. Also the Provari is about 3/4 inch shorter than the VAMO which makes it feel better in hand. The VAMO with the 18650 battery in it could double as a night club though I doubt it would bear up under such usage because of its perceived inferior construction.
I read the post that is on this site somewhere where someone put both on a meter and showed that the Provari deliveries power to the atty in a much smoother flow than does the VAMO. I was impressed but to be honest I haven't noticed any difference in what they deliver from a practical standpoint. They both deliver a great vape and with the ability on each to adjust the power to the atty you can find your sweet spot using either.
I've droned long enough so I'll get to my conclusions. If I had it to do all over again I'd still get the Provari. I appreciate a piece of equipment that is solidly built and gives me the confidence that it will last over the long haul. I'm happy though to have the VAMO as a backup and will enjoy using it from time to time. It will be interesting to see if it holds up especially since I have read some posts that indicate otherwise.
Should the VAMO come out as a unit with the Provari's reputation of quality this review might have a very different conclusion.
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