From Zmax to Vamo V2 (I hate the Vamo V2)

[mark40511]

I haven't been on this forum in a long time but haven't really posted or been here very often lately.......I've been happily vaping along for a long time, using different mods over the years and I LOVE the dual coil tank triple punched carto's.....they are my fav......I've used the bolt mod, and the zmax (which is now 8 mos old) and now finally I just got a vamo v2 in the mail because my z max has been acting funky. It was on sale and it looked nice and user friendly, but dear God, it's a terribly weak vape. I'm using 18650 batteries and at 3.7 volts on the z max I'm getting loads of vapor and great hit and that strong sizzle sound when you fire the atty, but on the vamo, it's like a very weak sizzle sound almost like your battery is on it's last leg and you have to hold the button down a LONG time to get a decent hit.....I tried upping the voltage and that did nothing, changing batteries, carto, etc.....sometimes it doesn't fire at all or there's a long delay after you try to fire holding the button down and then like 5 seconds later you hear the atty sizzling.....I love the way the stainless vamo v2 looks and I know there are newer versions, but I'm sending it back.......

 

[yzer]

I haven't been on this forum in a long time but haven't really posted or been here very often lately.......I've been happily vaping along for a long time, using different mods over the years and I LOVE the dual coil tank triple punched carto's.....they are my fav......I've used the bolt mod, and the zmax (which is now 8 mos old) and now finally I just got a vamo v2 in the mail because my z max has been acting funky. It was on sale and it looked nice and user friendly, but dear God, it's a terribly weak vape. I'm using 18650 batteries and at 3.7 volts on the z max I'm getting loads of vapor and great hit and that strong sizzle sound when you fire the atty, but on the vamo, it's like a very weak sizzle sound almost like your battery is on it's last leg and you have to hold the button down a LONG time to get a decent hit.....I tried upping the voltage and that did nothing, changing batteries, carto, etc.....sometimes it doesn't fire at all or there's a long delay after you try to fire holding the button down and then like 5 seconds later you hear the atty sizzling.....I love the way the stainless vamo v2 looks and I know there are newer versions, but I'm sending it back.......

You didn't provide some essential details like which Zmax you are using. For instance, is it a Sigelei Zmax or a Smok Zmax?

Regardless, you contradict yourself. First you say the "z max" has been acting "funky" and is a terribly weak vape. Then you say with the "z max" you are "getting loads of vapor and great hit and that strong sizzle sound" but with the Vamo is "it's like a very weak sizzle sound almost like your battery is on it's last leg and you have to hold the button down a LONG time to get a decent hit."

So I'm a bit confused, here.

Make sure that you are using RMS settings on these devices if you can find them in the menu.

The best available version of the 33.3Hz 3-15W Yihi chip is in the Sigelei V3 and V5 in my opinion. The tube mod is shorter than Vamo and the build quality and firmware is better. Plus, Sigelei V3 and V5 haven't been cloned (yet) but there are several known manufacturers of the "Vamo." The Sigeleis feature one-piece stainless steel 510/eGo threading that will not wear out.

Regardless of which you buy: a Sigelei, a Vamo or a Smok the dome switches mounted on the circuit boards are weak. They may last you for weeks, they may last you for months or they may last you for over a year but they will eventually wear out. Bad switches cause all kinds of issues on these rigs. I have three Sigelei Zmaxs and have replaced the switch on one of them with a better one rated for 1,000,000 clicks. Be handy with a soldering pencil.

 

[v1k1ng1001]

Yeah, so I've always hated my VAMO 2 for the same reason. Send it back.

 

[mark40511]

Sorry it's the Smok Z max.....I didn't even realize there was another z max! And the z max vapes fine. What I mean by acting funky is it sometimes resets itself to 3.0 v for no reason, and I have to move it back up. But when it vapes it vapes great. For this reason, i decided to get another mod, I chose the vamo v2 becuase it was on sale. I just received it. It's a very simple interface and five clicks turn it on or off...and the plus or minus changes voltage. That's it! The vaping on the vamo is just terrible....Sorry for the confusion too many glasses of wine when I typed that. But yea, I'm sending it back. I was just wondering if anyone else had this issue with the vamo v2 because the video reviews I saw on them were pretty good (at least the particular reviews I saw)

 

[yzer]

I am just guessing here...

If the Smok Zmax works like a Sigelei Zmax it will reset to 3.0V output every time you change out a battery if you are operating in the variable voltage mode (VV). Now, if you set the device to operate in variable wattage mode (VW) it will reset to the last wattage you used before you changed out the battery.

In other words, the last used VV values will not be remembered after a battery change and it will default to a safe 3.0V. But if you are operating inn variable wattage (VW) mode the last setting used before a battery change will be remembered. This is a safety feature.

 

[Night Hawk]

I had a V2(ordered JAN. 2013) and actually passed that along to someone who lives on a fixed income for medical reasons and he couldn't afford to replace his apv at the time that let go. I could do that since I had just gotten the V5 in. The V2 finally let go on him about a month ago and this person rebuilds his sub ohm coils to puff clouds. His iTaste V3.0 let go too from that as well.

With the latest V6 that will be coming in where I might pass along the V5 or one of the Smok ACEs aluminum body that has a few new improvements like the adjustable center contact pin and the ability to adjust the puff from 0 to 30seconds unlike the typical 10second cutoff seen with a good number of variable V and V/W batteries and mods. The new V6 is now a 20w not 15w version adding to that.

Besides finding the Smok ACEs also come with stainless steel bodies I had been pondering on the Sigelei line. But I went with the Innokin VTR when finding a buy on that since the Smok Groove II i had(discovering cheap plastic casing) let go once I started using it nightly. Forget those!!! The iTaste V3.0s are now out too!

Lately investing more in the Smok 2000mah Aro Winders and the new eGo-V V4 Mega batteries I use most often over the other besides the Vamo has been working out better. When buying the leather belt holder for MVP/VTR the retaining strap that helps hold the strap with push on snap tore when bumped into by the case holding a cell phone! I now need to find a heavier piece of leather to replace that in order to carry the VTR around in.

Again while not having checked the Sigelei line each Vamo has been working well since they haven't been in constant use due to the other variables.

 

[mark40511]

Yes - the Smok Zmax resets to 3.0 Volts every time you change the battery. That's normal. What isn't normal is after about 2 months of having it, it resets to 3.0 volts without having removed the battery.....For example, I put a fresh 18650 battery in, move it to 3.7, start vaping, perhaps 15 min's later, I notice the vape is weak and take a look and it's at 3.0 volts, so I move it back up to 3.7. It stays there a while, suddenly, it's back to 3.0, so I move it back up......rinse and repeat. It does this the entire life of the battery........And when the battery USED to say LO when it was time to change, now instead of doing that, it just say 3.0 volts and when you move it back up, it immediately goes back to 3.0 volts.......That's when I know it's time to change the battery....It's been doing this for 6 months now......But as long as I can keep it on 3.7, it vapes great for me......It's just annoying.......so that's why I decided on a new mod....and chose the vamo v2 hoping it would at least vape as good as the Smok Z max..

I'm sending it back and trying to decide which mod to get....It doesn't have to be variable voltage, it can be mechanical, and there are SO MANY and I'm completely out of the loop on what's good and what's not (for me).....I want something the size of the z max or near that size and stainless steel.. I'm thinking Chi Yu or the clone of that, but not sure.....Definitely no box mod for me personally.

 

[Night Hawk]

That sounds like a defect! I would send it back as a precaution while you still can explaining what it is doing to the vendor. Most will credit it for you without a problem.

Here I had ordered three eGo-V V3 Mega batteries and one went within the first two weeks but didn't have the chance to send it back. Another finally went after 9 months of more steady use. I replaced those and ordered some more of the newer V4 version where they made a few external changes with a wider button not on the neck but at the end of the main tube plud flush against the casing not sticking out.

For RDAs most will go with the mechs over the VV VV/VW stuff in order to sub ohm. A few on the latest high wattage box mods do support as low as point 3 ohms however while most are at least 1ohm if not a little higher. Most of the time I run about 7 watts until I run into something that tastes a bit too sweet for the pallet and then I may notch it up to 10w. Can't go much higher when using Smok Tumblers with 2ohm coils! Tried out Aero mini tanks and a mega tank as well as Trophy, HBC, GBC, FBC pen style clearomizer, T-Dux 2.0, T-Dux 4.0 tanks all by Smok, IClear tanks, and the Vision Vision and end up back with the Tumbler for the best flavor redults.

Most of the Smok tanks have interchangeable coils which helps while some vape best with the 1.8ohm coils they come with over swapping out. These have been tried out on the Vamo, C-Twist, Spinner, Innokin MVP, VTR, VV V3.0s, eGo batteries including the variables. Sometimes it seems the vape on one battery or device with a certain flavor is better then on one of the other. Hardwares that let you down however can be a disappointment like for me that was the Groove II as if that had been better made the 3800mah battery time would have been worth it! The same goes for any other.

 

[v1k1ng1001]

The Vamo was the mod to get like 2 yrs ago.

 

[Night Hawk]

The Smok ACE is another one now that I found out those come with the stainless steel body as well as in aluminum. The V2 was the first for me until I grabbed the V5 due to using mostly eGo threaded tanks. It still isn't the main item I use even now however since I may two or three things going as far as flavors one being menthol or some custom blend of flavors I am trying out.

What I notice at times is how each VV/VW battery or mod will effect the same flavor in the exact same tank when trying out any new flavor(s). So I have a collection going rather then counting too much on any one thing. I find that works out much better as far as flexibility.

 

[mark40511]

The Vamo was the mod to get like 2 yrs ago.

OK?? I had the prodigy V2 (which was my first mod) I used for a LONG time. I still have it as a backup........Then I got the Smok Zmax......The only reason I got the vamo v2 was

A) it was on sale
B) the vendor said it was the closest thing to the z max that I was replacing.

They are giving me a store credit so I'm going to get something else, but I have ZERO clue which one to get.........

I've been vaping so long I can't even remember what year I started vaping. I think either 2008 and 2009. I just haven't really been frequenting the forums for a while and when I shop for e cig supplies I just get what I need and don't really shop around looking at the different things, so essentially I'm out of the loop. It's amazing how much has changed. I remember when the only e cigs were just those skinny little batteries that looked like a real cig and lasted NO TIME!

 

[Night Hawk]

I just got the KSD Vamo V6 in the other day and have been looking that over as far as that being an upgrade from the V5 in a variety of vays. I still haven't figured out how you can charge any mobile device with it since there isn't any usb options since it takes the 18xxx type batteries. Looks identical to the V2 until you press the button and all three watts, volts, ohms - watts, volts, amps, etc. depending on the menu setting you select. You can even switch the display off so the display remains dark when going to take a puff(that you can set anywhere from 0-30seconds).

You have to be fast moving about the menu on this new one however or need to keep pressing and holding the pair of buttons(+, -) at the same time to keep bringing it back up. The menu starts off with display(what will be shown each puff), screen(turns display on/off), current(otion for displaying amperage), setting(which three items to show or which one as well as adjusting puff time). You no longer have the option to adjust the voltage separately with this one due to the additional features they packed into it. The plus and minus will simply adjust he wattage up or down or you can now set the Vamo to automatic or manual. A new twist for that which automatically adjusts things according to what you attach to it.

The vendor you went through is who? They may likely not even have the V6 in but most likely stock the V5 which is a definite preferral over the V2 due to being 510/eGo threaded with the removalable cap compared to the V1-V4s which were strictly 510 threaded only. For the eGo threaded tanks used here however I still find myself tossing an adapter on to avoid the need to keep taking or leaving the end cap off. The Smok ACEs with the aluminum body started that when the manufacturer never "broke the edge" when the top section came off of the engine lathe or other machine but left a sharp edge where the ACE is threaded without any chamber(metal file pressed against sharp edged diameter to break the sharp edge and leave slight 45 degree angle in edge).

After getting a pair of those I later find out they come with a stainless steel body and work just like the Vamos! The main difference is using a SID battery tube to run with a 18350 size battery. The Vamos take a pair of 350s as well as just one when not having the extender on and the 18650s since they are telescoping mods instead.

 

[vlodato]

I would take a look at the zmax battery connection. Clean everything, the threads the contact point and check the spring intself

Sent from my LG-D959 using Tapatalk

 

[AndriaD]

No clue who made my Vamo V2, but I've also noticed that it doesn't seem to have nearly the output of all my other vw devices, so I just turn it up, and that works very well. Mine was also DIRT cheap from china ($17) which is why I bought it, so I figure it's worth it.

I never use vv unless it's a mod that won't do vw.

Andria

 

[Night Hawk]

The V2 was the first variable V/W type I went with after I mentioned to someone about liking the Bloog 650mah batteries I tried out next following their first starter kit with the 65mm and then followed by their 78mm and 102mm batteries as well as their 1.6ml clearomizers back in 2012. I ordered the V2 in Jan. 2013 to be followed two months later by first the eGo-C Twist starter with those two 650s and onto trying out the Vision Spinner due to the higher mAH!

Lately I went for the 2000mah Smok Aro Winders as well as ordering 5 of the eGo-V V4 Mega batteries that just came out with one set aside for a friend's birthday gift. Regardless of battery or device one golden rule I found was double checking myself after any fresh fill or refill of any tank or clearomizer I go to use by wiping them down 510 or eGo connector to be sure none of the ejuice gets on them in case some gets out from an overfill. That will be a big help in preventing shorts from flavors getting inside as well as on the connectors themselves. While most of the newer gear now sees some type of short circuit protection in case of a bad coil or crossed connection you sitll want to play it on the safe side.

The V2 I got came from a vendor who carries a good deal of Smoktech gear while I would have to look the V5 on that one. The V6 just in is a KSD according to the vendor info. The V6 is a 3w-20watter not a 25watt as some vendors have it listed as. The user manual as well as stamp on the battery extension are marked as 20w.

 

[mark40511]

I ended up buying this:

Kamry K100 Mechanical MOD - EVcigarettes.com

 

[Night Hawk]

Not bad! I like that better then the tube mod I picked up a year ago as far as looks! The one I have could use an add-on VV or VW chip and safety fuse however. I've been running into some wooden mech mods lately as well that were interesting as well.

As far as who makes the Vamos those all come from one Chinese manufacturer but are listed under different brand names at differetn vendors from what I have been finding. Smoktech is the manufacturer's brand name while I see KSD and others used at the retail end. They're still the exact same thing but various models. AndriaD