Getting a smoktech bolt.

[juicyjays]

Hello everyone, I'm fairly new in vaping and so far it has been wonderful! I've been off analogs since then, and now I'm planning on buying a new vape! Currently I have a Joye 510T, it's been working fine but now I'm thinking of going long term in vaping as the joye was my try to see if I like vaping. What do you think of the bolt smoktech ? Is it any good based on your personal experience ? Also, what carto do you use with it ? Sorry for the noob questions, I actually like the bolt for it's design.

 

[Scarey]

If you're looking at an unregulated mod by Smoktech, forget the chintzy bolts and look at the Magneto, or it's sisters, the Galileo, or the Smooth. You can find all 3 on madvapes.

 

[dam718]

I agree, I would stay away from the bolt... It's built pretty cheap. If you're set on a mechanical, I agree with Scarey, the Magneto is great for a little more money.

If you're going to be using cartomizers with it, I would also suggest using it with a Kick or Kick 2 with an 18350 or 18490 battery so you can maximize your vape time. Nice thing with a mechanical is once you're ready to graduate to RBA/RDA's, you can pop that kick out and go straight battery to a low resistance coil and get some nice vapor.

If you're looking for a regulated device, and like the look of the Bolt, I would recommend the Lavatube V2.5. Very similar look to the Bolt, with variable voltage and variable wattage. Allows for a large variety of juice delivery devices.

There's a lot out there. It's good that you asked, I'd hate for you to get a bolt based on appearance only to find that it's a toy... It's not a true mechanical device... Crappy light gauge wire and crummy switch... I'd be surprised if it lasted you six months before It stops firing.

Do you have a particular budget you're looking to stay in?

 

[Pyrate]

Ive had a Bolt for a little over a year now and IMO its a great device. Solid and well built.
Its my Take-to-Work device.
Ive dropped it, kicked it, sat on it. Ive broken 3 tanks, but the Bolt never fails to work.

Sure there are other Mechs that are great too. Probably even better than the Bolt.
But for the price you cant beat it.

Im thinking of picking up a couple more to store away for if/when this one goes.

 

[BardicDruid]

I used my Bolt for about a year with no problems, I like mine with the extension ring so I can use 18650 batteries. I used the Smok Carto Tanks on mine, Mad Vapes has the Smok Vivi Nova tanks and the NBC and PBC tanks by Smok also. People bash Smok but I've been using their stuff for a couple of years now without any problems, I'll pick Smok over any other brand. I recommend getting good batteries and a charger, skimping on those could cause catastrophic problems, I use these batteries: Batteries : Panasonic NCR18650B 3400mAh Protected Button Top and this charger: http://www.rtdvapor.com/online-store/battery-chargers/nitecore-intellicharger-i2-detail . If you're not going to be doing sub ohm coils, always use a protected battery.

I would not suggest getting one from FastTech, there cheap knockoffs and people are having a problem with batteries not fitting in the tube. Your best bet would be Mad Vapes or SmokTek.com, that's where I got both of mine.

 

[Thrasher]

the bolt was ok when there wasnt much else but personally for not much more you can get a nice mech clone that has safety features like a locking switch built in now a days.

 

[Criticalmass]

Hello everyone, I'm fairly new in vaping and so far it has been wonderful! I've been off analogs since then, and now I'm planning on buying a new vape! Currently I have a Joye 510T, it's been working fine but now I'm thinking of going long term in vaping as the joye was my try to see if I like vaping. What do you think of the bolt smoktech ? Is it any good based on your personal experience ? Also, what carto do you use with it ? Sorry for the noob questions, I actually like the bolt for it's design.

Since you are relatively new to this, are you sure you are ready for a mechanical mod as opposed to a VV/VW mod with built in protection?

 

[juicyjays]

Thanks for the review guys, I have some questions, in mechanical mods, are there any precaution or instructions for me as a beginner ? Also, how do you know when to change the carto or atomizer to a new one ?

Oh and DougW, what does built-in protection mean ? Sorry for the noob questions..

I agree, I would stay away from the bolt... It's built pretty cheap. If you're set on a mechanical, I agree with Scarey, the Magneto is great for a little more money.

If you're going to be using cartomizers with it, I would also suggest using it with a Kick or Kick 2 with an 18350 or 18490 battery so you can maximize your vape time. Nice thing with a mechanical is once you're ready to graduate to RBA/RDA's, you can pop that kick out and go straight battery to a low resistance coil and get some nice vapor.

If you're looking for a regulated device, and like the look of the Bolt, I would recommend the Lavatube V2.5. Very similar look to the Bolt, with variable voltage and variable wattage. Allows for a large variety of juice delivery devices.

There's a lot out there. It's good that you asked, I'd hate for you to get a bolt based on appearance only to find that it's a toy... It's not a true mechanical device... Crappy light gauge wire and crummy switch... I'd be surprised if it lasted you six months before It stops firing.

Do you have a particular budget you're looking to stay in?

Hey thanks for the suggestions but it is too expensive for now.. aboutt 50 tops, would be my budget, hehe. (just for the battery)

 

[WarHawk-AVG]

I got a FT Bolt and kick in today, surprisingly small and actually works very well (I did have to stretch the spring in the battery cap though, it just wouldn't connect all that solidly without the extra few mm of stretch)

That is the Bolt in "shorty" mode with the 18500 tube (minus the 18650/kick extension) with an 18350 and kick and it is just a few mm shorter than my MVP2
Set it at 6.5 watts same as my MVP2, it has the same RMS chipset as the Vamo V3 and other lower end APV's, running at 33.3hz you get the rattlesnake sound and the hit is (for the lack of a better word) edgy/sharp (not smooth like the MVP2 or higher end rigs) still a good vape though
You CAN tell the difference!!!!

As others have said get a solid APV like the MVP2, they are currently on sale at 101vapes (usually run $69.99, but are selling for $39.99 right now!)
http://101vape.com/vvvw/148-innokin-itaste-mvp-v20.html

 

[Baditude]

Mechanical Mod Proper Usage Guide

Battery Basics for Mods: IMR or Protected?


Should you end up getting a Bolt, be extremely careful when carrying it in a pocket or purse. The Bolt has a very prominent fire switch which can be accidentally activated when compressed in tight quarters. Prolonged activation can lead to over-discharge of the battery causing it to go into thermal runaway. This is when a battery goes into meltdown mode which can lead to venting hot gases or even explode.

I have what literally is a minature version of the Bolt, an AltSmoke BB. The button with this mechanical mod is prominent just like the Bolt's. The button became compressed for a prolonged period of time and over-discharged the battery, leading to the battery to go into thermal runaway...venting hot gas and some flames badly scorching the pants pocket. Neither the protective circuit of the so-called protected battery nor the collapsable hot spring in the mod prevented this from happening.




I strongly urge you to buy a regulated variable voltage mod instead of a mechanical mod as your first advanced battery device. Mechanical mods have NO SAFETY FEATURES to protect against short circuits.

Regulated mods have micro-computers which have built-in safety features to protect against short circuits. Ie auto cutoff of the fire switch after 10 seconds, over-discharge protection, short circuit protection for the atomizer or fire button which shuts the power down to prevent battery melt-down. These features keep a novice out of trouble.

You'll also be able to enjoy regulated voltage and higher voltage. In a mechanical mod, your vape experience is at the mercy of the battery - as the voltage drops while using the battery the vape will progressively drop, too. Regulated mods keep the voltage consistant to be the same from the beginning of the battery until it needs to be replaced.

A mechanical mod will only provide around 3.5v - 4.1v, depending upon the charge status of the battery. A variable voltage mod will allow you to use voltages between 3.4v - 6v with the voltage boost circuits of the processor.

Consider the Innokin iTaste MVP. It has a built-in rechargeable battery that can last 2 - 3 days on a charge. It recharges like an Ego battery with a USB charging cord. Also consider a Vamo in the same price range, which uses replaceable rechargeable batteries; you'll need to purchase multiple batteries and a battery recharger.

Innokin iTaste MVP V2.0 - 101 Vape

 

[WarHawk-AVG]

Wow...too bad that AltSmoke BB is so expensive...would make an AWESOME little stealth vaper!

I put a kick in my bolt which made it into a APV mechanical

Thanks for the info Baditude...as always spot on!

 

[Baditude]

Wow...too bad that AltSmoke BB isn't so expensive...would make an AWESOME little stealth vaper!

I put a kick in my bolt which made it into a APV mechanical

Thanks for the info Baditude...as always spot on!

 

[rangie]

i would go with the smok sid or z-max ideal starter price is good to especialy if you can find a sid with all 3 tubes as i did from cloud9 vaping

 

[juicyjays]

If I was to buy the bolt, with 18650 batteries on a 1.5ohm Dual Coil Cartos, is this an acceptable set up ? Or should I just get a 2.0ohm single coil carto ? I am so confused with these stuff, will it be simpler if i get a sid ?

 

[Baditude]

Personally, I believe that any regulated (variable voltage/wattage) mod is a better choice for a beginner as a first mod simply because of the protective circuitry that these mods have against short circuits. A mechanical mod such as a Bolt has no built-in protection and is vulnerable to short circuits occuring which potentially can lead to battery failure and thermal runaway. The difference in price between a mechanical vs a regulated mod is negligable, so cost would not be a determining factor.

An MVP v1 or Vamo can both be purchased for under $50.

Variable voltage will also allow you to "fine tune" your vape to the particular flavor that you are using. You can't do this with a mechanical mod. Most flavors will taste better at different voltage ranges.
____

The choice between dual coil and single coil is a personal one; you should try both and decide which YOU prefer.

 

[juicyjays]

I was actually concerned with the ohm and voltage, would it burn out the atty quickly or battery life span ? I'm planning on buying the Smoktech SID, any reviews ? I didn't really like VAMO's design as it seems so tall.. Thanks by the way guys

 

[Scarey]

I was actually concerned with the ohm and voltage, would it burn out the atty quickly or battery life span ? I'm planning on buying the Smoktech SID, any reviews ? I didn't really like VAMO's design as it seems so tall.. Thanks by the way guys

Well, I've had a SID for a couple days, so I can't really attest to longevity, by any means, but it seems nice enough. I started with a mech as my first mod, so I'm not really blown away by the SID, but I think that's a personal preference thing. In the end, I can't complain about it, especially since I got it for $44.99 from MtBakerVapor. That's a great price for ordering it in the US. Bear in mind that since it's over $15 you'll get a free 15ml bottle of liquid. If you buy 3 bottles after that and use the coupon code vaporfrombaker your order would be about $54. Since that's over $50, free priority mail shipping. That's A Sid and 60ml of liquid for $54... Can China top that?

 

[Baditude]

I was actually concerned with the ohm and voltage, would it burn out the atty quickly or battery life span ? I'm planning on buying the Smoktech SID, any reviews ? I didn't really like VAMO's design as it seems so tall.. Thanks by the way guys

The ohm of the carto you use ultimately is what you decide you prefer. For a mechanical mod, people use both low and standardard resistance. For a regulated mod, they use a high resistance (2.5 - 3.0 ohm) carto.

 

[juicyjays]

When you say regulated mod, is the VAMO, SID and others while mechanical mod is the bolt ? How do you differ from the two, is it from the feature of VV ? Also, how do you tell which batteries are protected or not ? Is it when there is IMR in the name means its unprotected ? Thank you badtitude for answering my questions.

 

[VapingTurtle]

... I'm planning on buying the Smoktech SID...

Good choice, Jays. You'll have fun trying different juices and cartos/attys at various heat settings (wattage).

Lemme suggest you check out the Eigate/AnyVape Aspire line of clearomizers and tanks. Easy and really good.

Congratz on stepping up in the vaping world!!