How do you define high end?

[evan le'garde]

But doesn't high end really mean durability ?.

 

[evan le'garde]

There's "top of the range", but that really only refers to added features, so not to be confused with "High End".

I'd love to buy a car which had all these creature features, but how long is it going to last ?. And how much will it cost to maintain ?.

A Rolls Royce is high end. Bentley too. You could buy a cheap Merc or a top of the range Merc. You can't buy a cheap Rolls Royce nor Bentley, Nor Aston Martin neither.

 

[United States]

Ask classic Jaguar owners if high end models are durable as it sits in the climate controlled garage.... Broken.... Again. lol.

I knew a girl who bought her husband a $10k Rolex that has to go to the repairman every 90 days or so to be tweaked in order to keep time acurate. I chuckled and said "well it might be 5 minutes off everyday, but it sure looks cool on his wrist".

 

[evan le'garde]

Most of today's vaping industry, i think, is more focused on the "state of the art" side of things and doesn't seem to be focused on "high end" anything at all.

Most Atomizers being produced these days are sub ohm tanks (requiring drop in coils which get thrown away after use), along with Pod Mods. So the state of the art isn't looking too good at all really. And definitely isn't high end. Not in the Atomizers side of the industry anyway.

State of the art does sound great though.

 

[DaveP]

I have a box full of the latest and greatest atomizers I've purchased over the years. Two or three stand out and the others not so much. I like Kayfuns, but I'm not stuck on them. Kayfun V2 is one of my favorites and I like the Kayfun V3 mini. KF5 was a loser for me. It's too ticky and there's too many parts and adjustments.

Sometimes, I'll go through the box and try a few attys again. Occasionally, I'll find one I didn't like before and find a way to make it work to my taste.

 

[Baditude]

Could be two or more types of high end. Something expensive is high end in cost. Something well built, well designed and works well is high end to me.

Well...ProVape mods used to be considered high end by many people, because of their craftsmanship, materials, and reliability, as well as their cost. But, as ProVape was preparing to close up shop...they were selling them for Blowout prices. So did that mean they were no longer considered "high end" because their price was much lower? To me, nope, it didn't.

To me the definition is clear. "High End" means Quality and as such should check all the boxes:

[ ] Do all of the functions of the device work RELIABLY? (Does what it should when it should)
[ ] Are all of the functions ACCURATE? (Ohms reading, Wattage as set, Temp as set, etc.)
[ ] Is the device DEPENDABLE? (Does the product usually last a long time?)

If it checks all 3 it's high end.
If it checks 2 it's mid range.
If it checks 1 it's low end.
If it checks 0 it's a SMOK mod.

I agree with the above comments.

My first high end mod was a Provari 2.5 first purchased in 2012 for $200. It easily fit the description for the above criteria for high end. I ended up buying two more simply because of value. In its hey day, the Provari was considered way ahead of its time. I no longer use them because they are underpowered for the way I now vape, but I will never get rid of them because they still represent "high end" value to me. Why Provari?

It was built to last with superior components. The Provari's body was milled from a solid block of US Steel, not slapped together from some thin pot metal or aluminum sheet cutouts.

It's resistance meter was so accurate that PBusardo used it to test coils during his reviews instead of using a DMM.

The chip that Provape had made exclusively for them (USA made) was extremely precise and accurate to military grade specifications, and produced a vape that users described as uniquely "smoother" than the inexpensive mods made in China. The Rattlesnake Effect- Why the Cheapo VV [Exception Itaste MVP] Don't Vape the Same as a Provari or DNA20D

The stories of the misadventures that Provari's suffered through and survived are still epic for today's standards of durability. To my knowledge, the only Provari that didn't survive was eaten by a lawn mower.
​

I've often compared my current JAC Vapour series B DNA75W to the quality of a more powerful Mini Provari, but in hindsight that's not really true. Compared to a Provari, the JAC is a mid-range mod.

 

[United States]

I concur about the JAC being mid-level overall. To my brief time as a vapour it was a high end purchase like buying a Honda Accord with a V6 and leather seats. But I can see where others would consider it mid-level.

Compared to the Sigelei E1 it replaced... that refused to fire consistantly regardless of battery used... The JAC to me is the space shuttle in terms of improvement over the one I was using.

 

[Eskie]

Most of today's vaping industry, i think, is more focused on the "state of the art" side of things and doesn't seem to be focused on "high end" anything at all.

Most Atomizers being produced these days are sub ohm tanks (requiring drop in coils which get thrown away after use), along with Pod Mods. So the state of the art isn't looking too good at all really. And definitely isn't high end. Not in the Atomizers side of the industry anyway.

State of the art does sound great though.

There's higher end even among catagories like pods. The LV Orion I would classify as high end for a pod. But does that make it the best vape gear ever made? Of course not.

Mods like Provari in its day or a Dicodes can be considered high end with quality components and solid build quality and customer service. Boards / electronics like DNA can be considered high end for the feature set and Evolv's support of them, but they can be built into "midrange" boxes or handmade custom one of a kind boxes. Those boxes are "high end" but still share their functionality with midrange mods.

 

[Baditude]

But doesn't high end really mean durability ?.

Not really. Durability would be one value a high end mod would have. A Reo mod is about as durable as a mod can be, but would I consider it to be high end? Not me.

What increases a mod's value?

What about useability? How well does it make vapor? If the device is never used because its too difficult to use, or doesn't really make great vapor, how can that be considered "high end"?

How about product support by the manufacturer? That expensive mod won't be of much value should it break or stops working if the manufacturer won't fix it, especially after the warranty period is passed. A lot of the high end manufacturers offer a 1 or 2 year warranty, or a lifetime warranty. That seems to imply that the manufacturer is confident in the durability of their product.

 

[stols001]

I'm not quite sure "high end" is fully definable. I mean, I've seen pics of an ego battery encrusted with Swarovski crystals and a price tag in the 12K range. It didn't even look like it would be enjoyable to HOLD, let alone vape. I guess to... someone... that would be considered a high end (or at least a status symbol) type of vape. I sure hope it was "one of a kind" as well but who knows.

That's the thing there are "good" vapes or even "awesome vapes" that can be had for far less money and are going to perform a billion times better, but I think that "high end" does/must hold some kind of price tag attached for the concept to work.

There are expensive vape items that are produced in fairly high quantities, that cost a fair amount of money that are easily obtainable enough and popular enough that folks will buy them, like Kayfuns and Kabukis, and while I would call them very nice gear indeed but I'm not sure I'd even call them high end, either due to their availability and whatnot.

I mean, I kind of am struggling to define it and of course a Yihi is nicer than a smok mod and you pay for that, but I almost want to insert these criteria (which are entirely subjective).
1. Price tag makes me want to faint
2. Picture makes me drool
3. Sometimes you have to pay ahead of time and then the company "makes" your mod, not the other way around
4. (Maybe) the ability to customize, or select personal options
5. I would have to save up for more than 6 months to buy one.
6. I agree the "high end" market is always shifting depending on what is popular, how vaping has changed, etc.

With that said, I don't consider most or even all of my gear to be high end, but it certainly is compared to some folks. I mean, most everyone can afford a Siren, it's emphatically not high end, it's one of my favorite tanks. I am also a fan of my two Kabukis and I most emphatically believe that there are plenty of folks who wouldn't buy one, let alone two.

So it's just super hard to say.

I will say, if/when I get my hands on a Dicodes mod I will consider it "high end" but like it does meet many of my critera above.

Anna

 

[vapdivrr]

Obviously it means different things to different people, but however you believe it to be, it does exist in the vaping community. What everyone sees here and in most google searches are your everyday Chinese , inexpensive devices, but there is another side. That side is considered hi end and are small batched, European made, so called higher end materials and often the ones most are cloned from. Most vapors now are not interested in these devices because of price and availability , so they aren't mainstream and are somewhat only found in certain Facebook groups. I personally do find these devices superior and love to own a few that I know are rare and it brings another aspect of the hobby, which is buying and selling. Maybe years ago, people were buying and reselling for prifit, but now most cannot be resold over rrp, so it is fair. It's no different to people collecting rare guns, cars, or anything that peeks interest. It's not for everyone, as you may think there's no difference between a Ford or Ferrari, but there are people who do and enjoy another aspect of this industry . One thing in the hi end vaping community is , most don't even know it really exists and that's a bit strange to me because In most other things of this nature,it is. Yes, most would never buy a Rolex or so called hi end item, but they do know about them, but 95% of vapors these days only know about inexpensive ,masses produced items and that's it, which is unfortunate because so many of these inexpensive devices were modeled from the hi end side and at least should be noted.

 

[Gramdogg]

Anything you wouldn't even use because it costs to much to risk breaking it lol. Eye candy that sits on the shelf and you only take it out of the box if friends are coming over to look cool and make them jealous lol.

 

[440BB]

High end often correlates to exclusivity and high price. I seek out very high quality at a reasonable price.

I understand the aesthetic value of a beautiful well made piece of equipment. I have a few myself whose form makes their functionality even more enjoyable. I've also been sucked into seeking high end products in a number of arenas that have been the source of much buyer remorse. These days, one utterance of "artisan" and I am out the door.

My wife has a friend who got into cycling and although she is unemployed, started rubbing elbows with an elite cycling crowd. She tried to explain to me that the only worthwhile bikes cost in the thousands. She also brought her french press, coffee beans and grinder to our home for an overnight visit, as our Bunn/Maxwell House combo wasn't up to her standards.

I think our self indulgence has replaced common sense, but being common, who would want that?

Rant over.

 

[barkfunklerbunk]

I spent a decent amount of money on a tank, 2 rdas, and 3 mechs. About $800 total. In my eyes I guess I could say they were all high end. but what I was looking for was well made items, made with good materials, built to last. That was 4+ years ago, they are in near perfect condition and I expect these items to last many more years. $800 really isn't all that much when you consider I would have spent at least $7500+ on cigs in that time span, if i still smoked.

 

[Eskie]

Maybe part of the difference is getting through the collectable, whether for scarcity or expense, and high end. A high end Mercedes, or even a Ferrari (staying with the car analogy) while expensive are not scarce. If you want and can afford one, you can find one pretty easily. But if you want a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO then you're talking a collectable for a ridiculous price and unlikely to be driven to even a Beverly Hills bistro. Same with a Rolex. Not hard to find and fairly expensive, but hardly a collectable unless it's a noted limited vintage.

Look at the mech world. What makes a tube of whatever your favorite metal (short of solid platinum) worth hundreds of dollars? A high end mech will have well machined quality parts and switch. Handmade heavily engraved and rarely produced will be collectables. High end? I guess. But the higher price isn't going for the best performance but for the secondary characteristics.

 

[listopencil]

I would say that a high end device is one that costs considerably more than average but is regarded as worth the price.

 

[Baditude]

I would say that a high end device is one that costs considerably more than average but is regarded as worth the price.

Too vague. What are the variables that supports the worthiness of the label "worth the price"?

Is a beautiful mech like the Otto Carter Tribal worthy of $1000 because of intensive hand labored engraving? Nice to look at, but how does its worthiness compare to an ordinary $30 mech to justify $1000? In the end, its just a stainless steel tube with a piston-style fire button and machined 510 connector, just like you could find in a $30 model.

Tribal mechanical mod

 

[Eskie]

Too vague. What are the variables that supports the worthiness of the label "worth the price"?

Is a beautiful mech like the Otto Carter Tribal worthy of $1000 because of intensive hand labored engraving? Nice to look at, but how does its worthiness compare to an ordinary $30 mech to justify $1000? In the end, its just a metal tube with a piston-style fire button and machined 510 connector, just like you could find in a $30 model.

Tribal mechanical mod

But that is awfully pretty. Great detail work.

Is that a collectible? IMO yes. Is it high end? Maybe the price is high, but I believe it falls in a different classification for exactly the reasons you pointed out.

I'm not knocking collectible gear. If it gives you pleasure that's all that matters. Well, it also depends on if you can comfortably afford it. And hopefully know how to use it. Picture spending $1K, throwing a 0.05 ohm build on an Efest battery found in the bottom of some clearance bin, pressing the fire button and holding it for an extra long draw. I can hear the "Imagine, a thousand dollars for this thing and it just blew up on me".

 

[Doffy]

There's "top of the range", but that really only refers to added features, so not to be confused with "High End".

I'd love to buy a car which had all these creature features, but how long is it going to last ?. And how much will it cost to maintain ?.

A Rolls Royce is high end. Bentley too. You could buy a cheap Merc or a top of the range Merc. You can't buy a cheap Rolls Royce nor Bentley, Nor Aston Martin neither.

and a 2018 kia is far more advanced than a 1960 rolls

prolly more reliable too

 

[Fidola13]

Well for me there’s “high end” then there’s “elite high end”.

Imo Yihi mods/chips are definitely high end compared to the “average” device used in the States. They have above average materials l, design and quality. Yihi has a long warranty again compared to the majority of manufacturers.

DNA chips are high end however not all mods that use DNA chips are high end. The chips are innovative and well made. Evolv will replace or repair their boards sometimes even after warranty is over. Lost Vape makes nice mods but I’d be hard pressed to say they’re high end. And IPV uses DNA chips but I’ve read many complaints about the lack of quality - chipping paint, panels coming unglued etc... so they’re for sure not high end even with a DNA chip.

IMO the “elite high end” mods are those beautifully crafted mostly handmade devices that use unique and/or very high quality materials that I could only afford if I took out a home loan.

Many are European but I’ve seen some independent makers in the US as well.

This has been an interesting thread to see people’s viewpoints. Nicely done.