I wouldn't recommend the Smok Alien for a New mod

[Eskie]

I couldn't agree more! If you want a device that'll last, it'll cost you. I only use Evolv and Yihi devices because I don't have to be worry about them failing. I compare my dna devices to my Klein side cutters, sure they cost 3x times as much but they'll last much longer, work 10x better and if something does go wrong you know the manufacturer will replace/fix it.

Even those can fail. Evolv is pretty good about honoring their warranty and all, but it's not a lifetime warranty. YiHi's only for 3 months. Any electronic device can fail. All my DNA mods are used for TC. All my cheaper mods like an Alien and AL85 are wattage only. All are working fine, not even a problem with the finish on my Alien.

Would I rely on an Alien as my primary/only mod? No. Does it work in my particular rotation pattern? Yes. That is not to say I believe you should only get 6 months out of a mod, but there will be early and late failures on any mod.

 

[Asbestos4004]

The only mods I EXPECT 6 months or more out of are mechanical. Chips, wiring, leaky tanks and drippers, high volume/low QC production facilities......alot can happen. It doesn't really matter who made the chip....but there's some I'd predict lasting longer than others.

 

[vapdivrr]

I couldn't agree more! If you want a device that'll last, it'll cost you. I only use Evolv and Yihi devices because I don't have to be worry about them failing. I compare my dna devices to my Klein side cutters, sure they cost 3x times as much but they'll last much longer, work 10x better and if something does go wrong you know the manufacturer will replace/fix it.

I personally agree with you, but you can spend alot and have it fail as well, but I think the chances are slimmer if you do your homework and not only spend the extra cash, but to buy one that has had a great track record. I hear it all the time that just because a mod is more, doesn't mean it's better, but I just don't buy expensive mods because they are expensive, I buy certain ones because of their track record and they just happen to be expensive. All I know is I have never had a mod fail, paint chip, loose this, bad 510, etc etc and some of mine are many years old. I have only bought a cheap mod once, and it's falling apart, but the others, perfect. It really comes down to spending a little once a year, or less, or spending much more every 4 years or so. There is alot to be said of spending a little more often because vaping products change so fast, who wants an expensive mod sitting around that's not being used. For me though, I'm not looking for the newest, most powerful mod, so a nice solid one battery dna will suite me until the end, so I prefer to spend a bit more on something that's not so massed produced

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[vapdivrr]

Too bad we don't have the Provarinatti around anymore to also lecture us about our cheap junk devices. I miss those guys.

You can't compare the quality of an alien to a provari, I know that. People wanted choices, diversity and power, so these are what evolved , meanwhile provari is no more. I find that sad that junk replaced quality ..yes yes, I know it's their fault, bad business practices, bla, bla, bla..

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[ppeeble]

Couldn't resist - i have a Provari V2 that's five years old and still working and in good order (i probly use it for 10 mins a day) but, for me, the king of all mods for durability/price is the original MVP - after i stopped using it as a mod (due to the eGo threading) i carried on using it as a power bank and this thing is indestuctable. Still holds a charge after 3 years....China CAN make decent devices when they choose to. Unfortunately they choose not to in most cases.

Not so long ago a lot of mods seemed to have a lot more R&D prior to release. This was when there were only a handful of manufacturers. Now they seem to be released complete with bugs and poor finishing in the race to be the latest and greatest... Probably.

 

[GeorgeS]

Wait !?!?! The Alien has a battery door?

(disclaimer: I knew there was one however I've only used it ONCE almost a year ago. The Alien still works like brand new.)

 

[Opinionated]

Too bad we don't have the Provarinatti around anymore to also lecture us about our cheap junk devices. I miss those guys.

Did you really need the lecture? You know it's cheap junk.. one would certainly hope!

Here's the thing, pay 50 - 100 bucks every 6 months = 300 - 600 dollars over the course of three years.

OR

Get a solid device that won't leave you hanging for 2 or 3 hundred that will last three or four, perhaps 5 or more years.

It's a choice, and the choice is that cheap stuff ends up costing more in the long run. But people spend it, to keep up with the latest and greatest trends (to be in the popular crowd or something) that aren't always that great.

It's like being a teenager all over again for some I imagine - "But MOM! ALL my friends have one!"

Hahaha.. do you feel better now? (All typed while vaping a provari)

 

[Foggy Road]

Did you really need the lecture? You know it's cheap junk.. one would certainly hope!

Here's the thing, pay 50 - 100 bucks every 6 months = 300 - 600 dollars over the course of three years.

Thanx now I've had my

Get a solid device that won't leave you hanging for 2 or 3 hundred that will last three or four, perhaps 5 or more years.

It's a choice, and the choice is that cheap stuff ends up costing more in the long run. But people spend it, to keep up with the latest and greatest trends (to be in the popular crowd or something) that aren't always that great.

It's like being a teenager all over again for some I imagine - "But MOM! ALL my friends have one!"

Hahaha.. do you feel better now? (All typed while vaping a provari)

Thanx, now I got my fix of elitism for the day.

 

[Aus11]

You can't compare the quality of an alien to a provari, I know that. People wanted choices, diversity and power, so these are what evolved , meanwhile provari is no more. I find that sad that junk replaced quality ..yes yes, I know it's their fault, bad business practices, bla, bla, bla..

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What would be todays quality brand if Provari is no more? I have only been vaping for a year so I guess provari was before I got here.

Edit: Ah I see, they closed in Feb according to an article. That sucks. R.I.P Provape.

 

[EIHYPI]

What would be todays quality brand if Provari is no more? I have only been vaping for a year so I guess provari was before I got here.

I was actually thinking the same thing for my next mod. Is the Lost Vape Triade either 200W or 250W a very good quality mod that should last a lot longer than the alien? I kind of like that Lost Vape device.

 

[90VG]

Those 150's are built like bombshelters![emoji106]

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My Sig 150 died, wouldn't fire. Although I am vaping on a 18 months old Sig Spark that almost all the paint came off of. Still works great though. I have had a Spark die on me, but it was fixable. The biggest reason for me having one of those die is just misplacing it somewhere in the house, which I will find some day. I currently have one lost in the wood shop somewhere...

 

[Opinionated]

Thanx, now I got my fix of elitism for the day.

Haha haha... I honestly would not call that "elitist", but I'm glad to be of service with the helpful tips..

 

[Opinionated]

What would be todays quality brand if Provari is no more? I have only been vaping for a year so I guess provari was before I got here.

Edit: Ah I see, they closed in Feb according to an article. That sucks. R.I.P Provape.

That really does depend on your needs and wants. There is dicodes or Reomods - both brands are well reviewed from long time owners but completely different in terms of functionality. Dicodes is considered the German version of Provape. Reomods is all about durability and longevity, but it's a different style of vaping, and many swear by it.

I don't know about Lost Vape Triade.. many people swear by it but I've never really looked into it since its not my style so much. But I'm sure it's a step or two up from Smok, just don't know much about them though.

 

[stols001]

I have an IPV-5 that is now my backup mod, but I swear, that thing was indestructable and I used it for over a year. That said I have a tesla steampunk 120 now, and I think the build quality is great. I could imagine having to do... something to the battery door at some point, but I already got a backup as I love it so much. Keep in mind, I'm vaping between 10--14 watts, at this point. I think a lot of the problems are when someone buys a "cheap" mod "for what it can do." I was never that interested in SmkAlien because I don't subohm like crazy and don't NEED a mod to go to insane wattages. It does seem unreasonable to think that something for that price may not last long, necessarily. What turned me off was the problems ppl see right out of the box. I could accept that failure rate for coils (though I wouldn't be happy) but not mods.

To me, spending that much on a mod would only make sense (given how I vape right now) to buy something crazy expensive when there are good mods that appear to be quality builds out there, for lower watts. I can understand paying more for something heavy duty.

That said, all mods can you know, fail whenever. I'd rather have it happen in a lower price point than a higher one, and durability is a huge factor for me.... Good luck with what's next.

Anna

 

[Aus11]

That really does depend on your needs and wants. There is dicodes or Reomods - both brands are well reviewed from long time owners but completely different in terms of functionality. Dicodes is considered the German version of Provape. Reomods is all about durability and longevity, but it's a different style of vaping, and many swear by it.

I don't know about Lost Vape Triade.. many people swear by it but I've never really looked into it since its not my style so much. But I'm sure it's a step or two up from Smok, just don't know much about them though.

Thanks, I wonder If I can get dicodes in the U.S.? Assuming I could probably. I know Reo makes Squonkers which is something new entirely, and since I am just starting rebuilding I think I can hold off on that for a while. As far as Lost Vape goes, If my alien kicks it soon and I cannot get Dicodes here I will probably go with a Triade 250 DNA. Appreciate it.

 

[Eskie]

Thanks, I wonder If I can get dicodes in the U.S.? Assuming I could probably. I know Reo makes Squonkers which is something new entirely, and since I am just starting rebuilding I think I can hold off on that for a while. As far as Lost Vape goes, If my alien kicks it soon and I cannot get Dicodes here I will probably go with a Triade 250 DNA. Appreciate it.

There is a US distributor who overcharges on Dicodes. You can order it from Creme de Vape, and they're very good dealing with US customers. Even shipping is reasonable and you still come out ahead.

The Triade is great. Get the 250 if you do as it has a few nice features over the 200. Not that you would ever use it that high. On some of the earlier Triade 200's there were some finish issues. I've not heard of that since. My finish is perfect it's in regular daily use, and remains one of my favorites. But, like anything it can fail. They did open a US service center so that's better as well.

 

[vapdivrr]

What would be todays quality brand if Provari is no more? I have only been vaping for a year so I guess provari was before I got here.

Edit: Ah I see, they closed in Feb according to an article. That sucks. R.I.P Provape.

Yep I think the 2 already mentioned, dicodes and reo, but reo is a squonker and a mech. I think this new jac vapour mod is great, although it's only been around a couple months, but so far it's really solid. There are others I'm probably forgetting, but I'm not one really to ask because I basically have only stuck to a few brands like provari, reo, older evolve mods, sva, devers, and my all time favorites by olc stratum. I did like the dna vapor shark mods when they came out a few years ago, I bought a few of those plain black ones and they are still kicking

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[OlderNDirt]

I have often wondered how many complaints on an item are actually the result of abuse and user error rather then a defect.

how much is an Alien? $40-45? Meh, I think 6 months is pretty good.

Actually checked my main online store and that would be the cost of the kit, with the baby beast tank. A reasonable adjustment would put the price of the mod itself around $30, a whopping $5 a month for those "unfortunate enough" to only get 6 months use. Lucky me, coming up on a year's use, find $2.50 a month quite reasonable. If I get 10 years out of a $300 mod, my monthly rate would remain the same.

Hard to imagine what the gear will be like in 5 years, let alone 10. I kinda like the flexibility to see what's new every 6 - 12 months. Then again, I am relatively new to vaping and in the almost 3 years, I have only accumulated 11 mods and all are still looking and performing like new.

 

[DebbieNY]

I have a tesla steampunk 120 now, and I think the build quality is great. I could imagine having to do... something to the battery door at some point, but I already got a backup as I love it so much.

I have 3 of them, because I loved the 1st one so much! The price was right and I feel that I got more bang/quality for my buck than I thought I would. Yeah, I also suspect that the battery latch will give out over time, since you have to take the batteries out to charge them each time. Thankfully, I vape on the lower side w/ single coils, so the 2 batteries last me a while. I found a vendor on Ebay that makes silicone sleeves for the Tesla Steampunk (has the raised cogs/gears design, too!), so I hope that will offer some protection for the battery door. They weren't exactly cheap though at $15 (I think they're the 1st to make them = no competition).

 

[stols001]

Oh gosh, I'd be interested in a wrap, thanks for the information.... Anna