ICON, Alpha, Or Silver Bullet?

[sumoman25]

I'm trying to decide between these 3 mods to get myself for Christmas. I've been vaping for a year and found that I typically like to use 3.7 volts. The option for increased voltage is nice, but not necessary imo. Most of my cartos, clearos, atties, etc. are 1.5 - 2.5 ohms, so they work best at 3.7. I do have a few that I use with my madvapes VV box, but that's neither here nor there.

So if I could ask for some assistance with my next purchase Which would you recommend?

ICON
Love the size
Media blasted finish sounds amazing
14500 operated, which I already have a ton of and love
STEALTH vaping
*Has a bottom switch, which I have never used.

Alpha
I have no idea how big it is. I can't find the dimensions ANYWHERE. Please post them up if you have an alpha!
Looks great
Nice switch, although doesn't seem easy to stealth vape with.
Uses 14500
*Seems big and heavy, tell me otherwise please.

Silver Bullet
18650 lasts forever, can be used at 6 volts.
Tried and true, well known in the vaping community.
*LOOKS HUGE
*Afraid I'd never take it out of the house

Right now I'm really leaning towards the Icon, with the alpha being my second choice. Perhaps if I knew the dimensions of the alpha I'd be more interested in buying it. The silver bullet seems way too huge for me, but I could possibly be persuaded.

 

[CCC]

I don't know anything about these but i just googled all of them for images and if i were to be given the choice, just on looks, i would pick the Icon.

 

[mortios]

The Alpha from Altsmoke.com - YouTube
In that video he does a size comparison of the Alpha to the Omega, which AFIK is the same size as the SB. I know it's not dimensions but it gives you an idea of the size. The SB isn't as big as it looks. It's about 4 1/3" tall and 3 1/2" around. I have small hands and it fits in my palm.

 

[sumoman25]

Hmm, the alpha does seem smaller than it appears to be. Sucks that it's so difficult to find the diameter, that's my main issue.

 

[bobsyeruncle]

If you're interested in "Stealth" have you considered either the GLV mini (Great Lakes Vapor) or the Roughstack (MadVapes)? I believe they are both about 20 mm in diameter (about 3/4 inch) and less than 3 inches high.

 

[JacobDaniel]

I haven't used any of them mods but I know pure smoker has great well made products.
I have the prodigy v3, I was 50/50 on the bottom button but I would rather have the bottom button than anything now.
I have used and abused my v3 and still looks/works like new.
I am a PS fan, I haven't used the other mods listed they may be great as well.
Good luck, hope this helps a bit.

 

[sumoman25]

After watching this video Puresmoker Icon V1.1 - YouTube
And watching another video that put the alpha into a good size perspective (It's pretty small)

I'm definitely leaning towards the alpha. While the icon is nice, I really don't like that it uses unprotected batteries (Which I have none of) and the juice well could cause me some issues (I use dual coil tanks). The alpha looks sleek, has a plunger button which seems nicer than a bottom button, and is made by Chad from altsmoke. Gotta go with the alpha.

 

[sumoman25]

Bobsy, I have a roughstack v2. I plan on getting the extended bottom as well. It's a nice mod, but definitely not something I can take around with me. It's rather thick, and it looks like a pipe bomb when I use a 510 extender and tank.

 

[pappajon]

Have you considered the Precise or the Prodigy? Ive tried the Prodigy and I like it. But then again I haven't tried the ones you listed either LOL

 

[Dieseler]

Here are sizes i found in this mod data base Battery Tube e-Cig Mods | e-Cigarette Mods Database
icon = Dimensions 3.35″ x .659″
Apex Alpha Ultra = Dimensions 2.94″ (74.75mm) x 0.75″ (19mm)
Apex Alpha Ultalite = Dimensions 2.78″ (70.61mm) x 0.57″ (14.5mm)
Apex Alpha UltraMax = Dimensions 3.63″ (92.25mm) x 0.83″ (21mm)
Silver bullet domensions not listed on that site.

 

[sumoman25]

Thanks dieseler, but that's not the alpha I meant =P Should have specified... I meant altsmoke's alpha. Thanks though

 

[BiffRocko]

I'm definitely leaning towards the alpha. While the icon is nice, I really don't like that it uses unprotected batteries (Which I have none of) and the juice well could cause me some issues (I use dual coil tanks). The alpha looks sleek, has a plunger button which seems nicer than a bottom button, and is made by Chad from altsmoke. Gotta go with the alpha.

There seems to be A LOT of confusion going on right now with regards to "unprotected batteries." People are mistakenly calling LiMn (aka. IMR) batteries "unprotected." These batteries use a different chemical makeup to store the charge. They are considered "safe chemistry" batteries and don't need a protection circuit as a result.

LiIons, on the other hand, should always be protected. We never want to use unprotected LiIons in our PVs.

The Icon will accommodate protected LiIons as well as IMRs.

I was recently choosing between the Alpha, the Icon, and a few others. I went with the Icon simply because it's almost half the price of the Alpha, and the Alpha offers no extra features to make up for the difference.

You might also check out the Cube Mini. That was in the running for me too, but I like the way the button locks on the Icon more than the Cube.

Edit: Just saw your last post where you're talking about AltSmoke's Alpha as opposed to InnoVapor's. Disregard my comment about the cost.

 

[bobsyeruncle]

Bobsy, I have a roughstack v2. I plan on getting the extended bottom as well. It's a nice mod, but definitely not something I can take around with me. It's rather thick, and it looks like a pipe bomb when I use a 510 extender and tank.

Ah, well. There's no "Stealth Vaping" with a tank, eh?

 

[lostknitter]

I just got my Alpha from Altsmoke today in the mail. If you go to their site, you can see photos of their BB next to a business card. Which is what I wanted in the beginning but is not currently in stock. I asked for a comparison of the sizes, and they told me that the Alpha is just slightly slimmer and slightly taller than the BB. The BB is about as big around as a nickle. The Alpha is a VERY nice mod, nicely built and finished. feels solid in the hand, easy to operate and I like that it uses the AW IMR 14500 batteries that I have and use for my REO mini. The Alpha is just over 3.75" tall.

 

[sumoman25]

Thanks a ton for all the responses =)

I still think I'm going to go with altsmoke's alpha, considering the drip well in the icon would block most of my tanks without an extender.

And you'd be surprised Bobsy

 

[hairball]

Two words...Silver Bullet.

As for taking it out of the house, not a problem. Buy a leather holster from SerenityGear Leather. Tim makes excellent leather PV holders.

 

[brianishiwa]

You'll be happy with the Alpha, good choice.

Side note, if you're nixing the Icon simply because of the juice well, I use my Prodigy (even larger, more protruded juice well) with Chibi Tanks & MadVapes' DCC tank without issue. If you use the MadVapes flanged carto (the one with the disc stopper at the bottom) you do have to move the tank up a millimeter or two, but no leaks. This point is moot with self-punched cartos and they fit perfect.

Just an fyi. Good luck.

 

[pizza2me]

In a 14500 device like the Alpha and Icon, can you put other batteries in it to make it 5V'ish? And will the Kick fit in them?

Thanks.

 

[sumoman25]

I'm probably getting this wrong, but 2 unprotected 15270's will get you to 6 volts.

The manufacturer doesn't like when you stack batteries though =P