iHybrid LE vs. Zen vs. The Odachi - Which one should I choose?

[DreC]

Things to keep in mind:
1. Got the girlfriend a Provari (I try to give her want she wants when possible), and its build quality, feel, and function have me quite envious.
2. I know the difference between a hybrid and a VV device.
3. I have been having issues with hot spots on my mesh coil when building on an AGA-T2
4. I figure perhaps a better built device might work better (insulated/larger wick hole for instance).
5. I have used a working rba with mesh wick (got one coil to work for 2 days) and loved it, so I want to stay in the arena.
6. I plan on picking up the iHybrid Pure on top of one of these as $100 for an American made device is just too good to pass up (I know they get up to $280, but what are the chances of picking one up really).
7. I want to support the creator of the rba, but man The Odachi is beautiful!

I have not heard anything bad about any of them except that they are harder to get (although Zen seems to be able to get stuff out regularly now).

Am I stupid for getting an expensive mod when I am fighting with it's cheaper, knock-off? Think it will make a difference? Should I lust after a regular high end device? Should I pick up an RSST, and actually get a constancy working coil before dropping serious cash on a good hybrid?

What are your thoughts?

 

[SlowDripOblivion]

While a higher-end piece may provide a better overall vape than, say, a clone version--it isn't necessarily the only thing that determines whether or not your hybrid/genesis experience will be overtly better. Build, materials, and batteries can be just as or more influential on performance. Perhaps getting your gennie/hybrid build skills down and put that into action before investing so much. As always, it is difficult to say how a mod will perform. However, you can control things like builds and batteries that will make your investment worth however much you spent on it.

 

[drrickso]

iHybrid will take some work and time to get... Zen2 is easily available and you can get a 510 connection so that you have the option of using your current attachments as opposed to being held down to one hybrid atty. Odachi looks nice but I have no opinion on its performance.

Based on availability Id say Zen2, but you'll need a "short stop" fuse if you want to eliminate the annoying "battery rattle"...

Having said all that- if you're not building coils correctly (using too few/too many wraps, wrong kanthal gauge, or just don't know how to fix hot spots) no high end mod will help your cause... Go on Provape and click on the Zatty Pro and watch Zen's video on building a coil if you haven't already. When he's fixing hot spots, he's not just poking the coil, but he's moving the coil's slack around the spiral in order distribute current.

GLWT!

PS- My favorite device: QZI Megatron is a lot like the Zen 2 in that it can use a 510 as well as hybrid genny (dual coil/wick btw).

 

[LibertariaNate]

The Z2 is a bit more flexible than an iHybrid or Odachi in that the parts can be swapped fairly easily. You can get a 510 connector, carto tank, or genesis style tank and setup the device however you want. If all you want is the hybrid genesis style, the Z2 is still more a bit more flexible in that you can get additional tubes to accommodate different size batteries.

Really though, I don't think you can go wrong with either device. I (obviously) haven't used the Odachi, but it looks like it will be a solid device. I'm sure the iHybrid is great too, but seems a bit hard to get at the moment.

Personally, I've been using a Zenesis Standard (not v2) for over a year now and really like the device. I've been less impressed with my Z2 in carto tank mode, but that's because I've recently realized cartos just aren't as good as a genesis style atty for me. The "infamous" battery rattle doesn't really bug me, but if you think it will bother you, the Odachi might be the way to go.

HTH...

 

[TheSneakerHoarder]

Speaking as a dedicated vapor hobbyist--ignore the knock-offs.

You have a better chance of re-sale and customer service with the real deal.

my $.02

 

[Zencoder]

what these guys said... if you want flexibility.. then honestly go out and get a mod (Not Zen) and a few different attys... if you are focusing on hybrids... I'd go the Odachi route... I own Zen, Faceless, and now Ninja's mods / hybrids and between those three, the Odachi beats out all of them in terms of construction, innovation, and vape quality. For my top hybrids, here is some quick hybrid vapeporn and hwo I rank them....

1) F3cta on GP 500 (5th Place)
2) Odachi 500 (tied 2nd / 3rd Place)
3) Assets v2 (4th)
4) Silver Dog v2 (tied 2nd / 3rd Place)
5-6) Versa (Top Hybrid)

 

[MxChino]

Another one I would recommend is the diablo hybrid. Easier to obtain and IMO capes better than a zen and is very easy to build a wick and coil on. For whatever reason they don't get much love on these forums.

 

[MxChino]

Here's a review of one of the newer ones. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OLmDWrNN5w&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

[JmanEspresso]

Ill throw my hat in the mix for a Zenesis 2.

I freakin love mine. I was using an Aga-T2 prior to the Z2, however keep in mind I also was using that AGA-T2 on regulated devices, so I was always twisting coils above 1.5ohms, generally with 32g Kanthal. And honestly, I liked it enough to buy the Z2.

And then I got the Z2, used 28g, went a little lower on the ohms(right now Im around .8-.9), and was just blown away. The Genny on my Provari was a great vape, and had I never ventured to a mech/hybrid, I would be smitten. But the vape, for me, at or slightly below 1ohm, is boss. 1ohm, +/- .2ohms with 28gauge kanthal is, in my opinion, a lovely sweet spot for a genesis.

Ive got two Z2s, but in essence, I have four, because of the modular design. I purchased the Altus(18650 with big atty tank) and the DX 350(18350 with 510 connection), but I can switch around and have an 18350 hybrid and an 18650 mech as well. Because of the modularity, as well as just the overall quality of the device, its definitely a home run. It is for me anyway. Im probably going to end up with one of everything in the lineup, I really like these things.


The battery rattle, is a design function. Plenty of people add an o-ring or a safety fuse to eliminate it, but personally, the ONLY TIME I notice, or even care, is when Im shaking the tube trying to make it rattle. In normal use, I wouldnt be able to tell a "fixed" device apart from a stock one except for possibly the shorter throw on the button. Just saying, dont let the battery thing be the reason you dont get a Zenesis.

 

[Texaslimo]

Zen, what were your motivations for rating yours as you did? Why is your favorite just that?