I recently decided that I wanted a variable voltage device after trying the ego twist. The twist is actually an excellent battery and functions well. However, I wanted something that used rechargeable batteries and that would look good with large carto tanks. I looked at the Provari, the Lavatube, and the Vmax. The Provari was my first choice, but at the time the price seemed too high. I settled on the Vmax.
I ordered it on Saturday 8/18 from a well respected vendor. I received the unit on Tuesday 8/21. Charged the batteries, installed them in the device, and nothing. Eventually I did get it working. It would work fine for a while and then just stop responding. I have never owned a mod of any kind, so it took me a while to figure out the problem. The board was not mounted properly in the tube, such that the post was off center. So after contacting the vendor through his website I was told to send the unit back and a replacement would be sent out. I did so, in fact he received it yesterday. I contacted him by phone this morning(8/28), and he said he would ship out a replacement today or tomorrow. I am less than confident as he had no knowledge of my situation when I spoke to him.
When the Vmax was functioning, I was actually quite pleased with it. I actually like the concept of starting out with a voltage around 8 volts and using step down regulation. However, that does me no good right now since I have nothing to show for the $128 that I spent, except a charger and 4 pretty nice 18350 batts. If I had it to do over again I would have gladly paid another $100 for the piece of mind that the Provari would have given me.
I now realize that having a device made by a domestic, accountable, and responsible manufacturer makes the Provari worth every penny. Many people who own Provaris say, "You get what you pay for.". This is not always true, you could get a lot less than you pay for, if you buy the wrong thing. I have learned my lesson.
I ordered it on Saturday 8/18 from a well respected vendor. I received the unit on Tuesday 8/21. Charged the batteries, installed them in the device, and nothing. Eventually I did get it working. It would work fine for a while and then just stop responding. I have never owned a mod of any kind, so it took me a while to figure out the problem. The board was not mounted properly in the tube, such that the post was off center. So after contacting the vendor through his website I was told to send the unit back and a replacement would be sent out. I did so, in fact he received it yesterday. I contacted him by phone this morning(8/28), and he said he would ship out a replacement today or tomorrow. I am less than confident as he had no knowledge of my situation when I spoke to him.
When the Vmax was functioning, I was actually quite pleased with it. I actually like the concept of starting out with a voltage around 8 volts and using step down regulation. However, that does me no good right now since I have nothing to show for the $128 that I spent, except a charger and 4 pretty nice 18350 batts. If I had it to do over again I would have gladly paid another $100 for the piece of mind that the Provari would have given me.
I now realize that having a device made by a domestic, accountable, and responsible manufacturer makes the Provari worth every penny. Many people who own Provaris say, "You get what you pay for.". This is not always true, you could get a lot less than you pay for, if you buy the wrong thing. I have learned my lesson.
I have a Satin Regular, Black Mini and just ordered my second black mini today. I'd been struggling with all of the new beautiful colors but the majority of my tanks just look too hot on the black mini...
