Comparison of real Empire to the K100 clone
Done in a local vape shop yesterday with my Empire. Here are the differences....
Empire is made entirely of very lightweight aircraft aluminum with a brass button bottom switch.
K100 seems to be made of 100% steel and is substantially heavier.
Empire screw threads on the body tube are very fine and very precise.
K100 screw threads are courser with more play or slop. You can't interchange any Empire parts with the K100...different threads.
Bottom button on both work in the same manor with the same style of ring used to lock the button "off"
Empire mod has no engraving or identification numbers on or inside the unit.
K100 has engraving/etching "on-off" on the bottom locking ring. It also has has engraving/etching around the top tube.
Empire has a 901 native atty connection without any drip well.
K100 has a 510 native atty connection with a built-in drip well.
Both the Empire and K100 will accept numerous batteries due to the telescope design.
The K100 feels solid, is quite heavy, and seems to have good reviews. On the other hand, it certainly looks and feels like a mass produced piece. The Empire has a very different feel to it. You can tell it's hand machined and built to very high tolerances, it's extremely light and feels like an aircraft or aerospace part.
Yes, the K100 is an Empire knock-off...."clone" is too nice of a word. It's not exactly the same...some of the sizing is different and the turned ribs are not replicated exactly. I'm going to buy a K100 just to keep my Empire a little safer and less beat-up.
It's hard to beat the price for such a nice looking mod. Too bad Empire Mods can't seem to get more Empire's produced, they are brilliant and beautiful little mods!
