I haven't been completely happy with my hcigar Caravela because of the 510 connection pin issue and needing to make or somehow or another find alternate connection pins in order to close it all the way, and without battery rattle. So I sought an alternative.
I loked at others, but none of them seemed like they were good enough. They either had shifty engravings or some other issue that turned me off.
Until I found that Infinite makes a Caravela. So I did some research. I spoke to a wholesaler who had said that the Infinite Caravelas were the nicest he's ever stocked, and I read a good review or two. I had learned that, after the first version which included multiple pins (like the original) they had FIXED the pin issue by forgoing the original design and including a copper telescopic pin. Smart move.
So I found a place in the US that has one and ordered it.
Unfortunately I was supremely disappointed because of a lack of attention to the details, and the fact that I received the first revision with multiple pins rather than the newer version with the copper telescopic pin.
When I first opened the box I was amazed. It is BEAUTIFUL. Much prettier than the hcigar. The engravings are deeper and bolder. The Switch feels chunkier (and is different in design too). I also liked that it didn't include the Pedro signature like the other clones). But I then quickly started to become disenchanted.
First I noticed I received the first version Infinite put out with multiple pins. I don't want to have to carry multiple pins to ensure I can close it and avoid battery rattle. I'm just not organized enough to keep track of multiple pins on the go. But I would have dealt with it were it not for the next flaw.
Even with no battery in the tube, the switch with serial number, would not align as it should. On the Caravela, the tubes and switch are threaded such that when it's completely on the device, the serial number is perfectly aligned with the ship on the Caravela tube. On none of the three tubes included with the Infinite did the serial number align correctly. They weren't even close. This may be an issue that fixed by the revised version (with the copper 510 pin), or it may be an oversight, or even bad QC, or it may not even be a feature of this particular clone, but I'm not sure.
It also isn't compatible with any of the existing Caravela magnets, so I'd have to use that horrible spring (though it did also include a second, more stout spring along with the extra 510 pins).
I really wanted to like this piece. It's beautiful, and overall looks much nicer than my hcigar, and seems to have stouter parts (the switch lock, for instance, seems nicer). But I decided pretty quickly after messing with it that I'm sending it back. If I'm going to have a Caravela, I want it to be one that both looks correct and has fixed the pin issue.
I'll likely try the revised version if I can find one, but the first version, for me, was a no go.
I loked at others, but none of them seemed like they were good enough. They either had shifty engravings or some other issue that turned me off.
Until I found that Infinite makes a Caravela. So I did some research. I spoke to a wholesaler who had said that the Infinite Caravelas were the nicest he's ever stocked, and I read a good review or two. I had learned that, after the first version which included multiple pins (like the original) they had FIXED the pin issue by forgoing the original design and including a copper telescopic pin. Smart move.
So I found a place in the US that has one and ordered it.
Unfortunately I was supremely disappointed because of a lack of attention to the details, and the fact that I received the first revision with multiple pins rather than the newer version with the copper telescopic pin.
When I first opened the box I was amazed. It is BEAUTIFUL. Much prettier than the hcigar. The engravings are deeper and bolder. The Switch feels chunkier (and is different in design too). I also liked that it didn't include the Pedro signature like the other clones). But I then quickly started to become disenchanted.
First I noticed I received the first version Infinite put out with multiple pins. I don't want to have to carry multiple pins to ensure I can close it and avoid battery rattle. I'm just not organized enough to keep track of multiple pins on the go. But I would have dealt with it were it not for the next flaw.
Even with no battery in the tube, the switch with serial number, would not align as it should. On the Caravela, the tubes and switch are threaded such that when it's completely on the device, the serial number is perfectly aligned with the ship on the Caravela tube. On none of the three tubes included with the Infinite did the serial number align correctly. They weren't even close. This may be an issue that fixed by the revised version (with the copper 510 pin), or it may be an oversight, or even bad QC, or it may not even be a feature of this particular clone, but I'm not sure.
It also isn't compatible with any of the existing Caravela magnets, so I'd have to use that horrible spring (though it did also include a second, more stout spring along with the extra 510 pins).
I really wanted to like this piece. It's beautiful, and overall looks much nicer than my hcigar, and seems to have stouter parts (the switch lock, for instance, seems nicer). But I decided pretty quickly after messing with it that I'm sending it back. If I'm going to have a Caravela, I want it to be one that both looks correct and has fixed the pin issue.
I'll likely try the revised version if I can find one, but the first version, for me, was a no go.
