I've decided...

[Arch]

I'm only about 2 weeks into vaping, and after already spending over $200 on both a starter kit, VV mod, protank 2 and various juices, I've decided to skip any more fill-ins and buy a Provari. It might be next week, or it might be in a month when I can take the blow at my wallet a bit easier, but I'm buying one for sure. I just have a few questions and concerns with the one I want to get. I plan to get the white Provari with a blue light. From there I'm going to go with my daily vape being Krankberry (blue) and a white drip tip to finish it with my Protank 2 silver on silver Provari trim. In my mind, that just sounds really nice looking.

1. If I decide to buy the white Provari, does it stain over time? I figured if I bought the black or the silver one, you wouldn't see a stain on black and you could wipe it off the silver. However, I just have a feeling if I get the white one, over the course of a few months it'll be a very off white or an almost yellowish color. I'm not sure what the outside material is made out of, but if it doesn't stain, that's the color I'm getting.
2. Is the pass-thru battery extension charger thing worth it? The thing that goes into the battery slot and can be plugged in and used instead of a battery? I was debating on buying that as well since I'm allowed to vape in the office at work. It'd be very conveniant and I imagine I wouldn't have to put as much wear & tear on the batteries resulting in extra life.
3. How does the warranty work persay? Is the extra year worth the money? If I drop the Provari and for whatever reason it results in not working anymore, OR I simply break it due to my own fault, do they replace it with a new one no questions asked? Or is there a very strict policy with them deciding whether or not it's part of the warranty agreement?
4. Is it a smart time to buy the v2.5? Do you see the v3.0 coming any time soon? How often are releases? I don't want to buy one in the middle of release time or something when I can wait a month or 2 for a better one at the same price.
5. Why do people buy Provari mini's when they're pretty much the same price? What is the point of that if you can just take the extender cap off and have it be pretty mini in itself with an 18350 in it?
6. How safe are removable battery mods? I always hear about batteries exploding and people losing hands and such, but I also heard using the Provari is the safest removable battery you can use compared to Chinese models.

I know it's a lot of questions, and I'm sure I'll have more as time goes on. But, after putting it in a cart with over $280 totaled out, I'd like to be sure of what I'm buying before I buy it.

Thanks for your time! So far this community has been extremely welcoming. Happy vaping!

 

[fleur_de_lis-in-FL]

1.I bought a white mini that I have had for a few months and it hasn't showed any stains or discoloring, but I recently put a clear wrap on it.

5. I have 2 standards and a mini, I bought the mini because it is alittle smaller and easier to carry out and about.

HTH

 

[Bella Chic]

I can only help/give my opinion on question 5...

I bought my minis because they are so versatile. I can use any 18... Battery I want with the right extention caps. I've only kept the in 18350 mode because honestly, the batteries are so small I can carry an extra with me any where I go. On a work day I can go through about one battery, sometime in need to put a new battery in around 8 or 9pm if I stay up and that's with me waking up at 5ish am and vaping pretty much all morning till I make it to work at 8-8:30am. I have plenty of 18650 batteries but they are collection dust because I just love the compactness of the Mini in its Mini state.

Oh, I can help out with question 1 a bit...
I have the Satin Silvers and have had the for a good month or so and there is no sign of staining at all. No scratching a at all either. I normally just plop my Minis in my purse with everything else and they have held up very well. I prefers the Satin Silver because it will go with anything I top it with. From hot pink to turquoise, it always looks sharp.

 

[CommaHolly]

I'm sure Bad will come along and answer some of your questions,,,,,

but on the size thing,,,*I* got the standard size, because, frankly, it's only like 3/4 of an inch longer than the mini,,,,,,and I'm such a heavy vaper I will NEVER use the 18350's,,,,,,,,,I'm using 18490's now, and I'm getting anywhere from 2-4 hours out of a battery.

It just didn't make sense to me, to buy a mini that uses 18350 and pay EXTRA to get the extra rings and extensions it would take to get me to 18650 size,,,,,,,when I could just buy the standard and ONE extension,,,,,,,,

also, you'd be surprised how SMALL they are,,,,,,,,,much smaller than I thought, and I have medium sized girl hands and the standard still fits just fine,,,,,

I suggest you try and find a local shop that sells the provaris and go down there and look at them, hold them, feel the threads, etc,,,,,

that's what sold me.

Most of us don't pay for the extra year warranty,,,,,,,,they are that good,,,,,,and the fixes are pretty cheap, but I don't know how strict they are,,,,,,,,,,,,Bad or others may know.

most people have said that the passthrough isn't worth the price,,,,,,,,but that may be different for you, if you're in the truck a LOT. Or you could just get another battery or two to carry you through the day,,,,,,,

 

[Train2]

1. If I decide to buy the white Provari, does it stain over time? I figured if I bought the black or the silver one, you wouldn't see a stain on black and you could wipe it off the silver. However, I just have a feeling if I get the white one, over the course of a few months it'll be a very off white or an almost yellowish color. I'm not sure what the outside material is made out of, but if it doesn't stain, that's the color I'm getting.

1. 
   
   I've heard white holds up very well - you can scratch or chip the finish, but I haven't seen one that's stained...
   
   [*]Is the pass-thru battery extension charger thing worth it? The thing that goes into the battery slot and can be plugged in and used instead of a battery? I was debating on buying that as well since I'm allowed to vape in the office at work. It'd be very conveniant and I imagine I wouldn't have to put as much wear & tear on the batteries resulting in extra life.
   
   Honestly, I'd just get a couple extra batteries... No wire to mess around with, more portable...
   
   [*]How does the warranty work persay? Is the extra year worth the money? If I drop the Provari and for whatever reason it results in not working anymore, OR I simply break it due to my own fault, do they replace it with a new one no questions asked? Or is there a very strict policy with them deciding whether or not it's part of the warranty agreement?
   
   All reports show ProVape to be exceptionally supportive. Repairs, even out of warranty, are VERY reasonably priced, and I've never seen a report yet of ProVape telling someone that something's not covered, or that a repair is due to abuse, etc.
   
   [*]Is it a smart time to buy the v2.5? Do you see the v3.0 coming any time soon? How often are releases? I don't want to buy one in the middle of release time or something when I can wait a month or 2 for a better one at the same price.
   
   No one knows!! But you'll probably want a second one, anyway.
   
   [*]Why do people buy Provari mini's when they're pretty much the same price? What is the point of that if you can just take the extender cap off and have it be pretty mini in itself with an 18350 in it?
   You can't buy a "standard" and make it a mini in 18350 mode - a standard runs 18490 or 18650 with an extension.
   But you CAN buy a mini and make it an 18490 with an extension, or even make it 18650 with an extension AND a 3rd-party "ring" for the body (don't confuse this with the "ring" people use to cover the slanted top and get a straight-tube look). Tatroe for instance makes a ring to extend the body, and a base with a foot...
   
   
   [*]How safe are removable battery mods? I always hear about batteries exploding and people losing hands and such, but I also heard using the Provari is the safest removable battery you can use compared to Chinese models.

They are batteries - as safe as a phone or laptop battery. But also as dangerous, if you mistreat them or use the wrong kind or something. Get very good batteries, and learn how to use them (don't charge unattended, don't "stack" them, etc).

 

[Gato del Jugo]

Your questions have already been answered quite well, but I'll just put my slant on a few things..


The regular model in default mode is 18490.. you can also buy an extension to put it into 18650 mode. This is what I did.

The mini model in default mode is 18350.. you can also buy an extension to put it into 18490 mode. In addition, you can also buy a third-party thingy and, if you have the 490 extension, turn it into a 18650 mode, as well. So, the mini is actually more versatile.. you just have to spend a few more bucks for that versatiltiy.

Reason the regular & the mini cost the same, is for the simple fact that if the mini were cheaper, everybody would just be buying that & modifying it on their own for an 18650. It makes sense that they cost the same.


Personally, I have no real need for 350 mode, since the battery charge doesn't last as long. Besides, these things are already pretty darn small! My current telescoping Sigelei Zmax V3 (350, 490/500, 650) is fairly small & portable, even in 650 mode -- yet the regular Provari in 490 & 650 modes is even smaller!


As for batteries, I don't know what other people use, but I'm going by the manufacturer's recommendation and only using the AW IMR button-top ones, which I bought along with my ProVari, at a decent price. Can get them a little cheaper elsewhere, but then you'd have to throw in shipping, so... Plus it seems they're not always in stock elsewhere.

Treat your quality batteries with respect, and they should be fine. Make sure you're around when they're charging, and don't charge overnight as you sleep. Also make sure there's never any visible damage to them.

From what I've gathered, anyway, typically when there's an issue with a battery, it's either a lower-quality battery (removable, or part of a non-removable Chinese-made eGo or cig-alike type)... or, inexperienced vapers using mechanical mods at extremes (wrong powerful batteries while sub-ohm'ing). If you factor in how many vapers there are out there, using them all the time, with the few issues that might be hyped on TV/internet news... the odds of something happening are pretty small if you're careful & respectful & don't do abnormal things with them.


Anyway, congrats on deciding to skip any "fill-ins" & going to a ProVari. I think a lot of people wish they had, heh.

 

[Arch]

Your questions have already been answered quite well, but I'll just put my slant on a few things..

and don't charge overnight as you sleep.

That's a massive bummer. I work over 60+ hours a week, so when I get home, it's usually to sleep and then go back to work the next morning. I won't have hours upon hours to charge the batteries while being at home watching over them like a puppy. I was really hoping this charging method would be a 'plug-in, go to bed, wake up, put it in my provari and drive to work' type of deal. That's definitely a downside.

 

[CommaHolly]

That's a massive bummer. I work over 60+ hours a week, so when I get home, it's usually to sleep and then go back to work the next morning. I won't have hours upon hours to charge the batteries while being at home watching over them like a puppy. I was really hoping this charging method would be a 'plug-in, go to bed, wake up, put it in my provari and drive to work' type of deal. That's definitely a downside.

I hear you,,,,,,,

you could charge at work while you're working (there are car chargers for many battery charging devices)
get a ton of batteries and charge all of them on your day off to use during the week,,,,,

those recommendations aren't just for Provari batteries,,,,those are safety measures you should use for ANY rechargeable battery.

 

[Arch]

I hear you,,,,,,,

you could charge at work while you're working (there are car chargers for many battery charging devices)
get a ton of batteries and charge all of them on your day off to use during the week,,,,,

those recommendations aren't just for Provari batteries,,,,those are safety measures you should use for ANY rechargeable battery.

What's the downside of just charging and sleeping? Do they not have overcharge protection that stops charging them once they're fully charged? If they do, isn't that plenty of protection I'd need for just going to bed and letting it charge?

If not, maybe I'll have to buy 5-7 18650's to have for each day...Sigh. That really sucks.

 

[CommaHolly]

What's the downside of just charging and sleeping? Do they not have overcharge protection that stops charging them once they're fully charged? If they do, isn't that plenty of protection I'd need for just going to bed and letting it charge?

If not, maybe I'll have to buy 5-7 18650's to have for each day...Sigh. That really sucks.

well, any battery can explode,,,,,,,and that's the risk,,,,

they do have lipo protection bags you can use in case they catch fire (the bags contain the fire), but I'm not sure how much protection they afford,,,,,

Baditude can probably answer your questions better than me.

 

[Arch]

well, any battery can explode,,,,,,,and that's the risk,,,,

they do have lipo protection bags you can use in case they catch fire (the bags contain the fire), but I'm not sure how much protection they afford,,,,,

Baditude can probably answer your questions better than me.

Alright, well I appreciate your help! This definitely has changed my mind a bit though. I simply won't have the time in my day to do that which really sucks.

 

[Gato del Jugo]

For batteries, I'm currently using a single-bay charger rated at an output of 1 amp (1000 mAh)

My 18350 is 900 mAh, 18490 at 1100 mAh, and 18650 at 2200 mAh

With my charger, a depleted 350 & 490 each takes about 1 hour to charge, with the 650 about 2 hours (do the mAh math, it works! )


So, it's really not too bad for me

That said, from what I know, the faster the charge, the higher the temp can get.. which can, over the life of the battery, wear it down quicker & have to get a replacement sooner.. trade-offs, trade-offs


Also, don't tell anybody here.. but on occasion I've charged & left the house for an hour or 2 with nobody home. Not recommended, bad habit to get into, and I should stop doing that. I would never do it overnight..


Not sure how long your commute is, but as Holly mentioned, they do have charger cords that can plug into your car..

Would it be possible to charge them at work?


Buying 5-7 batteries might ultimately be needed for your pariticular situation.. Then again, the charge of an 18650 can last a looong time, depending on your vaping habits, voltage & ohms..


Yep, upfront vaping costs can get up there.. but once you get rolling with a set-up that works for you, the financial (and health!) savings are significant...

 

[kas122461]

For me I have my 18650 batteries last me about 24 hours before I need to charge, I carry it in a belt holster. I also carry a mini with me at work in 18350 mode, I switch back and forth with them through out the day, the mini fits in my pocket, and lasts me about 8 hours. From what I have read all the instructions for the bats say don't charge overnight, for every devise out there. I would recommend for you to get the full sized with about 6 batteries. I have 2 of the Pila 2 bay chargers, I don't know about the quality of some of the 4 bay chargers out there, but with a few, you could charge all of them at once, to make it easier. Just my

KAS

 

[Arch]

For me I have my 18650 batteries last me about 24 hours before I need to charge, I carry it in a belt holster. I also carry a mini with me at work in 18350 mode, I switch back and forth with them through out the day, the mini fits in my pocket, and lasts me about 8 hours. From what I have read all the instructions for the bats say don't charge overnight, for every devise out there. I would recommend for you to get the full sized with about 6 batteries. I have 2 of the Pila 2 bay chargers, I don't know about the quality of some of the 4 bay chargers out there, but with a few, you could charge all of them at once, to make it easier. Just my

KAS

Do batteries lose charge if they sit not being used like ego type batteries or whatever do? If I just bought like 5 batteries, charged them all to full charge then went back and fourth charging them as much as I could to always have at least one fully charged, would that work? Given some would sit for a day or 2 fully charged not being used.

Man, for a $280+ cart of stuff, having such a big issue with the damn $15 batteries is really lame.

 

[kas122461]

Do batteries lose charge if they sit not being used like ego type batteries or whatever do? If I just bought like 5 batteries, charged them all to full charge then went back and fourth charging them as much as I could to always have at least one fully charged, would that work? Given some would sit for a day or 2 fully charged not being used.

Man, for a $280+ cart of stuff, having such a big issue with the damn $15 batteries is really lame.

I am not sure about that I have not noticed any drop from sitting, I have 4 of each size bat, and rotate their use, I have never had that problem, Mr. baditude will most likely say some thing to me about this, but there have been times that I will put a bat on charge for a while then when I go to bed I unplug it, get up in the morning and plug it back in to finish the charge. I might be shortening the life of my bats, when I do that, but at least I am not blowing them up.

KAS

 

[Baditude]

If I decide to buy the white Provari, does it stain over time?I'm not sure what the outside material is made out of, but if it doesn't stain, that's the color I'm getting.

The colored Provari's have a carokote paint applied. This is a ceramic-like paint which many firearms use. I've found it to be more durable against scratches & paint chipping than my powder-coated mods.

Is the pass-thru battery extension charger thing worth it?

That depends upon your individual needs. It seems like an expensive option to me personally. However, if you spend a lot of time in your car (traveling salesman) or work at a desk all day, it may be more convenient for you. The Provari would be teathered to a cord all day. Figure out the cost of batteries you'd need vs the price of the pass thru and see if it would be worth your while.

How does the warranty work persay? Is the extra year worth the money? If I drop the Provari and for whatever reason it results in not working anymore, OR I simply break it due to my own fault, do they replace it with a new one no questions asked? Or is there a very strict policy with them deciding whether or not it's part of the warranty agreement?

I never spent the extra $$ for the second year warranty. I did my research and decided there were very few Provari's that ever needed sent in to Provape. I spent that money on the color of the tube and LED which I preferred. Provape has been pretty lenient on making repairs regardless of the issue. Their only warranty stipulation is that you never use magnets on flat top batteries in the Provari.

Even after warranty expiration, you can still get the Provari serviced for very reasonable fees for as long as you own it. This was a major selling point for me, as none of the Chinese manufacturers offer any kind of repair or service. They build them cheap so that you can buy them cheap; if they break, they expect you to buy another one. That kind of speaks to their overall quality IMHO.

Is it a smart time to buy the v2.5? Do you see the v3.0 coming any time soon? How often are releases? I don't want to buy one in the middle of release time or something when I can wait a month or 2 for a better one at the same price.

Provape never discloses upgrades until about a month before they happen. The last "upgrade" to v2.5 was only a cosmetic change to the body tubes, nothing to the electronics. I would have thought if they were going to do an electronics upgrade it would have been then.

Provape recently made a comment on Face Book that there were no plans for VW in the near future. Even if there was one, you can always sell a used Provari for nearly what you paid for it new on the classifieds.

Why do people buy Provari mini's when they're pretty much the same price? What is the point of that if you can just take the extender cap off and have it be pretty mini in itself with an 18350 in it?

I own two standards and a mini. The mini gets most of my attention because it is more mobile and pocket-friendly. I carry an extra 18350 battery with me in a pants pocket (in a plastic battery case). I generally get several hours on one fully charged battery.

When I get home, I have extensions to make the mini into either an 18490 or 18650 size. My son has taken over one of the standard Provari's (I don't mind if it keeps him from smoking). It's the only mod out of several that he will use - I wonder why? . I switch between the mini and the other standard to switch flavors. Both standards usually are in 18650 mode.

How safe are removable battery mods? I always hear about batteries exploding and people losing hands and such, but I also heard using the Provari is the safest removable battery you can use compared to Chinese models.

The Provari was designed by Provape to be one of the safest PV's available. On/off mode, 16 second cutoff, short circuit & atomizer protection, thermal protection, reverse battery protection (accepts only button top batteries inserted correctly), battery monitoring/over-discharge protection, and over-current protection.

Lithium batteries have inherent risks and should command respect for their power, but the IMR high drain battery chemistry is a safer chemistry, which may vent but should not vent with flames like an ICR protected battery could. Follow common sense battery safety and the risks are nearly negligible. These are the same types of batteries used in laptop computers and cell phones.

Battery Basics for Mods: IMR or Protected ICR?

Deeper Understanding of Mod Batteries

WHY PROVARI?

 

[Arch]

I am not sure about that I have not noticed any drop from sitting, I have 4 of each size bat, and rotate their use, I have never had that problem, Mr. baditude will most likely say some thing to me about this, but there have been times that I will put a bat on charge for a while then when I go to bed I unplug it, get up in the morning and plug it back in to finish the charge. I might be shortening the life of my bats, when I do that, but at least I am not blowing them up.

KAS

I keep hearing about this Baditude guy but I have absolutely no idea who he is. The only thing that sucks is that with 2 batteries and every thing else I wanted, it would have totaled at like $280. Now I'd have to buy more batteries which is even more expensive. Oh well I guess, maybe I'll start buying the batteries/charger now. Is the Nitecore charger better than the one they offer on Provape when you buy the Provari?

 

[StarsAndBars]

Good for you dude. Wish I'd skipped a few progression purchases along the way.

 

[kas122461]

I keep hearing about this Baditude guy but I have absolutely no idea who he is. The only thing that sucks is that with 2 batteries and every thing else I wanted, it would have totaled at like $280. Now I'd have to buy more batteries which is even more expensive. Oh well I guess, maybe I'll start buying the batteries/charger now. Is the Nitecore charger better than the one they offer on Provape when you buy the Provari?

Speak of the devil, i was recommended to get the Pila by Mr. bad, so that is what I bought. there is another one that was recomended by techno that I think I book marked, but I don't know about the Nitecore.

Xtar VP1 - Battery Chargers

 

[Arch]

Thank you very much for your reply. Extremely informative.