Just ordered the Smok BEC (50 watt tube mod -- formerly the Provec)

[caged]

I just ordered the smok BEC from esmokeclub.com. This thing looks really neat, but we'll see how it goes.


Latest firmware allows it to get to 50 watts regulated.

Stable down to .5 or .3 ohms (I'm guessing the latest firmware made it .3 ohm stable, but that's just a guess -- I've seen both listed in the specs)

If you go below the resistance it can handle on a build, it will turn it to a mech mod of sorts (no ohm limit when power is not being regulated)

Magnetic button (supposed to be more reliable, but who knows).

Bluetooth connectivity to your phone where you can control volts and watts and create power curves with the app (can also be done through the unit itself, although more of a pain with one button).

Flat signal.

It just looks SWEET!


Is anyone else getting one?

 

[inswva]

Subscribing...

Saw your follow up post in the other thread. Can't wait for your review.

 

[caged]

It shipped. I will probably have it in the middle of next week.

Too bad I can't use the app yet though.....

 

[inswva]

I'll beta test it for you... I've got iOS 7 and two Android KitKat devices.

 

[caged]

We might be in neighboring states, but you're a bit far....

 

[caged]

What voltage curves are recommended?

 

[AnsonJames]

One of the vendors here got an test model couple of weeks ago - he said it was incredible.
Post pictures when it arrives!

 

[caged]

Which vendor? Got a link?

Mine is supposed to arrive on Tuesday (can't wait). Got a great price on it too. As far as pics go, I'll see what I can do but my cell phone has a terrible camera and setting up my DSLR will be a pain for something like this.

 

[Jetdrive]

Received mine about a week ago.

I have mixed feeling about it. Out of the box the software on both IOS and Andriod was only partially working. Couldn't control wattage at all. Probably because the software was maxed out at 36W instead of the device at 50W. After contacting my sales rep at Smoktech he relayed the information to the engineers and was able to send me modified software that did fix the wattage issue. Still working with him about the very poor English in the app. I reported it and provided suggested fixes. That has already been implemented and is in the current versions for both IOS and Android.

The device feels very nice in the hands. Fire button is not clicky and I confirmed with the sales rep it is not magnetic. I'm not a fan of the display at all. It basically only shows two things at once. The Bluetooth status and one other item of your choice (output volts/ watts, battery voltage, or atty resistance). The display is ONLY on when you are firing the device. It does not have a setting to allow it to stay on for a certain number of seconds after firing so you can see it. Of course while vaping it you can't see the screen and when you let go of the fire button, the screen goes out. You can enter the settings menu by pushing the button three times. Another annoyance is Bluetooth turns off 10 minutes after non-use. No control over longer or shorter time for that setting. That means if you haven't vaped in 10 minutes you must enter the menu and turn blue tooth on before you can use it with your phone.

In summary, what I least like about the BEC Pro is the screen. Only two items displayed and you have to be firing it without vaping to see it because you can't see the screen with the atty is in your mouth.

-One thing to note in the owners manual is that is says the device is upgradable to 100 watts with a future software release.
-The 510 connection is not adjustable
-Mistake in all the pre-release literature in that it only goes down to 4 volts not 3 like it shows everywhere. That means it does not have any step down circuitry.

 

[caged]

That's not what I wanted to hear about the display. I wish it were more like the Sigelei 20W (watts, volts, resistance, and live battery voltage all at once and it stays lit for a time). Perhaps a future firmware could fix it? Bad news about the fire button as well. Maybe I should have gone for the Evic Supreme after all, but we'll see on Tuesday.

I have mixed feelings about adjustable center pins. They may be convenient but they can leak as well (the main reason I don't want to use my Sigelei 20W as my main device anymore -- tired of juice getting all over the batteries).

 

[caged]

If it's a soft touch button, hopefully it's sealed.

 

[Fir3b1rd]

I was looking at these before they were released but had 2 questions I cojkdnt find answers To.
1- what chip is it using?
2- how long is it in comparison to a provari 2.5 with 18490?
I'm a fan of smaller form factor and usually use a provari in 18350 mode or vaporshark dna30.

 

[caged]

I was looking at these before they were released but had 2 questions I cojkdnt find answers To.
1- what chip is it using?
2- how long is it in comparison to a provari 2.5 with 18490?
I'm a fan of smaller form factor and usually use a provari in 18350 mode or vaporshark dna30.

I read it's Smok's own chipset. Don't know the answer to number two.

 

[Jetdrive]

BEC Pro is just a hair over 5 1/2 inches. Sorry I don't know the sizes of the Provari.

 

[Fir3b1rd]

Provari standard 2.5 is right at 4 inches in 18490 mode.

 

[caged]

Provari standard 2.5 is right at 4 inches in 18490 mode.

What is it in 18650 mode? I don't think I'd want to try 50 watts with an 18490 battery. Even 18650's are small for the power requirements.

Will this thing remember it's settings when you remove the battery? Don't know why I am asking since I will know in a few hours. I guess I am impatient.

 

[Fir3b1rd]

What is it in 18650 mode? I don't think I'd want to try 50 watts with an 18490 battery. Even 18650's are small for the power requirements.

Will this thing remember it's settings when you remove the battery? Don't know why I am asking since I will know in a few hours. I guess I am impatient.

Yeah I wouldn't do 50w with any 18490 battery, not a fan of carrying a pipe bomb around. I'm just trying to find a decent 50w mod that's not a brick or related to john Holmes.
18650 extension cap adds half an inch to provari putting The standard at just slightly over 4.5 inches.

 

[Jetdrive]

The BEC Pro remembers the settings when you change the battery.

As for a small, decent 50W mod check out the Sigelei Mini 50W. Almost exactly the size of the MVP2 so it's pretty small.

 

[cocuZZa00]

Received mine about a week ago.

I have mixed feeling about it. Out of the box the software on both IOS and Andriod was only partially working. Couldn't control wattage at all. Probably because the software was maxed out at 36W instead of the device at 50W. After contacting my sales rep at Smoktech he relayed the information to the engineers and was able to send me modified software that did fix the wattage issue. Still working with him about the very poor English in the app. I reported it and provided suggested fixes. That has already been implemented and is in the current versions for both IOS and Android.

The device feels very nice in the hands. Fire button is not clicky and I confirmed with the sales rep it is not magnetic. I'm not a fan of the display at all. It basically only shows two things at once. The Bluetooth status and one other item of your choice (output volts/ watts, battery voltage, or atty resistance). The display is ONLY on when you are firing the device. It does not have a setting to allow it to stay on for a certain number of seconds after firing so you can see it. Of course while vaping it you can't see the screen and when you let go of the fire button, the screen goes out. You can enter the settings menu by pushing the button three times. Another annoyance is Bluetooth turns off 10 minutes after non-use. No control over longer or shorter time for that setting. That means if you haven't vaped in 10 minutes you must enter the menu and turn blue tooth on before you can use it with your phone.

In summary, what I least like about the BEC Pro is the screen. Only two items displayed and you have to be firing it without vaping to see it because you can't see the screen with the atty is in your mouth.

-One thing to note in the owners manual is that is says the device is upgradable to 100 watts with a future software release.
-The 510 connection is not adjustable
-Mistake in all the pre-release literature in that it only goes down to 4 volts not 3 like it shows everywhere. That means it does not have any step down circuitry.

Nice review... those are some pretty big turn-offs.

 

[caged]

Nice review... those are some pretty big turn-offs.

The center pin is not adjustable, but there are some advantages to that. You adjust the beauty ring so the head is flush with the body (gap free) for better appearance and to help support your RBA. Because of this, there are no real cons and it ensures the best leak free connection to the battery possible so I am a fan of the design.

The display is kind of small (even though it looks like it should be huge) and the one item display at a time and the instant off of the display is poor planning. They could at least give you the option to enable auto scrolling through the readings when the button is released. I am most disappointed that there is no option to display battery readings under load in real time because that is an invaluable tool in determining the health of your battery.

Hopefully, some of these issues will be corrected in a future firmware update. As far as my other thoughts, I need to use the device more to get a feel for it.