Kicking the Bolt (or Bolting the Kick?) :D

[Briar]

Hey, guys, need advice:

I got two Kicks, and I want to use'em. I've been ogling the anodized Bolts for a bit, and I'm thinking that's a good candidate for a Kick, don't you think? I'm very under-knowlegeable about batteries, though. Will AW IMR 18490 (got several of those lying around) with a Kick work in a Bolt? Or will I need to get some other batt?

Thankee,
Briar, the battery impaired...

 

[REET_AZ]

I use a Kicked Bolt every day and have for months. It is a nice light weight option for out and about running around.

I have the 18490 AW IMR in it. With two extension rings, you could use the 18650, but I just want to keep it smaller. The 18490/500 set up works well for me and keeps it in the right size/weight range.

Note: Using the Kick requires one 18650 extension ring in order to use the 18490 & kick. Also note that the gunmetal color does rub off after using. I took a scotchbrite pad to mine to even out the color. So it looks "tinted" now which is fine. The chrome color finish is a better choice for color stability.

Quite frankly - I would like a tube with a higher end look and finish, but have not found one readily available with good switch placement yet. I also own a Provari. Provari is a super nice mod, but for some reason, I prefer the kicked mod.

 

[rdsok]

Both my Chrome and Gunmetal Bolt's work great with my Kick... I've got two extentions for each so I can use either an 18650 or 18500 ( 18490's also work ) with mine. I could probably use it with my 18350 batteries ( and no extention ) also ... but those go into my VAMO when I want a shorter option for it.

I'm not certain if the anodizing with affect the connection or not though... nor am I even sure if the Bolts are even anodized on the inside. I doubt there will be an issue but just in case... simply remove some of the anodizing so the Kick can make a good connection to the inside wall of the extension. I really doubt that this is an issue but it was worth a quick mention at the least.

 

[dannoman]

Our anodized do appear to be anodized inside also. By the way our anodized bolts come with the 18650 extension.

 

[rdsok]

Our anodized do appear to be anodized inside also. By the way our anodized bolts come with the 18650 extension.

I don't think the anodizing will affect the connection... I just wanted to play it safe and mention the possibility. Even if it does, just removing some of the internal anodizing will resolve any possible issue anyway.

 

[Briar]

I think I read someplace that anodizing may interfere - but what the heck, even if it does, a little scraping is not that big of a deal to do. I think I'll get me that setup in a bit. Or something. I feel the need to get something at GV... LOL I'm setting up to get a new pup, I really can't live without a service dog, and I'm going to train this one from 8 weeks. Dogs cost a lot, and unfortunately I can't just adopt from a pound or a rescue - I need a very specific temperament for the kind of work I need the dog to do. So once I find the pup, that's it for me buying stuff. This is going to be pretty much the last hurrah, sans cartos and juice.

 

[rdsok]

Briar...

Just an additional thought to consider before you make your final ( for now ) choice... I do have and still use my Bolt and have it Kicked... it is great. I still prefer my new VAMO over the Bolt simply because of the fact I can quickly change the output wattage... and can easily check out the battery voltage both with a single click of a button.

The VAMO with an 18350 battery is setup the same size as a Bolt with Kick using an 18500. Using the 18650 in the VAMO vs the Bolt/Kick makes the VAMO about 3/4" taller give or take.... So there are some advantages to the Bolt/Kick in the size arena.

Here is a link to the VAMO on GV's website VISION Variable Mod! MUST SEE : GotVapes.com, E-cigarette Supplies - Atomizers Cartomizers Mods Juice and more

Being able to quickly changes the output is really nice especially if you are going to be trying out any new e-juice flavors. Once you know what setting is good for an e-juice... it won't matter as much. Obviously if you change around your e-juices a lot... again having the setting changed from a button comes in handy again.

 

[Harplayr]

Briar...

Just an additional thought to consider before you make your final ( for now ) choice... I do have and still use my Bolt and have it Kicked... it is great. I still prefer my new VAMO over the Bolt simply because of the fact I can quickly change the output wattage... and can easily check out the battery voltage both with a single click of a button.

The VAMO with an 18350 battery is setup the same size as a Bolt with Kick using an 18500. Using the 18650 in the VAMO vs the Bolt/Kick makes the VAMO about 3/4" taller give or take.... So there are some advantages to the Bolt/Kick in the size arena.

Here is a link to the VAMO on GV's website VISION Variable Mod! MUST SEE : GotVapes.com, E-cigarette Supplies - Atomizers Cartomizers Mods Juice and more

Being able to quickly changes the output is really nice especially if you are going to be trying out any new e-juice flavors. Once you know what setting is good for an e-juice... it won't matter as much. Obviously if you change around your e-juices a lot... again having the setting changed from a button comes in handy again.

Thanks for that link.
A few days ago when I searched GV for a VAMO I came up blank.
I had no idea that the Vision Variable Mod was the VAMO.

 

[rdsok]

Thanks for that link.
A few days ago when I searched GV for a VAMO I came up blank.
I had no idea that the Vision Variable Mod was the VAMO.

It's an acronym that most vendors have used... Vision Variable Mod ... I only use it because it is easier to type

 

[Harplayr]

It's an acronym that most vendors have used... Vision Variable Mod ... I only use it because it is easier to type

I was wondering if there's more than one manufacturer of the "VAMO". If the "vamo" is a vision product, then maybe they should put it in the product description so people like me that search for "vamo" will find it on the GV site.

 

[LeftCoastVaper]

If you mod your Bolt with 20 gauge wire and possibly a new switch (not required but desirable), and add a Kick, you'll never want a buggy Vamo. Once modded, the Bolt can compete with a Silver Bullet all day long - totally bullet-proof, so to speak. From the factory, though, they have very weak wiring - too small and breaks easily. Not conducive to the Kick's high current requirement.

 

[rdsok]

I do like my Bolt a lot and all of that... but anyone saying the VAMO is buggy is nuts... I have had zero problems with mine nor have I seen in any thread here ( in the GV area at least ) anyone else mention any issue. So if you don't like a VAMO that is fine, you don't have to, but to spread BS about them being buggy is uncalled for.

 

[LeftCoastVaper]

I do like my Bolt a lot and all of that... but anyone saying the VAMO is buggy is nuts... I have had zero problems with mine nor have I seen in any thread here ( in the GV area at least ) anyone else mention any issue. So if you don't like a VAMO that is fine, you don't have to, but to spread BS about them being buggy is uncalled for.

Spend a little time in the variable voltage forum and you'll find a bunch of nut cases, or maybe not so much. Fact is, most Chinese mods are buggy and an unmodified Bolt is no exception. So I think my comments are as "called for" as your ad hominem opinions. 'Nuff said.

 

[rdsok]

Actually I think not because that isn't the whole story when it comes to any of the mods that exist now...

Primarily the biggest issue seen in the market now is caused by fakes of just about every product out there even the inexpensive ones like a Vision Stardust are copied/cloned and then sold as the original even when their QC is not there. The next part of the issue are the number of seconds ( even thirds ) that get onto the market... These are the devices that the manufacturers sell off at reduced prices to the smaller shops that are looking for a "good deal" when in fact they aren't because of the flaws that were initially found with them. If you look around, most of the reputable resellers are selling these for $50-$60... but the other ones can be had for much less sometimes as low as $35-$40 range.

Many of the above reasons are why one of the questions you'll see here in this forum area as well as the other reputable vendor sites/areas is "Where did you buy it from?" ... Not all resellers are the same, nor all versions you may find are the same. I guess in addition, I should also mention that the v1's do/did have their issues which of course are why GV's and others are selling the version 2's already...

So you may say "enough said"... but really, what was being said was so one sided and not taking all issues and causes of those issues into account.

 

[LeftCoastVaper]

Actually I think not because that isn't the whole story when it comes to any of the mods that exist now...

So you may say "enough said"... but really, what was being said was so one sided and not taking all issues and causes of those issues into account.

All valid points, but you're kind of proving my case. Sure, individual examples might be great, and if you're lucky you'll get one, but generally speaking even the Chinese "name brands" have had, and continue to have, multiple issues. So I stand by my statement, one-sided or not. The issues' causes don't render them invalid.

 

[rdsok]

I really don't see how I proved your case... If a person is buying from a known reputable reseller/distributer they avoid issues that I listed usually. This doesn't just apply to Chinese products either... I've seen the same issues with all brands no matter where they are produced. As a couple of examples... Products from Kanger and Vision both, when sourced from known reputable resellers... have few problems but go to another one without the reputation and it's unknown as to what quality you will find due to the reasons I won't repeat.

My experience with this issue is actually drawn from a completely different industry... computer electronic which I've been in since 1989. I've seen failure rates increase simply because the parts were not sourced from a known reputable source... The difference is considerable such as going from a 2% failure rate up to 7-8% and this was on top brand, make and models. Chris has chatted with me in PM's concerning this very same thing on how they were hearing about issues with a product but their own experience with the same products were not showing a high failure rate.