Lavatube....good bad or ugly

[pir123]

I have an unbranded lavatube mini, and it works great with all three heads on my vivi nova, as well as a DCT carto (2.5 ohm) I got it for ~$50 as a kit with two 3 ohm 510 atomizers, 2 18350's and a charger -- with battery replacements around $5 each, long term costs should be quite low, so long as it lasts a couple years.

The 2.5 amp limit is fine for me. I prefer vaping at as low a voltage as possible for the device I"m using, since my juices seem to be sensitive to high-heat (they go dark) -- though if you want to push the voltage to the max for any given device (if you know what you're doing) there are other mods that will let you do that.

I too was looking at either a twist or the LT, and ultimately decided on the LT. Mostly for the replaceable batteries & native 510 connector.

I kind of wish I had gone with the full-size LT, though I'll probably just (someday) get a high-end PV and use the mini as a backup. The lavatube is not a high-quality product. It is what it is. I'm satisfied with it for the time being. I got mine from vaperite (since I order all my juices from them). There are a lot of vendors selling these unbranded "lavatubes" quite inexpensively.

 

[mostapha]

Just to play devil's advocate:

I went with the twist and I don't regret it at all so far. The LT is awesome if that's where your budget falls…but so far I think I'd rather spend a bit more money to carry around a second full PV than a box of batteries.

My only real problem with the LT (whatever version) is the price: it seems like it's in that "middle ground" that I hate in every world. There are basically 2 laptops I like: a $250 netbook and a $2000 Macbook Pro. There are about 2 levels of guitar I'd buy: cheap Squier/Epiphone and boutique brands non-guitarists have never heard of. And that follows everything. The LT seems to fall in that no-man's-land of better than cheap……but still not "good" that I try to avoid.

I might end up trying one and loving it (very curious to), but I just don't see how longevity of one battery-based, chinese-made piece of electronics is going to be different from another without some kind of empirical history of both……and I don't think it really exists for either. And it takes a few sets of big batts to break even on just buying twists when you consider that the chargers for big batts cost 2-3 times as much as ego chargers.

In short, I think there are reasons that the Twist has so many fans. Because of the return policy, I might try one at some point……but I'd almost rather keep the money in my bank account and vape budget just in case my "dream PVs" that are always sold out happen to come back in stock.

Also, as to the title…I think the LT is hideous. The black mini is ok, but if I'm going to carry something that big, I'd want it to look good……and it's kinda meh to me. But that's more subjective than taste in juice.

 

[NancyR]

Just to play devil's advocate:

I went with the twist and I don't regret it at all so far. The LT is awesome if that's where your budget falls…but so far I think I'd rather spend a bit more money to carry around a second full PV than a box of batteries.

My only real problem with the LT (whatever version) is the price: it seems like it's in that "middle ground" that I hate in every world. There are basically 2 laptops I like: a $250 netbook and a $2000 Macbook Pro. There are about 2 levels of guitar I'd buy: cheap Squier/Epiphone and boutique brands non-guitarists have never heard of. And that follows everything. The LT seems to fall in that no-man's-land of better than cheap……but still not "good" that I try to avoid.

I might end up trying one and loving it (very curious to), but I just don't see how longevity of one battery-based, chinese-made piece of electronics is going to be different from another without some kind of empirical history of both……and I don't think it really exists for either. And it takes a few sets of big batts to break even on just buying twists when you consider that the chargers for big batts cost 2-3 times as much as ego chargers.

In short, I think there are reasons that the Twist has so many fans. Because of the return policy, I might try one at some point……but I'd almost rather keep the money in my bank account and vape budget just in case my "dream PVs" that are always sold out happen to come back in stock.

Also, as to the title…I think the LT is hideous. The black mini is ok, but if I'm going to carry something that big, I'd want it to look good……and it's kinda meh to me. But that's more subjective than taste in juice.

You say you don't want to carry around a pocket full of batteries, but what do you think you are doing with the twists? each twist is still a battery. How often do you have to charge it, many people I know with the LTs don't change the battery but every day or two. Plus there is the long term cost, replacing a rechargeable protected battery is cheaper than replacing a twist. Even the higher end ones are way under the cost.

As to the cost of the chargers, they run about the same depending on where you buy them.

 

[Blu Man]

I have the mini lava tube and I'm not too impressed. I'm probably about to sell it. get an 18650 mod and throw an 18490 in it with a kick by evolv.
changes the wattage instead of the voltage meaning if you like 9 watts its about the same regardless of the atty you throw on it

 

[mostapha]

Valid points. Again, I was playing devil's advocate.

A day or two even on a 2000mAh 18650 seems a bit ambitious compared to how my other batteries last, if the ratings on them are to be trusted. I get 4-5 hours on my 650 and about 30 to 45 minutes on my 180s. On the LT, it seems like one day would be more likely, and that'd be fine. But I'd still carry a backup…which necessitates a case for it of some kind.

The other advantage to carrying multiple twists is a near-zero chance the battery will short in your pocket and that you can keep tanks/cartos/whatever on them and have 2 flavors available by just pulling a different one out. If you're only carrying one PV, then how easy it is to have different flavors depends on how you carry it.

DCTs, for example, aren't the best built, most solid things out there……but in terms of price, they match the Twist and the LT well, though there's room to move up a bit with the LT. And I think they work great so far, considering they're about $7. I'd never want to carry one lose, which adds the cost of some kind of case to the more expensive PV; It's a small issue, but a possible consideration regardless.

So, now you're carrying a PV with its attachments, and two cases as opposed to 2 PVs and maybe a charger. I guess that one just depends on priorities.

Also, I don't think long-term cost is a consideration. Compared to what I was spending on cigarettes, I could buy a Provari at the end of the month and still be in the black. I'm not going to, because I hate the one-button interface and know myself well enough to know that I'd never be happy with it. The LT, IMHO, has a much better interface.

I'm not saying I hate the LT. I can't say that because I've never used one. The mini does appeal to the techy geek side of me at least as much as the twist, even if I think it's less aesthetically pleasing and have questions about the button placement.

Considering that I'm about to order another Twist, I've thought about getting a mini LT just for S&G and to compare them…it only costs about 3-times as much once you add batteries and a charger. If I wanted to do that, is there a list around somewhere for which ones are which versions? I wouldn't want one that has the same 2.5A limit as the Twist. With the stuff I have, I run into that limit. I'm also happy with the vape I'm getting and can easily just buy different cartos/attys to get more usable range. But the curiosity is there. The curiosity is also there for the rev3, as it's almost cheap enough to be considered "cheap" but is different from the twist and can push more power……but I think I'm not going to do that solely because I hate chrome.

 

[fourtytwo]

You say you don't want to carry around a pocket full of batteries, but what do you think you are doing with the twists? each twist is still a battery. How often do you have to charge it, many people I know with the LTs don't change the battery but every day or two. Plus there is the long term cost, replacing a rechargeable protected battery is cheaper than replacing a twist. Even the higher end ones are way under the cost.

As to the cost of the chargers, they run about the same depending on where you buy them.

Keep in mind that a complete twist with a Stardust full of juice still weighs less then just one 18650 battery for the LT.
I use 650mAah Twists when I am out. I have a Stainless Steel Lavatube and that bugger weighs too much to carry with me in my shirt pocket. I pop 2 Twists in the same shirt pocket, I'm good for a full day. Add a third and I am good for the evening as well. That means I can have three Twists, with three different flavours and the whole lot still weighs less then my one LT with a single flavour.

BTW, my charger for the 18650's was only $20 but my eGo charger only cost $5.

 

[wv2win]

It's a choice rather than a limitation. To some a 2.5a limit is a big deal, others don't care, they never hit 2.5a anyway.

BTW that little 35$ MadVapes box mod will run a 1.5ohm DCC at about 5.5v (3.6a @ 20watts)....

The problem is the people who make these recommendations NEVER tell the poor newb that there are limitations. He might not care, but not telling the whole story about a particular model is the problem. And then if he becomes interested in DCC's, he's out of luck.

And you helped make my point about the makers of the Lavatube and similar models. A $35 box mod has plenty of amps to push a 1.5 ohm dual coil carto but to build planned obselescense into the lavatube, they saved a few pennies and only provided a 2.5 amp model.

 

[wv2win]

This new Lavatube 2.1 Tornado has 4 amps limit. So dual coil will work fine............

Why doesn't that surprise me. Like I said: planned obselescence.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[teamscon]

I wouldnt get a twist. Battery life wont be good enough. I dunno about you, but I want a vv that will last 24hrs. I cant use a whole battery in a day in My starfire vv .. And it comes with two. It just rocks out. If you want a smaller one, theres the lavatube mini .. starfire mini .. And all other lavatube's out there lol.

BTW - Theres no way I could get 2 days with a twist. Twist is good if u wanna carry two of them. I would even say lavatube is better quality also. Im positive this will last me longer then my last ego 1000mah battery that fell apart.

-The limitations dont bother me. Dont wanna go higher voltage then it will let me anyways ... Most wouldnt I dont think. It takes A MAN to vape on 6v lol. Distorted juice flavor and all.

 

[Pappy]

The problem is the people who make these recommendations NEVER tell the poor newb that there are limitations. He might not care, but not telling the whole story about a particular model is the problem. And then if he becomes interested in DCC's, he's out of luck.

Well, most people who recommend the Twist fail to mention that they are disposable, which to me would be more important than the 2.5amp limit on the Lavatube. The Twist will definitely fail at some point. The amp limit on the VTube will not necessarily ever limit someone unless they choose to use dual coil low resistance cartos.

And, still, nobody has explained WHY I should be using dual coil low resistance cartos or WHAT they will do for me that my current setup isn't doing. Maybe it's because there are so many other choices that work fine that never push the 2.5amp limit.

My 4Runner won't go 150mph and a Porsche 911 Turbo will. I suppose my 4Runner is limiting me, at least theoretically, but not as a practical matter.

And you helped make my point about the makers of the Lavatube and similar models. A $35 box mod has plenty of amps to push a 1.5 ohm dual coil carto but to build planned obselescense into the lavatube, they saved a few pennies and only provided a 2.5 amp model.

Well, the Twist is disposable, so why should planned obsolescense be an argument against the lavatube and not the Twist? And just because a new version of the Lavatube comes out doesn't mean that mine automatically quits working. Back to the 4Runner analogy, there's a new model 4Runner out, but my old one works just fine.

 

[SissySpike]

If you go with the LT Id suggest getting the VariabletubeX from Ivape.net this is the 1.5 version. If you want to see a comparison buzzzlove00 youtube video title lavatube new old whats the difference. Vapor beast has a 1.5 crome also I believe Cristal clear vapors has the chrome also.
If you dont use dual coils the Origional lavatube is great.

 

[Darthvong]

If you go with the LT Id suggest getting the VariabletubeX from Ivape.net this is the 1.5 version. If you want to see a comparison buzzzlove00 youtube video title lavatube new old whats the difference. Vapor beast has a 1.5 crome also I believe Cristal clear vapors has the chrome also.
If you dont use dual coils the Origional lavatube is great.

Apollo has a chrome version also.

 

[slipdiskk]

I bought a lavatube when they first came out. It didn't hold up, It barely works now at all. I would recommend the ego twist if you want to try a vv device. They work great.

 

[Covert]

If your on a bit of a budget I'd pick up a Stainless Vmax due to the higher amp output and flexibility. I bought my first VV a month ago and wish I had done more research (and I did do quite a bit), but the fact remains that once I worked out the kinks,threw out about $50 to $100 ,and learned alot more about everything that goes into vaping I am quite happy with my SS VTUBE : ) I do hope the big guy in the red suit puts a Provari in my stocking for christmas this year though lol.

 

[Smoot]

It's funny how complicated and debatable a device that heats a very small coil can be.
Hell, my toaster does the same thing but on a larger scale....and I only paid $15 for it....just sayin.....
It still doesn't distract me from wanting (and getting) a Provari someday, but it does make me think how theoretically simple the whole process is in what we are all trying to achieve.
-To heat a liquid with a coil-

 

[Flyer]

My 4 month old Lavatube still works like new. Regarding price, it's a matter of scale. How many toasters does the manufacturer make and sell in a year?

 

[Covert]

Hit the nail on the head Smoot lol ! As the old adage goes "Theres more than one way to skin a cat" Which one is the best ? The one that makes you happy

 

[Smoot]

My 4 month old Lavatube still works like new. Regarding price, it's a matter of scale. How many toasters does the manufacturer make and sell in a year?

I wasn't going at the price point, just that it's such a simple process, gummed up with many different methods of delivery.

 

[neo69]

I do not like the Lava she does not stabilize, and most importantly a better twist

 

[SpicyMcHaggis]

I have two Twist's and love them and have no reason to replace them. But I have a LT coming tomorrow. I found a heckuva deal on a kit and couldn't pass it up. At this price you could try a Twist and a LT. Use the Twist on the go and the LT at home and figure out which you prefer. Deal is here.