Lavatube: Review & voltage tests

[Skybulle]

Hi, i received the Lavatube 4 days ago and here are my first impressions.
Finish is pretty well, it's not too heavy, ajustable buttons are small but effective, the switch is clicky but very pleasant.
Metal body is thin and paint seems to be fairly resistant.
The 2 caps are plastic covered. Display is red and easy to read.
Handling is really good, it reminds me the 510N (i like it).
I have nothing particular to say more, flavors and vapors only depends of attys you putt on and it's like with my other mods (VV or not).
I tried it with Cisco 510 1.5Ω/1.8Ω/2.0Ω/2.5Ω, 306 LR 1.5Ω, 510 HV 3.8Ω, clearos 2.4Ω/2.6Ω & 3.0Ω/3.2Ω and whatever is the voltage, it's tasty and satisfying.
With his clearo 3.2Ω(4.4V) Arry mounted (or the cisco SR 2.5Ω(5V)), i cannot leave home without it now ^^
So, here are my voltage tests with the Lavatube:
(The battery used on the Lava is a basic 18650 3000 mah, i have AW protected batt but that does not fit)
For the tests, i only keep a clearo CE2XL Arry 3.2Ω, the cisco 510 2.5Ω and the 510 HV 3.8Ω (only for the 6V).
(I only use 510 2.5Ω/3.8Ω for results validation & all the attys/clearos i use, are multimeter checked)
The results:
Displayed.....W/out Atty.....With Atty
...3.0V...........3.04V............3.02V
...3.2V...........3.23V............3.21V
...3.5V...........3.55V............3.52V
...3.8V...........3.89V............3.86V
...4.0V...........4.10V............4.06V
...4.2V...........4.32V............4.28V
...4.5V...........4.68V............4.62V
...4.8V...........5.02V............4.95V
...5.0V...........5.23V............5.15V
...5.2V...........5.46V............5.38V
...5.5V...........5.81V............5.43V
...5.8V...........6.15V............5.55V
...6.0V...........6.21V............5.75V (with 510 HV 3.8Ω (5.5V with clearo 3.2Ω))

I don't include LR cartos in tests simply because i don't like it
Another interesting thing is that when the battery is down (the display briefly flash), the Lava indicate 3.4V and checking with multimeter, it gives 3.42V (not bad)
And when i push on the switch with this battery down, asking for 4.4V, it still gives me 4.49V during 5s before flashing again (i did it 4 times to be sure ^^)
For 50€ (sorry, i'm french

), it's quite well for me.
See ya
Sky

PS: Please excuse my poor English, as I said before, I'm French...

 

[cozzicon]

That voltage dip at 6 volts seems a bit excessive.

Just tested my Provari and 6.0 is 6.0 under load at 3.0ohm. That's not saying the LT is not a good PV... but just for documentation.

 

[greenman]

Thanks for the review.

 

[Skybulle]

Loosing 0.25V at 6V under load for 100$ less on purchase...
Even if Provari is better...mmmmh... it worth thinking about
See ya
Sky

PS: In France, we call it "The Prolovari" (Provari for poor people)

 

[Codex Gigas]

But you're happy with the build quality and all of that, it's solid?

I'm happy with my ProVari, but was thinking of buying this unit as gift for a friend who's still messing around with 510 and eGo batts.

 

[Skybulle]

Honestly, i'm not exactly careful with my Lavatube, he fell hundred times and anyway, he still works fine and hasn't even a scratch. The Lavatube is surprisingly robust.
I have a dozen other mods and yet it is this one all the time with me.
See ya
Sky

 

[yo vapo]

It doesn't look like they are for sale in the US yet. Anyone have an ETA on them?

 

[RebelAir]

According to the Volcano site, the target is sometime this week. I think Volcano is the only US based distributor.

 

[Goldenkobold]

Volcano sold there november-preoder run I believe and say on their forum general sale will start next week.

 

[nomocig4me]

Just got my LavaTube yesterday and i have been putting it through the paces i have tried everything from a 1.5ohm dcc carto which came with the 7ml tube tank i ordered to the 3ohm atty it came with ,also 2.6ohm flux vision clear all worked good didnt even look at voltages i just adjusted to taste really and my taste seemed to be 4.0 to 4.5 volts and thats where i run my vv box mods to so the LT must be real close .I will say i didnt like the 1.5ohm carto that came with the tube tank it tasted harsh no matter where i put it so i took it out and put a 2.0 ohm in it's place and wow what a difference may have just been the one carto but 2.0 ohm is what i normally use in the smoktec tanks. Anyway the LavaTube may not be a provari but it sure works great for me and with the one yr warranty and 1/2 the price dont see how you could go wrong.

 

[Monolith]

Mine shipped today. Looking forwatd to vaping my face off

 

[Ridgerunner]

Skip the Provari and get the Lavatube n use the extra $$$ to buy that juice you been wanting. All this talk of American made this and that and then wonder how foreign car manufacturers have steadily been taking market share from the big 3, they made crap for along time and it caught up with them when other options came along that were as good or better made at the same/better price. Competition is good for vapers as we win. Provape et al. will be hard pressed to develop and put out another VV mod but they will have to seriously re-evaluate their price point if they want to enjoy the same degree of sales they are accustomed to and I couldn't be happier.

 

[BoiseMike]

I'm looking into getting a LavaTube but for the life of me I can't find it on that Volcano website. Where are you folks in the states getting yours? Link please? Thanks.

 

[BoiseMike]

Just ordered! It's too bad they don't sell the AW IMR 18650 batteries separately there or I would've ordered some because I didn't want the whole kit. I've got chargers and don't want or need a case or atomizer. Maybe they carry them but they're hidden as well. Whatever. I ordered 3 from Super T Manufacturing. Now the waiting begins. Thanks for the link.

 

[Ridgerunner]

The original email had links to the batteries and all other accessories so you could buy them separately. Call Volcano and just tell them to change your order. It's like the accessories are on a separate back door web page just like the lavatube pre-order.

 

[BoiseMike]

Thanks, but I don't want to goof up my order. Three batteries are already ordered elsewhere on a site that made it much easier to find what I was looking for. I'm not sure what email you're referencing anyway. Honestly, maybe it's just me but I think that if people want you to buy things from their site they shouldn't be hidden. Are they an exclusive club or a vendor? I appreciate the advice, though.

The original email had links to the batteries and all other accessories so you could buy them separately. Call Volcano and just tell them to change your order. It's like the accessories are on a separate back door web page just like the lavatube pre-order.

 

[nomocig4me]

BoiseMike , that link was a link that Joe Volcano gave out in chat the other night knowing it would spark a few sales until they get the next big shipment in, if they had of just put them on the site for everyone to buy you probably wouldnt have gotten one they would have been sold out. They will be released to the public in a few days im sure also with the other 2 colors RED,Chrome. Anyway you will enjoy it i know i do mine. Happy Vaping.

 

[VaperEd]

I sent volcanocigs an email (via there homepage, contact button) on Thurs. and asked them how do I go about purchasing the lavatube and they replied. I ordered it Thurs. night and it is heading my way at this moment.

 

[mandra]

I tried the same but they sent me this...
Aloha John,
-
Thank you for contacting us. I am sorry, this will not be available for public release until a week or so. We will announce as soon as it is.
-
If you have any further questions or concerns please feel free to contact us
-

 

[phishhed27]

Im posting this in all the lavatube threads,so if houve read it,move on to the next post:

This is MY opinion.....
I just received my lavatube today....first I thought as i took it out of the oackaging,wow this is pretty nice.
Then as I was inserting the battery,the plastic battery cap came RIGHT OFF the aluminum bottom piece that holds the spring.
My second thought...you get what you pay for,you can tell its a mass produced chinese mod...but with some superglue,i reattached the plastic bottom to the aluminum spring housing.
Ok then I tried to see if an AW 18650 battery would fit...neither the button topped one would fit,neither would the flat top AW 2900Mah...it would fit either battery...so I just slipped a black oring over the bottom cap to act as a spacer,and both AW 18650 batts then fit...and you cant even see the oring cuz everythings black.(I opted to use the 2900mah flat top for longer life)
Theni I threw on a jtank with a boge SR 3ohm carto...and started vaping away....except for the loose jiggly voltage control buttons,it seems like a pretty solid build.
I have to say that I REALLY like it,and its WAY lighter than the Provari...but its pretty long,with either an atty,carto,or tank,becuz it houses an 18650 battery.
If they were gonna copy the provari...they should of done the same bottom cap design...that if you want to use a bigger battery,you buy an extension battery cap(it woulda been more revenue for the company too by having an accessory to sell).
I prefer using my chrome provari in it 18500 mode cuz it shortens the overall length once youve put on a tank or whatever yer gonna use.

Ok now the provari...its DEFINITELY a better made PV...once you hold it in yer hand,youll feel the difference RIGHT AWAY.
Its made from SS instead of thinner Aluminum,so its gonna last ALOT longer most likely....BUT,because it SS it alot heavier,so it may not be the most pocket friendly PV....but the Lavatube tho being much lighter,its longer,so it may not be the BEST either...so both have their drawbacks to being a all day pocket carrying device...but thats personal preferance.
So all in all,the Lavatube IS worth the money...you cant beat $63 shipped for a VV tube mod,and under $90 shipped for the whole it(battery,atty,charger,case)
BUT,if you only want to buy ONE,the old saying rings true...."buy the best that you afford right from the start" cuz when you buy cheap,itll just end up making you want more...and even tho the provari makes you cycle thru the menu(which becomes second nature within yer first few uses),it offers more functions that the Lavatube doesnt...and the Provaris fit and finish is WAY better(like they say,and I said b4,you get what you pay for).

So,if you can afford it,I say stick with the tried and true provari(the lavatube is still too new to know its durability...if its like every other china cheapy,im sure itll break eventually,like a wires solder point breaking,or something similar).
Ya cant go wrong with the provari cuz you have any problems with it,you have somewhere to call,you can just send it in for repairs,I serioiusy doubt the lavatube would be worth fixing if it broke...its kinda along the mentality of,what do you do with yer 510/901/801/ego batts when they stop working? Ya toss em....thats pretty much how i feel about the lavatube(and im sure the manufacturers think that too,thats why itso pricing is right along the line of an ego kit,maybe a LIL more,but PRETTY much in the same price range)
I saw what the lavatubes sell for in bulk,about $35,so im sure you can get the idea of what the internals look like,and how sturdy theyre put together.

I WILL be keeping my lavatube,even tho I own a provari....cuz if I left the house,and I wanted a VV tube mod,id grab the lavatube without thinking twice about it cuz it was so.cheap,i could care less if I drop it or if it gets a lil beat up(or worse,I lost it or somebody stole it)..i would be ...... if anything happend to my provari.

So there it is...now the choice is up to you which one to buy.GLWP,youll be happy wither EITHER device...really.