Longest Chinese APV Lifespan

[Ed_C]

I seem to find a pretty large number of posts dealing with early failures of Chinese APVs. I've also heard arguments made that replaceable batteries aren't that big of a deal because inexpensive Chinese APVs aren't likely to last much over the lifespan of the batteries anyway. With this in mind, I wanted to ask this group how long their Chinese VV or VV/VW APVs have lasted. How many lasted over a year? How about two years? So if you would, post what APV you had or have and how long it lasted before failure or, if it's still functional, how long have you been using it. I'm interesting in seeing how many made it over a year or more. Thanks

 

[Baditude]

Only have a couple.

My first Smoktech VV Gripper's LED display and three front buttons fell into the mod after 7 weeks of use, rendering it unusable. Luckily it had another week under the vendor's warranty, so I sent it back to the vendor and he returned a new one as an exchange. I've had this mod for several months, but I only use this now as a backup so it rarely gets used.

I was having a conversation with another customer at my local vape shop today, and he also had a ST VV Gripper. The same thing happened to his Gripper, the LED screen and buttons fell into his mod. His was out of warranty.



I also have an Segelei/Ovale V8 which is also now used only as a backup. It has worked flawlessly when used, although the battery compartment uses a wonky spring setup for the two 18350 batteries which makes installing batteries a PITA. Again, although I've had this mod for several months, it's rarely used.



95% of the time I use a Provari (USA made) or an iTaste MVP (first generation). The MVP has been working great for several months. I've had one Provari for about 15 months, and a second one for several months; both working flawlessly. I was recently gifted a third Provari.

I seriously doubt that I'll ever purchase another mod made in China. Comparison between them and a Provari in quality of build, workmanship and attention to detail, and durability are night and day. Most of the China-made mods use the 33.3 Hz chip, which I don't care for. Plus, China does not do repairs on their mods; they expect you to buy a new one. Provape gives a 1 year warranty, and thereafter will repair a Provari for as long as you own it for very reasonable costs and have it returned to you within a week. That, and the superior 800+ Hz chip are worth the added cost of a Provari.

 

[Fergie]

My Innokin iTaste vv is about a year old and still working, my others are not a year old yet but still working.
Only US made mod I have is a GLV Super Mini, doubt it will ever die, if it does it has a lifetime warranty.

 

[yzer]

My first Chinese-made APV was the only one I used every day for 18 months. It's an E-Power 14650 and it still works like new. I paid about $45 for the starter kit. A few months later I bought new spare parts for two more complete E-Power 14650s for use as back-ups. I paid about $30 for those but I never needed to use them. This photo was taken after about 10 months of daily use. The nickel plate was wearing off the copper main body near the fire button but the E-Power worked perfectly.

After using the E-Power for 18 months I celebrated one year cigarette-free by upgrading to the VV/VW Sigelei Zmax V3 Telescopic Flat Top. I have used this every day as my only APV for 8 months. The OLED display arrived slightly crooked but otherwise it works perfectly. I paid $74 for that kit. Here it is with the telescopic tube sized for 18650.

About three weeks ago I purchased a second Sigelei Zmax V3 Telescopic Flat Top for a back-up unit. I paid $42 for the body only. The new V3 features a half dozen improvements including a removable top cap and a new support for the circuit board. The Sigelei that has been used for eight months in shown on the bottom of the photo. Both are sized for 18500.

So there you go. 26 months of vaping on two Chinese-made APVs with a couple more I never needed for back-ups. I'm never going to throw money away for a Provari. The vapor from the Sigelei is just as good as any Provari and the Sigelei offers many more useful features at less cost.

 

[yzer]

I went through two sets of six 14650 batteries with the E-Power. On the Sigelei Zmax V3 I'm using mostly four 18500 and two 18650 batteries. I use the four 18350s once in a while. Capacity on the 18500s is starting to fall off a little now and I'll be replacing them soon.

 

[xyanide]

Since march this year (7 months) I've been a Vamo2 owner. I've been using the same pair of 18650s ever since I got it and have been using it every single day. The button has become just a little unresponsive so it'll bounce sometimes internally when I'm just trying to fire it, other than that no issues. It has fallen over several times on whatever it happened to be standing on and I think I dropped it on the floor once. I almost forgot it once took a very quick dip in a filled sink.
I'm just about ready for a better looking VV/VW mod and will probably get a zmax5.

 

[footbag]

My first Vamo lasted 2 months. I'm on my second week with my V5 and it's not working with my 18350 batteries.

Making it cheaper is the only thing China is good at. I'm sick of it.

I really want a Provari, but won't spend the money on a non-VW device.

 

[Thrasher]

As you can see some get lucky, others do not, the problem isnt so much it was made in china so it is going to fail. the real issue is the lack of consistency from one device to the next even in the same model. in that respect it is a guessing game.

you may get lucky and say i dont understand why everyone has issues or you may have one burn up in 3 months.

I have an original vamo v1 despite other problems the actual functions work just fine, the buttons work and the screen is still perfect. yet I have a vamo v2 that after a couple months the buttons misfire or dont work at all requiring a hard repress or several presses.

the best you can do is basically take inventory of people who a specific model and try to get exactly the same thing. but even then a visit to the various subforums show issue after issue with certain devices, and it becomes luck of the draw.

 

[Fergie]

My first Vamo lasted 2 months. I'm on my second week with my V5 and it's not working with my 18350 batteries.

Making it cheaper is the only thing China is good at. I'm sick of it.

I really want a Provari, but won't spend the money on a non-VW device.

I thought you got it fixed in your other thread
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/vamo/507609-v5-wont-turn-18350s.html

 

[footbag]

Fixed the v5 after work today. The o-ring slid off center and prevented the flat tops from making contact. I have already had the threads slip though. I know not to rely on it.

The v2 required some soldering to fix. It electronics are still funky though.

 

[kabonk]

my longest lasting one is the MVP I've had it for over a year but it doesn't get used much. I had early failure on a telemax v3 died in under 2 months and a vamo died at about 4 months of light use. I'm having really good luck with the kick clones haven't lost one yet and I use them heavily

 

[Fergie]

Fixed the v5 after work today. The o-ring slid off center and prevented the flat tops from making contact. I have already had the threads slip though. I know not to rely on it.

The v2 required some soldering to fix. It electronics are still funky though.

At least you got it going again That's the main thing for now.

 

[yzer]

As you can see some get lucky, others do not, the problem isnt so much it was made in china so it is going to fail. the real issue is the lack of consistency from one device to the next even in the same model. in that respect it is a guessing game.

you may get lucky and say i dont understand why everyone has issues or you may have one burn up in 3 months.

I have an original vamo v1 despite other problems the actual functions work just fine, the buttons work and the screen is still perfect. yet I have a vamo v2 that after a couple months the buttons misfire or dont work at all requiring a hard repress or several presses.

the best you can do is basically take inventory of people who a specific model and try to get exactly the same thing. but even then a visit to the various subforums show issue after issue with certain devices, and it becomes luck of the draw.

Subforms devoted to specific makes and models will not always offer an unbiased view of how well a devise works for most users. Why? Posters are more likely to post a complaint rather than praise for a devise. This is true for any public forum. People having issues with a product are more motivated to be heard.

 

[footbag]

Subforms devoted to specific makes and models will not always offer an unbiased view of how well a devise works for most users. Why? Posters are more likely to post a complaint rather than praise for a devise. This is true for any public forum. People having issues with a product are more motivated to be heard.

That is true, but the ratio of praise to complaints should give you a good read. Look at the provari sub-forum and then the Vamo.

 

[Ed_C]

I think this is true and always take this in consideration. I think this is even more true on manufacturer and vender reviews. On forums such as this, I think there's a lot of fans who wish to sing the praises of their new toys as well as people with problems. Therefore I think the reviews here would be a bit more balanced, compared to manufacturer/vender reviews.

Subforms devoted to specific makes and models will not always offer an unbiased view of how well a devise works for most users. Why? Posters are more likely to post a complaint rather than praise for a devise. This is true for any public forum. People having issues with a product are more motivated to be heard.

 

[yzer]

I can't disagree with you Ed_C. Someone could write a book about what can and can't be inferred from information posted anonymously on public forms. Forums seem to be a great way to learn about new trends like vaping, though. I've learned a lot from them.

 

[Thrasher]

I agree with what you said, my point being that the amount of complaints should also be considered, even if the specific subforum is unbalanced with positive vs negative.

if the devices werent filled with problems to begin with there wouldn't be pages of complaints either way.

there are reasons the most pressing problem in the provari forum is what carto tank to get next.

 

[mightymen]

Since march this year (7 months) I've been a Vamo2 owner. I've been using the same pair of 18650s ever since I got it and have been using it every single day. The button has become just a little unresponsive so it'll bounce sometimes internally when I'm just trying to fire it, other than that no issues. It has fallen over several times on whatever it happened to be standing on and I think I dropped it on the floor once. I almost forgot it once took a very quick dip in a filled sink.

My Vamo V2 is over year old though mine hasn't gone swimming yet I was thinking going for V5 because of the top well but hearing all these issues has changed my mine I'll wait. I guess the V2's are better made.

 

[footbag]

My Vamo V2 is over year old though mine hasn't gone swimming yet I was thinking going for V5 because of the top well but hearing all these issues has changed my mine I'll wait. I guess the V2's are better made.

My v5 seems a bit better made then my v2. From buttons to top cap. But, the threading doesn't appear to have improved. It changed but hasn't improved. That is still the weak link. The O-ring issue I had would be the same with either device. Cheap adhesive.

 

[3mg Meniere]

I just ordered a VAMO5 on the basis of these reports. I will be using a thread protector from the very beginning, as that is the only consistent complaint. I would rather deal with that relatively minor problem than electronic issues or major cash investment.