Looking for a new high end VV mod, suggestions?

[FinchX]

It's time for me to try a new mod device.

I currently have a first generation Provari, a VAMO 2, and a Lavatube v2. I had a first gen Lavatube and I really didn't like it, personally, so I gave it to a friend who wanted to get into vaping.

My VAMO 2 is more of a backup unit. It's my 2nd one because the first literally fell apart. I love my Provari but its old and the LCD readout went out on it a while back so I have to keep a mental note of what voltage it's set to, leaving my Lavatube v2 as the most often used device. Feels good in the hand and works well enough until my battery life gets low and it stops putting out the desired voltage (or seems to anyway). I know the first gen Lavatube suffered that problem so I'm just assuming.

I've looked at a few devices on a couple of sites but you never know without asking true consumers, which I'm doing here. One of the ones that showed some promise was the sigelei 20W SX200, until I watched Busardo's review of it. Even though he gave it a thumbs up, I just wasn't a fan of several features. There just seems to be too much that could easily go out or break on it and I'd rather not take that risk considering the price, even though I am quite careful with my hardware.

So basically I want to hear your thoughts and opinions on what I should go with for a new, well constructed, higher end device. Keep in mind that price is NOT an issue (though I'd rather not have to sell a kidney for it) AND that the option of simply purchasing a new Provari (it's time to retire mine) is definitely still an option I'm open to considering how much I enjoyed my first one. I'll be honest, my instincts really tell me to just replace my Provari with a new one but I REALLY want to hear some outside opinions. It's been a long time since I bought my last mod and I've got no clue what kind of options are out there now. There might even be something of superior build quality than the Provari for all I know.

Thanks!

 

[organikness]

I have very limited experience. The MVP v2 is rather solid, and the Vamo v5 (authentic model) has served me flawlessly for months. If I had the money or inclination, I'd definitely want to try a Provari

 

[serenity21899]

well, I'm always going to pick the ProVari. You also may be able to save the old one and get it upgraded, but not sure what the cost would be on that.

If you want a DNA device, the Vaporshark is nice. And it's in the same price range as the ProVari. It is a box mod, and it is very small.

 

[Paradicio]

I'll echo a DNA device, they are capable of quite a bit. I've got a Hana clone that I use at home (my Provari is my 'go everywhere' workhorse) and like it a lot.

 

[FinchX]

Thanks for the quick reply, organikness. It's my fault for not mentioning this to begin with, but I'm not a fan of box mods.

I noticed the VAMO 5 on a few sites and I will admit its got a nice look to it. I'm big into the aesthetics of my devices and tanks, etc. I must have just ordered from a retailer that got a bad batch of them. They're def genuine VAMO 2's but the first one, the entire LCD display came apart and fell into the device itself a bit less than 2 weeks after I got it. The retailer quickly replaced it, but the 2nd one right out of the box, the plastic protector for the LCD fell off into my hand so I'm kind of weary regarding the vamo's now.

 

[FinchX]

In Busardo's review of the Sigelei 20W, the comments on the vid, and some "suggested videos " they were comparing a lot of its features to the DNA devices. Good features, don't get me wrong, but for some reason I'm just not a fan of box mods. The Provari I have and my Lavatube v2 are both great fits for me if that helps any. I have rather large hands so device width and button placement in particular are rather important. My VAMO 2 actually feels a bit wonky to me. I don't know if its the length vs the width or what lol.

 

[tj99959]

Provari is the only way to go for VV here in the US. If you want VW I would say a Kick-2 in the mechanical of your choice. Provided that you are OK with a 15 watt limit.

It's only about $25 to have the 2.0 chip set put in your provari V1

 

[Paradicio]

I'm not a fan of box mods.

In that case I would recommend another Provari, or maybe see what they would charge to fix your existing one?

As I said, mine is my workhorse. I take it everywhere and have had 0 problems with it.

 

[amolson]

I'd say just get your Provari upgraded. It's cheap, fast and then you can afford whatever you like as well as the Provari.

Probably at that point, I'd say you might enjoy a bottom feeder of some kind. There are some nicely made ones that look like a lot of fun.

 

[FinchX]

Seems as though my instincts to stick with Provari had some merit, all your opinions considered, which I highly appreciate.

My biggest problem with sending my Provari in to get repaired and upgraded is that I literally live in the middle of nowhere and will have to drive -almost- 100 miles to the nearest town just to send it in AND I get horrible gas mileage.

With the cost of gas I'd spend along with whatever the repairs and upgrade came to, I probably wouldn't be too far away from simply purchasing a brand new one. I live in the west / desert areas of Texas where roads are long and pickup trucks are big LOL.

amolson, you'll have to excuse my ignorance on this one, but I've got no idea what you're talking about with the phrase "bottom feeder" is it another style of mod, or...,?

 

[DaveP]

I've had a Provari for a little over two years and I sent it back a couple of months ago under the second year extended warranty. They cleaned it up, replaced a flaky switch, and replaced the pink slip fit o-ring that secures the atomizer head to the body (for free). My extended warranty broke even on that deal.

If you haven't already checked, here are the prices for Provari repair from Provape, as of July 2013 (Thanks to DC2 in the thread link below). I verified the costs with the Provape web site and they are the same. PV responds quickly to emails and will advise you on the cost to repair the problem. The display comes mounted on the board, but they also list repairs to the board itself. If yours is a V1, you can get upgraded to V2 for $20. I would imagine that's a board swap, but they probably require that the old board is fully operational for that price.

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...es-provape-usually-charge-repair-provari.html

Post-warranty service, from the Provape website:

Standard Service Repair Costs

Replace Window and screws- $10.00
Replace Circuit Board - $65.00
Upgrade to V2 - $20.00
Replace plastic pushbutton - $5.00
Repairs to the circuit board - $25.00
Cleaning - $20.00
Replace top cap - $15.00
Broken Cartomizer Service - $10.00
Return shipping within the USA - $5.00

Return shipping International ~$46.00

Terms and Conditions

Typical turnaround for service is 1 week.

https://provape.zendesk.com/entries/22420917-Standard-Service-Repair-Costs

 

[Shootist]

You already have the best mod you can get for regular vaping, IE the Provari.

If you want to Sub-ohm then one of the 20/30+ wattage devices may be a good choice. There are some DNA 30 devices tghat aren't box mods. The Wizard Evolve and Wizard Apprentice Evolve II (IIRC).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWnwSucFzAY


Certainly not a Vamo. It is NOT High End. It is basically Low End.

 

[amolson]

Bottom feeder, like a Reo with a control chip in it. Or even a Reo. I've thought about it. If I were to get any mech, it would be one of those. Although I'd at least put a kick in it.

Are you outside of USPS service? There are very few places in the lower 48 that are and you can schedule a pickup. https://tools.usps.com/go/ScheduleAPickupAction!input.action

You don't need to go in to town if you have mail service to ship something.

 

[DaveP]

If you are looking for a good VV/VW mod that's flexible and reliable, check out the Sigelei Zmax series. They are Stainless Steel bodies that telescope by screwing the barrel in and out to use several battery sizes up to 18650.

Video always helps. Here's one from Rip Trippers. He goes through the Sigelei Zmax V3 (the one I have) from one end to the other and demonstrates the menus and the settings. It's as thorough as you will get in an 8:15 video. There's a version 5 out now with more features. On sale it's about $60, regular $75.

 

[Baditude]

A major "feature" of the Provari is the ability to always be able to get it repaired in the rare instance should it require it. This feature is often overlooked when deciding upon what mod to purchase. None of the mods made in China will have this option. These manufacturers design their mods for the current "disposable generation", where if something breaks you don't get it fixed, you just replace it. That $100+ mod then becomes an expensive paperweight.

Provape is one of the old school US companies who still believe in offering top-rated customer service, including repairs for life, in addition to making a top-notch product. They are the Maytag washing machine/dryer of the vaping world. Or as PBusardo said, the Technics 1200 Mark II turntable of the vaping world. Why Provari?



You can either get your original version Provari repaired/upgraded for cheap. Or purchase a new Provari 2.5. Or wait for the Provari 3 to be released some time this year.

Do you really need (want) a mod which can fire sub-ohm coils? Do you really need (want) a mod which can put out 20 - 30 watts? If not, then there are few mods which can match a Provari for value and performance.

 

[FinchX]

I have to drive 5 miles down a county road to a small group of mailboxes for the few people who live around me. No actual service to the house itself for a pickup.

I'll have to watch the videos on my PC later they keep freezing on my phone. I looked at the Sigelei zmax 5 when I was looking at the 20W. My only concern is the telescoping feature honestly. It's a great feature for people who use various battery sizes, but I use nothing but 18650s and have a dozen of them, so to me that's simply something I'd be worried about screwing up somehow.

I'll contact Provape to ask, but if they charge me the fee of the circuit board AND the upgrade, I'm looking at $85, which combined with the money for gas is disturbingly close to the price of a new one, not to mention its less of a hassle. I don't have a printer, so I'll have to drive to town, go to kinkos or some other place that will print the paperwork for me, package it up, drop it off at the post office, then drive back home again.

If they only charge for an upgrade then, obviously, it's $65 less.... Then it just becomes a question of whether or not saving that $65 is worth it.

I truly live in the middle of nowhere. Have to use satellite internet because it's the only option. Town is so far away we stock up on groceries and whatnot once a month to avoid wasting any more gas money. I work from home as a graphic designer so more or less, I'd have to contact Provape and set everything up, and time it just right for when I'd be going to town (I don't know about paid repairs and upgrades but I know they have a time restraint on how long a warranty repair stays valid. That's why I never got the LCD fixed), and take care of getting it sent off before even thinking about shopping or all the refrigerated goods will ruin. (Problems we constantly have to deal with out here lol).

I'll get in touch with Provape tomorrow and see what they say. If they're going to charge me for a circuit board and upgrade then I'll definitely just purchase a new Provari. If they only charge for the upgrade then I'll just have to think on it.

 

[FinchX]

Baditude!! Long time no see! I've been busy and couldn't afford to browse the forums for a long time.

I'm in agreement that I should stick with the Provari. It seems I find things I either don't need, don't want, would find annoying, or would be afraid of breaking on just about every other device I look at.

I have NO complaints about Provape or their customer service. They got a few items wrong with my purchase when I ordered my Provari and had everything resolved that same week.

My troubles with sending it in are on MY end, not provapes. Like I said, I know there's some kind of time limit on warranty repairs, and trying to time that window in with a trip to town is the reason it's never been repaired in the first place. Though I can't blame Provape for that either because they can't honor a warranty repair for months and just hope to get it when the owner feels like sending it in. It's my own personal situation that makes sending (anything really) a complete pain.

 

[Baditude]

Finch, your solitary & remote situation is all the more reason to get a Provari. You need something dependable, reliable, and durable for the long run, and that would be a Provari. The chances that a Provari will need some type of service is far less than any other mod.

 

[FinchX]

I agree. The LCD readout going out on my Provari I don't even blame on the device or Provape build quality.

It was my first vv mod ever if you remember, and I was completely new to using carto tanks. (I still have all the tanks I originally got from IBTanked and Phiniac thanks to your recommendations). I am certain what happened to my LCD was too much liquid getting into it and shorting it out.

I'm sure of this because at first I lost the first LCD digit. A good alcohol bath brought it back. That happened two more times, each time the bath would bring it back, until finally the entire display stopped working and countless alcohol baths haven't revived it.

After infinitely more experience with carto tanks, and I recently have just been using clearos, I don't have any trouble with liquids leaking unless its a bad carto or, just recently, the threading on a vivi nova cracked and leaked all over my Lavatube. I've already looked into and ordered a glass tank clearomizer though so that's not an issue I should have again either.

 

[Unforeseen]

Moved to Variable Voltage APV Discussion