Looking for Mod - quality TC, durable and dual 18650

[LoveVanilla]

Mods seem to lose TC consistency with age (in 3-12 months) with the difference between adequate vape production and burnt taste narrowing unacceptably. Using good batteries, clean coils with titanium and rayon. Best mod to date was original Smoant Charion which ran close to two years before seeing this issue. Replaced with Smoant Cyclon and saw issue within month. Purchased Innokin Proton which ran four months before showing weak vape unless temp was cranked towards 500F. Want to keep temps to 450F or under. DeOxit on 510 and battery seems to give some improvement but thinking this issue must be internal to either wiring or chipsets.

Looked at DNA or Yihi mods with dual 18650s but they appear unattainable for under $150. Any device, suggestions, links, or sales?

Notes: Always vape with TC under 40 watts, usual RDA is Kayfun v5 but also some genesis tanks and occasional RDA. Looking for consistent TC, durable and reliable with long battery life. Want to stay with 18650s

 

[Punk In Drublic]

Your track record, or better put, luck with other devices tells me you should bite the bullet and invest in a DNA. Not only do they have an industry leading reputation for their Temp Control functionality, but the board is supported by Evolv with replacements to be easily found. Escribe software suite allows for detailed adjustments and modifying the visuals and functionality of the device along with updated Service Packs (Firmware) when released. Not to mention, the Device Monitor can be a huge assist for setting up TC, and viewing the coils performance in real time. They are worth their price of admission

 

[Hawise]

Given that you're vaping at 40 watts or under, have you considered a single battery mod? You would have to switch out the batteries more often, but both DNA and Yihi have single battery mods in your price range. The SXmini MX or SL class or the Jac Vapour Series-B DNA might suit you.

 

[bombastinator]

I’ve had decent luck with the ageis legend between 12-30w in TC using SS. I wouldn’t call it great but it seems to function adequately for me. I’ve never noticed this instability you speak of one way or the other though so this opinion may have little value.

I haven’t priced DNA mods in some time. I got a lostvape Drone DNA250c which is a two battery squonker for a bit over $100 myself. It was a while ago though. Perhaps consider pre “C” models in DNA? They tend to be a lot cheaper. I suspect the current legal instability could be raising prices. It certainly did that for nic base.

 

[wetclay]

Your track record, or better put, luck with other devices tells me you should bite the bullet and invest in a DNA. Not only do they have an industry leading reputation for their Temp Control functionality, but the board is supported by Evolv with replacements to be easily found. Escribe software suite allows for detailed adjustments and modifying the visuals and functionality of the device along with updated Service Packs (Firmware) when released. Not to mention, the Device Monitor can be a huge assist for setting up TC, and viewing the coils performance in real time. They are worth their price of admission

Although I'm new to TC (only few days using the Vt inbox), I can only second the opinion that DNA boards are really excellent and worth the investment. I have no experience with other boards or tc mods, but I don't feel the need. Totally satisfied. Mine has the old 75 board, but after trying it there is no way for me going back to VW.
Got it for $65 (single battery sqounker). So you can definitely find something to suit your budget especially if you go for the older boards.

 

[Coolsiggy]

Mods seem to lose TC consistency with age (in 3-12 months) with the difference between adequate vape production and burnt taste narrowing unacceptably. Using good batteries, clean coils with titanium and rayon. Best mod to date was original Smoant Charion which ran close to two years before seeing this issue. Replaced with Smoant Cyclon and saw issue within month. Purchased Innokin Proton which ran four months before showing weak vape unless temp was cranked towards 500F. Want to keep temps to 450F or under. DeOxit on 510 and battery seems to give some improvement but thinking this issue must be internal to either wiring or chipsets.

Looked at DNA or Yihi mods with dual 18650s but they appear unattainable for under $150. Any device, suggestions, links, or sales?

Notes: Always vape with TC under 40 watts, usual RDA is Kayfun v5 but also some genesis tanks and occasional RDA. Looking for consistent TC, durable and reliable with long battery life. Want to stay with 18650s

Well you are not alone...I have also been noticing gradual flavor loss after aprox. 20mil of juice using TC with both mesh and wire (MTL) coils. Using a bunch of mods,. DNA, Axon, VV, and S mok, they all react pretty much the same. I suspect that this is do to wet gunk and carbon build up on the coil...this in turn MAY affect the TC sensing circuit of the mod chip...just a theory. When this happens I will switch to watts/power mode which normally will overcome the flavor drop.
Of all my current mods, for value and performance I would say my Vaporesso Gen with the Axon chip is tops.

 

[Psyentist]

Can’t go wrong with a DNA250C. Lost Vape are relaunching the paranormal so you should be able to pick one up for less than $150

 

[Punk In Drublic]

Well you are not alone...I have also been noticing gradual flavor loss after aprox. 20mil of juice using TC with both mesh and wire (MTL) coils. Using a bunch of mods,. DNA, Axon, VV, and S mok, they all react pretty much the same. I suspect that this is do to wet gunk and carbon build up on the coil...this in turn MAY affect the TC sensing circuit of the mod chip...just a theory. When this happens I will switch to watts/power mode which normally will overcome the flavor drop.
Of all my current mods, for value and performance I would say my Vaporesso Gen with the Axon chip is tops.

There is no TC sensing circuit. Temperature Control is all about reading the rise in resistance as the coil heats up. Once the resistance matches your prescribed temperature based on the TCR value, the device adjusts power to maintain that resistance, thus maintain temperature. A 0.5 ohm coil at 25°C room temp, with a TCR value of 0.00088 and a goal temperature of 220°C, needs to rise in resistance by 0.0858 ohms (live resistance 0.5858) to meet your goal of 220°C. The device will not let the resistance increase past 0.5858 ohms, and does so by adjusting power.

Carbon build up from burnt sugars can affect flavour. If this is cause of flavour loss, you should clean or replace the coil (and mesh). Switching to wattage mode as a method of correcting this means you are operating at a higher temperature, thus burning that carbon and vaping it. I’ll let you deicide whether you wish to vape carbon or not. The type of juice you vape will determine how quickly the carbon build up happens. I have used juice that makes a mess out of coils within a day - and other juices where I can get several weeks before cleaning.

Carbon build up can also affect Temperature Control for the coil now heats faster than when it was in a cleaner state. But the build up has to be somewhat extreme. And your juice will determine how quickly that happens. Too much build up and the coils resistance will fluctuate.

Take advantage of the features of Escribe – use the Device Monitor to plot your coils performance after a fresh build while you vape. Save or take a screen shot of that plot and compare to a plot when you lose flavour. If carbon build up is affecting performance, this will be identified by how quickly the coil rises in resistance in comparison to a non gunked coil.

 

[Mordacai]

Hello @LoveVanilla, first of all have you tried adjusting the TCR (Temperature Coefficient of Resistance)? This can cause issues if not correctly set and some mods are weird and like it setting according to them.

And on the cheap end of mods Asmodus gets mentioned a fair amount (Minkin V2, Colossal and Almighty). Never used them so I can't really give you more information.

YiHi chipset mods are really decent at TC as well. Vsticking, iPV and Dovpo make a few mods with their boards at much more reasonable prices.

But I must admit that I really am a fan of the SXmini SL Class due to really good TC, feeling really nice in the hand and you can do the most of the important settings on the mod instead of having to use a PC.

 

[DarrenMG]

Just another vote for a DNA mod if you can find one at a cost you can tolerate. I have a YiHi Q class as well, but eventually ended up relegating all my TC use to my DNA 250 mod. The experience just seemed smoother to me (ramp up time is a bit more consistent, no overshoots when the wick runs dry, etc.) More recently, a few months ago I found a tolerable price for a Paranormal DNA 250c mod, and now that has become my go to mod for TC vaping with SS316 coils.

There are several other reasons I'd recommend a DNA 250, or ideally 250c mod if you can find a good deal. The clock is ticking on our time to buy gear in the USA, so consider what it means to invest in something you won't be happy with, money wasted that could have gone toward something you would be. You also will be getting excellent battery efficiency, the Escribe option to tweak (I never could get YiHi's software to work on my PC but Escribe no problems), and if it matters to you, the 250c has a much more intuitive menu system on the mod then the 250 thanks to one more control button. There is also the Replay mode, that I won't re-explain here, but can make it easier to get that perfect TC experience over and over.

 

[Mordacai]

@DarrenMG, the non C version DNA mods are supposed to be vastly superior to the C versions. A colour screen and Replay are not necessary for TC.

 

[TrollDragon]

@DarrenMG, the non C version DNA mods are supposed to be vastly superior to the C versions. A colour screen and Replay are not necessary for TC.

Once you have experienced the ease of Replay, it's really hard to go back to the old way.

 

[Punk In Drublic]

Im curious in how the older DNA’s are vastly superior to the newer C versions.

 

[LoveVanilla]

Did my research and the Lost Vape Paranormal 250c looks like a just right fit for me. But damn, now can't find anywhere and must have checked over a dozen sites.

Looking for unit with replaceable panels (i.e. not Passion Scarlet Resin, Black Rhombus, or Chopped Carbon). First preference would be Pearl Fish with wood panels (though not ebony). Any frame color in a preferred order of silver/black/gunmetal.

Anybody know where I can find one? Thanks

Edit: Or alternative... Looking for a durable, good quality, dual 18650 mod with top-quality TC.

 

[greek mule]

Im curious in how the older DNA’s are vastly superior to the newer C versions.

That's a good question..

 

[Pigs]

Mods seem to lose TC consistency with age (in 3-12 months) with the difference between adequate vape production and burnt taste narrowing unacceptably. Using good batteries, clean coils with titanium and rayon. Best mod to date was original Smoant Charion which ran close to two years before seeing this issue. Replaced with Smoant Cyclon and saw issue within month. Purchased Innokin Proton which ran four months before showing weak vape unless temp was cranked towards 500F. Want to keep temps to 450F or under. DeOxit on 510 and battery seems to give some improvement but thinking this issue must be internal to either wiring or chipsets.

Looked at DNA or Yihi mods with dual 18650s but they appear unattainable for under $150. Any device, suggestions, links, or sales?

Notes: Always vape with TC under 40 watts, usual RDA is Kayfun v5 but also some genesis tanks and occasional RDA. Looking for consistent TC, durable and reliable with long battery life. Want to stay with 18650s

What Punk said. You want good a good board - TC or not - buy DNA.

 

[DarrenMG]

@LoveVanilla - I doubt you'll be able to find a Paranormal that supports the replaceable panels. Those sold out fast. Maybe a used one. On the other hand, some reviews I read mentioned that those replaceable wood panels can warp so maybe that feature is not as ideal as it seems? I have the chopped carbon fiber fixed panels, and they look fantastic (like looking into a hologram).

Paranormal build quality is excellent, except maybe the battery door. Oh it works fine, no battery rattle, it just feels a little cheap. You won't be disappointed though. Gun metal looks pretty awesome too, better than the pictures.

--

@Mordacai - I was only thinking of the DNA 250c chipset and board when I wrote what I did. It may be true that there are overall better implementations of the mechanical structure around the DNA 250 chipset. I have heard/read of no issues with the 250c chipset itself, but I do see that there are relatively few 250c MOD choices, and of those, many of them do look like they use a lot of plastic, at least from what I have seen. That makes sense. When the 200 (and 250) came out the market for high end devices had an appeal. These days, well there are so many choices of mods, good build quality, for 1/2 to a 1/3rd the price of a 250c mod. Most people don't use TC, and the hyper over TC mode has died down. I can see why only a few companies took a shot at the 250c mod market. It's very niche.

 

[Punk In Drublic]

Lost Vape produces in smaller batch runs. What you currently see on the market maybe all that is available. @Psyentist … you mentioned LV is relaunching the Paranormal, I’d be interested in more details.

 

[Punk In Drublic]

Did my research and the Lost Vape Paranormal 250c looks like a just right fit for me. But damn, now can't find anywhere and must have checked over a dozen sites.

Looking for unit with replaceable panels (i.e. not Passion Scarlet Resin, Black Rhombus, or Chopped Carbon). First preference would be Pearl Fish with wood panels (though not ebony). Any frame color in a preferred order of silver/black/gunmetal.

Anybody know where I can find one? Thanks

Edit: Or alternative... Looking for a durable, good quality, dual 18650 mod with top-quality TC.

Elementvape has a couple Paranormals left, none in the removable wood panels – to expand on what @DarrenMG mentioned, the wood panels was part of the first batches, and sold out. To my knowledge, the latest batches was only non removable panels. Perhaps they abandoned the swappable panels due to warping

 

[Psyentist]

Lost Vape produces in smaller batch runs. What you currently see on the market maybe all that is available. @Psyentist … you mentioned LV is relaunching the Paranormal, I’d be interested in more details.

This is from their Instagram...