Max reliability / least hassle APV setup?

[skex]

This is what won me over... why my first APV will be a mech.

I'll never bad mouth a mechanical, my Prodigies (V1 and V3) both served me well, I was a hard sell on the Provari due to my concerns about potential failure of electronic parts. But I have to admit I <3 my Provari, the consistency is just amazing. With a mechanical you'll never get two pulls exactly the same. as a battery ages it will give weaker and weaker performance, while the Provari gives exactly the same experience from the first draw on a fresh battery until it gasps its last breath and ceases to work.

The only down side of the Provari remains that if it does break you have to be without it a few days while it's shipped in for repair. Then again that's better than most VV/VW mods where you're likely just screwed.

I just say don't let initial costs be the deciding factor in ones decision. Don't be penny wise and pound foolish. you're not really saving any money if you end up buying 3-4 cheap mods rather than one high quality one, this is why I always recommend skipping the Ego route and going straight for a real mod. I'd have saved close to $1000 if I'd just bought a Screwdriver as my second mod rather than messing with penstyles, kissboxes, pass throughs and other cheap crap until I finally settled on the Prodigy.

The way I see it, if you're going to stick with vaping you're going to end up buying a Provari eventually so why toss away all that extra money in the meantime.

 

[madqatter]

The only down side of the Provari remains that if it does break you have to be without it a few days while it's shipped in for repair. Then again that's better than most VV/VW mods where you're likely just screwed.

Yup, that's among the reasons I'm going mech.

I just say don't let initial costs be the deciding factor in ones decision.

Don't worry, that's not a factor in my decision to go mech. There are plenty of reasonable VVs.

 

[Jorunkun]

Oh dear, Nicohog, Evilgrin et al, what have you done ...

Spent a couple of hours last night checking out boxmods, esp. the VV REO Grand, and now I'm on the fence. The Provari still comes off as the most solid. But I really like the idea of having 6mls of juice right there in the box, and just pushing on the bottle to drip directly onto the atty. A coupla questions to REO (or other boxmod) users:

1. Is battery power inconsistency a big deal on the REOs? I like the fact that the provari keeps its power output - and thus smoke-volume, temperature and flavor, I presume - consistent.

2. What are the problems associated with direct dripping by squeezing that little plastic bottle in the tank, i.e. using a REO? What happens if you press too hard and flood the atty? Is it difficult to adjust the squeeze when the tank is full or when its almost empty?

3. Are you happy with the craftsmanship of the VV REO? I'm concerned about the button and the wheel, and the stability of the case in general. Can I chuck this in my backpack without it coming apart, switching on accidentally or leaking?

Also, to clarify a few points. I teach English at junior high in Japan, going around between different schools (on a motorbike, no less) so I need a portable device with long battery life and the fewest number of movable parts. I want reliability because I have to mail-order all my vaping equipment; there aren't any vape-shops in Japan. I don't mind paying extra for top quality, I think it'll be cheaper in the long run (insert chuckle and eyeroll from my wife here). My pain threshold is at around 400 USD for my first setup, including batteries, charger etc.

Lastly - thankyouthankyouthankyou for all the comments. You guys rock.

 

[NicoHolic]

1. Is battery power inconsistency a big deal on the REOs? I like the fact that the provari keeps its power output - and thus smoke-volume, temperature and flavor, I presume - consistent.

It isn't a big deal for me with the REO or any other mech. If you look at a battery discharge curve, it falls off from its peak of 4.2 pretty quickly, then decreases gradually over most of its charge life, and then falls off fairly quickly. So with a resistance good for the majority of its charge life, it's a little more powerful at first, then gradually declines, then falls off noticeably, at which point it's time to swap batteries. I don't notice any change in vape until then, because my own vapes aren't constant from vape to vape. They vary in time a lot. Now all this being said, REO offers a VV version, but most stick with the mechanical Grand or Mini 2.1. Like any mech, pull it out of a puddle or off the bottom of the swimming pool, zap it with static, or wash it with the dishes--no harm done. If it ever needs it, you can easily rebuild it yourself.

2. What are the problems associated with direct dripping by squeezing that little plastic bottle in the tank, i.e. using a REO? What happens if you press too hard and flood the atty? Is it difficult to adjust the squeeze wen the tank is full or when its almost empty?

There aren't any problems. Squeeze firmly for a couple of seconds to flood the atty and soak the wick and when you release the bottle any excess is sucked back down in the tube and bottle. No flooding. No tilting, etc involved. You'd have to squeeze pretty hard to get enough juice in the atty to come out of it. The pickup tube goes down to almost the bottom of the bottle, so the squeeze is the same, whether the bottle is full or near empty. Squonking becomes as subconsciously habitual as ashing a cigarette or cigar, or tamping a pipe.

3. Are you happy with the workmanship of the VV REO? I'm concerned about the button and the wheel, and the stability of the case in general. Can I chuck this in my backpack without it coming apart, switching on accidentally or leaking?

I believe I can say this without offending Provari owners, but it's widely said the REO is the Provari of bottom feeders. It's precision milled from a single block of aluminum and is as rugged as you can get. I believe I could drive a front wheel of my 4WD diesel truck over it without crushing it, but I'm not gonna try. The button and the inside plastic block are insulating Delrin. I've never had either REO leak in my pocket or anywhere else. If you squeeze (squonk) the bottle, vape the liquid out of the atomizer before pocketing it and you won't either.

Also, to clarify a few points. I teach English at Junior High in Japan, going around between different schools (on a motorbike, no less) so I need a portable device with long battery life and the fewest number of movable parts. I want reliability because I have to mail-order all my vaping equipment; there aren't any vape-shops in Japan. I don't mind paying extra for top quality, I think it'll be cheaper in the long run. My pain threshold is at around 400 USD for my first setup, including batteries, charger etc.

With a full 6 ml bottle and a freshly charged 2000 maAH 18650 AW IMR, I can go through a 16 hour day with nothing but the REO Grand and the Reomizer 2.0 RDA on top. I carry it in a back pocket with a knife and CR123 flashlight. The mod plus Reomizer 2.0 RDA, and some spare bottles, a couple of disposable attys, a bit of resistance wire, etc will cost you about $200 plus shipping. I recommend three AW IMR 18650s and the Nitecore Intellicharger i2 to get started. I also recommend micro coils wicked with cotton balls in the RDA over disposable attys, but I keep some of the latter for backup. Coiling and wicking the RM2 is dead simple and dirt cheap, and lets you custom build your resistance. Add juice, and you're set.

Lastly - thankyouthankyouthankyou for all the comments. You guys rock.

You're most welcome. Please join us, the Reonauts, in the Reos Mods forum, a place we fondly call Reoville, where Robert Eugene O'Neil, (known as "Rob" aka redeyedancer), the designer, manufacturer, and vendor is very active and responsive. You're not just getting a mod when you buy a REO, you're joining a family.

Until I see you in Reoville, I'll leave you with this from one of our citizens:

 

[Jumpin' In...]

Isn't Japan wired at 100 volts or something like that? Do you have to use a transformer or coverter or some such device - or maybe a special charger? I vaguely remember that some US based electronics won't work properly on 100v. I know that a US hair dryer doesn't get very hot on Japanese voltage.

 

[Jorunkun]

Isn't Japan wired at 100 volts or something like that? Do you have to use a transformer or coverter or some such device - or maybe a special charger? I vaguely remember that some US based electronics won't work properly on 100v. I know that a US hair dryer doesn't get very hot on Japanese voltage.

Uh, nice catch. Yes, Japan is 100 V vs. 120 V in the US ... has anyone had problems with this?
It usually doesn't matter with US bought electronics, and if push came to shove, I actually had European 220 V wall sockets installed in my house as well, so wouldn't be a dealbreaker.

 

[twgbonehead]

The one aspect the OP might have missed is that particularly in the beginning you are likely to want to try a bunch of different juices, and many find that switching juices frequently is a big plus. You probably won't find your ADV in the first bunch of juices you try! For that reason I would recommend the iClears, or the CE4's or other small clearomizers. You can carry them around instead of juice bottles, and swap them in seconds. (Plus, you can see how much juice is left in them!). For me, straight cartos were always difficult to keep a balance (not too dry, not too soggy) and you had to refill them often, which means carrying around bottles of juice. Lots of people like the carto tanks, but you should be willing to carry around several of them if that's the route you're going.

 

[malkuth]

I have tried many tanks in all styles. I was never able to find one that did not either leak, flood, or give dry hits. I went with a Reo, and have never looked back. There is very little that can break on these mods. There is even a thread from a guy that dropped his off of his motorcycle at 45 mph. He picked it up off the ground and vaped right then. Yes, the aluminum body was pretty scratched and dinged, but it kept right on working. Yes, I did get dry hits in the beginning, but they were much less than with a tank, and a short learning curve cured that. If you want dependability and reliability, the Reo is the way to go.

 

[Sundowner750]

I will chime in here as another new vaper.
I am currently running a Evod with an Ego-C Twist battery. Took me almost 6 weeks of a regular no variable battery to find a sweet spot- I plugged in the twist, upped the dial to 4.0 and got the hit i was looking for.
And if you upgrade to another PV in the future (like i plan to do) you will have a solid back up unit sitting in the wings.
I dropped my first Evod and it leaked horribly from the windows- So i went back to my CE-5 for a week- i could tell the difference immediately. I finally got the new Evod and picked up the new battery yesterday. I fiddled around with the dial and bam- two hits and I was right where I wanted it to be.
Only had two analogs since...
moral of the story, there are some low end options to get a good vape on- this is one I would recommend. as an option

 

[pesky_human]

It's not a tube, but you should really check out the Reo Grand. I swore by my Provari with carto tanks until I got a Reo. Crazy reliable, and dripping quality flavor without the hassle of dripping. The Reo has an edge over everything else I have seen and used because the vape is perfect, it's very easy to set up and use, it's extremely durable, and the customer service & community of Reo users is incredible.

Also, so much stuff that you don't have to buy anymore. Cartos, tanks, blah blah blah. After the initial investment, you can spend $20 on enough kanthal and wick material to last you for the next 5 years, and then it's just juice and eventually batteries. That's it.

Check out Reoville here on the ECF. On my phone so it's tough to link, but easy to find.

 

[Jumpin' In...]

The problem I see with a bottom feeder with a large tank (like a Reo) is that that solution only works well if you already have ADVs lined up. It is a less than optimal solution if you're still trying to find your ADVs and are hence sampling a lot of different juices. With cartos or with smaller clearos you can easily switch back and forth between several juices while you are trying to decide which of them suits you. An AiV sampler, for example has 3ml bottles. It might be a bit of an exaggeration to say that if you poured all of it into a bottom feeders tank you'd lose 1/3 of the sample when you switched favors, but not by all that much. (I don't own one...yet...but it seems that way to me.). The same sample would fill a small clearo twice and you'd be able to vape virtually all of it.

IMO, the Reo is a great step for established vapers and I sure would like one, but it is not he optimal setup for most neophytes (like me).

 

[NicoHolic]

Jumpin' In...

Using a disposable dripping atty (for tasting lots of different juices) or a cartomizer (for longer taste tests of individual juices) is easy on a REO. If you're concerned about contaminating the juice in the bottle, just use a sealed 510 to 510 adapter. It's no big deal.

eta: I suppose I should add: you can also use 510 clearos and carto tanks (and even RTAs) with that adapter, you can use a 510 to eGo thread adapter to use those clearos and a 510 to KR808D-1 adapter to use prefilled cigalike cartos. I have all the above in my Vapeageddon stash.

 

[Jumpin' In...]

Uh, nice catch. Yes, Japan is 100 V vs. 120 V in the US ... has anyone had problems with this?
It usually doesn't matter with US bought electronics, and if push came to shove, I actually had European 220 V wall sockets installed in my house as well, so wouldn't be a dealbreaker.

I guess if you went with a system that charged off of a USB port you should be able to find a USB wall wart locally that was designed to run off the Japanese grid specs? The advantage would be that you could carry the wall wart & charger with you from school to school.

 

[NicoHolic]

The Nitecore Intellichargers are rated for 100-240VAC 50/60 cycle power. They also run off 12VDC so you can charge from your vehicle, boat, or RV in the event of a power outage.

 

[Jumpin' In...]

Jumpin' In...

Using a disposable dripping atty (for tasting lots of different juices) or a cartomizer (for longer taste tests of individual juices) is easy on a REO. If you're concerned about contaminating the juice in the bottle, just use a sealed 510 to 510 adapter. It's no big deal.

Yeah I guess cartos would work with the adapter. I've had a less than stellar experience with dripping so far, so at this point to me it's not worth the hassle, especially if you're on the move. Does the Reo have an available lanyard system? If I were OP, I'd want to vape on the motorbike and not worry about dropping the Reo if I suddenly needed two hands.

Also, I would personally feel more comfortable if I had a backup unit of some sort with me - especially if I'm far from home. But then, I've never had a Reo, so...<shrug>

 

[tj99959]

Yeah I guess cartos would work with the adapter. I've had a less than stellar experience with dripping so far, so at this point to me it's not worth the hassle, especially if you're on the move. Does the Reo have an available lanyard system? If I were OP, I'd want to vape on the motorbike and not worry about dropping the Reo if I suddenly needed two hands.

Also, I would personally feel more comfortable if I had a backup unit of some sort with me - especially if I'm far from home. But then, I've never had a Reo, so...<shrug>

You mean to say that your bike doesn't have cup holders

 

[NicoHolic]

Vaping is highly individual and I can appreciate some are not going to have a good first go at dripping. Most are blown away by it, even at the eGo level, as was I, thanks to others sharing their knowledge like this:

Drip, Drip, Drip - The Sound of Dripping

Karen (nerak), one of the Reonauts, graciously makes REO cases free for others. I'm sure you or she could lace something through slits in one to get you a laynard.

 

[NicoHolic]

You mean to say that your bike doesn't have cup holders

Even my Sportsters had a long neck holder down next to the battery. By the time I got to baggers it became an insulated cup holder on the handlebars.

 

[Evi|grin]

Jorunkun

First let me say IM A NOOB to vaping. repeat IM A NOOB. (see my sig and join date)

With that in mind, im sure there are far better products on the market than my MVPs and i would encourage you to look for Made in USA products whenever possible. ATM i cannot afford them but ive been completely happy with my MVPs with one exception. The MVP V2 button is stiff compared to a MVP V1.

I did not want to use a charger or have batteries laying around. I wanted to keep it simple and have long battery life. The MVP met this criteria.

One size does not fit all. Everyone has different criteria, income, needs and desires. I bought mine to quit smoking and i have since found the hobby aspect to be very interesting. This website and its members have been a HUGE help finding what works for ME. I have no doubt they can help you find what works for YOU.

IMO every person that is helped by ECF and vaping to get off of analogs should feel blessed and thankful. I give thanks everyday for being off those nasty things that controlled my life for years.

 

[mav007]

Will have to recommend the Kanger mini pro tank 2. have had good luck with this on an ego and like you will be upgrading when the batteries go. Oh and you will end up re-coiling and re-wicking, much easier than I thought and a lot more control. Looking hard at the provari.