Mechanical clone durability vs price?

[pauly walnuts]

Im in the market for a mechanical mod, again.

Just recently, I was soooo excited to receive my m16 sentinel clone. I bought a couple vtc4 batteries and was ready to go. When I got it, it looked beautiful, functioned well, and seemed pretty durable. Boy was I wrong. After less than a week the soft aluminum threads stripped out of the 510 connection and I sent it back.
Bummed out.

It was a fasttech clone on ebay for 20.00. I had delusions of grandeur.

I know of two companies whos clones seem to be great quality, hcigar and infinite. But are there others?

Im am looking at the hcigar m16 clone now, and its only twenty dollars. Is this a good route? I can only spend 20-30 dollars and im trying to get some bang for my buck. Ill be keeping my mod in my pocket almost 12hrs a day, bartending and waiting tables, so its gonna bounce around alot. This mod is made of stainless steel and seems pretty damn good for the money.

Ive been using my el cheapo(but awesome) helios clone on a vamov3 and while being decent, its just not the same.

 

[nyiddle]

Ehhh.. For your budget, I think it's hard for anyone to say that you're going to find a "durable clone." For 30 dollars more you can get a Smok Magneto, which is guaranteed durable, and it has fantastic functionality. It was my first mech mod, and I still use it occasionally. It's my "beater", and it's all scratched up/has been dropped/one time rolled down a flight of stairs.

Really everyone I know who uses one can't complain, and it's kind of "idiot-proof" in that all the adjustments that can be made are very very easy to make.

 

[Cullin Kin]

As long as it's not aluminum, you should be okay. I've had issues with several aluminum mechanicals, including an aluminum Manhattan. HCigar usually makes good products as well.

 

[Bodo Roland]

I have 3 Nemesis clones, the one that I use the most is the Hcigar clone. It is really durable, I even droped it sereval times and nothing, few small scratches but that's all.

 

[smacksy]

Speaking from my experience I have learn to stay away from clones... They are cheap but
they have issues when they break.. For instance I had the big nasty clone top cap pin break and being only 3 months old I contacted the vendor but he said sorry pal, I can't help you. I was out 50 bucks. I also had the nemesis clone that the locking ring stripped and got the same deal when I contact the vendor. Out another 60 bucks.
Now I buy mods made right here in the USA that have a warranty, great customer service, parts and help with a simple click on the web. So my advice would be to buy a good quality mod that will last a long time with a company that stands behind it. That said good companies I like are Provape, Tatroe and Bay City Vapor. James at BCV builds top quality mechanical mods and stands behind them with superb customer service along with all the parts you'd ever need.. Can't get that for a clone made in China...good luck!

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[eratikmind]

Save your money and buy once, cry once.

 

[smacksy]

Well said! I agree 100%!

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[Str8vision]

It doesn't matter how much you pay, or if it's authentic or a clone, if the 510 threads are aluminum, copper, or brass (soft malleable metals), they will strip out LONG before an all stainless steel mod would. My "work" mod is a $16 solid stainless steel Astro from FT, rock solid, excellent machining, compact and durable.

 

[Michael7]

I have the hcigar ss / brass sentinal m16 from 101vape and its pretty awesome. Machine work is good. 510 is straight and strong. If you have to you can adjust the 510 buy pushing on it really hard. The only thing I don't like about it being telescopic is that a lot of moving around has a tendancy tp loosen it slightly

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[smacksy]

My point was that a genuine mod has parts available here in the US, should something happen, along with a warranty. That said my work mod is this BFM from BCV. I'm a long haul truck driver and this mod has been on the road with me coast to coast, and it hits just as hard as the the day I got it...and IF the threads stripped in the the hybrid top cap I can always get another one it's because its made right here in the US of A...

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[smacksy]

My point was a genuine mod has parts available here in the US should something happen, along with a warranty. That said my work mod is this BFM from BCV. I'm a long haul truck driver and this mod has been on the road with me coast to coast, and its hits just as hard as the the day I got it...and IF the threads stripped in the the hybrid top cap I can always get another one it's made right here in the US of A...

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[smacksy]

Sorry.. Somehow my message got posted twice ... My apologies!!

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[pmcode]

For your best "bang for the buck", I would go with the Precise WorkHorse, from Super T Manufacturing. Believe they still offer it for $69.99. Made in USA, warrantied, all that jazz. Haven't pulled the trigger on one YET, as I have been on a 26650-phase, and already own 4 18650 mods.

 

[smacksy]

That sounds good to me bro.. I made the move myself to the 26650
And haven't looked back.. This battery lasts me all day long on 1 charge almost vaping nonstop.. Great when I'm driving my truck long distances..[emoji4]

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[Circa Survivor]

HCigar makes pretty good clones. Of course the anti-clone people are going say "Well that wouldn't happen if you bought an authentic!" if something breaks on a clone. It's just the elitism seeping out. Buy what you can afford but still do some research on the quality clones. And yes, the words Quality and Clone can go together.

 

[Flt Simulation]

As always ... there are good and bad clones.

I just bought this King mech mod clone for $16.25 ($23 after shipping). It's all stainless, so the threading wont strip out. It's built like a tank and has good machining. Heavy knurling, so it's easy to remove the end caps. Won't fall over or accidently fire when standing upright since the fire button is flush with the bottom end cap.

On the other hand, the Kayfun Lite Plus mounted on it is authentic SvoëMesto ... The Kayfun Lite clone I had before was such a POS that it went in the trash, so I ordered an original made in Germany.

The King mod clone is out of stock now, but they should have more soon ... The supplier is a Chinese company, but has a warehouse in California, so only a few days between ordering it, and the mod finding it's way into my mailbox. KING II Style Mechanical Mod Stainless Steel

 

[bluecat]

If you are buying from Fasttech make sure read the reviews. Half of the people over their are idiots. The discussions and reviews can be hiliarious. Aluminum threads strip very easily.. doesn't matter if it has a 20 dollar price tag or 1000 dollar.

The reviews on the m16 that 101vape is selling look good. Can't tell if it aluminum threaded or not. But no one is pitching a fit about them. a lot griped/warned about the aluminum threads on the FT one.

 

[Jvalles95]

If ur buying from ebay checkout a seller called "codevape" ive bought from them before, quality is good for the price.

 

[Ed_C]

Like others have said, if you want durability, buy SS. Aluminum, copper and brass are softer and more likely to have issues.

 

[Stinkytofus]

mine fell 6 inches unto concrete and gravel and i got dents

using a cloned nemesis, i think its also a matter of what it lands on lol