Mod Recommendations - < $100, comfort, battery life, ~100W, VV, VW, TC?

[Squidward]

I'm in the process of moving up from clearos to rebuildable attys (kayfun Lite+ V2 clone, Aromamizer Supreme), and am thinking of upgrading my 40W Coolfire 4 mod. I know very little about this hardware so it's hard to make an informed decision about what to buy, so I thought I'd ask if you guys had any recommendations based on the criteria below.

1) Comfort is a biggie for me. I handle these things a LOT, and a rectangular box mod just seems like an awful design for something that's supposed to be held in the hand. To use my current mod, I usually rest the thing on my pinky and perch it out on my fingertips to get my thumb on the button. I can palm it and get a little better grip, but I have a bit of arthritis in my hands and really, no grip seems comfortable. The Wismec Centurion looks like it might be pretty comfortable - what kind of reputation does Wismec gear have?

2) Battery life - I don't see myself vaping at especially high wattages. I'm very satisfied hitting my Kayfun Lite+ V2 clone at 4V/12W, so I think I'll get more benefit from a longer-lasting battery than from a high wattage battery. Maybe more watts translates to longer life at lower power levels...? I haven't a clue.

3) Product life - I'm a chain vaper and my mods get a lot of use, so they tend to wear out quickly (~6 months). I also wind up dropping the things fairly often, so that might also help to account for the short lifespan, but if there's a brand/model that's known for durability and service life in my <$100 price range, I sure wouldn't mind knowing about it. Failing durability/longevity, a decent warranty might be a good thing, if anyone warrants their stuff for longer than 30 days.

4) VW/VV/TC - I've been using VW/VV mods for awhile and appreciate being able to dial in a power level that gives me a satisfying vape. Seem like TC is coming into vogue lately and I have no clue if that's something I need. What does TC bring to the table? Any special considerations when using a TC mod?

Sorry for the long post, but I'd appreciate any comments/info/recommendations you guys can offer me.

 

[Katdarling]

Hi cmayo,

Have you ever considered a Provari? It sounds like it might just meet all of your stated needs.

www.provape.com

Also, this thread may be very helpful.

@gerrymi will give you a lot of information on the Wismec. (and other mods, too)

Little itty bitty mods under $100.

 

[7sixtwo]

Here's my quick and dirty, (but sound), advice.

Buy an Eleaf Pico for outside the house, and a Wismec RX200 for around the house. The RX200 is ~$40, and the Pico is ~$30, (or ~$40 for the kit, which comes with a tank and 2 EC coils). Both devices are ergonomic, pretty well built, have a ton of features, (while still being easy to use), and have upgradable firmware. They're cheap enough that if you break one, (particularly unlikely with the RX200), replacing it is no big deal. The chip used in both appears to be the same, (and it's a great one), so transitioning from one to the other is seamless.

 

[Katya]

Hi cmayo! Do you have a good B&M vape shop nearby? If so, pay then a visit and simply hold a few different box mods in your hand. They are not all alike and some are really very nicely designed. I have pretty much stopped using my big light sabers because I find them unwieldy. I do own a Cool Fire 4 and I agree with you that it's not a most comfortable box mod on the market. I prefer smaller mods with rounded edges like iStick 30, 40, Defender 36 or Kanger Kbox mini (with replaceable battery). They are also lighter and their user interface is much better than that of a Provari 2.5, which, albeit great, feels, frankly, like a rotary phone of e-cig mods.

Battery life does depend on your vaping style--since you're, like me, a low-wattage, single coil vaper, all those mods I mentioned above will last you at least a day or two, just like your CF4.

Longevity? Chinese made mods have gotten better, but they do fail, on occasion. You really need to have at least two, if not three. Backups to your backups,

Not an expert on TC--it's still work in progress, IMHO. If you're happy with your Kayfuns and kanthal wire, enjoy. If you're curious, get an iStick 40 or Kanger Kbox mini; they can be used with TC coils, but they are perfectly fine in vv/vw modes.

Good luck.

 

[DPLongo22]

They are also lighter and their user interface is much better than that of a Provari 2.5, which, albeit great, feels, frankly, like a rotary phone of e-cig mods.

...and may last a lifetime (just like some of those old rotary phones!).

Value is in the hand of the beholder.

 

[Squidward]

Have you ever considered a Provari? It sounds like it might just meet all of your stated needs.

Now that you mention it, I moved away from tube mods because I thought box mods seemed cooler and more capable, but now that you mention it, there is something to be said for a mod that's shaped like a handgrip, and the Provari looks a lot more substantial than the E-Go tubes I started with. Food for thought, thanks.

Buy an Eleaf Pico for outside the house, and a Wismec RX200 for around the house.

I didn't have great luck with the two Eleaf iStick 40's I bought a year ago. I alternated them daily and within a year, one had cratered and the other is flaky. I did find the iStick much more comfortable than the mod I'm currently using and the Pico definitely looks like a step up from the 40W iSticks I had. I also like the idea of something smaller and more compact when I'm away from the house. I was already considering the RX200 - plenty of power and the fatter body style and rounded edges make it look like it'd be pretty comfortable to hold. The Eleaf and the Wismec both use the same battery, so that's also a plus.

Do you have a good B&M vape shop nearby? If so, pay then a visit and simply hold a few different box mods in your hand.

I live out in the country and the nearby small-town vape shops don't have a much inventory, but that's a really good idea. I'll check out the local shops and look for something better stocked next time I'm in the city.

 

[KenD]

I was already considering the RX200 - plenty of power and the fatter body style and rounded edges make it look like it'd be pretty comfortable to hold. The Eleaf and the Wismec both use the same battery, so that's also a plus.

The rx200 is indeed a very comfortable mod. Note that in mods with more than one battery you need to marry the batteries. For example, in a three-battery mods all three batteries are of the same age and are never used separately, never one without the other two.

Sent from my M7_PLUS using Tapatalk

 

[DPLongo22]

The rx200 is indeed a very comfortable mod. Note that in mods with more than one battery you need to marry the batteries. For example, in a three-battery mods all three batteries are of the same age and are never used separately, never one without the other two.

Sent from my M7_PLUS using Tapatalk

Indeed. A P-Touch (or similar) label maker really comes in handy for numerically marrying sets of batteries. And as Ken said, it's absolutely essential.

 

[Foggy Road]

Not 100 watt and does require a single external battery but this mod looks WAY comfortable to me. I know nothing about it tho. You'd have to do your own research. Any decent vape shop should have one you can get in your hand.

Vaporesso Target 2 75W TC - Vaporesso, Yihi - Mods

 

[Squidward]

The rx200 is indeed a very comfortable mod. Note that in mods with more than one battery you need to marry the batteries. For example, in a three-battery mods all three batteries are of the same age and are never used separately, never one without the other two.

Indeed. A P-Touch (or similar) label maker really comes in handy for numerically marrying sets of batteries. And as Ken said, it's absolutely essential.

Thanks, guys, for the info on batteries. I don't usually mix batteries in any device, but I have on occasion when I didn't have a complete fresh set at hand. I'll be sure and never do that with my mods! DPLongo22, great tip on the labelmaker. I have one around here somewhere and will absolutely use it to match up my battery sets.

KenD, I found an RX200 in a shop over the weekend, and it is very comfortable. With the three batteries, it's fat enough that even rotated around where my thumb is on the button, it's still a very firm, secure grip. At the moment, the RX200 is my first choice.

 

[Squidward]

Not 100 watt and does require a single external battery but this mod looks WAY comfortable to me. I know nothing about it tho. You'd have to do your own research. Any decent vape shop should have one you can get in your hand.

Vaporesso Target 2 75W TC - Vaporesso, Yihi - Mods

Hey Foggy, good to hear from you! I had to laugh when I saw the Vaporesso, because it's freakin' perfect! A pistol grip with an actual trigger button - how much more ergonomic can you get? I think 75W will be plenty, and I think at $41, it's definitely worth taking a chance on. It takes a single 18650 battery and says it can be charged via USB... does that sound right?

 

[Foggy Road]

Hey Foggy, good to hear from you! I had to laugh when I saw the Vaporesso, because it's freakin' perfect! A pistol grip with an actual trigger button - how much more ergonomic can you get? I think 75W will be plenty, and I think at $41, it's definitely worth taking a chance on. It takes a single 18650 battery and says it can be charged via USB... does that sound right?

Yeah sounds right to me. I can't help with battery recommendations tho. I use 18350s

 

[Katdarling]

Indeed. A P-Touch (or similar) label maker really comes in handy for numerically marrying sets of batteries. And as Ken said, it's absolutely essential.

View attachment 547550

That's one gorgeous device ya got there, Mr. L.

Hey Foggy, good to hear from you! I had to laugh when I saw the Vaporesso, because it's freakin' perfect! A pistol grip with an actual trigger button - how much more ergonomic can you get? I think 75W will be plenty, and I think at $41, it's definitely worth taking a chance on. It takes a single 18650 battery and says it can be charged via USB... does that sound right?

Sounds right, and good, and you won't even have to P Touch.

(which IS a brilliant way to keep married batts organized, and really, the only way to go)

 

[Squidward]

@7sixtwo - Thought I'd post a quick update. I've been vaping the Wismec RX200 for about a week now and I love it. It's extremely comfortable but by the time you add the weight of three batteries to it, it's a brick, isn't it? I can see now why you recommended the Eleaf Pico for an out-and-about mod. I haven't ordered the Pico yet, but will probably get one soon (been spending too much $$ on vape gear lately!).

Thanks again!

 

[sawlight]

If you are looking at small, it's really hard to beat the Provari mini, and with the clearance going on, at $30, it's tough to beat! Specials of the week
The weight is why I steer clear of the RX200, that and I just don't need that much power!
I need to check out the Pico sometime, seems to get good reviews.
Good luck with your search.

 

[Foggy Road]

I haven't ordered the Pico yet, but will probably get one soon (been spending too much $$ on vape gear lately!).

Thanks again!

Uh yyyup!

 

[Foggy Road]

Hey @cmayo ya gotta put yer wallet away and start entering the contests. I just won my 5th new mod since joining the forum 10 months ago! And as you know I don't even like this new stuff!!!

 

[Squidward]

@Foggy Road

Huh? Contests? Free stuff? I'm on it!!!

And yeah, my wallet needs a serious rest. My first post was... what? Three weeks ago? At the time, I was dead set against becoming a vaping hobbiest, and you should see all the cr*p I've bought since then. three RTDA's, a new mod, six batteries, Nitecore charger, coil wire and cotton, just received a big box of DIY equipment and supplies from Wizard Labs today, mixed my first batch of DIY juice and ordered some more flavorings... I wonder if this stuff is deductible...?

 

[Foggy Road]

@Foggy Road

Huh? Contests? Free stuff? I'm on it!!!

And yeah, my wallet needs a serious rest. My first post was... what? Three weeks ago? At the time, I was dead-set against becoming a vaping hobbiest, and you should see all the cr*p I've bought since then. three RTDA's, a new mod, six batteries, Nitecore charger, coil wire and cotton, just received a big box of DIY equipment and supplies from Wizard Labs today, mixed my first batch of DIY juice and ordered some more flavorings... I wonder if this stuff is deductible...?

Of course it is.... Health care expenses!

 

[Foggy Road]

And ya know what's even more exciting than learning that I won yet another mod today???????? My very first T3S ordered from Fasttech on FEB 4TH showed up today