New Member- VV Mod Advice/Opinions

[cryfreedom66]

Hey Everyone,

I know this should be in a different section, but as a brand new user they have got me locked up in here haha

Getting ready to invest in my first VV mod. I have been going crazy flip flopping on my choices and would like some opinions from some seasoned mod users/vapers

I know there are already a lot of forums/ reviews on this subject and believe me I have read them all, I thought it would be nice to get some opinions based on my specific situation...

I was originally sold on a Provari, then I started looking into the Buzz Pro II, I was then pretty sold on that, then all of the sudden I start reading about the Saber Touch from vapermoon. Then I started checking out the Reo box mods (bottom feeders, not sure how i feel about those, need more info i guess)

Ughhh so many choices.

Provari for overall build quality and looks
Buzz Pro II for ease of use as well as being able to customize it with an 808 thread(i want all my devices to be 808
Saber Touch for alittle of both, and admittedly I am a fan of the gimmicky button (although im still not sure how you adjust the voltage on this one?)
Reos are just beautiful and classy but they are all sold out and probably would be my last choice unless I was convinced otherwise, although I am intrigued about the bottom feeding system.

So all in all just looking for the mod with the best battery life, ease of use, durability and a sleek stylish look

Opinions?


PS: $$$ is not really an issue here so keep that out of opinions please : )

Thanks a lot!

 

[cerver7]

I own a provari sooooo

 

[Motoman101]

Hi. Welcom to ECF. Love my VV provari. Great piece of equipment worth every penny. Works like a champ.

 

[cryfreedom66]

Thanks for the input. Im leaning towards a provari mini, buying a couple extra 18350s and also a 18490 with extended cap so that if I want to take it to work I can use it in "mini mode" and throw the extender on for at home use. I could also just get the 501 to 901 adapter so I can use my 808 stuff with it but also 501 stuff (since 808 clearos and fluxos sell out so quickly!).

Seems like I have a plan haha

So, to provari users, what is your recommendation for a tank/clearo/fluxo/carto?

 

[mostapha]

I don't own them, but I'd buy a Buzz Pro long before a provari. I don't think measuring resistance is worth the provari's hokey interface, and the BP's wheel adjustment is just about perfect for the way I think.

If it matters to you, the buzz pro won't ever be as small as the provari mini. That's a selling point for the provari……I just don't think it's worth dealing with that button.

 

[tj99959]

There are lots of vv's to choose from. In the end the vape tastes the same from all of them ... provided you know how to use them. So it's more a matter of what floats your boat than anything else.

My #1 criteria when I started looking for a vv apv was 'no stacked batteries please'.

 

[rolbyroland]

Provari is best mod on the market (for now)!

 

[markfm]

I use Buzz Pro, rock solid, excellent run time, VERY durable (Recent posts have been on notcigs PVs surviving fires and going through large lawnmowers, still working fine. Historically they've dropped down long shafts, and been dropped from motorcycles doing 60 mph.)

The regular BP, not the BP II (which just adds extra slotting), is running $99 right now, a really good price. Add two pairs of batteries and a charger, you're in at $130, before using the "ECF Buzzkill" (two words) discount code. I've had it since it first came out, get 6.5 ml of vaping at about 8W (2.5 ohms, 4.5V) between battery changes. The newer trustfire black flamejacket batteries give a bit less run time, but still really good.

In the Reo line, if you are willing to wait a couple weeks (Rob, the owner, is recovering from a surgery), the VV grand combines notcigs VV electronics with the Reo well-regarded all-metal bottom feeder.

Notcigs also has their own feeder, the VVPV, which is a top feeder. Feeder/atty really does provide the ultimate vaping experience, IMO, cleanest taste, and the VVPV top feed is tops for taste (again, just my opinion), though the VV grand has higher total liquid capacity and a bit "cleaner" form factor (the VVPV has a feed tube that is external to the main unit, you typically spiral it around the atomizer and into the VVPV drip tip adapter).

I like my feeders a lot, though if it has to be one PV, including knock-about use, my Buzz Pro is the go-to. I carry it in a penlight holder on a belt loop, it gets pounded on and just keeps working.

Good luck -- you're looking at some quality PVs!

 

[Sysop]

I own a ProVari mini V2 (sat black/silver) and like it a lot, plus it's really easy on the eyes but my fav over the last month is the Vmax.

My Vmax just seems to vap flawlessly, has great battery life and build & power like a modern tank! Looks great & feels smooth but substantial; heavy vap'n with it every day/all day for more than a month with zero issues. Simply enjoy everything about it, accept maybe the heavy weight at times.

I know that money isn't a factor for you but if it was, as it is for many; I would easily recommend the Vmax over the ProVari.

I don't own or have experience with the others that you listed, although IMO the Saber Touch instantly reminds me of a piece of garden hose end.

 

[Fiamma]

I'm never ever going to buy something I have to stack batteries in, period.

I'm solidly in the Provari camp from your list, though I have some kicked Silver Bullets and a couple of Helixes sitting here for variety, among other things.

 

[cerver7]

I'm never ever going to buy something I have to stack batteries in, period.

I'm solidly in the Provari camp from your list, though I have some kicked Silver Bullets and a couple of Helixes sitting here for variety, among other things.

Amen. 10 char.

 

[cryfreedom66]

Thanks everyone for the great advice. I think overall, although I do think the buzz pro is a solid mod, the provari is just better overall quality. I also dont like the idea of stacking batteries either.

I own a ProVari mini V2 (sat black/silver) and like it a lot, plus it's really easy on the eyes but my fav over the last month is the Vmax.

My Vmax just seems to vap flawlessly, has great battery life and build & power like a modern tank! Looks great & feels smooth but substantial; heavy vap'n with it every day/all day for more than a month with zero issues. Simply enjoy everything about it, accept maybe the heavy weight at times.

I know that money isn't a factor for you but if it was, as it is for many; I would easily recommend the Vmax over the ProVari.

I don't own or have experience with the others that you listed, although IMO the Saber Touch instantly reminds me of a piece of garden hose end.

Do you feel like the Provari mini does not "vape flawlessly"? I am curious as to why the Vmax is your go to mod vs the mini. Has the mini not provided any of the things you list for the Vmax?

Thanks!

 

[markfm]

A high energy battery is a high energy battery. The big 18650 imr will spoil your day if they go bad, too, packing 10 watt-hours of oomph.

Check the provari section for a user having to pitch a runaway imr into a field, and there is a classic thread started by oldsoldier on a runaway imr, pretty sure that one has pictures.

Don't rely on YouTube videos to convince yourself that imr is magic because a battery in the open doesn't literally explode. A moderately fast thermal reaction in an enclosed tube will hurt you when the pressure cylinder of the tube gives. Mechanical protections to allow release of gas away from your face, designs that keep the top cap/connector from being a bullet, are important for all high energy pv.

I use the stacked battery buzz pro because I understand and appreciate the good safety design. I likewise use "stacked" box mod vv because I understand their failure modes. I have one single battery pv where I trade performance by selecting protected icr rather than imr specifically because the imr has zero protection against a short, and that pv itself has zero protections.

(From everything I have heard, the provari is a well engineered, rugged, device, good safety features by all means. You would not be disappointed by it. I just try to educate a bit.)

 

[cryfreedom66]

A high energy battery is a high energy battery. The big 18650 imr will spoil your day if they go bad, too, packing 10 watt-hours of oomph.

Check the provari section for a user having to pitch a runaway imr into a field, and there is a classic thread started by oldsoldier on a runaway imr, pretty sure that one has pictures.

Don't rely on YouTube videos to convince yourself that imr is magic because a battery in the open doesn't literally explode. A moderately fast thermal reaction in an enclosed tube will hurt you when the pressure cylinder of the tube gives. Mechanical protections to allow release of gas away from your face, designs that keep the top cap/connector from being a bullet, are important for all high energy pv.

I use the stacked battery buzz pro because I understand and appreciate the good safety design. I likewise use "stacked" box mod vv because I understand their failure modes. I have one single battery pv where I trade performance by selecting protected icr rather than imr specifically because the imr has zero protection against a short, and that pv itself has zero protections.

(From everything I have heard, the provari is a well engineered, rugged, device, good safety features by all means. You would not be disappointed by it. I just try to educate a bit.)

I appreciate it, and I will admit my knowledge of the safety of these devices and the battery within doesnt go much farther than reading the websites and these forums.

SO in your well informed opinion do you feel the provaris is better, comparable or worst than the buzz pro as far as user safety is concerned. Or is it more a matter of, if the battery fails it doesnt really matter what its in.

 

[markfm]

I know the buzz pro provides oversized tube (vent path even with swelling), 3 symmetric vent holes near the base of the tube (good initial gas exit path), and a delrin threaded bottom cap (essentially a big blow plug, will release well before the solid metal top cap), with bp ii adding the monster vent slots on the sides; I find the huge slots a shrug, with some negative attributes imo, but they were added when ecf asked for such things earlier in the year (bp ii is the only product that I heard of meeting the ecf safety spec, which has since been tabled as it sounds like vendors are working to come up with their own minimum design requirements). Both products also have a full slate of standard electronic protections.

I haven't seen the provari mechanical safety features documented, but respect other techies who indicate they believe it to be a well engineered product.

I'd take either a buzz pro or a provari over any of the various overseas low cost vv tubes. Obvious mechanical issues have been reported with some of them, consistent with weak design and corner cutting to keep costs down. I do own a twist, but won't charge it unattended, and if it ever gets hot at all it will quickly go in the trash.

Any metal tube, ask what the failure protections are, it is your face that is at risk if a battery goes thermal. Check your batteries coming off the charger, discard if they read too high or if they have obvious physical defects (significant dents or cuts in the case).

 

[Jay Bee]

I would say Pro Vari! Or a Vmax. I have both and they are both great VV mods in my personal opinion.

 

[mostapha]

I don't get the fuss about stacking batteries unless you're specifically going to be careless. I've got one stacked-battery IMR (i think) device on my lap (with an Apple logo on it) and another in my pocket (also with an Apple logo)………plus a few stacked NiMH devices (tv remotes)……and some stacked ICR devices (flashlights).

Apart from that week a couple years ago where a macbook pro caught fire……no one cares. Get a hot spring; get a fuse; use your adapters the right way; and I just don't see how it's a more serious concern for vapers than every single laptop user out there. And a lot of them think that cycling batteries all the time is good for them and as a result have basically ignored the last 10 years of battery innovations.

(disclaimer: if you blow up your face, it's not my fault because you probably did something really stupid)

 

[jelopascua]

Based on my experience the ProVari is a good choice. Once i got a provari i never even touched my other mods.

 

[Sysop]

I also dont like the idea of stacking batteries either.

Do you feel like the Provari mini does not "vape flawlessly"? I am curious as to why the Vmax is your go to mod vs the mini. Has the mini not provided any of the things you list for the Vmax?

Thanks!

No friend, my Provari is great, don't get me wrong, just enjoy switching around my equipment & experiment with each for a given amount of time. It just seems that the Vmax gives me slightly better performance at times.

Would I take the Vmax over the Provari, not at all. I much prefer the Provari's size, weight, look & feel over the Vmax but I do feel that it (vmax) is one of the better VV's if you are on a tight budget and sorry if I'm not afraid just because it uses stacked batteries... I have yet to research proof of someone blowing their teeth through the back of their heads using a Vmax or any other mod for that matter.

 

[markfm]

Jan in Colorado, Feb in Florida, were 2 widely reported incidents of things going badly. They were, from what I read at the time, both cases of stacked hv, not purpose-built, engineered, vv, however they both resulted in injury it appears.

I don't pretend things cannot go wrong, just say that it is important to understand the risks, and how to reduce them by using well designed products.

Here's the link to the oldsoldier thread on an IMR venting: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...ures-serious-battery-failure-imr-18650-a.html As OS said, "A failure is a failure. The battery vented with flame (aka exploded). Whether it was user error, a shorted mod or the moons aligned just wrong the battery did fail and vent with flame."

OP, apologies for the diversion.