Im posting this in all the lavatube threads,so if youve read it,move on to the next post:
This is MY opinion..... I just received my lavatube today....first I thought as i took it out of the packaging,wow this is pretty nice. Then as I was inserting the battery,the plastic battery cap came RIGHT OFF the aluminum bottom piece that holds the spring. My second thought...you get what you pay for,you can tell its a mass produced chinese mod...but with some superglue,i reattached the plastic bottom to the aluminum spring housing. Ok then I tried to see if an AW 18650 battery would fit...neither the button topped one would fit,neither would the flat top AW 2900Mah...it would fit either battery...so I just slipped a black oring over the bottom cap to act as a spacer,and both AW 18650 batts then fit...and you cant even see the oring cuz everythings black.(I opted to use the 2900mah flat top for longer life) Theni I threw on a jtank with a boge SR 3ohm carto...and started vaping away....except for the loose jiggly voltage control buttons,it seems like a pretty solid build. I have to say that I REALLY like it,and its WAY lighter than the Provari...but its pretty long,with either an atty,carto,or tank,becuz it houses an 18650 battery. If they were gonna copy the provari...they should of done the same bottom cap design...that if you want to use a bigger battery,you buy an extension battery cap(it woulda been more revenue for the company too by having an accessory to sell). I prefer using my chrome provari in it 18500 mode cuz it shortens the overall length once youve put on a tank or whatever yer gonna use.
Ok now the provari...its DEFINITELY a better made PV...once you hold it in yer hand,youll feel the difference RIGHT AWAY. Its made from SS instead of thinner Aluminum,so its gonna last ALOT longer most likely....BUT,because it SS it alot heavier,so it may not be the most pocket friendly PV....but the Lavatube tho being much lighter,its longer,so it may not be the BEST either...so both have their drawbacks to being a all day pocket carrying device...but thats personal preferance. So all in all,the Lavatube IS worth the money...you cant beat $63 shipped for a VV tube mod,and under $90 shipped for the whole it(battery,atty,charger,case) BUT,if you only want to buy ONE,the old saying rings true...."buy the best that you afford right from the start" cuz when you buy cheap,itll just end up making you want more...and even tho the provari makes you cycle thru the menu(which becomes second nature within yer first few uses),it offers more functions that the Lavatube doesnt...and the Provaris fit and finish is WAY better(like they say,and I said b4,you get what you pay for).
So,if you can afford it,I say stick with the tried and true provari(the lavatube is still too new to know its durability...if its like every other china cheapy,im sure itll break eventually,like a wires solder point breaking,or something similar). Ya cant go wrong with the provari cuz you have any problems with it,you have somewhere to call,you can just send it in for repairs,I serioiusy doubt the lavatube would be worth fixing if it broke...its kinda along the mentality of,what do you do with yer 510/901/801/ego batts when they stop working? Ya toss em....thats pretty much how i feel about the lavatube(and im sure the manufacturers think that too,thats why itso pricing is right along the line of an ego kit,maybe a LIL more,but PRETTY much in the same price range) I saw what the lavatubes sell for in bulk,about $35,so im sure you can get the idea of what the internals look like,and how sturdy theyre put together.
I WILL be keeping my lavatube,even tho I own a provari....cuz if I left the house,and I wanted a VV tube mod,id grab the lavatube without thinking twice about it cuz it was so.cheap,i could care less if I drop it or if it gets a lil beat up(or worse,I lost it or somebody stole it)..i would be ...... if anything happend to my provari.
So there it is...now the choice is up to you which one to buy.GLWP,youll be happy wither EITHER device...really.
P.S. people who are using DC or LR atties or cartos need to watch Grimm Greens LavaTube FOLLOW UP video
He shows that when using DC or LR atties or cartos,the LT kicks the safety feature on,and you really dont have any control of the voltage settings,it automatically drops the voltage down to UNDER 3.7v so it doesnt ruin the atty or carto.
Definitely watch the vid if you you plan on using DC or LR atties or cartos on the LT.
P.S.S. ive been using my LT for a couple weeks now,and i still think its a great VV mod for the money.
I still dont know about its durability,but so far besidea those darn rattley voltage control buttons,its a pretty solid feeling PV...definitely worth the $62 shipped I paid for it....but it still cant touch the construction quality of the Provari(but I dont think they planned that from the get go,they just designed a cheaper alternative to the provari so the masses can afford to try/buy a VV device)
Dave
