I just viewed PBusardo's review of the Provari P3 and posted my opinion on the YouTube comment thread. While the device is a bombproof build, what we expect from a Provari, all in all, I give it a thumbs down, primarily because of the way you interact with the device, dealer firmware updates, and 20W limit.
Here is what I wrote:
$249USD is on par with a lot of other high end US made systems, so price wise its unsurprising, nor based on the build quality, unreasonable.
Its sad that such an accurate and bombproof physical design is trapped behind that horrible menu system. As has been pointed out, once you find your sweet spots for various tanks and juices you can use the memory system to lock it in - so its a thumbs down that is somewhat addressable. Hopefully they will tune that system in future updates, but the one button and the size of the screen limits future options.
The problem for Provari is breaking out of its fan base. When the previous devices were released they were in the relative range of power outputs and less than ideal UI methods, so the devices did stand out in comparison. Provari no longer enjoys a market that rewards "ho-hum" interfaces, but the market is larger now, so they may get an uptick on a larger population of vapers. Vapers are also enjoying direct USB connectivity with the ability to update their own firmware on many devices as well - this is rapidly becoming a norm. Restricting firmware updates to dealers was a really bad move as many vapers buy via online and mail and don't have access to a B&M and therefore someone with a programmer! Its the same problem I had with the original Vapershark's battery - sending a device out for what should be a user modifiable maintenance item deprives the user of the use of that device. We're talking about people addicted to nicotine here, giving up your device even for a week? Unthinkable. Most find that concept unacceptable. What brainiac came up with that concept I'm not sure but I would have flagged it in the original design meeting as a no-go idea.
A big thing in their favor is their reputation for reliability and engineering to almost milspec quality on the builds. While $249 may be steep, its a device that most likely will last years, so you gain that back over time, but its still an upfront spend. I think while the safety aspect of Provari's credo does them credit, its also beginning to sound like an excuse for lagging behind in a long engineering and device development cycle. Potential customers don't care how long it takes you to develop your device or why. Ask the guy making carbon fiber gold plated buggy whips that have a display that counts arm swings - oh, can't find him? I wonder why. Even if those reasons have ethical or principled merit they don't motivate the buyer to forgive your delay to market with an outdated device. Also, are they saying that DNA30 and other devices are that are over 20w are somehow "unsafe" by comparison? Thats a "momma knows best" attitude that people may not consciously acknowledge but is mildly insulting to those who own other +20W devices in their collection. Insulting your customer's other purchasing decisions when stating your credo is a poor marketing move, especially as its becoming common to own 4+ devices, all bought for different reasons from esthetics to function.
If I had $249USD kicking around would I buy it? Probably, but only for the same reason I buy Rolex or Gucci. But a watch is a watch and a bag is a bag, so that only gets you so far. I won't be buying this device but look forward to picking up a P2.5 cheap by someone trying to finance a P3.
Great review Phil, as always I think you have a good balance in your reviews that lets the viewer make decisions based on their own analysis.
I'm not a wattage guy, but I do have many +20W devices and vape some builds and juices between 20-30W, so its not a criticism borne out of the wattage war - for me its simply practical - 20W is just a little too underpowered. I'm sure there are others with the same "porridge needs to be warm" opinion about wattage. YMMV.
But it got me to thinking about the derth of 1 button devices and the limitations of that approach to interacting with many complex settings you might access frequently, which is why I've concluded that 1 button interfaces must go the way of the buggy whip.
Now, I am not saying something like the 7-22 and 7-30s are bad - they came up with a great way to control the interface without secondary buttons using tilt. If you're okay with tilt, it opens the menuing system up to a 3 button experience with one physical button. That is outside of the box thinking that is unique and progressive.
But as we see more features being controlled via an onboard menu, complexity rises. Provari has fallen into the classic trap of ceding to an existing fan base while trying to innovate and when trying to please everyone, the menu design ended up pleasing neither camp entirely.
With one-button design, item selection is going to fall into 2 possible solutions - a clickfest, or, trying to time a hit on a moving menu. Both options are poorly designed to maintain a one-button build. Often vaping is a companion activity, not a dedicated one. This fact is easily dismissed by designers because of their focused attention on the device and not the consumer experience. Device control needs to share attention with another task, often operating a computer, talking on the phone, gaming, etc (pick your hobby). Having the device monopolize your attention in an extended fashion for a feature change is the end result and it becomes an annoying grind as you suspend the task your on to do the other.
Opinions?
Here is what I wrote:
$249USD is on par with a lot of other high end US made systems, so price wise its unsurprising, nor based on the build quality, unreasonable.
Its sad that such an accurate and bombproof physical design is trapped behind that horrible menu system. As has been pointed out, once you find your sweet spots for various tanks and juices you can use the memory system to lock it in - so its a thumbs down that is somewhat addressable. Hopefully they will tune that system in future updates, but the one button and the size of the screen limits future options.
The problem for Provari is breaking out of its fan base. When the previous devices were released they were in the relative range of power outputs and less than ideal UI methods, so the devices did stand out in comparison. Provari no longer enjoys a market that rewards "ho-hum" interfaces, but the market is larger now, so they may get an uptick on a larger population of vapers. Vapers are also enjoying direct USB connectivity with the ability to update their own firmware on many devices as well - this is rapidly becoming a norm. Restricting firmware updates to dealers was a really bad move as many vapers buy via online and mail and don't have access to a B&M and therefore someone with a programmer! Its the same problem I had with the original Vapershark's battery - sending a device out for what should be a user modifiable maintenance item deprives the user of the use of that device. We're talking about people addicted to nicotine here, giving up your device even for a week? Unthinkable. Most find that concept unacceptable. What brainiac came up with that concept I'm not sure but I would have flagged it in the original design meeting as a no-go idea.
A big thing in their favor is their reputation for reliability and engineering to almost milspec quality on the builds. While $249 may be steep, its a device that most likely will last years, so you gain that back over time, but its still an upfront spend. I think while the safety aspect of Provari's credo does them credit, its also beginning to sound like an excuse for lagging behind in a long engineering and device development cycle. Potential customers don't care how long it takes you to develop your device or why. Ask the guy making carbon fiber gold plated buggy whips that have a display that counts arm swings - oh, can't find him? I wonder why. Even if those reasons have ethical or principled merit they don't motivate the buyer to forgive your delay to market with an outdated device. Also, are they saying that DNA30 and other devices are that are over 20w are somehow "unsafe" by comparison? Thats a "momma knows best" attitude that people may not consciously acknowledge but is mildly insulting to those who own other +20W devices in their collection. Insulting your customer's other purchasing decisions when stating your credo is a poor marketing move, especially as its becoming common to own 4+ devices, all bought for different reasons from esthetics to function.
If I had $249USD kicking around would I buy it? Probably, but only for the same reason I buy Rolex or Gucci. But a watch is a watch and a bag is a bag, so that only gets you so far. I won't be buying this device but look forward to picking up a P2.5 cheap by someone trying to finance a P3.
Great review Phil, as always I think you have a good balance in your reviews that lets the viewer make decisions based on their own analysis.
I'm not a wattage guy, but I do have many +20W devices and vape some builds and juices between 20-30W, so its not a criticism borne out of the wattage war - for me its simply practical - 20W is just a little too underpowered. I'm sure there are others with the same "porridge needs to be warm" opinion about wattage. YMMV.
But it got me to thinking about the derth of 1 button devices and the limitations of that approach to interacting with many complex settings you might access frequently, which is why I've concluded that 1 button interfaces must go the way of the buggy whip.
Now, I am not saying something like the 7-22 and 7-30s are bad - they came up with a great way to control the interface without secondary buttons using tilt. If you're okay with tilt, it opens the menuing system up to a 3 button experience with one physical button. That is outside of the box thinking that is unique and progressive.
But as we see more features being controlled via an onboard menu, complexity rises. Provari has fallen into the classic trap of ceding to an existing fan base while trying to innovate and when trying to please everyone, the menu design ended up pleasing neither camp entirely.
With one-button design, item selection is going to fall into 2 possible solutions - a clickfest, or, trying to time a hit on a moving menu. Both options are poorly designed to maintain a one-button build. Often vaping is a companion activity, not a dedicated one. This fact is easily dismissed by designers because of their focused attention on the device and not the consumer experience. Device control needs to share attention with another task, often operating a computer, talking on the phone, gaming, etc (pick your hobby). Having the device monopolize your attention in an extended fashion for a feature change is the end result and it becomes an annoying grind as you suspend the task your on to do the other.
Opinions?
