Only Want Variable Volt, What Are My Choices?

[SpicyMcHaggis]

Soooo many choices of hardware. I want a VV device and am aware of Lavatube, Twist (have one) and ProVari. Are there more I could be looking at? I keep seeing "knockoffs" mentioned. I'd rather have an original and have no idea which ones might be knockoffs or not. Heeeellpp!

 

[Dirgon]

I'd probably suggest the lavatube. The starter kits go for a pretty good price (Around $65-$70) with two batteries and a charger.

The madvapes variable voltage box mod is nice, too. $35, but you have to buy batteries (uses 2, so 4 for two sets will run you +$35-$40) plus a charger (+$10) and you'll wind up spending the same or more than you would for a lavatube kit. The problem with the madvapes box is you need a voltmeter to tell where the voltage is set to, and it also uses a very inefficient regulator.

 

[sailorman]

Buzzpro, Ovale V8, Reo Grande VV, Vmax, Evercool, i-Taste

There are fewer knockoffs than you think. People call the version 1.5, ver. 2, and the Lambo knockoffs of the Lavatubes, but I don't really consider them knockoffs because they have major differences in their electronics. They only look the same, or similar to, the original LRider Lavatubes. The LRider Lavatubes are sold under a bunch of different names, so they aren't knockoffs by any stretch of the word.

Knockoff is a highly abused and misused word. Some people call any tubular VV a knockoff of the Provari. If there is no significant difference in function, and it looks the same, it's a knockoff. Otherwise it isn't.

If it wasn't for knockoffs, or what people call knockoffs, there would be no e-cig industry outside American made devices.

The closest thing to a knockoff of a VV that I've ever seen is the Vmax, which is a pretty blatant knockoff of the Provari, right down to the dimples in the endcaps. But even the Vmax has some functional differences with the Provari.

 

[TonyTT]

Buzzpro, Ovale V8, Reo Grande VV, Vmax, Evercool, i-Taste

So I'll just try and throw in some of the pros and cons of each from a glance (It's been a while and I'm not fully aware of what's out there)

Buzzpro: Pretty solid, a lot of people love the Buzz Pro. Things to keep in mind: it uses stacked batteries, and there's no digital display, so you adjust by taste.

Ovale V8: I don't think you can use tanks on it, maybe with an adapter.

Reo Grand: I hear good things about them, but I think there's no digital display, and you have to adjust by taste

Vmax: It's expensive 100 bucks, and is a cheaper quality imitation of the Provari, without the awesome warranty and support of provari. For an extra 30 bucks, you could get a provari.

Don't know what an Evercool is.

I've been looking at the I-taste...it seems cute...I don't know what use I have for a puff counter, and I'm a little over built in batteries.

and I think there's also the Darwin, which is famous for Variable Wattage. It looks pretty slick, but the swivel head mean's you have to take off a tank, to transport it. And the battery is also built in.

 

[SpicyMcHaggis]

Not liking what I'm seeing with these mentioned. It's probably going to be a LavaTube or ProVari. Leaning more and more to the ProVari, budget be damned. I'll end up there anyways, might as well go for it now instead of spending money moving up, down and around. I already have a Pila charger and several 18650 batts from my flashlight fetish, so I just need the device and extra tailcap. I wonder if the Pila can charge those 18490 batts the ProVari v2 uses stock?

Thanks for the help folks.

 

[hyperheavenly]

I've just gone for an ego V6. Hoping I like it, it looks nice.

 

[sailorman]

If you have IMR batteries, you can get a Lavatube, tube only for about $35 shipped at apollo with that VTube30 code. Cheap backup if nothing else.

you actually can use tanks on the Ovale V8 and the i-Taste battery isn't built in, it's replaceable but new ones go for about $40 currently. The good thing is that it's also a passthrough and it'll work as a passthrough even when the battery craps out for good. I love the form factor of it and for $70, it might be my next VV. It should be $50 by then. LOL..

The Darwin is the best of the bunch, but good luck getting your hands on one. Variable wattage is soooo much better than variable voltage.

You could always go for a Kicked Silver Bullet. Variable wattage in a bulletproof PV.

 

[mogium]

they have a vv ego now you might want to try.. its like 30 bucks a battery but if you already are using an ego saves you money buying chargers and such. The mod box is nice hits well batteries usually last a day at a time on heavy vaping for me.

 

[tj99959]

The best low cost VV is (and probably always will be) the 35$ Madvapes box mod. Understandably the form factor, and lack of whistles & bells, isn't for everyone, but it will do things that other low cost APV's can't even think of doing.
Variable Voltage Box Mod

 

[YoureFired]

Ovale V8: I don't think you can use tanks on it, maybe with an adapter.

Yes, with a $2 adaptor or extension, you can add whatever you want to anything.

Here's some things I put on my Ovale V8:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/members/yourefired-albums-ovale-v8-variable-voltage.html

 

[ussr]

how do we actually recognize knock offs or fakes?

 

[the_vape_nerd]

Have you considered variable wattage instead of variable voltage?

Almost any tube mod can be made into a variable wattage device with the addition of a kick. It sells for between 45-50 bucks. It's out of stock a lot, but I've seen several vendors lately with some in stock.

 

[SpicyMcHaggis]

I'm not too keen on the box mods. Yet. Looks like I need to research what a kick is..lol.

 

[Vapoor eyes er]

Buy from ECF listed vendors and search the forum to read feedback. Also a good idea to post questions. Google also helps if you know how to use it properly.

how do we actually recognize knock offs or fakes?

 

[Tonytiger1]

Welcome to the addiction. just my 2 pennies.
Things to consider.

How accessible is charging.
In my case I can only charge at night. And I prefer not to carry more them one battery. So I use 18650's, last me all day.

I like having no electronics or a switch that can break. I drop it all the time off of tables on tile and concrete. You can see the the damage on the pics

If you use low res no real need for on the fly vv.

We all have different needs and make trade offs. If I wasn't so hard on my ecig I would go with the provari. But it's not cheap.

I have been using a omega for a year now. Bullet proof.
Can use 3.7. Volt bats. 5 volt bats or stack for 6.

Been using resurrectors 1.7 on the 3.7 volts. For months. Most consistent vape I've had yet Works great.

Just ordered a did. Main reason Repairable save cost. Fill it up at night and your good for 24 hours.Plus no leaking into the battery mod. I can't wait. Just tired of topping off all the time. Wire is cheap and each build should last for weeks. even more consistent.

Good luck. No decision you make is final. New stuff all the time.

 

[Tonytiger1]

Welcome to the addiction. just my 2 pennies.
Things to consider.

How accessible is charging.
In my case I can only charge at night. And I prefer not to carry more them one battery. So I use 18650's, last me all day.

I like having no electronics or a switch that can break. I drop it all the time off of tables on tile and concrete. You can see the the damage on the pics

If you use low res no real need for on the fly vv.

We all have different needs and make trade offs. If I wasn't so hard on my ecig I would go with the provari. But it's not cheap.

I have been using a omega for a year now. Bullet proof.
Can use 3.7. Volt bats. 5 volt bats or stack for 6.

Been using resurrectors 1.7 on the 3.7 volts. For months. Most consistent vape I've had yet Works great.

Just ordered a did. Main reason Repairable save cost. Fill it up at night and your good for 24 hours.Plus no leaking into the battery mod. I can't wait. Just tired of topping off all the time. Wire is cheap and each build should last for weeks. even more consistent.

Good luck. No decision you make is final. New stuff all the time.

Here is the pic

 

[brudercolin]

Get a lavatube! Also known as Vtube (Apollo E-Cig), Bomber (MFS), Koi Vari (Good Prophets), and a grip of other names. It is pretty distinguishable with its notched top and bottom and orange display. Do some research! Make sure you buy from a reputable dealer, in case you need to send it back.

 

[Pigsticker]

My first vv was a vtube from Apollo. Liked it, so I bought one for my wife. If you decide to go that way, I reccomend getting a black one. The finish lasts longer. Been enjoying it for months now.

That being said, I just bought a Provari. Should arrive today.

 

[SpicyMcHaggis]

I've settled on a Lavatube or Provari. Just debating the extra hundy the Provari will cost. I'm using Vision ego clearomizers on a Twist. I'm starting to believe I need another delivery system so I'm looking at a tank setup; probably a J-Tank if I don't change my mind. Don't think this wick system is gonna work for me.

 

[John D in CT]

I don't think anyone has ever gone wrong with a ProVari V2. I said in a VMax thread once (I own three VMax's) that if I were going to be stranded on a desert island (with a convenient 110-volt outlet) I'd want a Provari with me. And lots of juice and cartos, of course.

I do like the VMax very much, of course. "Stacked" IMR batteries do not concern me in the least due to their chemistry. I like its performance, its menu system, its price (between $100 bare-bones and $128.95 incluing two AW IMR 18350 batteries from All About Vapor), and its looks, to which it owes immeasurable gratitude to ProVape.

I have heard great things about the Buzz Pro 2, which now comes in an "ECF compliant" version that has cool lightning-bolt-shaped vents in its case. I hear that they're very rugged and work very well.

I like Sailorman's suggestion about the Apollo VV tube, which from what I have read is an APV that has the best of what the Lavatube family has to offer, with the fewest of the "weak links" that are sometimes attributed to that family, like plastic end caps and sub-par switches (if memory serves me correctly on the latter).

I really like the Joyetech Twist. Used with Smoktech 3.5ml DCT tanks fitted with properly punched or slotted Boge 2.0 ohm single coil XL stainless steel cartomizers, I think it's a great addition to just about anyone's collection of PV's.

kGo batteries give legendary performance for what they are; fixed-voltage 3.7 volt batteries, now with PWM (pulse width modulation) as I understand it. Fitted with just the right resistance coil, they will give a fine, non-adjustable vape.

I used to be a big fan of e-Powers, and I'll still fire one up on occasion. They're fine for what they offer; a dependable fixed-voltage device with replaceable battery and replaceable switch. But again, a non-adjustable vape. No ability to dial the power upor down to give an optimum vape for a variety of conditions like particular flavor of juice, PG/VG ratio, rate of juice delivery to the coil or coils, or mood/whim of the user.

I've had my Joyetech tank atomizers loaned out all over the place for so long that I can scarcely remember how well they worked. Pretty well as I recall (the "T" style, that is); and the one day or so that I actually possessed a "C" style Joyetech atomizer with "B" tanks, it seemed to work pretty well until I loaned it out to my friend Jim B. When I get it back I can exeriment with it some more. The Joyetch atomizers can be finicky, but I have yet to scratch the surface of how to improve their function by simple things like adjusting or modifying the wick. The people at Bulli Smoker seem to think quite a lot of the Joyetch tanks, having designed at least two variants of their legendary "Bulli" atomizer around them; both a "A" and "B" style. I am very much looking forward to owning a Bulli A2-TM, made for the Joyetech "B" tank. It is one of several rebuildable atomizers on the market which allow the user to make his own coils of varying resistances, as well as his own wicks with varying juice-carrying characteristics for optimal performance with a wide variety of juices.

Speaking of the Bulli atomizer, it brings to mind my opinion that the best vape can be had on a single coil warmed to the optimal temperaure and in optimal contact with the juice. IMO a single coil will provide plenty of vapor, and will extend battery life over dual coils for obvious scientific reasons.

For a ciggie look-alike, I'd go with a Volt. I have no first-hand experience with them yet, but I've heard enough to convince me that that is what I would get in a heartbeat. The PCC (personal charging case) alone is IMO worth the price of admission. The Volt is said to perform just great and be very reliable.

In conclusion: (wild cheers) .... if you get either the ProVari or the Lavatube, I would also get a couple of Twists for out and about, set up exactly like Grimm Green has his set up in his review of that device.

THE EGO TWIST IS A GAME CHANGER - YouTube Grimm Green Twist Game changer

I would then slot the Bog cartos exactly like Phil Busardo does in this YouTube video

A PBusardo Tutorial - How I slot my cartos!.wmv - YouTube pbusardo slotting cartos

I would then enjoy a great vape with either my ProVari, Lavatube, or Twist(s).

YMMV of course. Happy vaping, whatever it's on.