Original vs Clonned Mods

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Chelonian

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In my opinion, since virtually every mid out there is less expensive than smoking, mods are not expensive (aside from things like the Otto Carters)

$100 - $250 will cover the vast majority of originals out there.

If you want some nice mods, first buy a decent ego or spinner style mod/battery with an aspire tank or two.

Put aside the $ you would've normally spent on the stinkies.

Depending on how much you smoked, you will quickly get the $ you need for the cool mod that caught your eye :)
 

Gonzi

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It all depends on what's important to you. As far as mechs, I have and have had many clones, but recently got a genuine one. Was it worth it? Absolutely! The craftmanship, attention to detail, fit & finish, performance, overall feel.... No comparision to any of my clones. I still use all my devices, regulated and mechs, high end and clones, but yes, I can clearly tell the difference between clone and legit.
 

zahzoo

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In my experience... I don't find the return on value element worth investing over $100-$200 for an original mechanical mod that can be found for $20-35 in a clone. On function alone... there's no significant value offset for a less than a percentage point in voltage output drop. From looks... no measurable difference. From quality same deal. For product life... 5 clones will outlast 1 original exponentially.

Same premise for RDA/RBA's... it's all machined metal and as long as the electrical elements work effectively. Why spend $120 when I can get something that performs at 98-99% for $20. In most cases the actual performance measure is in your coil/wick build for these not who machined/sold it.

For regulated mods... there's not really much variance in available product lines. Couple of top end and a handful of clone/non-branded products. Haven't owned a top-end unit... so far my $28 Vamo is holding up and delivering 6 months running. How much more performance can a Provari or DNA or whatever offer..? Volts & Watts don't differ... the difference in chip frequency isn't that much.

I could afford either end of the price ranges for these things... I just don't see that significant of a value proposition to invest in the higher end. Who knows... maybe something new will come along to change my mind...
 

Completely Average

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I never really owned a clone. If I had the money to spend, I should spend it wisely.


I agree, which is why I only buy quality 1:1 clones.

After all, it's not really wise to spend $200 for a mod when you can get the exact same thing for $40, is it?


I've held a genuine Nemesis, and I own an Hcigar clone. I've taken both apart and I have examined the parts in detail. The ONLY difference between the two was the depth of the laser etching, some slight differences on the logo on the button, and the serial number font on the back. And truth be told, my clone had the better working button.

The one big difference between a high quality 1:1 clone and the real thing will be the cleanliness out of the box. The clone will not be as clean and you'll need to spend more time cleaning it before assembling it for the first time, especially in regards to the threads. But get the threads nice and clean and free of any metal shavings and burrs and the parts will fit together every bit as well as the real thing.

I've held originals, and I've held high quality 1:1 clones, and I have yet to see anything that justifies a $150+ difference in price. For that matter, I have yet to see anything in any mech mod that justifies a $100 price, clone or not. For the most part they are poorly made flashlights. Mech mods are nothing more than Maglites with different end caps, there is absolutely nothing there that justifies $200+ for one. Show me one made of solid silver and then the cost might be justified, but $200 for a stainless steel flashlight?

Be honest. Would you buy a $200 flashlight? What is the mechanical difference between a flashlight and a mech mod other than the threading in the end cap?
 

dj lunchbox

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Apr 9, 2014
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It's a moral issue I think. Clone is a nice way to say bootleg and/or knock off. It's more of ripping off someones art/vision rather than buying a more affordable counterpart.

Coming from the sneakerhead community where fakes/replicas are frowned upon it's ironic that I advocate and am pro-clone.

However it has come to light that some clones do in fact perform better than their legit counterparts. Not to say that the price put on real mods isn't justified however, unlike your typical knockoffs, mod clones are made from the same exact materials as the legit ones just originate from a different factory.

Perfect example is my Panzer Mod I just got. Beautiful mod, amazing weight and craftmanship. All the reviews I've seen/read say it's almost identical in shape, design and performance as the legit one. $50 to me is a much better price than $200. And this is from someone who buys shoes at an alarming amount per month at about $125+ a piece.
 

Chelonian

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double post, my apologies.

As an aside....WOW, Average. You are on the warpath when it comes to clones and originals :)

I am sure it's not the case, but every thread like this it seems like you are bashing the crap out of originals.

Consider this : it's not intrinsic value of functionality...it's the simple fact that it's an original (and that's forgetting the moral aspect....not the business end of profit, the moral aspect of buying a ripoff)

The reason I buy original crappy flashlights to vape isn't because they necessarily perform better than a quality clone - it's for the same reason collectors of anything find an original more valuble than a copy.

Also, if the clone companies use the EXACT same materials, and can charge that much less, why ripoff the originals?
Why not just make their own product?
 
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zahzoo

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IMO the moral issue is non-existent... which I find any product loyalty beyond personal preference comical.

Notice the lack of any Patent labeling on virtually any e-cig device?? Why is that? They don't exist.

Virtually all of the parts used in these devices were taken from existing equipment. Most of it so common you couldn't get a patent approved because there are thousands of battery holders already in existence... 510/ego threading... common as a quarter inch nut. Copper, stainless steel, brass tubes/pipes... common as a wood screw.

Majority of this market is no different than what IBM experienced when they developed the Personal Computer from a bunch of existing parts manufactured by several companies... they lost the ability to claim it was a proprietary product and therefore fully opened the clone market for PC's.

The only aspects that may be proprietary... might be the artistic elements of certain logos. But it appears most of the creators of those didn't even take the time to file for trademarks or copyrights nor even attempt to include a ™ or © symbol in their laser etchings and packaging materials.

Thus we have a "Clone" market with no one's Intellectual Property rights being violated.
 

p7willm

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As I see it there are several differences between a clone and the original. Some differences are subjective and some are real.

The first difference is reputation. If the original maker wants to continue in business and get the big bucks for the product he needs to always produce a quality product. If it gets around that maker X is not producing a quality product how long will he get the big bucks and have a backlog. On the other end, if I am an unknown shop in China why would I not cut any corner I could. If I get a bad rep I can just change my name, if anyone ever knew it in the first place. The middle is a company like Hcigar. They have a reputation and their product sells a little higher than other clones. They need to keep their quality consistent to protect the reputation.

You can brag that you own an original xxxx to your friends. No one ever proudly says I have an xxxx clone; without adding and I only paid $30 for it.

Quite often the last 1% can cost more than the first 90%. A hunk of aluminum will work as a contact. Silver, gold if you want no corrosion, plated copper is better. You can plate so thin that it looks silver out of the box but as soon as it is used a few times it is gone. I would think the clone will go thin and the original will last.

Why do you want an xxxx, original or clone. It works better than other mods, you like the way it looks, a combination of the two, or something else entirely. Who is responsible for that? Probably the original. I have seen some cases where a clone has improved upon the original, usually in attys, but more often than not the goal of a clone mater is a 1:1 copy, down to the engraving, of the original including any faults. If I spent the time and sweat designing the xxxx it would be depressing to see the clone come out and steal my work. Maybe I would not work on the xxxx2 or skip the yyyy entirely. I probably want the yyyy but since there is not an original there will be no clone.

I have not seen a copyright, patent, or trademark on just about all the vape stuff so it is not illegal to clone something. I would imagine a lawyer would say that the lack of a copyright is an invitation for others to copy the work.

The person who designed the original is a creator. Sometimes visual, sometimes mechanical, usually both and they deserve to be rewarded for their efforts, if they want. I program for a living and I expect to get paid for it.

If I bought a clone I would probably send a few bucks to the originator to compensate her for the work she did, and to incent her to do the next thing.

What would I like? If the originator did not copyright, patent or trademark it I think it should be fair game for cloning. But, mark it as a clone and do not put the original makers name on the product. A Chinese company should build their own reputation, put their name on a product, and produce their own design. Small Chinese shops should continue to do what they do now, without putting someone else's name on it, and buyer beware of quality.
 

mike0122

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I started vaping to be healthier and to save money. A year later and it has never progressed beyond that. I just recently purchased my first mechanical mod (copper nemesis and a black ehpro kayfun) and started to make my own e liquid to save even more money. I would buy a good clone over the real thing any day. I'm not a collector nor will I ever be. I think its crazy that people spend that much on mods but then I'm sure some would think I was crazy to spend 2 grand on a 3.5 inch lift for my Jeep. To each their own is my motto.
 
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TheBeardedMann

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I'd buy a Dewalt drill over a Harbor Freight drill.
I'd buy a 1:1 clone over a genuine.
I'd buy SB Dunks over fakes.
I'd buy Disney Vinylmations over fakes.
With a limited amount of money, you just have to pick what's most beneficial to you. I collect Disney Vinlymations. They serve absolutely no purpose except conversation starters when someone walks by my desk. But I still buy them every once in a while. When the cost is 10:1 on mech mod clones, it's hard for me to not get a clone. I'm here to vape, not collect or brag.
 

Chelonian

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I can understand, and agree with your sentiment of vaping, not bragging.
I collect for my pleasure, as very few people that I know/meet would even know what a mod is much less vape themselves.
And I can understand and respect the aspect of saving money.
However I just can't buy the idea that you cannot afford, or even find, the cost of an original mod onerous.
Sure, clones are cheaper.
However, as I stated before, compared to the cost of smoking, the cost of an original mod is minimal.
Buying a clone and thinking that the steel that it is made of is as good as the original is mistaken.
The same type of steel sourced in the west is of much higher quality than it's chinese counterpart.....and that is a fact borne out by many a construction project.
Also, I would rather that something I put in my mouth and use to inhale vapor come from someplace with a better quality control record than China.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk
 
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