I know that is a rather emphatic statement, but I wonder how many people will think this after owning one?
Here's my take on it. This is my opinion only, but based on facts that I believe to be true. In making direct comparisons, here's what I come up with:
Compare the Protege to the following.........
Jantystick.
Once heralded as the "most bestest" (ok, I made that up) 3.7 device, the JS is great in concept due to the smallish size, built in USB passthru, and longer batt life than a standard e-cig. Those are the main reasons many of us bought one. Another reason for me was the color changing LED ring. I know it sounds hokey, but I like cool gadgets. Now, I say "great in concept" because in actuality, it falls short.
Its made of plastic. Meh... not exactly a quality feel IMO. It is inconsistent. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. One hit could be magical, then the next you barely get a wisp of vapor after sucking on hard enough to cave your head in. Getting the atty screwed in all the way is a PITA. Then there's the 801 atty thing again (I won't bore you). The flavor was 'decent' and the throat hit wasn't enough to make me want to grab it instead of a regular 510 e-cig honestly. The of course you have the switch issues...
If you vape it in front of anyone who doesn't know what it is... they think you're f'ing crazy. It looks like you're sucking on a toy spaceship.
VP1/VAPRE51
I should start by saying that the VAPRE51 I owned really was a terrific unit, not gripes about quality in any way shape or form... very well made. I do absolutely LOVE it. My issue was that I bought it for a portable, convenient, tiny PV to take out with me instead of lugging around a SB or Prodigy. Unfortunately the 801 strikes again... the damned atty is just about the same size as the PV so it DOUBLES the size overall! Plus (IMO) the 801 makes it very 'feminine' in look and feel. I bought mine expecting to use a 510 atty, but it didn't come with it due to unexpected issues with the adapters (due to be fixed next week I believe). I sold it yesterday because once the Protege arrived.... well, it rendered the 51 obsolete to me.
Original Silver Bullet (NOT the new v1.1)
I personally own the new v1.1 which is larger and vapes at 3.7/6v without extension tubes and am madly in love with it. I state this simply to avoid any possible confusion. The original was smaller, but still not nearly as tiny as the Protege, and much larger in diameter as well. Amazing craftsmanship, but IMO rendered obsolete by the tiny Protege that performs at the identical level.
GG
Ok GG lovers, save the hatemail, I'm not ragging on Imeos' gift to the world.
The only ones that can really apply here are the Nano and Slim (good luck trying to find EITHER by the way), the others are much larger.
Great quality, nice finish, but still much larger and I believe might be substantially heavier by the looks of them (I do not own one to know for certain). And the prices... yeesh, the prices have kept many interested parties away from experiencing a GG first-hand.
Since the Nano and Slim don't seem to be in production, they left us with the Grant (being re-released soon) and GGT as the options.. and again, far too large to be considered for the person who wants convenience and portability. The new end-all, be-all GG is being developed, but you'll need an engineering degree just to try and use it apparently. Then of course the cost... it is sure to be the most expensive PV ever made.
Then of course you have the appearance. While it is shiny and beautifully finished.. the steampunk - meets - art deco glossy tube kinda looks like a really expensive pot smoking device (mainly due to the placement of the large switch, it looks like a bowl from a distance).
Little Chuck
Can't hold a candle to the Protege. It is larger, a simple tube with endcaps (very basic in design), a cheap switch, and costs as much, or a few dollars more than the Protege. They seemed like the best option until the Protege came out due to their low cost as compared to other PV's at the time, their cool customized finishes tailored to the customer, and the industrial kind of look that does appeal to some. IMO the all-steel construction of the Protege coupled with its smaller size renders the LC pretty much obsolete.
Pull it out in a public place and you'll be looked upon like you have a pipe bomb in your hand. I would not suggest vaping this thing at any airport unless you want to be fondled by multiple TSA and federal agents.
Cameo (unreleased, in development by Janty)
I throw this in the ring merely for comedic value. Not that I necessarily need to make jokes, the Cameo is a joke by design really. Odd shape that SEEMS like it might be a little awkward to hold, and SEEMS like it might be a bit 'slippery' in the hand, and SEEMS to be utterly useless to pocket carry due to the 3 sided design (bulky) and buttons on the side.
*I added the caveat "seems" because it is simply a digital rendering to us now, in reality it may be slightly different when it releases
Then of course you have the veritable exclamation point of the Cameo... the built-in mp3 player. Yeah... the jokes just write themselves.
It could easily be assumed that the price will be far in excess of the Protege price. My guess is $140-$150, but I could be way off, no idea right now.
Zi Moshi Light Vapor
Hold up... stop the train... might we have a competitor?? I think we do.
Small size: check
Easy to carry around: check
Cool ... LED lightshow: check (and make that a +1 for the Zi Moshi over the Protege!)
When I heard about this mod I was all "Oooohhhhhh, that's cooool!" Then I went to their website to buy one. Bear in mind, this was the day I ordered my Prodigy AND Silver Bullet v1.1.... all excited I opened their web page up and then I saw the $135 price. I'll tell ya folks, I was less surprised back when I was 12 and my other testicle dropped. I just paid $140 for the amazing Prodigy, and $100 for the expertly crafted SB... how could anyone justify $135 for this mod??
Back to the plastic thing... irks me for that kinda coin.
Awkward way you are forced to hold it. I dig the button placement as a novelty, but for many, when they spend $135 on a PV it might be their only one for a while, and I prefer the ability to change my hand position on my other PVs and not be forced into only one. While I don't have an issue payng $135 for a PV, I cannot justify it when I look at what I have been able to buy for the same price and less.
Screwdriver
Bigger, bulkier, switch can easily be activated accidentally (ie: no pocket carry), far too expensive for what it is, and it looks like a .... wait for it.... screwdriver handle. Actually, I kinda dig the look just because its different, but when you compare the looks, size and functionality to the Protege... it falls flat.
How about vaping it in public? Sure... nothing like whipping out what appears to most rational people as a battery powered sex toy in front of someone's grandmother in a restaurant... the hilarity that is sure to ensue will give you stories to tell your children about later on in life. Or to your therapist.
Super T1
IMO this is the only real competition. Outstanding quality, excellent (actually brilliant) design and function, and seems to be exceedingly safe from an engineering standpoint. Price for some may be an obstacle. The only reason I never bought one... the exceedingly long order times. Not saying it isn't justified, it's one guy crafting them by hand, but I am far too impatient.
So there you have it. I'm sure I missed one or two devices, but they are sure to fall into one of the categories I already mentioned in some fashion.
In my own personal opinion (yours may certainly vary), nothing can really touch the Protege. It is the best of all worlds.
Tiny (5.25" WITH 510 atty and cart)
Exceedingly well manufactured and crafted from stainless steel
Excellent switch
Good battery life
Easily portable, can be pocket carried. Also hides in your closed fist (for stealth vapers)
Ships complete with everything you need, it's not "just" a battery tube
No gimmicks, no tacky decorations
Excellent price (lower than most)
Excellent vapor production
Excellent flavor production
Excellent throat hit
(last 3 are dependent upon your atty choice)
So I wonder... if after enough people own one, and enough of them spread the word... can the others even compete, or will they be forced to go back to the drawing board and follow the new leader?
Pray for me as I hit submit, that I do not encounter a server timeout that will completely erase that novel I posted above........
Here's my take on it. This is my opinion only, but based on facts that I believe to be true. In making direct comparisons, here's what I come up with:
Compare the Protege to the following.........
Jantystick.
Once heralded as the "most bestest" (ok, I made that up) 3.7 device, the JS is great in concept due to the smallish size, built in USB passthru, and longer batt life than a standard e-cig. Those are the main reasons many of us bought one. Another reason for me was the color changing LED ring. I know it sounds hokey, but I like cool gadgets. Now, I say "great in concept" because in actuality, it falls short.
Its made of plastic. Meh... not exactly a quality feel IMO. It is inconsistent. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. One hit could be magical, then the next you barely get a wisp of vapor after sucking on hard enough to cave your head in. Getting the atty screwed in all the way is a PITA. Then there's the 801 atty thing again (I won't bore you). The flavor was 'decent' and the throat hit wasn't enough to make me want to grab it instead of a regular 510 e-cig honestly. The of course you have the switch issues...
If you vape it in front of anyone who doesn't know what it is... they think you're f'ing crazy. It looks like you're sucking on a toy spaceship.
VP1/VAPRE51
I should start by saying that the VAPRE51 I owned really was a terrific unit, not gripes about quality in any way shape or form... very well made. I do absolutely LOVE it. My issue was that I bought it for a portable, convenient, tiny PV to take out with me instead of lugging around a SB or Prodigy. Unfortunately the 801 strikes again... the damned atty is just about the same size as the PV so it DOUBLES the size overall! Plus (IMO) the 801 makes it very 'feminine' in look and feel. I bought mine expecting to use a 510 atty, but it didn't come with it due to unexpected issues with the adapters (due to be fixed next week I believe). I sold it yesterday because once the Protege arrived.... well, it rendered the 51 obsolete to me.
Original Silver Bullet (NOT the new v1.1)
I personally own the new v1.1 which is larger and vapes at 3.7/6v without extension tubes and am madly in love with it. I state this simply to avoid any possible confusion. The original was smaller, but still not nearly as tiny as the Protege, and much larger in diameter as well. Amazing craftsmanship, but IMO rendered obsolete by the tiny Protege that performs at the identical level.
GG
Ok GG lovers, save the hatemail, I'm not ragging on Imeos' gift to the world.
The only ones that can really apply here are the Nano and Slim (good luck trying to find EITHER by the way), the others are much larger.
Great quality, nice finish, but still much larger and I believe might be substantially heavier by the looks of them (I do not own one to know for certain). And the prices... yeesh, the prices have kept many interested parties away from experiencing a GG first-hand.
Since the Nano and Slim don't seem to be in production, they left us with the Grant (being re-released soon) and GGT as the options.. and again, far too large to be considered for the person who wants convenience and portability. The new end-all, be-all GG is being developed, but you'll need an engineering degree just to try and use it apparently. Then of course the cost... it is sure to be the most expensive PV ever made.
Then of course you have the appearance. While it is shiny and beautifully finished.. the steampunk - meets - art deco glossy tube kinda looks like a really expensive pot smoking device (mainly due to the placement of the large switch, it looks like a bowl from a distance).
Little Chuck
Can't hold a candle to the Protege. It is larger, a simple tube with endcaps (very basic in design), a cheap switch, and costs as much, or a few dollars more than the Protege. They seemed like the best option until the Protege came out due to their low cost as compared to other PV's at the time, their cool customized finishes tailored to the customer, and the industrial kind of look that does appeal to some. IMO the all-steel construction of the Protege coupled with its smaller size renders the LC pretty much obsolete.
Pull it out in a public place and you'll be looked upon like you have a pipe bomb in your hand. I would not suggest vaping this thing at any airport unless you want to be fondled by multiple TSA and federal agents.
Cameo (unreleased, in development by Janty)
I throw this in the ring merely for comedic value. Not that I necessarily need to make jokes, the Cameo is a joke by design really. Odd shape that SEEMS like it might be a little awkward to hold, and SEEMS like it might be a bit 'slippery' in the hand, and SEEMS to be utterly useless to pocket carry due to the 3 sided design (bulky) and buttons on the side.
*I added the caveat "seems" because it is simply a digital rendering to us now, in reality it may be slightly different when it releases
Then of course you have the veritable exclamation point of the Cameo... the built-in mp3 player. Yeah... the jokes just write themselves.
It could easily be assumed that the price will be far in excess of the Protege price. My guess is $140-$150, but I could be way off, no idea right now.
Zi Moshi Light Vapor
Hold up... stop the train... might we have a competitor?? I think we do.
Small size: check
Easy to carry around: check
Cool ... LED lightshow: check (and make that a +1 for the Zi Moshi over the Protege!)
When I heard about this mod I was all "Oooohhhhhh, that's cooool!" Then I went to their website to buy one. Bear in mind, this was the day I ordered my Prodigy AND Silver Bullet v1.1.... all excited I opened their web page up and then I saw the $135 price. I'll tell ya folks, I was less surprised back when I was 12 and my other testicle dropped. I just paid $140 for the amazing Prodigy, and $100 for the expertly crafted SB... how could anyone justify $135 for this mod??
Back to the plastic thing... irks me for that kinda coin.
Awkward way you are forced to hold it. I dig the button placement as a novelty, but for many, when they spend $135 on a PV it might be their only one for a while, and I prefer the ability to change my hand position on my other PVs and not be forced into only one. While I don't have an issue payng $135 for a PV, I cannot justify it when I look at what I have been able to buy for the same price and less.
Screwdriver
Bigger, bulkier, switch can easily be activated accidentally (ie: no pocket carry), far too expensive for what it is, and it looks like a .... wait for it.... screwdriver handle. Actually, I kinda dig the look just because its different, but when you compare the looks, size and functionality to the Protege... it falls flat.
How about vaping it in public? Sure... nothing like whipping out what appears to most rational people as a battery powered sex toy in front of someone's grandmother in a restaurant... the hilarity that is sure to ensue will give you stories to tell your children about later on in life. Or to your therapist.
Super T1
IMO this is the only real competition. Outstanding quality, excellent (actually brilliant) design and function, and seems to be exceedingly safe from an engineering standpoint. Price for some may be an obstacle. The only reason I never bought one... the exceedingly long order times. Not saying it isn't justified, it's one guy crafting them by hand, but I am far too impatient.
So there you have it. I'm sure I missed one or two devices, but they are sure to fall into one of the categories I already mentioned in some fashion.
In my own personal opinion (yours may certainly vary), nothing can really touch the Protege. It is the best of all worlds.
Tiny (5.25" WITH 510 atty and cart)
Exceedingly well manufactured and crafted from stainless steel
Excellent switch
Good battery life
Easily portable, can be pocket carried. Also hides in your closed fist (for stealth vapers)
Ships complete with everything you need, it's not "just" a battery tube
No gimmicks, no tacky decorations
Excellent price (lower than most)
Excellent vapor production
Excellent flavor production
Excellent throat hit
(last 3 are dependent upon your atty choice)
So I wonder... if after enough people own one, and enough of them spread the word... can the others even compete, or will they be forced to go back to the drawing board and follow the new leader?
Pray for me as I hit submit, that I do not encounter a server timeout that will completely erase that novel I posted above........
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