IndustrialAction's ProVari Review
Three hours ago, my ProVari arrived. My package contained the tube with the standard cap encased in bubble wrap, the 18650 extension cap in a small bag, a copy of my invoice and a free 5ml bottle of 24mg Fruit Punch juice (thanks guys!). It was packed in a $5 flat rate USPS priority box and was padded with packing peanuts.
The first thing I did was to remove the standard cap. I don't own any 18490/18500 batts and I don't intend to. The standard end cap went into the bag for the extension and it was put in my drawer. I don't know if I'll ever see it again.
Before I inserted a battery, I took some time to examine it. I have to say, it is a VERY high quality mod. We're not taking about some cheap, weak tube. This thing is heavy duty! The 18650 end cap is likewise a quality, heavy duty piece. It definitely screams 'rugged'.
It is significantly slimmer than I imagined which was a pleasant surprise. It is longer than all my other mods but not overly long. With a carto attached and the battery extension in place, it is really long but still fits in my pocket without a problem.
I inserted a battery that I had been using all day in my Phidias. I then realized that there were no printed instructions. I took to the web and posted a plea for a link but before jimho answered, I had figured everything out.
The interface is very intuitive. Scrolling through the menu is incredibly simple as is changing the settings. It takes quite a few clicks to make minor adjustments to voltage but once you find a nice spot, you're good-to-go. I immediately turned off the LED button because I often vape at work and don't need to draw any more attention to what I'm doing than I already do.
Thus far I've used cartos with resistances of 1.5, 2.2, 2.8 and 3.1. I checked on my MM and the PV. Both provided the same reading (although there is a bit of rounding on the two digit display for the PV).
I have found that I enjoy my juice between 4.2 & 4.9V. I get the nice 'sizzle' that I love from a fresh battery and it is awesome to get that same level of intensity each and every hit, even when the low battery indicator was flashing (more on that later).
My favorite vape is TastyVapor's waffles (24mg, 20%VG). It went to a whole new dimension for me in the 2.2 carto with the PV set at 4.8V. It really brought out a depth of flavor that I hadn't experienced previously. My bananas foster, however, did not do well at that level. I ended up backing that one down to 4.2. The last flavor I tried was TV's "new" spiced apple cider. At 4.3 I tasted a lot of apple. At 4.9 the spices really dominated. I had a lot of fun tasting my juices at different settings. It was like a wine trip but better, ha-ha.
Again, the best part was getting the same intense vape every single drag. I've never experienced anything like that.
Now, I know, I'm starting to sound like some deranged fanboy. However, it is not without some annoyances.
The first thing I don't like is the two digit display. I'd prefer three digits. I know most people don't care but I'd like to have the next decimal place. I'd also like to see "Off" instead of "Of". Inconsequential but i thought I'd throw it out there.
Next, we have the default "on" position. This again is probably only going to bother me but I'd rather have it default to off and then use the menu to turn it on. Not a big deal since it takes a second or two to shut it off.
Finally, we have the "low battery indicator". This is the only feature I REALLY don't like and you can't turn it off. That's right, turn off the mod, the light keeps right on blinking. Turn off the LED, the light keeps blinking. At one point I just had to stash the PV where I couldn't see it until I could grab a fresh battery. That incessantly blinking light was really aggravating me.
Despite my over the top annoyance with the low battery indicator, I still am more than pleased with the ProVari. It is an extremely well engineered mod. It is tough, stylish and rugged. Without a doubt, the ProVari will be my main vaping mod for the foreseeable future. In a few days, my genesis atomizer will be ready and the PV will be complete. It will be nice to finally start saving money after quitting analogs so long ago.
Bottom line recommendation: BUY A PROVARI AND TELL THEM IA SENT YOU!