Question about hardware and branding

[jphurley]

Hi there.

This is my first day of research into e-cigarettes. I've been sitting here for the past 12 hours reading through these forums and, although I feel less overwhelmed than I was 6 hours ago, I find myself incredibly indecisive about hardware options.

I think I have a good grasp on the different models available and the differences between them. However, as I go through various supplier websites - I am trying to determine how much of a difference there is between their hardware and that of another vendor. Many of them look like the same devices, though re-branded for their needs.

I was wondering if anyone had additional information about this and if there is a comparison matrix available somewhere that shows which vendors use the same base hardware manufacturer (if at all). It seems as if there are a lot of conflicting reviews for specific models, which is confusing to me if many of them are indeed from the same source manufacturer (as the hardware quality should be relatively consistent).

As of right now, I've ordered the M-401 Gold Edition Dual Atomizer Hybrid Kit and the Joye 510 Vaporizer Kit, both from litecigusa.net. However, I'd like to order at least one or two more model types for variety and comparison - and do so through a different vendor. I haven't decided on which models yet...but was hoping someone could let me know about the hardware re-branding question above so I can feel less conflicted about whether or not buying a model from one vendor is preferable to another in terms of hardware quality.

Thanks in advance for any advice or feedback. This forum has really been a wonderful resource.

 

[SwaggTech]

Yes they are all the same. The just of it is this, most e-cigs are manufactured in china. Companies buy them in bulk slap their name on them and resell them as a different brand. For example the Joye 510/ Titan/ Janty DuraC are all the same so we just call it the 510.

 

[lkim65]

Try the Healthcabin website. They are in China and sell several different brands of e-cigs that the suplliers stateside sell under different names...

 

[Fedor]

The M401 you bought is manufactured by Smoore and the 510 is manufactured by Joye. Both are from China. In fact, all ecigs (except for some mods) are from China.

 

[Angela]

Whilst it is true that just about everything is manufactured in China, it is not true that all 510s are made in the same place, or that all 401s are from the same factory, and yes, some may be better quality than others.

However, many re-branded ones are the same, from the same factory (see the example of the 510 given in SwaggTech's post... they are all Joye 510s), but there are other 510s which are not Joye 510s.

I am an M401 user and have tried several different 'makes' of M401 and can attest that there is most definitely more than one factory making them: the difference in quality between some of them is phenomenal

 

[Snarkyone]

OK your looking for a third model to complete your well rounded kits and that's a good way to do it. I say that because I did the same thing, I purchased a M401, then a 510, and then a KR808D-1 cartomizer so I could see what the cartomizers were about.

I would suggest that since you have the m401 and the 510 to go ahead and grab a KR808D-1 and that should give you the best of both model types the 3 piece units and the 2 piece cartomizers like the KR808D-1.

You can get the KR808D-1 at a few places I always use Nhaler.com because of the awesome service and the free useful goodies in every order from tools to refill your cartomizer carts to 30ml of juice, you never know what you will get on top of your order. They can also be purchased from Vaporkings and from Vapor4life among other places.

I think once you try the 2 piece cartomizer KR808D-1 that it will be your main vape, it outperforms the 3 piece units hands down. The m401 and 510 are good in their own rights as well. I used a m401 to initially stop smoking tobacco so it will always have a soft place in my heart. I also prefer the taste of the m401 over the 510 but the 510 hits a little harder than the m401. The KR808D-1 beats them both.

 

[jphurley]

Thanks everyone for the terrific feedback. So it sounds as if many commercial models may indeed come from the same factory - but not all of them. And that model-specific quality can still vary greatly between vendors depending on which factory they originally come from.

Does anyone know if there is a correlation between this and the vast differences in price for a given model between vendors? I see the 510 kit being sold in the $40-range at some places....but in the $70+ range at others. I know that expensive doesn't always mean better quality - but I'd be interested in identifying whether or not the higher quality versions of a given model are generally offered at higher prices. Or even better, if someone knows of which vendors that sell better quality versions of the 510 or M401 versus others.

In truth however, I'm not too worried about it anymore. I spent the night going through the inventory and message board of every vendor listed within the supporting suppliers forum category. I figure that if a given company was pushing out inferior merchandise, this is the first place customers would post about it.

Snarkyone - it's funny that you mentioned the KR808D-1, as that is the very model that I had decided last night to add to our collection. I'd definitely like to check out how a two-piece model works compared to a three-piece. I haven't ordered it yet (still trying to decide on a vendor) - but will at some point today.

The only other model I ordered last night aside from the 510 and M-401 was a KR-808 (Choice Elite) from ChoiceVapor.com. They had a 30% sale going on, so I got the kit for $27. Although I don't particularly care, my spouse was adamant about buying at least one model that looked as close as possible to an analog, which the KR-808 seems to. He works in a paper factory and I think he is concerned with not looking 'manly' in front of the guys. (*sigh*)

He is also skeptical about the wisdom if buying so many models before we even know if we'll like vaping...but my logic and argument is that ... a) we'll have a better chance of adopting e-cigarettes if we have a variety to experiment with .... and ... b) if vaping results in us smoking even half the amount of analogs we do currently, this initial investment will have paid for itself within three months. Also, even if we don't like it...I can always re-gift them to our smoking family members (of which there are many) over the holidays.

Anyways, I'm sorry to go on and on. I guess I'm very excited. Thanks again for the responses!

 

[props76]

Its cool how you are buying different models, before "you know if you like vapeing". You are certainly going to find the one that will work for you that way. Considering the average model is 30 bucks, so you could even buy 10 models, about everything out there for $300 bucks, means you are not breaking the bank.

I am not a fan of the re-branding. You are just going to end up paying for it anyhow. There way I see it, there are two types of companies out there that are selling this product.

1) the ones that re-brand, so they convince you their product is better, and sell it to you at a much higher price. I see this as taking a Chev and putting at Caddie name on it and charging you more. They offer "free-trials" and subsription that end up costing you 10 times more than the product is worth. From the start, the re-brand, these folks are trying to get the most amount of money out of you, and keep you in the dark so you keep coming back for more.

2) the ones that sell the product as it is. You can find the same thing from china for a few bucks cheaper, they don't try and hide that fact, but you don't get the customer service they offer.

 

[wdave]

For my experience, look here:

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...discussion/42909-choosing-right-ecig-you.html

HTH,
Dave

 

[willsgirlie]

yes if they are branded they are the same as the unbranded ones, but they cost more!? I would go for a 'generic' one ... and once you find what you really like then maybe you'll want a branded one for whatever reason.. but they are all the same..

 

[wdave]

For my experience, look here:

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...ssion/45205-considerations-choosing-ecig.html

HTH,
Dave