Questions before making my purchase.

[Aheadatime]

Ok well after some research, I've decided to purchase the Vamo v2. I have some general questions for you guys though, figured this would be the best place to post my questions.

1. Which vendor would be the most reliable source for the VamoV2? I know there are places with cheaper prices/longer waits, some in China, etc, but I'm looking for the most reliable, USA based vendor. I remember Busrado saying he got him from smoktek, but are there any other USA vendors which don't charge 60$?

2. How long do these devices survive on average, assuming I never drop it?

3. Which batteries/recharging stations would you guys recommend and from which vendor?

Thanks alot guys for any experience on the subject. Sorry about the barrage of questions, I just want to really investigate anything that I'm about to pull the trigger on. Currently sitting on 2 1300mah VV Spinners, and have been meaning to upgrade slightly for some time now.

 

[White Rabbit]

Aheadatime,

There are tons of opinions on where to buy the Vamo. I purchased my from Exhalevapors.com. They are located in Texas, ship fast and have reasonable prices. They also have some sales around the holidays. I ended up paying $48.00 shipped for a SS Vamo V2 and it came with the upgraded spring. I believe the current price at Exhale Vapors is about $51.00 which should include shipping. VAMO Variable Volt/Watt APV V2

I do not know if he has them in stock, but you can call them or email them and ask.

Only use IMR unprotected 18650 batteries. The Panasonic 18650 CGR18650CH are highly recommended. I have four and rotate them.

You can get them here: Orbtronic - Panasonic CGR18650CH With Top Button, 2250mAh IMR High Drain 18650 Battery Cell-Made in Japan You need to order two at $9.99 each so it will cost you about $20.00.

As for durability, I think the best choice is the stainless steel model. I have scratched mine and it polished right back with a buffing wheel. Some have found that they have a problem with using adapters. They tend to push down on the small positive terminal and break a small silicone washer, which can be replaced with #60 O rings from Home Depot.

As for chargers, prices are all over the place from $9.00 to $75.00. I am satisfied with the inexpensive Trustfire. Not highly recommended, but it works for me.

Hope that helps. Read, read, read and read some more on the Vamo forum for alternative answers.

 

[Aheadatime]

Thank you for the response. Exhale vapors seems legit to me, and cheaper than SmokTek, which I like. I have 2 130mah VV batteries than I can rotate with the Vamo, so I was thinking to save some money and go for the 2-slot trustfire charger at exhale vapors since I'll only be buying 2 batteries for the device and to save on shipping. Sound like a good idea? Have you noticed any flaws with the charger, like a buzzing sound while charging, super slow charge times, etc?

And the batteries you linked me to have several warnings. Are these taken very seriously? Examples - never keep fully charged batteries stored for long periods of time etc. I don't know how these batteries work exactly regarding their volts. 2 other warnings read "Do not charge battery over 4.21V" and "Never completely discharge li-ion battery (below 2.5V)".

Does the Vamo have built in protection preventing the battery from getting below 2.5v? If the battery is at 3 volts, does this mean I cannot fire the device higher than 3volts, meaning I would need to switch to a lower res atomizer if need be?

 

[rockb4]

I got 2 vamos from exhale, so I second that recommendation.

This is the charger I Have Efest BIO Charger you will need two extra spacers if you want to charge 2 18350s simultaneously. Charger is relatively quick and never makes any noise.

These batteries and this vendor are recommended. Batteries : AW IMR 18350 3.7V 700mAh

 

[xbassman]

Thank you for the response. Exhale vapors seems legit to me, and cheaper than SmokTek, which I like. I have 2 130mah VV batteries than I can rotate with the Vamo, so I was thinking to save some money and go for the 2-slot trustfire charger at exhale vapors since I'll only be buying 2 batteries for the device and to save on shipping. Sound like a good idea? Have you noticed any flaws with the charger, like a buzzing sound while charging, super slow charge times, etc?

And the batteries you linked me to have several warnings. Are these taken very seriously? Examples - never keep fully charged batteries stored for long periods of time etc. I don't know how these batteries work exactly regarding their volts. 2 other warnings read "Do not charge battery over 4.21V" and "Never completely discharge li-ion battery (below 2.5V)".

Does the Vamo have built in protection preventing the battery from getting below 2.5v? If the battery is at 3 volts, does this mean I cannot fire the device higher than 3volts, meaning I would need to switch to a lower res atomizer if need be?

The biggest suggestion I could make to you is to not cheap out on your charger.
The cheap chargers, keep giving a trickle charge when the cut off threshold is reached.
Usually below 4.2V.
This means, if you forget to remove them when the charging light goes green they can overcharge your batteries.
Most of the cheapies aren't very accurate as well.

If I was to buy a charger today I would buy this one.
This charger can charge 4 batteries at ones, albeit a bit slow when doing so.
If you are charging 2 batteries at a time, it has a pretty decent charge rate though. (750mA)
It is fully automatic, will auto sense what type battery you install and charge appropriately. (no spacers needed)
It also comes to a full stop when charge is complete.
http://www.amazon.com/JETBeam-IntelliCharger-i4-Charger-Generation/dp/B007OKCYSU/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1364023466&sr=8-5&keywords=nitecore+i4

Here's the charger I am currently using.
This one will charge 18650 batteries faster than any other sub $50 charger safely. (1000 mA)
It has a manual switch to switch between 1000 mA and 500 mA output and requires 2 spacers (included) to charge 18350's.
It also comes to a complete stop when charging is complete.
Battery Chargers : Xtar WP2 II

As to your question about the protection circuit.
The Vamo will not fire and shuts off when your battery drops to 3.2V.
It has a boost circuit built in that increases the voltage to your atomizer so your output will likely be higher (depending on your settings) than the current battery voltage.
If you're vaping higher than 8-9W you are gonna notice a drop in power when your battery gets around 3.5-3.6V.

 

[Kaywalsk]

Go with the 4 slot charger from amazon mentioned above, it's totally worth it.


http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00AKQQ990/ref=mp_s_a_1?qid=1364050409&sr=8-2&pi=SL75

Go with those batteries, 4 for 26$ is a great deal.

Edit: like someone said to me when I made my thread that was very similar to this one. "there are things to save money on (vamo), but you shouldn't go cheap on your charger and batteries"

Sent from my SGH-I897 using Tapatalk 2

 

[indianajames]

I'm going to jump on board with xbassman and Kaywalsk on the charger. I have that one as well and so far it's performed awesomely. Having four slots is awesome, too. I went cheap on the first charger and it's now residing in the landfill after very minimal use.

 

[Disconnect]

Vamo from exhale, nitecore i4 charger, works like a champ

 

[Aheadatime]

Ok I have purchased the Vamov2 stainless and the trustfire charger from exhales and the batteries that White Rabbit recommended. I'll just have to see the charger's quality first hand and upgrade if need be, ditto with the batteries. I'll charge them when I first get them, and see how it goes from there. Thank you all for the responses, much appreciated.

 

[garyd]

Ok I have purchased the Vamov2 stainless and the trustfire charger from exhales and the batteries that White Rabbit recommended. I'll just have to see the charger's quality first hand and upgrade if need be, ditto with the batteries. I'll charge them when I first get them, and see how it goes from there. Thank you all for the responses, much appreciated.

You have a great device, about the best batteries you can get and an ok charger. You will upgrade to a better charger in time hopefully like the i4, most people that understand the care of these batteries (and what you pay for them, not cheap) want to optimize their life/potential/safety with a quality charger, just saying. When you think about it a small investment for taking the best care of a most important part of your vaping equipment.

 

[Aheadatime]

You have a great device, about the best batteries you can get and an ok charger. You will upgrade to a better charger in time hopefully like the i4, most people that understand the care of these batteries (and what you pay for them, not cheap) want to optimize their life/potential/safety with a quality charger, just saying. When you think about it a small investment for taking the best care of a most important part of your vaping equipment.

I agree with this point. I don't exactly know how to tell if the charger is 'trickle' charging when it shouldn't etc. How would I tell (besides having the battery die on me within a month) if the charger isn't doing its job? Granted, I will be removing the batteries when they are full.

 

[xbassman]

I agree with this point. I don't exactly know how to tell if the charger is 'trickle' charging when it shouldn't etc. How would I tell (besides having the battery die on me within a month) if the charger isn't doing its job? Granted, I will be removing the batteries when they are full.

Every vapor graduating to AVP's should own a meter.

Meters : Hongda DT-95C

 

[Disconnect]

When you think about it a small investment for taking the best care of a most important part of your vaping equipment.

You mean my face? Cuz I've heard battery explosions hurt

(Otherwise totally agree. I2/I4 isn't much compared to the cost of batteries, much less the lowered risk.)

 

[garyd]

You mean my face? Cuz I've heard battery explosions hurt

(Otherwise totally agree. I2/I4 isn't much compared to the cost of batteries, much less the lowered risk.)

Ha, yes that too!

 

[Aheadatime]

You mean my face? Cuz I've heard battery explosions hurt

(Otherwise totally agree. I2/I4 isn't much compared to the cost of batteries, much less the lowered risk.)

Yikes don't scare me like that. Trustfire isn't that awful of a charger is it?

 

[angryguy77]

Yikes don't scare me like that. Trustfire isn't that awful of a charger is it?

Hope not, I just bought one and used it for the first time today. They might be better for your batteries longevity(maybe?), but I'm sure they're safe as long as you use them properly. Ecig users are not the only people who use these. If there was a widespread safety issue, I'm sure we would know by now.

 

[Disconnect]

For starters, its from the same company that wildly misrepresents the capacity of their batteries as well as their safety features. It also has been proven to continue charging slowly after the battery is full, which can cause batteries to explode. For added fun, lets combine those products and put it by your face before turning it on...

 

[garyd]

Yikes don't scare me like that. Trustfire isn't that awful of a charger is it?

Always be in the room where the batteries are charging, check them periodically to make sure they are not getting hot, as soon as they are charged take them off the charger and let them rest for an hour or so before using. You should be fine.

 

[xbassman]

Yikes don't scare me like that. Trustfire isn't that awful of a charger is it?

You'll be fine, just don't charge your batteries while you sleep.
Check them every 30 minutes or so. 18650's can take quite a long time to charge in that charger.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Aheadatime]

Ok well I've received everything in the mail, and have the batteries sitting on the charger right now. Is it a bad idea to be charging both simultaneously? And there is a switch on the side of the charger that lets you toggle between 3.6V and 3.0V, is the difference in charge time?

Looking to upgrade already lol, after being fear mongered by you guys. Can you link me to some higher quality chargers (that you yourself have been using)? Intellicharge i4 Charger Decent buy?