Reviews of the Apex Alpha Unit

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Slo Ryd

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Jul 8, 2009
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City of Trees
www.innovapor.com
Have UltraMax no res. Using 510 cartomizers with 3.7v and 6.0v. I love it. The only thing that took a little time to get use to was that sliding switch. And as posted above. Less is better. Less force. If you push on it to hard its going to be difficult to slide. I love that its all mechanical which means I can use the dual core cartomizer at 6v without the worry of frying my switch.
If I had to change one thing it would be the sliding switch in favor of maybe a bottom switch..

Keep checking our forum page for an update on a new sliding switch. I think you might be pleasantly surprised. :)
 
are there any other improvements coming up on the alpha ultra with RES,

Well, in a general sense yes. I am and will be pushing the design forward continuously. That said, I designed the Apex Alpha line to be modular so that I can ensure that whatever I come up with will be "bolt on".

Like, for instance, if I designed a button that transforms the alpha into a fighter jet, then I would design it to thread right on to the RES. Just kidding, but you know what I mean.

Nothing is in the mail right now that will make the current models antiquated. :)
 

SleepHater

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May 3, 2009
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PA, CA
when are you going to include the new switch with the purchase of the ultra max,or is it set up already with the new switch

We will make them available as a stand alone item, or if you buy a UltraMax kit in the future, you could select to have which switch configuration you want. This will be implemented across all Alpha's in the next little while. For now it will just be the UltraMax (which has the largest surface area of switch contact = more friction in the switch).

As soon as they arrive at innovapor (they are getting electroless nickel plated currently) then they will be available under parts and accessories.

Cheers,

SH
 

paulc35

Super Member
ECF Veteran
Jul 24, 2010
314
83
Mason,Wv
Keep checking our forum page for an update on a new sliding switch. I think you might be pleasantly surprised. :)
You know my comment may have been a little premature..The main thing with the sliding switch is it just takes a little time to get use to, but its fine. Even though you can master the switch I think a Bottom switch is a better choice. Keeping its all mechanical design. I Love The UltraMax by the way
 

k9frog

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Jul 21, 2009
311
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sullivan co. ny
are you thinking of changing to a bottom buttom, i think what bought me here to the alpha was the fact of the sliding button, what a great idea that is ,besides you have the only mod with that style button, and it works, the improvement that is being done at this time is it for the sliding button on the ultra max with RES,not a bottom button, also this coating your using what is it powder coating, or a spray on ,never heard of electroless nickle plating
 
You know my comment may have been a little premature..The main thing with the sliding switch is it just takes a little time to get use to, but its fine. Even though you can master the switch I think a Bottom switch is a better choice. Keeping its all mechanical design. I Love The UltraMax by the way

Cheers, and no worries, and I hear what you are saying. Coming in to this effort I wanted to bring something fresh to the PV market. Something that activated in a more intuitive manner than a plain button. I also didn't like feeling like I was playing the flute when I tried other PV's, fishing for the button with my pinkie, etc. I knew from the start that the button activated mods hard permeated the market, that everyone was used to them, and that there would be push back for breaking from the norm. However, I like changing things up, trying new concepts, and the idea of offering an alternative to a community that doesn't have many. That said, the modular design of the Apex Alpha line lends itself to variations. The optional Main Body that is coming out next week will function exactly like a bottom button, be easily "swap-able" with the sliding switch main body, and still maintain the excellent contacts lacking in so many of the current button activated PV options out there.

are you thinking of changing to a bottom buttom, i think what bought me here to the alpha was the fact of the sliding button, what a great idea that is ,besides you have the only mod with that style button, and it works, the improvement that is being done at this time is it for the sliding button on the ultra max with RES,not a bottom button, also this coating your using what is it powder coating, or a spray on ,never heard of electroless nickle plating

Thanks! The sliding switch is the prime switch for the Apex Alpha line and will remain so. The vast majority of users out there have loved the intuitive nature of the sliding switch, and it is the direct result of requirements I self imposed during the design phase. Specifically, it offers the best protection against unintentional activation out there, and easily activates using only two fingers. These are "must haves" for the alpha, where safety, simplicity, and durability are the top priorities.

Electroless nickel plating is just the best way to nickel plate. It's not new, here is some more information on it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electroless_nickel_plating
 
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Jackass69

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Apr 20, 2011
554
250
Sweden
Wow!
I received my Apex Alpha Ultra Max RES 3.7V today. The shipping was fast, I ordered it last Thursday and the mailman came with it this morning to me in Sweden. I must be the first to have one in Sweden, maybe in whole Scandinavia to :laugh:

It's my first mod but I can't image me to need another one. It works, looks and taste wonderful. It’s a piece of art and an amazing craftsmanship with classy details like the engraving in the bottom and inside of the main body. It has a nice vapour with a good th and feel. It was no problem to set it up and start vaping. The switch works flawlessly and I have no problem to fire it at al.

A downside, and I’m sorry to say, but the liquid (24mg, regular full flavour) tasted and smelled awful. I’m in no way an expert on liquids and taste is different for everyone but it was like burnt popcorn. It’s the closest I get in describing the taste.:(

This gave me the opportunity to wash out the RES, dry it with some paper and fill it up with some good old Hangsen RY4 ;) It worked like a charm and tasted even better than in my eGo clone bat with ECHO cart.

My wife and friends have had the fun to mock me for “the giant” size of the Ultra Max but they are comparing it to an ordinary cig. I think it was smaller and lighter than I thought it would be and it fits perfectly in my hands.

I don’t know yet how long the battery will last for me but I think there is a good “mileage” in the RES. I have dripping in it a couple of times when I felt it needed some. I was a 1½ pack of smokes before and I now use about 4-6ml 24mg liquid a day.

I’m sure I will be happy with my new, shiny Alpha for a very long time.
 

Slo Ryd

Unregistered Supplier
ECF Veteran
Jul 8, 2009
994
116
City of Trees
www.innovapor.com
Wow!
I received my Apex Alpha Ultra Max RES 3.7V today. The shipping was fast, I ordered it last Thursday and the mailman came with it this morning to me in Sweden. I must be the first to have one in Sweden, maybe in whole Scandinavia to :laugh:

It's my first mod but I can't image me to need another one. It works, looks and taste wonderful. It’s a piece of art and an amazing craftsmanship with classy details like the engraving in the bottom and inside of the main body. It has a nice vapour with a good th and feel. It was no problem to set it up and start vaping. The switch works flawlessly and I have no problem to fire it at al.

A downside, and I’m sorry to say, but the liquid (24mg, regular full flavour) tasted and smelled awful. I’m in no way an expert on liquids and taste is different for everyone but it was like burnt popcorn. It’s the closest I get in describing the taste.:(

This gave me the opportunity to wash out the RES, dry it with some paper and fill it up with some good old Hangsen RY4 ;) It worked like a charm and tasted even better than in my eGo clone bat with ECHO cart.

My wife and friends have had the fun to mock me for “the giant” size of the Ultra Max but they are comparing it to an ordinary cig. I think it was smaller and lighter than I thought it would be and it fits perfectly in my hands.

I don’t know yet how long the battery will last for me but I think there is a good “mileage” in the RES. I have dripping in it a couple of times when I felt it needed some. I was a 1½ pack of smokes before and I now use about 4-6ml 24mg liquid a day.

I’m sure I will be happy with my new, shiny Alpha for a very long time.

Wow even I am surprised that you got it that quick. Thats awesome. And yes you are definitely the first person in all of Scandinavia to get your hands on one. Good to hear you are liking it. You are the same as most people, pretty surprised at how much smaller it is than expected. Compared to a cig its huge, compared to most mods its pretty small. Too bad you didnt like the ULTRApure. Like I have told countless people though, you either love it or hate it. Unfortunately you are on the hate side. Oh well, its not for everybody. Keep us posted from over there on how it continues to perform for you.

Cheers,
Tony
 

paulc35

Super Member
ECF Veteran
Jul 24, 2010
314
83
Mason,Wv
Cheers, and no worries, and I hear what you are saying. Coming in to this effort I wanted to bring something fresh to the PV market. Something that activated in a more intuitive manner than a plain button. I also didn't like feeling like I was playing the flute when I tried other PV's, fishing for the button with my pinkie, etc. I knew from the start that the button activated mods hard permeated the market, that everyone was used to them, and that there would be push back for breaking from the norm. However, I like changing things up, trying new concepts, and the idea of offering an alternative to a community that doesn't have many. That said, the modular design of the Apex Alpha line lends itself to variations. The optional Main Body that is coming out next week will function exactly like a bottom button, be easily "swap-able" with the sliding switch main body, and still maintain the excellent contacts lacking in so many of the current button activated PV options out there. I'm guessing an anti-tarnish to the nickel plating like chromate wasn't performed.



Thanks! The sliding switch is the prime switch for the Apex Alpha line and will remain so. The vast majority of users out there have loved the intuitive nature of the sliding switch, and it is the direct result of requirements I self imposed during the design phase. Specifically, it offers the best protection against unintentional activation out there, and easily activates using only two fingers. These are "must haves" for the alpha, where safety, simplicity, and durability are the top priorities.

Electroless nickel plating is just the best way to nickel plate. It's not new, here is some more information on it: Electroless nickel plating - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I love the ultramax, BUT! I'm seeing why we got the fine metal polishing cloth. This PV tarnishes fast and you need the metal polishing cloth to restore the color. If this is a result of the design then I don't like this. I appreciate the strength and light weight of the ultramax but my mod is in my hand all day and the last thing I want is to have to take a chemical treated polish cloth every few hours to the mod to remove the chrome color turning black from my grip around the device. Now this is just my opinion but I would of rather it been made of stainless or a colored finish thanits current form. As much as I now love the ultramax I hate the discoloring of the finish. Even the metal driptips turn black. Crap..I will keep the ultra but I'm going to have to find another mod that's all mechanical 3.7v & 6v capable and a finish that requires no maintenance.
 
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No anti tarnish treatment applied to the nickle plating??

Unfortunately no, nickel is nickel. I do use a higher phosphate nickel process, and apply a thicker coating to make it more tarnish resistant. -but it will still tarnish for some. The interesting part is that it tarnishes (or not) differently for different people based on the their ph. For instance, sleephater's ultra tarnished rather quickly, while mine stays clean for weeks. It's just one of those things.
 

sashwa

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Oct 20, 2010
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Alcatraz
Mine starts showing after a couple of days but I only polish it on Sundays. And it's only the back side that tarnishes for some reason - never the switch. :lol: I kinda like the patine/tarnish on it but wish it did it all over and not just the back. I was thinking maybe it was the humidity but SLC is on the dry side and my area is kinda damp at times because of being in the SF Bay but you are on the bay also so I guess it's not that.
 

atavanhalen

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Jan 27, 2010
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Wolverine Lake, Michigan
I love the ultramax, BUT! I'm seeing why we got the fine metal polishing cloth. This PV tarnishes fast and you need the metal polishing cloth to restore the color. If this is a result of the design then I don't like this. I appreciate the strength and light weight of the ultramax but my mod is in my hand all day and the last thing I want is to have to take a chemical treated polish cloth every few hours to the mod to remove the chrome color turning black from my grip around the device. Now this is just my opinion but I would of rather it been made of stainless or a colored finish thanits current form. As much as I now love the ultramax I hate the discoloring of the finish. Even the metal driptips turn black. Crap..I will keep the ultra but I'm going to have to find another mod that's all mechanical 3.7v & 6v capable and a finish that requires no maintenance.
I know you said you dont like using chemicals but once you polish it a couple times, the tarnish does not come half as quick. It is strange that the switch does not get the patine, why is that nate?
 
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