Seeking Advice on Best Personal Vaporizer - money is no object

[tj99959]

Tesseract don't let them be foolin' ya like this! The best vaping rig is, and always will be MORE THAN ONE.

 

[snowyghost]

its all personal preferance. but the provari and the svd are 2 solid starts the top is 100% up to the person

 

[Tesseract]

Money is no object? OK.

Mechanical--Mini Caravela with the Vela Latina atomizer. Might take a year or more to get one, though.

Variable voltage/wattage:

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I looked around (a lot) and managed to find this on e-bay:

CARAVELA MECHANICAL MOD VAPORIZER 510 Ego​

Price:
US $779.95



​

 

[jwat82]

Reo Grand/RM2. www.reosmods.com

Most hassle free vaping experience ever, but can be as fiddly as you want to make it, if that's your thing.

Best customer service in the biz. Hands down. Rob (user: RedEyeDancer) is the man.

Sent from my GT-P3113 using Tapatalk 4

 

[Katya]

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I looked around (a lot) and managed to find this on e-bay:

CARAVELA MECHANICAL MOD VAPORIZER 510 Ego

Price:
US $779.95



​

Hi Tesseract... Something is seriously wrong with that listing--to say the least. First of all, the item pictured is not a Caravela--it's a Smoktech Zmax--an inexpensive Chinese mod that that sells for ~70 dollars--more or less. I hope that is an honest mistake--not a blatant ripoff. New Caravelas from Portugal go for under $500, depending on the model.

Caravela is a mechanical mod manufactured in Portugal and has to be special ordered from Senor Pedro through his website--the waiting time is usually over a year--if you're lucky enough to get on the list. My recommendation in that post was really tongue-in-cheek. Caravela is a luxury/collector item.

 

[Ed Nantista]

IHybrids!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Tesseract]

Seriously now. You can get a great vv/vw battery with an Ohm meter and dual 510/eGo connection for under $100--I recommend an Innokin iTaste MVP V2 (box shaped) or iTaste VV V3--(tube shape, similar to eGos is size).

If you want to pay more than $100, the ProVari is still the most reliable and uncomplicated APV on the market. A true work horse.

Toppers? I like and use many different ones--the Kanger BCC line is solid, most carto tanks are good and some people prefer them to clearomizers, some top coils are also very good, like iTaste 16 and 30 (dual coil) and ViVi Novas.

I really dig your style, Kaytu.

It seems to me it is all-too-easy to get swept-away, enamored and starry-eyed in admiration of PV's based on aesthetics (and my God, are they gorgeous!), where price is based not so much on superior design, but exotic/expensive metals, materials, solders, etc (I'm looking at you, mechanical ). This may be an egregious over-generalization, but remember I'm new to this, and it's all my superficial impressions, so, please be gentle if you feel the need to disabuse me of these misconceptions!

But, Kayta, your advice seems sensible and level-headed. Prudent. My own personal preference: I'm not at all interested in the vanity aspect or 'bling' factor -couldn't care any less about that. Down the road, who knows?

So, at this point (and I'm likely speaking prematurely) I'm leaning towards:

Innokin iTaste MVP V2 (box shaped) or

iTaste VV V3 or, of course, the

ProVari™ Starter Kit with Tank V2.5.

But, I'm still reading everyone's responses and commenting as I go, so who knows?

One thing is for certain: Whatever I decide, I'm going to take a few days and let the decision percolate, rather than make an impulse 'buy it now!' move (oh-so-easy to do with on-line shopping). However, I was all over, snagging up some Halo Tribeca at 20% off! That was a no-brainer!

 

[woodenjester]

I love the design and idea of the reo grand...the "squonk" tip intimidates me a bit, though.

 

[Tesseract]

If you want a regulated tube, the Provari is hard to beat. While there are a few things out there as nice that use 18mm diameter batteries in a tube-shape, I know of none that are as easy to order and get your hands on.
ProVape E-Cigarettes: Buy Electronic Cigarettes & Smokeless Cigs

If you want something that uses LiPoly batteries, can drive 20 watt atties, and has built in charging abilities...
Have a look at the Opus (Wood/Brass) or Opus D (Aluminum). (There are not as easy to get your hands on...expect a wait of some sort to get one).
Nhaler: Best Electronic Cigarette Starter Kit Brands on Sale in USA
While at Nhaler take a look at the Curve (mechanical), and their interesting array of 'larger battery mods'.

If you want a classic bottom feeder that's built like a tank and comes in a good assortment of sizes, aluminum or wood...see:
reosmods.com (You can get them with VV (bucking method) there, drop in a Kick button for VW (PWM boosted), or use it bare).

The Buzz Pro is a solid workhorse, and they also offer an interesting juice fed PV:
Notcigs

There is a large array of nicer Mechanical Mods out there.
https://www.supertmanufacturing.com/ (Just one example)

There are also a number of wood-centric builds avilable (beautiful wood boxes).

If you like something that does not have regulation built into it, I personally would recommend a Kick 2 until you learn more about using an unregulated mod (battery choice/care/maintenance). A Kick 2 button gives you Variable Wattage abilities (Similar to an Opus D, but not quite as powerful) and a slew of safety features that you don't get with a straight unregulated PV.
Evolv Kick 2

I really enjoy these Hand buit one of a kind Saber Touch Mods for its look and the touch sensor button. I also really really like the unique pass-through options Sir_Lawrence builds for these. I'm no cloud chaser, but I feel much safer doing the occasional sub-ohm multi-coiled atty on a pass-through than I do with small batteries.
Home Page

Holy Smokes, Credo, you are an encyclopedia of PV knowledge. I've got my homework cut out for me. So much to investigate! Thanks so much. This will keep me busy for a while!

 

[Tesseract]

pila charger provari and kayfun lite for someone who demands: LOTS of vapor, NO leaks and good flavor your going to need a rebuildable bottom coil atomizer. I was in the same boat, the more i read the more i didnt know what exactly i wanted.
i have made two mistakes so far that didnt suit my vaping style, number 1 was the protank. i got really good at rebuilding protank heads with 32gauge and cotton and they work excellent. decent plume of vapor and a decent amount of flavor. where the protank stopped for me was when i found myself taking longer drags of 6-7 seconds to satisfy my big vapor exhale. no matter how i rebuilt, if i hit it to fast, to long or too many times i would burn the rubber insulator. (now is where the protank fanboys come and tell me i have no idea what im doing and that this problem can be fixed.well trust me on this, the first time you taste burned rubber in your atomizer tank you will be severely TURNED OFF.
second mistake i made was buying a genesis style Z-atty-pro, although its an awesome device it is useless to me because i cant take it with me on a motorcycle. i knew this when i got it but thought i would want it for use at home to get that superior vape. i found that i could build atomizer heads for the protank that made justhe z-atty.
so after spending 500 plus dollars i was left with a provari with extension cap, 2 18650 batteries and a pila charger that are excellent. i needed a tank that would give the best vape available for a leak free device.

current setup provari standard on 18650 with kayfun lite and i get one day of huge vapor out of the tank capacity with chain vaping and each battery can last up to two whole days if needed.

Although i feel like im pushing my ideals on the OP, this setup rocks and it took countless days of reading, watching reviews and fiddling with other tanks before i found something that rocks. i think my expectations of no leaks, copious vapor and good flavor are all common goals here.

Here's another vote tilting the scales for provari. I really like the personal narrative you provided, and it will go a long way toward me not making the same mistake. Thank-you for the info PNW Rider.

 

[Tesseract]

If I could, I'd recommend a Darwin.

If they were available. (Darwins of the past are no longer available thru vendors.)

I'd also recommend an DNA20 mod, and of course a Provi. Add to that a wonderful bottom fed device, some glorious glass tanks, great batts, and a really good charger.

And money to add on an extra closet or two.



The "money is no object" is a great start, but it's still important to distinguish what exactly you want in a vape. Easy? Portable? Small? Heavy? Mechanical? Rebuild it yourself? Fussy about the button? Fingerprints? All the bells and whistles? Just one bell and two whistles?

Design your perfect device and I'll bet you get quite a few recommendations.

This is great advice, and granted, my shotgun approach of, money is no object seemed to open the floodgates. But, in doing so, I've seen the whole gamut of what's out there, and its helped me narrow down tremendously. Most of all, I hope there are other newbies like me out there who are reading this thread, and will gain from all the excellent info as well!

 

[Credo]

This is great advice, and granted, my shotgun approach of, money is no object seemed to open the floodgates. But, in doing so, I've seen the whole gamut of what's out there, and its helped me narrow down tremendously. Most of all, I hope there are other newbies like me out there who are reading this thread, and will gain from all the excellent info as well!

Oh, this is just scratching the surface of the over $100 stuff

We go could on for hours with the quite usable but under $100 stuff as well.

If you're willing to 'wait' to have one custom built for you...the sky is the limit.

 

[Katya]

So, at this point (and I'm likely speaking prematurely) I'm leaning towards:

Innokin iTaste MVP V2 (box shaped) or

iTaste VV V3 or, of course, the

ProVari™ Starter Kit with Tank V2.5.

But, I'm still reading everyone's responses and commenting as I go, so who knows?

One thing is for certain: Whatever I decide, I'm going to take a few days and let the decision percolate, rather than make an impulse 'buy it now!' move (oh-so-easy to do with on-line shopping). However, I was all over, snagging up some Halo Tribeca at 20% off! That was a no-brainer!

Good thinking!

Those are very solid choices. Innokin is innovating like crazy and making good-looking, well-priced, user friendly, quality batteries. MVP V2 is widely popular and most users are very happy with its performance. If I were starting today, I'd get either the iTaste MVP or the VV. They have the same features, just different shape.

ProVari is a different matter. I love mine, but when I bought it, it was the king of all mods and nothing out there came even close--but it's beginning to show its age. It's still the most reliable and the best built mod out there, but the technology is changing very fast in the vaping world. Here's a nice article on the subject--written by a ProVari fan (this was written 8 months ago, BTW):

ProVari: Is it Over the Hill?

Good luck and happy hunting!

 

[amanda211]

Another vote for the provari here. Very reliable warrantied with inexpensive repair if needed. Which will be highly unlikely any time soon. I dropped mine on the concrete checking the mail and was more worried about my toes than the ProVari. It hit pretty hard but no scratches and fired right up! Definitely worth the price!

 

[Kilo23]

Just send me a PM and I can make something tailored to you. Good luck on the hunt because there will always be something more interesting right after you buy one.

 

[Credo]

I really dig your style, Kaytu.

It seems to me it is all-too-easy to get swept-away, enamored and starry-eyed in admiration of PV's based on aesthetics (and my God, are they gorgeous!), where price is based not so much on superior design, but exotic/expensive metals, materials, solders, etc (I'm looking at you, mechanical ). This may be an egregious over-generalization, but remember I'm new to this, and it's all my superficial impressions, so, please be gentle if you feel the need to disabuse me of these misconceptions!

But, Kayta, your advice seems sensible and level-headed. Prudent. My own personal preference: I'm not at all interested in the vanity aspect or 'bling' factor -couldn't care any less about that. Down the road, who knows?

So, at this point (and I'm likely speaking prematurely) I'm leaning towards:

Innokin iTaste MVP V2 (box shaped) or

iTaste VV V3 or, of course, the

ProVari™ Starter Kit with Tank V2.5.

But, I'm still reading everyone's responses and commenting as I go, so who knows?

One thing is for certain: Whatever I decide, I'm going to take a few days and let the decision percolate, rather than make an impulse 'buy it now!' move (oh-so-easy to do with on-line shopping). However, I was all over, snagging up some Halo Tribeca at 20% off! That was a no-brainer!

All good units at their price points.
I think you'll get your $$$ worth out of any of those.

The nice thing about your choices...all three are easy to get your hands on...no pre-pays and special waiting lists

 

[aelwero]

try a vivi nova "V-Fate" edition for the top half.

It's dual coil, with replaceable coil heads, similar to Iclear, kanger, etc. top fed, but with "octopus" type wick, so no dry hits.

I would call it the "high quality" version of the "low end" tank market... 10-20 bucks, and hits like a high dollar mod

 

[Vapoor eyes er]

I really dig your style, Kaytu.

It seems to me it is all-too-easy to get swept-away, enamored and starry-eyed in admiration of PV's based on aesthetics (and my God, are they gorgeous!), where price is based not so much on superior design, but exotic/expensive metals, materials, solders, etc (I'm looking at you, mechanical ). This may be an egregious over-generalization, but remember I'm new to this, and it's all my superficial impressions, so, please be gentle if you feel the need to disabuse me of these misconceptions!

But, Kayta, your advice seems sensible and level-headed. Prudent. My own personal preference: I'm not at all interested in the vanity aspect or 'bling' factor -couldn't care any less about that. Down the road, who knows?

So, at this point (and I'm likely speaking prematurely) I'm leaning towards:

Innokin iTaste MVP V2 (box shaped) or

iTaste VV V3 or, of course, the

ProVari™ Starter Kit with Tank V2.5.

But, I'm still reading everyone's responses and commenting as I go, so who knows?

One thing is for certain: Whatever I decide, I'm going to take a few days and let the decision percolate, rather than make an impulse 'buy it now!' move (oh-so-easy to do with on-line shopping). However, I was all over, snagging up some Halo Tribeca at 20% off! That was a no-brainer!

I own the MVP 2 and really like it. My only MINOR complaint is the button is a little stiff but not a deal breaker.
The iTaste VV V3 is a very small VV and I like it except the battery is too small= 800 mah. Battery info: 100 mah= approx 1 hr of vaping time before batt needs charging. Realize if firing at above 3.7 volts the batt will drain slightly quicker.
Both the above PVs are manufactured by Innokin- they seem to be head and shoulders above the competition in regards to quality in the < $100.00 category.
Owned the Provari and was very impressed with the quality but felt the $$ could be spent elsewhere buying a number of diff PVs.
Another Mod that I own and has gotten rave reviews is the Sigelei Z-Max V3. With 4 quality 2250 mah batts and quality charger can be bought for about $100. When combining price point and quality it is my favorite Mod.
Might be a good idea to start out with the MVP 2 and go from there as you'll always need a backup and it's reasonably priced. It's also a Pass Through- can be charged and vaped on at the same time.


Starts at 4:14 Mins:


Here's review of the Z-Max V2- much more info. Surprising comment @ 10:10- 10:17 Mins.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9d68f1E0ZY
Best of Luck.

 

[Katya]

^What he said!

I own and love my stainless steel mini Sigelei (not Smoktech) Zmax.

 

[dlbarretto]

For Mods (Variable): ATB with a Ti chip (pictured here), DNA20 (Wizard's Evolved, Hana Modz), Provari
For Mods (Mechanical): Nemesis, Poldiac
For Tanks (using silica wicks): Kayfun 3.1 (pictured here)/ Lite Plus, Squape, Ithaka
For Tanks (using mesh): Kraken, AC9
For Drippers: Immortalizer, Nimbus, ERA AFC

Since money is no object, you can have any of the combinations above. But if you need to prioritize, I would advise to get a quality atomizer first as this will have the biggest impact to quality vaping.