Sigelei Zmax V3 and V5 Telescopic: User's Group

[xyanide]

Hello fellow Zmaxers. I just felt like dropping in and should maybe just go ahead and write a review on the V5.
I started paying attention to the voltage regulation compared to my old vamo v2. Once again an enormous difference by vaping standards.
This thing pulls all my 18650 batteries down to 3.6V and I can't even tell. It can more than likely go much lower but I like regularly recharging my 18650s to lengthen the lifespan, I have 3 of them in rotation anyway.
This is a pretty sharp contrast to the Vamo v2 that would've already noticeably declined in performance around the 3.8V mark.

What a great mod!

Sorry, another quick question (still reading thru the rest of the posts)...
Any on going issues w/ the updated V3's? Looks like they gave some attention to the electronics, fire button & 510/eGo connection?

The latest batch should be working perfectly fine and built to last longer. If you want to know how you can tell different production runs apart you need to look at some posts further back in this thread. If you want to make sure you have the latest production batch you might as well order a v5 like I did, it's usually just $10 more.

 

[White_rabbitt]

The latest batch should be working perfectly fine and built to last longer. If you want to know how you can tell different production runs apart you need to look at some posts further back in this thread. If you want to make sure you have the latest production batch you might as well order a v5 like I did, it's usually just $10 more.

I actually just received a v3 yesterday! Was pleasantly surprised and noticed the obvious upgrades from earlier production runs. i.e. metal button. I am still wading through the 100+ posts on this thread and was just wondering if anyone knew offhand around what post # that everyone started talking about the updated v3?
Loving this device so far!

 

[VapieDan]

I have the V5 telescope and very pleased with the performance. I think the only difference with the V3 is the cell phone charging on the menu which is #9 in the menu. By the way I obtained this body only with no charger. Anyone know where the charger can be purchased separately?

 

[olefolks]

This is the same issue I had it has to do with the line up of the button to switch. The switch is high on the button and the button has to press on the center of the switch. So by pushing on the top of the button you make a solid push on the center of the switch. That's why I took mine apart again and modded to get the switch lined up centered with the button.

Every button will have a sweet spot depending on orientation of the board. Pushpin the top worked reliably for me. The button line up is like that from the factory. At least my circuit board it was impossible for it to line up right without trimming the board.

First of all, thank all of you for your help and suggestions. Everything is working now. I don't have any idea why, other than the Noalox.
The display screen is off set from the original placement. Yzer, I have not contacted the B&M concerning the warranty but, since it is working I don't have any reason to now.

Again, thank you all for your help.

 

[CookieMonster225]

I have a ZMax v3 telescoping model. I'm currently using an "efest 1600" 18650 battery. I was thinking of moving to a smaller one so it's more compact. Can anyone recommend some good battery brands? I'm a noob and have no idea what batteries are good.

 

[fairmana]

First of all, thank all of you for your help and suggestions. Everything is working now. I don't have any idea why, other than the Noalox.
The display screen is off set from the original placement. Yzer, I have not contacted the B&M concerning the warranty but, since it is working I don't have any reason to now.

Again, thank you all for your help.

Glad to hear it olefolks!

It sounds like your saying your circuit card shifted. If that's the case, it may not always make good contact with your battery (hopefully it does). Just something to keep in mind if you have intermittent problems in the future.

If it gets bad enough, you might consider removing the top cap and adding a spacer so the card can no longer shift. I don't know if that's something you feel comfortable doing, but I thought I should at least mention it.

Best of luck! Hopefully you won't need to do anything special but keep it Noalox'd and avoid over tightening the battery.

 

[fairmana]

@ BechnCO:

OK, so I got a close look at these batteries and had a conversation with him about them. I was previously under the impression they were dimpled on the top from being pushed on by the PV positive contact, but I was wrong (I only glanced at them briefly). They come slightly concave on the top from the factory, but make contact just fine (if the board isn't shifted that is). The top contact seems beefy and not flimsy at all. They seem like good batteries to me and they are lasting him almost 2 days as I mentioned previously (3400 mAh is about the highest capacity on the market right now).

I borrowed one of these to use for a week and let him use one of my Orbtronic 3100 mAh protected batteries. I can let you know how this one works out by next weekend.

Here are a couple of pics for you.

View attachment 293866

View attachment 293867

@ BechnCO:

As promised earlier, I'm reporting back on my impression of these 18650 batteries you asked about. I fully charged one and used it until my V3 reported low battery. This battery (3400 mAh) lasted me the better part of 2 days. I was pretty impressed. I was vaping at about 7 watts, so keep that in mind when considering what it might last you at lower or greater wattage settings. Also, I suppose I'm an "average" vaper, so take that for what it's worth as well.

Hope this helps!

 

[olefolks]

Glad to hear it olefolks!

It sounds like your saying your circuit card shifted. If that's the case, it may not always make good contact with your battery (hopefully it does). Just something to keep in mind if you have intermittent problems in the future.

If it gets bad enough, you might consider removing the top cap and adding a spacer so the card can no longer shift. I don't know if that's something you feel comfortable doing, but I thought I should at least mention it.

Best of luck! Hopefully you won't need to do anything special but keep it Noalox'd and avoid over tightening the battery.

Thanks Fairmana for your advise. I might try taking it apart, but, it does scare the heck out of me. However, if its broke, it needs to be fixed.

 

[JeremyR]

I have the V5 telescope and very pleased with the performance. I think the only difference with the V3 is the cell phone charging on the menu which is #9 in the menu. By the way I obtained this body only with no charger. Anyone know where the charger can be purchased separately?

Best charger for the money - efest SODA charger 11.00 @ vapingcraze. Highly recommend

I have a ZMax v3 telescoping model. I'm currently using an "efest 1600" 18650 battery. I was thinking of moving to a smaller one so it's more compact. Can anyone recommend some good battery brands? I'm a noob and have no idea what batteries are good.

Efest imr 18650 for up to 15w @ 2.2 ohms &up , 2 stacked 18350 for up to 15w @ 1.5 ohms &up , from 101 vape ... Aw imrs are good too

**##****##
A big welcome to the group for all you new zmax owners!!!

 

[yzer]

I have a ZMax v3 telescoping model. I'm currently using an "efest 1600" 18650 battery. I was thinking of moving to a smaller one so it's more compact. Can anyone recommend some good battery brands? I'm a noob and have no idea what batteries are good.

By far, the E-fest IMR 18500 V1 (flat top) is my most often used battery. It's 1100 mAh. BothV3s in this photo are sized for 18500s.

 

[yzer]

I actually just received a v3 yesterday! Was pleasantly surprised and noticed the obvious upgrades from earlier production runs. i.e. metal button. I am still wading through the 100+ posts on this thread and was just wondering if anyone knew offhand around what post # that everyone started talking about the updated v3?
Loving this device so far!

buzzkill657 reports and photographs a new V3 with removable top cap on October 18, 2013. Photo shows top cap removed.
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...r-reports-one-week-later-32.html#post11028112

Starlyte2 reports a removable top cap on a "Zmax" 10/30/2013.
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...r-reports-one-week-later-34.html#post11135967

JeremyR reports a new V3 with removable top cap with a photo on 11/19/2013. Purchased from 101 Vape.
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...r-reports-one-week-later-36.html#post11328838

yzer reports on 12/7/2013 a new V3 with removable top cap on also purchased from 101 Vape. Photos show how to visually ID the new V3s. Six differences are noted between the new and old V3s.
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...r-reports-one-week-later-37.html#post11500536

JeremyR shows photos of improvements inside the new V3 on 12/17/2013.
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...r-reports-one-week-later-41.html#post11602688

 

[Gato del Jugo]

Glad to have you here and hope you enjoy the Sigelei. Varitube seems to go the extra mile with their warranty. Do they still treat the tube threads with Noalox for shipping them out?

It doesnt appear that they do anymore. (was only a little disappointed about that & lack of personal note. However, I'm sure they have grown a lot more in business since then. And they still ship pretty much immediately & also replied quickly to a couple questions I had.)

I would wager that they still Noalox the threads first, for the simple fact that if they didn't, they'd potentially be getting back more returns/exchanges due to non-Noalox'ed issues.

Perhaps it's just that they no longer note that they did?

All my threads are nice & smooth, anyway.


Not that I expect it, but I did get a hand-written "Thanks, [first name]!" on the invoice.. maybe it was just a relatively slow day that day?

 

[Gato del Jugo]

buzzkill657 reports and photographs a new V3 with removable top cap on October 18, 2012.

Actually 2013

 

[yzer]

Actually 2013

I'll fix that, tnx.

 

[White_rabbitt]

buzzkill657 reports and photographs a new V3 with removable top cap on October 18, 2013. Photo shows top cap removed.
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...r-reports-one-week-later-32.html#post11028112

Starlyte2 reports a removable top cap on a "Zmax" 10/30/2013.
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...r-reports-one-week-later-34.html#post11135967

JeremyR reports a new V3 with removable top cap with a photo on 11/19/2013. Purchased from 101 Vape.
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...r-reports-one-week-later-36.html#post11328838

yzer reports on 12/7/2013 a new V3 with removable top cap on also purchased from 101 Vape. Photos show how to visually ID the new V3s. Six differences are noted between the new and old V3s.
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...r-reports-one-week-later-37.html#post11500536

JeremyR shows photos of improvements inside the new V3 on 12/17/2013.
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...r-reports-one-week-later-41.html#post11602688

AWESOME! Thanks yzer! Exactly what I was looking for. (and now I'm almost caught up w/ all of the posts as well!)
Def liking the removeable top cap and can see why that would/will come in handy.

I noticed on your updated v3 that it still looks to have the plastic firing button...mine has the metal. I wonder when they started going w/ that update?

I would wager that they still Noalox the threads first, for the simple fact that if they didn't, they'd potentially be getting back more returns/exchanges due to non-Noalox'ed issues.

Perhaps it's just that they no longer note that they did?

All my threads are nice & smooth, anyway.


Not that I expect it, but I did get a hand-written "Thanks, [first name]!" on the invoice.. maybe it was just a relatively slow day that day?

The threads seemed pretty bare and clean but I guess it's possible that I just don't know what Noalox looks like on threads. Either way, they still seemed very smooth and I still lubed them up some, just in case. I am also still really pleased w/ varitube.com's service.

 

[JeremyR]

I personally would prefer the metal button. Is it stainless

 

[White_rabbitt]

I personally would prefer the metal button. Is it stainless

Oh yeah, I definitely prefer the metal button too! (I wasn't expecting it either b/c all of the pictures of the v3 that I had seen before I got mine had plastic buttons)
It appears to be stainless. But it's polished and not brushed like the tube.

 

[yzer]

poopynuggeteer posted a photo of the metal button here two days ago. We have also seen reports of etched Sigelei logos appearing at different locations on the new V3s and V5s as well.

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...r-reports-one-week-later-53.html#post11854565

 

[White_rabbitt]

poopynuggeteer posted a photo of the metal button here two days ago. We have also seen reports of etched Sigelei logos appearing at different locations on the new V3s and V5s as well.

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...r-reports-one-week-later-53.html#post11854565

Ah, ok. Man, I really need to get caught up! Sorry guys.

 

[yzer]

Ah, ok. Man, I really need to get caught up! Sorry guys.

poopynuggeteer has a V5, so your V3 with a metal button would be a first report. Seeing a photo would be great!