Sigelei Zmax V3 and V5 Telescopic: User's Group

[gorech]

Review Sigelei V5 (2 weeks)

I just love it! I thought my juice was a good coffee flavor before but now, wow.

The biggest issue, and it was not really a V5 issue, is the lack of detail instructions. Learning how to use this gem is a bit challenge. But it is worth it and only took me a few sessions of searching here for the answers. The button/menu is a snap NOW but to start out I was sure I had a dud or defect. Menu item shows up, release button and what is currently set will show up for a few seconds; this is the time to push the button if you wish to change that menu item. I do like being able to see the puffs displayed the V5 offers. Keeps me real I think. I am chain vaping now but with a new toy I guess that is to be expected.

Had some problems with sloppy wiggly on the base. I seem to always have it in my hand and touching it, fiddling with it all the time. Thought I was moving the base and I probably was. After going back to cheat sheet, for the 4th or 5th time I finally realized I was not reading and not comprehending the “yzer’s” directions correctly, That is what my x used to tell me. I had the base way to lose in fear of the dreaded display dislodged syndrome. The point was 1 / 8 battery SHOWING! Like a rock, the base is now. Using the E-fet 18650 exclusively and I get almost 2 days out of it. ~275 puffs if anyone cares, hehe

Most other issues were a result of newbe things with atomizers and my kanger 2. Mis-fires, no-loads, so on. Found out you can make it work and work pretty well! Again do not over tighten and just as bad not to lose. All the answers are on the board you just need to go look.

Now I have a question: I would like to try to make my own atomizer/coils so what should I look for as a starting point or should I just go for a Kayfun?

 

[VapieDan]

Review Sigelei V5 (2 weeks)

I just love it! I thought my juice was a good coffee flavor before but now, wow.

The biggest issue, and it was not really a V5 issue, is the lack of detail instructions. Learning how to use this gem is a bit challenge. But it is worth it and only took me a few sessions of searching here for the answers. The button/menu is a snap NOW but to start out I was sure I had a dud or defect. Menu item shows up, release button and what is currently set will show up for a few seconds; this is the time to push the button if you wish to change that menu item. I do like being able to see the puffs displayed the V5 offers. Keeps me real I think. I am chain vaping now but with a new toy I guess that is to be expected.

Had some problems with sloppy wiggly on the base. I seem to always have it in my hand and touching it, fiddling with it all the time. Thought I was moving the base and I probably was. After going back to cheat sheet, for the 4th or 5th time I finally realized I was not reading and not comprehending the “yzer’s” directions correctly, That is what my x used to tell me. I had the base way to lose in fear of the dreaded display dislodged syndrome. The point was 1 / 8 battery SHOWING! Like a rock, the base is now. Using the E-fet 18650 exclusively and I get almost 2 days out of it. ~275 puffs if anyone cares, hehe

Most other issues were a result of newbe things with atomizers and my kanger 2. Mis-fires, no-loads, so on. Found out you can make it work and work pretty well! Again do not over tighten and just as bad not to lose. All the answers are on the board you just need to go look.

Now I have a question: I would like to try to make my own atomizer/coils so what should I look for as a starting point or should I just go for a Kayfun?

I would highly recommend the Kayfun or Russian 91. If I can build it anyone can! Superior flavor too.

 

[Gallant]

Finally I made up my mind & ordered the ZMax V3 Telescoping flat in Black Chrome kit comes with a Zmax, 18650 battery,Trustfire Charger & Anyvape Davide all for $79.99.
Will post pics when I receive it.

 

[icebat]

Hello everyone. New member here. I've been lurking around this thread for quite some time, and have read a ton of great info. I think I'm finally ready to pull the trigger on a zmax v5. I have a few questions I'm hoping you guys can help with.

I'm planning on running the zmax only in 18350 mode as I like the small form factor. I read somewhere in this thread someone said: "I run flat top AW IMR 18490/500, if you cut the G off the tip of the spring it'll allow full closure of the telescope leaving zero gap between the tube sections." I'm just wondering if this is safe, and what your thoughts on this are?

I think I'm going to skip the kit and just buy the mod itself, along with a couple 18350's/18490's and a charger. I've read the nitcore chargers are good. Is there a specific model I should be looking for? If anyone knows any vendors with a good price on the mod or chargers I would really appreciate any input. May also be interested in the kit if it's a good price.

Thank you so much to, Yzer, JeremyR, Fairmana, and everyone else who has contributed to this thread. You guys have been extremely helpful.


Cheers,
-Sean

 

[VapieDan]

Finally I made up my mind & ordered the ZMax V3 Telescoping flat in Black Chrome kit comes with a Zmax, 18650 battery,Trustfire Charger & Anyvape Davide all for $79.99.
Will post pics when I receive it.

Excellent choice! My V3 is my everyday go to!

 

[VapieDan]

Hello everyone. New member here. I've been lurking around this thread for quite some time, and have read a ton of great info. I think I'm finally ready to pull the trigger on a zmax v5. I have a few questions I'm hoping you guys can help with.

I'm planning on running the zmax only in 18350 mode as I like the small form factor. I read somewhere in this thread someone said: "I run flat top AW IMR 18490/500, if you cut the G off the tip of the spring it'll allow full closure of the telescope leaving zero gap between the tube sections." I'm just wondering if this is safe, and what your thoughts on this are?

I think I'm going to skip the kit and just buy the mod itself, along with a couple 18350's/18490's and a charger. I've read the nitcore chargers are good. Is there a specific model I should be looking for? If anyone knows any vendors with a good price on the mod or chargers I would really appreciate any input. May also be interested in the kit if it's a good price.

Thank you so much to, Yzer, JeremyR, Fairmana, and everyone else who has contributed to this thread. You guys have been extremely helpful.


Cheers,
-Sean

I use the Nitcore I4 charger. Also the Xtars are good. You can find the single battery charger Xtar MC1 for less than $7.00. Good for travel or backup charger as well. The Efest button top 18350 closes completely in mine with the short cap and no modification. It could vary on battery brand. Congratz on you nice choice! Enjoy!

 

[Gallant]

Excellent choice! My V3 is my everyday go to!

Can't wait to receive it so exited to see how it looks like in black chrome I've seen in in SS but not in black chrome.

 

[yzer]

Hello everyone. New member here. I've been lurking around this thread for quite some time, and have read a ton of great info. I think I'm finally ready to pull the trigger on a zmax v5. I have a few questions I'm hoping you guys can help with.

I'm planning on running the zmax only in 18350 mode as I like the small form factor. I read somewhere in this thread someone said: "I run flat top AW IMR 18490/500, if you cut the G off the tip of the spring it'll allow full closure of the telescope leaving zero gap between the tube sections." I'm just wondering if this is safe, and what your thoughts on this are?

I think I'm going to skip the kit and just buy the mod itself, along with a couple 18350's/18490's and a charger. I've read the nitcore chargers are good. Is there a specific model I should be looking for? If anyone knows any vendors with a good price on the mod or chargers I would really appreciate any input. May also be interested in the kit if it's a good price.

Thank you so much to, Yzer, JeremyR, Fairmana, and everyone else who has contributed to this thread. You guys have been extremely helpful.


Cheers,
-Sean

Hi icebat, and welcome.

You may or may not get two battery caps with your V5. The shorter cap (10mm) will give you the smallest Sigelei length with 18350. The taller cap (15mm) can be used with any of the larger batteries with no penalty in Sigelei length. Sometimes the battery spring isn't long enough to allow good battery contact on 18350 with the taller cap (unless you stretch the spring a little). The short cap and spring fits 18350 perfectly.

I don't recommend modifying the battery spring by cutting it down in any fashion. The spring serves a function. When 1/2 compressed it maintains the proper pressure on the battery and the tube threads. If you have no spring function there is no shock absorption for the battery and it will be easy to loosen the tube a very little causing misfires. With battery spring 1/2 compressed the Sigeleis are only 11 mm or 12 mm longer with 18490/18500 than they are with 18350.

The Nitecore chargers are good. I bought the four bay (four battery) Nitecore Intellicharger i-4 for $17 on Amazon a few weeks ago. That one didn't include the 12V plug for charging batteries in car, which I don't need.

 

[icebat]

I use the Nitcore I4 charger. Also the Xtars are good. You can find the single battery charger Xtar MC1 for less than $7.00. Good for travel or backup charger as well. The Efest button top 18350 closes completely in mine with the short cap and no modification. It could vary on battery brand. Congratz on you nice choice! Enjoy!

Thank you. I'll look into that charger. Cheers

Hi icebat, and welcome.

You may or may not get two battery caps with your V5. The shorter cap (10mm) will give you the smallest Sigelei length with 18350. The taller cap (15mm) can be used with any of the larger batteries with no penalty in Sigelei length. Sometimes the battery spring isn't long enough to allow good battery contact on 18350 with the taller cap (unless you stretch the spring a little). The short cap and spring fits 18350 perfectly.

I don't recommend modifying the battery spring by cutting it down in any fashion. The spring serves a function. When 1/2 compressed it maintains the proper pressure on the battery and the tube threads. If you have no spring function there is no shock absorption for the battery and it will be easy to loosen the tube a very little causing misfires. With battery spring 1/2 compressed the Sigeleis are only 11 mm or 12 mm longer with 18490/18500 than they are with 18350.

The Nitecore chargers are good. I bought the four bay (four battery) Nitecore Intellicharger i-4 for $17 on Amazon a few weeks ago. That one didn't include the 12V plug for charging batteries in car, which I don't need.

Thanks yzer. I'm going to stick to your advice and not mess with the spring. I'm hoping I will get both battery caps. Do you guys have any suggestions on a good vendor to order from? I'm looking for a good price obviously, but would like to order from a reputable source as well. I've heard good things about varitube, and their warranty, but it doesn't look like they have the v5.

 

[gorech]

I would highly recommend the Kayfun or Russian 91. If I can build it anyone can! Superior flavor too.

Russian 91 it will be! Any vender you would recommend? Thanks

 

[yzer]

Thank you. I'll look into that charger. Cheers




Thanks yzer. I'm going to stick to your advice and not mess with the spring. I'm hoping I will get both battery caps. Do you guys have any suggestions on a good vendor to order from? I'm looking for a good price obviously, but would like to order from a reputable source as well. I've heard good things about varitube, and their warranty, but it doesn't look like they have the v5.

Desert Vapes is one of the favorite vendors on this thread. They have the SS V5 in stock (body only) for $46.95 w/30-day warranty.

Desert Vapes V5

 

[VapieDan]

Desert Vapes is one of the favorite vendors on this thread. They have the SS V5 in stock (body only) for $46.95 w/30-day warranty.

Desert Vapes V5

You have this right! I have purchased a V3 and a V5 from them. Glad they are restocking.

 

[MrsP0721]

I know this thread is about the V3 (which I do own and love), but I have a question about the Zmax Mini. I'm having issue with the button, sometimes I'll push the button and nothing happens, or the LED screen lights up, but doesn't fire or it fires, but then stops, then starts again OR it just scrolls randomly through my menu. A guy tried to tell me it was the way I was pushing the button, I wasn't pushing it right in the middle or that I'm moving my finger around, but he doesn't know what he's talking about because I AM pushing it in the center and I'm NOT moving my finger! They checked my board (at the local B&M) and said it was good, in place and hasn't moved or gotten out of position some how, so it has to be me. Has anyone else had this happen before? It's more ANNOYING than anything, but I don't want it to get to where it's just not firing at all and does this all the time instead of just a handful of times a day!

 

[yzer]

I know this thread is about the V3 (which I do own and love), but I have a question about the Zmax Mini. I'm having issue with the button, sometimes I'll push the button and nothing happens, or the LED screen lights up, but doesn't fire or it fires, but then stops, then starts again OR it just scrolls randomly through my menu. A guy tried to tell me it was the way I was pushing the button, I wasn't pushing it right in the middle or that I'm moving my finger around, but he doesn't know what he's talking about because I AM pushing it in the center and I'm NOT moving my finger! They checked my board (at the local B&M) and said it was good, in place and hasn't moved or gotten out of position some how, so it has to be me. Has anyone else had this happen before? It's more ANNOYING than anything, but I don't want it to get to where it's just not firing at all and does this all the time instead of just a handful of times a day!

Is this a Sigelei Zmax Mini or a Smok Zmax Mini and about when did you purchase the unit?

 

[yzer]

If yours is a Sigelei Zmax Mini it’s pretty much identical to the Sigelei Zmax Telescopic V2 and V3 except for the battery tube. V2 and Mini usually don’t suffer from shifted displays and boards unless they get a severe drop.

I had some switch misfires on the first V3 I purchased in April 2013. These went away after several weeks and I never had more than a couple of misfires at a time. In November I didn’t use that V3 for two weeks while I used a new V3 during its two-week warranty. When I started to use the older V3 after sitting unused after two weeks I had some misfires which I cured by putting the Sigelei into menu and hitting the fire button about 100 times, cycling quickly through the menu until it didn’t misfire again.

It sounds strange, but that 100 button presses seems to fix misfires for me. Maybe doing this clears the dome switch from internal dust or something.

Check the tube and battery cap. Make sure the threads are clean. Clean the battery spring and the inside of the battery cap if needed. Battery terminals should be clean as well.

Users can induce misfires from a good switch by slowly squeezing the button instead of using a brisk movement. Don’t hold partial pressure on the button between firings: let up on the button completely. Don’t fire the switch by pressing on the sides of the button but straight down onto the center.

If these approaches don’t help then switch is misfiring or you have another issue like a cold solder joint somewhere and the unit should be returned on warranty. If you bought from a B&M you should be able to demonstrate the misfires in the shop.

 

[p.opus]

If yours is a Sigelei Zmax Mini it’s pretty much identical to the Sigelei Zmax Telescopic V2 and V3 except for the battery tube. V2 and Mini usually don’t suffer from shifted displays and boards unless they get a severe drop.

I had some switch misfires on the first V3 I purchased in April 2012. These went away after several weeks and I never had more than a couple of misfires at a time. In November I didn’t use that V3 for two weeks while I used a new V3 during its two-week warranty. When I started to use the older V3 after sitting unused after two weeks I had some misfires which I cured by putting the Sigelei into menu and hitting the fire button about 100 times, cycling quickly through the menu until it didn’t misfire again.

It sounds strange, but that 100 button presses seems to fix misfires for me. Maybe doing this clears the dome switch from internal dust or something.

Check the tube and battery cap. Make sure the threads are clean. Clean the battery spring and the inside of the battery cap if needed. Battery terminals should be clean as well.

Users can induce misfires from a good switch by slowly squeezing the button instead of using a brisk movement. Don’t hold partial pressure on the button between firings: let up on the button completely. Don’t fire the switch by pressing on the sides of the button but straight down onto the center.

If these approaches don’t help then switch is misfiring or you have another issue like a cold solder joint somewhere and the unit should be returned on warranty. If you bought from a B&M you should be able to demonstrate the misfires in the shop.

Thanks for this. I will give it a try. My V3 started misfiring the other day and I was getting really frustrated, especially since I took great care to adjust the tubes exactly like you and others here recommened.

I think my issue was that my tube was not tight enough. Once the Noalox had dampend the slop in the threads, I figured I could back down the tube even more (even with the battery bottom) and then put on the battery cap. If appeared there was plenty of tension on the spring, so I figured it would be good.

Once I adjusted the tube again further so that the battery extended 1/8 inch past the end of the cap, it's working better now.

I love the V3 for out and about when I want a change of look, and don't want to bring my ProVari out and about....(I'm paranoid about losing a $200.00 mod, so I keep my ProVari for in house vaping.....)

 

[yzer]

I think my issue was that my tube was not tight enough. Once the Noalox had dampend the slop in the threads, I figured I could back down the tube even more (even with the battery bottom) and then put on the battery cap. If appeared there was plenty of tension on the spring, so I figured it would be good.

Once I adjusted the tube again further so that the battery extended 1/8 inch past the end of the cap, it's working better now.

You almost have it right.

For the Telescopic V3 and V5:

-Using the tall (15mm) battery cap with batteries longer than 18350: end of battery should extend 1/8" past the end of the tube. Then screw on the battery cap while holding the battery tube in place.

-Using the short (10mm) battery cap with batteries longer than 18350: end of battery should be 1/8" below the end of the tube. Then screw on the battery cap while holding the battery tube in place.

-For 18350 battery: Screw the battery tube down all the way to it's shortest position. Use the short battery cap. It fits 18350 perfectly. The tall battery cap may fit for 18350 or it may not without stretching the spring.

-For 2x18350: Use the tall battery cap. The end of the second 18350 should extend 1/8" past the end of the tube. Then screw on the battery cap while holding the battery tube in place. The short cap is too short for 2x18350 and will leave some of the telescopic tube threads exposed, greatly increasing tube wobble.

 

[p.opus]

You almost have it right.

For the V3 and V5:

-Using the tall (15mm) battery cap with batteries longer than 18350: end of battery should extend 1/8" past the end of the tube. Then screw on the battery cap while holding the battery tube in place.

-Using the short (10mm) battery cap with batteries longer than 18350: end of battery should be 1/8" below the end of the tube. Then screw on the battery cap while holding the battery tube in place.

-For 18350 battery: Screw the battery tube down all the way to it's shortest position. Use the short battery cap. It fits 18350 perfectly. The tall battery cap may fit for 18350 or it may not without stretching the spring.

I only use the tall battery cap since I don't have any 18350's and the tall battery cap is easier to screw on.

 

[yzer]

Yep, I much prefer the tall battery cap for the same reason. I mostly use 18500 and 18650. But, I use the short cap for 18350 once in a while.

 

[vapnstuff]

Well, I got my Sigelei Mini from RTD in today and I love it. I was carrying the Zmax telescope with a 18350 and this is almost exactly the same size but just a little lighter. It's the same length as the telescope completely closed and the same diameter ( or within a couple of hairs). The only thing I don't like about it is that it has the shorter end cap (battery end) which makes the spring put more pressure on the battery and, therefore, the circuit board. On my Zmaz's V3's, I use the deeper end cap which makes good contact without excess pressure. I checked the version and it's 1.5, the same as the V3's I got from Desert Vapors. I probably wouldn't have gotten it had DV been out of stock with the V3's and the fact that RTD had them on sale but I'm glad I did. Yea, it's not a Provari but I can still get another one, which I probably will, and still have spent less than a PV ... and if I lose one, or a kid throws it across the room, I won't cry like a big baby. I hate to see a grown man cry. I'll take some side by side pics when I get the chance.