Sigelei Zmax V3 and V5 Telescopic: User's Group

[AndriaD]

I don't think button issues are a major issue with the V3 or V5. I saw more of these problems posted before the V5s and the second generation V3s came out last fall. For myself, all I can say is that one of my V3s still works fine going into month 12. It was the only V3 and the only PV I used from April through December of last year. My other V3 is going fine after five months. I share duty on both now.

I can't guarantee to anyone how long any APV is going to last. I'd say these sigelei do extremely well for the $40-$60 price tag. I'm about to buy a second set of batteries for mine. Some of the batts look to be getting tired.

Ok, thanks very much; it's nice to hear about a good PV that I can actually afford. I know I have to get good quality batteries and charger, just so it's safe, so I don't want to go broke on the PV itself. I'm also looking at the Smoktech Zmax Telescopic, and can't figure out what the difference is, or if there's really any difference at all. I know I like my SmokTech ARO Pyrex, so I know they make quality products; have no idea about Sigelei.

Andria

Looks like the only real difference is the look, but more important, the Sigelei has eGo as well as 510 threads, but the SmokTech is only 510. That's pretty significant, especially since the Sigelei costs *less*!

 

[yzer]

I don't see any major issues with the Sigelei V3s or V5. These are telescopic tube mods and like any telescopic tube mod they benefit from applying Noalox to the tube and battery threads. Care must be taken to not over tighten the battery although I have seen few reports of damage resulting from overtightening V5s and second generation V3s. If the telescopic tube scares you go for Sigelei Zmax Mini or V2.

Sigelei telescopic battery tube adjustment

 

[yzer]

Ok, thanks very much; it's nice to hear about a good PV that I can actually afford. I know I have to get good quality batteries and charger, just so it's safe, so I don't want to go broke on the PV itself. I'm also looking at the Smoktech Zmax Telescopic, and can't figure out what the difference is, or if there's really any difference at all. I know I like my SmokTech ARO Pyrex, so I know they make quality products; have no idea about Sigelei.

Andria

Smok products are made by Smok. It's an entirely different Chinese company with different production facilities, different machining, different design, different firmware and different QC. Sigelei is Sigelei. Both have contracted to use the Zmax chip from Yihiecigar.

 

[AndriaD]

As I said, I do prefer the Sigelei, because a) it's cheaper (a lot!), and b) it also has eGo threads; I do plan to get an IBTanked carto-tank for it, but it would be nice to know I wasn't limited to just 510 devices.

I can't seem to find the exact dimensions of this; the Sigelei website leaves much to be desired. I think the Smok one is 21mm diam but that means nothing really, the Sigelei could be larger or smaller. If anyone knows, or know where I can find that info, please let me know.

Thx
Andria

 

[Thayamax]

I've had my Sigelei Zmax V3 for over a year now. I purchased it in early March, 2013 and it's still going strong. I've had some instances of accidentally going into the menu when firing, but I learned about applying Noalox in this thread and it pretty much takes care of that issue. It's been my main APV since I purchased it, and it still works as well as it did when I bought it. It's a very sturdy build. I've never overtightened it but I've dropped it a few times, and it still looks almost brand new. I highly recommend the Sigelei Zmax telescope.

I also bought a Sigelei Zmax Mini about 8 months ago and I've had the same good results with it as with my telescopic. It's lightweight aluminum and a very pretty hot pink color. It only takes an 18350 battery, but it's nice for out and about.

P.S. I bought a V3 telescopic for my son a while back and he overtightened it so much that the button doesn't even make a clicking sound anymore when pressed...but it still works!

 

[AndriaD]

I've had my Sigelei Zmax V3 for over a year now. I purchased it in early March, 2013 and it's still going strong. I've had some instances of accidentally going into the menu when firing, but I learned about applying Noalox in this thread and it pretty much takes care of that issue. It's been my main APV since I purchased it, and it still works as well as it did when I bought it. It's a very sturdy build. I've never overtightened it but I've dropped it a few times, and it still looks almost brand new. I highly recommend the Sigelei Zmax telescope.

I also bought a Sigelei Zmax Mini about 8 months ago and I've had the same good results with it as with my telescopic. It's lightweight aluminum and a very pretty hot pink color. It only takes an 18350 battery, but it's nice for out and about.

P.S. I bought a V3 telescopic for my son a while back and he overtightened it so much that the button doesn't even make a clicking sound anymore when pressed...but it still works!

Do you have a ruler with mm marks, so you can tell me the diameter of it? I really do like this one, and if the overall impression is "excellent for this price range," that's probably about the best I can do, given my financial constraints. I don't really mind upgrading it every year or so, that's how you keep getting nicer stuff, like with cars. I just don't want it flaking out on me after 6 wks or something; i know sometimes you just get a lemon, just like with cars, but I try to apply statistical averaging, and there's entirely too many button problems with the SVD I looked at first, but it seems that most long-term users of this sigelei remain pretty happy with it.

Those minis seem to be everywhere but I'd really like a mod that could use pretty much any size of standard PV battery - 18350, 18500, 18650. For just running around doing some errands, yeah, the smaller size would be better, but if we're going to spend the whole day at my mom's, it would be great to fully extend it for the 18650, and not really have to worry about it -- of course I'd take a spare battery, in that event, for "just in case," but I wouldn't have to worry about charging it while we were there, as I have to do now with my iTaste vv3. The only real way I can deal with 800mAh is to run on pass-thru about 95% of the time.

Andria

 

[JeremyR]

I looked at everything available and the v3/v5 is the best bang for the buck and the most durable with stainless 510 threads. I've dropped mine a lot, it's been thrown, dropped 2 floors, ect. Still works great. The button can get finicky but I use it all day every day.

You can also stack matched 18350s for 3-4 time longer battery life than a 18650.

If I Remember correctly the 510 is plated brass on the smok.

 

[yzer]

Do you have a ruler with mm marks, so you can tell me the diameter of it? I really do like this one, and if the overall impression is "excellent for this price range," that's probably about the best I can do, given my financial constraints. I don't really mind upgrading it every year or so, that's how you keep getting nicer stuff, like with cars. I just don't want it flaking out on me after 6 wks or something; i know sometimes you just get a lemon, just like with cars, but I try to apply statistical averaging, and there's entirely too many button problems with the SVD I looked at first, but it seems that most long-term users of this sigelei remain pretty happy with it.

Those minis seem to be everywhere but I'd really like a mod that could use pretty much any size of standard PV battery - 18350, 18500, 18650. For just running around doing some errands, yeah, the smaller size would be better, but if we're going to spend the whole day at my mom's, it would be great to fully extend it for the 18650, and not really have to worry about it -- of course I'd take a spare battery, in that event, for "just in case," but I wouldn't have to worry about charging it while we were there, as I have to do now with my iTaste vv3. The only real way I can deal with 800mAh is to run on pass-thru about 95% of the time.

Andria

Actually, when in comes down to length the V3, V5 and I believe the V2 are all the same as the Mini with 18350 installed (100mm). The V3 and V5 feel heavy due to the wider tube needed for a telescopic tube mod. Diameter of the V3 and V5 is 23mm, only a millimeter wider than most APVs that use 18xxx series batteries. The extra thickness really isn't noticeable, but the extra heft is.

Battery versatility is a huge plus with these rigs. I use 18500 most of the time as a pocket carried rig. Once in while I'll go with single 18350 and pack two spare batteries in a plastic case. I only use 18650 at home.

 

[aikanae1]

I've got the Sigelei Zmax mini from a group buy that came with extensions for all 3 battery sizes about a year ago and it's been great. At the time, I thought the SMOK Zmax had smaller diameter and the Sigelei was 20mm. I know it's the same diameter as Vamo and Provari. The Provari beauty ring fit perfectly on the Zmax and the Vamo extension also fit (don't ask me why I do things like that). The SMOK had the old LED screen and Sigelei has the OLED plus better machining IMO.

I dropped mine pretty hard once, the atomizer broke off at the 510 connection (Vivi Nova). The Zmax connection survived fine. I doubt if my Vamo would have survived. My Zmax is still going strong. I really like the stainless finish.

 

[yzer]

aikanae1, Cool to see someone on the forum this early in the morning. I just finished a late show on Netflix and am headed for the rack. Welcome to the group!

That must have been a great group buy because the Sigelei Zmax Minis I see on the market are 18350 and extension tubes for them are not provided.

 

[MrsP0721]

I have 3 Sigeleis and I love them. They were my first (and only so far) mod.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I437Z using Tapatalk

 

[VapieDan]

I have 3 Sigeleis and I love them. They were my first (and only so far) mod.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I437Z using Tapatalk

I have a V3 & V5. I must admit I now have customer loyalty. The trouble is the newer releases just don't fit my style of vaping. The legend was not my bag as far as the "Shake and Bake" control. The new SX20 just does not work for me because of the SX20 chip. I have a feeling there are bad days ahead for us cool vapers. Everything is headed for more power. It may get to the point I will be looking for older mods rather than newer ones. Kind of sad.

 

[p.opus]

I hear you. More and more devices are coming out with "more power" and no one is releasing any new single head attys anymore. One wonders if this is due to better vape quality of a dual head atty, or just harder to rebuild and thus more $$$ for the manufacturer...

So you force me to go to a more powerful device so I can drive a dual head coil at the same temperature I drive my single head coils.

I use a Kayfun at 10W and love it. May be time to start snatching up all the older 6volt/15 watt mods out there and keeping them in storage. Especially when the newer chipsets are choosing NOT to add any step down circuitry to their devices.

 

[AndriaD]

Actually, when in comes down to length the V3, V5 and I believe the V2 are all the same as the Mini with 18350 installed (100mm). The V3 and V5 feel heavy due to the wider tube needed for a telescopic tube mod. Diameter of the V3 and V5 is 23mm, only a millimeter wider than most APVs that use 18xxx series batteries. The extra thickness really isn't noticeable, but the extra heft is.

Battery versatility is a huge plus with these rigs. I use 18500 most of the time as a pocket carried rig. Once in while I'll go with single 18350 and pack two spare batteries in a plastic case. I only use 18650 at home.

Ok, actually I kinda like that it's 23mm rather than 22 or 21; I was thinking the 25mm IBTanked would look ok on a 23mm tube, with just 1mm of hang-over, and that would give more capacity than the 22mm IBtanked -- 25mm Standard capacity is 5ml, 25mm XL capacity is a whopping 8ml! Heck even the 25mm halfling is 2ml!

What is the length with the telescope extended/18650 installed? I never can tell very much from pics; when I first started looking at these things, I thought they were HUGE, but I've come to realize that they're really not, but it's very hard to get a sense of actual size when they're in a pic alone, with no reference to anything, for example, someone's hand.

It sure is hard trying to hunt down a flat-top, though, esp. one for a decent price; since I already have 2 vv3's and have an eGo-C Twist for backup on the way from Hong Kong (yeah probably a knockoff for the ridiculous price of $10, but it's a backup, I don't care!), I'm thinking this might be an excellent purchase to get from FT, so I can put spend for good batteries and a good charger; probably the nitecore i4, but still chasing down good deals on quality high-mAh batteries.

Andria

 

[JeremyR]

The v3 is one of the shortest in 18650 mode that's why I got it. I was shocked! by how small it was when I opened the box.

Most high mah perform poorly with a 6 amp limit, you need imr batteries. If you look at the last 5-10 pages here, I think you'll get all the info your looking for, or using the search thread tool is very helpful

 

[mh37]

I got the sigeli v3 today after reading this forum and checking against other mods in the same price bracket,having already got a sid and a vapepro i have to say this in my opinion is far better.Mine is the latest version with metal button and removeable well cap i just put my oddy tank on it and think it looks great!

 

[yzer]

Ok, actually I kinda like that it's 23mm rather than 22 or 21; I was thinking the 25mm IBTanked would look ok on a 23mm tube, with just 1mm of hang-over, and that would give more capacity than the 22mm IBtanked -- 25mm Standard capacity is 5ml, 25mm XL capacity is a whopping 8ml! Heck even the 25mm halfling is 2ml!

What is the length with the telescope extended/18650 installed? I never can tell very much from pics; when I first started looking at these things, I thought they were HUGE, but I've come to realize that they're really not, but it's very hard to get a sense of actual size when they're in a pic alone, with no reference to anything, for example, someone's hand.

It sure is hard trying to hunt down a flat-top, though, esp. one for a decent price; since I already have 2 vv3's and have an eGo-C Twist for backup on the way from Hong Kong (yeah probably a knockoff for the ridiculous price of $10, but it's a backup, I don't care!), I'm thinking this might be an excellent purchase to get from FT, so I can put spend for good batteries and a good charger; probably the nitecore i4, but still chasing down good deals on quality high-mAh batteries.

Andria

The 25mm would look cool and hold a lot of juice at that width. One word of caution about IBtanked. They are glass tanks and glass can break in surprising ways. The Sigelei V3 and V5 are 23mm in diameter. If you have the Sigelei standing up on say a granite counter top and knock it over that 25mm glass tube is going to take all of the impact. I use an IBTanked 22mm wide tube. If I lay the V3 down flat on a level surface with the 22mm tank on top the tank won't touch ground. Rest assured, you will have a lot of opportunities to tip over a Sigelei especially if you use 18650 or 2x18350.

Approximate lengths for Sigelei V3 and V5 with various 18xxx batteries. Diameter is 23mm.

18350: 100 mm with short cap, 105mm with long cap.
18490: 111-114 mm with either cap, spring 1/2 compressed.
18500: 112-115 mm with either cap, spring 1/2 compressed.
18650: 127-130 mm with either cap, spring 1/2 compressed.
2x18350: 132-135 mm with long cap, spring 1/2 compressed.

 

[VapieDan]

The 25mm would look cool and hold a lot of juice at that width. One word of caution about IBtanked. They are

Approximate lengths for Sigelei V3 and V5 with various 18xxx batteries. Diameter is 23mm.

18350: 100 mm with short cap, 105mm with long cap.
18490: 111-114 mm with either cap, spring 1/2 compressed.
18500: 112-115 mm with either cap, spring 1/2 compressed.
18650: 127-130 mm with either cap, spring 1/2 compressed.
2x18350: 132-135 mm with long cap, spring 1/2 compressed.

Taking your measurements with an 18650 battery this works for me by eye ball. Use the distance between the top and bottom of the three design lines. Leave approximately the same distance from the bottom line to the top edge of the telescoping bottom. Hits that 125 to 130 mm every time. Many Thanks!

 

[JeremyR]

I got the sigeli v3 today after reading this forum and checking against other mods in the same price bracket,having already got a sid and a vapepro i have to say this in my opinion is far better.Mine is the latest version with metal button and removeable well cap i just put my oddy tank on it and think it looks great!View attachment 322313

It's a match made in Sigelie heaven! Perfect match with the oddy... To get it flush with the 510; screw the base on tight first, then screw the coil assembly in till it snugs to the pin. You will never strip the threads on this.

Oh it looks like you have the smaller version, penny clone? My avatar shows it with full size oddy.

 

[VapieDan]

It's a match made in Sigelie heaven! Perfect match with the oddy... To get it flush with the 510; screw the base on tight first, then screw the coil assembly in till it snugs to the pin. You will never strip the threads on this.

Oh it looks like you have the smaller version, penny clone? My avatar shows it with full size oddy.

Unfortunately both my V3 & V5 have plastic buttons. Have had no problems so far but they are certainly not very attractive on a nicely finished device. Not sure what they were thinking since the buttons are not even finished looking with swirls and lines.