Sigelei Zmax V3 and V5 Telescopic: User's Group
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I am wondering if anyone else has noticed a quality difference in Zmax v5... I first had a v3 and had the problems with the lopsided display and the flukey button, but I loved the mod, so I bought a v5 from fasttech last year. All's been fine until recently, when the display/power would "flicker" - I just assumed I knocked it over/dropped it one too many times so I ordered a new one from a US vendor the other day. The new one came in the mail yesterday and it seems like a much better-quality build. It's larger, heavier, sturdier, and somehow more solid than the one I had bought from fasttech.
Incidentally, I was in a brick and mortar shop one day several months ago to buy juice and the owner was asking me what my PV was. I told him it was a Zmax I'd got from fasttech, and he told me that Fasttech is notorious for selling "reject" items. That wasn't solely my reason for buying the new one from a US vendor; I just was so afraid that my other PV was going to quit on me that I wanted the faster shipping I'd get from a US vendor, but I'll admit his comment was in the back of my head. I couldn't help but think of that when I opened it up and found the quality to be SO much better than the one from Fasttech. Both came in Sigelei boxes, but I'd swear these are two completely different products, they are THAT different.
I'm having trouble attaching a photo, but you can see one here: http://99shadows.com/images/20150324_103945.jpg. I had a Vape Nut that I put my PV in to stand it up while I'm on the computer, but this new one won't fit in it because it's bigger.
I haven't been on the forums in a while, so I'm not sure if there's been any discussion, but has there been a design update on the v5's??
ETA: As it turns out, I cleaned the threads of my Fasttech Zmax yesterday and it's working fine today, so it wasn't a matter of dropping it or a short or anything, it just wasn't getting a good contact in the threads. That said, I'll continue using it since I didn't really have a second one in my rotation (I have a couple of Vamos, but they don't give me the same vape as a Zmax). Just really astounded at the difference in quality of these two things.
Incidentally, I was in a brick and mortar shop one day several months ago to buy juice and the owner was asking me what my PV was. I told him it was a Zmax I'd got from fasttech, and he told me that Fasttech is notorious for selling "reject" items. That wasn't solely my reason for buying the new one from a US vendor; I just was so afraid that my other PV was going to quit on me that I wanted the faster shipping I'd get from a US vendor, but I'll admit his comment was in the back of my head. I couldn't help but think of that when I opened it up and found the quality to be SO much better than the one from Fasttech. Both came in Sigelei boxes, but I'd swear these are two completely different products, they are THAT different.
I'm having trouble attaching a photo, but you can see one here: http://99shadows.com/images/20150324_103945.jpg. I had a Vape Nut that I put my PV in to stand it up while I'm on the computer, but this new one won't fit in it because it's bigger.
I haven't been on the forums in a while, so I'm not sure if there's been any discussion, but has there been a design update on the v5's??
ETA: As it turns out, I cleaned the threads of my Fasttech Zmax yesterday and it's working fine today, so it wasn't a matter of dropping it or a short or anything, it just wasn't getting a good contact in the threads. That said, I'll continue using it since I didn't really have a second one in my rotation (I have a couple of Vamos, but they don't give me the same vape as a Zmax). Just really astounded at the difference in quality of these two things.
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Yeah a lot of those colored zmax's are cheap stuff too, its clear in the photos. The one from fasttech was probably a cheapy or knock off/ reject.
Threads are always the first place to look when having problems.
Threads are always the first place to look when having problems.
From the photo you provided I would say the APV on the right side of the photo is not an authentic Sigelei V5. A simple measurement may prove interesting. The Sigelei V3 and V5 are both 23mm in diameter.
Here are my three Sigeleis. All feel to be the same weight. All are actually the same length but are set to different lengths by battery cap and telescopic tube length selection. All feature the "flat top" style. There is also a "round top" style.
In the middle is a first generation V3. This one has a slightly crooked display. This was common due to the way the OLED displays were mounted in first generation units. First generation V3s do not have a removable top cap. Purchased April 2013.
On the right is a second generation V3 purchased in December 2013 . On the left is a V5 purchased in April of 2014.
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Hm. I don't have a decent ruler here at work to measure the diameters, but there is definitely a difference.
Here's a picture of them side by side standing up: http://99shadows.com/images/20150324_122533.jpg
I know the blue one has a different body design and that it's a rounded top, but that's also the one that feels like it's better quality. I was thinking maybe it was an early v5 since the body style (the "teardrop" marks on the top ring, the ridges on the bottom barrel) are similar to the v3 I had before I got the v5 or it's a v3 with v5 board? It has the v5 menu.
The blue one is the one I got yesterday (ordered from Altsmokes), the chrome one (which WAS "gunmetal") is the one I got from Fasttech last year.
Here's a picture of them side by side standing up: http://99shadows.com/images/20150324_122533.jpg
I know the blue one has a different body design and that it's a rounded top, but that's also the one that feels like it's better quality. I was thinking maybe it was an early v5 since the body style (the "teardrop" marks on the top ring, the ridges on the bottom barrel) are similar to the v3 I had before I got the v5 or it's a v3 with v5 board? It has the v5 menu.
The blue one is the one I got yesterday (ordered from Altsmokes), the chrome one (which WAS "gunmetal") is the one I got from Fasttech last year.
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The blue one looks to be authentic. Sigeleis like this may have colored aluminum tube sections as opposed to all SS build but they are sold for less than the all-stainless tube models. It is the round top style.
I don't know what the other one is. The tube is not brushed stainless steel. Maybe chrome plated brass.
I don't know what the other one is. The tube is not brushed stainless steel. Maybe chrome plated brass.
Thanks. I'd pretty much come to the same conclusion. The blue one definitely feels like it's better quality!
If they are both Sigeleis with 23mm tubes you should be able to interchange the top caps and battery caps.
Ah! The caps DO interchange! Maybe it's just a matter of one being aluminum and one something else? The blue one is definitely heavier than the Fasttech one. So the inner diameter is the same, the outer diameter is larger. (See why I come to these forums? All the smart people are here
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23mm is the outside tube diameter. I am surprised that the caps swap out. If you put the gun metal caps on the blue tube do the outside diameters match up?
No, the caps from the blue one are larger on the outside and vice versa.
If one of the Sigeleis had a gun metal finish that wore off the tube that would explain why it has a polished stainless steel look. Maybe the SS was never brushed to begin with.
OK. Confirms our suspicion that the gunmetal rig is not 23mm outside diameter and not authentic Sigelei.
I thought some of the cheap colored ones online were aluminum.
Could be made by someone else.. Sigelie even lists a vamo that they make I think.
Could be made by someone else.. Sigelie even lists a vamo that they make I think.
To pursue this line of thought is there a Sigelei factory? I am beginning to wonder is some of these brand names farm out production and even assembly to outside sources. This would explain differences from time to time. I would think there would be strong specifications to adhere to however that may not be the case.
WoW, that sucks. You need to find a new button. I think other mods use the same button. Just have to find one. You wanted a SS button correct?
Yes, indeed. Sigelei does have a factory. I posted this video several times on this thread. This vid shows Sigelei making their version of Vamo in a couple of scenes. Go to Ivy Sigelei on Facebook. They have more recent videos there, mostly about their higher powered box mods. Like many companies in the US, Sigelei will contract with outside shops to do certain manufacturing processes. I'm willing to bet they work with another shop to do metal machining and casting as well as plastic casting. The Sigelei factory seems to do R&D, assembly (including laser etching), QC, and packaging. We know the chips come from Yihi.
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