Sigelei Zmax vs Smoktech zmax

[Morandir835]

Before I get into the review, will first post the links to the vendors the two mods were purchased from was purchased from. Bought the sigelei zmax 2 weeks ago from here-

Welcome to VariTube.com - A Better Alternative to Smoking

Smoktech zmax from here-

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There is only one apv I can honestly compare this with, and that's the smoktech zmax version 2. While they both share the same name, and same hardware, what differs is the build quality and price.

Will first go into on load number comparison-

Smoktech zmax wattage testing with a single 18650 and 2.5ohm single coil carto-

With RMS on-

3w- 2.77v, 1.1a, 2.5ohms= 3.06w
6w- 3.96v, 1.58a, 2.5ohms= 6.27w
9w- 4.79v, 1.91a, 2.5ohms= 9.17w
12w- 5.46v, 2.18a, 2.5ohms= 11.92w
15w- 6.09v, 2.43a, 2.5ohms= 14.83w

Without RMS on-

3w- 3.36v, 1.34a, 2.5ohms= 4.51w
6w- 4.29v, 1.71a, 2.5ohms= 7.36w
9w- 5.13v, 2.05a, 2.5ohms= 10.52w
12w- 5.89v, 2.35a, 2.5ohms= 13.87w
15w- 6.22v, 2.48a, 2.5ohms= 15.47w

sigelei zmax wattage testing with a single 18650 and 2.5ohm single coil carto-

With RMS on-

3w- 2.76v, 1.1a, 2.5ohms= 3.04w
6w- 3.94v, 1.57a, 2.5ohms= 6.20w
9w- 4.80v, 1.92a, 2.5ohms= 9.21w
12w- 5.46v, 2.18a, 2.5ohms= 11.92w
15w- 6.07v, 2.42a, 2.5ohms= 14.73w

Without RMS on-

3w- 3.38v, 1.35a, 2.5ohms= 4.56w
6w- 4.29v, 1.71a, 2.5ohms= 7.36w
9w- 5.12v, 2.04a, 2.5ohms= 10.48w
12w- 5.87v, 2.34a, 2.5ohms= 13.78w
15w- 6.21v, 2.48a, 2.5ohms= 15.42w

As we can see with the single 18650 battery almost exactly the same results. On to the stacked set up-

Smoktech zmax stacked 18350's wattage numbers-

With Rms on, 2.5ohm single coil carto-

3w- 2.81v, 1.124a, 2.5ohms= 3.15w
6w- 3.98v, 1.59a, 2.5ohms= 6.33w
9w- 4.84v, 1.93a, 2.5ohms= 9.37w
12w- 5.54v, 2.21a, 2.5ohms= 12.27w
15w- 6.21v, 2.48a, 2.5ohms= 15.42w

Without RMS on-

3w- 4.12v, 1.64a, 2.5ohms= 6.78w
6w- 4.63v, 1.85a, 2.5ohms= 8.57w
9w- 5.44v, 2.17a, 2.5ohms= 11.83w
12w- 6.11v, 2.44a, 2.5ohms= 14.93w
15w- 7.03v, 2.81a, 2.5ohms= 19.76w

Sigelei zmax stacked 18350's wattage numbers-

With Rms on, 2.5ohm single coil carto-

3w- 2.82v, 1.12a, 2.5ohms= 3.18w
6w- 3.97v, 1.58a, 2.5ohms= 6.3w
9w- 4.84v, 1.93a, 2.5ohms= 9.37w
12w- 5.52v, 2.20a, 2.5ohms= 12.18w
15w- 6.22v, 2.48a, 2.5ohms= 15.47w

Without RMS on-

3w- 4.13v, 1.65a, 2.5ohms= 6.82w
6w- 4.63v, 1.85a, 2.5ohms= 8.57w
9w- 5.45v, 2.18a, 2.5ohms= 11.88w
12w- 6.10v, 2.44a, 2.5ohms= 14.88w
15w- 7.05v, 2.82a, 2.5ohms= 19.88w

Again the difference is so slight it's safe to assume they use the same chipset.

Another item in common is the button, on both the Sigelei and smoktech zmaxes they're so close in feel and function it's hard to tell a difference.

The screens differ though. Instead of a standard LCD readout, the sigelei uses a white OLED. It's very clear and easy to read, and not overly bright. The little issues with it are some of the words are cut off on certain menus. A small amount of scolling or a using a shorter word would fix this. As Pbusardo sir's video shows the other issue is the triple word scroll when switching it to the resistance display option.

Now to get to the three biggest differences- durability, build quality, and price.

Durability and build quality go hand in hand. The better's it's built, safe to say the more durable it is. I've only had it for two weeks still unsure of the long term durability, but having said that though have already dropped this pv more times and from higher altitudes in comparison to the smoktech one, and only damage taken was a slight scuff on the extended encap. My smoktech zmax's screen cracked when it fell over on a table (not off the table, just on. It literally fell the length of the pv). In comparison the sigelei zmax is a thicker walled, slightly larger apv. The cost of this is the sigelei zmax is heavier, larger diameter, and slightly taller than the smoktech zmax, but also means it can take more of a beating theoretically. Will touch up on this review again in a few months to update the long term use results. Another key thing to mention is on the smoktech zmax the grooves had an edge sharp enough to cut your finger on (at least mine did, cut to prove it). This gave it some extra grip but at the colst of blood. The sigelei's are perfectly smooth and aligned with the button. Some might complain it's overy smooth (can be slippery if your hands are wet), but that's an item up to personal taste.

Will lastly touch up on price. From the vendor I linked at the beginning the price for a complete kit is 89.95, 72.95 for just the unit itself. Full kit is $5 more than, and the stand alone is almost $15 less than the cheapest stand alone smoktech zmax I've seen. You would think the more durable apv would be more expensive, but in this case it's the opposite.

All in all, if you're in the market for a zmax, have to recommend the sigelei version over the smoktech. While it has a few quirks in regards to the screen and menu, it's simply a better built apv.

 

[DemonFire]

Thanks for the review Mr. M! Much love your way sugar!!

 

[Morandir835]

No problem Ms. DemonFire.

 

[lancec50]

I am wanting a Zmax and I think I'm going to go with the Sigelei. Thanks for the review.

Sent from my SGH-I997 using Tapatalk 2

 

[tartanraven]

Sigelei readout stopped working after three days. Still functions, you just don't know exactly where you are in the menu. Contacted Vaporheads regarding a replacement....expecting to get screwed.

 

[Chowderhead1972]

Sigelei readout stopped working after three days. Still functions, you just don't know exactly where you are in the menu. Contacted Vaporheads regarding a replacement....expecting to get screwed.

Any follow up?

 

[Koman]

That looks like some good stuff, man!

 

[SnoopS]

I bought my Sigelei from varitube.com I was really worried about it fitting the kangers I love so much. I sent Perry a email and he replied and said the kangers work and that he had all 3 models of the V2. Telescoping, kanger friendly, and standard. He was definately keen to what Sigelei puts out. He knew ever change they went through. At that point I was sold and was taking no chances anywhere else. It showed up, put battery in, screwed kanger on and started vaping. Nice solid piece...

 

[Orph]

I'm keen to hear how the durability of both is. Any further issues with either?

 

[MagicMike]

Howdy All,

Finally upgraded to the new Sigelei zmax telescope standard model, the build quality is excellent. It is well machined that is for sure! The menu system didn't take that long to get used to and it's holding the settings in my quick battery swaps. I don't know if that's a new feature or not? I think my favorite feature is the power setting, so as I'm switching between tanks I don't have to think about resetting the voltage higher or lower like I did before.

When using the larger battery the top part of the bottom tube has some play in it (rocks back/forth against inside tube) which takes a bit of the solid feel away from the unit. A teflon gasket could of been used perhaps to improve this, but I don't think about it anymore it was more of a first impression kid of issue.

Thanks to Phil for his excellent reviews and varitube for their one day delivery!

Cheers,
Mike

 

[MagicMike]

Howdy All,

Had my first big drop of the Sigelei today waking up from a nap and it was sitting in my lap, about a 3' fall. It tore the top of the tank at the threaded portion of a newer 3.5ml nova with the spring loaded center post leaving the threads in the head of the zmax. After removing the threaded part of the viva nova tank from the unit it works fine. The hard part was to find a 'tool' that was the right size to fit into the threads and unscrew them from the zmax. Pretty much like when you break the bulb off a light bulb base and have to turn off the power and jam something into the base to unscrew it!

Like it so far, will report back with further falls or any changes in my thoughts about making a good decision.

Cheers,
Mike