Smok Pioneer e-pipe

[photogf4]

Got this a week ago. Thought I would wait a bit before posting to see what went wrong. Heavy, the top switch portion weighs more than the entire pipe when removed. Lock ring seized first day, thankfully open. Super sharp edges on all metal parts on top. Otherwise works great, and the thick rubberized coating is fabulous - it warms immediately when you pick it up. So far madvapes is the only U.S. seller I know of, and though it comes in many colors you can only get a black one. I think down the road it will be improved.

 

[MTFogger]

Just got that pipe head the other day. I like it. Far better than the Kamry 1000. Heavy like the Kamry but a tad slimmer and taller. Its has a much more comfortable feel. Button is smooth action and has a lock. Lock can be a bit finicky but not a deal breaker, just don't tighten it down hard. Comes with a 7 amp fuse, and fits others type fuses like the 5 amp shortstop by Holocron. From what I can tell its not a wired solder connection like the Karmy ones, which I had shorted out. Just an fyi the fuse's don't fit in the Kamry. Fits 18350 flat top battery. Let you know how a silencer works on it soon as I get one.
Like to find a white one now.

 

[photogf4]

It takes standard 18350 batteries as well, at least the Efest 900mah IMR batteries I am using.They are a little taller than the flat tops, and the switch contact is a bit off center as part of the design but I am having no problems. I am not sure this is 100% mechanical so I have not tried turning a battery upside down. I have a Protank II connected to it as seen in the photo, and to keep it portable I often use it with a short Vivi Nova tip, but the favorite is a Walker Vape Stem. My Kamry K1000 wore out its center post gasket two weeks in because I was using a 510 to ego adapter for a mini protank or an Anyvape Davide Mini. I guess the constant loosening and tightening were too much for it.

 

[photogf4]

Better shot with Protank 2 and Aerotank base. Awesome!

 

[SNman]

Got one from Madvapes. First thing i noticed was a residue in the bottom and the spring had no spring to it and looked like it had been in a fire. Now I've never had a battery vent on me but I imagine that is what it might look like. Checked the fuse. No continuity. Checked it on a battery. No voltage. I know I should not have but I tried it without the fuse and it heated up real fast. It's shorted out right out of the box. Hopefully I can get my fifty bucks back.

 

[anavidfan]

Got one from Madvapes. First thing i noticed was a residue in the bottom and the spring had no spring to it and looked like it had been in a fire. Now I've never had a battery vent on me but I imagine that is what it might look like. Checked the fuse. No continuity. Checked it on a battery. No voltage. I know I should not have but I tried it without the fuse and it heated up real fast. It's shorted out right out of the box. Hopefully I can get my fifty bucks back.

Maybe they sent you a returned item they did not check and put it back in stock. It sounds like someone overloaded it and shorted/ pushed the battery too hard and sent it back.

 

[SNman]

I'm not accusing anyone yet so I won't guess on what happened. Maybe it was sloppy QC in China. No vender should sent returned items without a discount and full inspection though if that is what happened. I'll see what they say.

 

[MTFogger]

Yep sounds like the post is shorted and someone used it without a fuse in it and sent it back afterwards ...

 

[photogf4]

That's sad, SNman. The Pioneer is pretty rugged, all things considered. Should be a popular beater over the Smok Chrome, which I now have killed two of... first was the finish and spring, second succumbed to thread wear. Wish MV would get all 8 Pioneer colors, but at least they lowered the price a bit. BTW I have used mine without the battery fuse from the get-go, and have had no problems.

 

[photogf4]

Another bit of info about this pipe: The plastic insulator in the top that separates the battery pole from the top switch will loosen until it makes no contact. Tighten it with needle nose pliers - it screws into the top. Thought mine was done! Still works great - even better.

 

[photogf4]

Here are a few more things now that I have had this for a while. The spring in the base is very weak - avoid using protected nipple-top batteries in this pipe, as they are so long they compress the spring and it has to be stretched back out after a while. Going to look into replacing the spring with something tougher. Another weird one is that you should unlock the lower gold magnet housing from the nylon insulator, take it out and check the magnet - mine came loose and wreaked havoc, in that it got so close to the upper magnet from trying to turn around it actually allowed some voltage to go to the atomizer even when open. I super glued the magnet into the gold contact, and it works great again. Make sure you have the opposing magnet side up!! put it on a small knife blade, and try to make it push the switch up in the top housing. If it attracts the switch you will put it in upside down. If you have an atomizer connected, you could have a big problem.

I have also discovered yet another issue. After a while this pipe mod seems to start leaking voltage even while idle, causing the coils to cake up and wear out faster. I get .02 volts with the switch open. None of my other mods do this. Is there a possibility that electrons can traverse a magnetic field? Can't seem to stop it. The lowest reading I have seen is .01.

 

[Zooka]

I had mine for about 10 minutes before the magnetic switch popped out the top and flew across the room (the magnet is quite strong.) Upon examination the button is held in by a thin metal ring that appeared to have been poorly soldered in 1 tiny spot onto the bottom of the button making it just wide enough to stay in. Based on this design I would say that it is only a matter of time before this happens on many of them. I was able to repair it for now, but I know it's bound to happen again sooner or later.

 

[MTFogger]

I have 2 and so far no major issues. Using Smok Aro tanks with re-wick coils using cotton. Minor issue is the button sticking. Used non conductive spray lube in the cap, let it sit for abit and dry it out. No more sticking.

 

[Doughboy67]

I've had mine for a few weeks. I like the feel of it and no switch or spring issues yet. Using a Protank2 V2 mini on it and it vapes great!! Only drawback to me is the weight. I think it's the heaviest mod I have. Even heavier than the K1000. Just my personal preference though wanting it lighter. All in all, I really like it.