There are probably a few of these around, but with all the noise about the lack of vent holes, I found it rather frustrating trying to find any reviews on them that weren't all about the safety issue. I took the leap and bought a stainless steel one from electronicstix.com, which does include vent holes, and thought I'd type up my feelings on the subject. Please forgive the lack of photos, but there seem to be plenty around already. I'm also not that into videos - I like to read!
Now, I've been using a gun metal Bolt for about a month or so, but something about it has never made it into something I "love". The looks are like plated plastic, even though it's clearly plated aluminum. The threading on the Bolt is oddly tight, with a feeling like it's not well done. The button is good, but it seems a compromise between trying to compensate for the lack of a lock with a firm semi-click button and a nice feel.
The first thing that caught my eye about the Telescope was how slim and light this is. For stainless, I figured I was sacrificing weight, but this is nice and thin, and given it's stainless, it doesn't feel at all flimsy. The finish is great (with a couple minor flaws if you examine the machining marks in a good light), and it looks really nice. The added vent holes were clearly an afterthought, as you can see where they cleaned off burrs on the inside in an imperfect way - but it's on the inside, so who cares?
The threads on this feel great, albeit a bit loose. Once it's together it's not noticeable. The locking threads are also silky smooth, and I think intentionally made a bit loose since it's going to get a lot of use. The button itself is nice and soft, and with the locking ring, it's not an issue that it takes little effort to turn it on. It can rest on the button with its own weight (and a full J-tank) and not turn on, but feels easy to operate.
All said, I think it's an excellent mod, and priced right. I paid $10 more than I paid for the Bolt, and wish I'd gone straight here.
Now, it's not quite what I'd say is "perfect" as I can point out a few improvements which could be made. Please don't misunderstand that these issues in any way take away from my happiness - they only push it away from perfection.
1) The locking ring could do with knurling. It's not really an issue since the threads are loose, but I think knurling would make it more obvious for its purpose, and a tad easier to use. If they'd have even put the same dimples that are present on the top of the upper section, it would be a nice improvement.
2) There is a threaded section down by the spring - presumably to allow you to swap batteries without altering the overall length. But since there is no way to lock where the lower section is screwed onto the upper, if you use it, you end up having to re-tighten the upper section as well. Something to lock the upper threading would be nice.
3) The top edge of the lower section could use a bevel both to match the top, and be a little nicer on the fingers. It's a good spot to grab onto with your fingers, resting the button in your palm to operate it, but the edge makes it the slightest bit uncomfortable.
4) I wish they'd made this more compatible with a 2 cent fuse or kick or ShortStop (what I'm using). If I use the ShortStop with an 18650 battery, about half the threads are exposed. They're nice and sharp (but not excessively so), and with them exposed, it's a tad bit even more uncomfortable than the top edge of the lower section on the fingers.
5) As I said previously, the finish is about 99% perfect, but that extra 1% would also be nice.
Now, I've spent more text with criticisms than compliments, but I'm still very happy with this thing. Since it's such a simple device, really, it's hard to give details on what's good.
I'm waiting for the Lava Tube v2 to come out before I go VV, and this will fill in the waiting just fine. My Bolt is now in retirement. I'd give this 4.5 out of 5 puffs of vapor
Now, I've been using a gun metal Bolt for about a month or so, but something about it has never made it into something I "love". The looks are like plated plastic, even though it's clearly plated aluminum. The threading on the Bolt is oddly tight, with a feeling like it's not well done. The button is good, but it seems a compromise between trying to compensate for the lack of a lock with a firm semi-click button and a nice feel.
The first thing that caught my eye about the Telescope was how slim and light this is. For stainless, I figured I was sacrificing weight, but this is nice and thin, and given it's stainless, it doesn't feel at all flimsy. The finish is great (with a couple minor flaws if you examine the machining marks in a good light), and it looks really nice. The added vent holes were clearly an afterthought, as you can see where they cleaned off burrs on the inside in an imperfect way - but it's on the inside, so who cares?
The threads on this feel great, albeit a bit loose. Once it's together it's not noticeable. The locking threads are also silky smooth, and I think intentionally made a bit loose since it's going to get a lot of use. The button itself is nice and soft, and with the locking ring, it's not an issue that it takes little effort to turn it on. It can rest on the button with its own weight (and a full J-tank) and not turn on, but feels easy to operate.
All said, I think it's an excellent mod, and priced right. I paid $10 more than I paid for the Bolt, and wish I'd gone straight here.
Now, it's not quite what I'd say is "perfect" as I can point out a few improvements which could be made. Please don't misunderstand that these issues in any way take away from my happiness - they only push it away from perfection.
1) The locking ring could do with knurling. It's not really an issue since the threads are loose, but I think knurling would make it more obvious for its purpose, and a tad easier to use. If they'd have even put the same dimples that are present on the top of the upper section, it would be a nice improvement.
2) There is a threaded section down by the spring - presumably to allow you to swap batteries without altering the overall length. But since there is no way to lock where the lower section is screwed onto the upper, if you use it, you end up having to re-tighten the upper section as well. Something to lock the upper threading would be nice.
3) The top edge of the lower section could use a bevel both to match the top, and be a little nicer on the fingers. It's a good spot to grab onto with your fingers, resting the button in your palm to operate it, but the edge makes it the slightest bit uncomfortable.
4) I wish they'd made this more compatible with a 2 cent fuse or kick or ShortStop (what I'm using). If I use the ShortStop with an 18650 battery, about half the threads are exposed. They're nice and sharp (but not excessively so), and with them exposed, it's a tad bit even more uncomfortable than the top edge of the lower section on the fingers.
5) As I said previously, the finish is about 99% perfect, but that extra 1% would also be nice.
Now, I've spent more text with criticisms than compliments, but I'm still very happy with this thing. Since it's such a simple device, really, it's hard to give details on what's good.
I'm waiting for the Lava Tube v2 to come out before I go VV, and this will fill in the waiting just fine. My Bolt is now in retirement. I'd give this 4.5 out of 5 puffs of vapor
