Efest, MNKE, or Panasonic for 18650's. Aw imr 18490, Trustfire 18500, and also the blue MV 18350. I like the most vapor though and all the 18650's I listed do really well. Flat or button top.
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With it being a mass produced Chinese mod, you're going to get inconsistencies so I'm not surprised. If I had the money and if they were ever available, I would love an Empire mod but for the price, the Telescope is hard to beat.
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Well whats happening is some mods came out before the changes were put into effect. I'm not positive but I think madvapes actually bought a bunch of the smoktech TSMs and they had no airholes for battery venting, so they went in and actually bored holes out themselves, then sold the modded TSMs to the public. I could be wrong about though. The reason I think this MAY have gone down, is because back when sites were actually selling the unvented TSMs, madvapes came out with vented TSMs and the description on the madvapes site was something like: "these VENTED telescoping mods are made specially for madvapes" which leads me to think that maybe madvapes vented the TSMs themselves, or had them vented for them?
Whatever, there seems to be good review after good review after good review for these mods. (other than the center tube being a bit lose before we noalax them lol, but that is with a lot of mods) Its not going to be a Zenesis or a GGTS guys, its $40 freaking dollars! lol. But I have to say, the SSteel version of the TSM is fan-freaking-tastic and I'm honestly considering buying a 2nd, maybe a 3rd, so that I can have them set up with different battery sizes, and so that I can take 2 out with me in 18350 mode, all those little luxuries we all want haha. I mean, I would buy different mods but right now, as the mod market stands, the TSM is my best choice for a versatile, well made and machined and sturdy stainless or tough metal telescoping battery size mod.
Whatever, there seems to be good review after good review after good review for these mods. (other than the center tube being a bit lose before we noalax them lol, but that is with a lot of mods) Its not going to be a Zenesis or a GGTS guys, its $40 freaking dollars! lol. But I have to say, the SSteel version of the TSM is fan-freaking-tastic and I'm honestly considering buying a 2nd, maybe a 3rd, so that I can have them set up with different battery sizes, and so that I can take 2 out with me in 18350 mode, all those little luxuries we all want haha. I mean, I would buy different mods but right now, as the mod market stands, the TSM is my best choice for a versatile, well made and machined and sturdy stainless or tough metal telescoping battery size mod.
I agree with you Plumes.91! On all points. The bit about Madvapes having the original TSM vented with several holes is correct (at least from what I've pieced together from researching quite a bit before buying). The one I got is from Liberty Flights...and is NOT one that was modded by Madvapes for resale. It has vent holes...but one is in the lower end of the top tube, and one on the lower end of the bottom tube. There was no roughness on the interior. And there is NO play (wiggle) between the tubes at all. When a battery is in there, it's solid as a rock. I'm thinking I got the newer model that was revised by Smoktech themselves. This is not any reflection on Madvapes. Kudos for them in turning lemons into lemonade. But I do see (and now hear) of the differences. I really like this mod...a LOT. I may end up getting another one, myself...maybe the stainless one. We'll see! But I'm very happy with my black chrome one for sure!
Yeah I got my stainless one from madvapes and there is a tiny bit of play between the tubes but its nothing that concerns me? As far as the vent holes, there is 4 in the middle tube that don't show when in 18350 mode, and there are 2 in the bottom cap that do not look sanded from the inside. Either way, none of the holes are rough on the inside. I noticed that the ones in the middle tube seem to be sanded or something from within the tube somehow? Idk how but whatever. In 18350 mode the tubes have NO play what so ever. In 18650 mode the middle tube can move if I push on it but it doesnt move on its own obviously lol. I think madvapes has the revised smoktech ones now, but only in the gunmetal. Because the gunmetal sold out so quickly, they reordered, so now they probably have the revised version.
2 QUESTIONS:
ONE MORE THING THOUGH- THIS is my FIRST device that can utilize 18350 batteries. Other than my eGos, this is my first device with batteries smaller than 18650 batteries. I know my eGos MIGHT be regulated (they are smoktech eGos so Idk) but the TSM mod obviously isn't regulated, since its an all mechanical mod, right?
1.) SO my 1st question is: Is the smoktech telescoping mod truly ALL mechanical? IF so, what does ALL MECHANICAL truly mean? Does it mean that there is actually NO wires within the divice what-so-ever? There is NO chip, right? I know there is no chip, but are there wires going from the 510 connection to the battery pin? Or are there wires anywhere in this thing? I have a BOLT and when I bought it, I was under the impression it was an ALL mechanical mod. Now I'm hearing that some people say the OLD Bolts (unannodized version) have weak soldiering points for the 510 connection wires. Sooo.. what? Does that mean that ALL MECH MODS DO HAVE WIRES?
2.) This is my first mod with batts smaller than 18650. Has anyone noticed that 18350 batteries actually drop their voltage faster than 18650 batteries? I'm using the BLUE IMR batteries that people say are great. I think they ROCK, when they fist come off the charger... But I feel like the voltage drops within the 1st hour of vaping, pretty damn quickly and to a pretty low voltage for my liking. I'm not sure if its the battery dropping its voltage, or if its my cartomizer underperforming from heat or something? IDK.
2 QUESTIONS:
ONE MORE THING THOUGH- THIS is my FIRST device that can utilize 18350 batteries. Other than my eGos, this is my first device with batteries smaller than 18650 batteries. I know my eGos MIGHT be regulated (they are smoktech eGos so Idk) but the TSM mod obviously isn't regulated, since its an all mechanical mod, right?
1.) SO my 1st question is: Is the smoktech telescoping mod truly ALL mechanical? IF so, what does ALL MECHANICAL truly mean? Does it mean that there is actually NO wires within the divice what-so-ever? There is NO chip, right? I know there is no chip, but are there wires going from the 510 connection to the battery pin? Or are there wires anywhere in this thing? I have a BOLT and when I bought it, I was under the impression it was an ALL mechanical mod. Now I'm hearing that some people say the OLD Bolts (unannodized version) have weak soldiering points for the 510 connection wires. Sooo.. what? Does that mean that ALL MECH MODS DO HAVE WIRES?
2.) This is my first mod with batts smaller than 18650. Has anyone noticed that 18350 batteries actually drop their voltage faster than 18650 batteries? I'm using the BLUE IMR batteries that people say are great. I think they ROCK, when they fist come off the charger... But I feel like the voltage drops within the 1st hour of vaping, pretty damn quickly and to a pretty low voltage for my liking. I'm not sure if its the battery dropping its voltage, or if its my cartomizer underperforming from heat or something? IDK.
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I have a SS one from madvapes its a bit different from yours Plumes; I have 2 holes at the bottom, 1 hole above threads on top piece and 4 holes just below the top line, above that line are 8 circular indentations. I would like to get the Gun Metal/Black if it looked like the SS one.
I also have the Bolt and I like it too, just like the scope better.
Make sure you lock that button before putting it into your pocket.
I also have the Bolt and I like it too, just like the scope better.
Make sure you lock that button before putting it into your pocket.
myyrkezaan, my holes are the same, you just described them better 
If you'll take a look on the inside, you'll see what I mean by sanded. They seem to be sanded.
If you'll take a look on the inside, you'll see what I mean by sanded. They seem to be sanded.
Plumes.91 posted: 2 QUESTIONS:
ONE MORE THING THOUGH- THIS is my FIRST device that can utilize 18350 batteries. Other than my eGos, this is my first device with batteries smaller than 18650 batteries. I know my eGos MIGHT be regulated (they are smoktech eGos so Idk) but the TSM mod obviously isn't regulated, since its an all mechanical mod, right?
The TSM is not regulated. The voltage on the average 3.7 battery will have an initial push of about 4.1 volts right off the charger that will drop as you vape. More on this in a minute.
1.) SO my 1st question is: Is the smoktech telescoping mod truly ALL mechanical? IF so, what does ALL MECHANICAL truly mean? Does it mean that there is actually NO wires within the divice what-so-ever? There is NO chip, right? I know there is no chip, but are there wires going from the 510 connection to the battery pin? Or are there wires anywhere in this thing? I have a BOLT and when I bought it, I was under the impression it was an ALL mechanical mod. Now I'm hearing that some people say the OLD Bolts (unannodized version) have weak soldiering points for the 510 connection wires. Sooo.. what? Does that mean that ALL MECH MODS DO HAVE WIRES?
The TSM is mechanical. There are no wires or chips. I had never heard that the Bolt was supposed to be mechanical? I had no idea. The TSM works when the pin in the bottom piece connects with the battery, completing the circuit so the mod fires.
2.) This is my first mod with batts smaller than 18650. Has anyone noticed that 18350 batteries actually drop their voltage faster than 18650 batteries? I'm using the BLUE IMR batteries that people say are great. I think they ROCK, when they fist come off the charger... But I feel like the voltage drops within the 1st hour of vaping, pretty damn quickly and to a pretty low voltage for my liking. I'm not sure if its the battery dropping its voltage, or if its my cartomizer underperforming from heat or something? IDK.
The 18350 does seem to drop power pretty quick. It's okay, but I far prefer the 18650 because I chain vape and hit hard and frequently. It's normal...not really the "fault" of the battery. Can't speak to the cartomizer, but doubt it's that, either.
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BTW...Sounds like you and myyrkezzan both got the Madvapes modified mods and not the updated ones? I've seen them at a couple of vendors now. Hoosier's and Liberty Flights have the ones that have a single hole in the base of the top tube and a single hole at the base of the bottom tube. No wiggle at all..even with a button top 18650 battery. No thread showing, either. I'm betting the Hoosier and LF ones are the Smoktech upgraded ones and the others with all those holes are the ones that were adapted after the initial release that got the flap about no vent holes.
ONE MORE THING THOUGH- THIS is my FIRST device that can utilize 18350 batteries. Other than my eGos, this is my first device with batteries smaller than 18650 batteries. I know my eGos MIGHT be regulated (they are smoktech eGos so Idk) but the TSM mod obviously isn't regulated, since its an all mechanical mod, right?
The TSM is not regulated. The voltage on the average 3.7 battery will have an initial push of about 4.1 volts right off the charger that will drop as you vape. More on this in a minute.
1.) SO my 1st question is: Is the smoktech telescoping mod truly ALL mechanical? IF so, what does ALL MECHANICAL truly mean? Does it mean that there is actually NO wires within the divice what-so-ever? There is NO chip, right? I know there is no chip, but are there wires going from the 510 connection to the battery pin? Or are there wires anywhere in this thing? I have a BOLT and when I bought it, I was under the impression it was an ALL mechanical mod. Now I'm hearing that some people say the OLD Bolts (unannodized version) have weak soldiering points for the 510 connection wires. Sooo.. what? Does that mean that ALL MECH MODS DO HAVE WIRES?
The TSM is mechanical. There are no wires or chips. I had never heard that the Bolt was supposed to be mechanical? I had no idea. The TSM works when the pin in the bottom piece connects with the battery, completing the circuit so the mod fires.
2.) This is my first mod with batts smaller than 18650. Has anyone noticed that 18350 batteries actually drop their voltage faster than 18650 batteries? I'm using the BLUE IMR batteries that people say are great. I think they ROCK, when they fist come off the charger... But I feel like the voltage drops within the 1st hour of vaping, pretty damn quickly and to a pretty low voltage for my liking. I'm not sure if its the battery dropping its voltage, or if its my cartomizer underperforming from heat or something? IDK.
The 18350 does seem to drop power pretty quick. It's okay, but I far prefer the 18650 because I chain vape and hit hard and frequently. It's normal...not really the "fault" of the battery. Can't speak to the cartomizer, but doubt it's that, either.
~~end ~~
BTW...Sounds like you and myyrkezzan both got the Madvapes modified mods and not the updated ones? I've seen them at a couple of vendors now. Hoosier's and Liberty Flights have the ones that have a single hole in the base of the top tube and a single hole at the base of the bottom tube. No wiggle at all..even with a button top 18650 battery. No thread showing, either. I'm betting the Hoosier and LF ones are the Smoktech upgraded ones and the others with all those holes are the ones that were adapted after the initial release that got the flap about no vent holes.
"The TSM is mechanical. There are no wires or chips. I had never heard that the Bolt was supposed to be mechanical? I had no idea. The TSM works when the pin in the bottom piece connects with the battery, completing the circuit so the mod fires."
My telescope has a wire from the 510 connection to the top battery post.
The solder joint failed in mine,so had to resolder it.In hindsite it might be a saftey feature if your atty shorts,its very light gauge wire.
My telescope has a wire from the 510 connection to the top battery post.
The solder joint failed in mine,so had to resolder it.In hindsite it might be a saftey feature if your atty shorts,its very light gauge wire.
I love mine it is made cheap but its lite and has plenty of power with a 3/2 wrap on my DiD I use it for my work mod so it can get banged around a bit and it it breaks im only out $45
Heres my Siam Mods Cobra sitting on top of my SS Telescope in stealth mode. It is solid for me with an 18350 battery, no play whatsoever.
I got my replacement in from MV. The gun metal one was much better till it started acting up. I hate this SS tele. Sometimes it wont fire at all so I tighten it up and as soon as I start to turn it in, the dang thing starts firing. Its also started firing on its own. Not sure why cause its not a clear tube, but it seems to pick times when it wont fire at all till I screw it and unscrew it like its a switch. Play out the ... to. Threads catch. I had to turn it around and screw it all the way up to clean the threads out cause I couldn't even get it to start. This thing sucks.
When it wont fire the switch goes all the way in like its not reaching the battery but then I turn it to get closer and it starts firing. Lame.
When it wont fire the switch goes all the way in like its not reaching the battery but then I turn it to get closer and it starts firing. Lame.
Hmm that's unfortunate. Two bad eggs in a row, thats just unlucky! This mod has been nothing but great to me. I'm still looking to get it kicked but I do have my provari/zmax as well so its not exactly a must buy as of now. How's everyone's mod holding up? Mine has been used during work for the last 2 weeks, including going out to the bars on weekends and its been a great little workhorse. I noticed that problems might also be from the vendors, I got mine from liberty and it seems other people who purchased from Liberty seemed to have very little problems as opposed to others.
Id rather call it bad build quality then just being unlucky but I got two sht bags in a row lol. Forgot to add that I can also feel the switch getting hot. Im really getting tired of sending this dam thing back and forth. DEEP BREATH NOW......
Build quality on both my telescopes is fantastic, the finish is good, threads are smooth, fires every time I want it too. It's a shame there appears to be inconsistencies in the quality of the telescope, because I can't recommend mine highly enough.
I loved the gun metal one I had at first. But the SS that replaced it has been crap from the start. First two batteries I put in would not fire. Now I have it screwed down really tight so it will fire with the other batteries. Is really strange. Have to put the lock on every time I set it down or it will fire. If I unscrew it some so it wont fire when I set it down it will fire on its own.
I have to give MV props on the CS though. From the time I posted above they already got back to me and they are sending me a new switch for nothing. Only had gun metal or chrome so I chose chrome since the genny I use is chrome anyways. Hope this one works.
Hope they get it right this time for you Striker. I haven't experienced any of the issues you've mentioned, so if it's any consolation, they do make good ones.
So far my Tele has been great as well. Not one hiccup. Use mine a lot when going out using a 18350 battery but not as an all day use, stealthy. I would say if these tele's fail its because someone uses 1ohm rebuildable atty's, two batteries, tighten it to the hilt (why use spring contacts?), or expect to get 38 amps out of them.
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I've had zero issues with the black chrome (gun metal) telescope I got from Liberty Flights. None of the issues mentioned in this thread. Again I have to go back to the theory that Madvapes did their own revision of the telescope on the original release product (vent holes) and the more recently designed models ..such as the ones at LF and Hoosiers...are revised models addressing the original model's failings done by the original manufacturer Smoktech themselves. I use the telescope heavily (and I do mean heavily!) all day every day for weeks now. No issues or problems or misfires or wiggles at all. In fact..the longer I've used it the better and more intuitively it seems to work.
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