Smoktech Vmax Owners - tips, tricks and quirks

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The Hill Giant

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Well if money is no object I think I would lean more towards a Penelope maybe. It holds the juice amount your looking for. It's pretty much sealed and one of the easier to rebuild R.A.'s out there. I don't have 1 ....YET !!! But It's on order as of Thursday evening. It's small,compact,one of the best R.A's out there A.T.M. All the research I've done on it says it's definitely a buyer. If you just want to see if R.A.'s are going to suit your needs then I would maybe start inexpensive 1st as these type of atty's are not for everyone. Maybe like a Phoenix or a Avalon....something low cost entry level that you can actually get on a website and not have to wait for decades to get and be on someones favorites list to even be considered for 1. Wink Wink !!!! Anyway...hope this helps and gets you goin' in the right direction. Take care and good luck !!

Where is the Avalon available for purchase?

I seem to ask that question every time someone recommends an rba >.<

All I can ever find is video reviews on google. MAybe I'm looking in the wrong place.
 

Optimo

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All you guys waiting for a vmax in the mail, really dont want to bust your bubble but becareful..... from what im reading a lot of these units are coming deffective they freez up causing you to have to take out the betterys to restart the unit and thats the small problem...I had my unit for 2 weeks and it started smoking from inside the unit while I had it to my face vaping it with my morning coffee....scared the crap out of me. Thought it was going to blow up in my face or hands. Removed the batterys and burnt smelling fumes and smoke came out from the unit, So I truly hope you vmax newbees have a better experience with yours than I did with mine......

sent from outer space using my vaperbotron 5G speed of vape!

my VMAX came DOA basically and while waiting for the replacement I got myself a provari - no issues whatsoever. Pretty sure the VMAX will beat the provari watt wise though if it works - if being the keyword there ugh...

This is just the price we will have to pay for a mass produced device. Not all will be 100% flawless. Just make sure to get yours from a vendor that will honor the warranty and you will be good to go. As I have said many times I'm still using my V1 VMax that I got when they first came out and it is still working flawless wiht no hiccups for months now. Just goes to show that some will come off the line perfect and others will not. Still beats paying the outrageous price for a Provari IMO.
 

Modnar

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Where is the Avalon available for purchase?

I seem to ask that question every time someone recommends an RBA >.<

All I can ever find is video reviews on google. MAybe I'm looking in the wrong place.

I bought mt Avalon here Avalon

It's a german site though, so It might end up costing you a lot with shipping
 

The Hill Giant

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I bought mt Avalon here Avalon

It's a german site though, so It might end up costing you a lot with shipping

Thank you. Is there a place somewhere on our lovely forums where all of these european made mods and RBAs are discussed (including purchasing info)? I only saw info about the DID in the euro supplier forum.
 

Modnar

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Thank you. Is there a place somewhere on our lovely forums where all of these european made mods and RBAs are discussed (including purchasing info)? I only saw info about the DID in the euro supplier forum.

I don't know, I haven't seen anything like that...

There's loads of reviews and guide videos for the DID on youtube though.
 
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AnsonJames

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Just goes to show that some will come off the line perfect and others will not. Still beats paying the outrageous price for a Provari IMO.

Some folks here paid the RRP of $128 for their first Vmax - the cheapest ProVari is $159 with free domestic shipping.
Is $31 extra really outrageous?

Even now most vendors are charging $99 for a V4 Vmax, still only $60 less.

Considering the average Chinese factory worker earns 64 Cents an hour and Labor costs in the US are substantially higher you'll probably find you're paying a very reasonable price for the ProVari.


Just sayin'!
 
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fuzzione

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Some folks here paid the RRP of $128 for their first Vmax - the cheapest ProVari is $159 with free domestic shipping.
Is $31 extra really outrageous?

Even now most vendors are charging $99 for a V4 Vmax, still only $60 less.

Considering the average Chinese factory worker earns 64 Cents an hour and Labor costs in the US are substantially higher you'll probably find you're paying a very reasonable price for the ProVari.


Just sayin'!

Not to beat this point further as it's been discussed several time already, but for some it's quite a bit more of a difference in $ between a Provari and Vmax. In my case (non-domestic) it worked out to almost exactly 3 times the price of a Provari for a vmax, when factoring in all the variables. I would not have hesitated paying $31 more for a Provari over a Vmax but in my case (and other examples of international customers) this was not even remotely possible.

There have been examples of $80 with free (domestic) shipping on this thread for an SS vmax after coupon codes. So if you're timing is right, you can get a great deal on one. IMHO $80 for an SS vmax still represents an excellent value for your vaping dollar.
 

VAPNJ350

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Mental Note

Christmas List 2012

VAPNJ...............No flat tips DTs of any kind....and nothing from Cloudsofvapor.



HOLY ****.......WOW did you take the words right out of my mouth on EVERY LEVEL !!!!! GET OUT OF MY HEAD !!! ...Theirs only room for 1 in there !!!! lol..... COV ...HAAAA.... can you say CROOK !!!! ANd yes that is ""MY OPINION"" by 1st hand experience. .....Never again.
 

Modnar

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Not to beat this point further as it's been discussed several time already, but for some it's quite a bit more of a difference in $ between a Provari and Vmax. In my case (non-domestic) it worked out to almost exactly 3 times the price of a Provari for a vmax, when factoring in all the variables. I would not have hesitated paying $31 more for a Provari over a Vmax but in my case (and other examples of international customers) this was not even remotely possible.

There have been examples of $80 with free (domestic) shipping on this thread for an SS vmax after coupon codes. So if you're timing is right, you can get a great deal on one. IMHO $80 for an SS vmax still represents an excellent value for your vaping dollar.

The price for a Provari is ridiculous here in Europe

I can buy a vmax SS for arund 90 dollars, the provari would cost me close to 250 dollars.
 

VAPNJ350

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Overall the VMAX "feels" like .5-.7 volts higher than your average boosted circuit device. This somewhat shows true on the scope compared to my Provari V2 I compared to. If you usually stay at 4v on your boosted device try 3.2-3.5 volts on the VMAX and you should be pretty close and comfortable.

As for the versions I've gone over that in detail in earlier posts but in short their are only 3 main version a.t.m. V1 (the overpowered beast), V2 (new tuned down PWM, 3 volt startup, new diagnostic startup...123..456..789, New display turn off) And V3 ( the SS eGo top Blue display). No internals have been altered or changed since the V2. Everything else is "REVISIONS" NOT VERSIONS. Different finishes are considered revisions...NOT versions...and yes their is a difference. I hope this helps everyone alittle better to clarify whats what. If you don't have a V1, and you KNOW if you do, than you have V2 internal chipsets. Nothing more...Nothing less.

I have 2, V1's and 3, V2's, and a V2 with custom lighting and finish on the way. And I love them all. But my V1's are put away for safe keeping, I do although break out the prototype slick smooth body chrome with Blue led every now and then. (Avatar pic)
 

AnsonJames

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I have to agree, the cost of the Provari to customers located outside of the US is much higher.
But even if there's an $80 price difference if you are a resident of the US, you can guarantee that Provari don't make a fraction of the profit that Smoktech would receive per unit.

The price of the ProVari may seem outrageous to some but it's all totally relative at the end of the day.

You also have to give kudos to an American company that has forgone a larger profit margin and kept it's production facility in the US. They could have easily taken their design to China, had it manufactured for a fraction of the cost and still charged $160...
 

fuzzione

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I have to agree, the cost of the Provari to customers located outside of the US is much higher.
But even if there's an $80 price difference if you are a resident of the US, you can guarantee that Provari don't make a fraction of the profit that Smoktech would receive per unit.

The price of the ProVari may seem outrageous to some but it's all totally relative at the end of the day.

You also have to give kudos to an American company that has forgone a larger profit margin and kept it's production facility in the US. They could have easily taken their design to China, had it manufactured for a fraction of the cost and still charged $160...

Some good points. I've asked myself the question many times Dirk....how much does Provape make on each Provari sold? I really wish I knew. I suspect Provape make a lot from the extras they sell...batteries, chargers, end caps, $15 extra for blue or green lcd, finish surcharge, etc.

I can however see that vendors make a decent profit from the vmax. You can see on the Alibaba site that a unit price of around $43-50 is the wholesale cost of a vmax depending on how many you buy (min order 50). I doubt Smoktech are making that much on each unit, my guess is between $15-30 after taking their actual production, R&D and marketing costs into account. So, it would seem that vendors selling the vmax are quite probably making more on each unit sold than ST. Smoktech are doing what they always do ...count on volume sales.

The thing about Provape is they've long since amortized their initial production, development and R&D costs. Although your point is well taken about their higher costs and expenses, I still wouldn't be at all surprised if their average per unit selling cost including extras, actually produces a higher profit margin than either Smok or their retailers see for the vmax. But I don't know for sure; just a suspicion.
 

VAPNJ350

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damn a total of 6 vmax's? holy crap dude :)



YES SIR....and counting. Im the type of guy that when I find something that works and pleases ALL my senses I would rather invest in that than to buy more of something else that may NOT please me. When I found my 1st Multi-volt Fistpak Mod I realized I loved it. So instead of buying 1 more of anything else I just started building them for myself and a few close friends. I now have 5 maybe 6 Fistpaks left after giving a few away. My Philosophy : If something works for you and you really like it and it suits your needs in every way possible why....WHY waste 1 penny on anything else that may be in question if it will do the same or even compare to what you already have. I don't know about anyone else but even as comfortable as I am financially I don't like or care to waste 1 dime on anything. Money is something most of us half to work very hard for and it usually doesn't come easy. Why...WHY spend money on something...ANYTHING else when you have in your hand complete BLISS and SATISFACTION !!! Take that same money and get more juice.....more cartos/atty's.....or 1 more VMAX if your like me. I actually only use 2 of them but I know I really like this device and after 2 years of searching for a device that does what this does for me....YES...I'm stocking up just in case it gets discontinued or 1 breaks down or whatever.

**Disclaimer** Yes this is my opinion and philosophy. What works for me may not work for you. How I "logically" think, you may not. As long as what you do works for you and your happy with it that's ALL that matters.

Take care ALL.!!
 

fuzzione

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Happens to be my opinion and philosophy also J!

Seriously, I'm reluctant to buy anything else/new right now for fear it will just be relegated to the 'unused' drawer. Like my iTaste. Cool enough little unit for sure, but I've barely used it in the month I've owned it. I always reach for my workhorse vmax's first. I keep asking myself...what's 'this or that' other device going to do for me that the vmax won't? I simply can't come up with enough answers right now. Maybe that new Z Maxx will provide some soon :)
 
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