Smoktech Vmax Owners - tips, tricks and quirks

[fuzzione]

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Got my vmax finally! silver version and defaults back to 5v. Also came with a nice pocket friendly printed user's manual in english. The aw imr 18350 from super t fits perfect.

Hey congrats! Nice to know about the AW fit also; I'm waiting for those exact ones from superT.
Odd that Fazed could not get his aw imr 18350's in the battery cap while Vaporchase had no problem with his,based on what is demonstrated in their respective reviews.

 

[ukeman]

I got mine from Time East, ordered 5/6...
Got in on the "first 50 orders" promo so it came with 2 batts and a charger ... cool beans.
Siver color is great. The fit and finish is surprisingly good! Heavy feel but lighter and a tad smaller than the Provari w/extension. +1.
It seems to default to 3v; that's what it started out at anyway... kind of hard to read digits; if it weren't for the youtube vids, i'd be SOL totaly.... what gives?
Overall, with the info on ECF here, it's a win for now...
Makes you wonder about CS though...
I rate it Very Good first impressions, and i've had Provari's since the first runs... fall '10.

 

[fuzzione]

I got mine from Time East, ordered 5/6...
Got in on the "first 50 orders" promo so it came with 2 batts and a charger ... cool beans.
Siver color is great. The fit and finish is surprisingly good! Heavy feel but lighter and a tad smaller than the Provari w/extension. +1.
It seems to default to 3v; that's what it started out at anyway... kind of hard to read digits; if it weren't for the youtube vids, i'd be SOL totaly.... what gives?
Overall, with the info on ECF here, it's a win for now...
Makes you wonder about CS though...
I rate it Very Good first impressions, and i've had Provari's since the first runs... fall '10.

Congrats! Blue or red LED?
The menu becomes second nature quite quickly once you get used it.
Your mod list is impressive indeed. Do report back as to what works well on it and what doesn't. I'm particularly interested in the HH357. Nice that we're starting to see more of the newer versions this side of the pond now.

EDIT: heh. Just noticed your location. That's the other pond!

 

[ukeman]

It's red fuzz, but the button light is blue.....
I am using an LR AVA at 3.5 and that little extra zip you all talk about is just right!

Congrats! Blue or red LED?
The menu becomes second nature quite quickly once you get used it.
Your mod list is impressive indeed. Do report back as to what works well on it and what doesn't. I'm particularly interested in the HH357. Nice that we're starting to see more of the newer versions this side of the pond now.

EDIT: heh. Just noticed your location. That's the other pond!

 

[muzichead]

View attachment 102193

Received these a couple of AW IMR 18350s today from a "Big" UK supplier,they do not work in the Vmax ???

They do not appear to be Genuine AWs but poorly constructed FAKES ......... as you can see from the Pic it has a Flat Top and 850 mah rating,the plastic coating is also very thin and nearly see through ???

Million Dollar question is are these safe to use in the Vmax

The 850mAh should have given it away that they were fakes.... AW IMR's are only 700mAh....

 

[Bahiaboy]

The 850mAh should have given it away that they were fakes.... AW IMR's are only 700mAh....

To be fair they are not actually advertised as AW methinks the retailer knows they are not as well !!!! here is description from Website

IMR18350 3.7V 850mAh Safe Chemistry LiMN Battery

Lithium Manganese (IMR) A rechargeable battery that has the benefit of safer chemistry, this removes the need for circuits. Offering faster discharge rates the devise is suitable for high power applications over 3 Amps. Safe chemistry means no risk of venting with flame or explosion. It is also safe to use in series or multi-cell applications

 

[Bahiaboy]

Just fitted a new Carto and the Vmax wouldnt work !!! It came up with an error message F1 not seen that one before,but the Carto was shorted,think I went too far with the holes when I punched it ???
I tried the Carto on my Mini L/T and it worked but with a crap burnt taste !!!
I was actually quite pleased that the Vmax detected the fault and cut off the Power then displayed the F1 error as it shows the device has decent sensitive electronics & circuits

 

[ukeman]

does it work? (the VMax)

I have had at least half a doz Provari;s in close to 2 years, and one of even the V2's needed to be serviced for a glitch... I hope i didn't jump the gun by ordering from China, in case it needs servicing.

btw i'm getting better vapes out of my AVA at 3.5v on VMax than i could out of the vari.... to be fair this was just after a cleaning, 2nd cleaning of 2 + week old LR AVA.

Just fitted a new Carto and the Vmax wouldnt work !!! It came up with an error message F1 not seen that one before,but the Carto was shorted,think I went too far with the holes when I punched it ???
I tried the Carto on my Mini L/T and it worked but with a crap burnt taste !!!
I was actually quite pleased that the Vmax detected the fault and cut off the Power then displayed the F1 error as it shows the device has decent sensitive electronics & circuits

 

[markfm]

I still would not use them. Given the aw label immediately you have counterfeit, zero insight as to what the underlying batteries really are, cannot trust the rating so you do not have any idea of what safe use is for them.

 

[mgmrick]

I got mine from Time East, ordered 5/6...
Got in on the "first 50 orders" promo so it came with 2 batts and a charger ... cool beans.
Siver color is great. The fit and finish is surprisingly good! Heavy feel but lighter and a tad smaller than the Provari w/extension. +1.
It seems to default to 3v; that's what it started out at anyway... kind of hard to read digits; if it weren't for the youtube vids, i'd be SOL totaly.... what gives?
Overall, with the info on ECF here, it's a win for now...
Makes you wonder about CS though...
I rate it Very Good first impressions, and i've had Provari's since the first runs... fall '10.

Your lcd may be off. The default mode on the 3 volt models I have seen is lcd is off ...you may need to turn it on

 

[ukeman]

i wrote that wrong... it seems like i'm saying i can't see the lcd but i can... what i meant was " what's up with the seeming lack of CS? like no instructions, nothing.... makes u think that if you had a problem, you're SOL... ?

Your lcd may be off. The default mode on the 3 volt models I have seen is lcd is off ...you may need to turn it on

 

[ukeman]

anyway, I was not liking my AVA ($40) atty so much; the flavor was there, but it seemed the vapor was too moist ... now it's performing like an atty that better be better than anything else... i had just cleaned it after a second week, so either it's come to life or the VMax is making a difference.
I tried it on the PRovari at 3.5v and yes, improved, but not quite as good as with the VMax.... ... I think i might order another AVA, an SR this time...

 

[KeysBum]

Has anyone used the UltraFire 18350 1200 mAh batts in the Vax?

 

[vpsi333]

How much vape time are you getting on a set of batteries?
I'm a VERY heavy vaporer (sp?) and I only get 3 to 4 hrs before my Vmax starts kicking out in mid vape.
I know I should be using AW Batt's. (TZ IMR 18350 800mah)
How long do the AW's last for the truely heavy vapor'rs

 

[ukeman]

I just put a fresh set of AW IMR in, but i am rotating 3 APV's (it's the solution for heavy vapers)... so I probably couldn't say anymore.

In the past I shucked my Buzz Pro because the 16340's were less time allowed than a single IMR 18650 (ymmv).
- the Provari 18650 will only get about the same (3 or 4 hrs) as well if you chain vape.

Funny, the dual 14500 mods like Sgt army tank VV, VVPV, will last a little longer than either... ymmv

 

[fuzzione]

Just in case it gets lost in the shuffle, I think post #51 by VAPNJ350 is a must read for vmax owners seeking info on batteries and coil resistance. I'm less concerned about how long the batteries last than their ability to handle the amperage required by the hungry vmax. The term used is "constant sustained amperage output." The recommendation accordingly is for the genuine AW's which are only rated at 700mah but can handle this load.

Currently using unbranded IMR's until my new AW's arrive. I'm still getting 24 hours before a recharge is required (approx 3.5v remaining in each) but I'm only using the max 'moderately,' not chain vaping it, and rotating it with 2 other pv's like ukeman. I am using the vmax 75% of the time. This likely doesn't provide a meaningful battery benchmark, I know, that's just what I'm getting based on my use.

I'd estimate that due to the AW's ability to handle the amperage better than the cheapo ones, vape time will likely be improved. It seems the significant voltage drop with some batteries, causing your 'lo' cutoff to trigger, is not nearly as apparent with the AW's. So it stands to reason you can use it longer until the 'lo' appears. I would think using higher resistance coils will also extend vape time.

Lack of printed instructions was not a biggie for me as they're readily available on the net.

Thanks for the info on the AVA ukeman. That is one expensive atty! Have you tried the 357 with the vmax yet?

 

[KeysBum]

Just in case it gets lost in the shuffle, I think post #51 by VAPNJ350 is a must read for vmax owners seeking info on batteries and coil resistance. I'm less concerned about how long the batteries last than their ability to handle the amperage required by the hungry vmax. The term used is "constant sustained amperage output." The recommendation accordingly is for the genuine AW's which are only rated at 700mah but can handle this load.

Currently using unbranded IMR's until my new AW's arrive. I'm still getting 24 hours before a recharge is required (approx 3.5v remaining in each) but I'm only using the max 'moderately,' not chain vaping it, and rotating it with 2 other pv's like ukeman. I am using the vmax 75% of the time. This likely doesn't provide a meaningful battery benchmark, I know, that's just what I'm getting based on my use.

I'd estimate that due to the AW's ability to handle the amperage better than the cheapo ones, vape time will likely be improved. It seems the significant voltage drop with some batteries, causing your 'lo' cutoff to trigger, is not nearly as apparent with the AW's. So it stands to reason you can use it longer until the 'lo' appears. I would think using higher resistance coils will also extend vape time.

Lack of printed instructions was not a biggie for me as they're readily available on the net.

Thanks for the info on the AVA ukeman. That is one expensive atty! Have you tried the 357 with the vmax yet?

Fuzzi, .... that's probably happening due to your batteries not being able to handle the amount of amperage the VMAX is asking for as it's running a DC. I'm using AW IMR 18350 "ONLY" (VICTORY) and both of my VMAX's initiate the Lo display at 6.3V, and no matter what carto I'm using it never drops below .5V even when the batteries are getting kinda low.AW IMR's have a much higher "constant sustained amperage output" which is what this device ABSOLUTELY NEEDS, people putting all these other type of batteries that have low constant amperage output (cheap IMR's and ICR's) are risking burning up the switch in a big way, guys it's just not worth risking killing this device to save some bucks on batteries as I'm sure you all agree. You, victory, and anyone else not using the best batteries you can buy need to get some AW's, "here's your sign"...www.supertmanufacturing.com.....best prices and service and CHEAP shipping that's super fast too !!! Ok, as I've tried A LOT of different batteries with both of these units here's kind of a short summary of batteries that WILL NOT FIT THE VMAX :

Trustfire 1200 maH button top (I wouldn't put trustfire batts in my flashlights)
Ultrafire XSL (yellow) (they seem to work in some but not all VMAX's so I listed it )
Some red off brands are too big in diameter (watch out for those their everywhere)
Pretty much ALL ICR type protected batteries (Victory) lol (thats why they recommend IMR high drain batts, their smaller)
This is my opinion as stated before, if your using a LR atty or carto on this device (single coil) your kinda defeating the purpose of buying and having a V V device, do yourself a favor and your VMAX and put a 3 ohm atty or carto on it (single coil) or a DC with coils above 3 ohms and see just how much better it performs in all aspects,not to mention taking all the risk out of damaging it. LR attys/cartos were merely designed to ""simulate"" a 5 volt vaping experience before Variable Voltage was around and all their was , was 3.7v devices. Food for thought. Tell a friend.

So far thats all I got for non-fitters. On a side note just so everyone is crystal clear and knows this "IMR BATTERIES ARE THE SAFEST BATTERIES MONEY CAN BUY, not to mention the best power source for your nice expensive new mod. " YOUR DEVICE IS ONLY AS GOOD AS THE BATTERIES INSIDE IT !!!!! I really hope this helps atleast 1 person out there,if anyone has further questions about anything and you would rather not post it here please feel free to PM me and I would be glad to lend a helping hand, take care everyone. .............................J

So lets review the post again, good idea.

 

[ukeman]

yeah, good post by VAPNJ,
amen on both points; batts and resistance...
the batts that came with the Vmax are "Vmax" Li-ion 760 mah, and they should be pretty safe and I found that a protected Li ion does the job in the mid ranges pretty well. I would never buy a cheap battery; and I PREFER IMR AW for anything that involves using LR coils for that extra power surge supply and the IMR chemistry is safe too.
although i am reluctant to go higher resistance, for some ridiculous reason; it's probably for the best.
I'm sure i'll try at least a 2.5 HH357 soon on the Vmax...

 

[Errol]

How much vape time are you getting on a set of batteries?
I'm a VERY heavy vaporer (sp?) and I only get 3 to 4 hrs before my Vmax starts kicking out in mid vape.
I know I should be using AW Batt's. (TZ IMR 18350 800mah)
How long do the AW's last for the truely heavy vapor'rs

Maybe it's time for you to move up to a dual 18650 mod that will get you through the day. Just curious but how many ml of juice are you going through in a day?

Errol

 

[ukeman]

how about Donkey Kong dual 26650's (?) ? heheh

Maybe it's time for you to move up to a dual 18650 mod that will get you through the day. Just curious but how many ml of juice are you going through in a day?

Errol