if you look back a few pages I went thoroughly over what versions are what and what each 1 is. But truly their are only 3 "real" versions. Anything else is really a "revision". Finishes DO NOT count as a version change. More a revision.
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if you look back a few pages I went thoroughly over what versions are what and what each 1 is. But truly their are only 3 "real" versions. Anything else is really a "revision". Finishes DO NOT count as a version change. More a revision.
OK "Z"MAX Awaiters...you wanted PICS......here they are.......
And to much my surprise the display looks pretty much like the VMAX and NOT like the display on the chipset pic I was sent prior. Kinda let down on that one. Other than that...if you have the VMAX REV4 with the blue display and the eGo top connector in CHROME then you have the EXACT same body that the ZMAX is coming with 1st.
......So 1st impressions.....very nice.....solid, solid button, very stiff, no wiggle, giggle, wobble at all. Very impressed with the button. Threads on the end caps are very tight and smooth without noalox applied yet. ....POWER ! .....WOW POWER. Plenty to spare. At 8 watts with a 3Ω Fusion it's a incredible delivery of everything you look for in a nice powerful, flavor-filled, even and consistent supplied vape form beginning draw to end. So far I'm lovin' it.
15 watts is the highest range and well more than I care to ever use or probably most would. It just feels like the equivalent of around 10 volts....yes I said(typed) 10 volts !!! It's truly incredible the power delivery this thing is able to accomplish with ease. As this is just a 1st impression I'm not willing to say it's better than this or that or more powerful than this or that ......all I can say is........I THINK I LIKE IT .....and I WON"T be the only 1.
Putting it on the LeCroy 312-A Wavejet tonight to get the nuts and bolts of it for a better and more informative idea of the raw numbers to compare to what I'm feeling. I'll do multiple runs with the single 18650 setup and with the stacked 18350 setup just for pure curiousity but am obviously leaning more towards the stacked setup for better power and more consistent numbers. Although I'm really hoping they worked the circuitry well enough to have NO difference in either configuration.
Take care ALL...I'll get back as soon as possible after all the prelims are done. ...............J
And to much my surprise the display looks pretty much like the VMAX and NOT like the display on the chipset pic I was sent prior. Kinda let down on that one. Other than that...if you have the VMAX REV4 with the blue display and the eGo top connector in CHROME then you have the EXACT same body that the ZMAX is coming with 1st.
......So 1st impressions.....very nice.....solid, solid button, very stiff, no wiggle, giggle, wobble at all. Very impressed with the button. Threads on the end caps are very tight and smooth without noalox applied yet. ....POWER ! .....WOW POWER. Plenty to spare. At 8 watts with a 3Ω Fusion it's a incredible delivery of everything you look for in a nice powerful, flavor-filled, even and consistent supplied vape form beginning draw to end. So far I'm lovin' it.
15 watts is the highest range and well more than I care to ever use or probably most would. It just feels like the equivalent of around 10 volts....yes I said(typed) 10 volts !!! It's truly incredible the power delivery this thing is able to accomplish with ease. As this is just a 1st impression I'm not willing to say it's better than this or that or more powerful than this or that ......all I can say is........I THINK I LIKE IT .....and I WON"T be the only 1.
Putting it on the LeCroy 312-A Wavejet tonight to get the nuts and bolts of it for a better and more informative idea of the raw numbers to compare to what I'm feeling. I'll do multiple runs with the single 18650 setup and with the stacked 18350 setup just for pure curiousity but am obviously leaning more towards the stacked setup for better power and more consistent numbers. Although I'm really hoping they worked the circuitry well enough to have NO difference in either configuration.
Take care ALL...I'll get back as soon as possible after all the prelims are done. ...............J
Thanks again J for getting us all the info so far and the pics. Looks good and I'm really looking forward to your further comments after testing. I'd like to see this one in the SS finish although the chrome doesn't look too bad at all. No doubt further versions/revisions whatnots will follow, although I'd expect buyers of this initial release will be taking far less of a risk than those that got the original v1's; the product has certainly evolved since then. Just to add however that my v1 has continued to work perfectly notwithstanding.
Loved the Vmax, until today when my 2nd one stopped working. 1st one started firing all by itself, 2nd one was fine, then started resetting with every button push.
As much as I love these things, I have to step back for a while. Both lasted about a month, and that just ain't going to cut it for me.
So, I guess this would be a quirk?
Salky
As much as I love these things, I have to step back for a while. Both lasted about a month, and that just ain't going to cut it for me.
So, I guess this would be a quirk?
Salky
Sorry to hear Salky, I'd say those are some pretty major ..um...quirks. Hopefully you bought from a reputable vendor with a good exchange/refund policy.
Can you share with us what type of batteries you were using?
Did you by any chance use an RBA with any of your vmaxes?
Anything else you can tell us about what may have led to your unfortunate experience, i.e., warning signs etc. ?
Sure thing fuzz!
Yeah, I bought them from an awesome vendor, I'm sure they will take care of me like they did in the past.
I have been using eFest batteries for the most part, with an odd rotation of other IMRs. I love the eFests, I am in the process of switching all my batteries over to them where applicable.
I did use the SRT and a CE9 on this second one on occasion. But I have been winding coils around 2ohms lately and that was a bit too low to enjoy on the Vmax for me. I haven't had either on in a few days, they have been hanging out on other mods. I was using a Vivi Nova when this one started acting up, and I think I was using a Fluxomizer on the first one. And I did check the resistance of the Vivi after removing it, and am still using it right now without issue.
Only thing I could say that was strange was it gave me an error code last night, so I removed the tank, checked to make sure there were no shavings in the connector, put it back on and it worked fine the rest of the night. So nothing glaring that stands out.
The smell of burning electronic components is a sign, but by then it is too late!
I half want to tear it apart, but I am not going to do that unless I am refused a replacement or store credit. Then I will butcher it up real good!
Anyway, I really am bummed. I have a handful of VV devices, a few of the hoity-toity variety, and my Vmax was the one that I used the most.
If you have anything else you would like to know, feel free. My mind is an open book....
Salky
Yeah, I bought them from an awesome vendor, I'm sure they will take care of me like they did in the past.
I have been using eFest batteries for the most part, with an odd rotation of other IMRs. I love the eFests, I am in the process of switching all my batteries over to them where applicable.
I did use the SRT and a CE9 on this second one on occasion. But I have been winding coils around 2ohms lately and that was a bit too low to enjoy on the Vmax for me. I haven't had either on in a few days, they have been hanging out on other mods. I was using a Vivi Nova when this one started acting up, and I think I was using a Fluxomizer on the first one. And I did check the resistance of the Vivi after removing it, and am still using it right now without issue.
Only thing I could say that was strange was it gave me an error code last night, so I removed the tank, checked to make sure there were no shavings in the connector, put it back on and it worked fine the rest of the night. So nothing glaring that stands out.
The smell of burning electronic components is a sign, but by then it is too late!
I half want to tear it apart, but I am not going to do that unless I am refused a replacement or store credit. Then I will butcher it up real good!
Anyway, I really am bummed. I have a handful of VV devices, a few of the hoity-toity variety, and my Vmax was the one that I used the most.
If you have anything else you would like to know, feel free. My mind is an open book....
Salky
Thanks for your effort in responding Salky. Sure sounds like you know what you're doing and there's certainly nothing obvious in your reply that can lead to a meaningful failure analysis. Here's hoping your vendor makes good on this.
I almost feel guilty about my v1 working so well still...going on 4 months. My v2 SS has similarly provided complete reliability to date. The v1 I've dropped twice, tipped over on the table many times, crossthreaded the end cap, and repeatedly abused it by all manner of fumbled and hamfisted attempts at wrapping coils during my RBA initiation process.
Never a problem. Wish it could be the same for everyone as I find few things as satisfying as a properly functioning vmax.
I'm tempted to suggest you give it one more shot as perhaps the 3rd time is the charm. Can't justify this suggestion by anything other than my own personal opinion that I'd give up on just about anything if it didn't work right for me by the 3rd attempt. Marriage included
Me too---never dropped or abused, but knocked over on the table? Yes, countless times, so often I no longer even keep track.
Why? Because SmokTech machined the bottom of the tube---not with a flat bottom, as any fool would do---but with the circumference of the tube bottom rounded off. I hate this error with a passion. Especially with a tank on top, if I so much as look at the Vmax funny, it falls over with a loud crash, in the process knocking over anything else within the resulting bomb crater. And heaven forbid that I should move my combination computer/desk/coffee table so much as an inch to get up off the couch. Timber! Oops! The Vmax fell right over again (and can't get up).
None of my other tube PVs do this. Not one.
InterForum memo to SmokTech: Give us a flat bottom on the Vmax/Zmax, dammit!
I was going to post this earlier but I thought is was just the steel Vmax, them I noticed it had the longer lines of the non-steel versions but with the steel end caps.
So this is the Zmax
So this is the Zmax
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Vmax arrived today, unfortunately there seems to be a problem. Put the batteries in and when the spring makes contact it comes on for a second and then nothing when i try to screw the cap down, nothing. something im doing wrong?
Not sure if I ever posted this, but bill's rant about the bottom reminded me of this.
About 1 week after I got my first Vmax, I set it down on the counter to get myself a glass of milk. Well, silly me, I took a step and it fell over like it always did. Then I heard the hissing. It had fell over with enough force (probably due to the full carto tank on top) to press the button, and proceeded to balance itself on the button and maintain it's contact. Not sure if anyone else has witnessed this phenomenon or not (wayyyy too many pages to read and see), but I don't think I could have reproduced that if my life depended on it.
A third chance? Hmmm, that is a tough sell. Maybe I will try out the Zmax when it comes out.
Salky
About 1 week after I got my first Vmax, I set it down on the counter to get myself a glass of milk. Well, silly me, I took a step and it fell over like it always did. Then I heard the hissing. It had fell over with enough force (probably due to the full carto tank on top) to press the button, and proceeded to balance itself on the button and maintain it's contact. Not sure if anyone else has witnessed this phenomenon or not (wayyyy too many pages to read and see), but I don't think I could have reproduced that if my life depended on it.
A third chance? Hmmm, that is a tough sell. Maybe I will try out the Zmax when it comes out.
Salky
I have two sets one flat and one nipple. I was going to use one of each per set.
Batteries are charged to capacity, and installed correctly. Unit must be defective, disappointing to say the least.
Random....I'll try to get to it tomorrow..but if you've seen the SS VMAX with blue LED display you've already seen the ZMAX in it's entirety. Nothing more...Nothing less. IT IS EXACTLY THE SAME. AND I MEAN EXACTLY.
The ONLY difference is the display showing a "P" for POWER or wattage. Thats it. Menu #7 is added to switch from voltage to wattage...or "P". Im pretty sure by now everyone has seen a New SS eGo top cap blue LED VMAX by now. Thats the same same tube...same body....same everything they put the ZMAX chipset into. I put the 2 side by side to see if their is ANY difference in the aesthetics.....Not 1 thing,....same dimples in the same locations.....theirs basically twins with different internals.
I was going to post this earlier but I thought is was just the steel Vmax, them I noticed it had the longer lines of the non-steel versions but with the steel end caps.
So this is the Zmax
Actually I think that is a SS VMAX. Their is 1 thing different in the tube body from a VMAX. The tube is actually shorter. By around 5-8mm. It fits a 18650 battery with a flat Steel end cap ....in order to use the stacked 18350 setup you have to use the added end cap extension to take the extra 5mm or so. But that is the ONLY body type difference.
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So it turns out the PV was not defective... I am. The spring was not seated in the end cap. It's working just fine now. Durrrrrrrp.
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