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I saw that last night with the side slits. Personally I've seen a high powered battery vent and I deffinately WOULD NOT want it aimed towards my hand, face, and chest when and if it ever happened. I do NOT like this added "safety" feature or "flaw".
ST has it right at the end cap....WHERE IT SHOULD BE.
ST has it right at the end cap....WHERE IT SHOULD BE.
Looks like it comes with a free ext cap now until the 17th.
White led would be awesome.
I presume the vents are for the "anti stacking" crowd, it also now fits into the ECF "approved" category for stacking mods.
The vents aren't even centred in relation to the button - not to mention all the fluff and crap that will get into the tube because of them - it makes their version look a tad nasty.
The vents aren't even centred in relation to the button - not to mention all the fluff and crap that will get into the tube because of them - it makes their version look a tad nasty.
I have a feeling that they may have put the vents there themselves. I know they added more vents to the telescope with their own equipment.
The ECF approved list - ruining great looking mods since 2012
Did you guys see the ECF approved Buzz Pro lol? Looks like someone got drunk and played around with a dremel tool...
Judging by what i've seen so far, i'll stay clear of anything that is ECF approved
Aaaaa ok thanks that makes sense didn't even think of that.And not a deal breaker at all im loving this thing so far didnt mean for it to sound like that i was just wondering .
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Yeah that is steep for shipping ! On the zmax page it says this
Shipping:
If your order is:
Under $75:
$2.99 Flat USPS
$5.99 Priority
$8.00 Fedex 2nd Day
Over $75:
Free Ground Shipping
$3.00 Priority
$6.00 Fedex 2nd Day
but when you go to check out no usps option.
Shipping:
If your order is:
Under $75:
$2.99 Flat USPS
$5.99 Priority
$8.00 Fedex 2nd Day
Over $75:
Free Ground Shipping
$3.00 Priority
$6.00 Fedex 2nd Day
but when you go to check out no usps option.
Yep! I spent over half an hour trying to get it show something else and it wouldn't budge. $8.05 was the cheapest option. Guess they don't want me to order the extension cap if I don't get my ZMax from them.
Just ordered mine from electronicstix.com $110.40 w/shipping .
They have a very stern policy regarding customs declaration on international shipments. For Thailand the customs form needs to have something generic like "electronics" with a low value. If the listed value is over US$30.00 the package is subject to 30% import duty plus 7% VAT and a fee for collection of the duty from Thai Post.
I opted for the vented ZMax from MV...had a few reward points......118.38 shipped w/ extension cap and 2000mah 18650 batt...
It worked for me($2.99) earlier this morning when I ordered the cap (am I really going to put 18350s in it, why?)
IMO, what a FREAKING WASTE of Mod BEAUTY! The SAFETY protection features of the ZMAX are of that of ANY other VV Mod out! Stacked or Single PERIOD!!!
Some early thoughts on the zmax-
Start with the just the unit itself. Feels a lot like a vmax, mainly because it is the same exact body and end cap, just a different top connector and cap. There's slightly more steel used in the body compared to that of the vmax though, an each magnet will stick it it slightly where on the SS vmax it wouldn't. The screen on the zmax is flush against the body of the pv unlike the vmax which on everyone I've seen and used would indent a little in near the button. The button is far more solid feeling and responsive than that of the vmax. Feels slightly studier than the vmax overall, but anyone who wants to kid themselves into saying it's better build quality and more durable than a provari, is simply being a fanboy. The zmax is not a mod I would suggest for anyone hard on their devices (as in drops them a lot, does a job where they are prone to abuse, etc.). It's no knock on it, but the truth. The 18650 end cap that comes with it (have the extension cap on order) takes a little more pressure than I prefer to screw on, part of it is because of the spring in the cap which is very stiff, the other part being the threads at the start don't always catch. When directly compared to the vmax, it's a step up build wise.
As for some technical data- This unit isn't as spikey so to say as the vmax, but still the voltage through the pwm still bounces around pretty heavily. Accuracy again isn't the strong suit for the zmax. In voltage mode 3.0v is actually closer to 3.31v on avg, better than the vmax (3.53v or so), but still not 3.0v. Every voltage was off in one way or another, won't post every voltage and what it was unless someone asks, but will go with some main ones- 3.2v- 3.41v on avg, 3.7v- 3.66v on avg, 4.2v- 4.33v on avg, 5.0v- 5.28v on avg, 6.0v- 6.11v on avg. Even with the single battery saw spikes as high as 7.7v on the scope when testing. As for amperage limits in voltage mode, 4.52a was the highest I could push it before getting a lor or wsc error. That's still roughly .3a higher than I could push my vamx (4.19a max), and a full amp higher than the provari. In the output aspect of vv mods, the zmax is the best performer thus far. In wattage mode things were just as off. For one it's not .1w increments as said on CCV, Electronicnicstix, etc. it's .5w on my unit. Not a big deal to me, because I prefer the voltage settings to the wattage (just personal taste). At 3 watts with was getting 2.93w on avg with a 2.5ohm atty (2.71v, 2.5ohm, 1.08a). At 6w same atty was getting 5.89w on avg (3.84v, 2.5ohms, 1.536a). 9w again with that 2.5ohm atty was 9.17w on avg (4.79v, 2.5ohms, 1.916a), 12w was 12.14w on avg (5.51v, 2.5ohms, 2.24a), 15w was 15.37w on avg (6.2v, 2.5ohms, 2.48a). Within tolerances but again quite a few spikes on the voltage under 9w testing saw a spike of 8.1v. Again accuracy isn't the killer aspect of this device.
The voltage/wattage droop when the battery is low isn't nearly as bad as with the vmax, but still there. Right around 3.45v on a single 18650 batt started seeing the voltage be .1-.3v on average lower at the same settings as when the batts was 3.5v or above.
Now for the final aspect, price... Will use CCV as an example.
For unit itself and in chrome and one batt and batt box- 137.85. With extension cap and two 18350 batts 142.50. 147.85 for option one with another batt, 149.85 for set up 2 with an extra set of efest batts. Throw in the wf-188 charger $21.55 and you're up to 169.40 for the 2000mah 18650 set up, and 171.40 for the 18350's. Keep in mind that's now only a $50 price difference from a satin provari with extension cap, two 18650 batts, and charger.
So is it worth the increase over the vmax (about $45 more with extension cap and 18350 batt option), depends on what you're looking for. The variable wattage and slight improvements to built quality makes it a better mod, question is how much are those two aspects worth to you. Only a 6 month warranty, and as of right now it's too early to say what the long term durability of the electronics themselves are. By pushing the price up closer to the Provari, you now have to be compare which is the better buy based on every factor. That is of course up to the individual.
All in all, probably the nicest overall mod from China thus far. In comparison to the young june lt (the only other non-smoktech mod I'd put up against it or the vmax) it's got it beat in every aspect but one- abuse factor. The yj lt has survived a few days of work with me just to see if it could with a few nics and scratches but little else. Nothing I would ever subject the zmax to, the tube has some give if gripped hard enough, doesn't bode well of what would happen with a good drop on a hard surface.
Start with the just the unit itself. Feels a lot like a vmax, mainly because it is the same exact body and end cap, just a different top connector and cap. There's slightly more steel used in the body compared to that of the vmax though, an each magnet will stick it it slightly where on the SS vmax it wouldn't. The screen on the zmax is flush against the body of the pv unlike the vmax which on everyone I've seen and used would indent a little in near the button. The button is far more solid feeling and responsive than that of the vmax. Feels slightly studier than the vmax overall, but anyone who wants to kid themselves into saying it's better build quality and more durable than a provari, is simply being a fanboy. The zmax is not a mod I would suggest for anyone hard on their devices (as in drops them a lot, does a job where they are prone to abuse, etc.). It's no knock on it, but the truth. The 18650 end cap that comes with it (have the extension cap on order) takes a little more pressure than I prefer to screw on, part of it is because of the spring in the cap which is very stiff, the other part being the threads at the start don't always catch. When directly compared to the vmax, it's a step up build wise.
As for some technical data- This unit isn't as spikey so to say as the vmax, but still the voltage through the pwm still bounces around pretty heavily. Accuracy again isn't the strong suit for the zmax. In voltage mode 3.0v is actually closer to 3.31v on avg, better than the vmax (3.53v or so), but still not 3.0v. Every voltage was off in one way or another, won't post every voltage and what it was unless someone asks, but will go with some main ones- 3.2v- 3.41v on avg, 3.7v- 3.66v on avg, 4.2v- 4.33v on avg, 5.0v- 5.28v on avg, 6.0v- 6.11v on avg. Even with the single battery saw spikes as high as 7.7v on the scope when testing. As for amperage limits in voltage mode, 4.52a was the highest I could push it before getting a lor or wsc error. That's still roughly .3a higher than I could push my vamx (4.19a max), and a full amp higher than the provari. In the output aspect of vv mods, the zmax is the best performer thus far. In wattage mode things were just as off. For one it's not .1w increments as said on CCV, Electronicnicstix, etc. it's .5w on my unit. Not a big deal to me, because I prefer the voltage settings to the wattage (just personal taste). At 3 watts with was getting 2.93w on avg with a 2.5ohm atty (2.71v, 2.5ohm, 1.08a). At 6w same atty was getting 5.89w on avg (3.84v, 2.5ohms, 1.536a). 9w again with that 2.5ohm atty was 9.17w on avg (4.79v, 2.5ohms, 1.916a), 12w was 12.14w on avg (5.51v, 2.5ohms, 2.24a), 15w was 15.37w on avg (6.2v, 2.5ohms, 2.48a). Within tolerances but again quite a few spikes on the voltage under 9w testing saw a spike of 8.1v. Again accuracy isn't the killer aspect of this device.
The voltage/wattage droop when the battery is low isn't nearly as bad as with the vmax, but still there. Right around 3.45v on a single 18650 batt started seeing the voltage be .1-.3v on average lower at the same settings as when the batts was 3.5v or above.
Now for the final aspect, price... Will use CCV as an example.
For unit itself and in chrome and one batt and batt box- 137.85. With extension cap and two 18350 batts 142.50. 147.85 for option one with another batt, 149.85 for set up 2 with an extra set of efest batts. Throw in the wf-188 charger $21.55 and you're up to 169.40 for the 2000mah 18650 set up, and 171.40 for the 18350's. Keep in mind that's now only a $50 price difference from a satin provari with extension cap, two 18650 batts, and charger.
So is it worth the increase over the vmax (about $45 more with extension cap and 18350 batt option), depends on what you're looking for. The variable wattage and slight improvements to built quality makes it a better mod, question is how much are those two aspects worth to you. Only a 6 month warranty, and as of right now it's too early to say what the long term durability of the electronics themselves are. By pushing the price up closer to the Provari, you now have to be compare which is the better buy based on every factor. That is of course up to the individual.
All in all, probably the nicest overall mod from China thus far. In comparison to the young june lt (the only other non-smoktech mod I'd put up against it or the vmax) it's got it beat in every aspect but one- abuse factor. The yj lt has survived a few days of work with me just to see if it could with a few nics and scratches but little else. Nothing I would ever subject the zmax to, the tube has some give if gripped hard enough, doesn't bode well of what would happen with a good drop on a hard surface.
I would think most people going for the ZMax already have batteries and a charger, so that reduces the cost of entry for these people (myself included). I would buy the body and extension cap only. Already have lots of batteries of both sizes and an Intellimax I4 charger which is one of the best low cost Li-Ion/NIMH (yes it does both and at the same time) chargers on the market.
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