So I'm thinking about buying a lava tube.....

[C Heise]

After looking around at the 400 lava tubes out there, I was thinking about the MVS *MINI* MVari Starter Kit.
This seems to be the best starter kit I've seen considering what you get for the price. I was thinking about the mini because I want something pocket-able. It makes no sense to me to buy something that'll never leave the house.

What I'd like to know is, what are the pros, cons and limits of the lava tube? Is there something else I should be looking at in this price range? I have a couple of twists already and the price tag of the provari is rather steep for me.

 

[swedishfish]

Sorry, I don't.

This price seems a bit better and they have a 1 year warranty, and a 30% off code.

Apollo VTube Kit

 

[KeysBum]

Crystal Clear Vaping

Not a mini, but the price is right and the chrome is much more substantial.

Swedishfish, GREAT TO SEE YOU! LONG TIME

 

[swedishfish]

I was going to say the same thing when I saw your name!

 

[Thesaurus]

I second the Apollo Vtube kit.

$52.47 for a regular black VV kit with the code vtube30. Best price i've seen.

 

[Bolt Fan John]

I agree with the Apollo Vtube kit... If you can spend the extra cash... get it in stainless steel. I love mine!

Welcom to ECF and Happy vaping!!

 

[Kay1959]

I also agree with the VTube. I know there's a discount code you can use for something like 30% off that price, but I don't know it. Hopefully someone who does will show up. But at any rate, the VTube has a one year warrenty. I don't see any warrenty on the one you linked to.

 

[clippergear]

Totally Wicked is having a 25% off sale and has a VVV lava tube called the Torpedo. Looks just the same as the Apollo. Just a thought if you wanted to check it out.

 

[wv2win]

.........What I'd like to know is, what are the pros, cons and limits of the lava tube? Is there something else I should be looking at in this price range? I have a couple of twists already and the price tag of the provari is rather steep for me.

The biggest "con" and why I would NOT recommend the one you linked to, is that it only has a 2.5 amp switch regulator which limits what you can use on it. I would not buy a variable model unless it has at least a 3.5 amp switch regulator and preferrably a 4+ amp switch so you can use any atty or carto on the market without it shutting down or lowering the power output.

In that price range, I would look at the new VV Gripper, which comes with a 4 amp switch. Or I would look at the Silver Bullet with a "Kick" added to it. (costs more, however). Here is one place that sells the Gripper:

Variable Volt Gripper

 

[Pappy]

The biggest "con" and why I would NOT recommend the one you linked to, is that it only has a 2.5 amp switch regulator which limits what you can use on it. I would not buy a variable model unless it has at least a 3.5 amp switch regulator and preferrably a 4+ amp switch so you can use any atty or carto on the market without it shutting down or lowering the power output.

In that price range, I would look at the new VV Gripper, which comes with a 4 amp switch. Or I would look at the Silver Bullet with a "Kick" added to it. (costs more, however). Here is one place that sells the Gripper:

Variable Volt Gripper

To recommend a PV based solely on the amp limit of the switch is sort of like recommending a car based solely on its horsepower and disregarding a lot of other important factors like comfort, handling, reliability, amenities, etc.

To the OP, don't let this 2.5 vs. 3.5 vs. 4 amp switch cloud your judgment too much. It's a complete non-issue unless you want to use dual coil cartomizers. And nobody has yet been able to explain to me why I should WANT to use them when there are so many other choices available that work perfectly fine.

I agree with the other posters' recommendation of the VTube from Apollo. Use the 30% off coupon and get it cheaper from them than the vendor you linked, AND you will have a 1 year warranty from a reputable vendor.

 

[C Heise]

I do use dual coil carto's alot. I've seen some 3.0 lava tubes that have a 4 amp switch. Does anyone know what the amp limit is on the Vtube? I didn't see it listed on Apollo's site.

 

[teamscon]

I have the starfire vv .. Works great. Same as lavatube just different maker. I would get the mini if I could do it over again.

 

[ShogaNinja]

The thing I don't like about the Apollo is that it looks like something you might find in a woman's nightstand...

Also, a lot of people don't know this about the lavatube, but it will lower the voltage to what it considers "safe" without telling you that it has done so, unlike the Provari with its error code. This is especially annoying when you try to put dual coils on there. Apparently you can't vape a dual coil at any higher than 3.7v with a lavatube.

 

[njay23]

I got a Vector from Vapor Beast. I love it but I'm also thinking I should have gotten the mini. Maybe I will anyway, have to start a PV collection.

 

[Needeles]

I got a starfire as well and love it. It has a 3amp cutoff so it does allow some DC coils to be used on it. I beleive the limit is a 1.5 ohm cart. The LT models do downvolt but only when you are trying to draw more amps then the unit can handle. It is a safety feature and personally I prefer to be safe. The provary is nice and all but myself I coudln't bring myself to spending that much on a unit. The LT is a great alternitive imo. Below si where I happen to get mine and don't regret it one bit so far. Complete kit with everything I will need cept for a tank system which I simply got my Vivi Nova.

Starfire VV

Good luck to ya and happy vap'n!

Just wanted to add, the 3 amp unit will allow u to run a 1.5 ohm @ 4.5 volts without cutting u down. Personally I like a warmer vape but DC at that range is just to much for me and I do like a hard hit. Just thought I'd add my 2 cents.

 

[Rikaroo]

Sorry, I don't.

This price seems a bit better and they have a 1 year warranty, and a 30% off code.

Apollo VTube Kit

I agree. I picked one up about two weeks ago and for my first VV device it rocks and is a solid product. I like it check it out.

 

[misplacedsooner]

ive been through 30 plus expensive mods just trying them out to see if i like them. if i dont i sell or trade them on classifieds. my current rotation is a vv reo woodvil, a chrome provari, a kicked xhaler and a lava tube. the only thing i know about the lava tube i have is that it works nicely. i have no idea what the amp load is as i bought it on classifieds and i really dont care about the amp load as the thing just works. i use cartos in my lava with a phiniac tank and it never fails. i like the short version of the lava tube also. its a great cheap mod to experiment with and can be had cheap on classies, i got mine for 40 bucks shipped.

 

[C Heise]

The thing I don't like about the Apollo is that it looks like something you might find in a woman's nightstand...

Right, I know! I definitely want a tube but I don't want to pull out something that looks like it should vibrate. Considering the smart asses that I work with I can already here the comments. I really should just buy some single coil cartomizers for my tanks and stick with my twists for a while...lol! I've spent so much money on PV's and accessories lately my wife gives me the look every time something else gets delivered. There's so much out there and I want to try it all.

 

[teamscon]

The thing I don't like about the Apollo is that it looks like something you might find in a woman's nightstand...

Also, a lot of people don't know this about the lavatube, but it will lower the voltage to what it considers "safe" without telling you that it has done so, unlike the Provari with its error code. This is especially annoying when you try to put dual coils on there. Apparently you can't vape a dual coil at any higher than 3.7v with a lavatube.

pretty sure starfire will accept dual coil i dont like dual coil though. the safest features help me no issues here with them.

 

[Needeles]

pretty sure starfire will accept dual coil i dont like dual coil though. the safest features help me no issues here with them.

Yup they can use a 3.0 DC or better known as a 1.5. They run up to 4.5 volts before they will cut down.