So I'm thinking about getting a bottomfed mod..

[exodus454]

Firstly, I've never used or even seen a bottomfeeder in person. My reasoning behind looking at the Reos is that I'm absolutely sick and effing tired of cartos - no matter what they NEVER work right for me, and post-bogegate I'm seeming lucky to get 3 days out of one. I've had some excellent experiences with dripping atties but I can't drip when I'm out all day.

Now, I've been looking around and do have some questions and concerns (I guess you could call them). I haven't used an unregulated device in a long time and I've gotten pretty used to the adjustability and consistency of my buzzpro. I really like the unregulated Grande better - being able to wash it, the button looks a lot better and more comfortable, the whole unit is shorter, and it looks like the batteries have less chance of rattling around. The review I saw of it from FieldOfVapor made the battery thing out to be quite an annoyance. I'm also kind of shocked that the adjustment wheel has NO markings on it whatsoever, that would be something I'd fix immediately.

On the other hand though, I love VV. I'm very used to and comfortable with the VV circuitry that's in the VV Grande (since it's the same that's in my Buzz), but I'm really on the fence about which one I'm interested in. Does anyone have both? Which one is better for daily use? I also haven't tried using an atty on a mechanical mod in a looong time, how does it perform unregulated? I also don't necessary want to spend tons of time and effort having to hunt for the perfectly resisted atty either.

Maybe the solution would be a kicked Grande? So let me get this straight.. the regular Grande takes one 18650 for 3.7v, the VV Grande takes two 18350s, and a kicked Grande would use an 18490.. which one would win on the battery life front?

Sorry for all the questions, I'm really on the fence about this decision..

 

[TennDave]

You like VV- then the VV Grand- it's the Cadillac of the Reo family and you will not be disappointed!! Get it and Rob's Reomizer- bottom fed rebuildable atomizer from his web site (also some wick and 30 or 32 gauge wire for building the coils in the atomizer). We will help you with any of the rest you might have questions about!!

 

[exodus454]

You like VV- then the VV Grand- it's the Cadillac of the Reo family and you will not be disappointed!! Get it and Rob's Reomizer- bottom fed rebuildable atomizer from his web site (also some wick and 30 or 32 gauge wire for building the coils in the atomizer). We will help you with any of the rest you might have questions about!!

I've been looking at the Reomizer, it seems like it's right up my ally. I've already had a foray into the rebuildable world so that would really be great.

Do atties tend to get slurpy when squonking? That kind of drives me up the wall sometimes. Also, does the VV Grand feel huge in your hand? It looks massive in some pictures, I also worry a little about its pocket-friendlyness.

 

[JC Okie]

They say once you go VV you can never go back, but I didn't believe it. I vaped at 3.7 for about 2 years before I moved to VV when the VV Grand came out. And.....I'll never be able to go back. I love my 3.7 Grand (un-kicked), especially with a rebuildable that I can roll a really low resistance coil for. And I use it with my Reomizer and a 1.4 ohm coil. BUT.....I could never do without my VV Grand now that I've had it. I've never kicked a REO, so I can't speak to that. Of the batteries, the 18650 in a Grand lasts me the longest. But the VV Grand gives the most consistent vape all-around. It doesn't drop off at all until about the last vape before time to recharge. Check out the picture thread to get a sense of the sizes: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...photos-reo-descriptions-comparisons-more.html

They're all smaller than you think. The Grand is about the size of a business card, and the VV Grand is about 1/2 inch taller.

The rebuildable attys are awesome and are absolutely perfect with the REOs....

 

[TennDave]

^^ What she said ^^
And no, they are not huge- the VV Grand is rounded compared to the regular Grand- it feels so nice in your hand!!

Oops- double posted (see below)...

Rhaps- will you delete this post for me! PlzZZ!!

 

[Rhapsodies Fire]

I've been looking at the Reomizer, it seems like it's right up my ally. I've already had a foray into the rebuildable world so that would really be great.

Do atties tend to get slurpy when squonking? That kind of drives me up the wall sometimes. Also, does the VV Grand feel huge in your hand? It looks massive in some pictures, I also worry a little about its pocket-friendlyness.

Actually, if you really like the feature of being able to clean it by running it under the tap, then I would suggest the Grand. The best thing is that you can set it up with 3.7v, 5v, or 6v by using different batteries. The OTHER best thing is using a rebuildable atomizer. You can set your 3.7v battery up with a 1.4Ω and get that fantastic warm vape you love on your juices that taste best at higher voltages. So there are simple ways of getting around the VV issue. So either you tune your battery and coil to your desired taste, or you buy a VV and tune the mod to taste, and learn a different way of cleaning your mod.
Either way...you've got a versatile mod. My husband is using his Grand at 3.7v with a low res rebuildable just as much as he's using his VV Grand. Actually...I'm really enjoying my Mini 2.0 with a lower res rebuildable (The Hornet) with an 18490 3.7v battery, my VV Woodvil with my Reomizer....and my VVGrand with a Chalice and coil at 2.4Ω.

 

[exodus454]

Actually, if you really like the feature of being able to clean it by running it under the tap, then I would suggest the Grand. The best thing is that you can set it up with 3.7v, 5v, or 6v by using different batteries. The OTHER best thing is using a rebuildable atomizer. You can set your 3.7v battery up with a 1.4Ω and get that fantastic warm vape you love on your juices that taste best at higher voltages. So there are simple ways of getting around the VV issue. So either you tune your battery and coil to your desired taste, or you buy a VV and tune the mod to taste, and learn a different way of cleaning your mod.
Either way...you've got a versatile mod. My husband is using his Grand at 3.7v with a low res rebuildable just as much as he's using his VV Grand. Actually...I'm really enjoying my Mini 2.0 with a lower res rebuildable (The Hornet) with an 18490 3.7v battery, my VV Woodvil with my Reomizer....and my VVGrand with a Chalice and coil at 2.4Ω.

Is the voltage dropoff on the battery really noticeable with the regular Grand and the 1.4ohm? I don't mind wrapping some coils, but I think I'm most worried about getting irritated with the vape as the battery dies. I've never used an 18560 mod with such a low resistance though, so maybe it's not as bad as I remember it being.

 

[Rhapsodies Fire]

Is the voltage dropoff on the battery really noticeable with the regular Grand and the 1.4ohm? I don't mind wrapping some coils, but I think I'm most worried about getting irritated with the vape as the battery dies. I've never used an 18560 mod with such a low resistance though, so maybe it's not as bad as I remember it being.

Since I don't own a grand I just asked my husband (MXBNW)
He says he wouldn't know...he switches his batteries out halfway through the bottle regardless of how much of a charge is left in them. He just prefers it that way.
I'm sure there is some droop, but not sure how noticeable it is...especially because it does largely depend on your vaping style...and how much you vape in a day. Vapor pigs will tend to suffer more as they go through a ton of juice and voltage. I'm an easy 3ml a day kinda gal, so I'm guessing I would be able to vape an entire day without being bothered by it. I know my Mini 2.0 (18490) is great for a full day's use with no substantial drop...in my experience.

 

[colt45]

hey ex,
i have 3 grands and 2 VVs. i use my grands at work every day and i work 12 hour shifts. with driving time i'm away from home 13-14 hours a day and a single 18650 will last me the whole time and at least 4 ml or mor of juice on a 1.3- 1.4 ohm coil. i may begin to notice voltage drop as i'm getting home but not normally.

 

[lazyymatt]

Is the voltage dropoff on the battery really noticeable with the regular Grand and the 1.4ohm? I don't mind wrapping some coils, but I think I'm most worried about getting irritated with the vape as the battery dies. I've never used an 18560 mod with such a low resistance though, so maybe it's not as bad as I remember it being.

Hey Exodus and Welcome!

I LITERALLY bought my Reo Grand a month ago and it is the best thing I have ever bought (even though I haven't been vaping as long as some of the veterans on the forums...). So whichever you buy, I'm sure will love it no matter what.

As to your question about the voltage dropoff... short answer: YES (unfortunately) and it is pretty noticeable. I used a VV Lavatube before the Reo and I never experienced the voltage drop off and would get consistent vapes all the way down to 3.4 volts on the battery life. BUT the dropoff isn't something where it can be a deal breaker! Obviously the best hits I get is from a freshly charged battery (4.1-4.2 volts) and stays really good until around 3.6.-3.7 volts. Honestly though I think the battery at full charge (4.2) to meh (3.7) still lasts me all throughout the day. I have a second battery that I have in rotation, so I'll TRY to vape until the battery hits around the 3.7 mark and start charging and pop in a fresh battery.

THEREFORE, the best way to combat the drop off is the REOMIZER. I have never built my own coils until I bought the Reomizer, which has literally only been a couple weeks and I can 100% vouch that it is the best atomizer you can have for the Grand. I started with 1.5 coils and they literally produce clouds of vapor all throughout the day EVEN with the drop off. I am now experimenting with 1.4 ohms and its even better! I can assure you that the drop off is easily adjusted by building your own coils to around 1.4-1.5.

The only reason I didn't purchase the VV Grand was that that I would have to spend money on 4 batteries rather than 2 since the VV takes two batteries. I also didn't have want to have to buy ANOTHER charger that would fit the smaller batteries of the VV. However, the lure of the non-existant voltage drop off is definitely something to consider and just like JCOkie says "Once you go to VV, you won't go back" lol... I definitely want to buy a VV for my next Reo, but I'm scared because my regular Grand will end up being neglected.

Right now (as I'm writing this) I am vaping on my freshly made 1.4 ohm coils and I'm sure the battery is at around 3.7-3.8 and it is producing MONSTER vapor. Like I said before whichever you get I can GUARANTEE that you will love the REO it is a sound investment. Make sure you buy a Reomizer as well because it is so much better than all those atties out there for $8 a pop when you can pretty much build 10 of them at the same price. Make sure you check out the Reomizer thread because that is where I learned from all the vets on how to build my own coils and it is changing my life.

 

[ltrainer]

I would suggest a Kicked Grand if you like to clean under water and like the consistency of a regulated mod. I've been using this set up since about May of this year. I get about 2ml of juice out of a set of batteries and my vape is consitent all the way through. It takes one battery rather than two. I find thsi easier than two batteries. THe tumbled version doesnt require any modification. If the elctronics die you can drop an 18650 in it and keep on vaping. THe Kick can be removed and then give the mod a good water bath. Its more difficult to change the wattage as the Kick has to be removed to make an adjustment. I seldom do this because the Kick reads the ohms of the coil and makes adjustments when the coil changes its ohms. Either the VVGrand or the Kicked Grand, you won't go wrong either way if you like a consistent vape and durability.

 

[Commie]

Here are the kabillion reasons I really like the concept of bottom feeders (well, Reo, to be specific).

1. Simplicity and durability. A box, atty connector and button. No electronics, no flimsy plastic, no threads to cross

2. Ease of reloading. Out of juice? Pour some in the bottle. Need to recoil or replace carto/atty? Don't need to drain juice from the tank. The liquid and coil are separate. Used to drive me nuts about vivi novas, and those are arguably the simplest to recoil

3. Selection of coils. Rebuildables, cartos, atties, oh my

4. Leakproof. Genesis leaks usually. Carto tanks leak and gurgle.

5. Shape. Doesn't look like, uuh, feminine recreation

6. Can be kicked easily, though I chose against it. 18650 battery produces stable voltage for the first half of its life. In the same time, an 18500 with a kick runs out of charge.

7. Doesn't melt your juice. My carto tanks continuously heated up and cooled off the luquid. So it steeped within a day, changing the taste.

8. Community is full of awesome

 

[FeistyAlice]

Actually, if you really like the feature of being able to clean it by running it under the tap, then I would suggest the Grand. The best thing is that you can set it up with 3.7v, 5v, or 6v by using different batteries. The OTHER best thing is using a rebuildable atomizer. You can set your 3.7v battery up with a 1.4Ω and get that fantastic warm vape you love on your juices that taste best at higher voltages. So there are simple ways of getting around the VV issue. So either you tune your battery and coil to your desired taste, or you buy a VV and tune the mod to taste, and learn a different way of cleaning your mod.
Either way...you've got a versatile mod. My husband is using his Grand at 3.7v with a low res rebuildable just as much as he's using his VV Grand. Actually...I'm really enjoying my Mini 2.0 with a lower res rebuildable (The Hornet) with an 18490 3.7v battery, my VV Woodvil with my Reomizer....and my VVGrand with a Chalice and coil at 2.4Ω.

What she said.

DH and I have a nice collection of REOs. Although I use my VVG most I LOVE the ability to submerge and wash my mechanical metal REOS. I'm more protective of the VVG from my sometimes mucky but always extremely dusty environment and I do take extra care to keep my fingers clean when using the original depressed button VVG. I don't have to take as much care protecting mechanical from the extremes. Although my original button Silver VVG has taken two "swims" into cold, dirty, greasy dishwater it is working as well as the day it arrived; first shipment of VVGs. BTW... Cold, dirty, greasy dishwater is one of the least harmful environmental hazards around my place. I soaked it in isopropyl alcohol for several hours, gently blew it out with canned air, and then let it sunbathe for a couple of days, brought in at night to avoid it collecting moisture.

I get the most use time from 18650 batteries using LR attys or cartos for Grand. A close second is the 18490 battery for Mini 2.0. But unless I make a mistake I always leave the house with extra batteries no matter what I'm carrying. I, also, like to have an extra carto or two for emergency.

Once you perfect coil/wick making you can adjust your coil for your ohm preference using a non regulated. I'm still working on making better coils but I don't have a lot of time so if I run out with one that just doesn't do it all day I like to throw on an emergency atty or carto that I carry in my billfold.

BTW.... the finish that will remain looking almost pristine, no matter the "abuse," is the Silver Anodized. Dings, gouges, mars don't show up as well, hardly at all, because the bare aluminum is the same color as the anodized silver coating.

Feisty Alice

 

[Rhapsodies Fire]

BTW.... the finish that will remain looking almost pristine, no matter the "abuse," is the Silver Anodized. Dings, gouges, mars don't show up as well, hardly at all, because the bare aluminum is the same color as the anodized silver coating.

Feisty Alice

Ya...What she said ^^^

 

[FeistyAlice]

I have a love affair with the Silver Anodized, all versions. DH and I have matching Silver Mini, too. When I try to photograph the dings or gouges in a silver it is almost impossible to capture it. DH prefers using only Mini. When his has to stay home for whatever reason the only one I loan him is my Silver Mini. I'm not as hard on the finishes as most people are but DH drops them a lot onto rocks, concrete, etc. I can be assured that unless I make close inspection of my early edition Silver, I won't be bothered by noticing new dings or scratches. DH uses eGo Twist or Spinners with Mini ViVi Nova tanks about half the time. (He always carries both when he works out of town every week.) An indication of his "abuse", unintentional, is that his break rate for the eGo batteries is about one a month, from dropping and sitting on them. I won't go into tank damage but be assured it happens more often than batteries. He's been using REOs for two years and has yet to break one.

Welcome to REOville.

Feisty Alice

 

[exodus454]

Wow, thanks for all the input everyone! I hate to say it but you guys aren't making my decision any easier haha. I still don't know which way I want to go, you all basically confirmed my thoughts about each version. Each one in it's own way seems to have it's pros and cons, however small they may be.

Honestly at this point I think I'm between a kicked grand and the VV. Most of my concerns at this point are potential battery life between the two, small size difference and the ability or inability to clean it easily. I'm not in dirty situations everyday, but when I do get into a project it has the potential to be in some nastyness. I'm also not the most careful sometimes, I dropped my android smartphone into into a drainpan of coolant, oil and gas :-( Still works though after a VERY thorough cleaning!

I'd go with the kicked grande but I'm a little worried the battery life might not be enough - I usually vape about 3mL on a normal day and the two 16340's (1300mah) in my buzz last me about a day and a quarter. It's just nice to have that extra quarter of a day so if I end up not being home immediately I'm not assed out, which has saved me a few times. It's nice to know I don't have to bring extra batteries with me.

I didn't even think of this either, do the reos come with battery and/or charger or is it just the unit? I already have a two port one for my buzz, but if I need space for another one or two batteries I might have to do something about that situation.

Guess I just gotta keep mulling it over..

 

[lazyymatt]

Wow, thanks for all the input everyone! I hate to say it but you guys aren't making my decision any easier haha. I still don't know which way I want to go, you all basically confirmed my thoughts about each version. Each one in it's own way seems to have it's pros and cons, however small they may be.

Honestly at this point I think I'm between a kicked grand and the VV. Most of my concerns at this point are potential battery life between the two, small size difference and the ability or inability to clean it easily. I'm not in dirty situations everyday, but when I do get into a project it has the potential to be in some nastyness. I'm also not the most careful sometimes, I dropped my android smartphone into into a drainpan of coolant, oil and gas :-( Still works though after a VERY thorough cleaning!

I'd go with the kicked grande but I'm a little worried the battery life might not be enough - I usually vape about 3mL on a normal day and the two 16340's (1300mah) in my buzz last me about a day and a quarter. It's just nice to have that extra quarter of a day so if I end up not being home immediately I'm not assed out, which has saved me a few times. It's nice to know I don't have to bring extra batteries with me.

I didn't even think of this either, do the reos come with battery and/or charger or is it just the unit? I already have a two port one for my buzz, but if I need space for another one or two batteries I might have to do something about that situation.

Guess I just gotta keep mulling it over..

I work at a restaurant inside of a mall so I definitely am not a heavy chain vaper like some of the people here... I usually go somewhere like the bathroom or in the back area to vape in order to not alarm my customers or deal with explaining my Grand to mall security lol. SO I only go out to vape like every 30 minutes to an hour... that is why my battery would probably be able to last me at least 2 days (by the way I have a 2000mah 18650). Judging by your concerns I think you should really go the VV Grand route, you might as well get the best one as your first. If I could do a reset on my purchase I think I would definitely go for the VV now...still love my regular Grand though! In terms of size, these things are very small and will fit right in the palms of your hands. I have pretty small hands and it still fits perfectly. I think the VV is SLIGHTLY taller and it wouldn't be much of a difference. You'll truly realize the compactness of the PV once you see it in person. With the VV at least you can for sure go the whole day without losing any voltages on your battery.

Batteries and chargers do NOT come with the unit itself, you have to buy those separately, BUT Rob has linked RTD Vapors into his own website where they sell all the batteries and chargers you would need. They also have all the things you would need to start building atomizers. When you DO buy a Grand I HIGHLY suggest you buy the Reomizer at the same time and cut costs on buying atomizers. I know some people will disagree and say to experience atomizers, but I'm glad I just went straight to the Reomizer because it is really good.

EDIT: ALSO both Rob and RTD are located fairly close to you and I'm sure you will get all your things quickly. Rob is located in Maine and RTD is in New York (I think...)

 

[FeistyAlice]

I usually vape about 3mL on a normal day and the two 16340's (1300mah) in my buzz last me about a day and a quarter. It's just nice to have that extra quarter of a day so if I end up not being home immediately I'm not assed out, which has saved me a few times. It's nice to know I don't have to bring extra batteries with me.

If you can get a day and quarter out of Buzz Pro you should be able to get similar with VVG. I haven't kicked anything but a Don using an 18490 and I've never used just it without having a REO going at same time so can't give you idea of run time. Somebody else will I'm sure.

BTW... I change out my VVG battery set about every 3 ml. With the older batteries, very hard, long use, that's about max time I can get from them.

There has been plenty of time since Buzz Pro came out to perhaps find info on durability of the chip (same chip in VVG) under extreme conditions, if people are reporting. BP seems to have chip more exposed to outside stuff with it's wheel opened to outside. I've had a BP for a year but it hasn't been much of any place but beside my recliner.

There are places and times I just won't subject my regulated mods to. I can count on my mechanical REOs making it through just about any conditions and I can wash them. On the other hand several REOnauts have had Kicks fail. I suspect there are many others that have done so, too.

I don't envy your position. I didn't have to make such a difficult one because we already had a stable of mechanical REOs and VVW. And as people are reporting most REOnauts have a place and use for non regulated REOs. Although my VVG has taken two swims, inside, I still won't take it to Spa, where all of my REOs eventually take a "swim" when I'm not looking. After all, this is the home of the "swimming REOs." (No REO floats.) I still won't use them when my hands are going to be dirty and/or greasy.

It looks to be that you will be vaping at work only on breaks and you won't be subjecting your REO to the messes usually encountered in kitchens. When I'm working in home kitchen, I usually make an attempt to use a mechanical REO (but not always; thus them jumping into filled sinks). That way I don't have to be so careful. My REOs, so far, have made many swims into water buckets, sinks, pools, spas, and unflushed #2 toilet. Many other REOs belonging to other people have withstood getting lost in park for days with heavy rains, sitting in cooler with ice/water, and numerous startling drops off of cars and motorcycles, and sometimes into traffic, being run over, scuffed, and even somewhat squashed. But they keep on "ticking."

The most perfect pocket REO is the Mini 1.0, 14500. Virtually all people are shocked at how tiny they are. And with the appropriate ohm atty/carto they can knock your head off. Main draw back to Mini 1.0 is battery size and 3 ml bottle. DH drives to work, out of town, two days a week, and flies out three long days. He just keeps a charger packed in carry on that he rarely uses and a small bag with juice, extra batteries, extra carto, extra DT. I do similar for my purse. He splits vaping time between his Mini REO and eGo twist/spinner with Mini ViVi Nova tank. It seems that he's constantly charging his eGo batteries!!!

Good luck with your hard decision. I would recommend keeping your BP for back up just in case your REO needs any attention. Or better still sell BP and get a mechanical REO for backup. I've been hanging on to my BP but now that I have the VV REOs it is totally neglected. Same goes for a couple of other nice tube mods. I can vape tanks any time I want or use one of DH's Mini ViVi Novas on eGo battery but I no longer have any desire to mess with them. Sure they can give good vape but who wants to do any fiddling other than building coils for RBA on REOs? DH prefers the eGos for his overstuffed pockets but it seems hes always picking up the REO instead. Many weekends, I let him off at airport, his eGo in hand, but when I pick him up he has the REO going. Not saying the eGo is not good; it just doesn't have the reliability the REO has especially when dropped and sat on so much.

Feisty Alcie

 

[FeistyAlice]

I'll add that I just remembered the Vmax I purchased in co-op and only used once. I don't know why I still have them??? I, also, have some really neato tanks. They are just too much of a hassle, don't carry well, and don't have the toughness factor. BTW... I purchased them after I had a stable of REOs just to play with them. The "newness" has worn off. Off with their heads!!!! Actually, I'll wait until after holidays and sell them so I can buy back one of the grand kids I sold for vaping funds.

Feisty Alice

{edit} My most used VVG, Silver VVG, has taken many a fall onto hard flooring, including ceramic tile. Actually some could be considered "smacks" onto hard flooring. Rushing through a door, keeping pack of large happy, bouncy dogs at bay, arms and hands over filled, smacks do happen. VVG has been a trooper just like all my REOs. And Siver VVG, in continuous use since they first came out, and the dirty, greasy, cold dish water swimmer, looks just as pristine as when new and works just as well.

 

[clyde2801]

I've had a bunch of other mods, some of them pretty high dollar. But I haven't found anything that's matched my VVG and rebuildable combo (alternating between chalice and reomizer). Extremely durable, all day form factor, and the most satisfying vape I've ever had. I occasionally take a puff off my Darwin, but I'm never more than 30 seconds away from my VVG/RBA.