So many 18650 mods...what do I really look 4?

[LauraBolyard]

I am on the hunt. I loved my epowers, but had a recent issue. I think I will just keep them as back-ups.
there is such a huge cost difference in the choices, from about $40, into the hundreds. Why?? What would be major differences? I understand that VV comes into play. I've never used a vv, i would be willing to try, although it isn't necessary. I've been looking through the mod Database. Even without vv, what justifies such differences in $$?

 

[JollyRogers]

Mostly what justifies the cost is construction quality, the cost for the builder to come up with a concept & then put it into production, overhead, and of course profit. The stuff from China is very inexpensive, but some of it is good and some not so good. I prefer purchasing from US or European mod builders that actually care about their customers, but if I were to buy a Chinese mod from a vendor, I would make sure the vendor cares about their customers. and has a rep to back it up...

 

[Cool_Breeze]

You might take a look at the Smoktech Gripper. It's a small 18650 VV mod. There's lots of buzz on the forum about it at present.

 

[ckone180]

Mt more expensive mods, whether VV or not, are built to last. My cheaper ones are pretty fragile comparatively.

 

[LauraBolyard]

Hmmm. Judging from an epower standpoint (Rivas b4 that), it was inexpensive, dropped quite often, and has gone strong for 8 months. A bad carto screwed things up for me. I'm thinking maybe $70-$80 can be a decent price range? Reputation will be important as well. AND where it's made?

 

[stv4SC]

Hmmm. Judging from an epower standpoint (Rivas b4 that), it was inexpensive, dropped quite often, and has gone strong for 8 months. A bad carto screwed things up for me. I'm thinking maybe $70-$80 can be a decent price range? Reputation will be important as well. AND where it's made?

There possibly still be Buzz Pro blems available, also Provari had some as well. More than $80 but well worth it. Buzz is not 18650 but a damn nice mod.

 

[aziffel]

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Extension tube for the kick,18650,18350,made in the US

 

[synthros]

Hmmm. Judging from an epower standpoint (Rivas b4 that), it was inexpensive, dropped quite often, and has gone strong for 8 months. A bad carto screwed things up for me. I'm thinking maybe $70-$80 can be a decent price range? Reputation will be important as well. AND where it's made?

Totally off topic, but I'm originally from wpb, I'm in TN now. Just thought it was cool, you're the first I've seen. All my family still in the wpb,and Jupiter. Any ways hiya

 

[BardicDruid]

Just can't beat a Silver Bullet for the price and durability.

 

[MiamiMom63]

I look for safety features. I like to vape at 5v or higher and I don't like stacking batteries. I like Provari because I don't want to worry when I suck on a mod put to my face with an 18650 battery in it that it's going to blow up, but that's just me. LOL. Also, it shuts off before I fry my atomizers and I can read what ohms my atomizers are as they start to fade off and age, so I can lower the voltage on them.

 

[chriscorv58]

Look for : Construction materials Medal over plastic. I cant tell you how many times ive dropped my provari and works like a charm for well over 9 months.
A fixed voltage device, just because you can adjust the voltage doesnt mean it will stay at your desired level as the battery is dying.
Ease of use : How to turn the device on, of adjust the voltage. Dont want this going off in your pocket or changing the voltage with out you knowking
Cost : is subjective
Battery : vapor breathing hole
Size,weight, color. That is about all i can come up with.

 

[18SixFifty]

Here is an example of a fairly decent low priced mod. $35 metal and vented. The weakest ling is going to be the switch. Although I would assume it would be very easy to replace. The extension to accept a 18650 is cheap. Overall a great cheap unit.

Bolt - 3.7v Mod - Chrome

You can go to VV or fully mechanical, both of which add costs. However, I have tried VV and found that I didn't need it. I really like a 3.7 volt with an LR atty. For whatever reason it just hits the way I like.

I vape my homemade mods at times but most of the time I use a megalodon.

 

[tj99959]

Build quality and CS, you get what you pay for.

 

[Secret_77]

If you are looking for a 18650 mod there are plenty to choose from. Honestly if you are willing to try a good starter 3.7v mod. I strongly suggest a Bolt. Gotvapes.com has a kit that give you a Bolt (black), a charger, and 1 battery for $39.95. For this price it is a steal and they are a great supplier.

Later on, You can always order the 18650 batteries, extension sleeve somewhere else when you go to get carts, tanks, or whatever you want to use. Try to keep it simple.

Hope this helps and you find what you are looking for.

Secret_77

 

[Chronic Dripper]

Buy a Reo Grand and be done with it, better to buy 1 tough simple design mod ( no wires ) than a bunch of ones that don't last, then you'll go to the Reo.....like the commercial says : you can pay me now or pay me later.

 

[SuziesMom]

I'm an obsessed fan girl- but I'll second Chronic's REO Grand suggestion- especially because you don't need VV. They're a lot more pocket friendly than a tube mod with a tank, and I've had mine for well over a year and it's still going strong. It's survived everything- including falls onto marble floors which snapped the carto. Between my husband and I we have 7 of them because they're just that good.

 

[VapDrak]

Here is an example of a fairly decent low priced mod. $35 metal and vented. The weakest ling is going to be the switch. Although I would assume it would be very easy to replace. The extension to accept a 18650 is cheap. Overall a great cheap unit.

Bolt - 3.7v Mod - Chrome


You can go to VV or fully mechanical, both of which add costs. However, I have tried VV and found that I didn't need it. I really like a 3.7 volt with an LR atty. For whatever reason it just hits the way I like.

I vape my homemade mods at times but most of the time I use a megalodon.

I agree on the Bolt, for me it's a great price/quality relation.
I'm in your situation and got the Bolt and am absolutly happy with it.
I have to admitt that i'm curious about all the stuff out there but I let it the time to grow on me. By the way that gives me the time to learn more about vaping... when I got my licence I didn't start driving a Ferrari either

 

[beez3807]

I was wondering if anyone had a chance to compare the newest version of the lava tube aka lrider aka varitube and the vmax. I already have the original lava tube and it works good but I want to upgrade. Any thoughts

 

[Baditude]

First big battery mods I got were a BB and Silver Bullet. The SB is an 18650 battery. It has a simple yet dignified appearance, built of thick steel tubing and finely machined, smooth action threading equaling that of the Provari. Possibly the best switch of any mod. Strong center post. American made, fast shipping, top-of-the-line customer service. Repairable in USA.

View attachment 130040View attachment 130041View attachment 130042
Silver Bullet with a 7 ml Triple V pyrex tank with Knucklehead and HotVapes glass tip

Should you wish to try higher than 3.7v, it is well known that you can add a Kick from Evolve. I didn't want to go that route because I'm all for easy and simple. To change power output you have to remove the battery and the Kick and use a screwdriver to adjust the voltage, and put both back in the SB. Not what you wanted? Repeat. Still not right? Repeat. This is why I got a Provari.

Another alternative is to use the 4.8v Nimh battery for straight 5 volts. Downside is the battery requires a dedicated charger. Battery life is poor. Initially I got 2-3 hours vape time, but soon I was down to maybe 45 minutes per charge.

Although I did try stacking a couple of 3v RCR batteries just to try out 6v, I highly do not recommend it. Not only was the vape incredibly harsh, the danger imposed by stacking is just not worth it.

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Vented 14500 battery. Horn button switch on BB.

Mods with a protuding horn button beware!! ie. Bolts, BB's, etc
Although not easily pocketable, the Bolt has a very similar button switch to the Altsmoke BB. True story: I had put both my SB and BB in a front pants pocket in my locker at work. I went to my locker to grab one of my mods for a quick toot on a break, and the BB was too hot to touch. A powdery black sooty material was all over my SB. When the BB had cooled off enough to touch, I removed the above battery. The horn button had become depressed against the SB in my pants, resulting in a thermal runaway with the battery. The BB did its part well by containing any potential explosion and venting the gases via its switch. Total user error on my part. But this just demonstrates what can happen with these potential pipe bombs if we aren't careful.

 

[LauraBolyard]

Thanx all!! I ended up with the bolt and extension. So far, so good. Price was right and good construction!!