The Buzz- up close and personal

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DonDaBoomVape

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Indeed, excellent factual review and demonstration with the voltmeter, Doggsbody! You, sir, are a real asset to the vaping community. [Your carto cap fill technique (and the new improved Kr8 cartos) has enabled me to enjoy using cartomizers.]

EDIT: I want to express my regret and apology for the derogatory comments (about the Buzz, not the review) that I made in the paragraphs, which followed in the original version of this post. They were unwarranted and inappropriate, especially since I have never used the Buzz. I stand by my first paragraph above.
 
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Hellen A. Handbasket

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Feb 26, 2009
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Think twice.

Ok... I really want 4.5 to 5v and while the mAh isn't like using one of my 18650 mods, the idea of 4.5 on my 302 attys sounds divine (I love my PS passthrough at 5v, but that wire is awful). I have a stock pile of attys (so don't really want to start investing in the LR attys).

I also like the safety features built into this. (Current Limited 2amp, Reverse battery protection, reverse current limited , Thermal limiting)

Pretty? I haz stickers and bling in my craft room. Ha...

And he makes it for the 801. Not many out there for us penstyle users these days. I don't want to use adapters.

So... feel free to PM me any suggestions Don buddy. ;)
 

MaxUT

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DB, ya done good!

I also have here a black colored Buzz, set at 4.5 volts, topped with a 510 carto. Pretty solid unit, as you said.

My end cap spring is a bit light. Stretched it out some but didn't make much improvement. Will probably make an aluminum spacer to press into the end of the spring.

The batteries rattle occaisionally against the inside of the tube. Maybe a little more spring pressure will quiet it.
 

MaxUT

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Hellen, here's a couple more impressions on the Buzz:

The button is very small in diameter. I thought it was absurdly tiny when I first looked at it. Its action is positive though, and it has just the right amount of spring pressure. After several days' use I've become accustomed to finding it by touch and have no problems. It won't leave a dent in your digit like the ball bearing button of the PV2.

The Buzz has a bit of helt to it. That was the first thing my wife noticed when inspecting it. In comparison to a Prodigy V1 I'm guessing it's about 25% heavier. Not bad, just different from what I was used to.

Ah, but the variable voltage feature, that's the thing. Dial it down to 3.7 and you could use an LR atty, or run it up to 5.5 for a tired old 801.
 

Dogsbody

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Great review DB... as always!

Dammit that did me in. I've been thinking about getting this for a few weeks now. I may have to give in this week. :blink:

*runs to website AGAIN*

Thanks Hellen, It is a good solid device and I am sure you will not regret your purchase if you did give in.

Nice review DB. :thumbs:

Thanks Hyperspace, it was your review on the Buzz that sold me, yours was a very good, in-depth review on it.

Just like the one i ordered. Nice review. I also plan on using it at 4,5 Volts mostly.
Thanks portguy.
Indeed, excellent factual review and demonstration with the voltmeter, Doggsbody! You, sir, are a real asset to the vaping community. [Your carto cap fill technique (and the new improved Kr8 cartos) has enabled me to enjoy using cartomizers.]

Thanks DonDaBoomVape, you are too kind. :blush

I did get to see your post before the edit and you did address a very good point that alot of people are wondering about, I didn't see it as a critisism of the device as such, but rather an opinion on the actual usefulness of the variable voltage... as you said you mainly use the same brand and model of atomizer (801) and may not see the point of it.

I tend to tinker alot and have many different attys and cartos laying around so it is a no-brainer that this is perfect for me, but I am really starting to see advantages of the variable voltage using a single atty.

1) Using a standard unregulated device you start out vaping at about 4.2v and it dwindles from there, performance dropping all the time, so a regulated device should be better for most straight away, providing a consistent experience all the way through. (even set at 4.2v would give a 'fresh off the charger' experience for you all the way through)

2) Until now if you wanted a regulated device, you pretty much had to accept that 5v (or what ever the device was set at) was indeed the 'sweet-spot' and accept it, no matter what atty or carto you used, giving different wattage (actual power) output.

I have found that my personal sweet-spot is not at 5v, but somewhere about 4.5v using a 3.0 ohm atty.

Using a calc like: Ohm's and Joule's Law Calculator I can easily convert that to wattage (6.75w) and adjust the Buzz to keep the same wattage rather than voltage for my other brands of attys, or if I find a good sale somewhere, I can buy just about any type of atty and adjust the Buzz up or down to get back to my 6.75w sweetspot.

Its all about the watts now!

Really enjoyed your review! Now I want one;)

Thanks for the reply.

DB, ya done good!

I also have here a black colored Buzz, set at 4.5 volts, topped with a 510 carto. Pretty solid unit, as you said.

My end cap spring is a bit light. Stretched it out some but didn't make much improvement. Will probably make an aluminum spacer to press into the end of the spring.

The batteries rattle occaisionally against the inside of the tube. Maybe a little more spring pressure will quiet it.

Thanks MaxUT, My batts do have a tiny bit of movement in them too, so I might just add a spacer to stiffen them up.

I have been thinking about a 5 v mod. This one just got added to my list. Thanks for the review.

No probs Nyxie, GL!

Hellen, here's a couple more impressions on the Buzz:

The button is very small in diameter. I thought it was absurdly tiny when I first looked at it. Its action is positive though, and it has just the right amount of spring pressure. After several days' use I've become accustomed to finding it by touch and have no problems. It won't leave a dent in your digit like the ball bearing button of the PV2.

The Buzz has a bit of helt to it. That was the first thing my wife noticed when inspecting it. In comparison to a Prodigy V1 I'm guessing it's about 25% heavier. Not bad, just different from what I was used to.

Ah, but the variable voltage feature, that's the thing. Dial it down to 3.7 and you could use an LR atty, or run it up to 5.5 for a tired old 801.

Exactly my thoughts too, MaxUT.

I was initialy surprised by how small the button was, and it did seem to dint my finger, but after a few days I have grown to really like it. It does have a nice action to it, but I actually found the Buzz to be a bit lighter than I expected, but only had the Indulgence to compare it to.

And yeah, the variable voltage is where it's at... even if you only use one type and brand of atty, once you find your sweetspot.... it is just set and forget.

I think I prefer the recessed screw adjustment to a dial or something more obtrusive as the only time I am going to change it is when I use a different brand/ohmage of atty.
 

Hyperspace

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Mar 4, 2009
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And yeah, the variable voltage is where it's at... even if you only use one type and brand of atty, once you find your sweetspot.... it is just set and forget.

That's the way I see it too. I know some people are intimidated about using a multimeter and some people think you have to carry it around with you but once you find the voltage you like you just set and forget it. :2cool:
 

DonDaBoomVape

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Thanks DonDaBoomVape, you are too kind. :blush
I call 'em as I see 'em!
I did get to see your post before the edit and you did address a very good point that alot of people are wondering about, I didn't see it as a critisism of the device as such, but rather an opinion on the actual usefulness of the variable voltage... as you said you mainly use the same brand and model of atomizer (801) and may not see the point of it.

I tend to tinker alot and have many different attys and cartos laying around so it is a no-brainer that this is perfect for me, but I am really starting to see advantages of the variable voltage using a single atty.

1) Using a standard unregulated device you start out vaping at about 4.2v and it dwindles from there, performance dropping all the time, so a regulated device should be better for most straight away, providing a consistent experience all the way through. (even set at 4.2v would give a 'fresh off the charger' experience for you all the way through)

2) Until now if you wanted a regulated device, you pretty much had to accept that 5v (or what ever the device was set at) was indeed the 'sweet-spot' and accept it, no matter what atty or carto you used, giving different wattage (actual power) output.

I have found that my personal sweet-spot is not at 5v, but somewhere about 4.5v using a 3.0 ohm atty.

Using a calc like: Ohm's and Joule's Law Calculator I can easily convert that to wattage (6.75w) and adjust the Buzz to keep the same wattage rather than voltage for my other brands of attys, or if I find a good sale somewhere, I can buy just about any type of atty and adjust the Buzz up or down to get back to my 6.75w sweetspot.
Actually (for me and perhaps other non-modder types), I have come to see that the Buzz's current implementation is better suited to single atomizer usage than multiple atomizers. I could set it and forget it. [I might even be very happy at the default 4.5V.] And I hadn't realized the ramification of being able to constantly vape at the same voltage and watts.

It is the frequent resetting that would be awkward for me. I don't own a multimeter and would rather not have to get (and use) one. However, I do use different attys, both different models, but especially different versions (different ohms) of the same type of model (penstyle).
Its all about the watts now!
You betcha!
 
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Synthnadz

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Aug 11, 2009
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Also note that even if you find your 'spot', you will probably find that you'll enjoy making slight adjustments up or down depending on the flavor you're vaping.

Doing this does not require you to keep hooking up a multimeter either. I know visually where my most commonly used 5.5 volt setting is. If I want to turn it up a tenth of a volt, I just dial it up about half a turn. To dial it down a tenth of a volt, I turn it down a half turn. To get back to 5.5 volts, I just dial it back to my 'known' position, which I can easily identify visually.

In short, making fine adjustments is easier than it seems, and the flexibility the Buzz offers is nothing short of astounding. Highly recommended.
 

WitchWay

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Dec 30, 2009
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Great review Dogsbody!!! Thank you for sharing :)

Helen, I run a 302 at 4.6 volts on the Buzz and it is wonderful! Of course I couldn't wait so I got one with the 901 connector before he had the 801s available so I have to use an adapter. But the adapter is small and it actually doesn't bother me. The 302 is so much better this way and I thought it was good at 3.7 volts!

Don... If I can use this, anybody can :) It is really not as hard as it may seem or sound. I was so afraid to even turn the screw when I first got it, that I made hubby change the voltage on it for the first two days. Of course when I had to fight him to get it back again I was forced to learn to do it myself LOL Once I started doing it I was ok and now I don't even think twice and I don't use the meter. I also bought hubby his own Buzz so I could stop hiding mine from him :)


Happy Vaping!!!
 

portguy

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I call 'em as I see 'em!

Actually (for me and perhaps other non-modder types), I have come to see that the Buzz's current implementation is better suited to single atomizer usage than multiple atomizers. I could set it and forget it. [I might even be very happy at the default 4.5V.] And I hadn't realized the ramification of being able to constantly vape at the same voltage and watts.

It is the frequent resetting that would be awkward for me. I don't own a multimeter and would rather not have to get (and use) one. However, I do use different attys, both different models, but especially different versions (different ohms) of the same type of model (penstyle).

You betcha!

Donnnnn! You must have a multimeter...even i have one (of course i'm waiting for a Buzz..but HEY! I was getting one anyway...)!
 
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