The " BUZZ " VariVolt PV Review

[WitchWay]

I like the idea of the Buzz - a lot - but I don't like the idea of messing around with a voltmeter, it just seems like a lot of fuss (and extra expense). I like the recessed screw, I jsut wish they'd etch in some marks around it for ease of use for us lazy/poor people
Really the only thing stopping me from buying it is knowing Id have an issue messing with a voltmeter.
A big white sticky-out dial, no - some small etched marks on the side, yes - and I would have posted this comment on the Buzz supplier thread but I couldn't find it.

Hey Jay,

I understand what you are saying and I was worried about it being a hassle also. I've had mine for 4 weeks now and trust me it really is not any hassle at all. Yes hash marks would be nice if the pot adjustment worked that way. However it works in full turns so you can't hash mark that. Each full turn changes the voltage .2 volts. So if the slot in the screw head is straight up and down and you turn it one full turn you have changed it .2 volts. There are 12 full turns between 3.6v and 6v. So all you have to know is where you are when you start and what position the screw head is in. I actually turn in half turns so it is a .1 volt change up or down, depending if you turn right or left. And if I feel I need to micro set it further I do quarter turns. Once a week or so I put the multi-meter on it just to see exactly what the voltage setting is, but it's always right around where I believe it to be. Trust me I'm ditzy and if I can do it, anybody can! I run 4-5 PVs at a time and the Buzz is probably the one I test the least.

The only thing the multi-meter does is tell you where it is exactly. If you know where it is when you first start and use quarter, half and or full turns, then you will always have an idea what the voltage is without the meter. If you don't want to buy a multi-meter do what Vaporer said and have Radio Shack test it so you know where you are to start. Personally I think everybody that has any kind of ecig should own at least a cheap multi-meter, but that's just me. I use mine all the time, but not on the Buzz

Hope this helps some!! Happy vaping!!

 

[bearscreek]

Seriously, I got a cheapo meter on eBay for about $5 a few months ago (like Hyper said) and it works just fine, and like everybody says, you don't have to know where you are. It's just like sitting and watching TV in the winter with a little space heater. Think about it. You feel a little chilled, you might just reach down and turn the knob a bit but not care what number it's on. You get too hot, you turn it the other way.

On a side note, no big review, but I really like this, and I think Witch had it right. The only bad thing she could think of (not that it's really bad) is that she tries to press the LED sometimes, lol.

I sit and use this thing constantly and I got 18 hours of use out of my first set of batteries (26 hours counting sleep). That was way more than expected. Pretty cool device. I just hope the electronics hold up and that it doesn't leak juice past the screw.

 

[Hyperspace]

No i get that you dont have to change the setting but then why buy a PV with the option if you don't use it? lol
Like I Said I do like the idea of the Buzz, and Im still on the fence about it tbh - but its just poking about with bits of 'electrickery' simply to get a good vape is the offputting part. But I may be convinced - we shall see lol

Well, I can think of one reason a person would buy a Buzz and not use to the variable voltage option. Some people find 5 and 6 volts to harsh and 3.7 volts to weak. So if you wanted a mod that would do 4.5 volts there are currently only 2 mods that I know about that will do that and they are the Buzz and the Fistpack. Next month the Joker will also have variable voltage. So you could buy a Buzz and be happy with 4.5 volts and never have any desire to change it. I have mine at 4.5 volts and I'm happy with it.

Another reason to buy the Buzz is the voltage regulator. It's going to stay at 4.5 volts or whatever you set it at instead of like other PVs where the voltage keeps dropping as the battery drains.

 

[Hyperspace]

I sit and use this thing constantly and I got 18 hours of use out of my first set of batteries (26 hours counting sleep).

That's pretty amazing. What brand batteries are you using? I'm thinking you must be a light vapper because usually get around 12 hours out of my batteries.

 

[bearscreek]

These are the Trustfires with the flame on them. I vape constantly, but I don't take super-long draws. It's awfully hot and humid this week, so I've basically been sitting right here in one spot without moving and I work from here too. I had about 8 hours of combined sleep and just being in bed w/o vaping plus a shower and 26 hours of batteries with that time included. I have to say I was pretty amazed. I think the most I ever got on Tenergys (3 V) in a Prodigy was maybe 8-10 hours.

 

[CaptJay]

Hey Jay,

I understand what you are saying and I was worried about it being a hassle also. I've had mine for 4 weeks now and trust me it really is not any hassle at all. Yes hash marks would be nice if the pot adjustment worked that way. However it works in full turns so you can't hash mark that. Each full turn changes the voltage .2 volts. So if the slot in the screw head is straight up and down and you turn it one full turn you have changed it .2 volts. There are 12 full turns between 3.6v and 6v. So all you have to know is where you are when you start and what position the screw head is in. I actually turn in half turns so it is a .1 volt change up or down, depending if you turn right or left. And if I feel I need to micro set it further I do quarter turns. Once a week or so I put the multi-meter on it just to see exactly what the voltage setting is, but it's always right around where I believe it to be. Trust me I'm ditzy and if I can do it, anybody can! I run 4-5 PVs at a time and the Buzz is probably the one I test the least.

The only thing the multi-meter does is tell you where it is exactly. If you know where it is when you first start and use quarter, half and or full turns, then you will always have an idea what the voltage is without the meter. If you don't want to buy a multi-meter do what Vaporer said and have Radio Shack test it so you know where you are to start. Personally I think everybody that has any kind of ecig should own at least a cheap multi-meter, but that's just me. I use mine all the time, but not on the Buzz

Hope this helps some!! Happy Vaping!!

Hey Witch
Your post was actually EXTREMELY helpful and may have tipped the balance.

 

[Hyperspace]

These are the Trustfires with the flame on them. I vape constantly, but I don't take super-long draws. It's awfully hot and humid this week, so I've basically been sitting right here in one spot without moving and I work from here too. I had about 8 hours of combined sleep and just being in bed w/o vaping plus a shower and 26 hours of batteries with that time included. I have to say I was pretty amazed. I think the most I ever got on Tenergys (3 V) in a Prodigy was maybe 8-10 hours.

I read the Trustfire with the flames does last the longest. I just got some in the mail a few days ago but haven't tried them yet. After reading your report I think I'll have to charge them up and try them out.

 

[bearscreek]

Yes, you definitely should try them. I certainly won't be looking around for anything better.

 

[WitchWay]

Hey Witch
Your post was actually EXTREMELY helpful and may have tipped the balance.

Awww great! I'm glad it helped I was so scared of changing the voltage that for the first two days I made hubby do it. Now I turn it when I have the need and don't think twice about it and I don't measure when I change it.

Yes, you definitely should try them. I certainly won't be looking around for anything better.

So the TrustFire are better than the UltraFire? Making a note for next battery purchase Of course with 12 UltraFire ones I won't be purchasing for a while

 

[portguy]

Oh boy...USPS is taking forever to deliver mine. I'm waiting with a multimeter on one hand and a bottle of Geoff's Blend on the other.

 

[bearscreek]

lol at portguy.

Witch, all I can say is that they're working for me.

 

[WitchWay]

lol at portguy.

Witch, all I can say is that they're working for me.

Which TrustFire did you get? Protected, unprotected, label color? I want to make sure to get the right ones when I try them

 

[bigblue30]

Well, I can think of one reason a person would buy a Buzz and not use to the variable voltage option. Some people find 5 and 6 volts to harsh and 3.7 volts to weak. So if you wanted a mod that would do 4.5 volts there are currently only 2 mods that I know about that will do that and they are the Buzz and the Fistpack. Next month the Joker will also have variable voltage. So you could buy a Buzz and be happy with 4.5 volts and never have any desire to change it. I have mine at 4.5 volts and I'm happy with it.

Another reason to buy the Buzz is the voltage regulator. It's going to stay at 4.5 volts or whatever you set it at instead of like other PVs where the voltage keeps dropping as the battery drains.

I agree between 4.2 and 4.7 is great.

 

[bearscreek]

Which TrustFire did you get?

These are the red, black and yellow ones that are a bit sparkly and have a picture of a flame. They're protected and 880 mAh, I believe. Here's probably the best deal in town.

 

[Hyperspace]

I sit and use this thing constantly and I got 18 hours of use out of my first set of batteries (26 hours counting sleep).

I tested the black Trustfire batteries today and got around 12 hours with them. That's about the same as I was getting with the AW batteries.

What kind of atty or carto are you using? I'm using a 510 and I know those suck more juice than others attys.

 

[bearscreek]

I'm probably using about 90% 510 carto and 10% 510 atty. I paid attention to the time on 2 more battery runs and only got about 14 hours, so I don't know what was up the 1st time I timed it because I don't really think the amount of use on my part was any different. I know I timed it right because I remember that I started at about 9 p.m. and the batteries finally died at 11 p.m. the following night. I was running at 5.25 volts.

 

[rugrat1965]

It didn't work for me. I even put it in the notes on my order.

Damn, a discount coupon after I'd searched and paid full price. Ahhhhhh.

 

[Hyperspace]

It didn't work for me. I even put it in the notes on my order.

Did you get your order yet? If not maybe Mike will throw in a freebee to make up for it. Send him a email at sales@notcigs.com

 

[Hyperspace]

I'm probably using about 90% 510 carto and 10% 510 atty. I paid attention to the time on 2 more battery runs and only got about 14 hours, so I don't know what was up the 1st time I timed it because I don't really think the amount of use on my part was any different. I know I timed it right because I remember that I started at about 9 p.m. and the batteries finally died at 11 p.m. the following night. I was running at 5.25 volts.

14 hours is still good. I'm guessing cartos use less energy than a 510 atty and that's why you're getting more hours than I am.

 

[bearscreek]

Yes, Hyper, I think you're right. I think they're higher resistance and may use less energy. I had thought my batteries on the Prodigy were lasting longer when I started using 510 cartos. By the way, I don't know down to the minute, but I think I went about 25 hours (total with downtime) today.