I only ordered from GearBest only once and my package came over the ocean by canoe. Over a month and a half to finally hit my mailbox.
The FastTech Thread for All FastTech Posts (Part 2)
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I only ordered from GearBest only once and my package came over the ocean by canoe. Over a month and a half to finally hit my mailbox.
I always make allowances for the fact that what I am buying are clones. It's only fair.
I should learn to find solutions like I do in the rest of my life.
Beautiful mod. Beautiful attitude!
Sugar
People keep talking me out of magnets - seems that they're bad for the batteries.For the first time today I got something from FT I'm not delighted with. It's this Nemesis which I fell in love with for the colour - I do need some colour in my life.Anyway, on first try the flat top battery did not make contact. Took it apart and tried another configuration and it worked. Changed atty to see if it still worked and it did not. Adjusted the top pin again and yet another configuration and it worked. New atty - no work. Tried it with my kick - no contact again. Tried another configuration and the kick worked. Changed the atty and again no contact! It is rather frustrating. This is the first thing I got for FT that is fiddly. Usually everything I get is practically plug and play straight out of the box. Anyway I have now ordered some magnets to see if I can get my batteries to make solid contact all the time.
And if I ever need more mods - which I don't think I will since I have a drawerful of them now - I'll stick to the Caravelas. All the ones on FT are awesome and work brilliantly and consistently.
Consensus seems to be in favor of these:
just something to stick in there to give the battery a little more height and keep its lateral position.
I've been substituting with this (just the insulator and pin parts, not the hybrid connector):
but you'd have to need a really tall connector (which I did). It's about 4mm thick.
I've been noticing too that not all batteries are the same height (varies by brand). If you only need a fraction of 1mm, maybe look into different brands, or a button top instead of a flat top (haha good for hybrids too, not that you'll ever go there again.
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I know I'm in the minority here, but my few experience's with FT have been disappointing . Especially tonight. Less than two weeks ago I ordered two Chalice III clones. The Chalice III by Mark Bugs cost about $150.00, I found the clones on FT for just under $10.00. I figured how can I go wrong? They came today, I was psyched! One for me, one as a gift for my friend. I tore open that envelope, ready to mount a coil! First one, the air hole wasn't even close to lined up with the coil. I thought maybe I can fix it? Went about placing my coil. The post screw was entirely stripped. Couldn't be used. I thought, well if one works, it was still a deal! I go to the next one. I go to unscrew the post screw, the entire post came out! I tried to unscrew the top with pliers, it was like it was welded on. Another DOA . I briefly considered my options and decided life was to short to fight with China over $20.00. I put them both in the kitchen trash. Honestly, I felt it was a lesson learned. I tried to purchase a $150.00 atty for less than $10.00. I got what I paid for. I know many will disagree with me, but this was honestly my night. I guess FT serves a purpose for some things, just have to be careful what you purchase.
. Especially tonight. Less than two weeks ago I ordered two Chalice III clones. The Chalice III by Mark Bugs cost about $150.00, I found the clones on FT for just under $10.00. I figured how can I go wrong? They came today, I was psyched! One for me, one as a gift for my friend. I tore open that envelope, ready to mount a coil! First one, the air hole wasn't even close to lined up with the coil. I thought maybe I can fix it? Went about placing my coil. The post screw was entirely stripped. Couldn't be used. I thought, well if one works, it was still a deal! I go to the next one. I go to unscrew the post screw, the entire post came out! I tried to unscrew the top with pliers, it was like it was welded on. Another DOA . I briefly considered my options and decided life was to short to fight with China over $20.00. I put them both in the kitchen trash. Honestly, I felt it was a lesson learned. I tried to purchase a $150.00 atty for less than $10.00. I got what I paid for. I know many will disagree with me, but this was honestly my night. I guess FT serves a purpose for some things, just have to be careful what you purchase.
Once I found a configuration that works, I just keep it as is. All my toppers are the same kind, and I only use button-top and kick. They are fiddly, I agree. Just keep working on it.
My two batteries that work with it are an identical pair. I use magnets, and I can stand it up without firing, so long as the big screw is in tight. Been locking it just a turn or so, lately, because it comes unscrewed so easily.People keep talking me out of magnets - seems that they're bad for the batteries.
I know I'm in the minority here, but my few experience's with FT have been disappointing
Yes, you have to be careful about what you purchase. I'd say a lot of the stuff on FT is crap - but there are those diamonds in the rough, the gems and finding those are like winning the lottery.
I would agree with that! My last order was for screwdrivers and voltmeters, was happy with that. Just reached for the moon this order.
People keep talking me out of magnets - seems that they're bad for the batteries.
just something to stick in there to give the battery a little more height and keep its lateral position.
I've been substituting with this (just the insulator and pin parts, not the hybrid connector):
but you'd have to need a really tall connector (which I did). It's about 4mm thick.
I've been noticing too that not all batteries are the same height (varies by brand). If you only need a fraction of 1mm, maybe look into different brands, or a button top instead of a flat top (haha good for hybrids too, not that you'll ever go there again.
To tell you the truth precisely those hybrid connectors were in my basket for quite some time but then I put them away. Seeing the word hybrid was flashing red lights for me after the SMPL incident, not because they are of no use in themselves but just in case I got tempted again.
But if you were ever tempted to go "hybrid" again, that connector might actually be good, because it has a pin. It's kind of a "fake hybrid," just for looks. But I just use the white insulator disk and pin parts to throw into my two mods that are about 4mm too long for my Samsungs, and extending the atty/top cap pin that much would make it wobbly (I don't like wobbly).To tell you the truth precisely those hybrid connectors were in my basket for quite some time but then I put them away. Seeing the word hybrid was flashing red lights for me after the SMPL incident, not because they are of no use in themselves but just in case I got tempted again.
I have a ton of magnets too and used them a lot, but ever since one of my 4 identical batteries died with no other explanation, I've tried to avoid them. Thankfully, I only have 2 mods that are too long without a spacer.
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Yikes! I always read the reviews and discussions first, especially when there are two of the same thing listed. Apparently, one of the two was really crappy, but the other one was really good: $9.25 Chalice III Styled RDA Rebuildable Dripping Atomizer - stainless steel / 14mm diameter at FastTech - Worldwide Free ShippingI know I'm in the minority here, but my few experience's with FT have been disappointing
There was a mod once that I wanted to hybrid onto a specific atty (God of War, Aqua V2, both by Fotoon). Had I not read the discussions, I would've ordered it and been completely bummed out, because, even though it had the right thread pitch and the OG was made by the same company, the threads were too far in for the atty to catch any threads on it.
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Yes, reading the reviews, but more particularly the discussions is essential. Not all reviews are helpful... some people just write a review the minute they receive their item just to get the rebate points and believe if they write a very optimistic review they are more likely to be published by FT.... but some reviews are more detailed and give a better idea of what to expect. This is even more true of the discussions. There are a few snarky types on the discussion who seem to make it their life's mission to belittle others but most of the discussions are worth reading and could be very informative and educational.
I don't normally use FT so yeah, I went strictly on reviews. There was only eight at the time I ordered I believe. Of course all glowing! Thought it was a deal. Should have checked around here first. Learned the FT ropes. Oh well, you live and you learn.
Unless you are really eager for an item, only buy the stuff that has an established track record.
I could be wrong but I seem to keep seeing new notices added to FT. Like I said, I could be wrong but I think it is the first time I have seen this notice beneath the green ADD TO CART tab: "Age confirmation: By adding this item to your shopping cart, you confirm that you have reached the age of majority in your country of residence." Is it new, or has it always been there and I never noticed it?
When the order is over $20 the package always comes by registered and tracked mail, so you sign for it no matter what it contains. Under $20 it comes untracked and unsigned. My own personal policy is to keep my orders between $20 and $40. Under $40 no customs duties are due so the package comes straight to me. Over $40 it goes through customs, you have to go to the central office yourself to pick it up and the duties are an ouch of 37%. Since FT is free shipping it doesn't matter how many small packages I get. In my position you really start to understand how feasible FT is for me - it's what makes a pleasant vape at all possible for me.
In my position you really start to understand how feasible FT is for me - it's what makes a pleasant vape at all possible for me.
I think it's slightly different here in US. Customs gives us a monthly allowance before we get dinged for duties (I think it's $200). I have no idea how they keep track (I think they send you a bill when you go over) - I guess at the customs office by your name and address? But as far as them going through your package, you may be right - they'd probably scrutinize smaller packages less, so it would go through faster and without incident if you kept them small. And I don't think I've ever had to sign for any of my packages (± $5 - $90), but I have heard of that happening - just can't remember what triggers it.When the order is over $20 the package always comes by registered and tracked mail, so you sign for it no matter what it contains. Under $20 it comes untracked and unsigned. My own personal policy is to keep my orders between $20 and $40. Under $40 no customs duties are due so the package comes straight to me. Over $40 it goes through customs, you have to go to the central office yourself to pick it up and the duties are an ouch of 37%. Since FT is free shipping it doesn't matter how many small packages I get.
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Well what I can say is that when I get stuff from the UK any package whose value exceeds £20 usually comes tracked and signed. The reason being that a lot of packages get lost and when you pay for tracked and signed Royal Mail insures the package I think up to £50, so the seller can claim a refund if they have to resend you the stuff that was never delivered. Some UK sellers do that even for small packages. Of course it costs the buyer more than double but in the case of the UK I tend to accumulate my orders since no customs duties are involved being an EU country. So that might apply to FT as well... the being insured I mean and them making sure you don't claim you didn't receive something since you have signed for it. But the good thing about FT is that they cover the costs..... now isn't that nice of them.
According to what I have read, somewhere on the board, it is not FT that pays the mailing cost. The Chinese gov subsidizes it in order to stimulate private business.But the good thing about FT is that they cover the costs..... now isn't that nice of them.
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