The FONO Phidias vs the other vendors Faux Phidias

[Drumonron]

So I don't know if I should post the following but for the sake of those interested:

BATTLE ROYALE

The FONO Phidias vs the other vendors Faux Phidias

In this corner

THE FONO Phidias Woodimus Feedimus

I purchased the Phidias Woodimus Feedimus from Fono but then I saw "the sale" of the Phidias from the vendor who shall not be named but I'm sure you all have an idea who it is. The reason?....I'm not a genius but @ 110 minus 10% discount I had to bite. Couple the price with the fact that they had the color combos that really interested me, I figured, why not? Also, a bit of me wanted to see the differences for myself.

Shipping times:
I received the Fono Phidias on Saturday, 10/23 and the Other Phidias' on Monday, 10/25. Shipping times from both were pretty much the same(about 3 days from order).

Having received the Fono Phidias first(just the way I wanted it) I was excited when I opened it but I won't go into an all out review because, well, I already did that, but if your interested in reading it well have at it: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...-phidias-celebration-sale-68.html#post2072958

So I vaped using the Fono Phidias exclusively Saturday night through Monday Morning...very nice...found my comfort zone with the button and the more I used the Fono Phidias, the more I got the pride of ownership feeling and the more I liked this device in my hand...just couldn't put it down.

So Monday arrives and the package from the Other place arrived. I opened up the package and well the following was included:

1 The Phidias Woodimus Feedimus Woodgrains: #2. Light Maple with wenge inlays

1 The Phidias Woodimus Feedimus Woodgrains: #5. Purple heart with paduk inlays

4 attys 2 w/each Phidias

1 pouch

4 tube samplers of ejuice

Now, yes very nice to receive all the extras and for that I'm thankful but it really has no bearing on the review of the device but it does have to do with the value of the purchase and for that reason, I felt I should include it.

ON TO THE DEVICES:

In the other corner:

The Pretender Contender and challenger....

....The #2. Light Maple with wenge inlays

So I started with the #2. Light Maple with wenge inlays(for reference) and I opened it and the colors are very nice. The differences I noticed right away was the corners are not smooth and rounded like the FONO Phidias they are more sharp and cut. The next thing I noticed is the juicing button. The juicing feed button is acrylic, not wood(as what was advertised on the web site) and the finger hole is smaller, much smaller...made more for a women's finger than a mans and this became irritating. Upon opening the door I noticed that the spring mechanism for the juice button is different also...they chose to use a metal pin held on to the wood with what would seem to be hot glue. Also the wiring is technique is a bit different but who am I to criticize. The most apparent difference(besides those I mentioned) is the way the door fastens to the body...it's not the perfect fit that I found on the Fono authentic Phidias, you know.

As for vaping...hey, it does work as it's suppose to as does the auto juicing but I'll tell yeah...maybe I have fat fingers but the acrylic button is TOO small...my finger is hurting...I think I'd rather take the lid off...maybe it's just me but Fono's button is perfect!

Now on to the #5. Purple heart with paduk inlays:

Well, hey I know what you're thinking...why do a separate review for each, right? I'll tell you why, this one took a turn for the worse. I mean the color and wood is very nice but again the corners are not rounded but the differences and shortcomings are numerous. Again, the acrylic button is there and fastened the way the other was but I noticed the door has a bit of a gap at the top and bottom and it just does have the fit it should...it looks...well too small for the body..perhaps it came from another device? Perhaps it was cannibalized to complete a body? I just don't know. So I went to put in my battery (AW18650 2200mah) which, in my humble experience, is my smallest 18650 battery...it simply did not fit...the body was too some by a mm...It took some tapping of the connectors but I did get it in...now I fill the bottle with juice and put the cover back on and the cover rocks a bit.

Well both of the wannabes(Phidias not made by Fono) work but they seem to be knock offs not worthy of the name they are being sold under(imho).....do they vape nicely...well...yes. I'm going to keep them, they will serve me well but I thought I should let others know that sometimes....yes usually...you really do get what you pay for.

So it was a battle and each one scored points but if you are looking for THE Quality Phidias there can be only one and that's the FONO Phidias....Still CHAMPION.

VAPE ON

and if this post helps only one person, then I'm happy I have typers cramp and it was all worth it.

Thanks FONO for making an original work that works and puts on a pedestal what American Wood Craftsmen Can Do when they put their minds to it - I raise a goblet to you in a toast to your thoughtful creativity!

 

[Switched]

So you are saying the ones from Nhaler are knock offs?

 

[MikeDeason]

I have one w/the acrylic button from Nhaler and it works flawlessly. Just press it flush w/the box. Don't matter how big your fingers are. Yea the Trustfire protected 18650's fit best they are LONG. Door fits PERFECTLY. No wobble.

Just ordered another in fact.

Like it better than my big REO, and REO Mini (Mini REO is more portable though.)

Fono's Feedimus is the same...just different juicing button.

 

[banjo]

Just my personal opinion, but I wouldn't buy a knock-off just to save a couple of bucks.

 

[MikeDeason]

from what i understand Fono did the woodwork on the Nhaler one as well so any imperfections on the woodwork are his work.

where can you buy Fono's original?

 

[Switched]

from what i understand Fono did the woodwork on the Nhaler one as well so any imperfections on the woodwork are his work.

where can you buy Fono's original?

... it seems there is a long story there. The Feedimus came (originally) with a matching wooden button. Those were made by Fono. There was a falling out between Fono and Drew. Not sure what that was all about, the details are sketchy at best. The acrylic button ones are what we believe as retro-fitted Woody's, not a built Feedimus.

It is my understanding as well that the original Fonos are only available through him directly.

 

[Bradyo]

I think you can get the original at some U.K Website not sure the name of the site though.....I will do some searching if anyone care's but I did see somewhere on this forum that they were going to sell the FoNo feediumus but shipping from the Uk Plus the price hike.I think it sucks not to have a U.S.A Distributor

 

[MikeDeason]

... it seems there is a long story there. The Feedimus came (originally) with a matching wooden button. Those were made by Fono. There was a falling out between Fono and Drew. Not sure what that was all about, the details are sketchy at best. The acrylic button ones are what we believe as retro-fitted Woody's, not a built Feedimus.

It is my understanding as well that the original Fonos are only available through him directly.

Thanks for that info.

So the woodwork was done by Fono on the Nhaler unit.

 

[joelongwood]

I think you can get the original at some U.K Website not sure the name of the site though.....I will do some searching if anyone care's but I did see somewhere on this forum that they were going to sell the FoNo feediumus but shipping from the Uk Plus the price hike.I think it sucks not to have a U.S.A Distributor

Fono, himself, is now the distributor of the Phidias w/Feedimus. Current cost is $138.05 including shipping. The thread (quite long) is here:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...rs-forum/122134-phidias-celebration-sale.html

So the woodwork was done by Fono on the Nhaler unit.

As I understand it, the basic box was built by Fono as regular Phidias units, not intended to be Feedimus units. I believe Nhaler has retro-fitted those boxes to make them Feedimus units. All current Phidias w/Feedimus mods have the rounded corners, not the angled corners of the original Phidias. Hope this helps.

 

[SKYYcamel]

I received one of the knock-off versions yesterday. I'm pretty much happy with mine except for the acrylic button. Mine is INCREDIBLY hard to push in. The hole is kinda small for my fingers and I have to push very hard to get the juice to trickle out. I'm hoping it loosens up some over time. BTW, the steel rod that holds the button in popped off immediately.

 

[WillyB]

I received one of the knock-off versions yesterday. I'm pretty much happy with mine except for the acrylic button. Mine is INCREDIBLY hard to push in. The hole is kinda small for my fingers and I have to push very hard to get the juice to trickle out. I'm hoping it loosens up some over time. BTW, the steel rod that holds the button in popped off immediately.

FWIW there appears to be 3 different types of 3ml bottles available. The original ones I had from sample packs are quite hard. The ones that MadVapes sells are softer, but there also some that are softer yet.

 

[MikeDeason]

Yea, I use a softer bottle...the feeder button presses easily...just press it flush w/the box...not in the box.

Don't really see how the "authentic" one could be better. This thing works perfectly.

The rounded corners on the other one look nice though.

 

[Torrentula81]

The acrylic button is hard to press even without a bottle in there. Pushed it in and out a bunch of times for a few minutes and hasn't helped me any. The steel rod that holds it on place came off the back of the wood, cheep glue. I'm thinking the good units are sold by fono. Ones with imperfections are de-rounded and given to drew. My unit is nowhere near quality wood work to brag about. Part of it doesn't have finish. The sides aren't sanded down parallel to eachother, gaps, yada yada. I'm returning mine if he will take out back. Buying one from fono. I'm certain it will be higher quality. Functionally it works just fine, outside of the jaws of life to assist me pushing the feeder button in.

@ MikeDeason: with my unit the buton has to be pushed inside the hole to get liquid. Its flush with the back when not in use. Seems odd ours appears to be different. Did you buy the new version with the acrylic button? Doesn't sound like it to me.

 

[Switched]

Here are some shots of Fono's originals. No use of metal rods here.

 

[Technonut]

@ MikeDeason: with my unit the buton has to be pushed inside the hole to get liquid. Its flush with the back when not in use. Seems odd ours appears to be different. Did you buy the new version with the acrylic button? Doesn't sound like it to me.

I just received mine from Nhaler... The acrylic button is functional IMO. It sticks-out far enough to push the bottle in without my finger going-in. I did soften-up the bottle before anything by pinching it a bunch of times. Mine pushes freely in and out.

Here are some shots of Fono's originals. No use of metal rods here.

Looks like he uses a thin wooden rod instead. How is it attached? Personally, I like the metal rod. the glue is still in place. There really is not that much pressure on it when the unit is together. It basically just pushes the button back out.

Overall, I am happy with this version from what I have seen of the other. I like the flat corners better than rounded-off, I like the acrylic button since I think that humidity may be an issue making a wooden one stick, and I like the fit and finish. There are no magnets on this one, and no need for them since the fit is nice and tight. I also like the fact that for the price I paid, I am not hesitant to do some further modding to it down the road if I choose to. I have an idea on the burner that I will share at a later date.

EDIT: I did find the magnet behind the juice bottle.. Is it supposed to be glued to one of the screws in the case halves? I just stuck it on the inner one, and it stays there when I open and close it. I may glue it on for the helluvit

 

[MikeDeason]

I really got nothing bad to say about any of the juiceboxes I've bought except the Wetbox.

They all perform exactly the same, just different sizes and w/the Feedimus different juicer.

And yea, the acrylic button on mine sticks out of the box enough so you just press it flush w/the box. Works perfect.

Got another coming so we'll see if it's the same.

 

[joelongwood]

Looks like he uses a thin wooden rod instead. How is it attached?
EDIT: I did find the magnet behind the juice bottle.. Is it supposed to be glued to one of the screws in the case halves? I just stuck it on the inner one, and it stays there when I open and close it. I may glue it on for the helluvit

It's not wood........it's a thin Delrin rod secured by what appears to be hot glue. Here's Fono's explanation:
"the pin (derlin rod) cannot be stiff it needs to flex and give, as the button is in a chase and cannot change its orientation---the rod must flex less the button be impinged and bind.
that's why it's flimsy it needs to be..."
As for the magnet, Fono has advised people to glue it to the screw in the body. I did, and it works great.

 

[Torrentula81]

4 days now and haven't heard nothing from drew to return my phidias back. I'm not happy with nhaler. I'm going to have to calling him out on his super section. Maybe that will get his attention. Maybe this is another reason to cough up the little extra, wish I did.

 

[MikeDeason]

@ MikeDeason: with my unit the buton has to be pushed inside the hole to get liquid. Its flush with the back when not in use. Seems odd ours appears to be different. Did you buy the new version with the acrylic button? Doesn't sound like it to me.

Yea I got one with the acrylic button but it sticks out....don't have to press it in the box. Works perfect and wood is finished.

No complaints.

 

[Yellowman1972]

So it isnt possessed anymore mike? could have just been the holidays