The (polite) Clone/Authentic discussion! :D

[treehead]

I personally thing with mech mods a clone and an authentic are more less i mean us as vapers pay upwards of 200 dollars for a metal tube but, that being said I don't mind using a friends clone but, I personally buy authentics unless the clones don't have logos but even then its weird for me. i guess its a moral thing

I'm not sure what you mean sir, you don't like using clones, or you think it's silly paying upwards of $200 for a metal tube? Because I agree, the clones shouldn't "try to fool" anyone with the original's logo, I personally like logo-less items anyway, I just want a nicely shaped piece of metal.

 

[treehead]

I chose to go with clones for my Mechs and RDAs.

My first Mech and RDA was a tobeco crown RDA, and an Ehpro Maraxus, the crown was and still is great, the maraxus however had some issues, it only took a few dollars to get it hitting hard, it needed a magnet upgrade in the switch, solved all the problems with massive voltage drop and hot button.

I do have a smoktech Magneto, which is as authentic as I will ever get, because it is still cheap, but it also hits pretty well, magnetic switch, telescopic.
I have a Helios on the magneto, and it is a great clone RDA, again no problems with it at all.

My 2 newest purchases were.
Copper penny mod clone, not sure who makes it, but it is absolutely great, contacts are silver plated copper, has a magnetic switch, it hits like a train, it does get tarnished very fast being copper, so weekly I take it apart and clean it up.
A tobeco copper tobh RDA for the penny, another great clone RDA.

But probably my favorite clone mod I have is, my Morpheus, came with copper contacts, upgraded magnets for the switch, as well as the spring, and 3 tubes for 18350,18500 and 18650.
The RDA I have on the Morpheus is the smok caterpillar, it matches it like a charm, I did have to bore out the airflow holes on the caterpillar to vape anything lower than 1 ohm though, but thats easy enough I just used a pointed file in my drill to bore them out just a hair.

If I only bought authentic that collection would be a stupid amount of money and my wife would have shot me in my sleep for sure.
Actually that collection of clones cost me less than 1 Authentic setup.
Maybe one day I will get an authentic, but it is rare that I have that much play money and nothing else to spend it on.

You know how to spend your money my friend! Where has this morpheus been all my life!? I haven't heard of it until now (thank you lol), and it looks like a serious mechanical dude! Definitely going to check that one out, as well as the penny clone, I didn't know that was cloned either, awesome.

You truly can't go wrong with copper clones, because it's an amazing conductor, and even if the threads come stripped (worst case scenario...and unlikely), it'll STILL hit hard. Me and you have similar tastes brother, I'm rocking a 2six copper 26650 clone at the moment (which is better than my authentic BFM! Looks cooler too ), and a 26650 tobeco Tobh clone. I loved it so much I too had to get the copper version. (Although, do you get a copper aftertastes after a few days? I've found I have to clean it every now and then.)

Great minds think alike hehe .

This is an 80$ setup, that has single-handedly kicked the CRAP out of my local cloud competition, just FULL of pricey authentics that thought they'd win because of their $300 setups. Don't get me wrong I have some splurges too, but they're worth the money in performance.

 

[tayone415]

in some cases yes, the authentic will be made of better materials, but not in all cases. The way I understand it, 1:1 will be an exact replica.

I think some clone manufacturers or the people who sell them use the term clone or 1:1 too loosely. Since certain "clones" are obvious fakes like a copper nemesis and especially a 26650 black copper stingray, but I've seen places claim a copper nemesis as a 1:1.

 

[imsoenthused]

I think some clone manufacturers or the people who sell them use the term clone or 1:1 too loosely. Since certain "clones" are obvious fakes like a copper nemesis and especially a 26650 black copper stingray, but I've seen places claim a copper nemesis as a 1:1.

Exact replica in the sense that you could go back and forth between it and an authentic one with a pair of calipers and it should match up. 1:1 has always referred to dimensions specifically, and not material or finish to the best of my knowledge.

 

[KenD]

Because innokin prices their products correctly.

Not many clones of regulated APVs though, before DNA20/30 devices.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

 

[tayone415]

Exact replica in the sense that you could go back and forth between it and an authentic one with a pair of calipers and it should match up. 1:1 has always referred to dimensions specifically, and not material or finish to the best of my knowledge.

I understand that a 1:1 should be interchangeable with an authentic mod, but I just don't consider a piece to be a clone if it isn't a true version of an authentic piece.

 

[USMCotaku]

Same with me...

 

[Gqballa]

i went with clones right from the get go, i actually didn't go with the beginner things when i started vaping. I went right away with Mech Mods and rebuildables.

Myself i can't justify spending 200 + vs something i can buy for 20 bucks.

I get hated on instagram and guys actually take shots at me, i believe one guy said i am a joke for having clones down in california. I looked at his instagram and he's getting money from the government, has a daughter, drives a crap car. I didn't even reply back. For those that feel they need to 1 up people because they are using clones don't deserve my time and effort.

I can afford authentic, but is that where i should spend my money? I personally don't believe so. To each and their own though.

 

[JoppaRoadCruiser]

I've got an hcigar stingray clone, tobeco patriot clone, and an authentic tobh 2.5. All I use when I'm at the house is my stingray/tobh setup. My biggest problem with the clone vs. authentic debate is not the price but the lack of availability of the authentics. I got lucky enough to get the last tobh in stock when I ordered mine. I would love to get one of the authentic stingray x but they are impossible to find.

Oh and I find it ridiculous these clone makers throw the OG logo on there...even go to the trouble of putting serial numbers of the units. Ridiculous.

 

[USMCotaku]

The more exclusive they make them, the more people with money to burn want them, all part of the game

 

[Coldrake]

If competitive clone prices weren't trying their best to give us all a good deal, then vaping (the hobby that literally prevents CANCER, and often helping people choose a healthier alternative to cigarettes) would be an "exclusive" hobby. Which is terrible if you think about it!

I mean, if you want to really improve your health and addiction, and get into vaping, without clones, many would straight up be outta luck. That or they'd have to save up for a painfully long time, and possibly discover what they bought sucks!

Wow. Those statements have to be the most utterly disgusting prevarications I've seen on this board.

 

[USMCotaku]

Keep this civil please. Those are his opinions, which he is entitled to. Directly confrontational comments like that are how the threads on this topic become hateful, and nothing but a big flame war.

 

[USMCotaku]

Not many clones of regulated APVs though, before DNA20/30 devices.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

exactly......look at the price tag on an authentic DNA device......which opens the market for clones.

 

[reef153]

Have a couple more things on my list now thanks to this great thread. Thank you everyone

 

[tayone415]

The more exclusive they make them, the more people with money to burn want them, all part of the game

True, and later they can be sold for a profit used or unused depending on the demand and how rare it is, Limited Editions or versions I think is a scam, but I fall for it.

 

[tayone415]

I've got an hcigar stingray clone, tobeco patriot clone, and an authentic tobh 2.5. All I use when I'm at the house is my stingray/tobh setup. My biggest problem with the clone vs. authentic debate is not the price but the lack of availability of the authentics. I got lucky enough to get the last tobh in stock when I ordered mine. I would love to get one of the authentic stingray x but they are impossible to find.

Oh and I find it ridiculous these clone makers throw the OG logo on there...even go to the trouble of putting serial numbers of the units. Ridiculous.

I'm sure there is a good amount of people out there appreciate and prefer the forgery of fake logos and fake serial numbers and try to pass it on as an authentic device. I think clone companies do this to get people to purchase their clone over the authentic since some people will try to pretend it's not a clone.

infinite started making their "own" designs. Basically they took 3 popular atties and combined all three of them into their own

Yes, that is the CLT RDA if I remember the name right. Only thing I heard is that they didn't do a good a job with the center post, I've read a few people at least saying it spins.

If competitive clone prices weren't trying their best to give us all a good deal, then vaping (the hobby that literally prevents CANCER, and often helping people choose a healthier alternative to cigarettes) would be an "exclusive" hobby. Which is terrible if you think about it!

I mean, if you want to really improve your health and addiction, and get into vaping, without clones, many would straight up be outta luck. That or they'd have to save up for a painfully long time, and possibly discover what they bought sucks!

It depends how you think about. I think clone companies charge less and hope to sell more to gain higher profits with higher volume. I think it's also a way to get certain people to buy clones over an authentics, since they forge logos and generate random serial numbers. Even without clones, people wouldn't be out of luck, because there are other alternatives, that some people choose to purchase while others would rather have a clone.

There are lower end authentics out there like the Smok Magneto, The Smok Natural, which is said to be a good mech that's not a clone, you also have cheaper RDAs like the igo-l and the igo-w line, Sigeli even started making cheap RDAs and there are a few more under $30, where some clones depending on where it is purchased cost more than a cheap authentic.

I've bought clones and I've bought authentics. Is close to $200 up to $300+ a lot for a mechanical mod? Yes, and they have authentic RDAs and RTAs that go for more than a clone mod or a cheap authentic mod. But, if you really think about how much you spent on a pack of cigarettes especially 1+packs a day and everything else with smoking like lighters, gum or mints and cologne or perfume. The price of $200 depending on the person is about 1-2 months of smoking, the difference is after that 1-2 months you still have a nice mod and with cigarettes you have nothing in the end.

 

[ClintS]

• From a person who has owned several businesses throughout their lifetime. Clones, replicas, fakes, 1:1, counterfeits, imposters - whatever you want to call them, cost OEM businesses money.
• Clones may also deflate the business ego, why do I even bother to come with the new ideas?
• The worst of it - if the fake products start impeding on the outstanding reputation of the legitimate company. This can cost a company the entire business.

In general I found OEM products to have a better overall quality than the clones or products legitimate non OEM manufactures.


Coming into the vaping world I could not understand the number of clones and general acceptance. But then I began to understand the poor business practices (protecting their identities and products); the lack of funds to move quickly ahead, the lack of production capabilities, the lack of understanding the market, the lack of how to grow a business. etc. Or a manufacture that knew all of that and decided to make a limited production run to make a quick profit and get out.

I wanted a Hanna Modz but could not find one for months, so I demonstrated my displeasure with buying a competitor's product. Then decided to buy a Clouper clone without the logo. And then again to buy a competitor's product with a replaceable battery. Hanna Modz lost several sales! But when they improperly tried to deal with an issue they nearly closed a vape shop. Now they have lost this customer for good.

So in some regards I see the OEM as opening the door for the clones.

• If I see something that was made in a limited run and never to be reproduced again, I'll buy a clone.
• If I see a great product that I'd like to have and can't find it within a decent time period, and there are no signs of new ones to be released shortly; I'll buy a clone.
• If an OEM has a policy of no returns no warranty, I'll buy a clone.

On the other hand

• if I see something I want and can't afford it - I'll save until I can afford it.
• And after watching a video about Provari - When the Provari 3 is announced I'll be inline!

I want to support honest, customer orientated business, and business based on quality to the full extent that I can. I'm still much about supporting the OEM but have found viable (ethically correct?) reasons to buy clones? It works for me.

• For all of those buying clones on a regular basis - you are hurting businesses a little at a time, and not just U.S. businesses.
• You are also changing the market, for better or worse I don't know[/B] - but some good businesses will bow out in the process.

 

[McFeely]

I started vaping, first for my health, "my uncle just passed from stage four lung cancer", second I was going broke buying smokes everyday. I don't have the cash to drop on a $200 mech mod and a $100 RDA. Yes I buy clones, I don't care if pretentious vapers stick their noses up at me because I paid 90% less. I'm doing this for me not to impress others. If you have the cash and want to dump it into vaping more power to ya. I want a good vape too and clones give me that option. Do I feel bad for the people that make the originals, not really if that makes me a bad person then I'm a bad person, but I'll live longer.

 

[tayone415]

exactly......look at the price tag on an authentic DNA device......which opens the market for clones.

High prices do open a market for cloning as you said, but cloning is really getting out of hand. Some companies are cloning cheap authentic pieces. Did you know that the Smok Magneto which is usually under $50 has been cloned and the $12-20 Igo-w also has been cloned

 

[Coldrake]

Keep this civil please. Those are his opinions, which he is entitled to. Directly confrontational comments like that are how the threads on this topic become hateful, and nothing but a big flame war.

I was being civil. Those are my opinions, which I am entitled to.

A statement that insinuates that some people wouldn't be able to get into vaping and could possibly get cancer if they weren't able to buy clones is both irresponsible and reprehensible. Maybe you're ok with that, but I most certainly am not.