The Prodigy V3 - American Quality & Versatility

[Anglo]

The Prodigy V3, an American-made PV from PureSmoker.com, is a truly fine piece of hardware. Except for a delrin-plastic insulator disk in the mechanical switch assembly, this “drip-friendly” mod is made entirely of stainless steel, which is very precisely machined and beautifully finished. The switch assembly screws in at the bottom of the tube and has a cleverly-designed locking feature. All the V3’s parts, including the switch components, are brilliantly simple and heavy-duty. The unit comes with a choice of adapters for 510, 801, or Ace/901 atomizers. The full kit includes four RCR123a lithium-ion batteries and a charger. The V3 operates with two RCR123a batteries that supply a total of 6 volts. It can also be used with a single 3.7 or 3-volt battery (see below).

I’ve been using a satin-finished Prodigy V3 with a 510 adapter for about three weeks. They also come in a sandblasted finish. I have found that some e-liquids don't taste as good when vaped at 6 volts, and some taste better. They all have had an increased warmth and throat hit. In general, a vape at 6 volts is a sensational experience.

But regular 510 atomizers are not designed for such high voltage. Even though I kept the atomizers wet and my drags short and reasonably well spaced in an effort to minimize overheating, the atties burned out quickly, each one lasting maybe a day or two.

Fortunately there are solutions to this problem. The best option is to use only high-resistance atomizers at 6 volts. The V3 still produces tremendous amounts of warm vapor with these, but the atomizers hold up much longer. Not sure just how much longer; I haven’t popped one yet.

Another solution is to use a regular atomizer with a single 3.7-volt battery instead of two 3-volt batteries. The battery to use is the AW P17670 (protected) battery, which is available directly from PureSmoker at the same price as sold by Lighthound.com. Not just any 17670 protected battery will do because most of them won’t fit in the V3. Even the AW P17670 just barely fits. It will only go in from the adapter end. They have foil sticker labels on them that I pull off (and use Goo Gone to remove the gummy residue). Even these stickers can interfere with clearance. These batteries do require a different charger from the 3-volt batteries, of course.

It would appear that using a 3.7-volt battery with a regular atomizer in a V3 would defeat the purpose of using a high-voltage PV, but it doesn’t entirely. The eGo, for example, is a 3.7-volt device. It’s a great one too; a current standard of e-cig excellence. But the eGo battery actually puts out a little less than 3.7 volts. So the V3 with a 3.7 battery produces more vapor than the eGo.

Some who use the V3 with a 3.7-volt battery use low-resistance atomizers to approximate the high voltage effect. I haven’t tried that because I don’t like low-resistance atomizers, but there is a place for them I might try going, for the sake of experimentation. It regards a third solution to the 6-volt/regular atomizer problem.

The V3 can be operated at 3 volts by substituting a dummy spacer for one of the RCR123a batteries. I got one at BatteryJunction.com to experiment with. Using a regular atomizer at 3 volts does work, but you don’t get a very satisfying volume of vapor. A low-resistance atomizer would compensate for the decreased voltage.

Regardless of what battery/atomizer combination might be best for a particular vaper, what I like most fundamentally about the V3 aside from its intrinsic quality and versatility is that, like other mods, it uses non-proprietary batteries.

See the Prodigy V3 on the PureSmoker home page - PureSmoker.com - USA Electronic Cigarettes & USA Made eLiquid!!! (And I have no association with PureSmoker except as a customer.)

 

[ddracer]

Great review. I love mine but the only thing I dont like about it is the fact you can't screw the atty all the way down and it tend to wobble about and can ruin the threds on the atty. My fix was to get a M6 spring washer open it up a bit and flatten it out. Then I filed 4 small groves in the bottom of the washer and put it between the atty and the Pv3. Now the atty screws in tight and doesnt get damaged when it's in you pocket.

 

[Anglo]

Ddracer, At least with a 510 atomizer, it can be wiggled a bit with the fingers when properly screwed in. If it's tight enough to be completely rigid, then it may be tight enough to have its contact bent in or close the little gap that's supposed to be there to let air into the intake holes.

But a "wiggle" would not be a "wobble," right? If the atomizer can't be screwed in enough not to wobble, then the contact post in the adapter must be sitting too high. As I understand it, that can be adjusted by tapping the post down a bit, but if I were you, I'd contact PureSmoker's customer service. They should give you some advice on this or replace the adapter.

Meanwhile, I admire your ingenuity!

 

[Switched]

Great review. You might want to try proper resistance atomisers for 6V vaping as reg attys just don't cut it. The entire SLB line at Ikenvape are top performers, and entirely developed for these situations.

 

[anim8r]

Good Review!

I'm a HUGE fan of the V3. I don't know why I waited so long to get one.

I'm really enjoying the 17670 batts and LR 510's with it.

 

[Steve.Adkins]

I'm glad you're liking your V3.1. However, I'm disappointed that I can not use the P17670 batteries. I've bought batteries from 3 different suppliers, same specs, same brand, same everything. They Do Not Fit. I've peeled off the label, scrubbed it down and all it does is peel the vinyl covering off the battery. In fact 1 battery nearly melted in my hand when the exposed metal under the vinyl hit the side of the tube. Consequently I've blown 50 bucks, which includes the price of the 'special' charger, on nothing. I wanted the option of 3v vaping only because I Like Options. That's what attracted me to the V3.1 to begin with. I even bought an 808/901 adapter which turns out to be worthless because the trigger on the bottom will not engage (stuck all the way out and yes I've disassembled it, cleaned everything, and put on a dab of Nolox (sp) to smooth out the action). I'll use this one until something breaks and I will not replace parts or buy another. One consolation is that the RCR123a batteries work just fine with HV 510 atomizers. I can even get 4 or 5 days out of a regular 510 cartomizer. All I can say is buyer beware; you don't 'get what you pay for' any more.

 

[skex]

I just got a 3.1 to replace my old V1,

My only complaint with it is that the 801 adapter doesn't have enough of a overflow catch basin so I have to be a lot more careful to avoid leakage.

Other than that this device has been great. Of course I don't do 3.7 so I don't have to deal with the battery issues with the single battery. Wouldn't want to have to maintain 2 sets of batteries anyway.

Next plan is to get a 510 adapter and try some cartomizers to see how it compares to dripping 801s. (well BE112s actually).

 

[cappadoc]

Just bought a 2nd V3 from the classy's. I love my V3. Not perfect, but I love the simplistic elegance of this mod. If it could do 5V, it would be PERFECT!
BE112's rock. 3 Ohms at 6V FTW.

 

[anim8r]

I'm glad you're liking your V3.1. However, I'm disappointed that I can not use the P17670 batteries. I've bought batteries from 3 different suppliers, same specs, same brand, same everything. They Do Not Fit. I've peeled off the label, scrubbed it down and all it does is peel the vinyl covering off the battery. In fact 1 battery nearly melted in my hand when the exposed metal under the vinyl hit the side of the tube. Consequently I've blown 50 bucks, which includes the price of the 'special' charger, on nothing. I wanted the option of 3v vaping only because I Like Options. That's what attracted me to the V3.1 to begin with. I even bought an 808/901 adapter which turns out to be worthless because the trigger on the bottom will not engage (stuck all the way out and yes I've disassembled it, cleaned everything, and put on a dab of Nolox (sp) to smooth out the action). I'll use this one until something breaks and I will not replace parts or buy another. One consolation is that the RCR123a batteries work just fine with HV 510 atomizers. I can even get 4 or 5 days out of a regular 510 cartomizer. All I can say is buyer beware; you don't 'get what you pay for' any more.

Did you get the batteries from PureSmoker?

Regardless, they should all fit. I'd send in a ticket with PS and see if they'll replace it.

 

[10mmshooter]

Got mine today. Only tried it at 6v(my 17670 batteries did not come from SuperT).
It is a very nice unit. I am suprised at 6v, not what I expected. I have a Tekk Mod at 5v, it seems more powerful.
I'll share more when I get some batteries for 3.7v.

 

[twgbonehead]

I've owned a V3 for about 3 months now. It's still very shiny and new. That's because I've never been able to use it. I bought it on the advice of my nephew, who absolutely loves it, and has been vaping for many years and used many different products. He would disagree totally with my opinion.

Unlike what was advertized, it doesn't take P17670 batteries. It takes THE "P17670" battery they sell (for $11 each, and that, apparently, just barely fits). From others comments here, it seems to take cartomizers from other vendors only a little better.

I think "American Quality and Versatility" ought to be a slightly higher standard. I love the look and feel, but why did they cut the barrel diameter so tightly? With an extra mm or so it not only would have taken P17670 batteries, but also would have been able to take the much more powerful and more common 18650's.

I felt mislead by their website. If you want to buy this, do it with the understanding that you will only be able to get the batteries from them, and you will pay a premium.

CLARIFICATION: Mine is a V3.1 (logo on the bottom, not on the side). My comments might not apply to the V3 shown in the OP picture. Also, I bought the V3.1 from PureSmoker, but not the batteries (since I already had a number of 17670 batteries).

 

[hairball]

Slap a dual coil cartomizer on your Prodigy and give're a try. It will blow you away. I have 2 Prodigys and wouldn't give them up for the world.

I even love the little Icon...the little sister to the Prodigy. I use the Icon at work all the time. Takes a heck of a beating but withstands it and hits every time.

You can't beat PureSmoker's CS either. Has always addressed every email that I sent them.