The Vmod XL 18650 Bottom Feeding Mod from Vapage - Part 2

[fourthrok]

4th ... Have you tried calling Vapage? Due to some fraudulent charges recently on my credit card that I use for online e-cig related ordering (HUGE UGH!!!) ... I placed an order with Vapage on Monday ... But I called them rather than place my order online. I tried them several times ... But I DID finally get thru and talk to someone by pressing the "Customer Service" number (2 I think). I'm sure if you call and talk to one of the gals in Vapage Customer Service they'll get you taken care of!

I'm really glad you were able to get through. Yes...I've tried calling several times. No one is ever at the CS extension (2) to pick up my call (see post above). I have to use a friend's cell phone to call because my land line doesn't include "pay" long distance. And her cell phone is one of those lifeline things that have limited minutes. I can't be playing games with her minutes while Vapage thinks about "maybe" being available to talk to a customer. I've tried a couple of different times in the afternoon California time trying to reach them.

Had NO trouble getting another Vmod order during the (yes it was 30%) 30% sale. They are johnny-on-the-spot with NEW orders. Not so good with customer service AFTER the sale, it seems. And ...at this point that is what I'm needing is customer service for things already bought!

 

[2423kids]

I'm really glad you were able to get through. Yes...I've tried calling several times. No one is ever at the CS extension (2) to pick up my call (see post above). I have to use a friend's cell phone to call because my land line doesn't include "pay" long distance. And her cell phone is one of those lifeline things that have limited minutes. I can't be playing games with her minutes while Vapage thinks about "maybe" being available to talk to a customer. I've tried a couple of different times in the afternoon California time trying to reach them.

Had NO trouble getting another Vmod order during the (yes it was 30%) 30% sale. They are johnny-on-the-spot with NEW orders. Not so good with customer service AFTER the sale, it seems. And ...at this point that is what I'm needing is customer service for things already bought!

Ohhhhh OK gotcha! And UGH!! I agree that it is sometimes quite difficult to get through to Vapage ... I got their recording even on the Ordering line ... Which I did try first. I finally reached them on the Customer Service line. I'm really hoping someone from Vapage will see your posts and help you out, but I'm not sure there's really a "Vendor" presence on this thread ... More VMod enthusiasts that are here to support and try to help each other. This thread was invaluable to me when I got my first VMod XL almost a year ago. I know it's frustrating trying to get thru ... If I can help ya ... You can PM me and give me your contact info and I'll try getting thru to them today and let them know you've been trying to reach them with no success (and some background on what's gone on as I haven't really been keeping up here lately). I've got unlimited minutes ... ;-)

 

[fourthrok]

Ohhhhh OK gotcha! And UGH!! I agree that it is sometimes quite difficult to get through to Vapage ... I got their recording even on the Ordering line ... Which I did try first. I finally reached them on the Customer Service line. I'm really hoping someone from Vapage will see your posts and help you out, but I'm not sure there's really a "Vendor" presence on this thread ... More VMod enthusiasts that are here to support and try to help each other. This thread was invaluable to me when I got my first VMod XL almost a year ago. I know it's frustrating trying to get thru ... If I can help ya ... You can PM me and give me your contact info and I'll try getting thru to them today and let them know you've been trying to reach them with no success (and some background on what's gone on as I haven't really been keeping up here lately). I've got unlimited minutes ... ;-)

Thanks so much! I might just need to do that! Going to wait for the mail today and see if anything shows up (I ordered that shell on May 3rd for crying out loud!). Then when it doesn't show up, as I expect it won't...I'll regroup. Might be PM-ing you soon! And I appreciate your help!

 

[_more_]

Quote Originally Posted by 2423kids
Ohhhhh OK gotcha! And UGH!! I agree that it is sometimes quite difficult to get through to Vapage ... I got their recording even on the Ordering line ... Which I did try first. I finally reached them on the Customer Service line. I'm really hoping someone from Vapage will see your posts and help you out, but I'm not sure there's really a "Vendor" presence on this thread ... More VMod enthusiasts that are here to support and try to help each other. This thread was invaluable to me when I got my first VMod XL almost a year ago. I know it's frustrating trying to get thru ... If I can help ya ... You can PM me and give me your contact info and I'll try getting thru to them today and let them know you've been trying to reach them with no success (and some background on what's gone on as I haven't really been keeping up here lately). I've got unlimited minutes ...
-------------------------------

Thanks so much! I might just need to do that! Going to wait for the mail today and see if anything shows up (I ordered that shell on May 3rd for crying out loud!). Then when it doesn't show up, as I expect it won't...I'll regroup. Might be PM-ing you soon! And I appreciate your help!

fourthrok, If it is a good idea then i can call too. Maybe they will get off their butts and do what should have already been done. PM if you want a extra voice

 

[muzichead]

Hey fourthrok, hang in there... It took all of 3 weeks to get mine back when I sent it this past January. Then it took another week for them to send out the chimney that I forgot to take off of it. Total of 4 weeks... Customer service is kinda hit or miss. You have to catch them at just the right moment, it seems!!!

On a side note.... For those that have kicked there XL's, I had an episode twice last week with mine! Sitting on the riding mower and it decided to fire the way I was sitting...TWICE... It was my mistake though for the way I was installed in the unit, (I have posted pics in this forum somewhere)... The way I have it installed, the throw on the switch to fire it is very, (and I use that term loosely), minimal if at all. I am surprised it didn't fire on its own all the time the way it sat in there!!! For a while now, the small piece of cushioning to hold the battery snug worked its way loose and the kick was pushed by the battery all the way up in the slot and the top pin of the Kick was all the way up in the switch area. I have since corrected my error by cutting a faucet washer and placing it around the top of the Kick and it keeps it from going up too far. Now it is just a little more challenging to replace the battery, as it is in there very snugly... Batteries and the Kick are all ok and working well again... Just thought I would share...

 

[TBinAZ]

Interesting muzichead, Mine don't even come close to the firing pin. Kind of curious how you have yours set up. Did you mod the inner frame at all?

 

[2423kids]

OK guys ... I got my Vapage order today ... And I have questions! I ordered my usual 2.0 AMG Hybrid Bottom Feeder (ShiFu) Atty. What I got looks nothing like what I've been using! Now I haven't had to order any new atty's since WAY BACK last summer, so I don't know if this is right ... Or not ... ??? The packaging is different too. They are no longer individually wrapped inside the two pack. They no longer have the sorta rounded connection end ... And they are gold now. The package labeling is different also. The two pack is labelled "AMG Hybrid Universal 2.0 ohm". Soooooooooo ... ??? Are these the NEW ones ... What we used to call "ShiFu"? Here's a pic ...

(AND my package wasn't labelled "Vapage" ... But "Spark Industries" ... ?????)
So can someone enlighten me? Do I have my beloved ShiFu atty's ... Or what? And anybody know what's gone on with the name change?? Thanks!

 

[Andy Thatcher]

Nope...don't think you do.

Maybe one.

 

[2423kids]

Nope...don't think you do.

Maybe one.

YEP!!! The ONE I already had!! LOL!! I used that in the pic to show the difference. Thanks AT ... They sent me the WRONG thing! These gold, shorter "Universal" atty's are NOT even listed on Vapage's website anymore! UGH!!! Back to calling Customer Service!

 

[tearose50]

EDIT -- I see you figured it out while I was typing!

(I just re-checked. Universals are still for sale on the site. They are listed under Attys or under Premiere Vapage, just not on Vmod Page.)


Hey Kids --- Those are the Universal Atty, not the Bottom Feeding Atty. The Universal version has always had a gold band on the tube.

The Universal will work and feed on the Vmod, like most any other atty. And you can use them on any 510 device. They just don't have the tiny little holes at the base of the tube.

It sounds like you got sent the wrong atty, or ordered the universal by mistake. Both have happened before!

A few months ago when I ordered the Universal they were not Shi-fu/ Pro Slant Coil and have a flatter pin at the bottom, just like your picture. I don't remember about the individually wrapped part. I have no idea if the Universal is now Shi-fu version, Yet.

If you decide to keep them and give them a try --- take a peek and let us know if it has that nice long wrapped coil.

 

[Kataphraktos]

Since we're on the subject of attys...

I bought a few Cisco 510s from Avid Vaper (not 357s) to compare to the Vapage Hybrids.

The Ciscos need a bit more squonking. Similar levels of liquid would flood the Vapages. I compared a 2.0 ohm Cisco to a 2.2 Vapage.

The Ciscos provide a bit more cloud and a bit more flavor. The difference is notable but not tremendous. Definitely different enough to make me favor the Ciscos. They do spit a bit, so a longer drip tip is required.

Here's something strange. When vaping outdoors - which is why I bought the Vmods, for away-from-home vaping - the amount of vapor is noticeably reduced. Not sure if this is a matter of perception compared to indoors vaping. I experience this with my Provari as well, but not to the same degree. Of course, the Provari produces thicker clouds to begin with, so this is an unfair comparison. This was also my experience with regular cigarettes as well

I have some 1.5 ohm Vapage Hybrids and a Cisco 1.5 as well, I'll be comparing those this weekend. For me, the Vapage 1.5 tasted a bit burned, and I expect the Cisco will as well.

 

[fourthrok]

(this was posted in the Liquid Feed APV section...but I know a lot of you don't bother going there, so I thought I'd post it here, too)

And the credit goes to scarf-ace! One thing that drove me a little crazy about the Vmod was that with those shorty cartos and the ShiFu attys...there wasn't much space twixt the juice and the lip! It wasn't that unusual for a spit of scathing-hot liquid to hit the mouth from time to time if one was hitting hard and heavy (like when stressed...as if you need extra things to aggravate you when you are stressed!) Scarf's suggestion was to use a knucklehead drip tip. Brilliant! I tried it...and what a difference! Used to be I'd end up "retiring" a carto a little prematurely because it was getting a little old and was so saturated the spit thing was happening too often to be comfortable. The atty was fine and it wasn't clogged...it just spit a lot. Not anymore! The knucklehead keeps those pesky flying bits of juice down away from my tender lips! Thanks scarf-ace! You're a genius!

But then there was another problem. Some of you may know this from experience, but not all "super shorty cartomizers" are created equal. Some are 38mm and some are 35mm. You never know which you are going to get! I've made an order with a vendor and gotten both sizes in a single shipment! I didn't ask for two different kinds..they just come as they come. No way to specify. Anyway...the uber-super shorties are TOO short for the knucklehead to connect on the carto with the Vmod cone on. And of course, you have to have the cone on or the Vmod won't stay together! So what I did was get a straight eGo cone..the kind with no flare. Just a basic ring and discovered it will screw onto the chimney of the Vmod adequately. There's still a gap though..so the unit would rattle and slide some. So I got a couple of tiny rubber bands (like are used for tiny hair braids) and rolled them over the cone and underneath to provide a bit of support. Then I could use my knucklehead drip tip even with the uber shorty cartos! And it works fine! Just add rubber bands as needed. Using the tiny bands..it looks good. You can't even tell, really. Here's a picture. (with the regular "super shorty cartos" that are 38mm...I don't have to do this, and can use the Vmod cone with no problem.) Hope this helps some people!

Sorry about the cross post, but wanted to be sure all my Vmod friends could see this.

 

[2423kids]

EDIT -- I see you figured it out while I was typing!

(I just re-checked. Universals are still for sale on the site. They are listed under Attys or under Premiere Vapage, just not on Vmod Page.)


Hey Kids --- Those are the Universal Atty, not the Bottom Feeding Atty. The Universal version has always had a gold band on the tube.

The Universal will work and feed on the Vmod, like most any other atty. And you can use them on any 510 device. They just don't have the tiny little holes at the base of the tube.

It sounds like you got sent the wrong atty, or ordered the universal by mistake. Both have happened before!

A few months ago when I ordered the Universal they were not Shi-fu/ Pro Slant Coil and have a flatter pin at the bottom, just like your picture. I don't remember about the individually wrapped part. I have no idea if the Universal is now Shi-fu version, Yet.

If you decide to keep them and give them a try --- take a peek and let us know if it has that nice long wrapped coil.

Hey tearose!!! Nooooooooo ... I didn't order these! (Pout!!) LOL! AND ... I didn't even know they offered them!! I don't ever go anywhere but the VMod section of Vapage! Ugh! But I specifically said 2.0 AMG Hybrid Bottomfeeder atty ... Not Universal. I'll call them (been trying) ... And get the right ones! No biggie ... And ya learn something new every day! LOL! ;-)

 

[tearose50]

Kids -- Glad to hear it wasn't your error.

I guess it's the guy(s) in shipping that need to know the difference between the 2 attys.

And fourth --- great mod job there. Nice seeing the Burl shell/body.

 

[Katdarling]

24233242,,, so are the Universal's Shifu spec? Get out your "chalupa" (magnifying glass) kiddo and peek down inside the new ones. I'm guessing maybe you got the newish and most improved-ish coils.

 

[2423kids]

24233242,,, so are the Universal's Shifu spec? Get out your "chalupa" (magnifying glass) kiddo and peek down inside the new ones. I'm guessing maybe you got the newish and most improved-ish coils.

Well my Sweetest Of Peas ... I would just love to do that to find out (even tho I'm blinder than a bat & need and HUGE "chalupa" to see down in there) ... BUT I've already got the "right" ones coming (I hope) and have to return these wrong ones! If I get bored this weekend, I'll try to wiggle off one of the plastic covers on one of the atty's whilst still leaving them packaged & I'll take a look see! ONLY FOR YOU!! ;-)

 

[Katdarling]

Are YOU the sweetest of the pods. Nah, don't bother. We don't need to strain our eyes on coils at this point. Glad you are getting the correct ones!

I do believe that VAPAGE has eyes on us and our little home here. Somehow, they always end up making things right for all of us! Go SHIFU!

 

[fourthrok]

I'll concur with that Kat. ShiFu has contacted me and assures me he'll get my problems sorted. I think things are starting to move now.....

 

[Andy Thatcher]

Glad to hear these issues have been cleared up.

 

[fourthrok]

Glad to hear these issues have been cleared up.

Not "cleared up"....yet!! But hearing from ShiFu has renewed my hope. Jury is still out, however!