upgrading again!

Status
Not open for further replies.

Apocc

Full Member
Mar 31, 2012
52
17
England
hola!

Ive been vaping 3 weeks now and its kept me fro smokinh a single analogue, by now im pretty sure vaping is staying with me for a long time. Because I now know this im willing to spend some more money.

I started 3 weeks ago with a Skycig kit (Blu in the US), that lasted a whole 3 days (some would say wasted money - it started the ball rolling though getting me smoke free and you cant put a price on that!). I moved on to my Riva 510 and having been using this until now. Ive tried various cartos and tanks and drip tips but now I want more! The 510 is great but a little hit and miss with flavours, sometimes hood, sometimes not so good.

ive been looking into the `next step` and ive been reading about lava tubes, provari, provari mini etc but im not 100% what the large outlay will get me over what I have now. I understand you can change the voltage on them but what else? does my juice taste better? produce more vapour?

If someone could help me out (but in noob terms, please work on the basis I know next to nothing) it would be much appreciated.

also, If these devicez are so much better, how do they ,ompate with ea,h other?
 

MickeyRat

Vaping Master
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Mar 4, 2011
3,466
1,558
68
Hickory, NC
If you've tried different resistance atomizers and cartomizers, then you have some idea what VV will do for you. You get the same thing just more tunable. You don't have to spend all that much money to try it either. The lavatube is good for what it is but, low resistance DC cartos won't work well on it. The provari is very well made but, it has a lot of bells and whistles you don't really need.

Two relatively low cost options are the madvapes VV box mod at $34.99. Another option is the Smoetek Varicool at $54.95. The difference is that the Madvapes box uses a lnear regulator and the Smoketek uses a switching regulator. The Smoketek will run cooler and provide longer battery life. To me it's probably worth the extra $20 but, both are VVs. Both will provide the same experience as any other VV.

You might be disappointed that neither has a display but, you don't need it. The knob position tells you what you need to know. Once you determine about where you like it, it's up or down from there. I've never used anything but, VV mods with good honest knobs. :)
 

Tiny

Super Member
ECF Veteran
Mar 24, 2012
348
822
Wisconsin
I'm just going to say it . . .

If you have any interest in the Provari, just get it because you will probably end up getting it someday anyway and think "why didn't I just buy this thing earlier!"

If you go right to a ProVari, then anything else you buy will seem relatively cheap. Think about it, buying vaping mods with out guilt!
 

Richkellett888

Senior Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Mar 6, 2012
168
171
52
Santa Fe Springs, Ca
That's for sure... ALOT of money. If I had it back I could have 3 or 4 gold provaris along with the ones I already have. I think there are some good lookers out there... GG's Katana's and the like but I have no desire to roll with anything but a Provari... My lavatube actually has dust on it.
Couldn't have said it better, sure could've saved me alot of money.
 

MickeyRat

Vaping Master
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Mar 4, 2011
3,466
1,558
68
Hickory, NC
The Provari is nothing magical. It has outstanding fit and finish. It's bells and whistles are only rivaled by the Darwin. That said, as far as the vape is concerned, all that matters is the watts delivered to the atomizer. In that regard, the Provari isn't particularly special. What the Provari can deliver will be enough to satisfy most people but, it's not the best in that regard. The Madvapes VV box can deliver more. So, can the Buzz Pro.

What the Provari does have that's fairly unique in it's class is that it uses a single battery. Depending on how you feel about battery safety that can be a major plus. However, the mods that use two batts will typically outperform it. My own opinion is that with proper protection, two cell mods are safe enough. You're free to disagree.

So, if you are more concerned with looks and flashing lights or battery safety is a real worry for you, the Provari is the right choice. If you are more interested in just getting a good vape and you're comfortable with two batts, there are lower cost alternatives that will do as well or better.
 

mav929

Full Member
Verified Member
Mar 28, 2012
53
21
41
Anchorage, Alaska
My 2 cents would b if you have the liquid assests to buy a provari go for it if you are concerned with the price i would lean more twards a 3.7 tube mod n a kick by evolve. The provari as far as ihave seen n heard is awesome but the kick u can move between different tube mods n have variable watts and can try out different tubes to put it in
 

KeysBum

Ultra Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
May 2, 2011
1,660
1,319
Florida Keys, USA
I have owned and used Buzz Pros, ProVari, and LavaTubes (Chinatube is a good catchall for all the names used for the same device.)

Unless you are stuck on LR Dual coils, or vape greater than 11 watts, the best bang for your buck is the Chinatube. You can get a kit at Apollo for $52 w/ free shipping

https://www.apolloecigs.com/VTube-kit-p/atube.htm 20% off storewide until Monday, coupon code: mydelicous
 
Last edited:

Butters78

Vaping Master
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Jan 24, 2012
7,236
10,787
47
San Antonio, Texas, United States
I owned the lavatube and sold it after a week of having my provari. I just got a buzz pro as a back up and love it as well. The buzz pro I'll use for more out and about because it weighs less and the batteries seem to last longer. They are both great PVs and you can't go wrong woth either :)
 

exodus454

Super Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Jun 6, 2011
430
278
37
Western Connecticut
I'm gunna suggest the buzz pro as well. I've had mine for well over 6 months now and it's been a champ through all of it. They're super simple to use with the dial-a-voltage so there's no menus or screwdrivers to carry around. It's surprisingly light and durable, has an awesome button and the batteries last more than a full day. The batteries are small so they charge completely in a couple hours. With my egos I was also taking backups of backups around with me everywhere, now I just fill up my M1A1 tank and I'm good to go. I don't carry backup batteries, juice or cartos anymore and it's so liberating.

The power from the buzz is also INCREDIBLY consistent too which you'll probably notice immediately. Most non-vv devices will only output battery voltage - which as you start to use it will get lower and lower and your vape will become more and more anemic. The buzz and other VV mods will boost the voltage through your entire useage so your first vape is exactly like your last. It'll stay exactly where you set it.

I used to want a provari but now that itch has almost completely disappeared. The buzz/infinity are so good that every one of my 5 vaping friends is now using them as their main PV after using mine.

You won't be disappointed.
 
Last edited:

Andy Thatcher

Ultra Member
ECF Veteran
Jan 22, 2012
2,078
2,918
Brit in Orlando
Have both ProVari's and they really are very good but you knew that already.

There will be a Buzz in my future as I really like dialling the voltage to what my tastes are rather than the Vari way.

I have that functionality on my Altoids box mod and enjoy it.

Now that said I have also fried a fair few cartos and attys on the box mod hence my getting the ProVari's to prevent that.

I not only love using the Vari but they have also been a crucial part of my education.
 

Huffelpuff

Vaping Master
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Aug 27, 2011
3,760
3,153
Philadelphia Burbs
If you have your eye on something.. just get it. Just my opinion. Agreeing with the above posts that you may conserve a few pennies but will eventually get the one that makes you happy. If you are unhappy with it you can resell for almost original value. Wish I had taken this advice early and skipped the learning curve. Mine was rather steep :facepalm:
 

MickeyRat

Vaping Master
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Mar 4, 2011
3,466
1,558
68
Hickory, NC
Here's my learning curve:

Do I really want VV?...dunno
Okay, get the cheapest a Madvapes VV box. That taught me two things, I really did want VV and all you need is a knob. The meters are superfulous.
Okay, I want a good durable VV with just a knob....Buzz Pro.

That was easy. :) Though now I'd probably be torn between the Buzz and the Sabertouch. For reasons that have nothing to do with vaping the Sabertouch probably would have won.

I haven't used one but, I'm certain the Provari works well. I'm also certain, you're spending a fair chunk of change on fancy machining and blinking lights. There's nothing wrong with that as long as you know that's what you're doing.
 

BrandonSi

Senior Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
May 19, 2009
215
86
Chicago
While some chalk the features on the Provari / Darwin up to bells-and-whistles, many of those features are very useful.

For example, I have so many cartos laying around that I have no idea what one might be if I just pick it out of a pile. Both the Provari / Darwin will tell you the resistance of the carto. They also both give you a display of the battery level, so you know when you're going to run out. The safety features on both of them are very useful.. You don't have to worry about a bad carto / atomizer destroying your mod.

I can see how the screen-less mods are very functional for a lot of people, but after you use mods with the "bells and whistles" you start to see them as essentials, rather than nice-to-have features.
 

MickeyRat

Vaping Master
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Mar 4, 2011
3,466
1,558
68
Hickory, NC
I can see how the screen-less mods are very functional for a lot of people, but after you use mods with the "bells and whistles" you start to see them as essentials, rather than nice-to-have features.

Have your ever used one with just a knob? No matter what I put on one. There's a known safe setting. From there I know where to go and I'll get there about as quick as you will with a meter. Those "essential" features really just complicate things.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Users who are viewing this thread