Video Reflection on REOs Mods

[CMD-Ky]

Or, I could buy a couple of extra boards, put them in the freezer with my nicotine and then when the boards fail, as they will, swap them and good as new. I am serious, I do like this idea.

Nice Video,
My everyday device for the past 2 1/2 to 3 years has been a reo grand. For work I am often away from home, I don't want to be carrying a spare/backup around.I have steered clear of the regulated squonk devices as I don't want to be away from home and have a device fail on me. ( I have never needed a backup since I started using the reo )

Perhaps a modular design would work, so you could have a side panel that unscrews with either a chip set like the dna or a mechanical switch?

If you think about it there would only need to be three connections for the side panel, ground, battery voltage in and voltage out to the centre pin of the 510.

Another advantage of this would be that when the new all singing and dancing DNA85Z or whatever is released you could just buy the appropriately modified side panel to upgrade the mod.

The forum is quiet compared to how it used to be, many people have moved on. I suspect Eric will need to bring out a new mod to spark some interest. Its a long time since the P67 was released.

 

[Sloth Tonight]

It offers the best of both worlds. It's a really, really awesome idea (hint, hint Eric)

 

[Vapefiend]

I don’t even like regulated but I’ll buy one just to support Eric if he chooses to.

 

[Robinowitz]

I don’t even like regulated but I’ll buy one just to support Eric if he chooses to.

I was just thinking the exact same thing! Too funny. Great minds?

 

[Vapefiend]

It seems to me that a majority of today’s vape crowd wants something ultem/3d printed with a dna chip or 20700 batteries with silver contacts and a squishy bottle. In fact any piece of crap that in order to buy you have to join a fb group and wait to get on a list works for them as well. I think it’s sad. Now I wouldn’t be against a dna chip a bigger battery or silver contacts on a Reo. But for me it’s not a necessity.

 

[Papa_Lazarou]

Three years ago, I'd walk into a vape store and try to discuss squonking with the clerks - they'd never heard of it as a style, let alone REOs. This was across a dozen or more stores in ten cities in four or five countries.

Today, you walk into those same stores and their eyes light up. They then show you their selection - cheap (as in build quality) $50 kits and overpriced $500+ 'rare' mods.

So it would seem squonking is on the rise (check out most any new atty - they all seem to come with bf pins, and even get criticized in reviews if they don't), but it's being addressed at the poles - cheap and exotic.

What's popular seems to have one or more of these qualities:
* mosfet switch
* regulation (for safety and consistent firing)
* adjustable power and tc (separate from regulation)
* carbon fiber, resin (eg ultem) or 3d printing

There has to be a wide market for mid-priced quality squonkers that hit some combination of the above but aren't hard to get. Some in here (ecf) are applying themselves to this and have core believers/followers (count myself in on this score), but none have the broader reach of the REO brand. They are also not tooled to scale (maybe they would if demand justified it, maybe they would not). This feels like an opportunity for REOS.

If we looked in the mirror with an honest eye, we'd prolly have to admit that REO's have 4 or 5 qualities that we prize but that aren't triggering purchase decisions in the main vaping population. We get it, Joe Typical 2018 Vaper does not. He does get squonking, though - the core proposition of the REO. It wouldn't take pivoting away from what REO's stand for, just one or two contemporary updates and an extension, not a replacement, of the current product stable. This is the age of squonking. REOs should dominate (with the same quirky smile and endearing charm they've always had).

 

[Vapefiend]

I agree, I'm loyal to the mods but mainly loyal to the brand and service. Id buy a toaster if it were made by Eric and Cindy haha

 

[Sloth Tonight]

So happy to see this idea picking up steam. If REOs Mods created a hybrid like we're talking about it could be revolutionary in a way. Currently - in terms of regulated squonkers - it's pretty much limited to cheap chinese garbage or expensive ones like I've got, and not everyone can afford or WANTS to pay that much for a mod. REO could strike that nice middle ground: USA made, quality, not cheap but not outrageous. I think it would appeal to a hell of a lot of folks who right now are either using leaky chinese squonkers or just simply like the idea of a regulated mod that can run eternally as a mech as well.

Put me down for 2 of 'em if this ever comes to fruition.

 

[Papa_Lazarou]

So happy to see this idea picking up steam. If REOs Mods created a hybrid like we're talking about it could be revolutionary in a way. Currently - in terms of regulated squonkers - it's pretty much limited to cheap chinese garbage or expensive ones like I've got, and not everyone can afford or WANTS to pay that much for a mod. REO could strike that nice middle ground: USA made, quality, not cheap but not outrageous. I think it would appeal to a hell of a lot of folks who right now are either using leaky chinese squonkers or just simply like the idea of a regulated mod that can run eternally as a mech as well.

Put me down for 2 of 'em if this ever comes to fruition.

I only have personal anecdotal experience, but most every vaper I show squonking to loves the idea... and then come the issues. If they're cool with mechs, they worry about REOs being able to handle ultra low builds and/or single 18650 issues (let's call them the hot-rodders). If they're enthusiasts (ie beyond cigalikes and do their own rebuilding), they worry about lack of regulation (let's call them the educated gentry). A whole third class goes out of their way for exotic-ness - check them out on fb, 'dyyyyying' for the latest short run european device and willing to trade the gotta-have-only-47-exist-in-the-world mod they picked up last month. Let's call them the vaping cogno scente... and then quickly discount them as a viable REO market.

So... of the two viable markets - hot-rodders and educated gentry, the former gets you street cred, the latter gets you broad penetration. The proposed hybrid above could address both. It would certainly stand out in the broader market.

I have... well... let's just say "quite a few" REOs. I believe I have an example of every model made (including an old woody mini). For better or worse, I'm prolly not going to buy another. I would, however, jump on the chance for this hybrid or even just a straight regulated version.

 

[Robinowitz]

2 seconds after I posted this, I see that Eric is working on something over in the What’s new thread (Reo Forum). Yay!

Well said @Papa_Lazarou. These are my sentiments exactly. So much so that I’m cutting and pasting it here.........

“I have... well... let's just say "quite a few" REOs. I believe I have an example of every model made (including an old woody mini). For better or worse, I'm prolly not going to buy another. I would, however, jump on the chance for this hybrid or even just a straight regulated version.”

Just bumping up some of these other thoughtful comments but @Sloth Tonight , @Vapefiend

Are any new mods feasible at this stage of your business plan @Eric Parlin? I’m a small business person so I know it takes $ and great ideas.