VV all the way

[jpisarra]

Always make me a bit confusion to change from 3.7 to 5v (or even worse, 6v or 7.2) strait away so I think vv's are no doubt the future of ecigs.

Now I understand the Darwin is the best one over there but a bit pricey.

What are other available modular (or not!) options that can range from 3.5 to 5v? Not interested in more than 5 as it is too hot for juices and even 5 (or 4.2/4.5/4.7) for me is only to enhance the flavour.

So far I have in mind the Infinity pro from notcigs as the buzz is too big in my eyes.

 

[MustangSallie]

Volcanoe E-Cigs is going to start marketing a vv called the Lavatube for under $100. As far as I can tell though, it will be the same size as the Buzz Pro. However for the price you might be enticed to go bigger. I think you found the smallest vv tube mod currently available. Well, almost currently available. I don't think the Infinities are being sold quite yet.

I went through the same process as you recently and finally settled on the ProVari, which is about the same size around as the BuzzPro. It didn't fit my size criteria, and I was very leery of it until I received it. It only took me a day or so to get used to the size and the weight of it and I have very small hands.

There are other vv's available that are not tubular and are very small. Not sure what kind of battery life they have though.

 

[jpisarra]

Indeed Infinity only available next month (oct 3rd).
Lavatube will be cheap, let's wait for some reviews.

 

[MickeyRat]

One thing to consider that doesn't get enough play I think is the amps the mod can handle. From what I can tell, the lavatube will be limited to 2.5 amps. That means that the max voltage you can use with a 1.5 ohm dual coil is 3.75 volts. Believe it or not, the Provari has the same limitation. If you don't intend to use dual coils, that shouldn't be a problem but, you need to be aware of it.

On a slightly different note, the darwin works by varying voltage but, you set the watts. This means it will adjust the voltage to changing conditions.

 

[MustangSallie]

Agreed on the lavatube. Likely I would only buy it as a backup vv in case my others all died at the same time. Soon I will have at least three vv mods, so I don't see that happening. Now that I have used a vv though, I've found it impossible to go back to fixed voltage, so maybe a less expensive tube mod backup isn't such a bad idea.

 

[MustangSallie]

One thing to consider that doesn't get enough play I think is the amps the mod can handle. From what I can tell, the lavatube will be limited to 2.5 amps. That means that the max voltage you can use with a 1.5 ohm dual coil is 3.75 volts. Believe it or not, the Provari has the same limitation. If you don't intend to use dual coils, that shouldn't be a problem but, you need to be aware of it.

On a slightly different note, the darwin works by varying voltage but, you set the watts. This means it will adjust the voltage to changing conditions.

You can buy 2.0 or 2.5 ohm dual coils, so if dual coils are really your thing there is no limitation.

 

[markfm]

Buzz pro isn't too huge, a really nice vv pv. I also have an original infinity, like it a lot, slimmer but longer than the buzz.

I prefer the bp for general shirt pocket carrying since its center of mass is lower, less likely to fall out if I bend over. The infinity is a more elegant looking pv, due to its slimmer profile.

The positive off on the new pros is nice to have

 

[MickeyRat]

You can buy 2.0 or 2.5 ohm dual coils, so if dual coils are really your thing there is no limitation.

Maybe it's just me but, for the price of a provari, I feel it should take whatever I want to put on there. Provape really needs to address this one IMO. Probably the most common DC out there is a 1.6 V. The limitation for that at 2.5 amps is 4V. The most popular voltage for VV users is around 4.5V. As I said, I have seen posts from people that put down the provari in favor of the madvapes plastic VV to get to that voltage with their dual coils.

 

[MustangSallie]

The only thing to keep in mind is that making blanket statements that ProVari can't handle any DC is misleading. You do have a point that other vv's can handle any DC including the 1.5 and the ProVari can only use it up to a certain voltage. That goes for any lr atty or carto as well. If you're not willing to use a higher resistance for whatever reason than you are limited in how high you can push the voltage on the ProVari. Don't misunderstand me, just because I have a ProVari doesn't mean that I am a rabid fan and all other vv mods will never measure up. That just isn't the case at all, and I am sure in time I will probably own many different ones. I just think that the world of vv and mods and amps and watts and ohms is confusing enough (at least for me) without knowing the complete facts. What you said was correct, just not complete.

 

[Killjoy1]

You can buy 2.0 or 2.5 ohm dual coils, so if dual coils are really your thing there is no limitation.

Madvapes has some 3.0 ohm ones, now. I've got some on the way


To the OP: There are a lot of good VV devices available. Darwin, Provari and Buzz are probably the cream of the crop. I was recently considering getting one of the VV models from VaprLife (Pearl and Turbo are pretty small for VV tube mods and according to their specs are limited to 3 amps instead of 2.5) but didn't want to deal with the screwdriver adjustment. If it were available already, I would have gotten an Infinity, but instead I wound up shelling out for a Provari. I already own a Darwin and absolutely love it, I don't regret that purchase at all and I think I'll be equally satisfied with my Provari when it arrives

My advice is to not focus on price, look at the device and the features and make your decision based on that. Even the most expensive devices are the equivalent of only a few cartons of smokes and you'll have no problem getting your money's worth out of them. It is well worth taking the time to save up for the device you want, regardless of price

 

[XKingXGregX]

buzz pro, its like the size of a roll of nickles.... isnt big at all and i dont think the infinity pro is out yet

 

[Chinner]

If you want to go cheap, I'd suggest a simple VV box mod from madvapes or something similar. I would have to say I you want to go big, go Darwin. It is amazingly user friendly, amazing battery, most advanced technology, and the warranty is unmatched. if you're a dedicated tank user, it may bother you that it isn't round, other then that it's a total win in my books!

Good luck!

 

[Nomoreash]

Maybe it's just me but, for the price of a provari, I feel it should take whatever I want to put on there. Provape really needs to address this one IMO. Probably the most common DC out there is a 1.6 V. The limitation for that at 2.5 amps is 4V. The most popular voltage for VV users is around 4.5V. As I said, I have seen posts from people that put down the provari in favor of the madvapes plastic VV to get to that voltage with their dual coils.

That's an inherent result of only using one battery and a booster circuit and really not something they could address without changing the battery configuration. As efficient as that regulator is you can't get blood from a turnip which is the reason your madvapes example and others that use two batteries and a step down rather than a step up converter are able to handle more amperage. That's one reason I prefer a 2 battery mod but others don't like stacking batteries. I think most would prefer the Provari the way it is.

 

[MustangSallie]

Are there issues with stacking batteries?

 

[MickeyRat]

Are there issues with stacking batteries?

Well yes and no. Physically it is possible. You do it in the buzz. I have seen some opinions that say it's not a good idea from a safety standpoint but, that was mostly in unprotected situations...I think.

The thing is though from my reading in the modding forums, you can go one of two ways for VV. You can take a lower voltage and boost it to a higher voltage or you can take a higher voltage and reduce it to a lower voltage. You can't do both. So, to go to stacked batteries in the provari, you'd need to redesign a lot of it.

 

[wv2win]

I think the Darwin is the most technologly advanced model in the VV line. There are no limitations and many advantages.

If cost is an issue then neither the Darwin or Provari are an option. You might also look at one of Ken's VV box mods. Ken has a great reputation and stands behind his products:

Ken's Box Mods

 

[jpisarra]

Thanks all, big extra info I got here.
Didn't know that there were so many vv available in so different prices - from $35 to $235!

And yes for me running a 1.5 dual coil (xxl or xxxl) at 4.2/4.5 is a must (and beeing able to also run it in my ego vv) , I love this carto!

 

[Zagreb]

can't wait to put my hands on a lavatube

 

[Dalton63841]

There is one limitation off the top of my head... The elbow makes it impossible to use a tank on it, without taking the tank off EVERY time you close it. Sounds insignificant, but that would annoy me VERY quickly. Not to mention that while I don't know of any reports of it happening, basic physics tells me that elbow is a major fail point.

I'm not a fanboi. I recognize the faults of even the Provari. Do I wish it had a higher amp limit? Sure, but it would require a serious advancement in battery technology, and the subsequent advancements in the booster chips. In any case I don't use dual coils anyway. IMO, they are an unnecessary power drain, since I can get just as good a hit or better with a plain Joye atomizer. I also wish the Provari had a functional drip cup, that would feed the joose back into the atomizer. I'm sure it will come in time.

Ultimately everyones tastes are different, and while the Provari was the best choice for me, it might be a total waste of time for someone else. Basically, when choosing between mods, find out what their strong points and weaknesses are, and use that to figure out which one is most suited to your lifestyle.

I think the Darwin is the most technologly advanced model in the VV line. There are no limitations and many advantages.

 

[wv2win]

There is one limitation off the top of my head... The elbow makes it impossible to use a tank on it, without taking the tank off EVERY time you close it. Sounds insignificant, but that would annoy me VERY quickly. Not to mention that while I don't know of any reports of it happening, basic physics tells me that elbow is a major fail point.

I'm not a fanboi. I recognize the faults of even the Provari. Do I wish it had a higher amp limit? Sure, but it would require a serious advancement in battery technology, and the subsequent advancements in the booster chips. In any case I don't use dual coils anyway. IMO, they are an unnecessary power drain, since I can get just as good a hit or better with a plain Joye atomizer. I also wish the Provari had a functional drip cup, that would feed the joose back into the atomizer. I'm sure it will come in time.

Ultimately everyones tastes are different, and while the Provari was the best choice for me, it might be a total waste of time for someone else. Basically, when choosing between mods, find out what their strong points and weaknesses are, and use that to figure out which one is most suited to your lifestyle.

I've dropped my Darwin multiple times on concrete, right on the arm and never an issue. In fact, of the few problems they did discover and correct with the first batch produced, the arm has never been an issue. It is rock solid.

Plus the Darwin has a complete 2 year, unlimited warranty at no extra charge. I don't think there is anything to worry about.