What is your opinion of the new batteries

[Defiantgroundhog]

Well I think I fixed the issue with my new batt. I have a black one that had a good switch but was still really airy. The other one has a bad switch so will be getting a replacement. Anyway back to my personal fix.

I've always done a mouth draw even when smoking cigarettes. One one hand this was great because I was able to pick up my PV and vape right away with no issues. The new batteries though the mouth draw was NOT working. So.... I tried to do the straight into lungs thing. It felt very strange and awkward to me but after several minutes I got it. This made a HUGE difference in how my new batt. performed. Drawing on the PV this way still feels weird to me but I'm sure after some more time passes it'll be second nature. I'm soooo glad I was able to adjust to the new batts!! They are really great!! Getting lots of vapor and taste and fullness and well awesomeness.

 

[pggylb]

I do the mouth draw. Been *mouth drawing* since I started smoking when I was 15. I'll try it your way when I'm ready for that batt again.

How can I tell if I have a bad switch?

 

[Defiantgroundhog]

Yeah I guess I didn't realize some people inhale straight into their lungs. I always just pulled the smoke into my mouth then inhaled. It's almost a night and day difference with the new batts.
I can tell my switch is bad by the fact it just doesn't want to turn on. If I suck really really hard it'll come on sometimes. When it does it doesn't want to stay on.

 

[pggylb]

Yeah I guess I didn't realize some people inhale straight into their lungs. I always just pulled the smoke into my mouth then inhaled. It's almost a night and day difference with the new batts.
I can tell my switch is bad by the fact it just doesn't want to turn on. If I suck really really hard it'll come on sometimes. When it does it doesn't want to stay on.

That sounds like the issue I'm having, kinda. The led is intermittent withthe holes open. I have to really draw on it to make it stay on. But, with the holes blocked, the led will stay on during the entire draw. And that's where it gets confusing. Is the batt defective or am I defective?

 

[JLeigh]

Funny how these new battery's work best, draw harder, more laike a cigarette, and they work perfect. my gut say's, you have a bad switch on yours, and you would love it with a good switch, and a hearty draw

You are very lucky for our V4L warrantee, cause, it is the BEST in the world

V4L will male ya smile

Steve

Oh, I didn't order yet, Steve. I want to, though, because I'd really like a purple auto. I just don't know if the purple autos all have the newer airflow design.

 

[SubOnAux24]

I am so glad a found this thread that proves me not to be crazy. Also those who have had excellent customer satisfaction should be considered lucky.
Below is an email i sent them regarding my disappointment.

"Ordered a Passthru last week, came as a new style. Do you have any old style passthru's still in stock. This new one just isn't doing it for me. Holes seem bigger and carts barely screw on to make proper suction.(threadings too short) The sucking air is worse than ever. My old style passthru is a champ and has none of these issues. What a redesign shame. This $20 new style PT is basically unusable and most likely headed for the the trash. Sorry, i am not mad, just very disappointed hoping for the same product."
Sincerely,

And a real live response smoother, wow, what a response.

"I'm sorry, due to how easily people were breaking the old model passthru, we discontinued that style. We now only carry this new model. It's a lot sturdier."

HMMM, not sure if i understand this correctly....one works but people are breaking them..versus...one is ALOT sturdier but don't work.
I still didn't break mine, am i "PEOPLE"
They have some screwed up R&D over there. I agree with the testing them first before it goes out to the public like someone else mentioned.

Sorry just ranting and raving, makes me feel better than paying a shrink !

P.S. The vapor on my pic to the left is old style PT. Still can never get half that on the new style.

 

[sleepy jean]

So glad I found this thread, I'v had some battery issues to, in fact I have 2 sitting on the sink ready to be sent back, Steve's been great about sending replacements and I just got the 2 new one's sat ( thanks Steve ), I'm going to try the condom trick on one I was going to send back just to see if it works. Sorry your having trouble Sub, I'v been buying fome V4L sence Oct 2009 and hve never had a problem with e-mails or talking with Steve or Mark on the phone yet, they always take care of the matter with the next order.

 

[DrkLashes]

I really hope as not to offend anyone (that is not something I would EVER want to do!!! please believe that!) But this thread (on top of a situation with my last order) is starting to make me a little nervous now in placing further orders....

If there was an awareness of the batteries being made incorrectly- why are they still being sold to the public? Especially at full price with no notation making people aware of the downfall in the battery? (though I believe my issue it different - I have a manual and I think it has other issues) I'm glad I didn't get the auto yet (I almost did before I started reading this!) - I wouldn't want to pay for something I have to rig to make work correctly...

This really saddens me even though I'm new to using v4l's products because the battery I have that DOES work and some other products I tried, I absolutely LOVE! But I really don't want to have to keep shipping stuff back for defects or mistakes on orders- especially if the return shipping is at my expense... This leave me so torn- because like I said some of the good stuff I'm really adoring here!

 

[Adrenalynn]

If you're using the manual - there is no issue.

For the Auto - there's nothing inherently "wrong" with the new design, it simply isn't some people's cup-o'-tea. I use the free-breathing auto and prefer it myself. But some people find it hard to make that fit their "style".

Some people may also just be better suited to coming back to the e-cig industry in a year or two when it's more ready for prime-time. Not everyone is suited to early entry into an entirely new paradigm.

 

[TheBlueAdept]

In any new technology, there are going to be bumps on the road... V4L could just stock the same old stuff everyone carries, but they are going out of their way to design the best experience possible! This is one of the things that drew me to become a customer.

In any product design scenario, you're never going to make everyone happy; an unfortunate reality but there it is nonetheless!

I agree it is very frustrating to have products that you have to modify to have them work acceptably; please note though that V4L reps have already posted on the thread that they will take care of us! While the response they gave you wasn't the one you were hoping for, it seemed professional and honest to me.

(And I truly despise these batteries, but am not slamming V4L for that; I know that if I ask on my next order, they'll take care of it!)

 

[DrkLashes]

(And I truly despise these batteries, but am not slamming V4L for that; I know that if I ask on my next order, they'll take care of it!)

I wasn't trying to slam v4l.... I really hope no one took as that!

 

[Adrenalynn]

I didn't Drk, and I wasn't trying to slam you nor anyone else back. I was just making the 30,000ft observation of where I see the industry today, and how it's not ready yet for everyone.

 

[DrkLashes]

Oh I didn't think anyone was Adrenalynn- it was just important to me that everyone knew that! I'm the easy-going, love everyone, hippy kinda type- so I just wanted to get that out there.

 

[TheBlueAdept]

I wasn't trying to slam v4l.... I really hope no one took as that!

Yeah, sorry, I was thinking about that later and meant to edit; you did preface your statement carefully... I was kinda subconsciously responding more in general to those who were less understanding I guess.

Sorry

 

[pggylb]

I have asked for a replacement for the same size battery but in the manual. In all honesty, I don't think it's the battery itself, I am now beginning to believe it is me not knowing how to adjust to it. Any ranting I did on this thread I will blame on the nic. I recently decreased from 11 to 8 and may find myself going back to the 11.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

[DrkLashes]

No apologies needed Blue- it's all good!

Besides, since they threw in that darned pomegranate carto sample in there and I vaped it dry, I've been having withdraw symptoms. I mean I'm concerned like I said, yes- but not at the point where I think I could stay away too long yet!

 

[Adrenalynn]

Pggy - I think the products (from all makers) are far from ideal. It's not "just you". QC is inconsistent, designs are questionable, and some things are down right silly.

V4L is trying to address that by having moved an American rep to China to get on top of it, but it all takes time, and in the meantime, they have to sell "the cars on the lot" or they won't survive long enough to make the necessary improvements.

That's the conundrum. Early adopters have seen this all before and are prepared for the pain and sometimes frustration. The typical consumer isn't. So I'm certainly not looking to slight, offend, or accuse anything of being "your problem/fault/etc." There's going to be a lot of growth over the next year or two, I'm certain. And companies are going to go away and still others will spring up and it's will all be a bunch of turmoil. For me (a typical early adopter anyway), it's easily worth it all for having "accidentally" quit smoking.

I was really "vape-curious", didn't seriously intend to quit smoking. I opened the first package and kinda forgot to light another cigarette - for three plus months.

 

[TheBlueAdept]

Besides, since they threw in that darned pomegranate carto sample in there and I vaped it dry

I hear you on that! Every order I get from V4L is REALLY like Christmas, cause there's always something unexpected (and awesome) in there!

 

[pggylb]

I am not experienced enough to say where the fault is exactly and I know you weren't saying it me. I haven't taken anything to offense. I just don't know enough to become offended by those who are more knowledgeable.

I am blessed to have found this board and to be surrounded by those who can help me in any way possible.

And I thank V4L for their continued research and development to take something that started out generic and make it something that is superior to other e-cigs. I'm also very impressed and appreciative of the owners of V4L for openly communicating with their customers on a public forum. It is this alone that really speaks volume about this company. So, thank you Steve, Mark, Leaford, and Valerie.

i just lost my train of thought and what it was I wanted to say. In a nutshell, thank you. Thank you Adrenalyn and everyone else who chimed in with their knowledge and wisdom and for sharing what you have learned in an effort to educate us 'noobs' so that we can understand too.

Pggy - I think the products (from all makers) are far from ideal. It's not "just you". QC is inconsistent, designs are questionable, and some things are down right silly.

V4L is trying to address that by having moved an American rep to China to get on top of it, but it all takes time, and in the meantime, they have to sell "the cars on the lot" or they won't survive long enough to make the necessary improvements.

That's the conundrum. Early adopters have seen this all before and are prepared for the pain and sometimes frustration. The typical consumer isn't. So I'm certainly not looking to slight, offend, or accuse anything of being "your problem/fault/etc." There's going to be a lot of growth over the next year or two, I'm certain. And companies are going to go away and still others will spring up and it's will all be a bunch of turmoil. For me (a typical early adopter anyway), it's easily worth it all for having "accidentally" quit smoking.

I was really "vape-curious", didn't seriously intend to quit smoking. I opened the first package and kinda forgot to light another cigarette - for three plus months.

 

[lonercom]

Early adopters have seen this all before and are prepared for the pain and sometimes frustration.

Microsoft user here. Well acquainted with pain and frustration.