What's the (continuing) attraction of mechanical mods?

[AndriaD]

We can all agree that there are some poorly made authentic as well as some very well made clones.

With clones it's always a gamble... I have three that I bought from vape vendors on eBay. One is great, one is subpar, and the other is fine (not bad but not perfect). But I spent about $50 for all three and I think the gamble was worth it. With my income buying a metal tube with some threads,a spring, and some conductive elements is simply not worth $200... But I understand the appeal to some.

If clones were always garbage consumers would figure it out n stop buying. Then maybe authentics would be cheaper... But if they were cheap junk would they really continue to steal sales from authentics?

My major complaint about p'Varis (and most other "authentics") is and always will be, THEY COST TOO MUCH. Who cares how great they are, if you can't afford to actually buy one and find out for yourself. I accept that the clones I buy may have this or that problem, or may wear out years before a P'vari would... I can afford clones, and when they die, I can afford to replace them -- I can't afford a P'vari at all, and I'm not going to stop vaping for the 2 yrs it would take for me to save up for one -- in two years, they'll cost even more, technology will have moved on, hell, I might not even still be vaping. Or, in that 2 yrs' time, I may have used any number of affordable mods, found one I like above all others, and continued to refrain from smoking.

Maybe P'vari should start a layaway program.

Andria

PS: I do have some authentic mods, in fact all of them are authentic -- 3 itaste vv3s, a Sigelei zmax, and a Smoktech Galileo -- whose name may be borrowed from an italian mod, but as far as I can see, shares nothing else with that italian galileo except being versatile and telescopic. The factor that all these authentics have in common is that THEY'RE AFFORDABLE. For REGULAR people who don't have endless amounts of disposable income.

 

[Thrasher]

If clones were always garbage consumers would figure it out n stop buying. Then maybe authentics would be cheaper... But if they were cheap junk would they really continue to steal sales from authentics?

That's just it though, top shelf mods are always selling out and nothing will change that.

Go to vapist or vaperev, look at how many models stay sold out, watch how fast they go when they restock. Look at what they cost!!!
Most of these mod makers really don't care what you buy. When you can't keep stock in the shelf because demand is high there's no such thing as a lost sale...

Vaperev burns through K4 stock in like 3 days yet the clones are $150 less

 

[Asbestos4004]

My major complaint about p'Varis (and most other "authentics") is and always will be, THEY COST TOO MUCH. Who cares how great they are, if you can't afford to actually buy one and find out for yourself. I accept that the clones I buy may have this or that problem, or may wear out years before a P'vari would... I can afford clones, and when they die, I can afford to replace them -- I can't afford a P'vari at all, and I'm not going to stop vaping for the 2 yrs it would take for me to save up for one -- in two years, they'll cost even more, technology will have moved on, hell, I might not even still be vaping. Or, in that 2 yrs' time, I may have used any number of affordable mods, found one I like above all others, and continued to refrain from smoking.

Maybe P'vari should start a layaway program.

Andria

PS: I do have some authentic mods, in fact all of them are authentic -- 3 itaste vv3s, a Sigelei zmax, and a Smoktech Galileo -- whose name may be borrowed from an italian mod, but as far as I can see, shares nothing else with that italian galileo except being versatile and telescopic. The factor that all these authentics have in common is that THEY'RE AFFORDABLE. For REGULAR people who don't have endless amounts of disposable income.

Soooo....if you own a ProVari, you're not a REGULAR person and you have too much money? I own 4....I guess that makes me some kind of freak. But, I'm a freak who started a business and work about 80 hours a week to make sure it's successful. Nobody said everyone should buy a ProVari...everybody shouldn't. We were responding to someone trying to knock the quality of the device. I'd argue that any other mod on the market today that shares the same level of quality, reliability and customer service, is far more expensive than a ProVari. They're good for "REGULAR" people too...not just freaks like me.

 

[Baditude]

My major complaint about p'Varis (and most other "authentics") is and always will be, THEY COST TOO MUCH. Who cares how great they are, if you can't afford to actually buy one and find out for yourself. I accept that the clones I buy may have this or that problem, or may wear out years before a P'vari would... I can afford clones, and when they die, I can afford to replace them -- I can't afford a P'vari at all, and I'm not going to stop vaping for the 2 yrs it would take for me to save up for one -- in two years, they'll cost even more, technology will have moved on, hell, I might not even still be vaping. Or, in that 2 yrs' time, I may have used any number of affordable mods, found one I like above all others, and continued to refrain from smoking.

Maybe P'vari should start a layaway program.

Andria

PS: I do have some authentic mods, in fact all of them are authentic -- 3 itaste vv3s, a Sigelei zmax, and a Smoktech Galileo -- whose name may be borrowed from an italian mod, but as far as I can see, shares nothing else with that italian galileo except being versatile and telescopic. The factor that all these authentics have in common is that THEY'RE AFFORDABLE. For REGULAR people who don't have endless amounts of disposable income.

I'm so glad that I bought my Provari's when I could afford them. Without getting into all of the specifics and circumstances, I'm currently age 61, without ANY income, totally broke, and dependent upon my brother for shelter and food. So I do understand about regular people who don't have endless amounts of disposable income.

A person who smoked a pack a day likely spent at least $150 a month to sustain their habit. That's just a little less than a new Provari 2.5. If you could afford to smoke, you can afford a Provari.

 

[tj99959]

My major complaint about p'Varis (and most other "authentics") is and always will be, THEY COST TOO MUCH. Who cares how great they are, if you can't afford to actually buy one and find out for yourself. I accept that the clones I buy may have this or that problem, or may wear out years before a P'vari would... I can afford clones, and when they die, I can afford to replace them -- I can't afford a P'vari at all, and I'm not going to stop vaping for the 2 yrs it would take for me to save up for one -- in two years, they'll cost even more, technology will have moved on, hell, I might not even still be vaping. Or, in that 2 yrs' time, I may have used any number of affordable mods, found one I like above all others, and continued to refrain from smoking.

Maybe P'vari should start a layaway program.

Andria

PS: I do have some authentic mods, in fact all of them are authentic -- 3 itaste vv3s, a Sigelei zmax, and a Smoktech Galileo -- whose name may be borrowed from an italian mod, but as far as I can see, shares nothing else with that italian galileo except being versatile and telescopic. The factor that all these authentics have in common is that THEY'RE AFFORDABLE. For REGULAR people who don't have endless amounts of disposable income.

I just paid $110 for a new Provari (Gunmetal ZenKote), so with a premium paint job no less. Can't even get two cartons of cigarettes here for that.

ProVari Mini Gun Metal ZenKote Variable Voltage Electronic Cigarette

and it works just as good as well as my old one

 

[AndriaD]

I'm so glad that I bought my Provari's when I could afford them. Without getting into all of the specifics, I'm currently age 61, without ANY income, totally broke, and dependent upon my brother for shelter and food. So I do understand about regular people who don't have endless amounts of disposable income.

A person who smoked a pack a day likely spent at least $150 a month to sustain their habit. That's just a little less than a new Provari 2.5. If you could afford to smoke, you can afford a Provari.

I certainly cannot. I bought my smokes 2 pks at a time, because paying +$50 for a carton offended me -- but, I can afford up to $50 for a mod, because yes, that's about the same price as a carton of smokes. I didn't go without smoking just to save up to buy smokes!

Anything that costs $200... it will not be bought, or, if it's necessary, it will require a payment plan. Because there is NEVER $200 spare cash in this household. If i can buy something for only $50 to take the place of that $200 item, then that's what I'm going to buy.

Andria

PS: I recently found 100ml of shisha strawberry in the classies for $25... great deal, right? It STILL required a conference, a balance check, and a bit of thought, before I was cleared to pounce on that great deal -- whatever most people consider a "good price" for anything should be adjusted one decimal place over, for this household. We make less than $30k a year. We got the fed exemption on paying a penalty for having no insurance, because we literally cannot afford it.

 

[Baditude]

I certainly cannot. I bought my smokes 2 pks at a time, because paying +$50 for a carton offended me -- but, I can afford up to $50 for a mod, because yes, that's about the same price as a carton of smokes. I didn't go without smoking just to save up to buy smokes!

Anything that costs $200... it will not be bought, or, if it's necessary, it will require a payment plan. Because there is NEVER $200 spare cash in this household. If i can buy something for only $50 to take the place of that $200 item, then that's what I'm going to buy.

Andria

I understand about limited income families. I sympathize for you.

However, I'm pretty certain that you are using some type of vaping device at this time, so you're able to vape presently. Vaping is less costly than smoking, because your monthly recurring costs to vape should only be for replacing consumed e-liquids and possibly replacement coils if that is what you use.

Carefully setting aside the money you save by not smoking you should be able to save up for the more costly vape gear (like a Provari). One of the reasons I purchased a Provari was because (through research) I realized I wouldn't be spending money to replace/repair my mod like I did with some of the Chinese mods which stopped working or broke with normal use. Those can't be repaired. I've not had any issues with my Provari's in almost 3 years, and in the unlikely event that one should need repair, I know that I can get it repaired for far less than buying another cheap mod.

I won't be so arrogant to say my way of thinking is the only way. It just has worked out well for me. YMMV.

Peace to you.

 

[TheBloke]

Wow, this thread sure went in directions I never anticipated!

Surely the point is that why on earth would she spend $200 on a device when she can spend $50 on another device that does the job as well, or even nearly as well. That's true for most people, but it's absolutely essential when money is tight.

I paid £40 for my first mod (that's about $60), the iStick 50W. I might one day spend $200 on a mod, but it's sure as hell going to have to be a lot better than the device I spent $60 on. So far as I can see, the Provari is worse than the device I got in several ways. It doesn't have internal battery (yes that might be considered an advantage, too); maximum battery life will always be less; it only goes to 20W; the form factor is undesirable (for me; I like setting it down easily on a tabletop with atty still attached); it can only go down to 0.7 ohms.

Is the quality of the Pro Vari better? Maybe, I have no idea. But how important is that? My iStick 50W arrived in perfect condition. Had it not, I'd have returned it for a replacement - a delay of a few days, perhaps. Will it still work in a year? I'm pretty sure it will. Two years? probably, but will I even want to use the same device in two years?

Anyway my point is that this benefit of "quality" that is being thrown around is in fact entirely nebulous. Unless you're buying a mod as a piece of art, or as a fashion statement, the requirements (for most people) are pretty simple: does it have the required features; do those features work; how long will they continue to work for; is it an affordable and reasonable price.

I think it's clear to most people that the multitude of Chinese mods currently being released - authentics and clones - can and do meet all of those requirements, for far less money. There may be other reasons you'd prefer to buy from other places, particularly in the case of clones (supporting the original designer for moral reasons plus encouraging more innovation, etc), but I really don't think "quality" is a big factor in it.

Or, where it is, it's one entirely factored in to the cost. Yes spending $200 might give higher 'quality' (for some definition of that word) than spending $50, just like buying a $200k car is expected to give you a higher quality car than $50k or a $25k. That does not in any way mean that one has to spend the higher price to get what one needs.

 

[Shotglass]

Surely the point is that why on earth would ANYONE spend $200 on a device when they can spend $50 on another device that does the job as well, or even nearly as well......

fixed that for ya

IMO, the difference between originals and 1:1 clones are like the difference between clothing labels - you're paying the extra $$$$$$$$$$$$$ for the name

 

[Asbestos4004]

Wow, this thread sure went in directions I never anticipated!

Surely the point is that why on earth would she spend $200 on a device when she can spend $50 on another device that does the job as well, or even nearly as well. That's true for most people, but it's absolutely essential when money is tight.

I paid £40 for my first mod (that's about $60), the iStick 50W. I might one day spend $200 on a mod, but it's sure as hell going to have to be a lot better than the device I spent $60 on. So far as I can see, the Provari is worse than the device I got in several ways. It doesn't have internal battery (yes that might be considered an advantage, too); maximum battery life will always be less; it only goes to 20W; the form factor is undesirable (for me; I like setting it down easily on a tabletop with atty still attached); it can only go down to 0.7 ohms.

Is the quality of the Pro Vari better? Maybe, I have no idea. But how important is that? My iStick 50W arrived in perfect condition. Had it not, I'd have returned it for a replacement - a delay of a few days, perhaps. Will it still work in a year? I'm pretty sure it will. Two years? probably, but will I even want to use the same device in two years?

Anyway my point is that this benefit of "quality" that is being thrown around is in fact entirely nebulous. Unless you're buying a mod as a piece of art, or as a fashion statement, the requirements (for most people) are pretty simple: does it have the required features; do those features work; how long will they continue to work for; is it an affordable and reasonable price.

I think it's clear to most people that the multitude of Chinese mods currently being released - authentics and genuine - can and do meet all of those requirements, for far less money. There may be other reasons you'd prefer to buy from other places, particularly in the case of clones (supporting the original designer for moral reasons plus encouraging more innovation, etc), but I really don't think "quality" is a big factor in it.

Or, where it is, it's one entirely factored in to the cost. Yes spending $200 might give higher 'quality' (for some definition of that word) than spending $50, just like buying a $200k car is expected to give you a higher quality car than $50k or a $25k. That does not in any way mean that one has to spend the higher price to get what one needs.

I agree with almost everything you said. My point was never to recommend everyone buy a ProVari. I don't use mine at all anymore....They don't do what I need a mod to do anymore. I think one of the most rock solid vv/vw mods available today is the SX Mini. It's a Chinese mod that costs as much as a ProVari. Do I think ProVari missed the mark with their latest release? For my vaping style, they did. I just think it's funny that people want to knock what they do. ProVape builds an incredibly reliable, durable and serviceable mod. Their QC and customer service is second to none. I'm sure it fits the bill for most vapers just looking not to smoke....it certainly did for me. I don't see how it still gets the bad rap for being "too expensive". Look at Hana Mods, for example, and the return rate on those things....more expensive, less reliable. I like Hana Mods...but I have one with a crooked 510 that they didn't want to fix and I had a different one that the fire button pushed straight into the mod the first time I pushed it. They replaced that one.

I have nothing against any mods.....I just get aggravated when people want to knock a product that they know nothing about. Especially one thats made in America, by Americans and has a virtually spotless track record.

 

[Baditude]

Good points, TheBloke.

Everyone is free to put their money down for whatever they consider worthwhile. I still contend, for my purposes, that a Provari is entirely worth its weight in gold. It's more than just a "quality" issue.

Customer service: Try getting that $40 mod fixed should it fail in any way. If it came from China, it will have a very limited warranty (if any). It will not be repaired, as China manufacturers do not do repairs. Provape offers a free 1 year warranty, offers an extended year warranty for cost if desired, and will continue to support (repair) their product for very reasonable fees if needed for life.

China Manufacturer: We build cheap. You buy cheap. It break. You buy another.

Durability, reliability factor: Read any of the threads in my Why Provari? blog and see just how durable and reliable a Provari is. Most owners of a Provari feel their purchase was well worth the money, and were disappointed that they hadn't purchased one sooner.

A better vape?: Many owners insist their Provari offers a superior and smoother vaping experience. It is one of the few mods on the market whose PWM chip fires at 800 Hz, while most Chinese mods use a cheaper chip which fire at 33.3 Hz (the "rattlesnake effect"). Why Mods that Use the Cheap 33.3 Hz Chip don't Vape the Same as a Provari, DNA-20, etc

Options: More third party manufacturers offer customization parts for a Provari than any other mod ever made. Battery extension caps, beauty rings, wide base endcaps, protective leather sleeves, etc. Provape offers different color bodies, different body coatings, different color LED's, etc (how many mod manufacturers offer that?).

Not everyone will appreciate the above, but its nice to know they are options available.

 

[TheBloke]

fixed that for ya View attachment 425096

IMO, the difference between originals and 1:1 clones are like the difference between clothing labels - you're paying the extra $$$$$$$$$$$$$ for the name

To some extent, yeah. Certainly in terms of the product you take home. I have several clones (RBA/RTAs, and soon one mod - VF DNA 40) and they're all excellent, and for some of them I've watched video comparisons with the original and it's nearly impossible to tell the difference. For example, with my Magma clone, Suck My Mod could only tell the difference because on the clone, one of the deck posts was a fraction higher than the other. Generally he had to be sure to keep the parts on separate sides of his table so he could say which was which! And I've heard of plenty of people who use authentic parts interchangeably with clone parts, and vice versa.

But there is another side, the moral side. The original creator of the mod took the time to develop it, he/she did all the work and incurred all the costs in refining that design, they then took the risk in bringing that to market. The cloner waits to see if it's successful, incurring no risk, then buys one device and clones every detail. They can sell it for far less not only because they're using cheaper manufacturing (and in many cases, they're not - many genuine devices are manufactured in China), but because they incurred none of the design costs and none of the risk.

And most of those original designers are not huge companies like Armani, they're small companies, maybe just one guy. They have to charge a lot because they know they will only sell a few thousand units, and once you factor in all their time, and the costs of manufacturing small batches, and advertising and shipping and credit card processing/Paypal and all the rest, the cost per unit is huge.

So there is a moral factor involved as well. And a practical one - it could theoretically reach a point where the small guys just give up making originals, because they know it will be cloned so fast that they risk not being able to sell enough to make it worthwhile.

It's a tricky issue. I own several clones myself. I bought them because I could not afford the originals. I could have afforded different originals, ones that were cheaper, but I chose to buy a clone instead. Do I feel bad? A little. I know that as and when I do have more money, I'll be glad to buy originals to make up for it. But ultimately I just put it down to "hopefully it'll be OK: I can have my cheap device, and probably the original manufacturer is still making good money anyway."

So I totally support those who won't ever buy clones, but I also fully understand those who do. But I think anyone who does should understand there's more to it than just whether the device is an exact replica of the original.

Then there's a whole separate issue, the risk of purchasers being deceived, buying a clone that's not marked as such. Fortunately that seems to not be such a huge issue in the vaping world, at least that I've seen - every vendor I've looked at selling clones has labelled them as such (even on eBay, though I'm sure there's exceptions.) But it does make me uneasy when the cloners make them literally 1:1. I'd sleep a bit better if they left some indication it was a clone, and also left out the labelling/engraving that really takes the piss such as "Made in Germany/USA". It can still be labelled "Vapor Flask" or "Kayfun", just put a little "Made in China" or similar at the bottom so people can still have their 1:1 but no-one can be deceived.

 

[Asbestos4004]

Good points, TheBloke.

Everyone is free to put their money down for whatever they consider worthwhile. I still contend, for my purposes, that a Provari is entirely worth its weight in gold. It's more than just a "quality" issue.

Customer service: Try getting that $40 mod fixed should it fail in any way. If it came from China, it will have a very limited warranty (if any). It will not be repaired, as China manufacturers do not do repairs. Provape offers a free 1 year warranty, offers an extended year warranty for cost if desired, and will continue to support (repair) their product for very reasonable fees if needed for life.

Durability, reliability factor: Read any of the threads in my Why Provari? blog and see just how durable and reliable a Provari is. Most owners of a Provari feel their purchase was well worth the money, and were disappointed that they hadn't purchased one sooner.

A better vape?: Many owners insist their Provari offers a superior and smoother vaping experience. It is one of the few mods on the market whose PWM chip fires at 800 Hz, while most Chinese mods use a cheaper chip which fire at 33.3 Hz (the "rattlesnake effect"). Why Mods that Use the Cheap 33.3 Hz Chip don't Vape the Same as a Provari, DNA-20, etc

Options: More third party manufacturers offer customization parts for a Provari than any other mod ever made. Battery extension caps, beauty rings, wide base endcaps, protective leather sleeves, etc. Provape offers different color bodies, different body coatings, different color LED's, etc.

Not everyone will appreciate the above, but its nice to know they are options available.

Bad, I tear down buildings for a living....did I ever tell you about the time I was pulling a 5th floor window out to throw metal out of a building and my ProVari fell out of my shirt pocket? It fell over 50' onto an asphault parking lot. The Kayfun didn't survive.

 

[coolerat]

In the tool world this thread would have the names changed to Festool, Dewalt and Harbor Freight.

I use HF when it fits the need. Mostly I like Dewalt cause its right down the middle. Zero Festool for me.

I've used a ProVari. Very sweet little unit. Way over priced for what it is for my needs. But I see why others might like it. Kinda a down the road thing for some maybe. I would never tell somebody to start out with one unless I knew that person to be rolling in money. Talking a smoker into a 40 dollar iStick is work enough. Try to sell a 110$ starter plus battery good lord I'd have no takers. I've given away or talked people into about 10 iSticks at this point. Plus a bunch of knock off mods and spinners. But then I'm trying to save my little corner of the World. If I was just buying for myself I could have afforded several ProVari's.

With my personal goals of both staying off cigs and helping family and friends off/stay off I cannot lie, I thank China everyday. Every single day.

 

[AndriaD]

To some extent, yeah. Certainly in terms of the product you take home. I have several clones (RBA/RTAs, and soon one mod - VF DNA 40) and they're all excellent, and for some of them I've watched video comparisons with the original and it's nearly impossible to tell the difference. For example, with my Magma clone, Suck My Mod could only tell the difference because on the clone, one of the deck posts was a fraction higher than the other. Generally he had to be sure to keep the parts on separate sides of his table so he could say which was which! And I've heard of plenty of people who use authentic parts interchangeably with clone parts, and vice versa.

But there is another side, the moral side. The original creator of the mod took the time to develop it, he/she did all the work and incurred all the costs in refining that design, they then took the risk in bringing that to market. The cloner waits to see if it's successful, incurring no risk, then buys one device and clones every detail. They can sell it for far less not only because they're using cheaper manufacturing (and in many cases, they're not - many genuine devices are manufactured in China), but because they incurred none of the design costs and none of the risk.

And most of those original designers are not huge companies like Armani, they're small companies, maybe just one guy. They have to charge a lot because they know they will only sell a few thousand units, and once you factor in all their time, and the costs of manufacturing small batches, and advertising and shipping and credit card processing/Paypal and all the rest, the cost per unit is huge.

So there is a moral factor involved as well. And a practical one - it could theoretically reach a point where the small guys just give up making originals, because they know it will be cloned so fast that they risk not being able to sell enough to make it worthwhile.

It's a tricky issue. I own several clones myself. I bought them because I could not afford the originals. I could have afforded different originals, ones that were cheaper, but I chose to buy a clone instead. Do I feel bad? A little. I know that as and when I do have more money, I'll be glad to buy originals to make up for it. But ultimately I just put it down to "hopefully it'll be OK: I can have my cheap device, and probably the original manufacturer is still making good money anyway."

So I totally support those who won't ever buy clones, but I also fully understand those who do. But I think anyone who does should understand there's more to it than just whether the device is an exact replica of the original.

Then there's a whole separate issue, the risk of purchasers being deceived, buying a clone that's not marked as such. Fortunately that seems to not be such a huge issue in the vaping world, at least that I've seen - every vendor I've looked at selling clones has labelled them as such (even on eBay, though I'm sure there's exceptions.) But it does make me uneasy when the cloners make them literally 1:1. I'd sleep a bit better if they left some indication it was a clone, and also left out the labelling/engraving that really takes the piss such as "Made in Germany/USA". It can still be labelled "Vapor Flask" or "Kayfun", just put a little "Made in China" or similar at the bottom so people can still have their 1:1 but no-one can be deceived.

That's just one reason why I prefer my Tobeco kayfuns over my EHPro -- the tobeco has none of that "made in Germany" crap, but the EHpro does -- it even has the Svoemesto logo! -- even though it's patently false. Also the fact that I can extend the 510 screw on the tobecos, without loosening the mounting block -- try that with an ehpro, and watch the resistance go all over the place, with that wiggling coil! Which seems to mean that the tobeco is NOT a 1:1 clone, since I think the authentic kayfuns also have that limitation about not loosening the 510 screw to extend it.

When I bought my Fallen Angel, I watched several videos beforehand on both that mod, by ehpro, and the Electric Angel it's based on -- most agree that the Fallen Angel is actually better-made than the Electric Angel. Which kinda bugged me, since I was taken by the name "Electric Angel," it hearkens to a really excellent series of books I've read about "blue electric angels." But given that the clone (which is actually a clone of a clone, the Electric Angel is a clone of a GG mod) is both less costly and higher-quality, it seemed stupid to pay $90-$100 for something when I could get a better version of it for $40.

Not going to argue the P'vari anymore. I can't afford it, both because it's too costly, and we make too little, and it doesn't even do what I need a mod to do -- adjust the wattage. For adjusting just the voltage, there's always my ARO Winder. And don't gimme that crap about how the NEW P'varis adjust wattage -- they cost even more! I DON'T CARE how high its quality is, the simple fact is I CAN'T AFFORD IT; the quality is a moot point when the price is beyond your ability to pay. It's like saying a BMW is better than a Chevy -- probably true, but I can't afford a BMW -- I CAN afford a chevy! Which gets me where I need to go -- just like my $40 mods.

Andria

 

[Asbestos4004]

The clones available today are far better than they were a year and a half ago. Clones actually were crap back then and they deserved all of the ridicule that they received. Today, they're different....as Bloke said, it's more of a moral issue. Here's an example....I bought an authentic Origin V2 Genesis. It was $175, which if you ask me, is ridiculous for an atomizer....ANY atomizer. But, Norbert created something that, to me, performs flawlessly. It's a treat to use. Is it to quit smoking? No. I managed to do that with Vivi Novas and Carto tanks. I enjoy vaping....I like the gear, the tinkering, the flavors...mixing my own juice....it's all very therapeutic. It's a hobby. I bought an Origin V2 clone for $20 because the authentic top cap is a bear to get off and it can go through o rings. I figured $20 for a few spare parts is a good deal. The clone is very hard to differentiate from the authentic. Almost impossible. All parts are interchangeable. $145 for a Marquis was pretty steep too...but it was an innovative design made by some guys who've done a ton for this community. I don't mind supporting the authentic makers when I can and I don't regret buying authentics that are truly innovative. Now, if Cisco makes a Marquis V2 and the only difference is a drip tip or a different post screw, I'll get the clone. The Tugboat was one that I got the clone first...I liked it so much, I got the authentic. There's some things I only have a clone of....some only authentic. The clones today are pretty impressive, but as time goes on, I know pretty much what I want and don't feel like I need 1 of everything anymore. It makes it easier to save up for a piece of gear that I want.

 

[EdT586]

I work for a manufacturing giant, and ProVape's QC is very similar to ours. Products are checked at every step and hand they go through. We pride ourselves on out DPPM...

If you think $149.95 for a mod is so expensive, there's nothing further to say. We live in completely different worlds...

Having multi-level inspection is not an Quality conscience work environment, it is a thing of the past, adds cost and non-conducive ...it is like lets say early 1950's post war America and the Small 3's mentality !
All it means is that the workers don't care about quality and that someone else down the line will hopefully catch it.

 

[Asbestos4004]

Prediction: There will never be an EdT586 clone.

 

[EdT586]

I just paid $110 for a new Provari (Gunmetal ZenKote), so with a premium paint job no less. Can't even get two cartons of cigarettes here for that.

ProVari Mini Gun Metal ZenKote Variable Voltage Electronic Cigarette

and it works just as good as well as my old one

The last time I checked they were $209USD on special down from $269.95 for the P3, only the P2.5 Mini is on special for $110, but they normally go for $159.95. Mostly likely these models are not moving and they have too much inventory.

 

[vapero]

Good points, TheBloke.

Everyone is free to put their money down for whatever they consider worthwhile. I still contend, for my purposes, that a Provari is entirely worth its weight in gold. It's more than just a "quality" issue.

Customer service: Try getting that $40 mod fixed should it fail in any way. If it came from China, it will have a very limited warranty (if any). It will not be repaired, as China manufacturers do not do repairs. Provape offers a free 1 year warranty, offers an extended year warranty for cost if desired, and will continue to support (repair) their product for very reasonable fees if needed for life.....

every issue that I've had buying from china fasttech has ALWAYS changed it, I don't have any complains even a 2 dollar drip tip was changed!