Which box mod is right for me?

[Chesh97]

Currently using istick w/ nautilus mini. Just placed an order for a Lemo, Kanthal, Ohms meter etc.. and am diving in. I want a box mod that I can consider one and done.... I don't want to have to keep buying more stuff. Starting out, this is more expensive than smoking lol

Things I want...

-VV/VW
-Enough Power capability.. is 40 sufficient (even if in the future I want to go sub ohm or branch out into drippers)
-Good battery Life
-Replaceable battery
-USB Charging capability

I am eyeing the Vaporshark rDNA (once they actually start shipping them again) Is this a good route to go down? I can wait, i'm in no rush. I plan to use the Lemo on the istick while learning to build coils, so starting out, i hope to be 1.3 - 1.8ohm range anyway. Something the istick should power just fine.

 

[alicewonderland]

i have been doing 0.5 builds on my solara dna 30 and find it sufficient, so 40watts is plenty for me. The only downside of my solara dna30 is i have to send it in for battery replacements once it drains out, and dna30's dont have reverse polarity protection even if i could get into my mod to replace it i just dont like that it doesnt have reverse polarity protection. I would go with a DNA40 if I were you, I ordered myself a vaporshark rDNA40 as well but still waiting fo rmine to be shipped so I cant personally reccommend it yet, but from what I've read its pretty good.

FYI, you can also buy an RDA for your istick, I build coils on my friends istick and his mutation x rda all the time. much easier to practice on an RDA imo rather than a rta. i regularly build coils I run at 20watts on my dna30, so im guessing an istick should be fine to use RDA's on as long as you make sure the coils are within the range you can run on it. Probably start with a cheap quality RDA like the Mutation X, ~20$ is what I started with and i still use it event hough i have more RDA's now.

When i started I bought 4 kinds of gauge wire, and found that the higher gauge wire is easier to get to 1.0-2.0ohm range easily. I also found that the lower gauge you go though, it gets easier to wrap coils because of the thickness of the wire and less springiness of thinner wire. So if you havent ordered different gauges yet id suggest you do. Starting to build with just 28-30gauge in hand can be quite irritating due to the springiness.

 

[Trailz]

Since you're considering the rDNA, take a look at the Yihi SX Mini.

 

[dashreeve]

I'm pretty much at that same point Chesh, ordered my stuff to build the coils and a Kanger subtank and a Lemo. Of course I wanted an rDNA 40 or an SX mini but they were a bit out of my price range, so I ordered the IPV mini. I was also considering the xPro M50 but it's not out yet. Was wanting to wait until I saw some reviews (think it is out in January). Another box I considered was the DT-50, but IPV mini I got for $50, was pretty much my max right now. If money wasn't an issue, I'd probably get the rDNA 40 or sxmini.

 

[dravell]

I chose the SX Mini over any of the DNA40s, its beautiful, 60w, has power-curve settings, 5 slot preset, has bypass so can be used like a mech with protection up to 85w, and built amazing. Unless you really want temperature control the SX Mini is probably the best device on the market (IMO), and priced pretty cheap in comparison.The ZNA is almost 300 (and SXMini blows it away), Vaporflask 40s are like 300, Hana 40s are 260, rDNA 40s are 190 and made out of plastic. The SX Mini is 189 and all aluminum and SS.
I cant think of even one reason to recommend a rDNA40 over the SX Mini unless you wanted Temp control though. Both the same price, so if TC is your thing, get the rDNA, if its not, get the SX.

Just my two cents though! Check out the SX Mini thread here if you havent yet.

 

[novamatt]

Since you're considering the rDNA, take a look at the Yihi SX Mini.

I'm with these guys. If you're looking for a "one and done" and you're in the price range, I highly recommend the SX mini. It took over for my previous "one and done," a Provari, when I decided it was time for more power. I don't see myself buying another mod until the next time there's a serious step forward in tech like we just had with high wattage devices.

There's a good long thread on it here (55 pages and growing). Check it out.

 

[Chesh97]

I've been doing a lot of reading on the sx mini thread. It appears there have been a few members that have been having some problems with them. Is this just a first production thing that has been taken care of, or are there still problems. I'd hate to spend $200 on a unit and have it go .... up with no warranty.

So as it stands.... it looks like my best choices are
-Vaporshark rDNA
-Yihi SX mini
-Hana Mod 40

 

[DRLyman]

rDNA 40s are 190 and made out of plastic.

They are not made of plastic.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

[Cotay]

They are not made of plastic.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

Yeah...that's way wrong; the rDNA40 is made out of cast zinc-aluminum alloy and comes with an LG 18650 cell for the same prices as the SXMini (which does not come with a battery cell as far as I know). Personally, if I could own only one it would be the rDNA40 since I rarely vape over 30 watts and if you have issues it is easier to deal with an American company (assuming you are in the US of course). That said, I'm also eyeballing an SXMini since it is also a fine device and would be an equally good choice.

 

[peraspera]

I own an rDNA40 as well as SX350 mods which use a chip very similar to the one used in the SX Mini. I'm extremely pleased with both the Yihi SX350 chip as well as the DNA 40.

I had my eye on the SX Mini but after using my rDNA40's temperature protection I ordered a second rDNA40. I can't recall the last time I had a dry hit but the control that temperature protection has given me over balancing flavor with vapor production became instantly so important to me that I doubt I would consider another mod without it.

As well as offering temperature protection the rDNA40 is smaller and a bit lighter than the SX Mini. However, the SX Mini is more attractive and offers an extra 20 watts of power. Without knowing someone's personal vaping preferences I would guess that it is fairly reasonable to assume that more people would find the temperature protection useful than the extra power.

The rDNA40 will allow you use Ni200 builds that are temperature protected as well as Kanthal builds that have no temperature protection. The majority of people are quite content with RDAs running at less than 40 watts. Currently available tanks don't seem to vape at all well over 40 watts so even if you turn out to be a power junkie you can use the rDNA40 for on the go and get a higher powered mod for use at home with your drippers.

People are generally pleased with both the rDNA40 and the SX Mini so I don't think you would regret purchasing either. However, I think the rDNA40 offers more versatility for experimentation for someone who is still exploring vaping options.

 

[dravell]

Yeah...that's way wrong; the rDNA40 is made out of cast zinc-aluminum alloy and comes with an LG 18650 cell for the same prices as the SXMini (which does not come with a battery cell as far as I know). Personally, if I could own only one it would be the rDNA40 since I rarely vape over 30 watts and if you have issues it is easier to deal with an American company (assuming you are in the US of course). That said, I'm also eyeballing an SXMini since it is also a fine device and would be an equally good choice.

Thats actually funny, this whole time I swear to god I thought my VS (its just a regular VS30) was plastic lol.

I've been doing a lot of reading on the sx mini thread. It appears there have been a few members that have been having some problems with them. Is this just a first production thing that has been taken care of, or are there still problems. I'd hate to spend $200 on a unit and have it go .... up with no warranty.

The only issues were firmware lockups on a couple, all of which were a known first batch issue that was resolved, all the people with the issue had their units replaced with new ones very quickly.
It also has a one year warranty.

 

[peraspera]

...
It also has a one year warranty.

It would probably be a good idea not to get too excited about the 1 year warranty unless and until we get some details directly from YiHi on how warranty issues will be handled and what is covered as well as what is excluded. Also, I'm not aware that Yihi has any physical presence outside China.

 

[Cotay]

It would probably be a good idea not to get too excited about the 1 year warranty unless and until we get some details directly from YiHi on how warranty issues will be handled and what is covered as well as what is excluded. Also, I'm not aware that Yihi has any physical presence outside China.

The warranty issue was the only thing holding me back from ordering the SXMini....but I went ahead and ordered one today. Now I'm waiting on the rDNA40 (Cyber Monday purchase), SXMini, Smok Xpro M50 and Cloupor Mini...a nice problem to have. I am seriously also considering an SVD 2.0 (the size doesn't bother me and I like the idea of an inexpensive Evolv device with step down) and a new Smok Guardian ePipe II. It is a good time to be a new full-time vaper and have come down with a case of Gear Acquisition Syndrome.

 

[dashreeve]

The warranty issue was the only thing holding me back from ordering the SXMini....but I went ahead and ordered one today. Now I'm waiting on the rDNA40 (Cyber Monday purchase), SXMini, Smok Xpro M50 and Cloupor Mini...a nice problem to have. I am seriously also considering an SVD 2.0 (the size doesn't bother me and I like the idea of an inexpensive Evolv device with step down) and a new Smok Guardian ePipe II. It is a good time to be a new full-time vaper and have come down with a case of Gear Acquisition Syndrome.

Pretty much the 4 mods I want!! Nice!

 

[Trailz]

Just curious, what about the SX Mini warranty was holding you back?

 

[Chesh97]

Just curious, what about the SX Mini warranty was holding you back?

I didn't realize it came with a 1 year warranty when I wrote that. I'm actually leaning towards the SX Mini if I could find a black one in stock.

 

[dravell]

Probably doesnt trust them honoring it, or avoid overseas shipping.

From what ive seen though the US based retailers are handling it within the first couple months and just replacing the units, or YiHi is telling them to just send it to the retailer and they will handle it. Everything ive seen gives me full confidence if something happens I'll be covered.

 

[Cotay]

Just curious, what about the SX Mini warranty was holding you back?

The uncertainty of actually getting Yihi to honor it in a timely fashion in ten months when merchants have moved on to newer devices and aren't carrying it anymore.

Probably doesnt trust them honoring it, or avoid overseas shipping.

From what ive seen though the US based retailers are handling it within the first couple months and just replacing the units, or YiHi is telling them to just send it to the retailer and they will handle it. Everything ive seen gives me full confidence if something happens I'll be covered.

For now the retailers are stepping up and that's great, but I'm not concerned about the short term...it's the long term service once everyone has moved on...will vendors want to be in the middle of this in 10-11 months? I doubt it and I don't want to have to ship the unit off to China to get service. That said, I'm pretty confident from what I've seen in the large SX Mini thread that the device is solid...that's why I finally bit.

 

[cjpeltz]

Get a Vaporshark. You won't be dissapointed.

 

[novamatt]

For now the retailers are stepping up and that's great, but I'm not concerned about the short term...it's the long term service once everyone has moved on...will vendors want to be in the middle of this in 10-11 months? I doubt it and I don't want to have to ship the unit off to China to get service. That said, I'm pretty confident from what I've seen in the large SX Mini thread that the device is solid...that's why I finally bit.

This is just how YiHi handles warranty stateside, as it's a lot faster and easier than shipping something back to china and waiting for a new one to arrive. They've got a long history of taking care of their SX350 chip customers (it's a VERY popular modder's chip), and it works the same way. You have a problem during the warranty period, you contact YiHi. They tell you to return it to your vendor, and they tell the vendor they've authorized it. Vendor sends you a new one, YiHi takes care of the vendor. Check out the Varitube SX350 thread in the vendor section to see how it's worked over time. The thread started in May and it's still going strong 172 pages later.