Will the *real* ZMAX Mini please stand up?

[KODIAK (TM)]

So I researched this mod. I bought the stainless one. It’s real purdy. But the display is different than what I researched (OlED vs. LED). Ok, no big deal. OLED looks better anyway. I notice the battery life on this thing sucks to high heaven in 18350 mode (about 2 hours max). So I order an extension tube. Tube shows up - doesn’t fit.

Investigation reveals there are two of these guys with the same name. One by smok Tech and the other by Sigelei. Huh? So which one is the clone of the other?

No vendor screwed up. It was me. Everything is clearly labeled. Naturally I can’t find an extension tube for the Sigelei but the smok extensions are everywhere. Figures.

Not sure I even want to salvage this thing with the dismal battery life anyway. Can’t imagine the smok mod is any different. I really thought the footprint of this VV/VW mod would suit my mobile needs. It’s small enough but you need to cart around a wagon full of 18350’s along with it. Maybe I just need to stick with mech mods. Right now my mini is just a pricey ohm meter.

 

[MotherNatural]

Yes, two Zmax from two different companies. Confuse-a-vaper. I have two Sigelei V3 which are telescoping. I believe the mini is not. The experts who can answer any of your questions can be located here: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...ic-flat-top-other-reports-one-week-later.html

 

[MotherNatural]

I have two as I keep one exclusively with a 18350 for on the road as it is much smaller. But you're right about the battery life of the 350 so I carry an extra battery or two with me. It is really a good solid mod tho and I love them both.

 

[RoseB]

Smok is pretty much a clone manufacturer. They've put out some products I really liked. Their carpax 900 mah eGo batteries are awesome. I used their cartomizers for a long time, but last summer they were having quality issues. So I switched to Boge, and liked them so much I just stick with them now.

 

[yzer]

Sigelei has the OLED display and the better machining. Yes, Sigelei and Smok are different companies with different production facilities, design and QC. Sigelei licensed the Zmax technology from Smok.

Sigelei never made an extension tube for the Sigelei Zmax Mini. It is 18350 only. The Smok Zmax Mini is also 18350 but has an extension tube available for longer batts. The Smok extension tube does not fit the Sigelei.

The Sigelei Zmax V2 fits both 18650 and 2x18350 with two different sized battery caps.

The Sigelei Zmax Telescopic V3 and V5 fits 18350, 18490/18500 and 18650 without extension tubes. The V3 and V5 are the same length as the Sigelei Zmax Mini with 18350 installed and may be ordered from US vendors for as little as $39.95.

 

[yzer]

I only get about two or three hours of vape time with 18350 on the V3. When I go out with 18350 in the V3 I have one fresh batt in the Sigelei and two more in a plastic case. I use 18500 most often and get about six hours off one. I use 18650 only at home. It lasts me all day.

 

[madstabber]

The sigelei zmax V2 fits 1 18650 or 2 18350 with different sized battery caps. Just to clear it up for people not to be a %^&(

 

[yzer]

The sigelei zmax V2 fits 1 18650 or 2 18350 with different sized battery caps. Just to clear it up for people not to be a %^&(

Thanks, and appreciated.

 

[KODIAK (TM)]

Well, mysteriously... it's like somebody at Sigelei just read my post and sent a destruct signal to my Mini's innards. It won't fire at all now. Back it goes to Sigelei-land.

Screw it. I'm actually going back to my eGo's. Seriously. Pass through USB while I drive or sit at home. Fixed voltage. They last forever. Rugged. Don’t need to baby them. Cheap enough to get ‘em by the bushel. They’re packable and “Pocketable”. Good old 5 clicks off/on. Look good paired with Evods. Plenty of accessories for them (beauty rings, lanyards, holsters, PCC’s, gang chargers). I'll still keep a Joye 510 stuffed in my shorts though.

I never took the Zmax higher than 6 or 7 watts anyway. Too bad. I really wanted to like this thing. Convoluted menu system and all. Heck, driving the other day I almost took out a busload of seniors just turning it off. (And incidentally... the arthritis in their middle fingers seemed to be cooperating that day).

I am just pissin' and moanin' folks. Don't mind me.

 

[hondo11]

I only get about two or three hours of vape time with 18350 on the V3. When I go out with 18350 in the V3 I have one fresh batt in the Sigelei and two more in a plastic case. I use 18500 most often and get about six hours off one. I use 18650 only at home. It lasts me all day.

Pardon my ignorance but are you saying the V5 can handle two different style battery caps but no two of the same...as in (2) button tops?

 

[yzer]

Pardon my ignorance but are you saying the V5 can handle two different style battery caps but no two of the same...as in (2) button tops?

There are two battery caps provided with some V3s. I believe this is the case with V5s as well. One is 10mm and the other 15mm. The short cap can be used with a single 18350 to get the shortest length for the V3 or V5 but only with one 18350 battery: 100mm. The short cap can also be used with any of the other batteries mentioned in Post #5. The long cap can be used for any single battery longer than 18350 without making the Sigelei longer. The long battery cap will make the telescopic tube more stable if used with 2x18350 but I don't recommend stacking batteries. In addition, the long battery cap is easier to get threaded onto the tube than the smaller cap. Both use the same sized battery spring.

The Sigelei Zmax Telescopic V3 and V5 can use either flat top or button top batteries. It doesn't matter. There is only about 1mm difference (if that) with flat top v. button top batteries.

 

[Blueraider11]

I have the Sigelei mini and if you can get a Vamo V5 extension tube it fits the Sigelei to allow an 18650 battery. Sorry yours crapped out. Good luck to you.

 

[yellowrider]

I don't think you will get much more than 2-3 hrs on 18350 on any device.

 

[RogerWilco357]

are they identical in looks? can you post a pic of the one you got?

 

[KODIAK (TM)]

I don't think you will get much more than 2-3 hrs on 18350 on any device.

Indeed Yellow. I believe you are correct. Many owners of even the Provari Mini say the same (perhaps just a tad bit better life). If anything, I'd think the Provari innards would be capable of getting maximum life out of a single 18350.

And magically, my ProTank now works on the Sigelei. The Evod however won't but the Evod works on an Ego. Must be dirty threads on the mini. I shall hose the buggers off.

Too bad my mini isn't cooperating. The ProTank really vapes nicely on it. Also looks like it was made for this thing.