Zmax v3 users opinions needed

[Krint]

I am looking to upgrade my setup, I currently use the itaste vv 3.0 but the battery life is horrible charge 2-3 times a day. I want a battery that fits my protanks and will last me a whole day with vw.
Will this battery serve my needs? Is it really an upgrade? Or should I look into something else?

 

[Jazzi Mike]

The Sigelei Zmax v3 is a great device. I think it is better built than the Vamo. However, it takes replaceable batteries. If you use 18650 batteries, they should last you most of the day. I would tell you to do some research on IMR batteries.

 

[Curt Kobain]

I have the ZMAX v5 and love it. In 18650 mode, it'll last me well over a day but I still charge it every night

 

[Recon Number 54]

I don't have a collection of other mods to make personal comparisons to, but as a Sigelei V3 Telescope owner, I am mostly happy with my choice. The ONLY real issue that I am encountering is that the switch/button could be of higher quality/reliability. It's not a major deal killer for me, and when I see them as cheap as this? It makes me seriously consider just getting another as a backup.

Add a Jwrap (I love the woodgrain!) and it's a damned pretty mod IMO.

 

[Krint]

How is it as far as build quality I have had to replace the itaste in less then a month want something to last longer

 

[Krint]

I am new to the replaceable batteries but think will be better option for me do they sell in a kit or know any good place to buy batteries and charger

 

[Recon Number 54]

How is it as far as build quality I have had to replace the itaste in less then a month want something to last longer

For me, as far as the various Chinese VV/VW mods out there, the build quality is "better than most". I will say that is based on me going to a local B&M and comparing their construction, weight, threading, etc. It's definitely no Provari, and the general rule-of-thumb with the China-mods is "we make and price them cheap enough that when they break, you're going to want to purchase a new next-gen model to replace it". Knowing that, I still like mine. If/when it does go completely belly-up, there will likely be "something new and better" that has caught my eye.

I am new to the replaceable batteries but think will be better option for me do they sell in a kit or know any good place to buy batteries and charger

There are members here (and I am not about to even TRY to paraphrase them) who are true battery-gurus. They almost always end up posting in threads like this and offer very sage advice and insight into batteries. Wait for, or look around in battery topics, for their advice. Important things to remember are that not all batteries are created equal, that safety and reliability are FAR more important than saving a couple of bucks, that "mah is not the most important aspect of vaping batteries", and essentially "you get what you pay for".

One vendor that I can easily recommend is Orbtronics, but I will warn you that their massive selection can be confusing and overwhelming. Don't make a purchase until you have seen some of that good advice and recommendations from the members that I previously mentioned.

 

[Krint]

Is this kit worth it or should I just get everything separate Sigelei ZMAX V3 Telescope OLED Ultimate Kit

 

[Jazzi Mike]

You definitely should buy them separately. Most of the "kits" come with cheap batteries and a cheap charger. To be honest, the kits are usually so expensive that they are around the same price as buying the batteries and the charger separately.

 

[Recon Number 54]

Is this kit worth it or should I just get everything separate Sigelei ZMAX V3 Telescope OLED Ultimate Kit

Kits aren't necessarily "bad", they have the benefit of having all sorts of goodies and are a "one-stop-shop". But they also have the risk of ending up with things that you don't want, may not need or like, or that are less than optimal.

What you get:
Sigelei ZMAX V3 Telescope Oled complete body, telescope and endcap.
One extra end cap.
Trustfire Dual Battery Charger for 18350 and 18650 Batteries with USA plug.
TWO 3400mah Panasonic NCR18650B Batteries
One 800mah Efest 18350 Battery for short mode.
One complete Protank II Kit (protank II, cone, gasket, and two coils).
One extra replacement base for Protank.
One Stainless Evod.
5 Pack of replacement Kanger evod coils.

I've underlined the two items that I wouldn't want in the kit. The head/delivery devices are more a matter of personal preference and usage, and so it would be "perfect for some, useless for others".

However, that charger and those batteries (which I underlined) are not.... highly regarded or the best choice for this application. The batteries "Panasonic NCR18650B" (and again, I would defer to our local battery-gurus) are not "high discharge batteries" and are less than optimal and typically not recommended by our resident experts.

The charger, "Trustfire Dual Battery Charger" is generally seen as a low-end and is not highly recommended by many in the community or our battery-experts.

That's the risk of a kit. It may be an "all in one" purchase, but it's the vendor who decides what you get. It is completely possible to shop around (once you have built a list of items that have better reputations and are more highly regarded) and put together your own kit (even if you're making separate purchases) and for the same amount of money (or even less) get something better and no additional items that you're not going to use or like.

 

[yzer]

The Sigelei Zmax V3 flat head telescopic is one of the best tube mods ever made, IMHO. It's reasonably priced, built like a tank, VV/VW, 510/eGo threaded and drop dead gorgeous in brushed stainless steel. It can use any of these battery configurations: 18350, 2x18350, 18490, 18500 and 18650. I like 18500 and 18650. My unit came with decent generic 18650 IMRs and an inexpensive single cell charger. The accessories and warranty will vary between vendors. There is a huge thread devoted to Sigelei Zmax users here:

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...ic-flat-top-other-reports-one-week-later.html

I've used mine all day, every day for over six months. I took this shot earlier this week. It has a 18500 inside.

 

[yzer]

There is a V5 version out which adds a few features like charging cells phones and a puff counter. Otherwise, identical to V3 which is still in production. There is no V4 to the best of my knowledge.

 

[Baditude]

I can't speak on the ZMax as I don't own one. I do know a thing or two about replaceable rechargeable batteries.

You will want "high drain" also known as "safe chemistry" batteries. These will be classified as IMR (li-mn) or hybrid batteries. I have a list of recommended batteries in this link:

Battery Basics for Mods: IMR or Protected?

More battery info here: Deeper Understanding of Mod Batteries

Be wary of the batteries included in some kits for mods. They are not neccessarily the correct batteries to use in them, nor quality batteries. Also be cautious of buying cheap batteries from EBay or Amazon. The counterfeit trade is alive and well in the battery trade. Don't buy generic batteries or any battery with the name "fire" in it.

Batteries are not created equal; there is wide variance between recognized name brands and cheaper batteries. High quality batteries and charger are your best investment in vape gear and not the place to skimp by purchasing cheap low quality ones.

I recommend purchasing batteries and chargers from trusted vendors that sell e-cig batteries as their specialty. RTD Vapor is one, and Orbtronics is also a respected battery and charger vendor.

 

[DaveP]

I'm a long time Provari user who bought the Segelei Zmax V3 for a backup and to experience variable wattage. I like the Segelei even though it's about 3/4" longer than the Provari. The switch is a little finicky and it's dependent on whether I press the switch in the center or one end. Most of the time it works just fine. That said, my Provari also experiences switch bounce, and sometimes goes into menu mode with no vape when I press the fire button. I'm about to send the Provari back for warranty service after more than a year and a half of use. I bought the $24.95 extra year warranty extension and it will pay off this time.

The thing about Chinese mods is that you have to buy them with the knowledge that IF they break, you just trash them and buy another one. At $75, I was hesitant but went ahead and bought the Segelei. I know that any major failure will make it useless, but I still like it and use it alternately with my Provari. I'm vaping it right now.

The good part is that you can buy two for less than the price of one Provari and the features are equal or better if you buy the SS Telescope model. No real complaints here.

Buy a tube of Ox-gard or Noalox to use on the threads. That helps maintain the connections. Intermittent voltage variance can cause flaky operation when the threads aren't clean and shiny and dressed with a conductive grease. Any mod with threaded connections needs conductive grease applied periodically. You just clean the threads with a paper towel, apply a dab of grease, and screw them back together.

 

[Krint]

Thank for all the help. The battery info was great now I don't fell like I'm going into the purchase blind. Sick of buying things that are just not right

 

[DaveP]

Thank for all the help. The battery info was great now I don't fell like I'm going into the purchase blind. Sick of buying things that are just not right

A single 18650 with a MAH rating of 2000mah or more will take you through most if not all of a day. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 100ma per hour is the rule of thumb for charge life. The four AW 18650 IMR batteries I use in rotation last me from morning until around 9 at night or so. There are 3000mah lMR batts that will give you even more time. Panasonic, Sanyo and AW are some of the more popular batts around here. Many of the better batteries are of Japanese manufacture. It's rumored that AW buys from Panasonic, tests the batteries, and labels the best spec batteries as AW. At least that's the story on the candlepower forums.

Buy several, use and charge them in rotation, and you will get the longest life. I like to charge mine when they hit 3.5v. The charge time is shorter, there's less stress on the battery, and you will extend the life considerably. IMR batts start around 4.1 to 4.2v and slowly discharge with use, staying at 3.7v for quite a while and then they discharge more quickly. Once you hit 3.5v, it only takes a few minutes of heavy vaping to reach 3.4v and downward.

This is a thread from 2011 that talks about AW's process.
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?320107-AW-Batteries