What do you guys think about the various Provari models?

[Jack Merridew]

I'll be honest, I think the P3 is sexy. It's overly priced, but I've heard it's the most reliable mod out there. I'm happy with my Istick 30W when it works (I mostly vape with a Kayfun clone a 1 ohm), but sometimes it's a mess and the resistance checker is all over the place.

I get that people building 4 coils and aiming for 0.01 resistance need 150W, but I think it would be an overkill to get one of these.

 

[UncleRJ]

What do I think of them?

Sorry to say, not much and here is why and I hope I don't get too much flack.

Back in the day, they were the Royalty of APVs.

They still make a good device but they sat on their laurels too freaking long and let the vaping world catch up and surpass them.

Again, they make great stuff but when you can spend less than $40 and get a device with functions and power that blows them out of the water and compare their price for a lesser device? No thanks at least not on my budget.

But the one thing that really got to me back when they had the keys to the kingdom?

Their owners. Some but not all really went out of their way to walk around vape meets and other vaper friendly social gatherings while kind of making a point that everyone around them could plainly see that they were one of the 'Chosen Few" that was walking around with an actual "Provari" and that since you had a lesser device, you were to be pitied or just talked down to.

Granted that you will see the same kind of behaviour in other hobbies as well. The guy that has a rarer stamp than you do. The gal that has a name brand designer dress. So on and so forth.

But in my own admittedly tiny pea brain, as a close knit community as the vaping world is, that kind of behaviour leaves a stench.

Granted, I got some really nice gear in my possession including an early custom made DNA20 device.

But I sure as hell am not going to look down my nose or talk trash to a fellow vaper with a standard eGo battery with a carto or small tank attached to the business end of the device that is keeping them away from smoking.

OK, enough of my BS.

And my apologies for what I meants as a quick response to a very valid question turning into a rant.

Going to issue myself some warning points now for my own brand of reverse snobbery

 

[st0nedpenguin]

The Provari was amazing when it came out and was the first reliable, well built VV device that was actually stable and worked properly.

Now it's pretty much pointless, who would anyone buy a Provari when there are devices like the rDNA and SX mini available?

 

[Zamazam]

A day late and a dollar short. Not worth the money now. They need to up their game a LOT.

 

[Whiskey]

 

[Fictitious Character]

If you are a content low watt vaper a Provari will serve you well. They are well built and outlast many other devices. With that said I have similar thoughts as RJ. I think Provari has failed to further develop the trends of vaping, and they are now more of a niche market catering to their previous customers who are content lower watt vapers.

When it comes to the P3 I do not see enough significant improvements over the 2.5 to keep one. I had one for a moment and I found the more detailed single button menu to be annoying. If you don't already have one a 2.5 is a solid lower watt device and these days they can be bought cheap enough.

 

[Neunerball]

If you are a content low watt vaper a Provari will serve you well. They are well built and outlast many other devices. With that said I have similar thoughts as RJ. I think Provari has failed to further develop the trends of vaping, and they are now more of a niche market catering to their previous customers who are content lower watt vapers.

When it comes to the P3 I do not see enough significant improvements over the 2.5 to keep one. I had one for a moment and I found the more detailed single button menu to be annoying. If you don't already have one a 2.5 is a solid lower watt device and these days they can be bought cheap enough.

+1
I own a 2.5 and I barely use it now. I'll keep it for sentimental reasons, it got me of the analogs. I have to add, when I used it on a daily basis (up until 1.5 years ago), I never looked down on others with cheaper devices.

 

[Jack Merridew]

And my apologies for what I meants as a quick response to a very valid question turning into a rant.

Going to issue myself some warning points now for my own brand of reverse snobbery

No need to apologize! As a relatively new vaper, this is the kind of story I wanted to read on this thread.

When I started, not so long ago, I bought the Halo Triton and never thought I would need more than 4.8 volts. Now I won't even look at it. In my opinion a 150W device is overkill (who knows if I'll feel the same in a year?) and I'm wary of the more power equals more quality mentality.

I love vaping, but choosing a mod can be tough for a newbie freshly off Ego style batteries.

 

[KKen]

The Provarinati clique on ECF is what killed the Provari image IMO. People who had no real idea on the actual merits of the device were hating on it just because of the way this clique would try to portray themselves as "victims" of hatred.

Post after post, thread after thread you would see rubbish like "I bought a Provari, but people hate me now, what should I do??" And so it would begin to no end.

I remember Stevegmu, the ocelot & classwife were the worst of this over the hill bunch.

 

[st0nedpenguin]

It's not like it was all one way though, every mention of the Provari had a swarm of people leaping to attention to tell the owner/potential owner how a $50 Chinese device would vape just the same.

Pro tip: They didn't.

 

[Fictitious Character]

No need to apologize! As a relatively new vaper, this is the kind of story I wanted to read on this thread.

When I start not so long ago, I bought the Halo Triton and never thought I would need more than 4.8 volts. Now I won't even look at it. In my opinion a 150W device is overkill (who knows if I'll feel the same in a year?) and I'm wary of the more power equals more quality mentality.

I love vaping, but choosing a mod can be tough for a newbie freshly off Ego style batteries.

Yes it can be a bit daunting and there are a lot of options. I would rather have the power that fits my form factor and never use it than needing more as vaping styles change.

I remember Stevegmu, the ocelot & classwife were the worst of this over the hill bunch.

Were? lol

 

[KKen]

It's not like it was all one way though, every mention of the Provari had a swarm of people leaping to attention to tell the owner/potential owner how a $50 Chinese device would vape just the same.

Pro tip: They didn't.

True, its a chicken or the egg debate, but IMO, there never was, or ever will be a "best" device, too many tastes in vaping, and endless options to meet everyone's preferences. Both sides seemed too wrapped up with their own opinions to see that I guess.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Jack Merridew]

The only appeal for me is the build quality and durability of the thing. As I said, I think the Istick is shady and it doesn't even ready my coils correctly.

Would the Innokin MVP3 be a good compromise? (Maybe I will start getting hate for my interest in overpriced 30W mods ). I can get and MVP3 for 70$ (CAD) from my vendor which doesn't seem too bad.

Otherwise, what are the most reliable mods out there? I've heard good things about Sigelei, but buying separate batteries is uncharted territory for me (which means another way to mess things up).

 

[Fictitious Character]

The only appeal for me is the build quality and durability of the thing. As I said, I think the Istick is shady and it doesn't even ready my coils correctly.

Would the Innokin MVP3 be a good compromise? (Maybe I will start getting hate for my interest in overpriced 30W mods ). I can get and MVP3 for 70$ (CAD) from my vendor which doesn't seem too bad.

Otherwise, what are the most reliable mods out there? I've heard good things about Sigelei, but buying separate batteries is uncharted territory for me (which means another way to mess things up).

If 15w or less works for you I would buy a second hand 2.5 for about 60-70 bucks. If you do not want used or you need higher watts and want great build quality I would look into the SX Mini M class. The M class is pricey but the build quality is there and the board in the M class is a hot item right now.

I have no experience with the MVP3 but if you are looking to value shop I recently saw it on Vapor Beast for 49.99. I have a nice new dna30 device in the classifieds section lol.

The Sig has a dedicated following of consumers I would not call it high end but for value they bring a lot to to the table.

 

[stevegmu]

The Provarinati clique on ECF is what killed the Provari image IMO. People who had no real idea on the actual merits of the device were hating on it just because of the way this clique would try to portray themselves as "victims" of hatred.

Post after post, thread after thread you would see rubbish like "I bought a Provari, but people hate me now, what should I do??" And so it would begin to no end.

I remember Stevegmu, the ocelot & classwife were the worst of this over the hill bunch.

Really? I don't think I've ever seen fatwife post in a ProVari thread. I think the hatred comes from those who want one, but could never afford one, even though they are inexpensive for what they are...

 

[Fictitious Character]

Really? I don't think I've ever seen fatwife post in a ProVari thread. I think the hatred comes from those who want one, but could never afford one, even though they are inexpensive for what they are...

Getting cheaper everyday too.

 

[KKen]

I think the hatred comes from those who want one, but could never afford one...

No, I think it has a lot more to do with comments like that...

 

[stevegmu]

No, I think it has a lot more to do with comments like that...

They always seem to come after those looking to denigrate ProVari owners have their rant...

 

[Zamazam]

Provari doesn't have a mod that can power a subtank, nor do they want to. The time for Provape being the Cadillac of vaping is over. Sure, they build a really reliable device with a great warranty and customer service, but the vaping tides have changed and Provape is stuck out on a sand bar wondering what happened to all the sales. Like IBM, Provape owned the market for a while, but competition and innovation kept up market pressure, and IBM was challenged in the PC market by Compaq, then HP and Dell. Same with Provape, they wanted to be the best mod out there in terms of reliability and they achieved it, but did not follow the market in the 20watt or 30watt class. When the P3 came out with 20 watts, the market was already at 50 watts and temperature control. Provape claims to have a programmable interface for updates, but I have yet to see it, perhaps they can update the P3's for 30 watts, but again, I have not seen any updates or info on that. A day late and a dollar short sums up Provape at the moment.

 

[stevegmu]

ProVari has always been a niche mod. eGos and cigalikes dominate the market. On hobbyist forums, more power seems to be everything, but on a global scale, they are the minority of vapers...

 

[KKen]

I always wished Provape would have done something jointly with Evolv, would have been pretty interesting to see what they could have come up with, heck, I may have gone back to regulated vaping

 

[Zamazam]

For the cost of the P3, I would have bought one if it was 40 watts and temp controlled. I think a lot of vapers would of.

 

[Fictitious Character]

ProVari has always been a niche mod. eGos and cigalikes dominate the market. On hobbyist forums, more power seems to be everything, but on a global scale, they are the minority of vapers...

I don't believe this is accurate anymore for the US market. New vapers coming into a b&m are getting steered towards the isticks and before that it was the ego's and mvp's. Sure there are plenty starting out on cigalikes but that is a different market, and those starting on ego's often upgrade quickly.

Those that were considering a provari a year ago are now going going to be considering other devices today because provape does not seem to care about where the market has headed.

 

[stevegmu]

I don't believe this is accurate anymore for the US market. New vapers coming into a b&m are getting steered towards the isticks and before that it was the ego's and mvp's. Sure there are plenty starting out on cigalikes but that is a different market, and those starting on ego's often upgrade quickly.

Those that were considering a provari a year ago are now going going to be considering other devices today because provape does not seem to care about where the market has headed.

It seems new vapers in the US are more in it for sport, rather than smoking cessation. I think long term smokers have pretty much either found vaping, or have discovered it isn't for them...

In Prague, vapers I know vape not to smoke; high power vaping isn't the norm by a long shot...

 

[Fictitious Character]

It seems new vapers in the US are more in it for sport, rather than smoking cessation. I think long term smokers have pretty much either found vaping, or have discovered it isn't for them...

In Prague, vapers I know vape not to smoke; high power vaping isn't the norm by a long shot...

I would imagine some are but many new vapers here also just purchase what is currently popular and that is higher watt devices with trendy fill and vape tanks. The overseas vaping market is different for sure but more and more of them are wanting to "chuck clouds" as well. No doubt the vaping community is caught up in trends but it is what it is.

Like I said above if someone is a content low watt vaper than a Provari is a solid device. My wife is a low watt vaper and could care less about expelling large amounts of cloudy exhaust. But if someone is just looking to upgrade a ego or mvp2.0 then the Provari is not what I recommend because they have not found their comfort zone yet.

For the cost of the P3, I would have bought one if it was 40 watts and temp controlled. I think a lot of vapers would of.

I wish Provape made a 40w TC device like you mentioned I would own one and recommend those all day long to new vapers looking for an upgrade rather than a isticks that can prove to be unreliable after little time. I know it's blasphemy to a Provari lover but I consider the SX M to be the new Provari when it comes to build quality and fulfilling the needs of current vapers.

 

[st0nedpenguin]

Like I said above if someone is a content low watt vaper than a Provari is a solid device. My wife is a low watt vaper and could care less about expelling large amounts of cloudy exhaust. But if someone is just looking to upgrade a ego or mvp2.0 then the Provari is not what I recommend because they have not found their comfort zone yet.

Even then the Provari is pointless now when that same low watt vaper could go pick up an rDNA device that'll give them temp control for added convenience and safety.

 

[stevegmu]

Even then the Provari is pointless now when that same low watt vaper could go pick up an rDNA device that'll give them temp control for added convenience and safety.

What readily available tube mod comes with an rDNA?

 

[st0nedpenguin]

I think people care more about the features and the vape than whether it's a tube or not, people who insist on buying tube only mods are in the minority.

 

[stevegmu]

I think people care more about the features and the vape than whether it's a tube or not, people who insist on buying tube only mods are in the minority.

I wouldn't want any non tube mod- at any cost or free. I think they look silly. I am sure I am not the only one... ProVape doesn't make mods to appeal to everyone; just enough to stay in business and make a profit...

 

[Fictitious Character]

.

Even then the Provari is pointless now when that same low watt vaper could go pick up an rDNA device that'll give them temp control for added convenience and safety.

That is a valid point as well which is why above I recommended the M class. I wouldn't compare a rdna to Provari build quality though but they are a solid device in my experience. I am more of an Evolv fan than I am a Provape fan.

So many devices to choose from out there.

 

[Fictitious Character]

I think people care more about the features and the vape than whether it's a tube or not, people who insist on buying tube only mods are in the minority.

Form factors vary by preference. I have mostly box mods but my favorite tube mod is a dna30.

I wouldn't want any non tube mod- at any cost or free. I think they look silly. I am sure I am not the only one... ProVape doesn't make mods to appeal to everyone; just enough to stay in business and make a profit...

Refusing to bend your own compass and ignoring the trends does not help long term longevity in business though. The P3 remained popular largely from previous Provape customers. If you stop getting new customers the business will decline. I think many ppl will buy a tube mod but if the features are always coming up short then eventually the following will die off. It will be interesting to see how long before Provape kicks out a new product and if they continue to stay their course.

 

[stevegmu]

Why do you care? Don't buy one. It's like those who complain Apple doesn't make anything they like. It's all pointless, really...

 

[Jack Merridew]

When the P3 came out with 20 watts, the market was already at 50 watts and temperature control. Provape claims to have a programmable interface for updates, but I have yet to see it, perhaps they can update the P3's for 30 watts, but again, I have not seen any updates or info on that. A day late and a dollar short sums up Provape at the moment.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I've never seen a 20W P3. I think they're all 30W.

 

[Fictitious Character]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I've never seen a 20W P3. I think they're all 30W.

No, currently the P3 is a 20w device.

 

[Fictitious Character]

Why do you care? Don't buy one. It's like those who complain Apple doesn't make anything they like. It's all pointless, really...

huh was this directed at me? I thought it was a discussion.

 

[stevegmu]

Those saying a ProVari isn't for them. It clearly isn't, just as no box mod will ever be for me. It just seems a bit silly...

 

[Jack Merridew]

No, currently the P3 is a 20w device.

Oops my bad.

 

[st0nedpenguin]

Those saying a ProVari isn't for them. It clearly isn't, just as no box mod will ever be for me. It just seems a bit silly...

The difference is that you don't want a box mod because you don't like boxes while people are avoiding the Provari largely because of the tech. Provape are coasting on previous successes at this point, and fanboys.

 

[Haadkoe]

I'm glad that I never bought a Provari, but I kinda wish that I had bought a Darwin for some reason.

...not that I'd still be using it. ...and frankly I'm glad I didn't drop $300 on that either.

 

[stevegmu]

The difference is that you don't want a box mod because you don't like boxes while people are avoiding the Provari largely because of the tech. Provape are coasting on previous successes at this point, and fanboys.

I don't equate more power with more tech. Granted, they don't have temp. 'protection' yet, but I don't think it is needed for my style of vaping, or others who are low power vapers...

If ProVape made a $250 dual battery 120 watt box mod with temp. protection, those same complaining it doesn't have enough power would just say it costs too much...

 

[BoomStick]

I still use my Kayfun every morning. A Kayfun 4 mounted on a Provari 3 is a setup I would love to have as I've never ran my Kayfun over 20w. Can't justify the cost with my vape budget though. My Kayfun 3.1 on my 30w Hana clone will have to do for now. A super solid 20w device that costs less than 2 months worth of cigarettes, but will probably last for many years doesn't seem like a terrible purchase to me if you have an atty that you use within the 20w limit. I still think the price is a bit high. Anyway.....

 

[Dan DePippo]

Provari needs to make a 30w to 50w that can handle down to .2 ohm to stay viable, in my opinion 200 or 300 hundred is to much to pay for a paperweight. Even a very well built one

 

[st0nedpenguin]

I don't equate more power with more tech. Granted, they don't have temp. 'protection' yet, but I don't think it is needed for my style of vaping, or others who are low power vapers...

If ProVape made a $250 dual battery 120 watt box mod with temp. protection, those same complaining it doesn't have enough power would just say it costs too much...

Except a whole bunch of the people who are vaping at low watts are doing so on Chinese prebuilt atomizers and heads, and would benefit more from temp control than anyone else.

 

[LotsaBS]

Provari doesn't have a mod that can power a subtank, nor do they want to. The time for Provape being the Cadillac of vaping is over. Sure, they build a really reliable device with a great warranty and customer service, but the vaping tides have changed and Provape is stuck out on a sand bar wondering what happened to all the sales. Like IBM, Provape owned the market for a while, but competition and innovation kept up market pressure, and IBM was challenged in the PC market by Compaq, then HP and Dell. Same with Provape, they wanted to be the best mod out there in terms of reliability and they achieved it, but did not follow the market in the 20watt or 30watt class. When the P3 came out with 20 watts, the market was already at 50 watts and temperature control. Provape claims to have a programmable interface for updates, but I have yet to see it, perhaps they can update the P3's for 30 watts, but again, I have not seen any updates or info on that. A day late and a dollar short sums up Provape at the moment.

Will all due respect, your comment about a Provari not being able to power a Subtank is incorrect. The Provari P3 will reliably fire anything (including a Subtank) down to about .70 ohms as long as you don't exceed it's amperage limit of 5.5amps (which is approx 20 watts @ .70 ohms). The earlier Provari 2.5 version will reliably fire anything (including a Subtank) down to approx 1.2 ohms as long as you don't exceed it's maximum amperage of 3.5 amps (which is approx 15 watts @ 1.2 ohms). I also own several (waaay too many) other mods (VaporShark rDNA, VaporFlask, IPV, Cloupor Mini, Smok Xpro M65 and the new Yihi M Class) and they all have their pros and cons. For me, (and I know I'm not speaking for everyone) the Provari is an excellent mod for it's purpose. For example, I use my Ti P3 almost exclusively when I'm out and about (usually topped with a Subtank Mini with the RBA base, and a 1.0-1.5 ohm cotton filled coil) because unlike any of my other mods, it is always dead reliable, is always accurate, and I have yet to find another mod with as well a designed self adjusting 510 connection. It's also built like a tank, and you don't have to constantly dick with it to make it work when you're away from the house. It's also very lightweight and it's form factor fits my pocket much better than even my small box mods.

 

[Zamazam]

So do you get a lot of vapor at 20 watts? Since you are using a Mini on yours, you must like it. I won a P3 in a charity raffle and have tried my mini with a 1.2 coil head. I was not impressed in the least. Anemic vapor. Wrapped a .75 coil on the rba deck, a tad better, but not much.

But to each his/her own. If you dig your Titanium P3 with a Mini and it keeps you off the smokes, more power to you. By your post , you indicate you are a Provarian. Provari makes a good mod and is reliable and accurate, however they have fallen behind. While the P3 is a solidly built mod, it is a bit underpowered for my uses, not for all vapers, but people like me who drip, use sub tanks with .5 heads for large amounts of vapor.

 

[LotsaBS]

So do you get a lot of vapor at 20 watts? Since you are using a Mini on yours, you must like it. I won a P3 in a charity raffle and have tried my mini with a 1.2 coil head. I was not impressed in the least. Anemic vapor. Wrapped a .75 coil on the rba deck, a tad better, but not much.

But to each his/her own. If you dig your Titanium P3 with a Mini and it keeps you off the smokes, more power to you. By your post , you indicate you are a Provarian. Provari makes a good mod and is reliable and accurate, however they have fallen behind. While the P3 is a solidly built mod, it is a bit underpowered for my uses, not for all vapers, but people like me who drip, use sub tanks with .5 heads for large amounts of vapor.

Is it normal for a forum "moderator" to label forum participants (I didn't indicate that I was a "Provarian", you did)? My post was not meant to begin a pissing contest. I was simply pointing out that the Provari does have a place in the vaping world for thousands of vapers around the world. If you read my post carefully you would see that I own many, many mods (and I didn't list them all). Every one of them has it's own pros and cons. I've been vaping for almost 5 years now and I vape at different wattages, and resistances with different toppers and different mods almost everyday. So if you want to label me, a "Vape-arian" would be more accurate. And to answer your question, 20 watts (or less) gives me (and many others) a very satisfying vape when I am unable to be home in my recliner with one of my RDAs and a bottle of juice. I actually wish this were NOT the case, but my Provari's (I have 2, a Ti P3 and my 2.5 which is over 2 years old now) are the only mods that worked as advertised out of the box and still work today as well as they did on day one (granted my Yihi M class on less than a month old, so time will tell). But every other mod I mentioned in my 1st post has had it's issues in some way or another. As I said before, if a vaper wants something you don't have to dick with, is as reliable and durable as the day is long and very pocket-able to boot, it's hard to beat a Provari. Best of all used Provaris can be found these days for very reasonable prices.

 

[KKen]

I never understood the "dead accurate" claim of any device, regardless of setting, in the end, don't we all vape according to taste anyway?
I think having a super accurate device to power a clearomizer is like using a state of the art sound system to listen to music off AM radio

 

[f1r3b1rd]

The Provarinati clique on ECF is what killed the Provari image IMO. People who had no real idea on the actual merits of the device were hating on it just because of the way this clique would try to portray themselves as "victims" of hatred.

Post after post, thread after thread you would see rubbish like "I bought a Provari, but people hate me now, what should I do??" And so it would begin to no end.

I remember Stevegmu, the ocelot & classwife were the worst of this over the hill bunch.

Amen dude!!!
I started vaping a little over a year ago and got recruited into the little club, omg, after some of the things that transpired,even if I still vaped that way I doubt I could use one. I just don't see them the same. Sad really, that I associate an Inatimate object with things said by people I've never met in real life (I need a session with Dr Phil) but l do.Really I only still have them because of the zero resale value. I've since moved on to mods that make vapor and can fire an Atlantis.


To the op, they make a great device for durability sake unfortunately you have to vape a 1.3 ohm coil at 20w or less to use it. If you vape that way, great you'll enjoy it. If you don't, I would say there are some great mods available in that price bracket with more functionality

 

[stevegmu]

Except a whole bunch of the people who are vaping at low watts are doing so on Chinese prebuilt atomizers and heads, and would benefit more from temp control than anyone else.

I like carto tanks, so I don't think temp. protection would benefit me. Believe it or not, at the vapor club I go to, ProVari are still king. Most use eGos and cigalikes. A few mechs and Vamos in the mix, but I take a few every trip to sell at cost, and take more every time because many there just want a reliable mod...

 

[Zamazam]

Is it normal for a forum "moderator" to label forum participants (I didn't indicate that I was a "Provarian", you did)? My post was not meant to begin a pissing contest. I was simply pointing out that the Provari does have a place in the vaping world for thousands of vapers around the world. If you read my post carefully you would see that I own many, many mods (and I didn't list them all). Every one of them has it's own pros and cons. I've been vaping for almost 5 years now and I vape at different wattages, and resistances with different toppers and different mods almost everyday. So if you want to label me, a "Vape-arian" would be more accurate. And to answer your question, 20 watts (or less) gives me (and many others) a very satisfying vape when I am unable to be home in my recliner with one of my RDAs and a bottle of juice. I actually wish this were NOT the case, but my Provari's (I have 2, a Ti P3 and my 2.5 which is over 2 years old now) are the only mods that worked as advertised out of the box and still work today as well as they did on day one (granted my Yihi M class on less than a month old, so time will tell). But every other mod I mentioned in my 1st post has had it's issues in some way or another. As I said before, if a vaper wants something you don't have to dick with, is as reliable and durable as the day is long and very pocket-able to boot, it's hard to beat a Provari. Best of all used Provaris can be found these days for very reasonable prices.

Take it how ever you want. I don't sugar coat my viewpoints. I agree with most of what your are saying. Provari's are reliable and built like a tank and they have have a good reputation gained though customer service and solid products.