Sheer stupidity and rediscovering myself

[GorGon27]

Yeah, I have been absent here. At my age it is best to get out and witness life rather than stay in front of a computer

So here is a story.

I had a Crown II with a Four Month coil. It was still working fine,amazingly.
I had bad batteries. Scary that the Xtar charged them fine but multiple devices said check battery. I just kept vaping on them. They were in a Triade DNA 250. It was on my desk. It Auto fired with the screen off until a small flame exited the Drip Tip! My fault, but interesting nonetheless.

I got tired of expensive Mods that fall apart. I got tired of huge Mods. What do I really need? I need not to smoke analogs!

So now I am using a sigelei 75 with NI at 19 watts and 429F with .1 Ohm coil. This Mod should not fall apart. Of course eventually everything will fail.

Now that I have shared this ludicrous story, I have a question. Is there a fancier Mod the size of, or smaller than the sigelei 75 that takes at least One 18650 and is built as well or better? No painted or anodized mods please.
Otherwise there is really no reason for me not to keep using this. I have been around the block but IMO the Vape is no different than a DNA. Before the flames, it all depends how you use it and what you expect of it. Per above, you can clearly see I have no need for it. I prefer the build quality of a Mod like this. In fact, I would like suggestions but there may be nothing else like this. The fact that both thick stainless steel panels come off held by Magnets might be one of a kind. Yes, the main body is plastic but ABS plastic is plenty strong. This was very well designed IMO. A upgraded version would but nice but not at all necessary for me.

Regardless of any of this, I wish all of you here well. We all share a common thread.

 

[JuicyLucy]

Regardless of any of this, I wish all of you here well. We all share a common thread.

No recommendations from me, but here is a welcome back

 

[Deucesjack]

Yeah, I have been absent here. At my age it is best to get out and witness life rather than stay in front of a computer

So here is a story.

I had a Crown II with a Four Month coil. It was still working fine,amazingly.
I had bad batteries. Scary that the Xtar charged them fine but multiple devices said check battery. I just kept vaping on them. They were in a Triade DNA 250. It was on my desk. It Auto fired with the screen off until a small flame exited the Drip Tip! My fault, but interesting nonetheless.

I got tired of expensive Mods that fall apart. I got tired of huge Mods. What do I really need? I need not to smoke analogs!

So now I am using a sigelei 75 with NI at 19 watts and 429F with .1 Ohm coil. This Mod should not fall apart. Of course eventually everything will fail.

Now that I have shared this ludicrous story, I have a question. Is there a fancier Mod the size of, or smaller than the sigelei 75 that takes at least One 18650 and is built as well or better? No painted or anodized mods please.
Otherwise there is really no reason for me not to keep using this. I have been around the block but IMO the Vape is no different than a DNA. Before the flames, it all depends how you use it and what you expect of it. Per above, you can clearly see I have no need for it. I prefer the build quality of a Mod like this. In fact, I would like suggestions but there may be nothing else like this. The fact that both thick stainless steel panels come off held by Magnets might be one of a kind. Yes, the main body is plastic but ABS plastic is plenty strong. This was very well designed IMO. A upgraded version would but nice but not at all necessary for me.

Regardless of any of this, I wish all of you here well. We all share a common thread.

I have a Bombertech Block22 GTX. I've had it from the Beta version. It vapes fantastic in wattage mode and it's the smallest single 18650 regulated mod I know of. Not much bigger than an actual 18650. However, they still have some work to do on the firmware concerning TC. It's also very well made.

https://www.bombertech.com/block22/

 

[JuicyLucy]

That is not a bad looking little mod -

 

[GorGon27]

Thanks guys.

 

[Just Frank]

I have one of those Segelei's. It still gets used all the time. My alternate is a Pico. They are built solid. I dropped one in the middle of a busy street during the hollidays. It was in zub-zero weather and got ran over I don't know how many times. A guy turned it in to the vape shop a day later. He found it on the side of the road. I got it back and It still works.

 

[Ryedan]

I got tired of expensive Mods that fall apart. I got tired of huge Mods. What do I really need? I need not to smoke analogs!

So now I am using a sigelei 75 with NI at 19 watts and 429F with .1 Ohm coil. This Mod should not fall apart. Of course eventually everything will fail.

Now that I have shared this ludicrous story, I have a question. Is there a fancier Mod the size of, or smaller than the sigelei 75 that takes at least One 18650 and is built as well or better? No painted or anodized mods please.

I got a Sigelei 75 a little after they came out and still have it. It's in my vapocalipse box now, just in case

I found it heavy (mostly due to the battery doors), inefficient (doesn't last long on a battery charge), and the temp control isn't great.

I don't know about fancier, but my go-to no-nonsence mod right now for a great vape with one battery is a Pico 75 watt. It's tiny enough to fit in my front jeans pocket comfortably, does TC well enough for me and a single 2500 mAh 18650 lasts me long enough at around 20 watts. Here's a pic of it beside a Merlin, a Rose V3 (my fave right now) and a Ubertoot UTA2:

The Rose holds about 4 ml of juice and is pretty tough with the metal sleeve installed as shown instead of the plastic one. I use SS316 coils in TC mode so if I run out of juice I don't get a burnt hit. I got the mod in silver so it doesn't have any plating or paint on it. A silicone sleeve makes it scratch proof and may help when I drop it, which is just a matter of time for me.

Works for me, but as always YMMV. Good luck with it

 

[GorGon27]

The Pico or Segelei? I measured what is available now. Almost everything is Two battery. They are all somewhat bigger, to considerably bigger. Plus the vast majority of them are not built as well. This is Two thick Stainless steel slabs on a thick Abs plastic frame. Under normal use it should be impervious. As opposed to newer Mods with Paint, Leather Etc. Not as durable. Sure, this is old and very basic. As I stated, I have rediscovered my true priorities. Sio long as this continues to function it shall suffice. I cannot find a current better built, smaller 18650 Mod. I have a bunch of Mods but lets look at the Triade I was using. All the paint came off, the leather wore out and then it started getting finicky about batteries. Plus it is large and heavy. For me to not use more than 40 Watts it is unnecessary. I have Four of them that fell apart just for the record. I have every Iteration of Yihi Etc. The current one is not huge but honestly not built as well as this. I know this is not going to impress anyone but It checks all the boxes for me. I am glad I have it, as it is no longer made. The Yihi M class is bigger, much heavier, the batter cap is a pain and it is denuded of paint. I am not looking for another Mod until this quits. Then reluctantly. I pay $200+USD for Mods that fall apart and do not meet my needs. I finally asked myself why? After the Crown/Triade explosion Lol. Yes, that was entirely my fault but good came out of it for me. I just completely rethought this. I had to go no further than my closet to pick my poison!

 

[GorGon27]

Wow! I will check out this Pico! The Segelei is heavy for it's size but exudes quality. It is terribly inefficient. At 19 watts and 429F it lasts 1/2 hour. That is the only problem. However swapping batteries is so easy it makes up for it. I only Vape at my desk so it is not a problem I have lot's of batteries charging at 2 Amps ready for it to devour.

 

[GorGon27]

Pico looks nice. $25 kit. I really don't know what the attraction to all this stuff is. Who Vapes at 250+ Watts on a .1 or under coil?

 

[Synphul]

Wow! I will check out this Pico! The Segelei is heavy for it's size but exudes quality. It is terribly inefficient. At 19 watts and 429F it lasts 1/2 hour. That is the only problem. However swapping batteries is so easy it makes up for it. I only Vape at my desk so it is not a problem I have lot's of batteries charging at 2 Amps ready for it to devour.

It only lasts 1/2 hour on a single 18650? Something sounds wrong, are they old worn out batteries? 19 watts isn't very much to ask of an 18650, even a 1500mah should last longer than that. Granted I use a mod with 2x 18650's, even using middle of the road in terms of mah with samsung 25r's (2500mah) and vaping at 40-45w most of the time (every once in awhile higher on a dual coil atty) the batteries last me all day.

The autofiring of the mod sounds like a mod problem rather than a battery issue or charger problem. Still curious though, my mom vapes similar to you at around 13.5w on a single 18650 mod and her battery life lasts all day as well. 1/2 hour (even 2 hours) sounds like a problem you may want to look into. Even an inefficient mod shouldn't chew up a battery that fast.

 

[Just Frank]

Yeah the Pico is smaller, more solid, and the price is right. The only knock on it is the battery cap. That dont matter with anything 23MM and under though. Its a great single battery mod.

 

[bobnat]

I have a Bombertech Block22 GTX. I've had it from the Beta version. It vapes fantastic in wattage mode and it's the smallest single 18650 regulated mod I know of. Not much bigger than an actual 18650. However, they still have some work to do on the firmware concerning TC. It's also very well made.

https://www.bombertech.com/block22/

DJ, do you know anything about that driptank? Their website is just about the best I've seen for this stuff. I want to buy it based on the pictures.

https://www.bombertech.com/pindad/

 

[Deucesjack]

DJ, do you know anything about that driptank? Their website is just about the best I've seen for this stuff. I want to buy it based on the pictures.

https://www.bombertech.com/pindad/

Sure, I have 2. I did a full write up here. I think it's the best RDTA on the market. Flavor is just next level. It's got a few quirks but it's banging. If you squonk, it's a must have IMO.

Bombertech Pindad
http://vapingunderground.com/threads/bombertech-pindad-driptank-review-by-deucesjack.302184/

 

[r055co]

For a regulated mod, it's a two battery but very small and compact. It's built very solid and frankly I'm very impressed with it, that is the Smoant Battlestar.

With that said what you describe is one of the many reasons why I'm stuck on Mech's. I'm responsible for my own safety, not some chip mass produced by someone working as slave labor.

 

[AndriaD]

Yeah, I have been absent here. At my age it is best to get out and witness life rather than stay in front of a computer

So here is a story.

I had a Crown II with a Four Month coil. It was still working fine,amazingly.
I had bad batteries. Scary that the Xtar charged them fine but multiple devices said check battery. I just kept vaping on them. They were in a Triade DNA 250. It was on my desk. It Auto fired with the screen off until a small flame exited the Drip Tip! My fault, but interesting nonetheless.

I got tired of expensive Mods that fall apart. I got tired of huge Mods. What do I really need? I need not to smoke analogs!

So now I am using a sigelei 75 with NI at 19 watts and 429F with .1 Ohm coil. This Mod should not fall apart. Of course eventually everything will fail.

Now that I have shared this ludicrous story, I have a question. Is there a fancier Mod the size of, or smaller than the sigelei 75 that takes at least One 18650 and is built as well or better? No painted or anodized mods please.
Otherwise there is really no reason for me not to keep using this. I have been around the block but IMO the Vape is no different than a DNA. Before the flames, it all depends how you use it and what you expect of it. Per above, you can clearly see I have no need for it. I prefer the build quality of a Mod like this. In fact, I would like suggestions but there may be nothing else like this. The fact that both thick stainless steel panels come off held by Magnets might be one of a kind. Yes, the main body is plastic but ABS plastic is plenty strong. This was very well designed IMO. A upgraded version would but nice but not at all necessary for me.

Regardless of any of this, I wish all of you here well. We all share a common thread.

I'm not sure of the size comparison, but you might look at the Innokin Coolfire IV 75w-18650-TC. Those CF4's are RUGGED; excellent dependable quality from Innokin. They're a SMIDGE larger than the original CF4s, but they also take 18650s, which the original does not. It's painted, I think, but it's very rugged, very enduring.

The Sigelei Minibook is only a 40w mod, but it does Ni TC, and the enameling on those is better than on CARS! I've had a couple that I've used very regularly and frequently -- they're my favorite mods -- for more than 6 months, not a single nick or scratch, not even from my wedding ring, though I often vape left-handed. It's a good bit smaller than the CF4 75w-TC, and the battery door is SLICK, opening like a little book.

Andria

 

[bobnat]

Sure, I have 2. I did a full write up here. I think it's the best RDTA on the market. Flavor is just next level. It's got a few quirks but it's banging. If you squonk, it's a must have IMO.

Bombertech Pindad
http://vapingunderground.com/threads/bombertech-pindad-driptank-review-by-deucesjack.302184/

Aww man, now I want a squonker. I"m still getting my head around the regulated mods.

 

[GorGon27]

Thanks guys. I think this thing has a problem. at my very low settings it is getting so hot the display is saying "Thermal". Ahh darnit. This was nice. It is very old so go figure. Must be why I stopped using it and forgot. I do not know the word "Trash". Time to get something new! Actuallly I have Vaped a Quad Clapton .1 Ohm at 180W 580f! It did not hit the thermal throttle after all day. Of course it was a DNA 250 Mod but something is obviously wrong with this. No way it hits the safety at 19W and 429F. It is physically getting boiling hot. I wonder if these batteries are all bad, hence the Autofire incident. They were all from the same batch and have been charged at 2 Amps probably somewhere around 100 times. I still do not see how a bad battery can do these things to a Mod since they charge fine in both the Pila and Xtar which should have more safety than the Mods! I do understand these batteries are well used but I would think the chargers would cal them out?

Anyways, I will get one of the suggestions Herein Tomorrow!
I just can't bear to purchase another Triad type device. Since I do not make use of it and I just don't like them for several reasons. Maybe 2 battery. I have to go to a well stocked shop and have a look-see. I am worry about flip open battery doors. Broke one on a $4,000 Camera!

 

[Le Furet]

My two everyday faves have been namechecked already and everyone is probably sick of my Halelujah's but the IStick Pico & Battlestar are always within reach and ready to go. Small. Durable. Inexpensive.
Perfect in hand.
Get em both in Stainless. Little bro & big bro 1-2 punch. I'm not a huge wattage guy either, but it's fun to pop a mega tank like the Cleito 120 or the TFV8 on the Battlestar, crank er up to 90-100 and fog up the place.



Smoant Battlestar 200w / TFV8 Big Baby / Kennedy tip / 2x18650
IStick Pico 75w / Melo III mini (included in the kit / custom CF tip
(Pictured is the 'Silver' Pico, my Brushed Stainless is in the car. 'Black Brushed' looks really hot too)

 

[bobnat]

My two everyday faves have been namechecked already and everyone is probably sick of my Halelujah's but the IStick Pico & Battlestar are always within reach and ready to go. Small. Durable. Inexpensive.
Perfect in hand.
Get em both in Stainless. Little bro & big bro 1-2 punch. I'm not a huge wattage guy either, but it's fun to pop a mega tank like the Cleito 120 or the TFV8 on the Battlestar, crank er up to 90-100 and fog up the place.

View attachment 81340

Smoant Battlestar 200w / TFV8 Big Baby / Kennedy tip / 2x18650
IStick Pico 75w / Melo III mini (included in the kit / custom CF tip
(Pictured is the 'Silver' Pico, my Brushed Stainless is in the car. 'Black Brushed' looks really hot too)

I love my Battlestar. I'm thinking of stocking up on them.

 

[Just Frank]

My two everyday faves have been namechecked already and everyone is probably sick of my Halelujah's but the IStick Pico & Battlestar are always within reach and ready to go. Small. Durable. Inexpensive.
Perfect in hand.
Get em both in Stainless. Little bro & big bro 1-2 punch. I'm not a huge wattage guy either, but it's fun to pop a mega tank like the Cleito 120 or the TFV8 on the Battlestar, crank er up to 90-100 and fog up the place.

View attachment 81340

Smoant Battlestar 200w / TFV8 Big Baby / Kennedy tip / 2x18650
IStick Pico 75w / Melo III mini (included in the kit / custom CF tip
(Pictured is the 'Silver' Pico, my Brushed Stainless is in the car. 'Black Brushed' looks really hot too)

Good stuff, two of my fav's.

 

[GorGon27]

So I got a Smok AL85. That was a big mistake IMO. I feel this thing is horrible. So many good reviews?

 

[JuicyLucy]

So I got a Smok AL85. That was a big mistake IMO. I feel this thing is horrible. So many good reviews?

What is it you don't like?

You have to take reviews with a big old grain of salt, but often you can get what you want out of a disappointing purchase once you get to know how it works, etc.

 

[GorGon27]

You are right. It is getting easier to use now that I got the hang of it. It is a little different than the mods I am used to. Like the fire button and menu button.
It is very small which I like. I would say it is probably an advancement over the Sigelei 75.

 

[bobnat]

So I got a Smok AL85. That was a big mistake IMO. I feel this thing is horrible. So many good reviews?

I've got one and I like it. I use it everyday and have never had a problem with it. I only use it in VW mode and never go above 45. No problems at all and it vapes as good as anything else I have.

 

[GorGon27]

It is fine now. I figured out the menu and fire button which requires some force. More importantly I realized you do not set the watts and temp as high as a DNA device apparently. This is exactly what I wanted. I am tired of 3 battery or even two battery devices. This is the right fit for me. Since I use very low wattage it is fine. I can't even imagine a Four battery device!

The Sigelei 75 seems to be broken. It gets boiling hot then displays "High Temp" until it cools. The Smok does not get hot at all. Still, a 3000Mah battery does not last me long because I chain Vape. I have multiple batteries charged at 2 Amps so there will be no break in my Vaping(while I am doing it) anyways. I do like Magnets better than a cap or door. I was surprised to find the threads are good though. At first when I screwed down the atty all the way the AL85 protested. Now it is working fine. Do not know how good the 510 is but it seems okay.

I liked the AL85 better than the Pico. I guess the big screen probably.

So this is taken care of for now.

 

[AndriaD]

It is fine now. I figured out the menu and fire button which requires some force. More importantly I realized you do not set the watts and temp as high as a DNA device apparently. This is exactly what I wanted. I am tired of 3 battery or even two battery devices. This is the right fit for me. Since I use very low wattage it is fine. I can't even imagine a Four battery device!

The Sigelei 75 seems to be broken. It gets boiling hot then displays "High Temp" until it cools. The Smok does not get hot at all. Still, a 3000Mah battery does not last me long because I chain Vape. I have multiple batteries charged at 2 Amps so there will be no break in my Vaping(while I am doing it) anyways. I do like Magnets better than a cap or door. I was surprised to find the threads are good though. At first when I screwed down the atty all the way the AL85 protested. Now it is working fine. Do not know how good the 510 is but it seems okay.

I liked the AL85 better than the Pico. I guess the big screen probably.

So this is taken care of for now.

Very low wattage, eh? Like me... 9.5w? That's very low wattage, and with my Achilles, that's all it takes!

Andria

 

[bobnat]

Very low wattage, eh? Like me... 9.5w? That's very low wattage, and with my Achilles, that's all it takes!

Andria

Gee, at that wattage you could get a hamster on a wheel to power your mod.

 

[AndriaD]

Gee, at that wattage you could get a hamster on a wheel to power your mod.

Heh, probably. But when I first got some of the 30w/40w mods I use now, everyone swore up and down that I needed 20A batteries, even if I never turned it up past 10w -- why, I have no earthly idea, since my 9.5w-10w using a 2 ohm coil uses maybe 2A -- I'd thought my old Efest 5A batteries would still be fine... and I still have no idea why they're not. But at least, at my low wattage, those 20A batteries last a LONG time -- 2 days most of the time, and when I had that awful headcold recently and didn't vape much, even 3 days.

And with that tight-draw Achilles, 9.5w is PERFECT -- ever so slightly warm, with a tight draw like a carto... or a cigarette.

Andria

 

[r055co]

I love my Battlestar. I'm thinking of stocking up on them.

I'm not a regulated Vaper but I do use them for pulsing, testing my builds and every now and again when I feel like slumming it I'm impressed with the Battlestar, it's a very solid mod and thinking about picking up a couple more myself for the FDA Apocalypse Stash.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

 

[GorGon27]

It looks like the AL85 does not have a battery vent hole?

 

[Just Frank]

It looks like the AL85 does not have a battery vent hole?

Look on the bottom maybe. I dont have one.

 

[Ryedan]

It looks like the AL85 does not have a battery vent hole?

My Pico 75 has holes at the bottom under the battery. Looking at pics of this one it doesn't seem to have any anywhere. Interesting.

Does it maybe have air passage internally through the mod? If you have one, try blowing through the battery compartment without a battery in it.

 

[GorGon27]

Well Folks, The AL85 lasted less than a week. First it was saying check battery on a good battery. Then it kept popping up, new coil. Finally it said Ohms too low on a .23 coil. It went haywire. The cap is a Pita and the main fault of this Mod Imo. My feeling is any mod that does not have traditional battery clips will soon fail. Maybe my bad luck. I will accept that. Back to the Sigelei 75. While it works. Perhaps it will continue to. That, and the likes of the SnowWolf, Yihi Q class Etc. With those clips.I feel that is the down fall of many Mods

I don't doubt that every last Electronic Mod will eventually fail though. The Sigelei is easy to use and change the battery. No busting your Knuckles. It is also firing the Crown II SS coils fine. I could not get any DNA board to fire those. I know that is my fault however. So as long as it lasts the Sigelei meets my needs. The Al85 is actually too small as well for me. I can see the paint coming off the AL85 but perhaps not. Didn't get that far.

If it ain't broke don't fix it! Until it breaks I would like a small Newfangled mod but I will have to look further. The pico next perhaps. I guess to add insult to injury. Nonetheless, I have decided 1x18650 is best for me. I have a bunch of DNA 200/250 Mods but for me they do not really do anything other Mods do not. I know they do, just not for my purposes.

Lipo's are also a pain in the Butt Imo. So this is where I am at right now. Quite frankly it was one of the best built Mods ever. The ABS plastic frame and SS sides are going to take much more of a beating than Anodized or painted Zinc Alloy or Aluminum. It will suit me fine until it stops working. I bought the AL85 from a B&M so I just wasted another $60 and that was not even the kit!

I am not sure there is a reason to spend more right now. I think I am Macho to rock a DNA but ( am over it. The only Viable battery situation with them is 18650's. The retention system fails along with the paint on the ones that currently exist from Wisemec and LV. I would rather Vape than troubleshoot and spend money. That is just me. You have to understand I do not even build coils!

End f rant Lol. Seriously, I am not even upset. I just have to kick myself for not sticking with what(for me) is tried and proven. This is not to say the AL85 may not be a good mod. Mine failed that's all. Someone mentioned poor regulation on the 75 but when it was working, for me the battery did not last as long in the AL85 either. Does it sound like I am sold on the 75? Not really, I have had it for like Two Years. Until I got tired of 3x18650's and paint jumping off. At least I am Vaping. I can see some of these driving the unwitting back to Analogs!

On that note I never knew the Crown II SS were great coils! The new ones of course. Seeing as I could never get them to work on other Mods. I know that is just me.