Yes! Dna200 arrived, pics included, question about US charger.

[conanthewarrior]

Hi people. My Hotcig DNA200 arrived this morning, FOUR DAYS after packaging, it left gearbest shenzen to Hong kong the next day, the day after flew to the UK Heathrow airport and cleared customs in hours, and today it was delivered by courier to my door.

Here are some pictures of the device, at the end there is a question though, which way does my charger go in the adapter? As It can go in BOTH ways, and I do not want to reverse polarity, it is currently facing with the rectangular charger to the right, which I put in at first as that seemed just the correct way, it was after using it I realised it could go in the other way! US users would have the same issue, as there is no earth, just two prongs.

Hmm, wonder whats in here (I already opened, hence the torn sticker):

Simple but amazing:

Front of mod:

Side of mod:

I have changed lots of settings in Escribe, made four profiles for different wire types, adjusted the initial preheat to around 80W for 1S, Entered the correct W/h for my battery (10 watt hours), and of course updated the firmware.

Now, there is one issue. This thing does TC so good, it is not even like you are using TC. It is so smooth, to whatever temp you want. It makes my Xcube 2 seem really lacking now, as there is a slight noticeable fluctuation on it, on this, it works perfectly, I've only tested titanium and NI200, I installed the correct CSV file for titanium, I added SS in a third profile, and Kanthal for a 4th profile.

No noticeable difference between using NI200 and TI, which is great as it always seemed that Titanium temp control only really worked over 200C, NI200 could be taken a lot lower with the same amount of vapour.

So, on the plug issue, as it is a rectangle that plugs in sideways, even on US plugs, how do I know it is in the right way :s? I've never used a US to UK converter before so its new to me, But luckily my battery charged fine earlier, and was balanced as I checked in escribe each cell.

I am having lots of fun adjusting things in escribe to get exactly what I want, I spent a few hours tinkering, at first it was still better than any other mod I had used in all honesty, but now its set to how I like it, with preheat time and preheat punch set, it is definitely my best performer.

It's like a sleeper car. Looks like a standard car but underneath you have some huge V10 600HP beast lol.

My most expensive mod, but was it worth it? in one word, YES!

 

[SMOKIE]

Hate Hotcig products from past experience with them, but wish you luck with it.

.

 

[conanthewarrior]

Hate Hotcig products from past experience with them, but wish you luck with it.

View attachment 31010 .

Thanks mate. It seems pretty solid, and have checked it out dissasembled (photos) and all looks good to me, so hopefully it lasts me well.

I also realised it is ALTERNATING current, so it would not matter which way it is plugged in. Bafflement over, and feel safer now. It charges a lot quicker than the laptop, and in escribe it had balanced the batteries perfectly.

Only thing is charge time. Going to order a second battery next weekend, and when they start going wonky I will replace them with something higher capacity if I can, simple job, just attach pos and neg to the banana style plugs to power the device, and poke the balance port out for charging it.

 

[Wingsfan0310]

Was your battery discharged on arrival? My packs total voltage was under 5.0v.

Cheers,
Steve

 

[conanthewarrior]

Was your battery discharged on arrival? My packs total voltage was under 5.0v.

Cheers,
Steve

Yes, it was, it was down to 3.7 Volts, and I believe it to be damaged, as when it reaches below half charge the watt hours have dropped to around 5 and I get an error" DNA something-BATTERY-WARRANTY ISSUE."

Then if I connect it to escribe, it works fine. I remember changing the charging from most recharges to most puffs, I have literally just changed it back to see if that solves it, as when it was on that setting before, I could use the whole battery up.

I realise that the battery is the issue here, I have contacted hot cig as I am not sending my whole device back. The should really send me a battery pack, even if it is just the lipo I would be able to swap it out easily, I've seen inside these batteries and they are easy peasy to set up.

If I have no luck, a good Lipo for it is only £10-£20, and I think I can fit a larger capacity battery in there according to my measurements and the LIPO in there at the moment.

So, It is my best mod, that works at the moment only to half charge. I have changed it back to maximize recharges, and am hoping, fingers crossed, that this fixes it for now.

But, I was aware of this issue before purchase. I factored in the price of a new lipo, and it still worked out good, as the device itself touch wood seems solid, its just them shipping them connected without the firmware update, that drains battery to damaging levels.

Everyone I know has received one that is severely undercharged, with one person on the Ecig forum having two batteries at around 2.9V, the third at ZERO. Most people get them around my level, with each cell having jsut over one volt in it. Completely unnaceptable on Hotcigs side.

I am going to purchase an additional pack for it, as these are only 25 dollars, and due to them not being connected, should be at an OK voltage.

I had a lipo, that had not been charged over a year, and it was still in the 11 volt range. I may even put that one in there for now if this one is indeed damaged, only 850Mah but will last longer if the escribe change does not solve the issue.

So, best mod in the way it works, and a great battery compartment design, but they really should ship them apart in the package, or at least update the firmware issues as I know there is laws that batteries need to be in their device and such.

 

[conanthewarrior]

I used it quite a lot yesterday, it was on the second recharge that this started to happen. This coincides with me changing the setting in Escribe from 'max recharges' to 'max puffs'.

It is back to 'max recharges' now, so I hope that sorts it.

 

[conanthewarrior]

YES! The issue is gone, the battery works under half charge. I will keep it on max recharges. I want my batteries to last as long as possible anyway .

That doesn't mean I won't be putting a larger battery in though , I am ordering a second battery for 25 dollars as they have finally been released, with 1100 and 1300MAH versions also being launched very soon.

They also should not have the discharge problem, as they are not connected to the un-updated DNA200 that drained battery fast in sleep.

Not being able to fully turn the mod off is why everyones is undercharged.

 

[Wingsfan0310]

Thanks, I've only read of 1 or 2 that came with the batteries not severely discharged. The answer shouldn't be for us to have to buy a new battery. The answer should be either Gearbest or Hotcig offering a free replacement battery imo.

 

[MrScaryZ]

YES! The issue is gone, the battery works under half charge. I will keep it on max recharges. I want my batteries to last as long as possible anyway .

That doesn't mean I won't be putting a larger battery in though , I am ordering a second battery for 25 dollars as they have finally been released, with 1100 and 1300MAH versions also being launched very soon.

They also should not have the discharge problem, as they are not connected to the un-updated DNA200 that drained battery fast in sleep.

Not being able to fully turn the mod off is why everyones is undercharged.

Make sure you measure you Hotcig case. And get the mm specs of the battery..A 3s 1300mah battery is larger than a 900mah it may not fit... Its not just a battery capacity issue cells for Lipo pack usage come in hundred of configurations if not more

 

[conanthewarrior]

Make sure you measure you Hotcig case. And get the mm specs of the battery..A 3s 1300mah battery is larger than a 900mah it may not fit... Its not just a battery capacity issue cells for Lipo pack usage come in hundred of configurations if not more

I was aware of that, I used to fly RC helis, hence the extra lipo I had spare. I did have larger batteries, smaller batteries, but I last flew about 6 years ago.

The battery I measure was charged over a year ago (the lipo I had, not the Hotcig one) was measuring just over 11 volts. That was over a YEAR.

Also, this lipo would 100% fit and is not damaged, but is only 850MAH, so am worried I will be losing 50MAH. But, since the battery is damaged, it probably isn't 900MAH anyway, so I'm not sure.

But I have measured the LI-PO I have that is undamaged, that will fit perfectly, BUT is not rated correctly, so I will not use it, even though in escribe my power draw is never over 17 amps (40 watts, 70 watt punch, 7.3 setting) and that is for a split second, literally you only see it if you look quick enough, then it drops to around 8-10 amps.

I have found 1000MAH ones that will definitely fit, but for now I will use the hotcig.

Thanks, I've only read of 1 or 2 that came with the batteries not severely discharged. The answer shouldn't be for us to have to buy a new battery. The answer should be either Gearbest or Hotcig offering a free replacement battery imo.

I completely agree with you. I have emailed hotcig themselves, asking for a replacement as it does not work as described (As you can not use the max puff setting in escribe-plus I get the error if I remove the battery-I have to reconnect to escribe.

As long as I do not remove the battery, I should be OK. The charger it comes with is only 800MAH anyway, and the onboard balanced charger on the DNA200 is 1A, so it charges faster, about an hour/hour and half (This is a guesstimate, I haven't timed it yet).

I will be buying another hotcig battery next weekend, as I could do with one spare, that should come with a normal voltage as it isn't connected to the DNA 200 so wont suffer from the sleep draining battery bug, that is why units are coming drained so much.

To solve this, hotcig would either have to package the Li-Po not connected to the mod, or update the chip through escribe before sending them out.

I think there are laws on shipping batteries though-they can be sent normall if installed in their device, which Is why I believe hotcig do not seperate them.

I am thinking that it will be a fair wait for the spare battery, I am also going to buy a charger, I found a blue one, I can not remember the name, but that was apparently a lot safer than the one included-for about £12.

It has many different balance ports for different batteries, so think that will be on the list.

For now though, the battery included will have to do, as I need to get juice and wire on the weekend. If I have enough left, I will get the battery and charger, as then I can straight swap the batteries, as the mod is so good I don't want to use any others lol. (I obviously will, but the DNA200 really is cream of the crop).

 

[conanthewarrior]

Also-the battery lasts for at least 3 tanks of my SMOK RSBT2 dual coil TI profile. 24 watts with a 70W preheat with a 7.3 punch.

That actually suprised me, I was thinking one, maybe two at best, but it does 3, so maybe the battery is not severely damaged after all?

But, it is a problem I was aware of. I am trying to get a free battery from hotcig as it shouldn't happen. If we didn't have escribes battery recovery, we would be bolloxed.

Also, being on a mac, its a bit annoying having to log in and out from mac to windows to use escribe-but now its all set up, I shouldn't have to go in there unless I remove the battery under half charge.

 

[Wingsfan0310]

FastTech has them listed for $23.87 but not shipping for 7 business days. The only place I've seen them listed so far.

Cheers,
Steve

 

[Stepinrazor]

Don't shoot me, as I could be wrong. But I believe that the postal services require the Lipo pack to be connected to the device if they are to handle it. If my memory serves me correctly, I was considering buying a 26650 mech mod, but couldn't source the batteries from the same site. But couldn't buy the batteries elsewhere as I was informed the only way to post them out to me, was if they were inserted in a device.

Never had an issue buying 18650s, anyways I changed my mind about the 26650 mod and I am now thinking twice about the whole Lipo thing.

 

[MrScaryZ]

Don't shoot me, as I could be wrong. But I believe that the postal services require the Lipo pack to be connected to the device if they are to handle it. If my memory serves me correctly, I was considering buying a 26650 mech mod, but couldn't source the batteries from the same site. But couldn't buy the batteries elsewhere as I was informed the only way to post them out to me, was if they were inserted in a device.

Never had an issue buying 18650s, anyways I changed my mind about the 26650 mod and I am now thinking twice about the whole Lipo thing.

I could see some vape shop doing some stupidity like that but I have bought many a LIPO battery without it connected to anything so I do not know why you would have issues

 

[Stepinrazor]

I could see some vape shop doing some stupidity like that but I have bought many a LIPO battery without it connected to anything so I do not know why you would have issues

My actual issue was with purchasing 26650s. Sourced a 26650 JD Tech Scorpion X mod at a very good price, but the site had no batteries in stock. A site with batteries wouldn't consider selling them without a device, quoting some BS about it being against the UK postal system's policies to post them on their own.

 

[Stepinrazor]

Actually it looks like it is a thing, just did a quick search

http://about.usps.com/postal-bulletin/2012/pb22336/html/updt_004.htm

 

[Stepinrazor]

I guess not all sites comply

http://www.postoffice.co.uk/mail/uk-what-can-i-send

 

[MrScaryZ]

My actual issue was with purchasing 26650s. Sourced a 26650 JD Tech Scorpion X mod at a very good price, but the site had no batteries in stock. A site with batteries wouldn't consider selling them without a device, quoting some BS about it being against the UK postal system's policies to post them on their own.

Hmmm interesting

 

[Wingsfan0310]

Looks like FastTech had second thoughts on the pricing of the spare/replacement battery packs. They were $23 and change yesterday, $45 today. Nothing like a little gouging .

Cheers,
Steve

 

[Wingsfan0310]

From the department of Gearbest not wanting to be outdone, there is this. Last night I opened up a ticket on my Hotcig (bought from GB). I sent them a picture of the broken wooden box (when I opened the package, the mod wasn't even in the box). I also let them know the battery came severely discharged. I explained to them that means it's been compromised. I asked for directions to return it to their USA warehouse for a refund. Their counter offer was 20GB points, which equals 40 cents in store credit . I sent them a reply this morning saying that offer was both irritating and insulting. I reiterated my original request. I'm debating if I want to wait for their reply or just contact PayPal myself. This very well may be my last GB order.

Cheers,
Steve

Edit. This is the first time out of all my orders I've opened a ticket telling them I received a defective /damaged product. Also on the same day I received a Hcigar VT200 from them (different order and package) that is perfectly fine, which I told them. I'm just baffled by their response!

 

[conanthewarrior]

Don't shoot me, as I could be wrong. But I believe that the postal services require the Lipo pack to be connected to the device if they are to handle it. If my memory serves me correctly, I was considering buying a 26650 mech mod, but couldn't source the batteries from the same site. But couldn't buy the batteries elsewhere as I was informed the only way to post them out to me, was if they were inserted in a device.

Never had an issue buying 18650s, anyways I changed my mind about the 26650 mod and I am now thinking twice about the whole Lipo thing.

You are partly correct- Batteries need to be in their device for certain forms of postage and flight-if in a device, it can be flown, hence how I got it so quick.

I bought 4 25R's from fasttech and they took about 3-4 weeks to get here as they had to be shipped via a European country I can't quite remember, but it was snail mail.

So, I will be able to get the lI-po, but it will take a LOT longer to get here.

I could do with someone with a 3D printer to make a larger housing and I could whack whatever lipo I wanted in there lol.

 

[Stepinrazor]

Thanks for the clarification, that makes complete sense

 

[Robert B]

Hate Hotcig products from past experience with them, but wish you luck with it.

It's less a HotCig product and more an Evolv product. Slap a dna200 in a 5 dollar hammond box and you have exactly the same thing. Hence the beauty of the whole thing. Evolv has made it "all about the enclosure"

 

[conanthewarrior]

I am amazed- gearbest has agreed after me sending them photo evidence of the battery error to send me a replacement Li-Po in housing! I was going to but an extra battery, and put a working Li-Po in this one, but now I don't have too as they are allowing me to keep the partially working one!

I can whack a working Li-Po in the enclosure-I took it apart last night and it was a piece of cake to do-I could even use electrical tape if I didn't want to solder near the battery, so easy peasy!

Really happy, as I was NOT expecting any luck with gearbest, but alas, I got luck .

 

[conanthewarrior]

Thanks for the clarification, that makes complete sense

You are from the UK as well aren't you? I know our postage regulations are a reason-I do not know if the rest of the world is like this, but our UK postage system is, hence why you had trouble, but you can get them it just takes a lot, lot longer lol.

 

[conanthewarrior]

From the department of Gearbest not wanting to be outdone, there is this. Last night I opened up a ticket on my Hotcig (bought from GB). I sent them a picture of the broken wooden box (when I opened the package, the mod wasn't even in the box). I also let them know the battery came severely discharged. I explained to them that means it's been compromised. I asked for directions to return it to their USA warehouse for a refund. Their counter offer was 20GB points, which equals 40 cents in store credit . I sent them a reply this morning saying that offer was both irritating and insulting. I reiterated my original request. I'm debating if I want to wait for their reply or just contact PayPal myself. This very well may be my last GB order.

Cheers,
Steve

Edit. This is the first time out of all my orders I've opened a ticket telling them I received a defective /damaged product. Also on the same day I received a Hcigar VT200 from them (different order and package) that is perfectly fine, which I told them. I'm just baffled by their response!

Tell them exactly the problem-and if you can make an error come up on screen, send it to them.

If not, I will send you the error picture, as they needed evidence, and you can use that to try get a battery, as they have agreed to send a replacement Li-Po for me, which I did NOT expect. I hope it works out for you mate, are you in the UK or US? I'm in the UK myself, was just wondering as you mentioned the UK warehouse .

EDIT: I should add, I don't have to return the damaged lipo or enclosure-so I hope if you use this method you will get a Li-po with housing-then you can fit a working LI-Po into the housing. I took it apart last night, under the sticker there is one screw, the panel lifts from the bottom then slides out downwards as it is clipped in. Remember to replace that part after, it wouldn't matter if you didn't, but you might as well.

 

[conanthewarrior]

It's less a HotCig product and more an Evolv product. Slap a dna200 in a 5 dollar hammond box and you have exactly the same thing. Hence the beauty of the whole thing. Evolv has made it "all about the enclosure"

That is exactly why I went with the Hotcig-I had been looking on the Evolv forums, and realised that all DNA 200 devices are the same really-wether home made or factory made-the only difference being build quality (the Hotcig is solid) and the Lipo-it doesn't really matter what brand or who made it as long as it is solid to work.

It even comes with EVOLV labelling and parts of the packaging, so it is an evolv product to me-just made by someone else instead of me-and they have done a better job than I would, plus for the price of the chip in the UK ALONE! So a fully working, Evolv product with lipo and charger, for the price of just the chip. Even with the battery problem, that they are replacing and allowing me to keep the faulty one so I can slap a fully working Li-po in there, it was the most sensible way for me to get a DNA200.

I wouldn't of bought a hotcig product either, just due to the name-and I definitely do not use the included 800MAH charger as that is called a 'HOT FIRE' lmao, the DNA 200 has a built in USB 1A balance charger so I use that.

I am going to buy a Li-Po balanced charger though, as I did have a high quality one when I flew RC choppers, and you can charge at things like 10C for super fast charge with certain batteries- I have found a fair quality one that does not just 3s Lipos, but has balance ports for many others-and had adjustable charge rate. I would probably only charge at 2C, but that will reduce charge time to half hour, and that is well within the batteries safe limit.

 

[conanthewarrior]

Ok talk about luck, gearbest agreed to send a replacement today- and today the battery finally give up the ghost. I can get into escribe and the device powers on-but can not vape on it. I gather it will be a few weeks till the battery arrives-but at least then it will work fully.

And now I've got the mod, time should pass pretty quickly as long as they get it out as quick as possible like they said.

I'm using the Xcube at the moment instead. I did send them a message asking shipping method and how long it will take- as if they send british express again it will arrive past- and the battery being inside a casing is making me think it is possible to be shipped that day, so it could actually be next week at best, 3 weeks at worst.

 

[Vlad1]

You might check the continuity of the on board fuse just to make sure it's not the problem. Seems I've read others that could power up when connected via USB but not vape due to the fuse blowing. Hate to see you wait a month or two for a replacement battery and get it in to find you have other problems.

 

[conanthewarrior]

You might check the continuity of the on board fuse just to make sure it's not the problem. Seems I've read others that could power up when connected via USB but not vape due to the fuse blowing. Hate to see you wait a month or two for a replacement battery and get it in to find you have other problems.

How do I check the onboard continuity of the DNA200? Everything is reading normal in device monitor-it is going to take around a month to get another battery delivered, so I want to ensure its not that.

It did work OFF of USB power before the lipo started to make the screen flicker, then died, so I am pretty sure it is the li-Po-as when I connected to escribe the battery was not going past 5 W/H's (its a ten watt hour battery) and was fluctating from 4.89 to 5.10 W/h's rapidly, but would charge no further. So I don't think it is a fuse as it worked previously, albeit I had to connect to escribe each time I got the error.

Could it still be the Fuse?

 

[Vlad1]

How do I check the onboard continuity of the DNA200? Everything is reading normal in device monitor-it is going to take around a month to get another battery delivered, so I want to ensure its not that.

It did work OFF of USB power before the lipo started to make the screen flicker, then died, so I am pretty sure it is the li-Po-as when I connected to escribe the battery was not going past 5 W/H's (its a ten watt hour battery) and was fluctating from 4.89 to 5.10 W/h's rapidly, but would charge no further. So I don't think it is a fuse as it worked previously, albeit I had to connect to escribe each time I got the error.

Could it still be the Fuse?

You would put a continuity tester on each side of the fuse pads. And I only suggested you checking it so you wouldn't be disappointed if your battery came in and it did the same thing. Seems a blown fuse has similar symptoms as you described earlier?

From the Evolv forum.
Device powers on only when connected to USB power:

• Fuse is blown: Visually inspect fuse or test with ohmmeter. Return for repair if blown.
• Battery is dead or low or a single cell is dead or low: View cell charge levels in Escribe to verify that the device sees a three cell pack and that each cell is charged above 2.00 volts

 

[conanthewarrior]

You would put a continuity tester on each side of the fuse pads. And I only suggested you checking it so you wouldn't be disappointed if your battery came in and it did the same thing. Seems a blown fuse has similar symptoms as you described earlier?

From the Evolv forum.
Device powers on only when connected to USB power:

• Fuse is blown: Visually inspect fuse or test with ohmmeter. Return for repair if blown.
• Battery is dead or low or a single cell is dead or low: View cell charge levels in Escribe to verify that the device sees a three cell pack and that each cell is charged above 2.00 volts

I opened it up and the fuse looks fine-I got it to fire with a old Li-PO I had laying around, so I am pretty sure the fuse is OK. I am getting a second DNA200 device though from the UK as I have found some for a similar price that are good-I am looking into getting the Lost vapes DNA200 mod as it is different, and a fair price, and from the UK .

But, it worked with the other LI-PO but weakly, but it is a 7 year old LI-PO. I just Can't wait for it to arrive, also I've not done anything that would blow the fuse so it shouldn't be that, and visual inspection showed it to look fine, and as it fired with the other Li-PO, I dont think its that as it worked till the battery was empty once disconnected from Escribe, if it was the fuse I think it would only work connected to Escribe.

I could disconnect it from escribe once powered on and use it as normal-it was just the battery was so damaged it only worked for 5 days and connecting to escribe must of done something.

Thank you for the guide though .

 

[Vlad1]

I opened it up and the fuse looks fine-I got it to fire with a old Li-PO I had laying around, so I am pretty sure the fuse is OK. I am getting a second DNA200 device though from the UK as I have found some for a similar price that are good-I am looking into getting the Lost vapes DNA200 mod as it is different, and a fair price, and from the UK .

But, it worked with the other LI-PO but weakly, but it is a 7 year old LI-PO. I just Can't wait for it to arrive, also I've not done anything that would blow the fuse so it shouldn't be that, and visual inspection showed it to look fine, and as it fired with the other Li-PO, I dont think its that as it worked till the battery was empty once disconnected from Escribe, if it was the fuse I think it would only work connected to Escribe.

I could disconnect it from escribe once powered on and use it as normal-it was just the battery was so damaged it only worked for 5 days and connecting to escribe must of done something.

Thank you for the guide though .

Well if it works with another Lipo it's not a fuse problem so your initial diagnosis is confirmed if all is working correctly by changing out the pack. Best of luck getting a replacement. I'm going through a battery replacement process myself, been dealing with them over a month on a VTBox200 device now.

 

[conanthewarrior]

Fuck me! I don't usually swear-but gearbest are NOT sending me a new battery-They are sending me a WHOLE NEW DNA 200!

Obvoiously due to translation, and the error screen I sent them on the device, it seems my device is the problem to them-so they are sending the whole thing out! I just have to wait 24 to 48 hours for a tracking number- last time they said that-and it was the same person, Wera, it was out within about 12 hours.

Only thing is it is not british express this time. It is China post registered, what I get drippers and stuff like that through. It takes 2-3 weeks to get here.

But then, I can get the new unit working, and do as I like with the old, Obviously in the bin as it is broken (PM me for details, walls have ears)

Shocked is the state I am in at the moment.

 

[Wingsfan0310]

No guarantee the new ones battery will be in any better condition than the first ones. I'm really losing my patience with them. After their first response they came back at me with a more reasonable response. I responded and now nothing from them for 4 days. I'm just going to call PayPal, report I got a damaged item and that they are now ignoring the problem. At this point, I just want a refund. It will be a cold day in hell before I buy anything from them again.

Cheers,
Steve

 

[conanthewarrior]

I got a message back from gearbest last night Wingsfan, so they must work.

Guess what they told me? 24-48 hours as they are putting in a request. They already told me that, and also said is it OK it will be via china post, which I had already said yes to multiple times, I told them today in a message to stop messing around and send the battery immediately, I was as polite as possible but made sure they knew I was not taking it, and if they don't warrant it I will go through paypal.

Worst decision I made-wish I spent £40 more on the Hcigar-which I am going to do in a fortnight anyway. Then if gearbest send me the battery or not, I don't really care.

I got a replacement Li-Po on the way that I bought personally, to get it working-but it wont fit in the bloody housing so it will be attached straight to the device with lots of electrical tape, just so I can use it.

I will then get either the real battery from gearbest, or if they don't follow through-I told them this is the last message I am sending and if it is not out with a tracking number within 48 hours I will have to take action.

Lets hope it doesn't get to that, but one thing I have learned-I am never 'going cheap' for things like mods and such from china again. I would rather pay the full amount and not have all this hassle, its going to be at least a good few weeks till I get the battery if they do ship within 48 hours, if they don't send me a battery, and I don't get a paypal refund, lesson learned.

I wouldn't recommend gearbest to anybody at all, as you can see the experience me and wingsfan0310 have had with the same item, and not a cheap item at that.

I think I will do the same as him and put a paypal claim in-say my item was damaged which it was and just get a refund.

 

[conanthewarrior]

I've actually outright told them now either send it immediately, I am giving you 24 hours, or I am going to get a refund, I am fed up with their service, and to immediately send the replacement with a tracking number.

If I wake up tomorrow to no tracking item-paypal it is.

 

[conanthewarrior]

Well if it works with another Lipo it's not a fuse problem so your initial diagnosis is confirmed if all is working correctly by changing out the pack. Best of luck getting a replacement. I'm going through a battery replacement process myself, been dealing with them over a month on a VTBox200 device now.

That does not sound good to me. I don't know wether to wait till tommorow-as they have already told me 24 to 48 hours three days ago-or give them till tomorrow, if I have no tracking number put in a paypal dispute. Pisses me off to the max-If I don't get a new battery it will be unusable, the battery I mistakenly measured so it is too wide at only 850MAH.

I think I will order the battery in its housing from fasttech-only option I can think of, or just give up on this one and get the Hcigar dna200 from the UK.

 

[Wingsfan0310]

It's too bad they force the situation to this point. Just losing customers and for what. In the end if the product is damaged or defective, they really have no choice but to replace it (hopefully with one that works) or refund the purchase.

Cheers,
Steve

 

[conanthewarrior]

It's too bad they force the situation to this point. Just losing customers and for what. In the end if the product is damaged or defective, they really have no choice but to replace it (hopefully with one that works) or refund the purchase.

Cheers,
Steve

Exactly! It's not as if word wont get round on these forums-now I know they sell more than just vape gear, but I would say vape gear is a fair amount of their sales. People get told on forums to avoid them due to awful customer service, and they lose custom. If they did the opposite, they would be known as a trustworthy company, and would get much more people buying from them, as they would feel safe with their services.

The message this morning didn't mention a whole new DNA200-just the battery. I am sure it was just the battery at issue, so I am cool with that. I have a turniguy Li-Po on the way, so I should actually be able to use the DNA200 next week, probably tuesday or wednesday-just without its housing, it will be a eletrical tape and solder job just to get it working.

If, and when they supply the replacement battery, I can simply remove that one and install the new one-and then I would be fine.

It is just the lying that gets to me-telling me 48 hours maximum, then going over that and saying it will be shipped in 24-48 hours just like the first time, that ticked me off man. I straight up said why did you lie to me about the other package being shipped? I will give you that amount of time to ship it, if not I am going to put it through paypal and let them deal with it.

I hope the thought of losing all the money, instead of just the cost of a replacement battery will kick their arse into gear lol.

 

[conanthewarrior]

Well gearbest had not sent a battery-just an email stating "we understand your frustration, but we have people on the case and it will be shipped within 24 to 48 hours". That is the third time-the first time I was told 24 to 48 hours was a week ago, so I put in a paypal claim, and was quite genorous-I only claimed 45 dollars for a new battery. Lets just hope it works out, or the paypal claim makes them send it.

If they send the battery, I will resolve the claim. But I WILL NOT stop it if they ask me too-I have cut my losses and ordered the battery from fasttech, but I WILL get either my money back or something of equal value. I am glad the fasttech item was in stock-

So, that was about £28. It is being shipped via sweden post as it is an external battery-only option available. Same as when I got my 25R's, for some reason they can't do ultra fast methods when it is not in a device, but in a device they can.

It stated 13-25 days, I have a turniguy Li-Po that shold be here tomorrow or the day after latest to use for now-it wont be pretty, as it wont fit in the case-but at least it will work.

I have now spent the same amount it would of cost to get the Hcigar Vt200 or the Lost vape Efusion- so I know never to go for these deals again, and just stick to my country-that is until TPD, then I will order devices from fasttech, but not super expensive ones like the DNA200. Although I trust fasttech far more than gearbest-their communication has always been great and they have swapped things fast for me.

Gearbest has definitely lost a few customers in this thread though. Any new mods after TPD will be fasttech only-and 18650 mods at that, as they are just simpler for me, and if they go wrong I can fix certain parts, like my sig 30 packed up and I took that apart and fixed it with electrical tape on a short and some solder on a loose connection. Still going strong about 3 months later.