Modern Mods and Mod Kits

[Stew]

Hi @Stew

You brought up a good topic

I've had several mods over the years - I tend to buy a lot fewer devices that many of the enthusiastic folk - I like to buy what I think I am going to like best - and then I tend to keep it for a long time.

I must say that most of my regulated mods have lasted me a very long time with very few faults

I do look after my gear - I dont chuck it around and try not drop it - but most have taken an accidental fall or two.

Most of my mods have lasted multiple years. For devices costing R500-R1,000 I think that's good value.

Here are the devices that are going for multiple years:

• Pico - no faults whatsover - have been charging using onboard charging to avoid having to take the batt out each time. This is a trooper of note
• Sigelei 100 plus - what a device - been going for about 5 years without a sausage of a problem
• Evic VTC Mini - also going for years - not even a single ounce of a problem - this one I take out the battery each time and make use of an external charger
• iStick 50 - man, this is an incredible device - the fire button occasionally doesnt work, so you have to press it agian - but other than that it has lasted about 5 years. Those who know me will know that this is my outdoor and car device - goes with me wherever - and it has never failed. Amazing because the internal battery has held up incredibly well. I can't say I notice it's lifespan or ability to hold a charge has deteriorated. If it has then its slight - not a problem
• Hotcig 150 - this device is also incredible - hasnt skipped a beat and is used all the time. I charge the batteries externally.
• istick 20 - this is an incredible trooper. Also goes with me wherever. I have a spare but am waiting for this one to die. Well it hasnt - it goes and goes and goes. Not a single problem. Internal battery has held up. Also about 5 years of daily service. Could be 4 yrs. But its a really reliable device. I use this for my little Evod. No sleeve to make it smooth if it goes in my pocket

These are all older devices which I doubt are available today - but their manufacturers have done well in my opinion. Most of my regulated mods live in a sleeve except for the istick 20. So maybe that has helped to cushion knocks etc.

The only mods that have failed on me or have had problems are a very old first gen SMOK 50W device - cant remember the name - but it stopped working. And then my Billet Box - despite working fantastically - it drains the battery if you leave a battery in for a few days without using it. None of my other mods have that issue.

Overall I am very impressed with the reliability I have experienced from my regulated mods

View attachment 204918

From left to right
- Sigelei 100+
- Hotcig 150
- Evic VTC Mini
- istick 20

(Pico and istick50 are not here with me for the pic)

Thanks. Nice collection and helpful.

 

[Silver]

Noted. Thanks. Get a external charger and a mod that can use removable batteries that you charge on your charger.

You definitely need good batteries and a good charger @Stew
But as I have shown from my experiences with the istick20 and istick50, internal battery mods can be fine too. I like them because taking out the batteries and inserting them each time can become a chore - plus if the bays are tight you end up ripping off the battery coverings and then it can become quite dangerous. Easy to do it with care - but when you in a hurry it can happen that an older battery wrap gets torn - then you need to recover your batteries - so you need to buy battery wraps and a hairdryer. Lol.

And so it goes on...

 

[Stew]

With respect @Chickenstrip I think that you somewhat missed the point. As I said, " ... that "quality" mods use better materials, look better and may last longer." Perhaps I shouldn't have included "looks better" because that aspect is subjective (see @Grand Guru 's comment above).

I don't think that anyone would disagree that the best way to sell an expensive mod is to provide "better quality wrt materials and longevity.

Here is one point where I disagree with you where you say that :



In some of these mods this may be the case, but definitely not all. After reading your comment I took a look at some of DJLsb Vapes' teardown videos. He is well known as being perhaps the most technically orientated reviewer.

Take the following random Smok review as an example. He describes the wiring as "big and beefy and also the soldering of the wire pretty well done". Wrt the board he say that he likes what he sees (soldering,layout etc). This 2018 video was done at a time when Smok mods had a reputation for issues. This is no longer the case.


On both the reviews DJL does very comprehensive reviews. Will look for his reviews in future. Thanks.
If you want to look at the eleaf Pico's internals take a look at this 2016 video.



My only motivation to reply to your comments is that I wouldn't want new vapers to think that all Eleaf and Smok products are designed to fail and have dental floss wiring.

There are many of us on this forum who have five year old Eleaf Pico mods. The fact that the original Pico is still sold today is a reflection of it's durability and deserved popularity.

 

[CJB85]

Then buy yourself an Aegis legend mod... unbreakable. I gave mine to my brother who has a tendency f throwing whatever is in his hand when he gets angry and he is still thanking me for it.
Edit: his furniture and wife aren’t
View attachment 204917

Battle tank mods for sure... In any search where durability and solid functionality are the primary requirements, these beasts will always be near the top of the list. They are getting older, so you might get one for a good price. If you want something smaller, don't mind the higher price and don't require the dual battery power, have a look at the new Aegis Max too.