Box Frenzy - Initial Problems with the VTbox200
“Can you dig it?” asked Vape Cige. “There is no love between us anymore,” replied many customers.
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by Dave Cross
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“Wise up! Sucker!” sang Pop Will Eat Itself - and host of smug vapers as VapinFagan released his video on YouTube. He told a tale of poor build quality to the amusement of onlookers who had not stumped up around a hundred pounds to be among the first to try out Evolv’s brand new chip.
The VTbox200 was available for distribution to vendors and group buy organisers through Vape Cige’s website and their old Rainbow Heaven Alibaba. The company’s transition into new original waters hit problems as they struggled to obtain a white coating that stayed on the mod. Orders were quickly swapped for the hitherto unmentioned red and black version so they could meet demand and get a mod to market before other companies released their DNA200-powered boxes.
The rush to fulfil demand inevitably led to a fall-off in quality control which, when combined with some design errors, has resulted in an almost unprecedented failure rate. As complaints surfaced across social media during the 48-hours after the first batch was delivered the company made a single Facebook post: “We have nothing to say”! This post was subsequently deleted but indicated that events were slipping out of control.
One UK vendor has experienced 50% of the customer reporting issues that require replacement mods to be shipped out from China. So what are the problems?
- The travel on the 510-connector. The throw on the pin is so small that when combined with the shallow threading leaves most atomisers perched on top and a gap evident between them and the mod. Although a minor issue, it results from a poor design process that failed to take into account comments vapers have been making for years.
- The glue on the 510-connector. While some complain that this should never have been a design feature it is clear that in the rush insufficient glue was applied resulting in far too many connectors breaking away from the unit – some snapping connections in the process.
- Swollen LiPo packs preventing the side from being attached to the mod.
- LiPo cells delivered in a dangerously discharged state rendering the mod unable to be charged and used.
- The wiring from the LiPo pack using a male instead of a female connector. Again this may not be an issue while in use but should the cells be disconnected it can create issues, potentially leading to a short across the terminals.
It is possible to overlook one of the biggest successes in all of this – the chip and the software produced by Evolv. Beeky, a member of Planet of the Vapes’ forum posted: “The DNA 200 is a remarkable and very customisable chip. The VT Box it is wrapped in is very nice to use. And the EScribe software makes customising the device straightforward. The range of customisable features meant that I could fine-tune a perfect vape (for me) on all 4 tanks and switch easily via the saved profiles.”
“I found that tweaking the preheat power and punch really smoothed out the vape. I wasn't expecting too much difference but the back-to-back tests against the Sigelei highlighted just how much smoother the vape was. I've also found that I can raise the wattage higher than I would normally vape on the other devices and maintain a smooth, more flavoursome vape and with more cloud.”
And how is Vape Cige planning to change the production process now? In response to questions put to them they apologised for the delay of the white version but promise it will be in stock for despatch w/c 31.8.15. They have assured Planet of the Vapes that these models will have had all of the red version’s shortcomings addressed. Importantly, this includes the un-chargeable state of some supplied LiPo units.
The company acknowledge the error with the cell’s connector and promised to address it immediately but they will not be changing the 510-connector so the atty-gap will remain. They restated their intention to replace all DOA and subsequently unusable units as part of their 12-month warranty but point out that cover for the LiPo is limited to one month from delivery that (unless they have massively increased the standard of QC checks) may prove to be problematic in the near future.
A growing number of vapers have expressed their distaste at being used as a test market for manufacturers. With market competition at an all-time high there is a pressing need for products to be fit for purpose straight from the packaging. It may take some time for Vape Cige to build up a level of trust in potential buyers – or maybe another change of name.
Dave Cross
Journalist at POTVDave is a freelance writer; with articles on music, motorbikes, football, pop-science, vaping and tobacco harm reduction in Sounds, Melody Maker, UBG, AWoL, Bike, When Saturday Comes, Vape News Magazine, and syndicated across the Johnston Press group. He was published in an anthology of “Greatest Football Writing”, but still believes this was a mistake. Dave contributes sketches to comedy shows and used to co-host a radio sketch show. He’s worked with numerous start-ups to develop content for their websites.
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