"the Buzz" - First Impression

[Burn]

I received "The Buzz" about 5 hours ago and this is my first impression review. As a rule, I think it is best in most cases to wait a week or 2 but as there are few reviews on this "emerging technology" device and a good deal of interest, I think this makes a good exception to that rule. I will take a page from the Grimm Green book and post a final review later.

Before I get started,There are not very many pics of this mod, the designer posted some today, you can find them here:

Vitals:

Mod Name - The Buzz

Vendor link - http://www.notcigs.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=17&category_id=7&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1&vmcchk=1&Itemid=1

Price - $114.95

Batteries - 2 X cr123 size 3.7V http://www.notcigs.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&category_id=9&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=80&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1

Supported Atomizers - choice of 901 or 801 sitting, and purchase and adapter for 501 ($3.95)

Appearance:

The majority of effort and R&D seem have gone into the performance and function more than the design. This is not one of those "gorgeous" mods but it is not ugly. It is a simple and pragmatic design. It is a 4 3/8" long tube with flat end caps that are 1 1/8" in diameter. The construction seems solid, not indestructible as the Silver Bullet but appears to be built to last and sustain reasonable drops. The body features a spill reservoir around the atty and vent holes in the lower part of the body in the event of a battery rupture. The body also has 3 grip rings scored into the exterior. Visible on the outside of the body is a small LED indicator, a very small and responsive button, phillips head screw used to hold internal components and a small vent hole that allows access to the main star of this mod the potentiometer. The placement of the button is at the top of the mod and comfortable using both an index finger or my preference, my thumb.

Features:

Safety is a priority with this mod, which is key as it requires stacking batteries. The circuitry within the device features five Way Protection against shorts, unsafe temperatures, reverse polarity, excessive current drain, over discharged batteries. It is nice to know you can use unprotected batteries although I would NEVER use anything besides protected batteries.

The flagship feature of this mod is the potentiometer. A potentiometer allows you to adjust the regulated voltage to whatever you wish in a range between 3.7V and 6.0. The Stacked batteries deliver a native 7.4 V (8.2 fully charged) and that voltage is controlled to only deliver the voltage the user desires. The voltage is changed by using a small blade screwdriver (provided with the base modeal) to turn the head of the potentiometer. The basic rule is 1 turn = .2 volts. These are NOT staged presets but you can change the voltage by at least .1 volts. You will want to have a multimeter (inexpensive) device to tune the MOD. It does come set at 4.5 V and you can guesstimate it without a voltmeter. You will need to buy a cord to attach your multimeter to the atomizer but thankfully it is very reasonably priced at $4.95 and available at the vendors site as are the batteries, chargers and adapters.

Opinion:

Now that all the details are out of the way, I can get to the fun stuff, my opinion of the device. The appearance is o.k. and the construction is at the very least, solid. I would have preferred a native 501 device as the adapter adds about 1/4" to the atty but it will be manageable. There are a few exposed but recessed construction screws that would have been nice to be capped or hidden but it really is not a big deal. I did not buy this mod for its beauty, after all, how smart are the prettiest girls anyways? (This does NOT apply to my wife or the lovely ladies that frequent Vapor Talk Forums) This mod's brains far surpasses its beauty.

What I did buy this device for fully delivers the promise. I started out with some low charged batteries while I waited for my new ones to charge and it delivered a 4.5 right away and the entire time until the low batter indicator came on! This, for me is HUGE!! I quickly put the device on my multimeter and to my glee, as I turned the screw head, the voltage started changing. I was convinced I would like 4.2V the best but indeed the standard 4.5 was excellent for me. I have put other atties on both 901 and 801s and I was able to turn up the voltage to compensate for the higher resistance of these atomizers to produce a similar output wattage to my 510. Sure enough, the matching worked!(using a great calculator tool http://thelocust.net/ohm/)

My biggest gripe with e-cigs and every mod I have seen to date is the battery performance. I really like a fully charged 3.7 battery when it is at 4.2 but within the first hour, I can feel it diminishing. By hour 4, I am looking for a freshly charged 18650 battery to get back to 4.2v or putting on a LR atty to get the power back. Who cares if the battery will last me 18 hours if I am not enjoying the output? I have been vaping constantly for about 5 hours now and the performance has been startling consistent. Not only do I have the perfect voltage for my taste but the device is delivering it with every inhale for 5 hours. As this is a new device, I am, of course, measuring it every 15 minutes and the s.o.b. doesn't change. This is the performance I was seeking and the consistency I demanded. 5 hours is admittedly not a great sample but it has been extremely encouraging.

Summary

When you consider this mod is among the first if not the first of its kind, it is remarkably mature and well thought out. I am convinced that this is the future of mods. Anyone who creates a new mod that does not have the ability to ascertain the performance and MAINTAIN the performance will just simply not be as good as this device. This includes the fanciest $150.00 to $200.00 mods. I am sure future revisions of this device and will have a sleeker look and likely a built in voltage readout and surely native 510. Buying this version of The Buzz allows you to be one of the first to jump the fence into the land of consistent performance. In a few years, we will probably look back at this mod as primitive compared to the 2013 models but I will fondly recall the night I was one of the first to enjoy a truly consistent and personalized vaping experience.

I can not close this without mentioning the service I received. The vendor was responsive and surprised me by shipping the day I ordered. I am thrilled to have this today and the little touches really remind me that this is the best part of the e-cig/mod industry and that is access to the people at the top. Someday, I fear we will not be rubbing elbows with the Christophers, Parkers, Buzz, Peter from Decadent Vapors, Jasons from electronicstix as we do today. Enjoy it while we can.

Edited June 11, 2010 by Burn

[Stirfry]

excellent review. can't wait for the follow-up!

this is one of the finalists in my quest for a new higher voltage device. this would be a slam dunk if it had a 510 fitting... it still my win after all, but i think i'll wait for your follow up, i still have a week or so to make up my mind, lol.

[DAYVAPE]

OH HELL YEAH!!! This is some good stuff to read as I await the delivery of my 'BLACK BEAUTY BUZZARD' !!! Thanks for the words of encouragement... makes it even sweeter knowing Im getting a quality unit too.

[Hyperspace]

Outstanding review Burn, I'm impressed.

[nana]

Wow! What a wonderfully detailed review. Great job, Burn!

[luck]

one of the best review's i have read burn great job.

[Mainspring]

sounds very promising.

native 510 would have been great but... oh well.

Burn, can you post some pics of the Buzz by itself and maybe next to 510/eGo/ect. ?

Thanks.

[Mark]

Nice review Burn, Thanks.

[Brian]

Excellent review! Sounds like a fantastic unit.

[ddavelarsen]

Not to act like a fanboy Burn, but that is a wonderful review. Very carefully thought out and totally complete. Thanks! My brother just got this device and loves it as much as you do, though he hasn't been as descriptive in a week as you were in a few hours. Congratulations to Buzzkill for nailing the Buzz first time out!

[Burn]

sounds very promising.

native 510 would have been great but... oh well.

Burn, can you post some pics of the Buzz by itself and maybe next to 510/eGo/ect. ?

Thanks.

You bet, whipped these together on my webcam. The picture quality and composition is not ready for National Geographic just yet but I think it will give you an idea of the size.

http://www.vaportalk.com/forum/forum/gallery/image/553-height-comp-copyjpg/

http://www.vaportalk.com/forum/forum/gallery/image/552-end-comp-copyjpg/

[ddavelarsen]

Great pics Burn, very good comparison. Nice font too - looks kinda familiar... What's it called? I use one called Copperplate that's similar but heavier. I like this one a lot.

I like the size and weight of my brother's. It's a good feel, fills my palm and the button placement is good. I would like a larger button though; have to focus on depressing that one. But it has a nice tactile feedback.

[Burn]

Great pics Burn, very good comparison. Nice font too - looks kinda familiar... What's it called? I use one called Copperplate that's similar but heavier. I like this one a lot.

I like the size and weight of my brother's. It's a good feel, fills my palm and the button placement is good. I would like a larger button though; have to focus on depressing that one. But it has a nice tactile feedback.

Font is Trajan, an old fave of mine and is the Vapor Talk logo as well. It is rather limited as it is a CAPS only font but I have always liked it, way back when I did typesetting as a summer job in college....but I digress.

[Burn]

Thanks to everyone for the kind replies. I really havent done many (1 I think) reviews before and none for devices. I felt as this mod is so new, a VT groupie needed to contribute some thoughts.

(Hey Christopher, how about a backstage pass??)

[DAYVAPE]

Not to act like a fanboy Burn, but that is a wonderful review. Very carefully thought out and totally complete. Thanks! My brother just got this device and loves it as much as you do, though he hasn't been as descriptive in a week as you were in a few hours. Congratulations to Buzzkill for nailing the Buzz first time out!

Yeah, I'm not even going to bother doing a review when I get mine!!

I'll just say I either agree or disagree with Burn!

And I'm fairly confident that I will like it as much as he does!!

Edited June 11, 2010 by DAYVAPE

[gnerd]

I just wanted add my own experience with the Buzz and notcigs.com. I've been vaping my Buzz on the same set of batteries for two days. TWO DAYS! And it's still going! I thought my low-battery warning wasn't functioning, but I hooked it to a meter and the voltage output is right where I set it - 4.65V. I also received the most exemplary service from notcigs - both the Buzz and the company get my highest recommendation! The Buzz with an 801 atty and Tasty Vapor tobacco menthol is the Holy Grail for a former Kool smoker! Nothing else I've tried comes even close.

[Brian]

Great to hear Mike - glad you found something that works for you!

[nana]

Yeah, what Brian said. LOL I guess sometimes it just takes awhile for us to find that perfect vape. I'm happy that you finally did.

We've had several people ask about a really good menthol juice and I have been tempted to try Tasty Vapor's to see if it's any good. I like several of his flavors. Nice to know it's good.

[Stirfry]

ok. now that there a few people with The Buzz units... i have a couple questions:

1. i notices the screw in the center post area of the connector. how juiced up does it get, and do you foresee any leaks or other "gunk up" type issues.

2. i am liking the convience of cartos, but i went back to atties simply because i have a spade which doesn't seem to have the juice needed for good carto performance. are any of you using cartos on the Buzz, and how do you like it?

3. i am a 510 ONLY guy, but i noticed there are cartos for other connections. this is a two-parter:

i) how firm and secure is the adapter for the 510 on this unit and which one do you use (i effin' hate adapters!)

ii) SPECIFICALLY for cartos that are non-510's (not atties, as i would always use 510s) which would be the more plactical connector - 901 or 801?

4. finally, it's a little bigger than i thought it would be based on the eGo/SB/Buzz photos posted here a few pages ago, it is still "pocket carry" friendly (assuming i'd have a carto with 510 adapter)?

thanks!

Edited June 12, 2010 by Stirfry

[Hyperspace]

I use a 510 adapter on the Buzz with no problems. Buzz said for people that are really concerned about juice around the screw, they can just put a little silicone around it and that will seal it.

[DAYVAPE]

I can't wait till I get mine!!! And I will be using those super long adapters that I like so I dont have to worry about juice going thru it and onto the atty connector! That's what I really love about those particular ones... no hole all the way thru it!

Edited June 12, 2010 by DAYVAPE

[Stirfry]

good to know, DAYVAPE! i didn't realize that when you first posted about those.

[Kragax]

This unit has peaked my attention but, Ill wait for a more pleasing phyiscal design, and a 510 connection. Then Ill buy one.

[Stirfry]

i don't mind the industrial/utilitarian design, but i do not understand the absence of a 510 fitting, they seen like hands down the most popular atty these days.

[Hyperspace]

I don't mind the design either. The only thing new I heard Buzz talking about was offering a sandblasted version that sparkles a little bit. I thought it was odd too that he didn't offer a 510 connection. I know he's a 901 fan and doesn't care for 510. Maybe that's why he doesn't offer it yet. I imagine down the road he will because of customer demand.