Help me out what are some pros/cons on mod clones?

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iHIT0MG

Full Member
Sep 12, 2014
11
0
USA
Hi im wondering whats the different between the real mods and the clone mods.
I got a free penny mod clone copper like from my friend for a birthday gift. Im wondering what is the pros/cons for these clone mods.
I saw another mod same as this one and its like 200.00 dollars.
are the materials different like the copper in the clones materials etc?
The vape guys at a shop told me that it doesn't matter it just holds the battery. and some or most mods will preform the same as the real deal mods?
im in a budget also and want to know if want clone are good mods or anyone experience with.

how many of you guys own these penny copper clone mods or other clones.
do they last okay as well as building a atomizer with these mods?
im really on a budget and I don't want to go with the big money mods if possible. its too expensive for me.

Does anyone know whats the difference?
is anyone rocking these clone mods and if so how do you guys like these mods?
 

FallenRawToast

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Mar 30, 2014
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biggest differences in mech's between a clone and a original, is the quality of the material used (adds resistance), the quality of the machining (threads strip easy, the post pin breaks) and the quality of the switch and its contacts.

Really as a starter, most clones are fine. There are some... that are so cheaply made they do have problems.

I dont know the particular mod you ask about, but often what you will find with copper mods, is that the purity of the copper is less... and alloyed with even cheaper metals than a mid ranged clone. So.. once again added resistance plus you got to think of the tarnish factor ( I have a buddy who bought a very cheap copper mod from fastech that tints the skin on his hand a very light green)
 

edyle

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Verified Member
Oct 23, 2013
14,199
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Port-of-Spain, Trinidad & Tobago
Hi im wondering whats the different between the real mods and the clone mods.
I got a free penny mod clone copper like from my friend for a birthday gift. Im wondering what is the pros/cons for these clone mods.
I saw another mod same as this one and its like 200.00 dollars.
are the materials different like the copper in the clones materials etc?
The vape guys at a shop told me that it doesn't matter it just holds the battery. and some or most mods will preform the same as the real deal mods?
im in a budget also and want to know if want clone are good mods or anyone experience with.

how many of you guys own these penny copper clone mods or other clones.
do they last okay as well as building a atomizer with these mods?
im really on a budget and I don't want to go with the big money mods if possible. its too expensive for me.

Does anyone know whats the difference?
is anyone rocking these clone mods and if so how do you guys like these mods?

Are the materials different? Probably; basically yes.
Do they last okay? I guess that depends on who made the clone. Do you know who made the clone?
 

iHIT0MG

Full Member
Sep 12, 2014
11
0
USA
Are the materials different? Probably; basically yes.
Do they last okay? I guess that depends on who made the clone. Do you know who made the clone?

i don't know who made the clone it looks almost like the real deal penny mod copper from mad industries but i don't think its the real deal one.
Are these penny mods great and easy to use mods? anybody used these penny mods i like how the penny looks on the bottom.
 

edyle

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Oct 23, 2013
14,199
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Port-of-Spain, Trinidad & Tobago
i don't know who made the clone it looks almost like the real deal penny mod copper from mad industries but i don't think its the real deal one.
Are these penny mods great and easy to use mods? anybody used these penny mods i like how the penny looks on the bottom.

It's basically a copper tube.
Adjustable center pin.
I don't know what size threading.

No kick tube on this one:
1776903-7.jpg


What other mod do you have right now?
 

JMarca

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Mar 19, 2013
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biggest differences in mech's between a clone and a original, is the quality of the material used (adds resistance), the quality of the machining (threads strip easy, the post pin breaks) and the quality of the switch and its contacts.

Really as a starter, most clones are fine. There are some... that are so cheaply made they do have problems.

I dont know the particular mod you ask about, but often what you will find with copper mods, is that the purity of the copper is less... and alloyed with even cheaper metals than a mid ranged clone. So.. once again added resistance plus you got to think of the tarnish factor ( I have a buddy who bought a very cheap copper mod from fastech that tints the skin on his hand a very light green)

This is definitely NOT a staple you want to follow if you're a new vaper.

The difference between clones and originals is NOT quality. I've seen originals that are very poorly executed and they're still originals. There are also originals made from poor materials, I've seen original box mods made from nothing more than plastic switch buttons and hot glue. They sold for almost 200 dollars and the buttons would fall apart from regular use. Don't ever associate original with quality.

Always do your research on a particular mod before you buy.
 

Wartorn371

Full Member
Oct 3, 2014
35
13
Fort Smith, AR
Hi im wondering whats the different between the real mods and the clone mods.
I got a free penny mod clone copper like from my friend for a birthday gift. Im wondering what is the pros/cons for these clone mods.
I saw another mod same as this one and its like 200.00 dollars.
are the materials different like the copper in the clones materials etc?
The vape guys at a shop told me that it doesn't matter it just holds the battery. and some or most mods will preform the same as the real deal mods?
im in a budget also and want to know if want clone are good mods or anyone experience with.

how many of you guys own these penny copper clone mods or other clones.
do they last okay as well as building a atomizer with these mods?
im really on a budget and I don't want to go with the big money mods if possible. its too expensive for me.

Does anyone know whats the difference?
is anyone rocking these clone mods and if so how do you guys like these mods?

I am noticing no on really mentioned the pricing difference as a pro, but cheap isn't always the same or better. I have two clones a stingray clone and the threads were a bit knarled up and rough when i got it but it's an OK mod clone. I also have a Panzer Black Hawk mod clone that I thoroughly enjoy even though it has a voltage arrester limiter on it. On the other hand I have two other mods that or real and I like them both and both are pretty cheap for being real and not clones. One is the SmokTech Magneto and the other I was a bit Leary of but can't put it down now is the Kamry K101 which is the telescoping one. That and the Panzer are my favorite so far. Also it's good to have a clone first to see how it is going to fit you and holding it and hand placement whereas you don't want to spend a..... Load of money and realize its just too awkward and basically you lost money
 

PanAeon

Full Member
Oct 5, 2014
18
14
Greece
Just as in any high end/low end items (such as custom knives, Mods, pens, and watches) price and demand do not always equal quality.

As much as I hate to say it, a Chinese CNC factory can produce a lot higher quality product at a much cheaper price (law of volume) then one or two guys machining everything by hand.

^^ this ...also, when purchasing an original, you're paying for the original design and idea , and the makers are usually making very small production runs , and hiking prices to make a profit ...one thing is certain, you are not paying over $150 for the cost of the materials used ... unless you're buying something in actual gold plating... lets be frank, in most cases, mech mods are a metal tube with some plastic, screws and springs ... probably more technology in a humble flashlight.
 

Wartorn371

Full Member
Oct 3, 2014
35
13
Fort Smith, AR
^^ this ...also, when purchasing an original, you're paying for the original design and idea , and the makers are usually making very small production runs , and hiking prices to make a profit ...one thing is certain, you are not paying over $150 for the cost of the materials used ... unless you're buying something in actual gold plating... lets be frank, in most cases, mech mods are a metal tube with some plastic, screws and springs ... probably more technology in a humble flashlight.

That is true. You are primarily paying for the name. Like with Nikes you know it doesn't cost over $100 to make those shoes. its the swoosh brand name and athletes name you are paying for. Even with some mod clones you are still paying for the pretty designs. Examples would be Sting Ray, ARs, and Panzers. Pretty designs cost more money. I have a Panzer Blackhawk Clone and it hits like a champ as good as my buddy's real McCoy Panzer Blackhawk. I am not saying all clones are good b/c some suck. Its just a matter of don't test it yourself and let others test and review for you.
 

Traijan

Super Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Jun 24, 2014
541
353
USA
I won't pay out $50 or more for a clone mod online since I don't have the ability to hold it in my hand and make sure it's of a decent quality. If I'm going to be buying a mod clone (I have the Stingray x clone) then I want to try it out, and see that the quality of everything on it is acceptable for the price that I'm going to pay.

When I bought my Stingray X, I checked the fit and finish, made sure that I couldn't see the seams of the tube extensions with the naked eye, checked all of the threads to make sure they were appropriately buttery smooth etc made sure that any of the design part of the unit were cleanly cut down to the copper, generally made sure that it was at least of the same quality as the authentic units.. Unfortunately when we buy online, we are looking at the picture of just one out of possible tens of thousands of units made, and since none of us here (well maybe some of us here do) work at the factory in China where many are made, we have no 100% way to know that their quality control is going to ensure that all units are exactly as that pictured, some may come with mars on the finish, or burrs on the threads etc.

So, for me, I would rather pay an extra $20 to $30 to buy from the local B&M if I'm going to be buying a cloned mod so that I can check out *exactly* the unit that I'm buying and not just see an image of one of the units that they're selling out of the possible 10k that they made that day/week/month.

I'm all for buying the authentics if the price wasn't just plain insane. I understand they want to get paid for not only the materials, and any labor involved to make it, as well as the time they may have spent to actually design the pretty etchings they will put on it, but when a Chinese factory can turn out tens of thousands of them for a 1/4 of the price then that leaves a whole lot to be paid for the design of the unit by the authentic designers, which is fine I suppose, I mean everybody wants to make some money usually but maybe it's just time for them to re-evaluate how they do business

Seems to me... It would be in their best interest if they could sell 10,000 of their units at 3/4 of the price rather than only 2,000 units at full price. Not that I know how many people are actually willing to pay full price vs 3/4 price or half price,, I'm just saying. If it were me, I'd rather get some of everybody's money instead of only some of a few people's money. Make them substantially more afordable and you're likely to sell to all those people that are willing to buy the cloned version of your device, or go sue the cloners to try to take them out of the market and then hope that people will eventually come buy your product because they want it so bad and there are no more clones.

Anyway, for me if I'm buying a cloned mod, I want to see the exact unit that I'm going to purchase to make sure it lives up to my standards for the price of the unit.

For me:
Pros of a cloned unit:
Obviously the lower price
Some times the quality is actually higher than the authentic unit at a fraction of the price.
Availability, sometimes the authentic units are made in smaller batches for one reason or another.

Pros of an authentic unit:
The satisfaction in knowing you have an authentic device
The satisfaction in knowing you are helping some designer possibly go on to make other great devices.
Some times the quality is much higher than the cloned unit (but not always.).
 
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Paradicio

Super Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
May 30, 2014
445
386
Altadena, CA
I have a mixed bag of clones and authentics. I have some authentics that are terrible I have some clones that put the authentics to shame (FUHattan, NOT a 1:1 pipe bomb, lol). I have a Nemesis clone and two authentics. I can say after using the authentics I'll never buy a clone Nemesis again (not that my clone is bad, per se, it's just the originals are SO much better). Some clones can be downright dangerous (some 4 Nine clones come to mind). I have an original Slug and my wife has a clone. The switch on mine is like butter, she couldn't tell hers got stuck and fired overnight. We were VERY lucky, all we had to do was clean up juice that boiled out of the tank she had on it.

I realize your existing mod was a gift, but the best advice I could possibly give you would to be to research anything you buy, as best you can, before you buy it. Clone vs. Authentic, what are the pros/cons, etc.... And if at all possible hold the original AND the clone in your hands. Feel the switches, threads, pins, everything..... It was doing this that tipped the scales for me in purchasing my original 4 Nine over the clone. It also tipped the scales for me in purchasing my Stingray X clone over the original.

Best of luck in your journey, vape on!
 

amtseung

Senior Member
Sep 22, 2014
202
85
California
I have a mixed bag of clones and authentics. I have some authentics that are terrible I have some clones that put the authentics to shame (FUHattan, NOT a 1:1 pipe bomb, lol). I have a Nemesis clone and two authentics. I can say after using the authentics I'll never buy a clone Nemesis again (not that my clone is bad, per se, it's just the originals are SO much better). Some clones can be downright dangerous (some 4 Nine clones come to mind). I have an original Slug and my wife has a clone. The switch on mine is like butter, she couldn't tell hers got stuck and fired overnight. We were VERY lucky, all we had to do was clean up juice that boiled out of the tank she had on it.

I realize your existing mod was a gift, but the best advice I could possibly give you would to be to research anything you buy, as best you can, before you buy it. Clone vs. Authentic, what are the pros/cons, etc.... And if at all possible hold the original AND the clone in your hands. Feel the switches, threads, pins, everything..... It was doing this that tipped the scales for me in purchasing my original 4 Nine over the clone. It also tipped the scales for me in purchasing my Stingray X clone over the original.

Best of luck in your journey, vape on!

Interesting you say the cloned 4nine being dangerous... Mine certainly isn't a pipe bomb, as tested with a balloon full of air (too cheap for an air compressor), nor is there any more voltage drop or inherent resistance over the authentic. Smooth button, nice finish, and the seams nearly disappear as well as the authentic's. In fact, even the dimensions are spot on. The only issues were threading, and that I dropped it yesterday, but I'm okay with that, especially at 10% the cost of the authentic (hello, fasttech).

Good luck and happy vaping! Research is key before you buy. The more, the better. I'd go out on a limb to say that there is never such thing as having done enough research. ;)
 
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