Fake Pax Vaporizers. Bootlegs?

[CentiZen]

http://www.ploom.com/news/ploomlegal/

Looks like Ploom has started legal action against one of the companies involved in distributing these units. I wonder if they will go after the others or are just trying to make a statement about the name.

 

[pakalolo]

http://www.ploom.com/news/ploomlegal/

Looks like Ploom has started legal action against one of the companies involved in distributing these units. I wonder if they will go after the others or are just trying to make a statement about the name.

Somewhere on FC there is a link to a story about a Ploom legal action resulting in the destruction of a lot of fake Pax devices and the closing down of the manufacturer. I think that this happened because they were making counterfeits (i.e. branded with Ploom trademarks) rather than knock-offs (the Floom Pox).

 

[MileHi]

Here are a few quick pics.

The Ploom is on the left. The [counterfeit] is on the right:

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Close up of the "X" on the Ploom:

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Close up of the "X" on the [counterfeit]:

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The Ploom is on the left. The [counterfeit] is on the right:

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Back screw and printing on Ploom:

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Back screw and printing on [counterfeit]:

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mod note: Edited to remove counterfeiter's company name

 

[dantesinferno]

Heres a really good site for helping spot fake pax

http://imgur.com/a/Pxl2p#9 there's some really clear photos

 

[oli]

Just came across this new vaporizer called Vaporizer-x who looks strangely similar to the pax????

http://i.imgur.com/scixjXi.png

Modnote: Link replaced with screenshot.

 

[mrweed]

I've seen another counterfeit lately, that had a ring instead of the x in the middle.^^

 

[whatavape]

I recently bought one that I've confirmed with Ploom is indeed fake. Here's what I've collected:

- the charger is 5v, real Pax is 9v
- heat level lights are green/blue, purple, red; real Pax is yellow, orange, red
- the oven door has pink glue substance on the side, real Pax doesn't
- front of box is blurry
- alcohol wipes say "plaom" instead of ploom
- the inside of the box matches perfectly, even the cardboard backing
- the indicator is purple while charging
- Shake to test battery is iffy
- no party mode
- the instruction booklet looks official, but mentions a 1 year warranty instead of ten, presumably from the factory that actually produced it
- the fake even features a serial number beginning with "PX" which ploom says is from a line they know to be fake. All real pax will start with A or B
- the instruction booklet references the heating colors that the fake has, even though they don't match the official pax, so this page of the manual is different
- the finish on the case is a brushed finish. Not typical smooth pax


I will update later today with photos -- I have some more communication with ploom I can add.

 

[salivape]

They've started copying the pinnacle pro now. Just received an email from a supplier. They are relentless aren't they!

The genuine PP's have enough issues. I bet the fakes are straight up crap.

 

[whatavape]

Sorry I haven't updated with photos and more info. I did get a real pax in the last week and when I have time I intend to upload photos of side by side.

The fake really is crap. After all it's only a 5V .7A charger, meaning that it's probably a shittier battery and definitely an inferior heater.

A 5V heater can't really be that great. Most mosfets would need 9V to operate properly. Which is why the real pax is 9V. Anyways, the fake doesn't heat up quite as much. It's about 10deg less on each setting. Still works, for $135.

 

[CumBustion]

charging voltage and current has nothing to do with heating power, as both pax have same 3,7V 18650 batter. my 5V fakes has 2A charging current, and original 9V adapter has 1.2A if i remember

 

[420mao]

Alrite guys...I had my industrial designer disassemble the fake pax that is being manufactured in China. There are some really poisonours parts inside the fake pax. So be careful where you buy your pax. If PAX does not warranty it, it is most probably a fake. Somehow Ebay, alibaba and craiglist get away from selling fake products. So becareful what you put in your mouth. The fake pax has poisonous parts inside that could cause long term damage.

 

[Quetzalcoatl]

Alrite guys...I had my industrial designer disassemble the fake pax that is being manufactured in China. There are some really poisonours parts inside the fake pax. So be careful where you buy your pax. If PAX does not warranty it, it is most probably a fake. Somehow Ebay, alibaba and craiglist get away from selling fake products. So becareful what you put in your mouth. The fake pax has poisonous parts inside that could cause long term damage.

Tell us more about these poisonous parts.

 

[davtremo]

no lubricant..i think the pax cannot work without it..any alternatives to the lubricant?,cuz we will eventually run into a problem without it..

I heard a food grade propylenglicol would be a good alternative for the lubricant but havent test it tho.

 

[sessnet]

This thread makes me sick, and inspiring at the same time. I mean, I think it's great when people copy your style, because you know you are doing something right. Sort of the same way PAX seems to copy Apple's style. But copies of these vaporizers by some random human in some random factory are just plain WRONG.

I don't want to be inhaling something that might have human feces, cockroaches, chemicals or god knows what else inside it.

These desperate humans are making these fakes JUST to rip someone off. Do you think they care if you live or die? If you have money, and they can find a way to RIP you off, well, that's what they are doing here...find a way to rip you off!

I know some people out there CANNOT get a "REAL" PAX for whatever reason, so it's exciting to get something that seems like the real one - for even cheaper. But we are not dealing with Coach Bags, or a Rolex Watch, and no matter how little money you have, who would want their baby drinking FAKE milk, that might kill them?

Can't believe how far some will go to steal ideas and other peoples money, but to be possibly killing you at the same time while you are smiling (because you saved some money or have something that look real), is mindblowing!

 

[fronogy]

Could you please help verify my pax. It acts and looks like an original. Passes the fake "tests", even the serial number is same on the box and in the unit and Ploom verified that that serial belongs to a black unit. I bought it off ebay, the cost was $215.

Here are the points, that make me think it is a fake:

* It takes long time to charge (about 3 hours), also charge does not seem to last as long it should
* Magnetic lid seems to be a bit too loose
* X light cover is shorter than it should (http://i.imgur.com/oXGb8W3.jpg)
* Allen screw is not flush (http://i.imgur.com/nUCiIL9) and a bit offcenter (http://i.imgur.com/42GbDy1)
* There is some sort of a defect near the X light (http://i.imgur.com/omREwVa)
* It does not feel as good and work as well I think it should

 

[pakalolo]

Could you please help verify my pax. It acts and looks like an original. Passes the fake "tests", even the serial number is same on the box and in the unit and Ploom verified that that serial belongs to a black unit. I bought it off ebay, the cost was $215.

Here are the points, that make me think it is a fake:

* It takes long time to charge (about 3 hours), also charge does not seem to last as long it should
* Magnetic lid seems to be a bit too loose
* X light cover is shorter than it should (http://i.imgur.com/oXGb8W3.jpg)
* Allen screw is not flush (http://i.imgur.com/nUCiIL9) and a bit offcenter (http://i.imgur.com/42GbDy1)
* There is some sort of a defect near the X light (http://i.imgur.com/omREwVa)
* It does not feel as good and work as well I think it should

I'm sorry to tell you that yours is indeed a fake. The giveaway is the "g" in the word "Designed." The genuine Pax uses a different font, as you can see from the photos in the post above.

 

[DopeFight]

I know a lot of counterfeits are talked about here but I haven't seen much said on fake Pax's. I have a seen a few on E-Bay that are fakes but trying to pass for the real deal. Being it's one of the most popular and best selling portable units on the market, I'm kinda curious why there have not been more knock offs of it's technology and design. I have recently started seeing that Pex (If I remember right) it looked pretty similar but the mouth piece was different. Has anyone tried any of these Pax imitations? .. I'm sure they don't preform anywhere near what the Pax does. But I would be interested to see how some of them would preform if the price was friendly enough!

 

[Jethro]

Even free would be too expensive in my mind for a fake. I happily paid my $250 directly to Ploom and would gladly do it again. This device is worth it, and the warranty is legit as I had one replaced after it stopped working. I wouldn't use a fake no matter how inexpensive- who knows what is in there- lead, mercury, etc. And have you seen an unprotected or inferior lithium ion battery overheat and fail?? Is saving a few bucks worth burning your house down or losing a few fingers or worse? Not for me. The counter-fitters need to be stopped, and the best way is with the consumers.

 

[max]

who knows what is in there- lead, mercury, etc.

While your aversion to counterfeits is admirable, let's not get carried away. There's absolutely no purpose to using either of these heavy metals in a pocket vape.

 

[il capo]

Hi,
today i received mine, purchased from an Italian affiliate of a uk based seller, that says to sell only genuine Pax.I made some pictures:
http://imgur.com/a/V7hG4#0
It passes al checks of these 2 videos:

Of course it has correct led patterns,party mode and simon game...
Is my Ploom genuine?
Thanks

 

[pakalolo]

Hi,
today i received mine, purchased from an Italian affiliate of a uk based seller, that says to sell only genuine Pax.I made some pictures:
http://imgur.com/a/V7hG4#0
It passes al checks of these 2 videos:

Of course it has correct led patterns,party mode and simon game...
Is my Ploom genuine?
Thanks

Yes, you have a genuine Pax.

 

[Hiroko21]

Hi guys I have a question for you, & would really appreciate your opinions. I was just given a pax through a friend and am trying to work out if it is real or fake. Everything about this device seems legit. I have browsed online to find out what all the tell tale signs are and this seems to pass everything, apart from the serial number. Beginning with a C, and etched on thin and long, compared to the others I've seen with a shorter, smaller font and deeper engraving. I've uploaded some pictures to an album (http://imgur.com/a/L6A85) (sorry the oven is gross ) with the serial number, it also matches the one on the box. If this is a fake its very well made. It came with a legit looking sealed cleaning kit (apart from 'alcohol wipes' i thought they were supposed to be 'sterilising wipes'?), and a thanks for purchase/protips card, the matte instruction guide, (the sentence "while pax is cool" was in bold, which I read might be a tell tale) It even has the party mode, and the simon game! What do you guys think, real or not?

 

[pakalolo]

The wipes that came with my Pax were "sterilising wipes". That serial number is not like any Pax serial number I've seen. The surface looks rougher than a real Pax. Finally, while they have got the font on the back right (many fakes don't) the type is the wrong size.

 

[Hiroko21]

The wipes that came with my Pax were "sterilising wipes". That serial number is not like any Pax serial number I've seen. The surface looks rougher than a real Pax. Finally, while they have got the font on the back right (many fakes don't) the type is the wrong size.

Thank you for your helpful reply, I appreciate it! I will discard it, as I am worried about the potential health hazards associated with a counterfeit device.

 

[clukx]

i also paid 250 for my legit pax, and would do it again, i used the warranty once in two years and got a brand new pax, all i had to do was ship the pax and charger to them didnt even clean it or anything the customer service is worth the price of the device
dont cheap out to get a unit that doesnt even work nearly as good, could be harmful, and has no customer service'?!