can some of splinter experts tell me what is the differences between the splinter v1, splinter v2, splinter z? thanks!
Small, medium, and large. The Z has the biggest mesh heater and the biggest wooden body size.
The V1 and V2 are made by the Chinese manufacturer Ryan works with. The custom Z, being phased out, is made by Ryan in the states. The Z also comes in bubinga ZV1 and blackwood ZV2, both also made by the Chinese manufacturer.
The custom Z has a thicker glass joint inside the wooden body which gives some folks confidence that it's more durable.
Flavor is better with the larger Z heater but the Z also drains your batteries more quickly.
I have V1, V2, and a custom Z as my Splinter lineup. If you're on a budget the V2 performs really well for me.
The V1 got updated to the V1+ which replaced the mica below the coil with ceramic but stores don't seem to differentiate now. The V2 and Chinese Z models all have ceramic I think.
I'm keen to try a ZV1 or ZV2 but mostly just out of curiosity. Folks have been pretty consistently looking down their noses at the Chinese Splinters while only ever gushing about the custom Z. I wouldn't put much stock in that. All my Splinters have dialed in to be solid performers and the wood is better finished on the Chinese ones.