510 vs. 4081 vs. 401 Battery Hit counts

[gatsby]

OK here is a test I did for my own curiosity while trying to figure out if the 510 will work for me or not. I have been frustrated with the battery capacity, but enjoying some other aspects like the manual control and the cart so I wanted to see if it was worth investing in something like the PCC or just shelf the 510 and stick with what has been working for me.

I compared a new 510 (3 days old and less than 10 charges) with a couple of other batteries I have already been using. I used the newest I had on hand which was about 2 weeks old for the 401 and 2 months old for the 4081 and just did a head to head puff count for each. I actually did the 510 twice (once with a 3-4 hour charge and once with an overnight charge). I followed the first charge instructions for each battery (12 hours for the 4081, 8 hours for the 401, and 8 on 20 used and 1 hour for the 510). Each battery was fresh off the charger and I used the liquid method I like best for each, topping off for the 510, dripping for the 4081 and dipping for the 401. I limited my puffs to 3-5 sec. and if I did a double (hit inhale hit again) I counted that as 2 puffs even though this is pretty typical for my vaping style.. This felt kind of 'wimpy' and not what the 510 was designed for but I wanted to make everything equal, although, I did hit the 401 a little harder. THis probably isn't fair to the 401 but I also think it made the 401 catch up on the throat hit. To this end I also counted how many times I hit the cut off although this only happened on the 4081. Obviously there is no cut on the 510 and the newest 401 batteries I have just never cut off ever (its nice and if you want to know where I got them let me know). I also tried to make note of any drops in vapor (this is kind of subjective but I will report it.) Anyway enough rambling here are the results with at least one interesting surprise IMO.

510:
Like I mentioned I did this one twice and I got 70 (+3 little whisps at the end) on the shorter charge and 80 (+1 whisp) on the longer. In both cases there was a drop from big billowing clouds often seen on videos to something a little closer to normal at about 25 puffs (22 and 27) and another drop at around 50 until the end. Even after the 2nd drop vapor was pretty good.

4081:
This one surprised me because these are my oldest batteries and they are kind of sticky from the dripping. In fact, I hit the cut off on my own 18 times but there was probably another dozen or so where the battery stuck and cut itself off or got a table banging. Anyway, I got 167 puffs (+ 7 little whisps). It seems to me I could have gotten a few more little whisps but I let it go. I think both the 510 and the 401 have a chip aided cut off to save the battery and honestly who cares about whisps of vapor. There was a drop off of vapor at 110 hits and another at 130. All and all pretty surprising results from this thing considering I use it as my back up due to battery life (I am thinking about changing that assessment and restocking my supplies).

401:
Like I mentioned I hit this one a little harder. The baby puffs didn't get me the throat hit and since this is my regular vaper I fell into my regular style alot. With the 401,I got 192 (+ 2 little whisps after the blinks). There was an initial drop off at about 35 and again at 130 although I found this battery to be pretty consistent until right at the end although it never had the highs of either the 510 or the 4081.

In summary, I am really disappointed in the 510 even when I treated it nice and dainty. I am really surprised at the 4081 which actually capacity wise was a work horse even though I had to bang it against the table a few times and 'jump' start it once or twice. I am getting another 510 ( and a new 401) battery sometime in the next week with a juice order so I will put that one through the test and if people are interested I will report it. I have also thought about testing my other 401 batteries (including the DSE401) and if I feel motivated the 801 although counting through 192 tested my ability to focus and remember so the 801 scares me. I would also be interested in seeing other peoples results since too often what we get are estimates of time which vary too much or the overestimates on some web sites. Finally for techies I believe what I have seen reported for the 510 is 180 mah and 200 mah for the 401. I am not sure about the 4081. Anyway that was my experience. IF people are interested I might get into the other batteries I have and I will update with the fresh 401 vs. the new 510 when possible (be quick customs be quick).

[EDO]

I don't have the 4081...but the 510 battery life is piss poor....the 401 has a very good battery life compared to any device....large or small.

[RsL]

It's common knowledge that 510 batteries don't last as long as others.

But it's also common knowledge that a Mustang isn't going to get the same gas mileage as a Corolla. But which car is more fun to drive? Get my point?

[CellWho]

I couldn't agree with you more. I'll also add that the 510 vapor is thicker, warmer, and hits harder in all the right places I find it much more satisfying than the 401.

If you have a 510, I think the PCC is a must. With the PCC, you get a fresh fully charged batt every time you use it.

It's common knowledge that 510 batteries don't last as long as others.

But it's also common knowledge that a Mustang isn't going to get the same gas mileage as a Corolla. But which car is more fun to drive? Get my point?

[gatsby]

The reason I did this was for my own knowledge and part of that was to see if a PCC would be worth it. If the PCC is good for 4 full charges that still doesn't give you enough battery power for a night. I am really hoping that the 510 battery I have on the way can perform better otherwise even with the PCC thats not enough juice. Also they say the PCC is good for 4 charges but the thing I really get out of this is don't trust what they say for any battery. 192 puffs for the 401 doesn't approach what is claimed either. My point for myself with this was 80x4=320 ( or 400 with the fully charged bat to start) or less than the 2 or 3 401 batteries I would take with me to the bar on a given night. I was also kind of hoping a few other folks would do this same thing so I could see at least relatively to other batteries if I am dealing with a dud or if this is typical.

BTW Mustang was an interesting choice since I think that the 'fun factor' of a Mustang is pretty seriously over-rated (thats a bit of fun BTW don't take it too seriously).

[RsL]

The reason I did this was for my own knowledge and part of that was to see if a PCC would be worth it. If the PCC is good for 4 full charges that still doesn't give you enough battery power for a night. I am really hoping that the 510 battery I have on the way can perform better otherwise even with the PCC thats not enough juice. Also they say the PCC is good for 4 charges but the thing I really get out of this is don't trust what they say for any battery. 192 puffs for the 401 doesn't approach what is claimed either. My point for myself with this was 80x4=240 or less than the 2 or 3 401 batteries I would take with me to the bar on a given night. I was also kind of hoping a few other folks would do this same thing so I could see at least relatively to other batteries if I am dealing with a dud or if this is typical.

BTW Mustang was an interesting choice since I think that the 'fun factor' of a Mustang is pretty seriously over-rated (thats a bit of fun BTW don't take it too seriously).

Battery life just varies. I've read posts where people say the non-LED 510 batteries last longer than the ones with LEDS. That would seem to make sense since the battery isn't powering the LED, right? But in my experience my LED batteries out last the non-LED batteries. So what does that prove? Nothing really. It just proves that for whatever reasons my LED batteries last longer. Another person will probably experience just the opposite. It's just hard to put a life span on these things because some just work better than others.

I guess my main point was that the 510 is more of a performance unit compared to the 401, so you pay a price in battery life.

As to your Mustang comment, no offense taken! Actually I've never owned a Mustang and have no desire to own one. I'm more of a Corvette guy, but I didn't use the Corvette as an example because I figured someone would point out that a Corvette actually get's damn good gas mileage on the Hwy!

[gatsby]

I guess that battery life and more importantly people's perception of battery life is variable was the reason I did this with flat out 'hit' counts. Really I am doing this for my own knowledge because there are things I like about the 510, but because the battery life in my experience is so bad (believe me if I hit that thing like I want to the count would be even lower) it might not be able to meet my needs. Actually to me the big surprise was how well the 4081 did at splitting the difference and how poorly they all did across the board. I want to find out before I dump a whole bunch of money on supplies I wont really use much. I am posting it because I figure other people might want to see the process (I know I wish there had been a post like this earlier) because honestly saying the 510 is like a muscle car and the 401 is like a family sedan doesn't really provide anyone with any useful information. Neither do comments like this thing hits like an ape on steroids or .... I guess I am the guy looking at the tech specs in the car magazine and not the pictures. To beat the car metaphor completely to death I am worried about 2 things after my experience with the 510. 1) It looks great on the quarter mile but I don't live on a quarter mile track or even worse the 510 is like the Mustang (actually a convertible Nova) my friend had in high school. It was tricked out 50 ways to Sunday and a lot of fun, but in reality it spent most of the time in his parents garage while he rode his bike and bummed rides off of others. I know what the 510 is and now I want to find out whether it is Muscle car 1 or muscle car 2 before I start buying chromed out engine parts. I guess I knew that this would be more of an issue with 510 fanboys than people who could actually use the info.

[EDO]

It's common knowledge that 510 batteries don't last as long as others.

But it's also common knowledge that a Mustang isn't going to get the same gas mileage as a Corolla. But which car is more fun to drive? Get my point?

I completely agree...except the Gatsby took short drags with his 510....if he took normal 5-6 second draws he would get the average 40 hits that I get with the 510 before the battery runs out. The point is....there is a design flaw...you have a Mustang then you need larger gas tank...to handle the gas guzzler. The batteries should have been 1 cm longer and had 280 mahs like the KR808 batteries. It just frustrating that they didn;t do that since I think the 510 is probably the best performing three piece out there.

[ShMiGgY]

4081's are highly underrated... I can get plumes from it and also can get one battery to last me a day if i treat it right... I guess it being an older style it just doesn't get the attention, but, they work damn good and parts are CHEAP (found atty's for 3 BUCKS!! for them)... The only thing i can compare it to would be like a truck... Not real pretty, not the best status, but, it works hard.

401's, from all i've read and my own experience, are a bit overrated, but i still love mine. I just changed juice flavors from 555 to a french vanilla/coffee mix and the difference in throathit and vapor are huge.... I was surprised... It's a workhorse too, but in a different way, feels more like a family sedan in it's use and manners. I've noticed that mine too don't cut off... I have no idea why. Sometimes i take them all the way to the LED going out, then, just do a secondary puff (all while on my first inhale), and, it lights up again and keeps vaping... Mine never really "cut off" like my SM's do (blinking 5 times or whatever)... It can make for some pretty good draws... Only thing is if you keep going on one draw, a burnt taste is usually right around the corner and it takes a feel for it as to how far it will let you take it before that kicks in..

I hear the 510 is a sports car.... I dunno if i'm ready to shell out more $$$ for e-cigs... I'll wait until i hear more i guess.. I don't want to have to carry 3 charged batts with me every day. One of my least favorite things about vaping in general is the dance we play with having charged batteries for all phases of a day...

401 is best in that regard for me at least... One cart and one batt lasted me all day again.... and more vapor this time too since i changed juices......

[Treece]

I just want to say thanks for doing this and posting the results. With the constant criticism of the RN4081, I'd begun to wonder what I was missing. (I don't really feel like I'm missing anything ... but we don't know what we don't know, right?)

The other day I was on the verge of ordering either a 510 or a Janty Stick. Instead, I ordered a bunch of RN4081 passthroughs, batts, and atties. Now--after reading this and other threads--I'm glad I did.

That's not to say I won't drive a Mustang one day, but for now, I'm happy with my little ... um ... PeeWee.