510 vs 401

[highping]

I made this post on another (less popular) forum but didn't get a lot of responses. I think I will get more here...

I see a lot of people recommending 401's to new users and I have to say it concerns me a little. So maybe someone can straighten me out. I have been vaping for a few months now. In the beginning I bought several models.

My first was a 4081 (S.E. Gold) and I really liked it. Great battery, life decent hit, etc. The only problems I had with it were 1) looked too much like a cig, making it difficult to be stealthy, and 2) kind of a pain to top off, as the reservoir was down in the cart. So you either have to have good aim with your drops or pop it out with a paperclip.

Wanting to try something different, I bought a 901. It also performed well, but I kept hearing about the 510 man batt and just had to try it. (I was spending $300 a month on analogs so that was kinda my spending budget going into e-cigs)... anyway... I got my 510 and WOW. It puts all the others to shame on the hit.

My wife then wanted an e-cig, but she wanted something smaller. I did some research and came up with the 401. When she got it I (of course) had to try it. I have to say I was quite disappointed. No throat hit whatsoever. The batt barely lasted an hour (maybe because I was chain vaping it trying to get something, IDK). It also has the same type of cart setup as the 4081, requiring good aim or removal of reservoir.

Which brings me back to my original statement. I have introduced at least a dozen ppl to vaping over the last few months and I ALWAYS recommend the 510.

If the 401 had been my first experience to vaping, I would have thought, "it's a nice novelty but it's not gonna replace my smokes" and I would have stopped there (and still be plunking down $10 a day on the stinky-sticks).

I would just like to know from some others (that have used both the 401 and the 510) if they would agree with all this.

 

[DonDaBoomVape]

I've not tried the 401, but I just got a 510 (after vaping a penstyle an a KR808D-1 for four months). I don't get it. What's the appeal?

The vapor's pretty good, the manual switch button works better than most, but where's the throat hit or flavor? [And I've dripped the same good juice I use in my other PVs.] Is there some secret way to vape it? Or am I just spoiled by my penstyle and cartomizer?

 

[cassavetes]

I got rid of my 401 after getting my first 510.

I now have a large collection of 510's that I keep in rotation.

I've put my 510's up for the moment after receiving my Janty Stick with 510 adapter. The only problem I ever had with the 510 was battery life and the JS solved that.

 

[cmdrmaxwell]

i dont agree at all. i love my 401/02/03. i got the 510 first and loved it but then i wanted something more cig like and for me that is the 401! every model has concessions, they just have to be worth it to the buyer. for me i like auto batteries and have never had a problem with them. i kinda wish i got the auto batts for the 510 to start with, which i still plan to do. i mainly use the SB right now but when i go out the 401 is my main hitter. i use high nic and glycerine and i get great vapor and throat hit, yeah its not as good as my SB but on the go, for me it cant be beat. yeah its a pain in the ... to refill in a bar but like i said i am willing to do it. i just carry an ... load of carts and fresh batts and i am good. but that is ultimately my thoughts and .02!

 

[happily]

essentially everyone has different needs...........I only recommend the 510 because it has been extremely durable, but everyone wants something different. Even I can't stand vaping what I loved last month.

It's kinda like wondering why everyone isn't driving a 78 pinto just like you.

 

[TWISTED VICTOR]

To each his own. The M-401 is a good start for someone who doesn't know where to start. It provides good flavor, decent battery life and tend to be fairly reliable as far as ecigs go. The 510 is a great cigarette, but I think alot of users would agree that some flavors just don't seem fit it. Also, from what I've read on the forum, when most people start vaping and leave analogs behind we have a tendency to chain vape. It takes a larger investment to get through a day on batteries with the 510 and can frustrate a new user as well. There is a small variety of good first ecigs to be had and the 510 is one of them. None are perfect, but in my world the 40x has the most going for it when it comes to introduction.

 

[gashin]

510 = most cig-like. The 401 IS decent though but the throat hit of the 510 will satisfy you more than the 401. The batts are a hassle though..... but can be solved with a portable charging case or USB power.

 

[j0ker]

I have the 510 and 401. I got the 401 first and liked it but tried a friends 510 and decided to get one. I also ordered manual batts for the 401 about the same time. I started on the 510 shortly after I got it and the experience was a little better than my 401 on auto batts but not alot. I then turned to my freshly charged manual batt and screwed it on the 401...WOW! I was amazed at the difference between manual and auto batts! The manuals batts made it so much better. I now actually use both but tend to use the 401 more. The 401 isn't a bad PV at all as far as I'm concerned.


BTW....I can choke myself with the 401, I can't with the 510.

 

[LoneWolf]

I also have both, I started with the M401, I bought the 510 because of all the stuff I have read here. I got it, and I have to say, after breaking it in, yeah its good, but I go for my 401, and I get a much better throat hit from that for some reason, and I am using the same juice in each. Dont get me wrong, the 510 is a good esmoke, but I will be sticking with my 401, gave the 510 to my girlfriend and she likes it. I just cant seem to get the throat hit from the 510 that I can get with my m401. So long story short, I like my 401. However I will say this, I did the LPB mod on the carts and that helped both models out alot!

 

[highping]

Thanks for all the feedback so far; lots of good info.
After reading some of your posts, I am definitely gonna pick up some manual batts or passthrough for my 401 and give it another chance. I will have to admit that the 401 does have some advantages like size and flavor.
The flavor does come through a little more on the 401, but I think that is just because it's not turning the juice into as much vapor. I mean I can get 'flavor' just breathing in the 'fumes' from an open bottle, but that doesn't simulate smoking to me.
I'm in it (vaping) for the smoking simulation which means vapor production. Flavor is a good side bonus, but the bottom line for me is throat hit and blowing out plumes of 'smoke'.
No matter how many times I pull out the 401 to "give it another chance" I just can't get the hit and vapor that a 510 gives.

In regards to Don's post: The 808 is one of the few models I have not tried. But at the recommendation of another member, I do have one on order. If it's as good as he says, it may be my new recommendation for new users.

Regardless...The whole world of vaping hardware is constantly changing and I have a feeling a year or two from now we will all look back at 401's and 510's and laugh.

 

[TWISTED VICTOR]

Regardless...The whole world of vaping hardware is constantly changing and I have a feeling a year or two from now we will all look back at 401's and 510's and laugh.

You can say that again, Bro.

 

[DC2]

The reason the 510 was so highly recommended for awhile is because it was the first "non-mod" type to come with manual batteries. What was REALLY being recommended was manual batteries, not so much the 510 model itself.

Another consideration was that it was the first model, as far as I know, to have a PCC available. Now that you can get manual batteries for almost any model, and PCCs for almost any model, the playing field is even once again.

Now we just have to find out how all the different models play with their manual batteries, and whether or not manual batteries change their basic characteristics. As an example, the 901 has more flavor they say, but does it have more flavor with the manual battery?

Anyway, the KR808D-1 is probably going to be the new hot thing, and for good reason if you ask me.
Their cartomizer design appears to mostly eliminate the wicking issues inherent in all other models.
And it also now has manual batteries, and a PCC as well.

 

[tony206]

I think 510s get too much coverage on these forums and I think it because there are more 510 users than M series users. The 510 does have its advantages but so does the M402. I know that ours deliver one hell of a throat hit and a CLOUD of vapor that I have yet to see be matched.

What I can say is that when using the M series, e-liquid is very important and different liquids will greatly alter the performance of the Vape Star.

However, as it usually does, it boils down to personal preference in the end.

 

[kalojado]

i dont agree at all. i love my 401/02/03. i got the 510 first and loved it but then i wanted something more cig like and for me that is the 401! every model has concessions, they just have to be worth it to the buyer. for me i like auto batteries and have never had a problem with them. i kinda wish i got the auto batts for the 510 to start with, which i still plan to do.

Yeah, I agree with you. I enjoy the auto batteries over the manual. I don't get it when people say the manual are "more reliable" because my auto batteries have never given me trouble.

 

[yknotagain]

As an owner of both I use my M401 2 to 1 over my 510. I love the flavor and 2-3 times the battery life. Also, I do many things that require the use of both hands - try to vape a manual with no hands lol

 

[Wench]

I'll jump on the bandwagon..
You can look at my sig and see which I prefer.
I had tried all the popular models, the 401 was my last to try and it's the one I love.
I think it all depends on what you like and the 510 at the time was the only manual batt so I got one.
I have a 401 manual now and I can't stand the 510.
Flavor is way better in the 401, it's lighter, battery life is awesome compared to the 510
The 510..Omg I got soooo tired of swapping out battery's and having to make sure I kept a pcc ready to go if I left the house. It kills flavors to me. Just makes them bland bland. It does make a good TH and vapor but the trade off for flavor and godawful battery life isn't worth to me.
I think it gets into what you like really and want out of your pv. Were all different and honestly either makes a decent starter pv and go from there to find out what you like.