A PBusardo Review - Vision EGO Transparent Clearomizer (AKA Stardust) - AltSmoke

[pbusardo]

Vigorous conversation. That's good.

Like I always say, if they're working for you... GREAT!!

I can only report on the experience I get from these which is exactly what you got from my review.

My only comments...

1) In my experience, there is not much difference between low res and standard as long as you adjust your voltage accordingly.

2) I read the comment... "Way off the mark" and "The best, cleanest, most vibrant flavor I've ever had with all my many juices and the best throat hit. Much better than any carto, including boge lr, dual coils, ce2, dripping, etc." Not sure how describing my experience would be "off the mark" but ok. And better flavor and TH than dripping.... hmmm... ok (again).

 

[Goldenkobold]

I got it in the airhole once. What is the best way to get it out? Just let it drain upside down?

You can blow it out if the cartomizer is empty or use a bit of tissue to dry out the end (where it seems to get stuck)

 

[Stoggy24]

yea i dont think you can get much better flavor than dripping

 

[mwa102464]

I'll stick with my 357 Atty's all day long over these, but for a carto the LR's are pretty good for me simply because I dont like filler type cartos and I do get more flavor from the LR version over the SR Version just like I do with Attys LR's give me more flavor too.

 

[emonty]

@pbusardo: I have been vaping almost as long as you and I really wonder how in this world you can get any good flavor with a carto. Any carto gives a muted flavor, there is no way it gives the 100% flavor like an atomizer. I do use carto's in tanks for on the go, but there is always the muted flavor, it is convenient and ok, but NOT great at all! At least the vision type of tanks give out a much cleaner taste instead of vaping paper and filler.

 

[pbusardo]

@pbusardo: I have been vaping almost as long as you and I really wonder how in this world you can get any good flavor with a carto. Any carto gives a muted flavor, there is no way it gives the 100% flavor like an atomizer. I do use carto's in tanks for on the go, but there is always the muted flavor, it is convenient and ok, but NOT great at all!

Hey Emonty!

I dunno. I used Boges (and Smoktechs) in tanks and I'm happy with the flavor I get. Full and consistent flavor. As clean as direct dripping? No. But I'm not a dripping kinda guy.

Although I will become a dripper for an upcoming review (already talked to the doctor and he said it was reversible).

 

[emonty]

What flavors are you using currently in tanks that are your favorites?

 

[Jammin]

Hey Emonty!

I dunno. I used Boges (and Smoktechs) in tanks and I'm happy with the flavor I get. Full and consistent flavor. As clean as direct dripping? No. But I'm not a dripping kinda guy.

Although I will become a dripper for an upcoming review (already talked to the doctor and he said it was reversible).

I couldn't agree more regarding cartos, and the fact that dripping is likely the best taste, but I'm not the dripping type either. For me, just a bit too much having to drip so often.

And I think your review on stardust was very balanced. You gave a good review, and added your own personal thoughts on the product, which to me is just fine since everyone is so different in what they like. I've enjoyed all of your reviews that I have seen here. to nice work!

 

[SCTony]

Phil, that 'metal piece' you couldn't figure out... isn't supposed to be down inside the metal tube. It should sit on top and support the silicone cap. At least that's how I understand it. I don't think it would affect the vape very much but maybe it could. Cheers.

 

[Sethenes]

Well, I can say one thing to PBusardo; I wouldn't have watched this review if I hadn't enjoyed your other reviews so much, even if my experience is different. I just watched one with your light saber mod. I want one of those! Even though my experience was different I felt this thread needed a less caustic response on why the stardust is liked, so I obliged.

 

[ThunderHammer]

Geez, dry hits? I've not had one in a week of constant use. I don't get the wick deal either. I lay my PV down, the wicks get wet. I vape, and adjust the angle, holding it straight out horizontal, to keep the wick wet. If this is so much of a hardship to get good hits, then the SD is not for you. It is the least fiddly carto I've tried. IMHO YMMV. I'm a noob, and so far tried the ego tank A&B, mega dc cartos, ce2, DCT lr, and the stardust. I like the DCT and SD best and the SD is less fiddly to fill and go than the DCT. To each his own. I guess some people just will not like them. No sense in getting worked up either way.

 

[RockinRobbieSF]

I like the Stardusts a lot, though I think they need to be cleaned regularly--and the best way to clean them is to take them apart IMHO. Therefore, when the Stardusts (I think Gotvapes has won the branding on these guys) became really hard to take apart, I started using them less. However, some Greek gentleman in the youtube community showed me how to take apart the stubborn Stardusts easily (gotta love the age we live in!) and I'm back with them again (feel free to check my latest youtube video on how-to).

That said, I guess Phil would say I'm in the "fiddly crowd" that doesn't mind doing strange things to their equipment to get them to work optimally as opposed to those who demand products work perfectly out-of-the-box. Even so, I think Stardusts work pretty well out-of-the-box, though maybe I'm in the minority! If you can get a week of good vaping out of one, that's less than a pack of analogs.

The one thing I was surprised about is the harsh throat hits some people complain about as I don't really experience that at all. However, I think it must be true because several reviewers report the same thing. I think everyone is sensitive to different things. I know I'm pretty sensitive to burnt rubber/silicon that few others seem to notice (hello, Stone tank, I'm looking at you). Also, I find certain candy eliquids that some people rave about to have vinegar notes which I can't stand (yes, I see you there smirking at me, COV butterscotch). So really we can't discount everyone's individual sensitivities and palates--that's what makes us individuals!

The only head scratcher I have are those who use Stardusts on non-ego cone mods when these were obviously designed for them. I only use them on my kgo which I find really convenient to take around with me. I know some reviewer said, "Obviously, people will use these on big mods..." And if it works for you on big mods, great! But if it doesn't, maybe consider that they weren't designed for it. I know I've tried them on my Provari but the weight of the sucker isn't conducive to horizontal vaping and I can't break the habit of sitting down the Provari in an upright position!

 

[RickH]

To put in my 2 cents, I'm lovin the Stardusts. I haven't noticed any cracking in the 2 weeks of use. I liked the CE2 XL's also but I've gotten more dry hits from them than the Stardusts. I think its just easier to wet the wicks on the Stardusts than with the CE2s and much better to prevent ejuice from getting in the center tube. I do think they have a stiff draw to them, I've used 510 extensions to get the bottom of the Stardust above the Ego threads which provides an easier draw. it provides tons more vapor but I guess it is a little cooler. But the convenience of filling and the look of the unit is much more pleasing.

 

[ThunderHammer]

The only head scratcher I have are those who use Stardusts on non-ego cone mods when these were obviously designed for them. I only use them on my kgo which I find really convenient to take around with me. I know some reviewer said, "Obviously, people will use these on big mods..." And if it works for you on big mods, great! But if it doesn't, maybe consider that they weren't designed for it. I know I've tried them on my Provari but the weight of the sucker isn't conducive to horizontal vaping and I can't break the habit of sitting down the Provari in an upright position!

Robbie, this is key, just as an 901 won't fit a 510 thread, why should an SD fit a Provari out of the box? It's like expecting an intake manifold from a Toyota to fit a Chevy, it's not happening.

If you're using it at higher voltage than a stock eGo style batt puts out; that for which it was designed, you're asking for problems.

 

[RickMc]

Update: PBusardo, still liked the review, but I just tried these out and I really like them so far. You nail it when you emphasize "my experience". I doubt these would be for everyone (as in the point above about setting a PV down vertically). I tend to fiddle with my KGO, so rolling it around isn't a problem for me. I'm guessing you could/would get dry hits if you didn't, especially when the thing is low on juice.

My experience: It takes a while to get the wicking (I'm new, so please feel free to correct my terminology) wet enough to vape consistently. About 15 minutes lying flat for me.

Taste: I think Boge and Smoketech cartos taste just fine, and I don't notice dripping tastes any different. The taste here (once the wicking got good and saturated) was as good as the cartos.

Draw: Harder than my cartos. I found myself sucking on it. Once I stopped, I realized I was getting plenty of vapor without doing that.

Early report bottom line: I love knowing when I need to add juice, and I love how fast it is to refill these. About 1 minute with a syringe, soup to nuts. Being as how I like fiddling with the PV while I vape, but don't like fiddling with cartos etc., early returns are good for me personally.

UPDATE: I was worried about these travelling in my carrying case, so I put them in a little ziplock bag in case. One emptied out in my case on the way to the office. I really was hoping they would travel better.