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

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Jammin

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.....No leaking with the ego vision (unless you put liquid down through the centre tube, but then you would qualify for some disability payment)......


Yeah! Where do I apply?

Seriously, I love these things too. More amazingly, so does my husband, who is one of the pickiest people alive. I finally got something he likes! Doesn't mean I expect everyone to like them, though.

Whatever floats your boat.
Whatever turns you on.
It takes all sorts to make a world.
You can't please all of the people all of the time.
Insert your own adage here.

With every post I read, I await my package to arrive all the more so I can try this puppy out! LOL how does your husband mind the awkward way of holding his e-cig with that wick on top? I figure I will just try recharging the wick by shaking it around a bit when it gets real low....
 

SuperLuckyLady

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With every post I read, I await my package to arrive all the more so I can try this puppy out! LOL how does your husband mind the awkward way of holding his e-cig with that wick on top? I figure I will just try recharging the wick by shaking it around a bit when it gets real low....

No. We use egos, so you naturally puff on it sideways. We use mostly VG, and the only wicking problems we have are when they are almost empty, and then we just roll it around a bit. He doesn't mind that, just like he didn't mind flicking the ash off a ciggie!
 

Nomoreash

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With every post I read, I await my package to arrive all the more so I can try this puppy out! LOL how does your husband mind the awkward way of holding his e-cig with that wick on top? I figure I will just try recharging the wick by shaking it around a bit when it gets real low....

You don't have to hold it that way when you vape, just need to turn it upside down long enough before you vape to get the wick and coil area wet.
 

Dougers

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Wow, this review was so far off the mark. Kind of like when you said the ego-c was good, yikes. I think part of your problem was clearly that you had the "high resistance" version. Of course, the low res ones will work much better. I've used everything from rafalicious(the thickest juice there is)way thicker than Boba's, to Torque 56, and I've never had a dry hit. Of course I tilt it about once every 5 or 10 puffs or so. I don't have carpel tunnel or anything, so I don't see an issue, and thats only necessary after the tank is 2/3 empty. I use the low res (2.1-2.4 ohm) version, have 10 of them, and have never had a better vaping experience. 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. They're really easy to clean as well, no need to ever take them apart. Just run under hot water, shake it around, use a little soap or alcohol if it was a stinky juice, rinse again, dry burn, and it's good to go, like new. Also, be sure to dry burn these thoroughly before the 1st use, or you very well may have problems, especially a nasty taste. There's different manufacturers making these, I got mine from litecigusa, and they are amazing. Without a doubt the best thing to happen to vaping. Also, if anyone is so unbelievably ignorant that they can't figure out that the wick needs to be moist, well, smoking is the least of their problems. Maybe you're just so used to tasting that nasty carto filler, you miss it when it's gone? I apologize if this seems harsh, but such a great product definitely doesn't deserve such a negative review. Especially when I've seen you recommend horrible products in the past. 2.5-2.9 ohms on a 3.3 volt device isn't going to work well. Try the low res version.
 

TruSound

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My brief Stardust experience has been quite different than described in this review, I have yet to have a dry scratchy hit with any of the 4 units I'm using, flavor has been good and not a bad TH.

Naturally you'll get a dry hit if the tank is low and you never set the device down on its side, it's not rocket science.

I just received the LR units, better flavor and TH...and the convienience factor with these is fantastic.
 

Jammin

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After using stardust clearo's consistently for about three or four days, the ONLY negative that I can see is it DOES burn thru what seems like twice the juice of my old cartos. The taste and hit is fabulous. But not sure I am going to like doubling up on my juice orders. LOL. Anyone else notice this? Usually only my dual coil cartos burned thru juice this fast.
 

SuperLuckyLady

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After using stardust clearo's consistently for about three or four days, the ONLY negative that I can see is it DOES burn thru what seems like twice the juice of my old cartos. The taste and hit is fabulous. But not sure I am going to like doubling up on my juice orders. LOL. Anyone else notice this? Usually only my dual coil cartos burned thru juice this fast.

Oh yeah, that's why it tastes so good!
 

seanmc

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Wow, this review was so far off the mark. Kind of like when you said the ego-c was good, yikes. I think part of your problem was clearly that you had the "high resistance" version. Of course, the low res ones will work much better. I've used everything from rafalicious(the thickest juice there is)way thicker than Boba's, to Torque 56, and I've never had a dry hit. Of course I tilt it about once every 5 or 10 puffs or so. I don't have carpel tunnel or anything, so I don't see an issue, and thats only necessary after the tank is 2/3 empty. I use the low res (2.1-2.4 ohm) version, have 10 of them, and have never had a better vaping experience. 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. They're really easy to clean as well, no need to ever take them apart. Just run under hot water, shake it around, use a little soap or alcohol if it was a stinky juice, rinse again, dry burn, and it's good to go, like new. Also, be sure to dry burn these thoroughly before the 1st use, or you very well may have problems, especially a nasty taste. There's different manufacturers making these, I got mine from litecigusa, and they are amazing. Without a doubt the best thing to happen to vaping. Also, if anyone is so unbelievably ignorant that they can't figure out that the wick needs to be moist, well, smoking is the least of their problems. Maybe you're just so used to tasting that nasty carto filler, you miss it when it's gone? I apologize if this seems harsh, but such a great product definitely doesn't deserve such a negative review. Especially when I've seen you recommend horrible products in the past. 2.5-2.9 ohms on a 3.3 volt device isn't going to work well. Try the low res version.

How is this have better flavor than a CE2, Its the same exact concept minus the ceramic cup (thus labeled the CE4+)? And better flavor than direct dripping? How is that possible? Is the heating coil a special material? You might bash carto filler, but what do you think the wick is made out of, stainless steel mesh? Phil is giving his honest opinion on what alot of vapers think about the top coil cartos, that's why Royal Smokers has so many revisions, CE1, 2, 3 and now 4...and they still haven't gotten it right yet.
 

Sethenes

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As a complete newb I found this device to be really nice. I ordered an ego a couple of weeks ago which was my first PV. It came with empty carts, which I chose so that I could put in my own juice. I noticed there was a faint chemical undertone which I came to feel was the polyfill in the cartos and I wasn't really happy with it. I started to rethink whether or not I wanted to bother vaping anymore.

On top of that, I never knew whether the cartomizer was full or not. The more liquid I put in it the more dry the polyfill looked. It just all seemed like too much hassle for not enough reward with that polyfill taste in the background. So, I started researching for "best cartomizers" to see if I was missing something which brought me to learn about the new vision stardust.

After receiving the mail, i quickly opened up the package and easily filled it up which impressed me. I tilted the vision to the side to not drip down the center, and it easily filled that way even hitting the wick on the way into the tank. What I would like to respond to is that the wick and atomizer should get wet when you fill it up and let it sit for a minute or two. When you fill it up to the line it starts the process of wetting the wick and atomizer. I don't know about other people but I hold my ego out like a cigar, because as of today I had never used a dripping atomizer so it just seemed like the way I should hold it.

Going back to the wick not staying wet without "vigorously shaking" your PV; my experience has been that once the whole wicking process has set in the juice clings to the already wet wick when you hardly move it. One of the features that helps with this is that the top of the vision tapers in as you get close to the top of the device, and the wick hits the glass right before the taper. I haven't found, at all, that you have to hold your PV upside down for the atomizer and wick to be wet; my juice seems to be thick enough to cling to the wick if I just barely tilt the PV from a vertical position. I also feel that with the wick where it is, it's more obvious that it needs to be wet and you can easily see whether it is or not. There have been no leaks so far and it vapes and tastes great for me.

I agree with Jammin that the only negative I've found is that it seems to use up juice really fast, faster than I thought it would.

Just my newbie :2c:! :)

I'm really digging these dripping atomizers too for when I can sit in front of my computer and just enjoy vaping. No more polyfill for me. Atomizers for a relaxing session and vision stardusts for on the go for me!

EDIT : Forgot to add that I have never had a dry hit yet and I've gone through plenty of tanks.
 
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CountSmackula

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Phil, I appreciate your reviews. And as you state in the beginning of every review - it's your opinion!

While I'm not a "fanboy", I do enjoy them immensely. Will I give up my F-1s, or Extremes, or any other wicked clearos and move exclusively to them? Not likely. Do I enjoy them (minus the cracking on early models)? Yeppers. To each his own. Some people hate cats. Some people hate dogs. Does that make either of them right? Nope. I'm bi-pet-ual. Same w/ my clearos.

Cheers!
 

Sethenes

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Thanks Morgan, I'm glad you agree!

Also, I'm not saying it's perfect or the best device there is because I simply don't know that as fact. All I know is that for me it is way better than regular 510 cartomizers with polyfill. One of the earlier posts got me thinking what the material of the vision wick actually is. Does it have to be either steel wool or polyfill? I'm not sure what it is, but I've seen cotton wicks before.
 

SuperLuckyLady

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Yeah, it's the best balance of pros and cons for me too. I also like and use visions, sapphires and vornados too, but each has its good points and drawbacks.

Can't do filled cartos myself. Some of the fillers people use get to my lungs.

Don't know what the wick is made of....interesting question....
 

RickMc

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I too thought this was a great review and I can't figure out where the caustic response came from. I'm going to go order one of these to try on my KGO. I think having to tilt and recharge won't bother me at all. I may be wrong, but I'll be out a grand total of 6 bucks if so. It will be worth the learning experience.

Thanks, PBusardo, I'm going to look for more of your reviews!
 

Jammin

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I too thought this was a great review and I can't figure out where the caustic response came from. I'm going to go order one of these to try on my KGO. I think having to tilt and recharge won't bother me at all. I may be wrong, but I'll be out a grand total of 6 bucks if so. It will be worth the learning experience.

Thanks, PBusardo, I'm going to look for more of your reviews!

I have found I do not need to tilt. It stays pretty wet consistently and if it does seem to get dry i just recharge by shaking it up and down once or twice. It isn't even an issue.
 

Goldenkobold

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Well I got my 808 version of these, using it on the Echo (non regulated 650 & 1100 mah automatics)

Had it for long enough to tell Pbusardo how wrong he is, kind of. They do seem to work and I can see why some people would love these and why others may have problems...if your P.V. weighs a lot I can definitely see how having to turn the thing horizontal would be a major problem, I also find the juice reservoir to be small, admittedly that is dictated by the size of the device. Also I syringe fill and that pretty much ensures I never have a leaking problem, almost every time I have filled it with your standard ejuice bottle I got a little bit of juice in the air hole and had to get it out, a big deal on an automatic but even on a manual it creates an annoying airflow issue.

So if your using this on something large, anything with an 18650 battery, you may be better served by something with longer wicks or less dependent on getting juice at the top. A CE based tank, or a boge, smoktech tank.

If you need more than 1.6ml (which honestly isn't that much) a larger tank may also be better for you.

If you need higher wattage than most 3.7v combo's can provide something else may be better (or a darwin and this might work)

That being said its working out well on the echo's which I vape at a more horizontal level anyway and I can see why some people really like these, the flavor and vapor is good (as long as that airhole doesn't have juice in it which only seems to occur on refill for me and that is only if I do something wrong)
 

Stoggy24

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I think phil IMO is one of the best reviewers seeing as i have all the time in the world to watch alot of reviews/reviewers i do find him the best As he does say in the beginning these are his opinions i didnt see to find this review the same in my experience i find them easy to me and they were my first nonfiller type carto and i dont think ill switch to anything else
 

Jammin

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Well I got my 808 version of these, using it on the Echo (non regulated 650 & 1100 mah automatics)

Had it for long enough to tell Pbusardo how wrong he is, kind of. They do seem to work and I can see why some people would love these and why others may have problems...if your P.V. weighs a lot I can definitely see how having to turn the thing horizontal would be a major problem, I also find the juice reservoir to be small, admittedly that is dictated by the size of the device. Also I syringe fill and that pretty much ensures I never have a leaking problem, almost every time I have filled it with your standard ejuice bottle I got a little bit of juice in the air hole and had to get it out, a big deal on an automatic but even on a manual it creates an annoying airflow issue.

So if your using this on something large, anything with an 18650 battery, you may be better served by something with longer wicks or less dependent on getting juice at the top. A CE based tank, or a boge, smoktech tank.

If you need more than 1.6ml (which honestly isn't that much) a larger tank may also be better for you.

If you need higher wattage than most 3.7v combo's can provide something else may be better (or a darwin and this might work)

That being said its working out well on the echo's which I vape at a more horizontal level anyway and I can see why some people really like these, the flavor and vapor is good (as long as that airhole doesn't have juice in it which only seems to occur on refill for me and that is only if I do something wrong)

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

mostlyclassics

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I have several SR Stardusts and like them very much. In fairness to Phil and his review, which I thought was excellent and quite even-handed:

  • The scratchy throat-hit problem could easily be due to his Stardusts not being broken in sufficiently. There should be some instructions included with these, but there isn't -- par for the course with vaping hardware.
  • These aren't specifically meant to be disassembled. But they can, with some work, come apart for cleaning. And once apart, cleaning is quite easy. They also can be recoiled and rewicked. But unless you a) have rock-steady hands, b) have excellent close-vision, c) are used to working with really, really tiny things, and d) haven't watched and assimilated the rebuilding process via rockinrobbie's YouTube tutorial, rebuilding one could be an exercise in futility.
I really like the form-factor (same diameter as an eGo fat batt), the fact that these can be cleaned (even if they're a pain in the fundament to take apart) and the rebuildability feature (whether intended by the designer or not).

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

I've done that too. I just took the PV apart, blew out the Stardust through the mouthpiece, cleaned the e-liquid off the connection end of the Stardust and the battery connector and reassembled.
 
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