About to order my first PV

[Adarack]

Hey all,

Last week the Lady and I went shopping for a PV so she could get off the normal cigarettes. We went to a local shop Vapers Haven we heard about from one of my coworkers. They were very helpful and answered all of her questions. This was of course before either of us had heard about this amazing forum. So we over paid a bit for the device but I still think it was worth it for the hands on education.

The difficult part is she smoked Djarum Blacks or Specials clove cigarettes. They had some clove juice that seems to be close enough for her liking although I'm still going to get some Kratek juice from Tasty Vapor because I liked specials when I first started smoking.

On to my story.
This whole process sparked my interest into these devices. I actually quit smoking entirely June 2008 but have always missed it. The occasional drag off a clove or a cigar has been enough to keep me on the wagon. The thing is I liked smoking I enjoyed the ritual of it. I only quit because of the price increase in Massachusetts was going to bring my brand close to $9 a pack and that was simply too much.

I'm getting ready to order my first PV. I have been reading a ton (mostly here) and watching a ton of YouTube videos on the subject. I have narrowed the choices down to a Riva 510-T XL Bundle with 5 pack of the replacement Riva 510-T LR Atomizers start with unless someone has another suggestion in the same price range. After that who knows maybe a DCT.

In case you can't tell I like links I think it makes it easier to show people what I'm talking about.

Thanks for all the information already consumed, time to go consume even more.

 

[moishesmom]

Hello & welcome....as you already know - you've come to a great place w/wonderful people that are always there to help. As you also know - your going to get a zillion opinions on what is 'the best'. Whatever you chose, there will be another one waiting in the wings.

Don't feel you overpaid for your wife's setup; you can't put a high enough price on health, therefore you didn't overpay - you made a great investment. Best of luck to the both of you & hope to see you here often.

 

[Fallorc]

Do you mind if I ask, why you wish to go with the 510-T's?

 

[Dana A]

Hello and welcome to the ECF. What you have picked out looks pretty good to me. I like links too.Good luck and happy vaping

 

[Ratchet]

Looks decent enough for a beginner mod... I think you'll like it. I don't own a Riva myself, I'm using a Variable Voltage Lavatube but if you want to start with fixed voltage mods, I've heard some good things about the Riva. And the price looks reasonable. I'd order at least one additional battery, though, just in case one of your batteries dies. If it does and you don't have at least a third battery, you'll be left without while your main battery charges.... Happy Vaping!

 

[Adarack]

Hello & welcome....as you already know - you've come to a great place w/wonderful people that are always there to help. As you also know - your going to get a zillion opinions on what is 'the best'. Whatever you chose, there will be another one waiting in the wings.

Don't feel you overpaid for your wife's setup; you can't put a high enough price on health, therefore you didn't overpay - you made a great investment. Best of luck to the both of you & hope to see you here often.

Thank you for the welcome. It seems to be a very friendly and knowledgeable place to learn.

There are always different opinions on what the best will be for whatever item that's out there. It is truly irrelevant though since many of the models discussed around here are far beyond my budget.

I feel we paid exactly the right amount for her ego (I think made by Janty). Like I said the hands on instruction was excellent and having someone right there to answer our questions was very valuable. It was really only about $20 more than what I'm seeing for a similar kit offered from some of the vendors on this forum.

I think I'll be sticking around here for awhile.

 

[Adarack]

Do you mind if I ask, why you wish to go with the 510-T's?

Best answer I have is I don't know any better. It is in the right price range, with an option for a 900mAh battery, and it looks like it would have a low fiddle factor involved in using it (might be wrong with the last one). Plus it uses a 510 thread so I could put all kinds of things on it and probably will. I'm really attracted to tanks of one kind or another. I'll probably order a DCT as well to test out. I am however open to suggestions for affordable bundles.

 

[Adarack]

Looks decent enough for a beginner mod... I think you'll like it. I don't own a Riva myself, I'm using a Variable Voltage Lavatube but if you want to start with fixed voltage mods, I've heard some good things about the Riva. And the price looks reasonable. I'd order at least one additional battery, though, just in case one of your batteries dies. If it does and you don't have at least a third battery, you'll be left without while your main battery charges.... Happy Vaping!

I looked at the Lavatube as well but it is a little out of my price range at the moment when everything else is added in.

Glad you have heard some good things about the Riva I tired to be thorough in my research. That is a good tip about the 3rd battery and I'll most likely take your advice.

 

[NC_Fog]

First of all welcome! Don't sweat the $20. With your cigs costing you 9bucks a pack it won't take long to recoup your investment. I myself spend quite a bit trying out new things but not nearly as much as I was spending on smokes(look at the banner in my signature). I can't believe how much better I feel and smell. Enjoy the journey...

Marty

 

[Adarack]

First of all welcome! Don't sweat the $20. With your cigs costing you 9bucks a pack it won't take long to recoup your investment. I myself spend quite a bit trying out new things but not nearly as much as I was spending on smokes(look at the banner in my signature). I can't believe how much better I feel and smell. Enjoy the journey...

Marty

I know what you mean I actually quit smoking totally in 2008. That part of my post was referring to the Wife's new ego. That's what sparked my interest into these for myself. I see that $20 as well spent our house already smells better without her smoking and she really likes the ego a lot.

 

[Jason McRoy]

I agree with everyone completely on the money you spent at your local vendor. I just picked up my first starter kit from a new vendor that just opened up less than 5 miles from my house! Woo hoo! I think it's worth the extra attention you receive locally, especially if the people there are experienced and know what they are talking about.

I paid about $20.00 more for my kit but I consider it totally worth it without a second thought. I will probably order my juice elsewhere in the future as they are a little pricey on that. I will get theirs occasionally though.

So, I have been vaping since Saturday and I love my kit. Mine sounds similar to the one your wife has. The local vendor has their name on it but it's basically an E Go set up with a 900mAH batt and 650mAH back up. I am satisfied so far.

Cheers!

-Jason

 

[sailorman]

The Riva battery is good, but I think you should dispense with that "T" system. It's virtually the same as the eGo Ts , which are notorious for leaking and other problems. There are better juice delivery systems that don't make you buy special atomizers and parts to maintain the system in the way it was designed.

For the same money, you can get a kGo kit with Vision eGo clearomizers. These will give you a better vape with less headaches then the "tank" system, which is basically a glorified atty/cartridge system that became obsolete 2 years ago.

Take a look at this link, the kGo Vision Cartomizer kit. Enlarge the photo and see the Clearomizer attached to the kGo. They are calling it a cartomizer, but it is actually a clearomizer. You can replace these for about $5 and they hold about 1.8ml. They won't leak, they're cleanable and you can even rebuild them if you want. They will work on any eGo type battery. The included batteries are 1100mah as well.
KGO Vision Cartomizer Kit

 

[X P3 Flight Engineer]

Good advice from sailorman, as always.

While you are shopping have a look at the eGo Twist since it does all that the eGo or kGo do but allows you to select which voltage you want to use. I had the kGo first (1100mah pass-through) and got the Twist when it came out. I love them both!

Life is good!

 

[martsumoto]

well your riva is very affordable so I think you did right, just compare to the amount you could be spending on analogs and you will instantly feel better.

welcome to the happy vapers club!

 

[moishesmom]

Best answer I have is I don't know any better. It is in the right price range, with an option for a 900mAh battery, and it looks like it would have a low fiddle factor involved in using it (might be wrong with the last one). Plus it uses a 510 thread so I could put all kinds of things on it and probably will. I'm really attracted to tanks of one kind or another. I'll probably order a DCT as well to test out. I am however open to suggestions for affordable bundles.

Hi Adarack - If the bundles you're referring to are cartos - I've been buying (hoarding) like a mad person from
Crystal Clear Vaping.com. They've got some good deals w/free shipping - love all the cartos I've purchased from them & haven't hit a bad one yet......hope I didn't just curse myself.

 

[Adarack]

The Riva battery is good, but I think you should dispense with that "T" system. It's virtually the same as the eGo Ts , which are notorious for leaking and other problems. There are better juice delivery systems that don't make you buy special atomizers and parts to maintain the system in the way it was designed.

For the same money, you can get a kGo kit with Vision eGo clearomizers. These will give you a better vape with less headaches then the "tank" system, which is basically a glorified atty/cartridge system that became obsolete 2 years ago.

Take a look at this link, the kGo Vision Cartomizer kit. Enlarge the photo and see the Clearomizer attached to the kGo. They are calling it a cartomizer, but it is actually a clearomizer. You can replace these for about $5 and they hold about 1.8ml. They won't leak, they're cleanable and you can even rebuild them if you want. They will work on any eGo type battery. The included batteries are 1100mah as well.
KGO Vision Cartomizer Kit

Thank you for the link. Man that site is a bit...bright. I'll keep them in mind. The bundle from Liberty Flights has a very attractive price with the 20% ECF discount at $33.99. So it would seem cheaper in the long run to get the bundle from Liberty and instead of ordering replacement tanks to instead order a 3ml DCT for $12 and a 5-pack of replacement cartos for $12.

What are the thoughts on the DCTs?

Good advice from sailorman, as always.

While you are shopping have a look at the eGo Twist since it does all that the eGo or kGo do but allows you to select which voltage you want to use. I had the kGo first (1100mah pass-through) and got the Twist when it came out. I love them both!

Life is good!

Sadly the eGo Twist is a bit out of my budget for the bundles. It seems to be nearly 2 times the price of the one I'm considering from Liberty Flights.

Thank you for the idea though.

 

[tada]

Thank you for the link. Man that site is a bit...bright. I'll keep them in mind. The bundle from Liberty Flights has a very attractive price with the 20% ECF discount at $33.99. So it would seem cheaper in the long run to get the bundle from Liberty and instead of ordering replacement tanks to instead order a 3ml DCT for $12 and a 5-pack of replacement cartos for $12.

What are the thoughts on the DCTs?



Sadly the eGo Twist is a bit out of my budget for the bundles. It seems to be nearly 2 times the price of the one I'm considering from Liberty Flights.

Thank you for the idea though.

The site sailorman sent you to, Sweet-Vapes, also has a coupon code for 15% off through 5/30/12. It's MEMORIAL15.

 

[sailorman]

Thank you for the link. Man that site is a bit...bright. I'll keep them in mind. The bundle from Liberty Flights has a very attractive price with the 20% ECF discount at $33.99. So it would seem cheaper in the long run to get the bundle from Liberty and instead of ordering replacement tanks to instead order a 3ml DCT for $12 and a 5-pack of replacement cartos for $12.

What are the thoughts on the DCTs?

DCTs? I had one. I threw it away. But that was before I found out that dual coil cartos aren't worth a darn on anything less then 4.5V. They're a cheap tank. They hold juice. It's the carto that's inside that matters. If you use them with low voltage, you'll get crappy vapor. Granted, you'll get twice as much of it. But 2 x crappy still equals crappy.

So, you need to find a 1.7 to 2ohm punched carto to put inside it. Then hold onto it because it's a bit slippery. You really need the flanged cartomizers. I saw some 1.7ohm flanged and punched Smoketech "Ressurector" cartos somewhere, but I can't remember where. Maybe CrystalClearVaping? If you use those, you should get a good vape.

Whatever you do DON'T use dual coil cartos. They are NOT 1.5ohm. They are two 3ohm cartos inside the same tube. Only the total resistance is 1.5ohms. It's like trying to boil one pot of water on two stoves, each set at half the boiling temperature of water You'll use the same amount of electricity, but you won't get boiling water.

The Vision Clearomizers are a far better vape than any carto based tank though. And at $5 each, they're a better value than buying $2 replacement cartos for the DCT. They last far longer than any cartomizer. If you punched your own carto's you could make it cheaper to use the DCT than the Vision Clearo, but the vapor and flavor still wouldn't be as good.

Like I said before, the battery itself on the Riva is not bad if it's the 1000mah one. But it's all that other useless junk, like the tank and atomizer, that you're paying for and that most people jettison in favor of something that actually works.

 

[Adarack]

DCTs? I had one. I threw it away. But that was before I found out that dual coil cartos aren't worth a darn on anything less then 4.5V. They're a cheap tank. They hold juice. It's the carto that's inside that matters. If you use them with low voltage, you'll get crappy vapor. Granted, you'll get twice as much of it. But 2 x crappy still equals crappy.

So, you need to find a 1.7 to 2ohm punched carto to put inside it. Then hold onto it because it's a bit slippery. You really need the flanged cartomizers. I saw some 1.7ohm flanged and punched Smoketech "Ressurector" cartos somewhere, but I can't remember where. Maybe CrystalClearVaping? If you use those, you should get a good vape.

Whatever you do DON'T use dual coil cartos. They are NOT 1.5ohm. They are two 3ohm cartos inside the same tube. Only the total resistance is 1.5ohms. It's like trying to boil one pot of water on two stoves, each set at half the boiling temperature of water You'll use the same amount of electricity, but you won't get boiling water.

The Vision Clearomizers are a far better vape than any carto based tank though. And at $5 each, they're a better value than buying $2 replacement cartos for the DCT. They last far longer than any cartomizer. If you punched your own carto's you could make it cheaper to use the DCT than the Vision Clearo, but the vapor and flavor still wouldn't be as good.

Like I said before, the battery itself on the Riva is not bad if it's the 1000mah one. But it's all that other useless junk, like the tank and atomizer, that you're paying for and that most people jettison in favor of something that actually works.

Thank you so much sailorman. You advice has not fallen on def ears. There was 1 more option that I was looking at.

What are the thoughts on the eGo-W aka CE2 Giantomizer?

Thanks again all for pointing yet another noob in the right direction.

 

[Adarack]

Just ordered the KGO Vision Cartomizer Kit with the 1100mAh batteries as was recommended. Looks like a nice kit.

Does anyone know if it comes with the V2 Vision carto with the long wicks or is it the original ones? I should have emailed them and asked but I figured it didn't matter so much.