I've been vaping a little over a year. Over the course of that time, my favorite and go-to delivery devices have been cartotanks. I've found them to provide better flavor of my juices than the string-wicked delivery devices. They are also not position dependent like string wicks are. (I find it annoying to always remember to "tip" my battery device in order to keep the wicks wet and avoid dry hits.)
I feel much more confident transporting my cartotank-topped PV in my pants pocket than I would a clearomizer or clearotank. They seem much better built and to be able to withstand some pressure or mild abuse. Most of today's choices of cartotank tube materials are either pyrex or polypropylene plastic which are safe to use with the volatile juice flavors. With the exception of the pyrex-tubed Kanger ProTank, all of the clearomizers and Nova tanks still use the vulnerable polycarbonate plastic (polycarbonate) which can crack or melt when in contact with many flavors of e-liquid.
There is a slightly higher learning curve with cartotanks than the easier to setup clearotanks, but if you follow a proven method one should have few if any issues from the start. There are a few ways to set one up and no one way is "best". The most common beginner mistake is not properly pre-filling the cartomizer prior to adding it to the tank. The second is filling the tank with the top cap off and then flooding the carto by placing the top cap on the tank. And third, not adjusting your vaping technique to cartotanks.
I feel cartotanks require a "slowing down" of your vaping style. No hard draws on the tank, unless you feel you need to further prime the carto (called dry pulls or sucking the tank w/o firing the button). You have to give the tank time to replenish the carto with more juice.
Think straw and a milkshake. Slow, deliberate, patient draws of 3 - 6 seconds in length. Take your time; enjoy your vape.
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I've written several articles geared towards beginners in my blog. You can access them by clicking the link below my avatar. A few you would be most interested in are:
Juice delivery devices, including explanations of cartomizers and cartotanks, pictures in use, and videos:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blogs/baditude/3230-1-proper-terminology-carto-tank-what-primer-juice-delivery-attachments.html
A
cartotank tutorial, with step by step method that I personally use, and a couple of demo videos, and a strong recommendation of a popular cartotank tool with a funny name:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blogs/baditude/3710-5-cartomizer-tank-setup.html
Large list of
online vendors that sell pre-punched cartomizers for tanks:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blogs/baditude/3295-2-sample-list-vendors-selling-pre-punched-single-coil-cartomizers-cartotanks.html
Review of a popular and recommended pyrex cartotank with suggestions on what length carto to use with what tank:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blogs/baditude/3318-3-ibtanked-pyrex-glass-tanks-review.html
Delivery devices considered safe to use with the cinnamon and citrus flavors:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blogs/baditude/3733-6-something-safe-cinnamon-citrus-flavors.html
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There are minor differences in brands of cartomizers. Two major brands are Boge and Smoktech.
Boge's filler material has a denser packing, which may make adding juice take longer and which may slow wicking of the juice while in the tank, but which may be less likely to flood the carto during use.
Smoketechs are the other extreme. Their filler is less dense, easier to fill and to wick, but which may be more likely to flood during use. These cartos come with a flange near the connector which prevent the tank from sliding toward the battery device.
Cartotanks will be sold as either a standard or XL length. Purchase the appropriate length cartos to match your tank.
