Blu Cig Review and Comparison

[Xerxes]

I am new to vaping. I purchased the blu cig starter as my first vaporizer. It took a little less than two weeks to arrive. When I saw that my order had not been processed after five days, I went ahead and ordered a Janty eGo and Janty juice, which arrived before the blu, and I have been thoroughly enjoying the eGo. When the blu finally did arrive I tried it and thought it sucked, very little vapor, but decided to keep it as a backup to the eGo. One weekend I left my eGo at work so I tried the blu again.

First thing, the blu charger and cig that was left screwed into it were both dead. It had sat unused for about two weeks. I guess you are supposed to unscrew the cig after it charges.

After plugging the charger back in and recharging, and after following the suggestions found at this site about the foil on the cartridge, I found the blu cig worked pretty well. It is small like a cigarette, produces good vapor, and the end lights up - kind of cool.

Yes, the short battery life is kind of a hassle, but the charger keeps up with me, recharging the other battery faster than I can drain the one I am using. Yes the cartridges run out quickly, but I can drip a drop or two of the Janty juice into the cartridge, and it works pretty good. Yes, the cig lights when you rattle the charger, but it hasn't been a big problem.

Of the blu flavors, I like Java Jolt (JJ) the best. It is better that any of the Janty juices I have tried, not that I have tried that many flavors. The first JJ cartridge had a fairly strong yummy flavor. But the second JJ cartridge I tried had no flavor at all. The third has some flavor, but not as much as the first. blu seems to have a QA problem. I probably won't be buying more from blu, but will seek other sources of juice, cartridges, batteries, and atomizers.

 

[Scry]

Try the Kona Koffee carts from Volcano. Similar taste to the Blu's JJ, but better vapor and TH. They'll also cost you about $7 less than ordering from Blu if you get 25 at a time.

 

[Remjin]

Not a great experience for me, either. Not much vapor, a little bit of throat hit, and I have to really work it to get much out of it. The PCC is pretty nice, though, and if the cig worked better it would be pretty nice. Lots of small form factor e-cigs out there, though, so no reason to waste time on this one. Like some others have noted, however, with dipping or dripping, it does produce some decent flavor if not exactly decent vapor. It also works on the 510 batteries, which seems to help it work better. I only use them as an emergency back-up in case everything I have goes bad and since they're threaded 510 style. The battery pack is pretty convenient, I must say.

If I had to start over in that realm, I'd probably try the 901 or one of the other smaller auto style e-cigs. Still, it was a learning experience, and they do have a lot of advertising out there.

 

[hxj]

Lots of small form factor e-cigs out there, though, so no reason to waste time on this one... If I had to start over in that realm, I'd probably try the 901 or one of the other smaller auto style e-cigs. Still, it was a learning experience, and they do have a lot of advertising out there.

Wow, you and I have drastically different definitions of "small form factor" if you lump the 901 in that category-- the thing's over 3 cm longer than the blu (118.8 mm vs. 88 mm).

The only other e-cig's in the blu's weight class that I've tried are the JOYE 306A (89mm) and the Revolver Elite (M702, 86mm). For my money, the blu/Volcano wins.

The 306A is nice: plenty of vapour, runs a bit hot but it's controllable. I still use it at home, but the lack of a PCC is crippling because it's got a short battery life (as all sub-90mm e-cigs do).

The Revolver Elite I've pretty much given up on, because it runs WAY too hot and every liquid I put through the thing winds up tasting awful. I can say two good things about the Elite: 1) the PCC is the best available, and 2) its atrocious flavour fidelity actually makes me like my 510 more, which I'd previously written off for poor flavour.

The blu/Volcano just keeps ticking along, ol' reliable. VG-based liquids in PTB-modded carts have been working great, I can use a 306 atomizer if I want a little more kick (though the difference is really pretty negligible), and the PCC isn't flashy or particularly smart but it gets the job done.

 

[Remjin]

Wow, you and I have drastically different definitions of "small form factor" if you lump the 901 in that category-- the thing's over 3 cm longer than the blu (118.8 mm vs. 88 mm).

The only other e-cig's in the blu's weight class that I've tried are the JOYE 306A (89mm) and the Revolver Elite (M702, 86mm). For my money, the blu/Volcano wins.

Well, I haven't actually owned a 901 yet, and I'm pretty new to the vaping scene. I've only been doing it a month or so. I went from the Blu to the 510 w/ mega-battery via MadVapes and then to the Joye 510. I have a DSE801 coming from China, and I'm most likely to try the Chuck next, or possibly one of the screwdriver mods out there. Otherwise, I use a 5V USB Pass-through for my 510 while I sit here... but it apparently isn't the same as a true 5V since the amperage is usually low out of a USB. Dunno yet, more to look into.

The only mini or cig style I have is the Blu, with the standard 510 coming in close in size if not necessarily weight. From what I'm reading here, if I wanted to stick to that size, the volcano might be okay, but I think I'd rather go with one of the others since I haven't had a good experience with the Blu thus far. I'm still looking into it, but the 510 seems to be about as small as I want to go right now. I am interested in a smaller auto style at some point, but right now I'm just trying to get something with more vapor and throat hit.

I'm not overly interested in tinkering with my PVs at this point. I seem to have my hands full just cleaning and such and I have too many other hobbies to be taking these things apart and starting on a whole new set of tools and what-nots to get it done. I just want to buy something and be done with it. =)

 

[michael s]

Remjin,
Volcano has a 510 coming out here really soon. if you go to their sit and search the forum there you can find photos and info on it. it looks really good and the new style PCC looks awesome. They have the best customer service of any ecig company I have dealt with so for. and shipping is fast.

 

[Remjin]

Remjin,
Volcano has a 510 coming out here really soon. if you go to their sit and search the forum there you can find photos and info on it. it looks really good and the new style PCC looks awesome. They have the best customer service of any ecig company I have dealt with so for. and shipping is fast.

Maybe I'll consider that. I'm looking for something in an automatic, since everything else I've bought is currently a manual, which I like quite a bit, but the casual nature and hands-free thing with an auto does appeal to me. Maybe I will try that 401 or 901 sometime soon.

 

[Horsegirl]

I am new to vaping. I purchased the blu cig starter as my first vaporizer. It took a little less than two weeks to arrive. When I saw that my order had not been processed after five days, I went ahead and ordered a Janty eGo and Janty juice, which arrived before the blu, and I have been thoroughly enjoying the eGo. When the blu finally did arrive I tried it and thought it sucked, very little vapor, but decided to keep it as a backup to the eGo. One weekend I left my eGo at work so I tried the blu again.

First thing, the blu charger and cig that was left screwed into it were both dead. It had sat unused for about two weeks. I guess you are supposed to unscrew the cig after it charges.

After plugging the charger back in and recharging, and after following the suggestions found at this site about the foil on the cartridge, I found the blu cig worked pretty well. It is small like a cigarette, produces good vapor, and the end lights up - kind of cool.

Yes, the short battery life is kind of a hassle, but the charger keeps up with me, recharging the other battery faster than I can drain the one I am using. Yes the cartridges run out quickly, but I can drip a drop or two of the Janty juice into the cartridge, and it works pretty good. Yes, the cig lights when you rattle the charger, but it hasn't been a big problem.

Of the blu flavors, I like Java Jolt (JJ) the best. It is better that any of the Janty juices I have tried, not that I have tried that many flavors. The first JJ cartridge had a fairly strong yummy flavor. But the second JJ cartridge I tried had no flavor at all. The third has some flavor, but not as much as the first. blu seems to have a QA problem. I probably won't be buying more from blu, but will seek other sources of juice, cartridges, batteries, and atomizers.

Yup... like stated near the beginning of this LONG thread... Blu has a very attractive marketing package... and work well for the first 2 hits with a fresh cartridge and a fresh battery. Sure some of the flavors are good... BUT they need to catch-up with some of the POWERED competition on the market today. BLU was my virgin experience the first time I vaped... and I don't have any regrets about Blu... it was a learning curve.

 

[Horsegirl]

Um... just a tip for Blu users with failing batteries... ...as a last resort before you give up... give this a try!

...I don't know why... (Goes against everything I have ever learned about batteries)... ...BUT...

...if you have batteries that have trouble charging... and last about 60 seconds after charging...

...put them in your freezer for an hour... and then charge them.

The only reason I say this, is I left my PCC with both ecigs/bats in my truck in some adverse freezing weather overnight. For the first time since near the time I bought them... they charged a long time... and held a charge. ...Maybe something with the autobat and charging system... I'm just blowin' smoke... but for a last resort... give it a try.

 

[CaboSmok]

blu cigs are the worst, shipping problems, battery life is very short and it take over 3 weeks to get a carton of refills and using liquid juice in them makes the atomiser burn out really quick and they wont replace the atomizer if they find out you tried to refill them with your own juice and there customer service sucks hardcore i seem to get the same jerk off every time i call he seems to like putting me on hold multiple times and a simple question take about 30 min to get a responce im sticking with my cheapo super cigarette that i bought for 29 bucks and just use liquid if anybody wants to buy my blu cig starter kit let me know ill trade you for a different e cig if you want

+1

NJOY is the best! cabosmoker for a 10% discount from NJOY.

 

[JonasClark]

Brand new to the forum, first post! Will start by saying hat two close friends bought Blu. They've had them for a week or so, and - not to put down anyone here who has issues with them, as I don't doubt them - they haven't. They've tried the live chat and got questions answered, they get lots of vapor, and they say their battery tends to last for about two carts, which is fine for them. These two are heavy smokers, and one of them normally hits hard and sucks down regular cigs in about two minutes or less.

My question: I don't smoke cigs. Never have. I smoke a pipe, a hookah, and some anisette-soaked cigars, and nothing else, and haven't gotten a nicotine hook from them. The Blu looks classy, is interesting, and I'm considering buying one. So... I'm not after huge vapor clouds; the hookah pros also seem to push for the biggest, thickest possible smoke clouds, and I get more than enough flavor either way. I'm not after heavy throat hits. And I'll be buying the no-nicotine carts. I don't have issues fiddling with things a bit (I smoke a Kirsten pipe - anyone who knows these will know what I mean here, as they're sort of a "gadget pipe") and I don't mind if the batteries don't last for hours , since I'm not going to be smoking this as though I was a three-pack-a-day user. I also don't mind waiting for my shipment; I'm not in a huge hurry. I also like Blu's classy, all-over black color, light weight, the lack of an "on" button (just drag to use) and the blue LED versus another color like red, which I think tells potential violently-anti-smoking people nearby - I've had a few really tear into me over smoking my pipe, and in designated smoking areas no less - that it isn't a lit cigarette.

Is Blu still a bad buy? I'm not going for most of the criteria I see people here are after; is it possibly a good buy for someone who just wants flavor and light hits, will be using it lightly, and likes the design, color and PCC? Or might this work just fine for me?

Is Flux exactly the same in every respect? And what color is the Flux LED? Not a fan of the red on the Volcano - yes, the look of the thing *is* quite important to me, since I'm not after the best nic hit here. I just want something that looks good, and performs reasonably well for light-duty use for mild flavor only.

 

[jaydawgg]

If you talk to volcano they have other led colors that they might be able to ship to u instead of the red i use the volcano and just purchased the magma too so i am a little biased but it out performs the blu's i have tried by far.

so give em a call or email and see if they can do that for you i am sure they will but check first.

Also the quality and customer service has been outstanding for me.

i have tried both as a friend bought a blu and its not bad but i think as a cost effective way and volcano will save you money over time being better quality and last longer

Also the volcano carts a bigger than blue and the atomizers are heavier duty and will last longer.

thats just my opinion through experience so take from it what you will but i definatly reccomend the volcano over any other super mini.

 

[JonasClark]

Are the Volcano cigs otherwise nearly identical to Blu?

 

[jaydawgg]

my experience is same basic models but major differences are

volcano battery 1-2 hours (i constantly use it aka chain vape)
blu battery about the same so far

volcano atty bigger and heavier duty i have 6 and none have died yet
blue smaller and have had them die faster 2 have died so far but were purchased a week earlier and 2 of the 6 replacements were dead on arrival

outer carts same size inner carts in volcano are almost twice the size and hold way more juice

like i said i am biased to the volcano but i am trying to give the best info with out sounding like i work for them.

Hope that helps. check out the sites too volcanoecigs.com and blucigs.com

 

[michael s]

Jonas,
I have both the Volcano and Blu. I go the Blu first for the reason that it had a blue LED so I wouldn't get harassed as much about smoking. Shipping time wasn't bad to get the starter kit. But after about 2 weeks both atty's died, it took over two weeks to get the replacements. So I was left high and dry with out anything during that time. So while I was waiting for Blu to ship me parts I ordered parts from Volcano, go them in 4 days. Quality of the product is much better. I would say go for Volcano. and if you don't want the red LED you could order all the parts you want separately, and get the batteries with the color LED you want. You might spend a few more bucks to start off, but in the long run, you'll be saving yourself time and money. Blu's in my opinion just seem to be sub par.
just my 2 cents

 

[JonasClark]

Thanks a lot. I think I may try Volcano, but I'll ask them if they can do another LED color. That's also important because I'm in an area that's extremely anti-smoking.

Speaking of that, any truth to the rumor that California has banned use of e-cigs in all places where real smoking is banned? I don't live in CA, but haven't heard any such rumor about my area.

 

[JonasClark]

I've looked. Volcano does seem better in quality, but offers only white or red LED. I think I've got to try Blu.

 

[jjujju]

That is good to hear you had a good experience.

I cannot say the same thing. And for those who are still hoping on the 10 day deliver please remember that it is their estimate. I waited for over 3 weeks to get mine. The shipping info never updated and was always told that it is somewhere in the mailing system... but no one could track it?

This happens to me a lot with a lot of sites--I think it's the fault of the individual USPS locations along the way, not of the shipper, whether it's Blu or whomever. Not defending Blu there, just putting in my .02 about the frustration of the USPS...

My co worker actually bought it from me before I could send it back and he enjoyed it, until I let him try mine out... I guess ignorance is bliss.

So it could be great for the beginners, but once something else is tried it loses the perceived value.

Well said! I liked my Blu a lot more until my 510s got here! I had found youtube reviews about 510s after ordering my Blu but before it got here, so I didn't JUST order the 510 b/c I was unhappy with Blu. In fact when I first got my Blu I WASN'T unhappy. I still think it's cute and little and if I knew then what I know now I might have ordered a non-branded one to get it cheaper, but then again, if I knew then what I know now, I might not have gotten one at all...

Let a friend borrow my Blu to get her convinced e-cigs are awesome (compared to reg cigs). Don't think she would have tried my 510 so willingly without trying the Blu first--it DOES seem to help the hesitant that it looks more size/shape like an analogue. But then I got her to try my 510 and WHOA, no going back. She is using the Blu while waiting for her shipment of 510s and it's keeping her from smoking quite so many analogues, but... I guess, everything has its uses... ???

 

[JonasClark]

Do any other brands come in black AND operate by dragging (no button) AND have a blue light?

 

[michael s]

hey Jonas,
Check back later this week or next with Volcano, they do have other colors they are just out of stock at the moment. I know they do carry green, and a stealth (no light) and I heard purple is on the way. and they have a new 510 hitting the selves this week (i believe).