Carto versus standard cartridges. Economical atty alternative?

[Unperson]

I see a lot of posts questioning the value between cartomizers versus standard cartridges. However, most of these posts are about ease of changing cartridges or whether one holds more juice thus requiring less changes. Neither of these is why I'm leaning towards using carto's.

I'm new to the whole pv scene. I still haven't ordered my first kit yet, but I'm trying to put in as much effort to learn what I can before hand. A quick history about me.. ..I'm 45, been smoking for roughly 30 years and want to switch from cigarettes. I don't think a pv will help me quit, but it will take tar and other nasty aspects out of the smoking equation. Because I'm a heavy smoker (2 to 3 packs a day), I'm anticipating I'll be a heavy vaper so I'm trying to take that into consideration when I buy my first setup.

Note: I'm not afraid of putting effort into my vaping. In other words, I'm probably going to enjoy mixing my own batches of juice. I don't mind the thought of wadding carts, cleaning attys, etc.. I'll put whatever effort I feel is necessary to get the most out of vaping.

As a heavy smoker, I could try to go with a screwdriver right off the bat. I know that they offer one of the most potent vaping experiences and even that could get escalated with a mod or two. However, I don't want to start out at the peak. I'd rather start out somewhere in the middle so I can switch to a lighter or heavier option at a later point.

From my research, a good middle starting point would be either a 801 or 901. Both offer decent battery power/strength and decent sized juice amounts in the cartridges. However, from what I've read in numerous posts, using a 3 part pv seems to cost more in the end. I read a lot of posts regarding attys having short life spans, batteries crapping out, etc.. As a result, here is what I think is going to be my starting options:

1. Main PV setup - For most of my vaping, I want to go with a KR808 with a manual USB PT and blank cartomizers. I'll probably start with 24mg juice.

Reason: The USB PT obviously takes batteries and charging out of the equation. Also, a PT offers 5v hits. If I need to step away from the PC for a bit, but not out of the house, I can always switch to a manual mega battery. The reason for going with the KR808 is for cartomizers. From what I've read, you can refill a carto about 3 or 4 times. They hold a decent amount of juice and take standard attys out of the equation. Yes, carto's are more expensive, but does the cost even out versus the cost of replacing standard attys?

2. Out-and-about PV setup - Was thinking of going with an 801 pen for when I'm away from the PC or out of the house. Primary reason was the 801 has both decent battery life and the cartridges hold a decent about of juice. I don't mind carrying spare batteries and cartridges. Another option for my out-and-about setup was going with a Joye stick. Not fully settled on either yet. Also, I could rig up a Joye Stick to work with carto's with the right adapter.

Anyone have any thoughts on the directions I'm thinking of going? Specifically, are cartomizers cheaper in the long run than going with standard atomizers and cartridges? I've read all the DIY posts on cleaning attys and juicing, but with out practical experience, I need advice from those "in the know," hence this post.

 

[Juan]

<-------- well... to be honest with you... we did the same research... and i did ended up buying a kr808-d1 as my first kit...

IMHO is a good device... and i believe the research paid off... and therefore i would suggest it for you too bro!

we certainly did the same research.... lol

anyway... a follow up on ur research should be not only the kr808 suppliers... but their locations.. because long distance suppliers may dragg your shipment time a bit.... plus.. im going to pm you something...

 

[Kent C]

I'm a heavy smoker (2 to 3 packs a day), I'm anticipating I'll be a heavy vaper so I'm trying to take that into consideration when I buy my first setup.

As a heavy smoker, I could try to go with a screwdriver right off the bat. I know that they offer one of the most potent vaping experiences and even that could get escalated with a mod or two. However, I don't want to start out at the peak. I'd rather start out somewhere in the middle so I can switch to a lighter or heavier option at a later point.

From my research, a good middle starting point would be either a 801 or 901. Both offer decent battery power/strength and decent sized juice amounts in the cartridges. However, from what I've read in numerous posts, using a 3 part pv seems to cost more in the end. I read a lot of posts regarding attys having short life spans, batteries crapping out, etc.. As a result, here is what I think is going to be my starting options:

1. Main PV setup - For most of my vaping, I want to go with a KR808 with a manual USB PT and blank cartomizers. I'll probably start with 24mg juice.

Reason: The USB PT obviously takes batteries and charging out of the equation. Also, a PT offers 5v hits. If I need to step away from the PC for a bit, but not out of the house, I can always switch to a manual mega battery. The reason for going with the KR808 is for cartomizers. From what I've read, you can refill a carto about 3 or 4 times. They hold a decent amount of juice and take standard attys out of the equation. Yes, carto's are more expensive, but does the cost even out versus the cost of replacing standard attys?

2. Out-and-about PV setup - Was thinking of going with an 801 pen for when I'm away from the PC or out of the house. Primary reason was the 801 has both decent battery life and the cartridges hold a decent about of juice. I don't mind carrying spare batteries and cartridges. Another option for my out-and-about setup was going with a Joye stick. Not fully settled on either yet. Also, I could rig up a Joye Stick to work with carto's with the right adapter.

Anyone have any thoughts on the directions I'm thinking of going? Specifically, are cartomizers cheaper in the long run than going with standard atomizers and cartridges? I've read all the DIY posts on cleaning attys and juicing, but with out practical experience, I need advice from those "in the know," hence this post.

With the 2 or 3 packs a day, I'd suggest throwing in one Joye 510 atty in the mix along with an adapter - it's the big vapor, esp. on a mod for later.
And if you end up going with the Joye Stick (get a 510 adapter - that'll be the long type) and get the 510 to 901/carto adapter as well - the 510 adapter on the Joye stick is 'shallower' - an 801 to carto wouldn't work on the Joye Stick - the atty well is too deep. And the Joye STick +510+carto is a rather good vape too.

The stick comes with a 320mAh batt but you can get a 500mAh batt that will also fit (both 10440) and that will last you a bit longer while you're out. The other thing, while you wouldn't have the 5v of the KR8 PT, you would have the same type of deal with the charging cable on the Stick. It isn't a PT but it acts as one and the one thing nice about it - either in the home or in the car - once you disconnect, you're at full recharge. The regular 801 cart can last as long as some cartomizers I've had, although some - depends on flavor it seems - last a bit longer. The best cart mod for the 801 cart is a blue foam plug with the older straw mod (for venting). That means most of the cart well is juice only. Doesn't leak if you cut the blue foam 1.5x greater on both sides.

New V3 Joye stick MOD e-cig kit matte black - Starter kit - Wholesale & Retail Best E-smoking Supplier=

ADAPTER for Joye510 atomizer to Joye stick MOD e-c - Spare parts - Wholesale & Retail Best E-smoking Supplier=

1x 510-901 adapter(510 bat to 901/808D-1 at) - E-cig Multi Adapters - Wholesale & Retail Best E-smoking Supplier=

Matte black atomizer for Joye510 mini e-cig - Spare parts - Wholesale & Retail Best E-smoking Supplier=

http://www.heaven-gifts.com/index.php?gOo=goods_details.dwt&goodsid=336&productname=

http://www.heaven-gifts.com/index.php?gOo=goods_details.dwt&goodsid=328&productname=



UltraFire 10440 AAA Li-Ion 3.6V Rechargeable Battery 500 mAh FLAT TOP CR10440 Lithium Ion
TrustFire 10440 600mAh 3.7V AAA Li-Ion PROTECTED Battery

1amp adapters -
AC to USB Adapter 1000mA

Car DC to USB Adapter 1000mA

Might need more than one amp for the KR PT..
http://www.usbpoweradapter.net/usb-dual-power-adapter.htm

 

[Unperson]

Wow. Thanks for the replies. Definitely time to do some more homework.

Much thanks

 

[Kent C]

Wow. Thanks for the replies. Definitely time to do some more homework.

Much thanks

Welcome.... another link ;-)

In case you hadn't run into the first straw mod.

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/tips-tricks/11421-cart-mod-better-refilling.html

This actually works well, imo. I use a Johnson & Johnson 'safety swab' Qtip shaft for the straw - not too wide an ID to allow leakage but wide enough to allow a good airflow - whereas for the 801 the dual coffee stirrers don't quite get it, imo. They work in the 510 and 901 ok but I still use the J&J shaft on those too. The Blue foam is only an 1/4" deep. You need to cut it 1.5 length on two sides so that it has a 'spring action' against the walls of the cart so the bridge doesn't knock it down to the bottom.

 

[AlexTM]

I think you miscalculated on the cost of 2-parter vs. 3-parter. The batteries are not exactly very different in both, and I always find it very funny when people who are happy if they can refill a cartomizer a dozen times talk about 510/901-atties "crapping out that often". You can expect, on average, at least a month from a 510 atty, and longer is not exactly rare. I had so far only one that went dead, after four weeks of very heavy use. My others still vape happily.
Not to forget anything, so far, I have only thrown one cart away, as well, and replacement filler, well, enough of that for 400 carts cost me about 3$. (Fluval/straw-mod)
If anything, the 3-parters are cheaper than the 2-parters. Per day of vaping, though, we are talking cents/pennies, so that should not be the main reason to decided for one or the other. (IMO, there are enough other reasons not to go for a KR8 at least.)

However, every atty type tastes and vapes differently, and you might want to try them all. With adapters being 2$ at heaven-gifts, that is not a huge investment, either. You also might want to try different voltages. More volts change taste, too, and not everybody prefers the higher numbers. I wrote this yesterday about trying various ones cheaply for a guy who has a 510, maybe it's useful to you, too.

 

[ctourtelot]

Personally, I'm finding the cartos to be cheaper overall. I have no problem refilling them and for $10/5pack that's $2 per atomizer. Most atomizers I see are $7-15 and only last a couple of months. I've already refilled a couple of my cartos 3 or 4 times and they are still as good as new so I'm anticipating being able to get quite a bit of mileage out of them. If not, $2 isn't much on an investment to get another one.

My 4081 is a different matter because I don't have to buy replacement atty's for it. They came with a lifetime warranty so when they burn out, I just go pick up a new one.

I've had 510's for about 3 months and though all my atty's (4 of them) are still working, none are working very well and need to be cleaned often. I've been so pleased with the cartos that I'm probably not going to replace the 510 atty's. I've already given most of my batteries to my SO who uses the 510.

I'm sticking with my KR808 and 4081

 

[AlexTM]

Hmmm ...
I found the price of a 5-pack of cartomizers to be roughly equal to that of an atty. So assuming you can refill the cartomizers a dozen times, and that a cartomizer can hold slightly less than twice the amount of juice a 510/901 can (and very slightly more than a 801, for example, but let's leave those out).

That's 5x12 refills for cartomizers, x2 if you want to nitpick (or vape everything dry before you refill, which is not a good idea, particularly on a KR8). So if you can refill your atty (or rather, use refilled carts on them) for more than 60-120 times, the atty is cheaper. If you can use it less often, it is more expensive.

I think you can very safely say that you can use an atty on average a lot longer than that. Again, though - per day, that's pennies/cents.
There are more than enough other reasons why I won't replace my 5 blank KR8 cartomizers. But that is a different subject, and I am still writing that review.

 

[Kent C]

I've been vaping for over 7 months. I have 50+ 510 atomizers but between my wife and myself, I have about 12 'in rotation'. I have 2 for every ecig going - For the first 3 months I used to clean them every week and rotate them out, until I got mods to where I don't clean them unless there's a decrease in efficiency, and that now means rarely. I think the extra heat 'cleans' them.

You can take a month and a half off because of the rotation - so about 5 months. I have lost 4 attys (wife none) and 3 were pilot error and one device error (ie not the atty). The first was from a dry burn gone wrong (held on too long), 2 were from vaping on a 5 volt like it was a 3.7mod and burnt out 2 in a week that way - basically holding down the button too long. The other was lost on a Protege where the switch failed and the unit kept running and burnt out the atty - and that one was a 901 and it was replaced by Puresmoker - so I only have lost 3 510 attys - two were replaced by heaven gifts.

Except for the original 4 attys in kits - which reduce per piece price, all the rest were bought bulk at @$4.50-$5/piece. I sent one 801 dietsmokes atty back for replacement - it still worked but I had lost the metal mesh on the bridge. In the same period, I lost 3 batteries - all auto - from dripping.

Most of our suppliers will replace dead attys and the most it could cost you is shipping and in most cases with the US vendors - they'll replace them for free. As I think may be the case with cartos that simply didn't work.

The advantage of cartomizers - if you're refilling them - if not, the cost outweighs the advantage for most of us - is that they last longer than most 3 piece cartridges. 801 and the 510 mega attys/carts from TW will compete in longevity with some flavors of cartos. Other flavors and blank cartos can last at least 2x as long, but that's just one refill difference between the 801 and mega carts, and maybe @6 refills on regular 510 and 901 carts.

Depending on your situation - where you don't have time to do @6 refills in a period of 3+ hours (what some cartos flavors can get), there will be an advantage to those people who either don't have the time or in some cases, by their own words, the focus, to refill cartridges without making a mess of it, or to take the time, when necessary, to put a few attys in some PGA for a half hour, blow out and let dry.

 

[tarkus]

If your looking for an on the road ecig I would recommend the kr808d-1 for this. The cartomizers last a long time, do not leak and simply carry a spare cartomizer for replacement if 1 runs dry. Others ecigs such as the d510 seem to have better output at home but appear to not provide the same convience on the road as the kr8.

 

[Kent C]

If your looking for an on the road ecig I would recommend the kr808d-1 for this. The cartomizers last a long time, do not leak and simply carry a spare cartomizer for replacement if 1 runs dry. Others ecigs such as the d510 seem to have better output at home but appear to not provide the same convience on the road as the kr8.

If you're organized you have prefilled cartridges that you just pop on without the screwing on. And yes, you have to have more of them but you don't have to carry them on you - a small plastic box in the console is nice.