Cartomizers

[EvilOne]

What is everyone using for those of us using tank setups? I bought some smokteks cause the IKV cartos were out of stock and smokteks seemed to still have decent reviews on the forums. I bought six of them and the first lasted 2 weeks...ok not bad. Second one I opened was DOA. Ok...third one lasts 3 days and now I'm getting a burnt flavor. Now I type this as I setup the fourth carto. I'm pretty sure it isn't because of how I set it up. First was perfect until one day I started to lose flavor. Second I know I put enough juice in as some came out the bottom but all I got was burnt vapor. Third was setup the same as before and was fine until today and burnt popcorn vapor...

So recommendations? Is this just the gamble I have to take with made in china products? Where are the IKVs made?

 

[EvilOne]

Wow just not my day today. So my back up vivi nova tank needs a new head too after 5 puffs...though this one has been used on and off since I got the provari.

 

[subversive]

Either your voltage is too high, or they aren't saturated enough. I like Boge cartos the best, but will use Smoktek cartos as well.

 

[EvilOne]

Is 5 volts too much for 3 ohms? I thought this was about right? Pretty sure they were saturated enough the one that was burnt right out of the packaging, I had to blow the excess out of that one.

 

[Baditude]

EvilOne, sorry your first experience with a cartotank hasn't been perhaps what you had anticipated. I can only offer that there IS a learning curve involved, and nearly all of us that end up using them and loving them, went through a similar experience as you.

Knowledge and experience will be a key for you. There are many ways to set up a cartotank, and all have their good and better points to them. I've been using cartotanks exclusively for about 9 months. I no longer use clearomizers. I had a few Vivi Nova tanks that I have given away because I never used them after discovering they couldn't match the flavor of a nicely setup cartotank.

I've worked hard to collect a lot of information on cartomizers and cartotanks. I've put this into blog articles that are available to anyone who wishes to see it. It can be accessed by clicking the link below my avatar, and once there clicking on the title of the subject you wish to read about. This information is what I have collected since I began using tanks, and is what works best for me. I invite you to review it and perhaps you can pick up some tips that will improve your cartotank experience.

Good luck, and happy vaping. -- Baditude

 

[EvilOne]

Oh when it works...its beautiful. Thankfully all the failures have happened at home. I just finished setting up another one...another thought is perhaps it is my juices? Either way I think I will try the Boge's this time. Are all cartomizers made in china? Are the IKVs worth picking up when they become available?

 

[Daniel13]

ikenvapes are worth it when they're in stock, they are pricey but i'd rather know my carto is going to work than have a 50-50 chance since that wastes juice. i will honestly say i was about to give up on cartos after i got a 50 pack of garbage from boge, but now that i have 6 ikenvapes i know i'm good for at least 4 months (or longer)

 

[Baditude]

I have tried the Boges, I was not impressed with them, but admittedly this was around the time last summer when Boge Gate was happening. I found their filler was extremely dense and not easily absorbing juice while filling and not wicking well in the tank.

I was using Smoktek which are a nice quality carto. They absorb juice much easier than the Boges, but some people feel that they also flood more easily.

My friends kept urging me to try the Ikenvape Platinums. I stalked the Ikenvape website for at least a month or two to order some but they were always out of stock. Finally one of the friends gave me a tip that they were in stock so I gambled and got a rather large supply of the Ikenvape Mega Platinum punched.

I was not disappointed, in fact quite impressed. They are easy to fill and wick well. They provide for an appreciably better flavor production and seem to last longer in a tank by 2-3 tankfulls. Unfortunately, their production is limited and when they do come in stock, their loyal customers buy large quantities. The last stocking sold out literally in a few hours.

The 510 Fushions just came out of production. Previously, they were only available in an 801 threading. They are the carto's that Ikenvape made their reputation with. Since not many people are aware of this, they likely will be more available than the Platinums.

All cartomizers are made in China. The Ikenvape carto line is made in China, too (rumor has it by Boge to Ikenvape's specifications). So all these cartos are subject to the quality control issues common to Chinese products, although I've only had one bad Ikenvape carto since I started using them.

For a little more info on the Ikenvapes, follow this link, where the creator of the Ikenvape Platinum and Fusion answered my questions about the difference between the two. http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/ikenvape/384670-platinum-vs-510-fusion.html

 

[EvilOne]

debating punching my own now...seeing as how IKV has the non punched in stock...but it seems all the punch tools will deform...is there one out there that doesn't just press a screw into the side and deform the carto?

 

[Baditude]

A buddy who owns the "Provari" of carto punch tools likes this one. Cartomizer Punch | InVape I don't recall who sells them but they are frequently out of stock despite selling for about $40. From the review, it shows cartomizers that have been punched by this tool and to my eye there is some deformity in the tubes, but who knows the skill or experience of the reviewer? You could do an EDF search for any reviews here or if someone has commented on their experience.

 

[XeniaMike]

I am glad people pose these questions since I am learning too. My experience was similar, burned taste of some of my favorite cartos left over from another system. The Provape website states "start with low voltage and work up slowly" but I poo-poo'd the instructions and did my own thing. Wrong. Burned up a cart immediately. I hate the burnt taste. Turns out some of my juices like it low voltage and others are ok with a 4-4.5. Baditude is right about the learning curve, but that's half the fun. Cartos are cheap, so as mistakes go those aren't bad.

Bad: Do you like the Ikenvape Platinums better than the Smoktek ones? I will have to try those when I get through my supply of Smoktek

 

[jazon1]

personally i have had my issues with smok cartos myself i get about 3 really bad ones and about 3 really good ones out of about 10 the rest are mediocre,
tho i have learned over time that it really does help to let a carto sit for a good half hour after filling it to take away the risk of getting a dry burn it only takes once to ruin the carto all the filler will melt away from the coil and will work like crap after.

ive been enjoying boge's that i punch myself,i made my own punch using a hardened steal screw with a sharp triangle pointed tip(still makes round holes) that does not deform the carto as bad because the three sharp edges cut into the carto instead of pushing through it.

 

[Baditude]

Bad: Do you like the Ikenvape Platinums better than the Smoktek ones? I will have to try those when I get through my supply of Smoktek

Quite definitely, yes. I wouldn't wait until you get through your supply of Smokteks before looking out for the Ikenvapes. For as long as I can remember, any of the Ikenvape punched carto's can be a tough cookie to find in stock at any point in time. If you are lucky enough to see them actually in stock you better grab some while you can. Word is out on these cartomizer's quality. Production quantities are limited. And in stock runs last only days if not just hours.

I had no hesitancy getting the 510 Fusion punched when my Platinum punched were out of stock. And since Ivan himself said that the Fusions are actually designed to be more tank friendly I may find that I prefer those over the Platinums. After only using three thus far I've not noticed any difference between the Fusions or Platinums.

 

[MMarie]

A buddy who owns the "Provari" of carto punch tools likes this one. Cartomizer Punch | InVape I don't recall who sells them but they are frequently out of stock despite selling for about $40. From the review, it shows cartomizers that have been punched by this tool and to my eye there is some deformity in the tubes, but who knows the skill or experience of the reviewer? You could do an EDF search for any reviews here or if someone has commented on their experience.

I have that punch and imo, it's worth every penny. It doesn't leave the cartos out of round enough to make it a problem getting them into tanks, at least in my experience.

 

[Baditude]

I have that punch and imo, it's worth every penny. It doesn't leave the cartos out of round enough to make it a problem getting them into tanks, at least in my experience.

Thanks for your imput, Marie. Do you know a list of vendors who sell this? Links would be appreciated for other members here.

____

I've read of another punch tool that has been recommended called the Tiny Mite Punch Tool. It surrounds the entire carto tube to help prevent distortion, and also has a small viewing window to better see where to place the hole, and allows you to see how large of a hole that you are making.

http://www.electronicstix.com/collections/carto-punches/products/tiny-mite-carto-punch

 

[MMarie]

Thanks for your imput, Marie. Do you know a list of vendors who sell this? Links would be appreciated for other members here.

I bought mine from VIP... the site is linked from InVape, direct link to the product at VIP is here. They also offer an upgrade screw, but I think it's by special order only. I haven't purchased it (um.... yet. ).

The punch works great on unpunched cartos and I also use it from time to time on cartos that just need to have the holes made slightly larger or to add another hole on pre-punched. I've been running some extra-thick VG juices lately and sometimes it has difficulty wicking. I have two other punches that just weren't doing the job this one does.

 

[sawlight]

There's a HUGE difference between the Smok's and Ikenvapes! (His name is Issac BTW, "Tude) I would get 2-5 days out of the Smok's, I get 5-9 days out of the 510 fusions, and two week's out of the 801 fusions. Not sure why the 510's last longer, but Issac and other user's report the same, he's talked about just taking the 801's and putting a 510 connector on them even. If my Provari had the 801 connector on it, it would be all I run!
3ohm's at 5v sounds about perfect to me, I don't think that's your problem.
For punching my own carto's (when I can't get pre-punched) I mark where the hole goes with a Sharpie, lightly center punch them then drill them with the tip of one of these, Baker Center Drill #1 High Speed Steel This gives a decent hole size, as long as you don't go more than the tip, and the 60deg follower de-burrs it for you. No deformation, no burrs, good to go on the cheap.

 

[Gsr1379]

are these the ones that work with OCD tank XL?

https://www.ikenvape.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=510FUZELRT

 

[sawlight]

Yes, they will work. Look for the "Mega" that means they are 45mm long, for the XL tanks, STD are the 35mm length for standard tanks.

 

[Gsr1379]

Yes, they will work. Look for the "Mega" that means they are 45mm long, for the XL tanks, STD are the 35mm length for standard tanks.

OK that is what i thought thank you.