Cartridge or Cartomizer?

[miller325]

Hello Everyone,

This is my first post. I've been reading hundreds of posts on this great site the past week. I thought I was going to be able to place my first e-cig order without asking a question but there's one thing I haven't quite figured out: why do some people prefer to use empty cartridge/atomizers and others prefer to use empty cartomizers with their e-liquid?

I plan to buy a 510 starter kit along with some e-liquid. I think I understand how to fill both an empty cartridge and an empty cartomizer (both syringe and condom methods) from watching different videos. It seems that using empty cartomizers would be much more economical because you get a new cartridge and a new atomizer with each cartomizer and cartomizers cost less than atomizers. For instance, at one site I can get an empty cartomizer for 1.45 yet a new atomizer costs 6.95. That seems strange. But I can also see that it would be easier to fill an empty cartridge rather than filling an empty cartomizer.

Is the choice ease of use versus cost? Or is it simply that if you want to drip you need an atomizer? Or am I completely missing the point?

Also, why does a cartomizer (cartridge + atomizer) cost less than an atomizer? Are the atomizers in cartomizers much lower quality than atomizers purchased separately?

Thanks,
Philip

 

[Liv2Ski]

Welcome Philip. Atomizers cost more since there is more work to build one. You wil see once you get your kit. As you grow into this hobby your tastes and preferences will change. When I started I used carts and quickly learned they are a PITA. I moved to dripping since IMO it is just easier and better flavor than carts. I do use cartomizers when dripping isn't realistic (like driving). I also point new vapers towards them since they hold alot of juice and give a nice consistent hit. Also less likely to burn one out and as you noticed cheap. I like the Boge soft cap ones with a verticle heating element.

 

[hazmatjack]

ok I will try to break down my logic.
I use both, but with atomizers I drip, I do not use a cartridge on it. This is too difficult while I work to do so I then use cartomizers all day until I am home.
Now with that said , you have to watch what atomizers/cartos you buy using a standard 510 kit (not a riva/ego) that has a battery under 600mah I think it is. They can not handle LR(low resistance) attys/cartos.
I have had cartos/attys last me weeks.

 

[Stosh]

The choice will depend on your own preferences, as the cost evens out over time.
Attys cost more last longer, cartos are cheaper and wear out faster. Some people
prefer one over another, and I would bet everyone has at least tried both if they
vaped for a while.

 

[dormouse]

Most cartomizers have atty with stuffing and juice (or you add the juice). I've heard to can get 6-7 refills out of a cartomizer, maybe more with full cleanings, but then it starts underfunctioning or tastes burnt or just dies. The expected lifetime of a cartomizer properly used is much less than the life of an atomizer that is properly used and periodically cleaned. With attys, every weekend I put the atty I used all week into a jar of alcohol and switch to one I cleaned the previous weekend. I occasionally swish around the one in alcohol, next day I take out and shake out and and set on paper towels to dry so it's ready for the next weekend. (it would be ready after one day of drying or some blowdrying if you needed it sooner).

I've only been vaping for a month so I can't tell you the avg life of atomizers. I think it's a pretty wide range depending on how people vape, type of atty etc. I am expecting mine to last for months.

I think a 5-pack of cartos costs about what an atomizers costs. I expect an atomizer to last more than the lifetime of 5 cartos.

 

[WomanOfHeart]

Welcome, miller! I also started out with cartridges and used them successfully for the most part. I still had my share of leaks and wicking problems. I also tried eGo Mega cartos and those didn't work as well as I had hoped they would. They couldn't be cleaned and only lasted a few days before tasting like the filler. I have since gone to dripping and using CE2R4 XL cartomizers, which I'm still really liking after a couple of weeks.

I think a well cared for atomizer will last a lot longer than a cartomizer any day. I still have 5 of the 6 original atomizers I purchased 3 months ago.

 

[DonG]

another thing, it is much harder to change flavors with cartos; it almost necessitates having a dedicated carto for each flavor. It is much easier to change flavors with an atty/cart combo.

 

[Mad_Hatter]

I'm brand new to vaping and although I havn't tried other brands or types of PVs (got an NJoy Mini from 7-11) I have to say I really enjoy the cartomizer system. I dont have to worry about breaking my atomizer or worry about the quality degrading. Each cartridge gives me a fresh start rather than worrying about if my atomizer is close to dying, if fill my cartridge is topped off, etc. Also, operation couldn't be simpler: You screw the cartomizer into the battery. That's it. So long as your battery is charged you are good to go. This all said, I want to invest in a Volcano PV because I want better quality and want to mix my own liquids but for right now my NJoy meets my needs perfectly as a new user. Couldn't be happier with vaping and thanks to e-cigarette-forum for finally convincing me to make the switch.

 

[hnkjay]

I heard the new E2 V5 clear cartomizers are supposed to produce more vapor, wick better and not have any nasty tastes as well. Should be dropping to vendors around Christmas, hopefully have them around the first of the year.

 

[xg4bx]

having used both i much prefer cartomizers. i found carts to be an inconsistant mess and a pain to transport.

a pack of 5 cartomizers is like $7. even if you used a pack a week it's still far, far cheaper than cigarettes.

 

[Kevin Freeheart]

why do some people prefer to use empty cartridge/atomizers and others prefer to use empty cartomizers with their e-liquid?

I've done both of those but I prefer cartomizers given the option of "filled carts versus cartomizers". That said, I don't do either. I drip 100% of the time. I'm not sure if you included dripping with the "atomizer" part or not. Carts and cartomizers both seem to serve the purpose of storing volumes of juice and wicking them to the coil to be vaped. In my experience, both do it far worse than I do and aren't worth it in either case.

 

[Demoness]

Great info all!

 

[miller325]

Talk about fast service...thanks for all of the replies. Things are more clear now. I hadn't thought about the fact that a cartomizer would not last as long as a well cared for atomizer. I've got it now: cartomizer is cheaper but atomizer will last longer. Both are good depending on your preference or the situation.

I will order a couple of cartomizers along with some spare cartridges and an extra atomizer. My e-cig experience so far has been a couple of disposables.

Thanks for these tips and reminders:

How to clean an atomizer using alcohol. Sounds good to me. I remember seeing some other methods mentioned.

Reminder that LR atomizers won't work on or will damage a 510 battery.

It will be easier to test one of the sample packs I'm going to order using cartridges.

It's always good to have a cartomizer on hand when doing things like driving.

I've seen the 510 soft tip cartridges mentioned somewhere but wasn't sure what they were. I'll have to research that.

The N-Joy mini is one I haven't checked out. I'll take a look at it. I've been going back and forth between the 510 and a model that would be closer to the size of a real cigarette. I was all set to buy a the M series for a couple of days, the 401, 402, 403. The M403 is 86mm long I believe, one of the smallest out there. But I've come back to the idea of just starting with the 510.

Placing order tonight.

Philip

 

[Godzilla]

having some empty carts to try different flavors of juice is ok I guess, but I have not touched one since using the cartomizers, or dripping into an atty. I drip to switch off flavors, and use cartomizers with my all day vapes. I use an ego, and use regular resistance attys.

 

[miller325]

xg4bx,

Do you buy empty cartomizers and fill them or pre-filled ones?

 

[xg4bx]

xg4bx,

Do you buy empty cartomizers and fill them or pre-filled ones?

both. i love the ease of the prefilled ones but the flavor selection is fairly lacking, i alternate back and forth. when i have time i'll sit and fill but if i'm headed out the door i use prefilled. to me they both serve a purpose.

 

[miller325]

Godzilla,

Do you use empty cartomizers and fill them? If you fill do use the syringe or condom method or another method? If all goes well an ego will be on my future list as will something small like an M403.

 

[Kevin Freeheart]

I will order a couple of cartomizers along with some spare cartridges and an extra atomizer. My e-cig experience so far has been a couple of disposables.

Sounds to me like you're on the right track. Unless you're buying a ton of things you later find out you don't like, trying out different attys and cartos and the like is not only prudent, but a portion of the fun.

I've found with my vaping that it's TINY little things that really make or break vaping experiences for me (for instance, a PV that I couldn't open a beer bottle with... sad. A PV that I can? ... HAPPY!). I drip while driving and wouldn't have really considered it an advantage for cartos, some do. Having a variety will let you find your little quirks.

 

[miller325]

Kevin,

Thanks for the encouragement.

 

[fiercemoose]

There's a great blog post on our site about the strengths, weaknesses, and differences between carts, cartos, and drip tips here: Cartridges, Cartomizers, Drip Tips... Which Is Best? | eCigology