Received my order of CE2s today and a question and a mini first impression type review.
I ordered the 401, 510, 510XL, 901 and 901 XL packages. I prefer the 401 but its small cartridge has me using my 901 equipment about as much. Many of my mods have 510 threads so I figured I'd get all the different styles just to compare.
First the question. The 401 package I received says 401 XL on it. Its comparably long as the 901 XL and 510 XL so I believe it really is a 401 XL. Do they make a 401 non-XL version? As a 401 user I must say I like the smaller and lighter size and having an XL carto somewhat defeats that purpose although its not too bad if I use the few 403 shorty batteries I have instead of the longer 401 batteries.
Mini-review, first impression. I opened 2 of them the 401 (401 XL actually) and 901 (non-XL) versions. Both were easy enough to fill once I realized that not only did the white end cap need to be removed but also a milky clear inner silicon cup/cap. Once I removed this inner cap I could clearly see the pair of filling holes. I filled the 401 XL with 1 ml and the 901 with .6 ml per instructions. Filled quickly and easily with the syringe from the filling kit which I purchased. You don't necessarily need to buy this kit as each package comes with 1 fill tip and if you have your own small syringe you're set. I didn't know that and don't mind the extra 1ml syringe (the smallest I had was 3ml) and the extra half dozen fill tips it got me. I get the feeling I could have filled these with more, I'd say 50%ish, to .9ML and 1.5ML but this is my first fill.
I tried the 401 with both an auto and manual battery and the 901 with just a handy DSE905 mod I had right here. The 401 carto worked quite nicely with the auto battery. Much nicer than I remember 808D-1 style cartos working with autos but that's 3ish months ago and my memory could be bad. Ditto on nice draw and working well with the 901 on the DSE905. Both produce copious vapor and good flavor. Neither as good as a cartridge and atomizer but tied with the Truman style carto which was the best I'd found for flavor among the various cartomizers and slightly better with vapor making these the best at vapor production.
I think the 401 XL combined with a 403 or even 402 sized battery or a regular length 401 combined an auto battery would be a great combo for social vaping like at a bar or club. The 401 is noticeably smaller in the hand and mouth than either the 510 or 901 for those that aren't familiar with it. Its light enough I find I can hold the ecig with my lips and draw on it just like an analog when I use an auto battery.
I used some of my favorite eliquid to test. Both flavors are 20%PG/80%VG. I wanted to try a thick liquid as I'd heard other reports about these cartos and their performance with thicker liquids, especially early reports based on earlier designs. I vape a bit differently than many people. I take 3 or 4 quick sequential puffs and then a last deep draw and that's when I inhale the vapor. I only fill my mouth with vapor during the quick puffs. By the deep draw of a 3rd of these in quick succession I could tell the carto was going dry. Not enough for a bad taste and simply waiting a few seconds fixed it. So these wick much better than those early reports described. Looks like the design changes did work. They also hold up well to my odd vaping style better than any filled carto and almost as well as a cartridge/atomizer combo.
