View attachment 165107
Background
I've been vaping 7 months or so, and for the last several months have been using mostly V2 clearomizers. (Aka CE4 or Stardust, I guess. My local store just calls them V2s, and it's about all they carry.)
Well. Recently the new Kanger T3 inspired me to try something new, and then I fell in. Research here, as always, consumed far too much time and was absolutely worth it, and it led to the addition of a box of CE3s and a mini Vivi Nova (MVN) to my order. For the last couple weeks I've been switching around between all of them, spending (again) far too much time fussing with fluids and droppers and syringes and tissues, puffing contemplatively, and generally having the time of my life.
In the hopes of helping someone else make a decision, I thought I'd report in from the field. Note that I vape 100% VG juices (Johnson Creek Red Oak line), so you PG folks may get different mileage. All hardware is off the shelf, no mods, 2.4ish Ohms, on an eGo 650 mAh battery. In the photo, L to R, are the V2, T3, MVN, and CE3 (on the battery and in a mini altoids tin).
Executive Summary - The Rankings!
Vapor production - T3 wins, followed very closely by CE3 and MVN, with V2 coming in 3rd. (Note that they ALL make nice thick vapor when working well, so this ranking is very nearly a 4-way tie.)
Flavor - CE3, closely followed by V2. Both T3 and MVN had muted flavor in comparison.
Pocket-ability - T3 and V2 are both a nice solid fit on this battery, pocket them with confidence! MVN screws on well but it's a skinny connection, could be weak in bending, and looks funny. CE3s make me nervous, still, though no nasty events have occurred.
Leaks - MVN and T3 in 1st place, CE3s in 2nd, with V2s running a distant last: they leak, carry tissues. MVN and T3 dry as a bone. Once in a while a CE3 will be leaky and I chuck it.
Gurgle Factor - MVN shows no sign of gurgle. CE3s rarely. T3, and especially V2, are gurgle monsters
Refilling - All super simple refill with dropper except CE3s, they need a syringe and hold less, so they require some attention.
Impressions
V2 (Stardust, CE4) - I've liked them a lot for a long time, but I find them fussy and leaky. When they work well they are great, clouds of tasty vapor, but they need attention.
T3 - Plumes of thick vapor, though slightly muted flavor after the V2s. Not fussy, very solid. Vapor production fell off sharply after about 2 weeks, changing the head brought it back in all its glory. Occasional gurgle.
Mini Vivi Nova - Never a gurgle, never a leak, I really like it. I'm looking forward to trying the other heads that came with it (1.8 Ohm, 2.8 Ohm). Not the best flavor, but otherwise excellent.
CE3 - This is old news to many of you, but these little things are great! I have grown very fond of them, they produce a thick delicious vapor, and aside from the refill hassle they require little attention. A big bonus, for me is that they fit inside a mini Altoids tin, if you're willing to forgo a drip tip, and I am. I can carry all three of my favorite flavors in a tiny package! (Wisconsin Frost, Tennessee Cured, and Rainer, for the record,)
The Future
I'll keep switching among them all for a while, because it's fun, but the CE3s are getting most of my attention at the moment. I probably won't buy more V2s. I guess I should try a cart tank somewhere along the line, eh? Some people swear it's the best flavor...
Hope this helps. Please discuss.
Background
I've been vaping 7 months or so, and for the last several months have been using mostly V2 clearomizers. (Aka CE4 or Stardust, I guess. My local store just calls them V2s, and it's about all they carry.)
Well. Recently the new Kanger T3 inspired me to try something new, and then I fell in. Research here, as always, consumed far too much time and was absolutely worth it, and it led to the addition of a box of CE3s and a mini Vivi Nova (MVN) to my order. For the last couple weeks I've been switching around between all of them, spending (again) far too much time fussing with fluids and droppers and syringes and tissues, puffing contemplatively, and generally having the time of my life.
In the hopes of helping someone else make a decision, I thought I'd report in from the field. Note that I vape 100% VG juices (Johnson Creek Red Oak line), so you PG folks may get different mileage. All hardware is off the shelf, no mods, 2.4ish Ohms, on an eGo 650 mAh battery. In the photo, L to R, are the V2, T3, MVN, and CE3 (on the battery and in a mini altoids tin).
Executive Summary - The Rankings!
Vapor production - T3 wins, followed very closely by CE3 and MVN, with V2 coming in 3rd. (Note that they ALL make nice thick vapor when working well, so this ranking is very nearly a 4-way tie.)
Flavor - CE3, closely followed by V2. Both T3 and MVN had muted flavor in comparison.
Pocket-ability - T3 and V2 are both a nice solid fit on this battery, pocket them with confidence! MVN screws on well but it's a skinny connection, could be weak in bending, and looks funny. CE3s make me nervous, still, though no nasty events have occurred.
Leaks - MVN and T3 in 1st place, CE3s in 2nd, with V2s running a distant last: they leak, carry tissues. MVN and T3 dry as a bone. Once in a while a CE3 will be leaky and I chuck it.
Gurgle Factor - MVN shows no sign of gurgle. CE3s rarely. T3, and especially V2, are gurgle monsters
Refilling - All super simple refill with dropper except CE3s, they need a syringe and hold less, so they require some attention.
Impressions
V2 (Stardust, CE4) - I've liked them a lot for a long time, but I find them fussy and leaky. When they work well they are great, clouds of tasty vapor, but they need attention.
T3 - Plumes of thick vapor, though slightly muted flavor after the V2s. Not fussy, very solid. Vapor production fell off sharply after about 2 weeks, changing the head brought it back in all its glory. Occasional gurgle.
Mini Vivi Nova - Never a gurgle, never a leak, I really like it. I'm looking forward to trying the other heads that came with it (1.8 Ohm, 2.8 Ohm). Not the best flavor, but otherwise excellent.
CE3 - This is old news to many of you, but these little things are great! I have grown very fond of them, they produce a thick delicious vapor, and aside from the refill hassle they require little attention. A big bonus, for me is that they fit inside a mini Altoids tin, if you're willing to forgo a drip tip, and I am. I can carry all three of my favorite flavors in a tiny package! (Wisconsin Frost, Tennessee Cured, and Rainer, for the record,)
The Future
I'll keep switching among them all for a while, because it's fun, but the CE3s are getting most of my attention at the moment. I probably won't buy more V2s. I guess I should try a cart tank somewhere along the line, eh? Some people swear it's the best flavor...
Hope this helps. Please discuss.
