Concern: Initial price < Maintenance price

[sailorman]

In defense of the eGo-T, and to some extent the better "C" model, I must admit that there are a lot of people who were vaping gas station e-cigs that find the eGo-T a significant improvement. That said, the eGo C is more economical to operate because the cones and atomizers aren't all one piece and the atomizers are not outrageously priced, as atomizers go.

I would like to hear from more people who have vaped with an eGo-T for a year or more and still uses the eGo tanks and atomizers on a routine and consistent basis. For that matter, it seems to me that nobody really uses either "system" for any considerable length of time. Invariably, they end up talking about how great their eGo-T is when they get rid of the "T" and stick a Vision Clearomizer or something else on it instead of what sold them on that unit in the first place.

And, is it just me, or does it seem like every fan of the eGo's, especially the "T" is a relatively new vaper with a limited frame of reference to compare the performance of various e-cigs?

OTOH, there are plenty of people who use mods like the Bullet, and others, year after year without having to strip them down to resemble something they could have gotten for less initial cost.

 

[Desp_Quitter]

All I know from reading these posts is that there are tons of opinions....looks like we rookies need to do our best in research and take a plunge with our gut. Any mistakes are learned lessons that can be shared on this forum

 

[wv2win]

...........And, is it just me, or does it seem like every fan of the eGo's, especially the "T" is a relatively new vaper with a limited frame of reference to compare the performance of various e-cigs?...........

You hit the nail on the head.

 

[elfstone]

And, is it just me, or does it seem like every fan of the eGo's, especially the "T" is a relatively new vaper with a limited frame of reference to compare the performance of various e-cigs?

Well... have you looked at the front pages of vendors' sites lately? I know I usually don't, anymore, but this is the most heavily pushed starter kit. Of course a lot of new users use that, and it's not half bad so of course they like it. No frame of reference - agreed.

PBusardo's latest "shootout" seems to indicate that the Ego-C is actually doing a decent job...

 

[fourtytwo]

You hit the nail on the head.

I've only been vaping for a couple of weeks so I guess I fall into that category.
I started with the eGo and now also have a Lava Tube. I still use my eGos a lot.
eGo got me off smoking!

 

[EyedeaGraphics]

If you want something low maintenance go for any mechanical tube mod like an altsmoke omega or reo/ empire/ megalodon. Of course there are many more out there but with a mechanical mod you never have to worry about switch failure or anything else just replacing cartomizers and juice.

 

[sailorman]

Well... have you looked at the front pages of vendors' sites lately? I know I usually don't, anymore, but this is the most heavily pushed starter kit. Of course a lot of new users use that, and it's not half bad so of course they like it. No frame of reference - agreed.

PBusardo's latest "shootout" seems to indicate that the Ego-C is actually doing a decent job...

Yeah, for a "tank system", the eGo-C isn't terrible. But Pbusardos shoot out was done among "tank systems", so it's all relative. It's like saying the volt is a great e-cig because it's better than any of the mini-cig PVs.

To the OPs original point, none of the "tank" systems fit the description of low maintenance or low operation costs. They are simply better than some of the garbage that is heavily marketed to newbies. Assuming you don't have one of the myriad problems the "T" is famous for, or that you replace their " tank system" with a cartomizer, it'll get you off of smoking better than most gas station e-cigs. I will give it that.

Again, I'd be interested to know how many people, after a year or more, are still using their ego-t or even their ego-c the way it was originally designed and priced. I'd like to compare that number to how many people have scrapped the whole proprietary atty and tank scheme and are using it as just a battery. And not all that great of a battery.

 

[wv2win]

I've only been vaping for a couple of weeks so I guess I fall into that category.
I started with the eGo and now also have a Lava Tube. I still use my eGos a lot.
eGo got me off smoking!

The only reason I don't recommend the eGo is because of it's limitations and there are better options in the same category of PV's. As sailorman said, they are better than the gas station/mall models.

 

[yzer]

As sailorman posted earlier the E-Power 14650 offers a lot of bang for the buck. Regulated 3.7V means you will get plenty of vapor from a variety of 510 LR cartos, durable build quality (mine has been going strong since November), small enough to fit a pocket, 1050mAh batteries that costs $4 or less and last you about day between charges and inexpensive replacement parts. You can use carto tanks, atty tanks or cartos on this E-Power.

For about $16 you can buy four more batts for a total of six and another $35 will buy you the Extar WP-6II charger. That will charge six batteries at once meaning you will spend a lot less time charging batteries. It's easy to pack along those extra batts if you want to make a trip and not bother with charging for a while.

 

[MurphysMuse]

GREAT thread, and great question!

I'm a noob at this too. Only been at it for two months, but do feel I can help ya.

I started out with the Ego-c. And frankly It has kept me off analogs since I started with it. So... as far as "waste of money", I personally feel there is NO waste of money if I am no longer smoking analogs. I also purchased a USB pass through, and since I am a truck driver, I am most always close to USB power to save the batteries. For my true intent of quitting smoking, the ego-c will and does work just fine! Heck, I have already dropped from 18mg nic to 12mg.

That is NOT to say it was necessarily money 'well spent'.

If you long term wish to continue vaping, I have to totally agree on the fact, that proprietary batteries and parts for the ego-c, along with the LOW voltage of the battery, is already a real drawback, and limitation to 'experimentation' with other accessories.

I have on order now a lavatube, and am looking forward to it. Reasonable cost, easily replaceable batteries, "overall" standard 510 threads, and since it IS variable voltage, it will and can work with pretty much any ohm, any tank, and any carto combination you find appealing.

The question is not only short term financial. But long term "quitting" too.

If planning on making this a hobby, then for sure there are better options, and better ways to get 'bang for the buck'. But if your planning on using the personal vapor for 'quitting only', the ego does work.

Truth is though, IMO do more research, get one that is not proprietary with parts. I was truly planning on only using this as a tool for quitting, but already am doing DIY juices, and having a blast. I can easily see myself vaping a zero nic vape in the future, just for the 'fun' of it.

 

[fourtytwo]

...
The question is not only short term financial. But long term "quitting" too.

If planning on making this a hobby, then for sure there are better options, and better ways to get 'bang for the buck'. But if your planning on using the personal vapor for 'quitting only', the ego does work.
...

I think this is the most important point here.

 

[Malduk]

So much talk about the batteries, and mod cases for them, and "all" they do is provide current.
"Low maintaince costs" with "some fiddling" equals rebuildable atomizers. Like genesis-type, or maybe something simpler and cheaper - new vivi nova tank. Keyword being rebuildable.

 

[yzer]

I think this is the most important point here.

I agree, but must add some qualifications that every e-cigarette user must consider if they want to quit a serious cigarette habit.

A PV with a 650mAh battery can be great if you are connected to USB charging for most of the day. The USB charger will keep your PV functional as long as connected.

It's a bit like The Matrix, in my opinion. As long as you are connected, you survive. If you disconnect, you fail.

If you enjoy the freedom of staying off the grid 24/1 or 24/7 then larger capacity batteries have great appeal. Beginning with single 14650 batteries at 1050mAh you have the freedom to stay off the USB umbilical cord. You can vape all day long between charged batteries. If you are a particularly heavy smoker or want to go two days between charges then you may want a 18560 battery or stacked batteries to supply you with power all day long between charged batteries.

I'm saying this. Consider how you want to charge batteries. USB may be great for you if you have a power source (computer) available to you for most of the vaping day. If you move around a lot, if you just don't want to be tied to the grid all day long or want to go several days or weeks away from AC power then PVs using larger capacity batteries are for you.

On top of that consider the size of the PV you want to use. If you want something that is easily carried in a pocket then the E-Power 14650 at 1050mAh is for you. This a an APV. it's a tube mod, a battery mod and a regulated voltage device. If larger size batteries and batteries that last for two days appeal to you consider PVs that use a single 18650 battery or 2200mAh. However, this choice is not so good for carrying in the pocket.

I am convinced that battery charging has a lot to do with your success in quitting a serious smoking habit. If you have only two expensive ($15-$25) batteries that force you to charge one battery per day you are less likely to keep a religious adherence to battery charging than if you only need to charge much less expensive batteries ($4 or less) once every several days or once a week.

The choice is yours.

 

[X P3 Flight Engineer]

There is one point that I think gets continually overlooked. = The eGo BATTERY is a PV.

If I have 4 eGo BATTERIES (about $80) I have 4 PVs; one plus 3 spares; one plus two loaners and a spare (never loan your last spare Lol).

When I fly off on vacation I don't have 4 batteries, I have 4 PVs.

I have 3 Twists on order ($90). For the price of one VV PV plus batteries and charger, I am getting 3 PVs. The BATTERIES are their own spares. When I have to replace the battery, I get a new PV, probably with upgraded electronics at the pace things are now being developed.

I am happy with my decisions on my hardware and just want to explain my reasoning. I hope everyone is as happy with their own devices as I am with mine, because that is all that matters.

Relax, Enjoy!

 

[yzer]

There is one point that I think gets continually overlooked. = The eGo BATTERY is a PV.

If I have 4 eGo BATTERIES (about $80) I have 4 PVs; one plus 3 spares; one plus two loaners and a spare (never loan your last spare Lol).

When I fly off on vacation I don't have 4 batteries, I have 4 PVs.

I have 3 Twists on order ($90). For the price of one VV PV plus batteries and charger, I am getting 3 PVs. The BATTERIES are their own spares. When I have to replace the battery, I get a new PV, probably with upgraded electronics at the pace things are now being developed.

I am happy with my decisions on my hardware and just want to explain my reasoning. I hope everyone is as happy with their own devices as I am with mine, because that is all that matters.

Relax, Enjoy!

When I fly off with 4 E-Power 14650 batteries it cost me less than $16 and it takes a lot less baggage space than 4 eGo batteries. In essence, I have 4 3.7V APVs because the switches and cones aren't likely to fail. Even if I packed along a spare E-Power switch module it wouldn't take up as much as 1/4 the space as an eGo battery.

It's an old song. The Brain says look for new ideas. Pinky says play it as it lays. Both are lab rats, as we are all.

 

[FsckCigs]

All this conversation goes nicely towards pointing out that no single PV is going to be "right" or best or even necessarily the most economical choice for all vapers. For example, the e-power route would not suit me at all, because of how I vape. I've come to realize that when I'm out of the house, at work, etc... i prefer to have 2 (minimum) or 3 (usually) "setups" with me at any given time. 3 PVs with 3 cartos, 3 different flavors...that's ideal for me. The eGo batts lend themselves handily to this vaping profile. And using them this way, the batts are rarely deep-cycled, so they live long and prosperous lives. All things considered, I'm quite happy with 'em in such a capacity, and i find their cost to be quite acceptable. Also, as XP 3 mentioned, when I do need to replace the batts...it will
actually be a very nice upgrade, considering the latest generation batts, and the Twists.

Of course eGos are not the only PVs I own/use, but they do have a significant place in my vaping scheme.

Apologies to OP if this is veering too far off topic...

 

[wv2win]

Since you can only vape one PV at a time, I don't see why having 4 complete PV's in your pocket is important. I've never had someone come up to me and want to borrow one and if they did, I would tell them where to get their own, lol. And on the point of changing flavors throughout the day, you can do the same thing the E-Power by having 3 different cartos ready when you need it. You just screw one off and screw the other one on.

So it still comes down to two significant points: the E-Power saves you 75% in battery costs and delivers 3.7 volt performance instead of the 3.4 volts like the eGo which is the smallest volt battery on the market. I think the logic prevails.

 

[tj99959]

So many choices and so little time

You will not know what you like until you try it. You will find that to some form factor is important, while others could care less. Some like a hot vape, and others like a cool vape. Some even find that they don't like vaping, and go back to smoking.

Just remember that the PV is only 1/3 of the equation. What you attach to it, and what you put in it is just as important. For that reason my suggestion would be any PV that has a 510/eGo connector. Doesn't matter much if you choose an eGo, Kgo, or a whateverGo, just as long as it has that connector so that you can try all of the choices of devices that can be attached to it.

Also keep in mind that no matter what you choose to get, there will probably be something better hit the market next week. "Better" of course being purely subjective.

 

[FsckCigs]

Since you can only vape one PV at a time, I don't see why having 4 complete PV's in your pocket is important. I've never had someone come up to me and want to borrow one and if they did, I would tell them where to get their own, lol. And on the point of changing flavors throughout the day, you can do the same thing the E-Power by having 3 different cartos ready when you need it. You just screw one off and screw the other one on.

So it still comes down to two significant points: the E-Power saves you 75% in battery costs and delivers 3.7 volt performance instead of the 3.4 volts like the eGo which is the smallest volt battery on the markoet. I think the logic prevails.

Heh, I don't switch flavors through the day, I switch flavors every few toots. Today when I left the house it was AVE GJ, Goodejuice Menthol, and Dekang RY4 (and MAD4 on a Bolt). All ready to vape at my whim, convenient & easy. I do carry 10/5/3ml bottles to top off sometimes, but topping off takes seconds.

2 eGo batts go on chargers when I get home, they take an hour or two and they're done as they're never heavily discharged. The third eGo that often accompanies me is a PT which is what I primarily use at home (w/eGo Booster) along with the big-batt PVs (which incidentally often go along with me as well, but usually stay in the console). The PT is always charged and ready to roll, and I charge 18500/18650s once every 4-6 days. Point being, I spend very little time messing with charging, ever.


Not really looking to turn anything into a debate, just describing what my own vaping preferences have evolved into. E-power, or even two of them, wouldn't work for me as well as the eGos do, and they might not work for someone else either...so i'd still contend that that eGos are not at all useless to even experienced vapers.

The 3.4 vs 3.7 issue is a non-issue with the new Joye eGos which can do either/or, aside from which there are plenty of eGo-style batts which are unregulated and would run at same voltage profile as e-power...and some of those batts are super-economical as well. Personally I find that I like the PWM consistency, though...and a Boge 2 ohm or Smok 1.7 on a Joye eGo definitely does not vape weakly.

As far as costs go e-power specifically... i'm glad to hear that the 14650 e-powers finally sound as if they're becoming reliable, but many who bought them when they were new on the market ended up having to purchase second and third versions of switch units...and for months upon months there was no "good" switch available, until finally the latest version was released...so a lot of owners had to buy something else to vape on anyways. I know, "that was then, this is now", but i kinda doubt the latest version is so robust that it's going to last years...one would probably be prudent to factor in periodic replacement of switches to any economic planning also. Then too, there's always the eventuality of discontinuation. If/when that happens, one part failing= entire PV needing to be replaced, which somewhat diminishes the $$$ savings...and with 14650s, one could be rather limited in choices of replacement if they wish to use their existing batteries...

Just some thoughts...

 

[sailorman]

There may be eGos that run on the same power profile as an unregulated e-Power. But the vast majority of the egos marketed and owned by the people on this forum are the Ts, the Cs, the regulated versions. In fact, I have yet to encounter one of these mythical egos that can do either/or. Now, there are plenty of ego-style batts which are unregulated. They call them kGos and they're the first choice for newbs who want a pink PV, or don't like battery chargers. But it's not a matter of 3.4V vs 3.7V. It's a matter of 3.4V vs 4.1V, 4V, 3.9V, and 3.8V. An unregulated, larger battery spends a lot of time up in the range above 3.7V. In fact, I charge my battery when it drops to 3.7 or 3.8V. Granted, it's a 1600mah 18650, but it takes 10 hours to drop to 3.8V. You can get a good 4 hours or so on a 1000mah battery without dropping below 3.7V.

In the interest of disclosure, I have an eGo clone. It's a Firefly. I got a pair of them on sale for $9/ea because they came in with a shiny finish instead of a brushed finish. I didn't realize they were regulated at 3.4V. I almost never use them. All my other mods' batteries stay above 3.7V for the entire time I vape them, including the 900mah 14500 in my BB. To get a decent vape out of the Firefly, I have to use a 1.5ohm atty or carto and their lifespans are way shorter than a 3ohm I can use with my other mods. So, a 3.4V battery also costs me more in burned out attys and cartos.

I guess someone missed the yearlong saga of egos getting fried by 1.5ohm cartos; Egos getting trashed by liquid infiltration because they weren't sealed; Egos getting shorted by CE3s; Egos blowing up on it's cheap charger. etc. etc. etc. Kinda' puts the e-Power's switch snafu, the most common of which mostly limited to cold weather operation, in perspective.

It's correct though that if the e-Power were discontinued AND failed, the batteries may not be of much use. They'd probably be of as much use as an eGo when it DOES fail. And you can probably plan on replacing the $9 switch after a year or so. You can definitely plan on replacing an eGo in 6 months, according to the manufacturer anyway. Before that though, you can plan on replacing the T and probably the C with something that actually works consistently well.

If eGo made a gimmick free model, unregulated, and at a price commensurate with a lack of gimmickry, I'd recommend it. Oh, wait. I do.. Except it's called a kGo.