dislike my current pv... is the 510 right for me?

[Athena Cherise]

I just started vaping about a month ago and I am not very happy with what I have. I am planning to spend a fair chunk of change and buy another pv, but I want to make sure that I get something I am going to happy with, not just something I can live with until I find something better.
My first and only experience with e-cigarettes was a couple of years ago when my cousin was working in a mall kiosk selling some that were total junk. I was not impressed and didn’t think about them again until a couple of months ago when an old friend told me he had quit smoking using the LUCi pv. So I ordered one. It wasn’t that bad, but it wasn’t that good either… hard draw, not much vapor. I put a 306 atty and cart on it and that helped some. It’s still not enough to totally get me off of the analogs. I’m still smoking 2-5 per day, but that’s better than the pack or more a day I was smoking.
After looking around and reading reviews, I’m thinking that I want to get a 510. In particular, I’m looking at the Mega 510. I realize everyone had their own opinions about what the “best” pv is. What I want to know is if the 510 will do what I want it to, or if not, what will.
1. I want lots of vapor. And I’m not kidding… I want big billowing clouds. I think the lack of vapor production is the biggest problem I have with the LUCi.
2. I want an easy draw. I don’t like feeling like I’m trying to suck the world’s thickest milkshake thru the world’s thinnest straw. I don’t want to work that hard for it.
3. Battery size. I would prefer not to have something too large and bulky. Length is not a big deal, but I would rather it be thin.
4. I don’t dip or drip. I don’t want to have to tote liquids and supplies with me everywhere and have to stop to top off all of the time. I want to able to fill up a few carts and be done. When I start running dry I want to pop a new cart on and go on with life.
5. I don’t really care about throat hit as long as it’s not too harsh. I’d prefer a light to moderate throat hit.

So what do you guys think? Is the 510 right for me? If so, is there anything that I need to be aware of? Any special parts or accessories that I should make sure to pick up? And if not, what model should I be looking at? Please be specific… I am really serious about trying to get it right this time. I know that I can be totally happy vaping if I can get the right equipment.

Thanks in advance! ~Athena

 

[DonDaBoomVape]

I think that the 510 atomizer (or cartomizer) might be just fine for you, but not the 510 battery. If you "want big billowing clouds" of vapor, I'm afraid that you may have to give a bit on that "thin" requirement. You see, what will give you those clouds is increased power. This can be achieved either by increasing the battery voltage or by decreasing the atomizer resistance.

One way to increase the voltage is with a 5V direct passthrough (~$15, such as those described here or carried by VaporKings), which can be quite slender, but you will be tethered to your computer (or to a wall outlet using an ~$10 AC to USB adapter).

Otherwise, we're talking mod (HV or VV) ... and most of them are pretty wide. A possible exception is the new variable voltage $110 (full kit) Infinity. I'm not sure of the dimensions, but it certainly looks slender (although, I am sure, not as thin as your LUCi or a 510).

Decreasing atomizer resistance means LR atomizers (or LR cartomizers) and these require a battery of at least 450 mAh, i.e., a mod or a fat batt (e.g., the eGO or the many that have followed). I call these fat batts, because they are wider than traditional skinny e-cigs ... but they are not that fat: typically 14 mm.

The least expensive (good quality) 510-based fat batt today is the 750 mAh Riva, specifically the two-battery "LITE BUNDLE" kit sold by Liberty-FlightsElectronic Cigarette - Starter Kits - Riva 510 for $30 (after applying "ecf" discount code).

As for avoiding dripping and dipping, I recommend cartomizers ... and there are so many to choose from these days. Others on ECF can tell you about the myriad types of 510 cartos that are available. I am more familiar with the Kr8 model. My favorite thus far are the Premium cartos from Vapor4Life (and I believe their WOW line are excellent as well). And I've been reading some very positive comments about the new MaxX Fusion cartos from Bloog. Veteran vaper and cartomizer master, Leaford, shepherded the development of both those V4L cartos and these new Bloog.

BTW, these produce some very good vapor (perhaps enough for you) and they can be used with traditional skinny batteries. In fact, IMO, the Kr8s are the best of the skinny batts: highest mAh and true 3.7V. The many suppliers of Kr8 PCC starter kits (~$50-80) are included in this article, which also describes the 510-based fat batts.

So your options (as I see them) for slender massive vapor without dripping:

• ~$15 for a 510 or Kr8 PT: thin PV, but tethered; use with any cartos – massive vapor

• $30 for the Riva-510: 14 mm diameter PV; use with LR cartos – massive vapor

• ~$50+ for a Kr8 PCC kit: thin portable PV; use with best (non-"LR") cartos – very good vapor

• $110 for the variable voltage Infinity: fairly slender PV; use any cartos – massive vapor