ET-S/Mini Vivi Nova-S (with BVC) - a couple iStick questions

[machinestatic]

Hey all. I'm thinking of trying some of the (non-nautilus) Aspire BVC heads, specifically with some ET-S or Mini Vivi Nova-S clearos. (Of course, I want to try an Atlantis soon, but first I want to get a new cheapo pocket setup to carry to work.) I want to pair them with a couple eLeaf iSticks and have a couple questions:

1. Do both of these clearos work alright with the iStick 510 connector/eGo adapter? I've read a couple spotty reviews where people have to pry up the 510 pin, use a circuit board spacer, the eGo adapter is too deep and atties won't fire, blah blah, but then hundreds of other people love the things.

2. Can these BVC heads take advantage of mid/high wattage, similarly to the Nautilus BVC heads? I don't mean anything crazy high, but at least high enough to take advantage of the iStick (> 11 watts). Otherwise I may just get some Spinners or VV V3's.

3. How is airflow with these clearos? Back before I sold my Vamo/Evic/SID's I tried slapping a couple cheap top coil Vision Vivi Novas and iClear 30s on them to mess around, and there was practically ZERO airflow. The Vision was especially bad because the air hole was directly on the post on the threads. But I really don't want to have to completely switch over to Aerotanks/Nautilus for my pocket setup... would much rather spend $7 on a tank than $25.

Thanks!

 

[FCastle]

I tried the BVC coils in those 2 clearos and they gurgled constantly, spit hot liquid in my mouth and liquid was pretty much running out the bottom of the coils. The same coils worked fine in a Mini Davide and K1, their designs seem to limit wicking enough to not flood the coils. I usually run them at 10-11 watts. I was thinking about getting an iStick but there's quite a few reports of the ego adapter pushing down the pin, and possibly stripping the threads on the connector. Many people who love the iStick seem to be willing to put up with some issues for the small size. Considering that it's been out a very short time there's a pretty high number of people complaining of issues with the pin, stripped connectors, charging gitches/possibly over-charging the battery, running at higher power than it should be, etc.

 

[machinestatic]

I tried the BVC coils in those 2 clearos and they gurgled constantly, spit hot liquid in my mouth and liquid was pretty much running out the bottom of the coils. The same coils worked fine in a Mini Davide and K1, their designs seem to limit wicking enough to not flood the coils. I usually run them at 10-11 watts. I was thinking about getting an iStick but there's quite a few reports of the ego adapter pushing down the pin, and possibly stripping the threads on the connector. Many people who love the iStick seem to be willing to put up with some issues for the small size. Considering that it's been out a very short time there's a pretty high number of people complaining of issues with the pin, stripped connectors, charging gitches/possibly over-charging the battery, running at higher power than it should be, etc.

Aw, man. That is a real bummer, but I'm glad I asked. You gave me all of the (negative) information I was hoping to hear, so I can make an educated decision. Thank you. It looks like I'm going back to the drawing board. The K1 does look nice, but with the capacity being so small I'd have to refill it all the time while walking along a busy sidewalk or on a city bus. I had that problem with Evods. Awkward!

I guess I just have to train myself to like Aerotanks and Nautiluses (Nautilen? haha). I've owned both and found they muted flavors, but that's better than gurgling, leaking and burning myself.

Ugh, 4 and a half years, and I STILL haven't found the perfect vaping gear. Curse you, commercialism!

 

[ktez71]

I am using the Aspire K1 tanks with an iStick, and have also used the ET-S. No issues with either one, and the adaptor works just fine. I have tried the Nautilus but for some reason I just can't get it to work for me. I run the K1's 11 W on the iStick, and they are perfect right around there. I guess everybody's experience with these is different, but I have had no problems at all with this combo.

Edit: I use the BVC coils in both the above-mentioned tanks also.

 

[machinestatic]

I am using the Aspire K1 tanks with an iStick, and have also used the ET-S. No issues with either one, and the adaptor works just fine. I have tried the Nautilus but for some reason I just can't get it to work for me. I run the K1's 11 W on the iStick, and they are perfect right around there. I guess everybody's experience with these is different, but I have had no problems at all with this combo.

Edit: I use the BVC coils in both the above-mentioned tanks also.

Great, thanks for making my decision difficult again... Just kidding.

It is very interesting how hit or miss these types of products are, and how wildly different peoples' experiences and reviews are. I guess the only way to find out if they work for me is to buy them. heh

 

[Fattlestar]

Quality control in the industry is pretty minimal at this point. Also vaping technique and usage varies widely from one person to the next, which drastically changes the results you will hear from different equipment. A vaper who hits their device like a cigarette is more likely to get undesirable results from their device depending on the build quality, and if they don't know any other way - they will report that the device is bad or not functioning properly. You really do have to try things for yourself right now.

There really isn't an easy decision, your results will vary. The low price Aspire and Kanger products all get good and bad reviews, but they are affordable and really won't break the bank to try (An EVOD glass, Mini Protank, ET-S or Aspire K1 is the price of a pack of cigarettes!)

 

[Rondo9]

I tried the BVC coils in those 2 clearos and they gurgled constantly, spit hot liquid in my mouth and liquid was pretty much running out the bottom of the coils. The same coils worked fine in a Mini Davide and K1, their designs seem to limit wicking enough to not flood the coils. I usually run them at 10-11 watts. I was thinking about getting an iStick but there's quite a few reports of the ego adapter pushing down the pin, and possibly stripping the threads on the connector. Many people who love the iStick seem to be willing to put up with some issues for the small size. Considering that it's been out a very short time there's a pretty high number of people complaining of issues with the pin, stripped connectors, charging gitches/possibly over-charging the battery, running at higher power than it should be, etc.

You need to let the eliquid sit in the ET-S or Vivi Nova bvc for 5-10 minutes. If you fill and vape right away you will get gurgling, spitting.

A small disadvantage of using the ET-S vs k1 or mini vivi nova is that you need to have it filled above 1/3 at all times(3ml vs 2ml) . or else problems can occur

 

[maraud]

In my testing I've found that the ET-S and BVC coils just don't get along with the iStick. Basically the iStick runs too "hot" and is overdriving the coil. Only way I avoided the hot juice spitting monster was to drop the voltage to the minimum and then in flooded. It's not a problem with the tanks or coil per say as it works GREAT on a eGO VV at 4V. It's just a combination issue. I suspect it's related to the type of PWM that the iStick uses.

 

[djsvapour]

machinestatic..

I got the same idea about a month ago. (or was it two months).... it has NOT been a success.

I would suggest you don't waste your time and money. The small BVC works nicely in the small tanks, but the gurgling starts even before 50% empty, and it is really gurgly....

If you didn't live half way around the world, I'd send you all my test hardware....

Sorry.

 

[Rondo9]

A possible very good solution to the gurggling issue some of you guys are having with the Aspire ET-S and Vivi Nova-S BVC

1. Don't fill up the tank 3/3. 2/3 or just a little over 2.
2. After filling it , let the eliquid sit for 5 min
3. Look below

Today as an experiment i drilled the airhole of my mini vivi nova a little bigger (both holes) using a screwdriver (smallest drill bit). I don't even have a drilling machine. Just using my hands. Applying pretty decent pressure , rotating forward on a downward angle (to avoid touching the thread as much as possible). Don't make it TOO big. Apply pressure for a bit. Stop , look , apply pressure stop look.

Great results. And The falvor/vapor production is nearly as good as the nautilus mini now

 

[FCastle]

You need to let the eliquid sit in the ET-S or Vivi Nova bvc for 5-10 minutes. If you fill and vape right away you will get gurgling, spitting.

A small disadvantage of using the ET-S vs k1 or mini vivi nova is that you need to have it filled above 1/3 at all times(3ml vs 2ml) . or else problems can occur

I let my clearos sit for a while after filling, sometimes an hour or two. They still gurgled and leaked like crazy.

 

[Amy87]

I have 3 isticks and they are all I have been using since I got the first one a few weeks ago. I use mini nautilus, Vivi Nova-S, and K1's, all with BVC coils and I couldn't be happier. I have had none of the issues I've seen others having with the istick. My threads are fine (with and without the ego connector), no gurgling or burnt hits. For me the istick with aspire BVC's has been nothing but great.

Not that I don't believe there are people having these issues, but for me it has been a dream set-up!

 

[VapinMark]

With a new BVC coil I will step up the power from 6-10 watts in .5 watt increments over a couple hours. This seems to remove most issues with flooding if not I'll fire the device and blow through the air hole trying to gunk up the coil a little faster.

 

[Rondo9]

I let my clearos sit for a while after filling, sometimes an hour or two. They still gurgled and leaked like crazy.

Your only solution is to modify the existing airholes. Makes a difference in performance and makes your gugling problems go away

 

[machinestatic]

I have 3 isticks and they are all I have been using since I got the first one a few weeks ago. I use mini nautilus, Vivi Nova-S, and K1's, all with BVC coils and I couldn't be happier. I have had none of the issues I've seen others having with the istick. My threads are fine (with and without the ego connector), no gurgling or burnt hits. For me the istick with aspire BVC's has been nothing but great.

Not that I don't believe there are people having these issues, but for me it has been a dream set-up!

That is awesome! I've got to say, the difference in peoples' opinions and experiences with these (non-Nautilus) BVC's is ridiculous. Like you said though, I believe every single person. Different strokes for different folks. Still, the fact that they are an utter failure for person A, but a "dream set-up" for person B is intriguing.

I'm curious, what wattage do you vape them at?

 

[WickedBad]

I use an istick and a BeyondVape silo lite (uses regular aspire bvcs though it comes with crappy bdcs so you have to buy some bvc up front) Using the istick I would recommend you buy the 2.1 coils as the istcks output does not use rms (modulation type) The actual power output is higher than it shows it. 2.1 heads will tolerate the higher voltage just fine (if you don't like high wattage vaping) I use 1.8 heads at 12.1 watts (output is higher due to power issues) I use this setup for my portable setup and I love it.

The silo lite fits good no contact pin issues for me and it has great capacity (3.5ml I believe)

Also agian make sure you get bvc and not bdc (there aspire bdc's are absolute crap imo)

Forgot to mention the default airflow was good but I prefer more so i drilled out the air holes and opened it wide up (But most likely you will be fine with the default I am just an airflow freak.

This video explains the modulation problem:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_W1G7p_fCJw#t=1318

 

[Amy87]

I'm curious, what wattage do you vape them at?

I hate to sound like an idiot, but I never really pay attention to what its set on. I am pretty technically challenged when it comes to understanding volts, watts, ohms etc. I usually just push the up or down buttons until it tastes nice and gives good throat hit, and don't usually look at the display to see what its set on.
In a lot of ways, I think I'm more satisfied with my istick experience for the simple fact that I'm not worried about the watts, etc. I see people posting all these charts and long explanations which may as well be written in a foreign language to me, and I think worrying about all those details takes the fun out of vaping!

 

[machinestatic]

I hate to sound like an idiot, but I never really pay attention to what its set on. I am pretty technically challenged when it comes to understanding volts, watts, ohms etc. I usually just push the up or down buttons until it tastes nice and gives good throat hit, and don't usually look at the display to see what its set on.
In a lot of ways, I think I'm more satisfied with my istick experience for the simple fact that I'm not worried about the watts, etc. I see people posting all these charts and long explanations which may as well be written in a foreign language to me, and I think worrying about all those details takes the fun out of vaping!

You don't sound like an idiot, I love this answer!

It made me picture a bunch of smokers on a break during a workday debating: "Well to really enjoy a Camel, please review this spreadsheet I made that outlines the ideal volume of air one must inhale per minute, in relation to the density of the tobacco." Then his buddy says something like "While that is a cool spreadsheet and all, what I find really makes a difference is using a lighter that is exactly at 3,590.6 degrees", and they go back and forth for hours, neither one of them enjoying their smokes anymore.

 

[Amy87]

You don't sound like an idiot, I love this answer!

It made me picture a bunch of smokers on a break during a workday debating: "Well to really enjoy a Camel, please review this spreadsheet I made that outlines the ideal volume of air one must inhale per minute, in relation to the density of the tobacco." Then his buddy says something like "While that is a cool spreadsheet and all, what I find really makes a difference is using a lighter that is exactly at 3,590.6 degrees", and they go back and forth for hours, neither one of them enjoying their smokes anymore.

That is the perfect analogy for what I was trying to say

 

[machinestatic]

That is the perfect analogy for what I was trying to say

I've been vaping on and off for over 4 years and I have honestly never looked at it like that. It's so carefree. Kudos!

Anyway, the excitement and impatience of reading about iSticks and looking at online stores got the best of me, so I just took a taxi a town over and bought one at a store. I got a silver iStick, a Nautilus Mini w/ BVCs (which I have owned in the past), and some Cuttwood Sugar Bear juice. And I'll place an order for some ET-S/Mini Vivi Nova-S tanks too.

I also tried an Aspire Atlantis they had set up, and OH MY GOD. Amazing. But that's a topic for a different thread.

UPDATE: Well, folks, iStick + Aspire BVCs? The best vape I've ever had. I'm already online ordering a second iStick and a mix of Aspire clearos (an ET-S, Mini Vivi Nova-S and a K1). Very pleased.