Have money to spend - but where to spend it? E-cig recommendations wanted!

[Krissie Pearse]

Firstly, the important thing to note is that I'm in the UK, and would prefer not to order internationally... but that's no reason that models etc can't be suggested

So, I've been using k808 e-cigs from VIP for about a week now, and I am loving their ease of use (being that they're airflow activated, look like a ciggy, and are two piece). Today I've tried refilling a carto with a 70/30 juice, meeting with some success. The K808 doesn't have the most vapour in the wold anyway (though sufficient generally), but it seems that it can't really handle a 70/30 mix all that well, which appears to be the most common?

Well, I have a £50 investment to make, and I'd like to upgrade my hardware, and perhaps even buy a small stock if possible. My priorities, in order, are basically that of vapor, nicotine delivery (I'm a 24mg juice lass), battery life, ease of use and refillable... (though battery life can be mitigated by having more than one battery). As a replacement for cigarettes, if it looks and feels like a ciggy it's a bonus, but if it simply looks elegant it'll do - I'm not looking for a box mod or any such thing. That said, I do want my vaping to be as cheap as possible on an ongoing basis once I've bought the initial hardware.

So... dear ECF, what should I spend my money on? Or perhaps, if you were me, what would you consider buying, and why? Thoughts?

 

[denali_41]

here is a link to a vendor in your neck of the woods,,not too sure what you are really asking advice about tho

E-Liquid

 

[JD1]

I just ran across this unit so I don't know anything about it. Looks pretty slick though. REVIEW OF THE ROK STAR ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE - YouTube

Value wise, I don't think you can beat the joye ego from liberty flights. I ordered mine from them several months back and it's still going strong. Be sure you click the discount button in the upper left corner if you purchase from them. Also, you might want to pick up some 2.0 boge cartos to try if you go that route.

 

[Krissie Pearse]

While I do like the innovation of that Rok-Star, it's far too chunky for me.

I don't want to be holding something the size of a cigar in my hands, and like to be able to hold me e-cig between my fingers as I would a cigarette, even if it doesn't look like one... not least because I'm a smoker and using this to replace real cigarettes, but also because I want it to at least look elegant if it doesn't look like a real cigarette.

I guess what I'm really asking for is a shopping list of sorts - but one which will of course depend on which system I end up going for.

 

[tommy2bad]

I don't want to be holding something the size of a cigar in my hands, and like to be able to hold me e-cig between my fingers as I would a cigarette,

Even the most cig like e-cig doesn't have the same 'feel' as a cig. Their heavier for a start and feel more like a quality pen than a light paper cig.
I have found that a standard 510 Electronic Cigarette - Starter Kits - 510-T like that one comes close but no cigar, pun intended.
An auto 510 behaves like a cig but again theirs the 'feel' thing.
It's not the same as smoking but it is a good approximation.
Once over the first hurdle you'll find that vaping becomes as natural as smoking was, then you'll want to move to a big battery model.
Oh god I cant believe I said smoking was natural, how habits change!

 

[Off Topic]

I started with the cigarette sized 510 and was very unimpressed with the battery life. Ego 650 passthrough batts are still pretty small. I run around holding them in my mouth from the drip tip. And if you want a stronger hit, they have the power to run low resistance dual coil attys/cartos.

 

[Krissie Pearse]

The 'feel' thing is not so much of an issue in terms of weight in my fingers with my current k808... it's heavier than a tobacco cigarette, but the extra weight is not too much of an issue and I'm actually coming to like it (unlike a Nicolite I first tried about 6 months back). the biggest problem I'm getting with the K808 is that the draw is simply too airy, and it doesn't seem to work well with juices beyond 80/20 (eg, 70/30 - produces less vapor and seems not to vaporize quite as well)

I'd guess that the 510 would be a suitable alternative, but does it have the same issues? I also like the simplicity of an auto system with a nice glow on the end when you puff on it... the manual batteries really kill that for me, along with the psychological satisfaction I get from it (also... do the manual batteries switch the light on and off suddenly, or does it have a glowing effect as a K808 does?). I can get both orange and blue tipped auto batteries for the 808 very easily, which is ideal for me - Sometimes I like the orange, but when I'm out and about I like to use the blue.

The other thing I wonder is about the difference between a carto system and an atomiser system... apart from simplicity, what's the difference in actual practice? What effects atomiser lifespan? On the K808 I'm using, a single pre-filled carto will last me most of a day and is (supposedly) equivalent to 40 tobacco cigs.

A higher capacity battery is a great thing, but as I'm after something elegant, I doubt that I'll be looking at getting anything especially powerful anytime soon, unless they find a way to make a thin battery with a higher capacity.

In response to Off Topic's points.... being relatively new to anything but the 808, what's a passthrough battery?

 

[Martini]

Hello Krissie,

While a bit larger than what you are using (not sure I'd say cigar), certain fatter batteries can look quite elegant, especially ones that are silver or titanium coloured and paired with the right cartomizer (the KGO with a mega cartomizer comes to mind, but there are others). Also, while the battery life is short, The Precise 10440 mod by Super-T manufacturing is quite small and elegant, but rather pricey, though you may perhaps have luck on the classifieds.

As far as Cartomizers vs. Atomizers, Cartos are great for when you are on the go and/or desire a hassle free vape. They come in all sizes, and varying resistances, and once filled provide a decent amount of vaping time. Atomizers are best used for dripping - the flavor comes out so much more. I did not think I'd delve down that route, but once I started was hooked. However, I te nd to drip more at home and use cartos or a bottom feeder when on the go as its less hassle. Atomizers last longer than cartomizers do, especially with proper care (blowing out, cleaning with vodka etc), albiet they cost more.

A Passthrough battery will allow you to vape while charging (plugged into your USB on your pc for example). For some models of pv's it can also provide a higher voltage (ex a 5 volt 510 passthrough unit), which yields warmer air, increased throat hit and more vapor.

I hope this proves helpful; others with far more knowledge will surely chime in.

Best of Luck!

 

[Krissie Pearse]

Way outside my price range at present, but the information is useful - thanks. If I could find something quite elegant within my price range I guess a fatter battery could be suitable, though I seem to be looking towards 510 at the moment - the issue for me there is mostly surrounding the availability of auto batteries (preferably with the availability of blue tips), and battery capacity. My 808 is lasting me a few hours at a time, but the 510 batts seem to have a lower capacity.

Would I be correct in understanding that a 510 system can take carto's? The 510-T seems to be the most available... though always with manual batteries.

 

[Martini]

While I've not used either (only cig size PV's I've used was a Smoke FiftyOne a very long time ago along with some disposables), I believe the 510-T is a tank system, with its own set of pros and cons versus the standard 510 which can take cartomizers.

 

[JD1]

Would I be correct in understanding that a 510 system can take carto's? The 510-T seems to be the most available... though always with manual batteries.

The 510 is very popular and has a wide selection of different attys and cartos available for it. If you stay with the slim batteries you can get the xl versions which are a little longer. Even with the xl version, you can't try the lower ohm attys and cartos, as they shorten the time between charges too much. If you go up to ego size they're still not very big and you can experiment with 1.7 to 2.0 ohm attys and cartos with them.

The 2.0 ohm boge carto gets lots of good reviews.

Riva ego size (little bit big to hold between your fingers but sets nice in your hand) Electronic Cigarette - Starter Kits - Riva 510

Boge carto (very popular here on the ecf) Electronic Cigarette - Cartomizers - Boge Cartomizers

 

[tj99959]

Now I have never owned an 808, but I can't imagine it being any different in this regard.

See the little o-ring I have placed on this 510?
Simply slide it up partially covering the connection to stiffen the draw.

 

[tommy2bad]

510 refers to a battery conection, its a fitting used on Joye 510 model ecigs. It's also used on eGo, Riva and Tornados.
The basic 510 is a slim battery with a runtime of about 2 to 3 hrs. Has a blue or red led comes in auto or manual. The new autos are quite good not as annoying as the first ones were. They used to keep going off if, caught in a breeze or closing the case, ah they drove me mad till I got a new one. Like yourself I got a second slim 510 because its handy when out and about and also for the cool look of a stainless one with a stainless carto and blue driptip.
Big drawback is you cant use lo res atomizers or cartos. Dont worry about the tank bit thats just one option to screw on to the top, if you don't like it, replace it with some cartos.
Anyway you go about it battery life will be short on a slim ecig, get a fat battery like the ego riva whatever for long use.
Search around for 50 lids you should be able to get 2 slim batteries a fat battery and liquid and 5 reg cartos.
BTW they fat batts charge on a different charger which unhelpfully looks exactly the slim charger, If you do get both watch for that.OK now you know why I had to get a second slim 510

 

[Krissie Pearse]

Having spent a few hours on it, I think I'm going to try the Excel starter kits by JAC Vapour Ltd which seems to come with some pretty good reviews for its class. The PCC solves any battery issues, and it seems to provide a decent amount of vapor, battery life (especially with PCC), and at a reasonable cost.

 

[tommy2bad]

Thats a good choice, I presume you have looked at this?REVIEW OF THE EXCEL PCC ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE - YouTube
Discount code their too!

 

[JD1]

That's the first time I've seen that kit and it looks like a good choice. I like the design of the pcc and it should be compatible with what you have now. Be sure and keep us posted on how you like it. Happy vaping!

Edit: I just went to the site and the pcc looks a little different than the video. I liked the one in the video, but I quess either will do the job.