Help me tootle puff an ... iStick TC60W, MELO 2

[Hobbs]

First post, brand new to the scene, almost 50 year smoker and wasn't sure what to start with, but knew I didn't want a (possibly) bad experience from something like some Walmart starter kit but also wanted something virtually plug and play.

Love that the MELO 2 has variable air and no need to take it apart to fill. I don't like the super huge bore on the mouth piece. It's not a good transition at all if looking for any kind of MTL hits. The throat hits can be killer for a noob as vape goes directly to the lungs. SOoooo I have a 3mm bore 510 mouth piece on order from Molehill Mountain to give a try. I also have the air flow adjustment on the MELO closed down to a small circle ... not a wide oval opening.

I'm using various flavors of 12mg/mL 50/50 and have some non-flavored 12/mL 50/50 on order to try a "neat" vape.

Having only been vaping a week and with the stock big bore mouth piece and to try and quell the big bore direct to lung throat hit, I've tried to dumb down the iStick. Currently I'm using a stock .3 ohm Kanthal coil that came with the iStick and in VW mode. I'm finding that for the time being, vaping at between 18W and 20W is working okay ... but not really providing the experience I'm looking for as a tootle puffer. I hope the Molehill Mountain mouth piece will help on that point.

I've tried the .15 ohm Ni and .5 ohm Ti coils in TC mode, had trouble finding a sweet spot as a tootle puffer and went back to the .3 Kanthal in VW mode. From further reading available anecdotal info, next time in TC mod with the Ni and Ti, I will try adjusting down from the iStick default of 60W, to about 35-40W and about 410F and go from there.

I love the MELO 2 design and wish they included a smaller diameter mouth piece as well as a plug and play 1.5-1.8 ohm coil. I think that would have provided the iStick TC60W and MELO 2 combo with the broadest appeal and capability.

I wouldn't change anything about the TC60W battery. Fit in the hand is perfect and I love the way the 510 fitting is centered.

QUESTIONS: Anyway as stated, smaller bore mouth piece is on the way. Are there any plug and play coils in the 1.5-1.8 ohm range that will fit the MELO 2? What might I try that I'm not trying, to better make this outfit a MTL hitter? Are there any advantages to TC at all for a tootle puffer or should I just forget about TC entirely if all I would like to do is tootle puff MTL?

Thoughts and comments appreciated. Thank you !!!

... I always have back up LOL ... Innokin T-18 and Aspire Premium Starter Kit with Nautilus Mini and Aspire VV battery on order. I prolly could have waited and tried the Nautilus mouthpiece on the MELO, but those Molehill Mountain pieces are just dang beautiful !!! And if worse comes to worse, I'll just try tossing the Nautilus or the Innokin (if possible) on the iStick to give a try when they get here and if I'm not happy with the non-variable/adjustable Innokin or the Aspire battery set up.

 

[Marc411]

Hobbs, welcome to the site.

That's a good kit, I bought one because I wanted the 60w, small form factor and it pockets real nice when I'm on the go. I used the coils that came with it and then moved to the rebuildable RBA.

I haven't found anything other than the .3 & .5 but if you start rebuilding they have a rebuildable RBA that works pretty nice.

Good luck!

 

[Hobbs]

Thanks !!! Yep, the elegance of the 60W is quite appealing Marc, as well as the convenience of the MELO 2. I think that except to the most serious cloud chucker, the set up COULD BE one of the best set ups for just about any vapeing experience ... except maybe for those who enjoy the experience as dedicated accoutrement hobbyists and from a fundamental "if it ain't broke don't fix it but let's be able to take it apart and rebuild it if need be" level. Well, that and drippers I guess.

I'm not at all interested in RBA. GREAT hobby/money saver, but I prefer the convenience of plug and play coils. Just wish there were some 1.5-1.8 coils for the MELO I guess (Would be nice to have a smaller bore mouth piece in the kit but 510 mouth pieces are available every where).

Then, (from a noob POV at this point) it would be dang near perfect for the non-hobbist like myself who otherwise appreciates and enjoys quality and whose interest and ability might evolve with experience.

 

[Hobbs]

... one other thing ... If anyone has any tips/hints/tricks to removing the Pyrex glass from the MELO 2 in order to change the seals, WITHOUT breaking the glass, I'd greatly appreciate it. I broke one glass trying to get it off and had to order another. While waiting for the new glass ... I just went ahead and bought a whole 'nother kit LOL ... backup. So, I actually have two(2) iStick TC60W / MELO 2 set ups.

I emailed iStick (ismoka) last night to see if they have any tips/hints/tricks to removing the glass and likely won't hear from them until well into next week. I mentioned in the email that I'd already run several tanks of juice through it.

 

[Douggro]

... one other thing ... If anyone has any tips/hints/tricks to removing the Pyrex glass from the MELO 2 in order to change the seals, WITHOUT breaking the glass, I'd greatly appreciate it. I broke one glass trying to get it off and had to order another. While waiting for the new glass ... I just went ahead and bought a whole 'nother kit LOL ... backup. So, I actually have two(2) iStick TC60W / MELO 2 set ups.

I emailed iStick (ismoka) last night to see if they have any tips/hints/tricks to removing the glass and likely won't hear from them until well into next week. I mentioned in the email that I'd already run several tanks of juice through it.

Getting the glass off: use a dead credit card or similar plastic spudger in the joint between the glass and the tank base to break the seal of the gasket. Put the top piece of the tank back on and tighten it just a turn or so. Hold and press the glass towards the top; use the spudger if necessary for some leverage. Once the seal at the base breaks, the glass will slide up and stop at the tank topper.

(Hints for possible tootling with the Melo 2 to follow.)

 

[Douggro]

I love the MELO 2 design and wish they included a smaller diameter mouth piece as well as a plug and play 1.5-1.8 ohm coil. I think that would have provided the iStick TC60W and MELO 2 combo with the broadest appeal and capability.

The Aspire Triton coils will fit in the Melo 2 base; the Triton coils do have a 1.8Ω option. I have tried them but it really didn't suit my tootling taste. The airflow is rather restricted because of the coil base on the 1.8 and I didn't like the draw. But you very well might like it, so track down one and give it a whirl. The only other difficulty I had with the Triton coil was the base design for the center pin contact is different enough that I would have sporadic problems with the TC60 reading the coil resistance. It would read, then not read, depending on how you touched/moved the tank.

I ended up getting a Subtank Mini to use as my "in-between" for tootling with the 1.2 and 1.5 Kanger coils, though now I'm using the RBA head almost exclusively.

 

[Hobbs]

Thanks Doug !!! But it sounds like you're talking about a tank that is different from the ELEAF MELO 2.

The top, part with the mouth piece, doesn't come off. Once the bottom (base w/coil) is removed from the tank, there is VERY little room between the glass and the stainless steel chimney inside the glass, to spudge up into the seal. Maybe ... MAYBE something (less) than half as thick as a credit card would fit between the glass and chimney but a straight up credit card isn't working ... or ... I'm totally not following. Sorry

EDIT: And thank YOU for the coil ideas to consider !!!

 

[Robert Cromwell]

Subtank mini 1.2 and 1.5 with narrow bore drip tip.

 

[Hobbs]

Doug made me think ... MAYBE coils for the Aspire Nautilus Mini will work. I'll have to try when it gets here.

Robert ... since I already have what is considered a pretty good tootle tank, the Aspire Nautilus Mini on the way to me, I SHOULD be able to use that tank on the TC60W if I just don't become happy with the MELO 2.

Right? ... or do you think the Kanger Subtank Mini's would be better suited ... and if so, why? Thanks

 

[Hobbs]

No one has commented yet on whether or not sub-omn temperature control is a total waste of time for tootling or not.

As I understand it, one of the big thrills to sub-ohm TC is touted to be battery and liquid life ... or does it make no difference to the tootler anyway because the device/setup is never "stressed" to it's limits or any where near over-heating while tootling?

Regardless, is there any case where a tootler might experience a smoother, richer more flavorful vape in sub-ohm TC?

 

[Robert Cromwell]

There are those that tootle with TC.
I do not TC though. May someday. I have a TC capable mod.

 

[Hobbs]

... maybe part of the "draw" of analogs is that there are no options LOL ... and maybe I'm over thinking this vape thing. After almost 50 years of smoking, I just would like to quit and I haven't found my sweet spot with vape yet. I don't want to go back to analogs but the call is strong with that one.

I've tried three different cigarette flavors. Walmart's (Haus) American Tobacco ... yes I did get a Haus starter I'm ashamed to say. It was nasty. The taste of the plastic device was worse than the juice. Red Leaf from Liquid Nicotine Wholesalers ... it tasted more like an aromatic pipe tobacco than anything. I hate aromatic pipe tobacco and simply poured the remainder of 250mL down the sink after about three days. I also have some Vista Vapors American Tobacco. It is tolerable as a vape and I've enjoyed it to some degree, but it doesn't replicate analog taste.

I have a few flavors I'm trying or will try from Vista Vapor. The artic chocolate is a very good minty throat hit but I never smoked menthols ... didn't like them.

Since I can't find tobacco flavors I could get hooked on yet and flavored vape is not really my thing either, I have hope for and will give serious consideration to an unflavored neat vape when the unflavored 12mg/mL 50/50 gets here from LNW. Will arguably be less chemicals in the vape anyway I guess. No I'm not saying any chemicals in vape may be harmful ... that isn't my point

... looking for that sweet spot

 

[Robert Cromwell]

A couple of tobacco flavors I found were Buck Naked Brand American Tobacco and Clayton Tobacco flavor.
both available at Gas n Gos and tobacco shops around here.

Try some fruit flavors?

 

[Hobbs]

Thanks for the suggestions Robert ... I tried a Vista Vapors Crazy Berry that isn't half bad at all. I have other samples they sent me to try.

 

[Hobbs]

... actually, the thing about "foo-foo" flavored vape is that it reminds me of things I ate ... and I ALWAYS wanted and had a cigarette after I ate ... anything. So in the long run and trying to give up analogs, many/most flavored vapes may not work for me. Well, at least maybe not right now anyway I guess

 

[SupplyDaddy]

You should be able to use most standard 510 type drip tips. I know they fit on my Melo 2 and restrict the draw greatly. Having finally transitioned to lung hits in the last 7 months, I can understand the problem though.
I also have the same TC60W and MELO 2 setup, took a bit to get use to it myself, coming from Kanger Subtank Mini's, which I still love and have a more reduced draw.

As far as your glass, slow twists is about the best your going to get.

The TC part doesn't work for me, just don't like it, so I stay with the .3 coils. I do however want to use rebuildables (all I use on the Sub tank mini's) and the Atlantis V2 rba supposedly fit the Melo 2. Haven't tried it yet..

 

[Hobbs]

Thanks "Daddy" for chiming in !!! Means much. That drip tip on order from Molehill Mountain that I'm waiting on just might do the trick for me then. Of course I will try the drip tip from the Nautilus Mini, when it gets here too.

 

[Douggro]

Thanks Doug !!! But it sounds like you're talking about a tank that is different from the ELEAF MELO 2.

The top, part with the mouth piece, doesn't come off. Once the bottom (base w/coil) is removed from the tank, there is VERY little room between the glass and the stainless steel chimney inside the glass, to spudge up into the seal. Maybe ... MAYBE something (less) than half as thick as a credit card would fit between the glass and chimney but a straight up credit card isn't working ... or ... I'm totally not following. Sorry

EDIT: And thank YOU for the coil ideas to consider !!!

No, right tank - I have two of them - just my head was upside-down.
Yes, it's a very narrow gap so you have to find something that will fit in that gap between the glass and the upper body. Don't use anything metal or you're likely to chip the glass. It's not so much trying to pry the glass as it is to break the hold the seal has to the glass. If you leave the base screwed on just a turn or two, it gives you something to push against while trying to slide the glass down, and it will stop the glass from popping completely off (and the nightmare I have about the glass breaking between my fingers with the amount of force being applied).

With the right drip tip and the Triton coil, it might be a respectable tootler rig. Like I said, the 1.8 coil was just too tight for my taste, but it may be perfect for you. The Nautilus Mini you have coming is regarded as a great tootling tank. Work with those and see which suits you better.

Tootling with TC? Not what it's meant for really, IMO. Could be done if you find the right combo of airflow, temp and wattage though. You would be operating at he lower end of the temp scale, say around 400. Wattage is only relevant to the ramp-up time for the coil to hit temp. I'd start in the 25-35 watt range as a start point.

 

[Hobbs]

Thanks Doug. I think I'll try some more with the TC. Maybe I just needed a good place to start. Thanks !!!

I wouldn't mind a delayed/build-up draw and/or even a warm draw. That would closely emulate the analog experience I'm trying to give up. But really, any MTL configuration would work. The ability to control air and to some degree, temp are all just BONUS !!!

 

[Douggro]

Thanks Doug. I think I'll try some more with the TC. Maybe I just needed a good place to start. Thanks !!!

I wouldn't mind a delayed/build-up draw and/or even a warm draw. That would closely emulate the analog experience I'm trying to give up. But really, any MTL configuration would work. The ability to control air and to some degree, temp are all just BONUS !!!

The lower temp will let you close the airflow down. Find the draw you like with dead-hits (not firing the mod), then start with the temp down and work up to a temp that gives a decent vape without starting to get burnt.