Ikenvape Fusions, Platinums, S series. Whats the difference in how they vape?

[Sigmus9]

I ordered a carto tank from ibtanked and put an ikenvape platinum LR 2 hole punch carto in it and filled it with some 50/50 Grumpy's Hooch. So far I'm on the fence about it. It's a nice vape but it's not blowing me away like I hoped. It's still better than most all of the other clearo's that I've tried. I have an aspire bdc glass tank from nhaler en route and will be putting it head to head with this carto tank.

Before I make a final decision on which I like better I was wondering if the ikenvape platinums produce the best vaping experience from the ikenvape line or do the fusions or S line perform better. What's the core difference in how they perform and vape? I have looked them over on the website thoroughly and understand the physical differences but am unclear on what makes them different in the way they perform, taste, TH and produce vapor.

fyi, I use 50/50 blends of ejuice with 12mg of nic

Sorry for repost but this subforum get's no traffic and I'd like to get some thoughts and opinions

 

[Pocha]

I'd like to know too...I just ordered several of each type of punched/slotted cartos to try. I'm currently vaping a Platinum S (slotted) LR in an IBtanked (50/50 juice) and I am decidedly underwhelmed considering all the glowing reviews the Ikenvape cartos have gotten on this forum. Maybe I got a dud (tight draw and occasional burny flavor from the get go)?

 

[Sigmus9]

I've read the least amount of feedback on the Slotted line. It seems to be an even toss up between the platinum and fusion lines. I think baditude is supposed to be the guy to ask on this matter, but hopefully some folks with experience in the matter will chime in

 

[EL Pistoffo]

I too am trying out a Ikenvape Platinum Punch LR carto on a new IBTank. It's pretty good. I'm getting a good draw and no burning taste. I'm running it at 8 watts, afraid to go any higher yet to avoid burning. I also have a pack of Ikenvapes Fusion Punch SR cartos but have yet to try.

With my very limited experience with cartos I think the initial priming of the carto is paramount. I've had cartos that worked pretty well and others that where incredibly hard to draw from with burning flavor. I believe that my failures may have been a result from over filling the cartos during priming. Or it could have been crappy cartos, they were Kangers.

 

[Baditude]

If some of you are using LR (low resistance) cartos at higher voltages/watts, I need to ask....why?

I use Provari's and an MVP primarily. I'm using standard resistance Fusions (3.0 ohm) and Plats (2.5 ohm). I rarely set voltage over 4.0 volts. I prefer a cooler vape, and my focus is more on flavor production than vapor or throat hit. I once received some LR IKV's by mistake, tried a couple, and couldn't stand them. Isaac offered to exchange them, but since stock is always iffy I decided to trade them with a buddy for a bottle of my favorite juice.

It's clearly recommended on the website product description that the LR 510-Fusions are to be used between 3.7 - 4.2 volts. http://ikenvape.com/Punch-Cartos-Tanks/

There are a couple of different LR Platinums offered, some to be used only at 3.4 - 4.5v. Only the Platinum LR S series are recommended for 4.2 - 5 volts. Check to see which carto's you received.

Below is the Safe Vaping Power Chart. It is meant to be used as a general guideline in determining the best voltage/wattage for the particular ohms you are using. So if you are using regulated PV's, perhaps a standard resistance carto would perform better. Hopefully this helps you all out some.

 

[EL Pistoffo]

I primed my carto with about 20 drops of juice. Is that enough for an XL size? I tried a second carto with Peachy Criminal and I'm really trying hard to find the flavor. That's all that missing.

 

[Baditude]

I primed my carto with about 20 drops of juice. Is that enough for an XL size? I tried a second carto with Peachy Criminal and I'm really trying hard to find the flavor. That's all that missing.

My first guess is that's not near enough for an XL carto. 20 drops "might" be enough for a standard size carto, at least 30 drops for an XL carto.

I don't count drops. Too much room for error, as the size of the drops vary by the dropper used. I gauge what is enough by observing the polyfill. I add liquid until it will hold no more, shaking the carto down like a thermometer in between. When it will hold no more liquid and looks like a slushy drink, it's ready.

The initial priming of the carto with enough juice is absolutely the most important step in building a cartotank. This step will determine how well that carto will perform for its entire life in the tank. Be patient, and do it right.

In the video below, the person is filling a standard length cartomizer, and he says 20 drops for it although even he says he doesn't count drops. He also observes the carto's filler for complete saturation.





I find that fruit or fruity flavors have the most flavor at lower voltage. 3.6 - 4.0 volts with a standard resistance cartomizer or clearomizer.

 

[grayscale]

I use a syringe to fill my cartos, so I can't say how many drops, but I use 1.5-2ml to fill my Ikenvape XLs. The following sentence is taken directly from this carto description IKV 510 MEGA Platinum SR - "They have the ability of retaining of 60 drops at thier minimum of e-liquid." The only difference in this one is that it is not punched. So to sum up, yeah, you've been way under-priming your carto. Isaac also has a nice description on his site about how to prime them.

Don't forget to visit his sub-forum and you can ask him directly all the questions you want - IkenVape

 

[Sigmus9]

why do you guys like the Standard resis over the Low resis? Just curious whats the vaping difference

 

[Baditude]

why do you guys like the Standard resis over the Low resis? Just curious whats the vaping difference

Well, number one I'm using a regulated APV. A standard or high resistance coil is built for a wider range of voltages. A low resistance coil is limited to lower voltage settings. LR coils were designed for use for mechanical mods which were limited to 3.7 volts, way before regulated mods were even thought of.

Number two, I prefer a cooler vape. Whenever I've tried to use LR coils I get a harsh unpleasant vapor. It's way too hot for my liking and ruins flavors. I have way passed the point where my vape must emulate an analog.

If you look at the below chart, you'll see that the LR cartos are only designed to perform their best up to 4 volts. A high resistance coil is designed to perform best up to 5 volts. (None of my devices are VW, so I'm only familiar with voltage.)

 

[Sigmus9]

Well, number one I'm using a regulated APV. A standard or high resistance coil is built for a wider range of voltages. A low resistance coil is limited to lower voltage settings. LR coils were designed for use for mechanical mods which were limited to 3.7 volts, way before regulated mods were even thought of.

Number two, I prefer a cooler vape. Whenever I've tried to use LR coils I get a harsh unpleasant vapor. It's way too hot for my liking and ruins flavors. I have way passed the point where my vape must emulate an analog.

If you look at the below chart, you'll see that the LR cartos are only designed to perform their best up to 4 volts. A high resistance coil is designed to perform best up to 5 volts. (None of my devices are VW, so I'm only familiar with voltage.)

thank you. that's exactly the kind of explanation I was looking for and will be going with SR from now on. Now all I need to do is make up my flippin mind on whether I like the fusion, platinum or slotted better

 

[Sigmus9]

for what it matters I also prefer a cooler vape, and seek after the holy trinity of good vapor, th and taste. my 2 mods are the iTaste vv/vw and the Smoktech Sid and I generally use 50/50 juice with 12mg nic

 

[Train2]

I've leaned towards LR, partly because was doing so with coils - and it kept me the option of popping my topper on an Ego at 3.7 V (or less). So I know my flavors and voltages and clearos, etc at those resistances and power levels. Plus, I like it a little "hot"...
I tend to be pretty happy at about 2 ohms, and about 4 volts.

I too have a little "sampler" coming from IKV, including slot, punch, LR and SR, to determine what I like best.
I'm vaping a Platinum punch right now, and not sure it could be any better, but who knows, right?

 

[Baditude]

thank you. that's exactly the kind of explanation I was looking for and will be going with SR from now on. Now all I need to do is make up my flippin mind on whether I like the fusion, platinum or slotted better

You're making it way more complicated than you need to. Ikenvapes are hard enough to get as it is. I only order cartos every few months. Last time I did, Isaac had to put a 25 count limit on how many you could order for each model. I'd had previous experience with both the Plats and the 510-Fusions, so I ordered 25 of each. I'm still using the cartos from that order. So to sum up, get the ones that end up in stock in the resistance you desire. They only come in stock about once a month if that, and then they sell out within 2 days.

I've not noticed any difference between the Fusion and Plats performance wise. I'm happy with either one. As long as I'm using Ikenvape cartos and not Boge or Smoktech, I'm a happy vapor.

 

[EL Pistoffo]

My first guess is that's not near enough for an XL carto. 20 drops "might" be enough for a standard size carto, at least 30 drops for an XL carto.

I don't count drops. Too much room for error, as the size of the drops vary by the dropper used. I gauge what is enough by observing the polyfill. I add liquid until it will hold no more, shaking the carto down like a thermometer in between. When it will hold no more liquid and looks like a slushy drink, it's ready.

The initial priming of the carto with enough juice is absolutely the most important step in building a cartotank. This step will determine how well that carto will perform for its entire life in the tank. Be patient, and do it right.

In the video below, the person is filling a standard length cartomizer, and he says 20 drops for it although even he says he doesn't count drops. He also observes the carto's filler for complete saturation.

I was afraid of that. Well I just singed my first carto as I typed this. I just decided to try the Fusion XL SR cartos I had. Looking inside it has a lot less polyfill than the platinum (only half way up the tube). I then filled it till the top of the fill was slushy and it was dripping out of the side hole, probably in the neighborhood of 20-30 drops. Filled the tank with Tribeca, took a few primer puffs, set to 4.2 v.............WOW. What a difference. Rich, smooth flavor, not burning hot and harsh as was my previous experience with the Platinum.

I actually prefer these Fusions to the Platinum. The SR is cooler as mentioned but also the flange allows better airflow on my MVP 2 with the beauty ring plus it prevents the tank from getting pushed down off the carto by accident.

I am now a happy , I was beginning to loose faith in the carto-tank setup as my last hope. 3 cartos were sacrificed in my pursuit of perfection.

I would like to thank all of you for your invaluable assistance.

Edit: I'm going to need more tanks.

 

[Sigmus9]

very interesting indeed. I must look into the matter

 

[EL Pistoffo]

very interesting indeed. I must look into the matter

You should take note that my Fusion SR Punch has a single small hole in contrast to the Platinum Punch's two larger holes. That may or may not make a difference with your 50/50 juice. My juices are typically 80/20 or 70/30 PG/VG.

 

[Sigmus9]

hmm. I thought fusion punched cartos had two smaller holes not one... this is a game changer

 

[EL Pistoffo]

hmm. I thought fusion punched cartos had two smaller holes not one... this is a game changer

Sorry, I just double checked them. You're right, it has two holes, though smaller than the Platinum Punch holes.

 

[Sigmus9]

and yet another game changer. I think things are getting out of hand here. I've bitten off more than I can chew