First off, a few notes about how we use these cartos. I opened 2 boxes of these cartos the day they arrived (October 28th). I set up my Wife and I with 5 cartos each, filled with Dekang juices (USA Mix & 555) and Max/Boro 50/50 - all 24mg. I wanted to get a good sampling of cartos going with both a runny and a thick juice so I could better judge the consistency and performance. The cartos definitely seem to run out faster with thinner juices, lasting on average about an hour less than the FSUSA-filled ones - but this seems to be common with all cartos (and atomizers, for that matter). The trade off is that there's a much more pronounced drop-off when the thinner juice runs out. Thicker juices tend to degrade more slowly, so it can be a bit more difficult to tell when it's time to refill. Most vaping is done on 650 eGo batts, but we experienced similar performance on my 5V passthru.
With all that said, these are by far the best and most consistent cartos I've tried. I've used a couple different soft-tip cartos, along with the R4 E2's (2.8-3.0 Ohm). There is simply no comparison. The soft-tip cartos provide good flavor, vapor, and TH, but only last maybe 2-3 days before flavor sours - and sours badly. The E2's are too airy, and limit TH and flavor to borderline usability. I can't compare longevity to the E2's because I won't use them much, and even then only on my 5V passthru. From what I understand about the design, longevity should be much better than the soft-tips.
In comparison, I've been using the Joye 510's for almost 2 weeks now. I have yet to lose a single carto. That's right - All 10 cartos are still in active circulation. Each carto has been filled and used at least 10 times. Flavor started dropping a bit after the first week, but much of that may be due to the fact that we've each been vaping the same exact juices for so long. It hasn't been a steady decline either. The flavor just dropped a step after week 1, but has been maintaining that level since.
There is also a notable drop in consistency after 1 week with respect to the amount of usable juice these will hold (and thus how many vapes they will provide). Not a drastic issue by any stretch. I've gone from injecting 7-8ml's during the 1st week down to 4-5ml's on some of the cartos. Doing a quick Taryn Spin on them helps to mitigate this issue, but can cause some leakage. This small problem (if you can even call it that after 1 full week of use) doesn't seem to have much to do with which liquid is being used either. It seems somewhat random and could be the result of manufacturing inconsistencies or differences in our vaping styles. Once one of these finally dies, I plan to disect it, paying close attention to the state of the filler.
I've also tried both methods of filling: Syringe and dripping from the threaded end. Both seem to work fine, with the slight performance edge going to the syringe for being able to fit a bit more juice. Still, it's nice to have the option of dripping when I'm out without access to a syringe.
Even with the few minor issues we've experienced, we have settled on our go-to carto - the Joye 510.
Joye 510
Usable Lifespan: 9/10
As good or better than any of the cartos I've tried. A reliable 10+ fills is where I want to be.
Flavor: 9/10
Out of the box, flavors are unaffected by this device. Very clean tasting.
Vapor: 9/10
Vapor is thick and plentiful with both PG and VG mixes.
TH: 9/10
Clean, sharp throat hit. No burning or harshness.
Ease-of-Use: 7/10
Nobody loves using a syringe (admittedly an assumption), but the process is relatively painless. Extra points for the versatility of dripping from the bottom.
Total Score: 8.6
I've yet to try dripping without a punched filler nozzle. This score may rise if that works out well.
Boge/Bauway Soft-Tip
Usable Lifespan: 4/10
This is where this style of carto falls flat on its face. I don't want to have to boil my equipment to keep it working past 5-6 fills.
Flavor: 8/10
Flavor is great for as long as the atomizer is usable. Immediate, drastic drop in quality once the atty cakes and/or burns the filler.
Vapor: 8/10
Vapor is pretty consistent throughout the life of the carto.
TH: 8/10
Same as flavor.
Ease-of-Use: 9/10
What could be easier than popping the soft tip and dripping directly onto the filler? The condom method. I've also heard of folks using these with bottom-feeders.
Total Score: 7.4
Very easy to use and doesn't adversely affect the characteristics of my liquids. That is, until it kicks me in the face for daring to use it past its moth-like lifespan. These would be great to keep around for emergencies - right next to the buckets of rice and ammo cans.
RoyalSmokers E2 (R4, 3 Ohm)
Usable Lifespan: 9/10 (Qualified)
It'll be a while before I can get an accurate measurement on this, but all indications are that they'll last quite a while.
Flavor: 4/10
Out of the box (and days after), taste is weak with a hint of underfed-atty flavor.
Vapor: 8/10
Good levels of vapor, but...
TH: 5/10
...if I was blind, I'd think I was vaping a Blu or Green Smoke. Throat hit is present, but only barely. Tested with multiple 24mg juices.
Ease-of-Use: 7/10
With a syringe, it's a tad easier than filling the Joye, if only because you get an indication that it's full before it's over-full. I hear you can also direct-drip with these.
Total Score: 6.6
Drastically and detrimentally affects most characteristics of the liquids I've tried. I don't care how long it lasts if it neuters my juices before I've had a chance to taste them.
With all that said, these are by far the best and most consistent cartos I've tried. I've used a couple different soft-tip cartos, along with the R4 E2's (2.8-3.0 Ohm). There is simply no comparison. The soft-tip cartos provide good flavor, vapor, and TH, but only last maybe 2-3 days before flavor sours - and sours badly. The E2's are too airy, and limit TH and flavor to borderline usability. I can't compare longevity to the E2's because I won't use them much, and even then only on my 5V passthru. From what I understand about the design, longevity should be much better than the soft-tips.
In comparison, I've been using the Joye 510's for almost 2 weeks now. I have yet to lose a single carto. That's right - All 10 cartos are still in active circulation. Each carto has been filled and used at least 10 times. Flavor started dropping a bit after the first week, but much of that may be due to the fact that we've each been vaping the same exact juices for so long. It hasn't been a steady decline either. The flavor just dropped a step after week 1, but has been maintaining that level since.
There is also a notable drop in consistency after 1 week with respect to the amount of usable juice these will hold (and thus how many vapes they will provide). Not a drastic issue by any stretch. I've gone from injecting 7-8ml's during the 1st week down to 4-5ml's on some of the cartos. Doing a quick Taryn Spin on them helps to mitigate this issue, but can cause some leakage. This small problem (if you can even call it that after 1 full week of use) doesn't seem to have much to do with which liquid is being used either. It seems somewhat random and could be the result of manufacturing inconsistencies or differences in our vaping styles. Once one of these finally dies, I plan to disect it, paying close attention to the state of the filler.
I've also tried both methods of filling: Syringe and dripping from the threaded end. Both seem to work fine, with the slight performance edge going to the syringe for being able to fit a bit more juice. Still, it's nice to have the option of dripping when I'm out without access to a syringe.
Even with the few minor issues we've experienced, we have settled on our go-to carto - the Joye 510.
Joye 510
Usable Lifespan: 9/10
As good or better than any of the cartos I've tried. A reliable 10+ fills is where I want to be.
Flavor: 9/10
Out of the box, flavors are unaffected by this device. Very clean tasting.
Vapor: 9/10
Vapor is thick and plentiful with both PG and VG mixes.
TH: 9/10
Clean, sharp throat hit. No burning or harshness.
Ease-of-Use: 7/10
Nobody loves using a syringe (admittedly an assumption), but the process is relatively painless. Extra points for the versatility of dripping from the bottom.
Total Score: 8.6
I've yet to try dripping without a punched filler nozzle. This score may rise if that works out well.
Boge/Bauway Soft-Tip
Usable Lifespan: 4/10
This is where this style of carto falls flat on its face. I don't want to have to boil my equipment to keep it working past 5-6 fills.
Flavor: 8/10
Flavor is great for as long as the atomizer is usable. Immediate, drastic drop in quality once the atty cakes and/or burns the filler.
Vapor: 8/10
Vapor is pretty consistent throughout the life of the carto.
TH: 8/10
Same as flavor.
Ease-of-Use: 9/10
What could be easier than popping the soft tip and dripping directly onto the filler? The condom method. I've also heard of folks using these with bottom-feeders.
Total Score: 7.4
Very easy to use and doesn't adversely affect the characteristics of my liquids. That is, until it kicks me in the face for daring to use it past its moth-like lifespan. These would be great to keep around for emergencies - right next to the buckets of rice and ammo cans.
RoyalSmokers E2 (R4, 3 Ohm)
Usable Lifespan: 9/10 (Qualified)
It'll be a while before I can get an accurate measurement on this, but all indications are that they'll last quite a while.
Flavor: 4/10
Out of the box (and days after), taste is weak with a hint of underfed-atty flavor.
Vapor: 8/10
Good levels of vapor, but...
TH: 5/10
...if I was blind, I'd think I was vaping a Blu or Green Smoke. Throat hit is present, but only barely. Tested with multiple 24mg juices.
Ease-of-Use: 7/10
With a syringe, it's a tad easier than filling the Joye, if only because you get an indication that it's full before it's over-full. I hear you can also direct-drip with these.
Total Score: 6.6
Drastically and detrimentally affects most characteristics of the liquids I've tried. I don't care how long it lasts if it neuters my juices before I've had a chance to taste them.
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