Joyetech eGo-C w/ LR atomizers

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BuGlen

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This is my quick review of the Joytech eGo-C PV with the low resistance atomizers starter kit purchased from Unsmoke.us.

Vendor:
I ordered the kit from Unsmoke.us on a Saturday, it was shipped on Monday morning, and I received it on Wednesday afternoon. The vendor also provided a 10ml bottle of juice (my choice of flavor, creamy vanilla). No problems with the order, shipping was fast, and I've ordered a kit from there for my 27yo son since then. Prices are not the best you can find online, but the service was very good, so I will likely be ordering from there again soon when I need it fast.

Appearance / Setup:
The eGo-C I ordered is the brushed stainless steel model with the low resistance (LR) atomizers, and it looks sharp. I opted for the standard 650mAh batteries in the kit for the compact size and portability. It fits perfect in my front pocket along with my smart phone when I'm out or at work, making it the perfect out-and-about setup for me. The only thing I would change about the appearance is the clear/translucent tank, but I have some black/translucent tanks coming soon.

The kit arrived with the atomizer shell (cone and base) already assembled, and taking them apart for the first time to insert the heads was a bit difficult due to the very tight fit. Once they are removed the first time, they're still snug enough to be secure, but they are no longer difficult to remove when needed. Once I got the cone off of the base, I just inserted the atomizer head in the cone and screwed the base back on, and I was ready to go.

Tanks:
The tank system on the eGo-C is the same as the eGo-T models, which utilizes a translucent cartridge to hold the juice. The standard A-type cartridge that came with the kit holds about 1ml of liquid, and the kit comes with 5 cartridges. The cartridges (tanks) each have a rubber end cap, so they can be filled and carried as needed and replacing a filled tank on the atomizer is quite easy. The other advantage I find with a tank system is the ability to always know how much liquid is left in your PV so you can avoid the dreaded dry hits.

Filling the tanks is fairly easy and is done by removing the caps and just dripping in your liquid, and the kit I purchased came with tanks that had the hard caps. The first time removing the caps from the tanks is a bit tough because they fit really tight, but after the first time, it gets easier. I've refilled the 2 tanks I originally had in rotation dozens of times, and I've only had to replace one of them so far because the cap was worn out. I've only had one minor instance of leaking so far which was resolved quickly by replacing the tank with the worn out cap. I do have an order of silicone caps on the way, so I'll be comparing the life of those to the original hard caps once I get them.

Batteries:
The 2 650mAh batteries that came with the kit last about 8 to 10 hours (depending on how heavy I vape) between charges and usually charge in about 2 hours when depleted. The Joyetech eGo type batteries are regulated (constant) voltage set to about 3.3v maximum output under load, so the performance is consistent right up until it's just about ready to be recharged. So far, I've found that the performance of the regulated eGo batteries is consistent, and far superior to the unregulated 901 batteries I was using previously.

Like the eGo-T type batteries, the eGo-C has the 5-click on/off function so you don't have to worry about the PV firing in your pocket. The new feature of the eGo-C batteries is the 3 stage LED which indicates different battery levels (white for > 50%, light blue for between 49% and 10%, and dark blue for < 10%). The only issue I've had is trying to distinguish between the LED colors in direct sunlight, otherwise, this feature is a very nice touch.

Performance:
Having only used one other PV (a 901t), my experience does not compare to many other ECF members who have more knowledge on the subject. Having said that, I will say that the eGo-C LR (low resistance) atomizers are miles above the 901t atomizers I was using before, even if this is not a revelation to most. The vapor production and flavor from all my favorite liquids (light and dark) has been very good, with no exception.

The 5 LR atomizers that came with the kit are rated to be at about 1.7 ohms, which when coupled with the 3.3v regulated power, provides about 6.4 watts. The NR (normal resistance) atties run at about 2.2 ohms, providing about 5 watts from 3.3v, and I've ordered a pack of those to compare using my lighter liquids.

When I received the kit, I setup both cones with the LR atties and I've been using one with my darker liquids (coffee, caramel, vanilla), and one with my lighter fruit flavors. The atty I was using for my darker liquids gave up the ghost after about 12 days of use, but the other one is still going strong, both with only minor maintenance of soaking in alcohol every few days. I've read that atomizers can vary in lifespan depending on the type of liquid you use, and I assume these are no exception, but time will tell. I've recently placed an order with Health Cabin to get more atties along with other goodies, and a 5 pack was less than $20 (USD), so I don't really have any issues with them only lasting about 2 weeks with darker juices and very little maintenance.

Wrap Up:
Great vapor production and flavor, easy fill cartridges (tanks), very little maintenance, cheap atty replacement. I have the feeling that this setup will always be in my arsenal, even as I venture into the world of variable voltage PVs and mods. It's performance and portability will make it my on-the-go PV of choice for quite some time. I'll follow up with the news on the NR atties and silicone caps once I've received them and have checked them out.
 

BuGlen

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Well, it's been about two weeks since my initial review of the Joyetech eGo-C and I wanted to follow up with some additional information.

A few days after I posted this review, I had a battery get very warm on the charger, which never happens with these batteries. I removed the battery from the charger and let it cool down but then it would not fire, even with the 5 click on/off sequence. I assume the protection circuit on the battery kicked in and probably needs to be reset (by putting it back on the charger), but since the battery got warm I didn't want to chance it. I contacted the vendor (UnSmoke.us), and they told me that the battery has a 6 month warranty and to just return the battery with the order # of the original order, and they would ship out another one as soon as they got it. I just shipped it today, so I've yet to see if they make good on their word, but so far I've been impressed with the customer service.

Early last week, I had a bad atty (one of my LR atties) trip the protection circuit on a battery. Not knowing about the protection circuit, I assumed the battery either didn't have a full charge or it may have been faulty, so I attached another battery and the same thing happened. After about 10 minutes of panic (thinking I had just killed 2 of my batteries), I did some research and found a thread here on ECF about someone who shorted a battery when connecting it to a multi-meter. That post described putting the battery on the charger to make it function again, so I gave it a shot and it worked. I then did more research and found that the AW protected Li-ion batteries have this feature documented with the instructions to reset by placing them in the charger. This is not, however, documented anywhere on the Joyetech site or the documentation provided with their products so I would rate this as an issue with manufacturer documentation and support. Fortunately, we have ECF to guide us when the dealers and manufactures fall short on information.

Finally, I received my 1000mAh pass-through setup (battery and cone) and SR atties today from an order a placed with Health Cabin four weeks ago. The matte black finish on the new battery and cone have a very nice feel to them when compared to the stainless finish of my original kit, but both finishes are nice. The battery is about 40% larger than the 650mAh standard batteries I have, so I don't think I'll be carrying this one around in my pocket when I go to work or run to the store. The pass-through feature is amazing, and I started using it right away at my computer while it was charging for the first time, loaded with a SR atty. I loaded my old 650/LR and the new 1000/SR both with my ECB Pear juice since it's a delicate flavor for a taste test between the two different resistance values. For me, the SR atty @ ~2.2 ohms had a better flavor, where the LR atty @ ~1.7 ohms had a better TH. The LR flavor wasn't burnt, but it was less pronounced using the lighter and more delicate flavor of the pear juice, and both produced about the same amount of vapor.

I'll be doing more taste tests with different juices and new atties (Stardust coming this week), so I'll post updates again as my journey continues.

Happy Vaping! :smokie:
 

Oneida

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Feb 15, 2012
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Nice review, thanks!

The kit arrived with the atomizer shell (cone and base) already assembled, and taking them apart for the first time to insert the heads was a bit difficult due to the very tight fit.

I cut a large rubber band into 1" long strips to help with unscrewing the cone and base when they're screwed together a bit too tight.

I do have an order of silicone caps on the way...

I ordered something like 20 of the silicone caps when I bought my first eGo-C because of the complaints I had read about them leaking but have found that I actually prefer the hard caps because darker juices don't stain them like what happens with the silicone caps and I find they're easier to pop off with just my thumbnail while I usually need paper clip or dental pick to get the silicone caps off. I also don't have any problems with the hard caps leaking.

For me, the SR atty @ ~2.2 ohms had a better flavor, where the LR atty @ ~1.7 ohms had a better TH.

I've found I much prefer the SR attys. Vaping for me has turned out to be much more about flavor than TH and I find that the heat from LR attys and cartos actually detracts from the pleasure and satisfaction that I get from vaping. Indeed, I found the Boge LR cartos that so many people like to be a harsh and unpleasant experience. It rather surprised me to discover that I don't need that sensation of hot smoke going down my throat and into my lungs for a fully satisfying vape because I smoked for 45 years (Djarum Specials for the last 6-7 years) before I was finally able to quit a few months ago but overall it's been nice to realize that I don't need to replicate the totality of the smoking experience and so have the space to be able to focus more on just fully savoring the many yummy flavors that are available. Of course, that's just my experience and so that not needing TH won't be true for many, including perhaps you. I just mention it because it's often assumed that TH is a basic requirement for a satisfying vape but from my experience that isn't necessarily true for everyone.
 

Ryedan

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Mar 31, 2012
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Thanks for this information BuGlen and Oneida. I bought a Ego C kit wit SR atomizers a few weeks ago from HappyVapor and for the most part love it. I agree with your wrap up Oneida. Will be trying the LR atties soon for more TH and flavor from my juices. Oneida, your experience with LR atties is interesting. I might go the route of VV in the near future, but for now the first experiment will be with LR to see what that is like.

I never did like to pluck off the bottom of the tank for refills. Did it a couple of times and then got a few blunt end syringes to refill with. That has done it for me for now.
 
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