kayfun v4 and provari v2.5 - need advice :)

[ltk31]

well guys if any of you remember my last post (almost a year ago) i was frustrated to the point of throwing away all of my e liquids after having some butterscotch crap ruin my pants because of my leaking nautilus.. (it also ruined the nautilus because i cannot the get smell out of it!!)

anyways, i started smoking again, almost 2 packs a day since then.. until this weekend. bought a protank 3 that tastes like aluminum foil when i vape it!

i am sick and tired of this crap, so i have a nautilus mini on the way for now, BUT i want to try something new!

I currently have a Provari v2.5 and am interested in the Tobeco Kayfun v4 clone.

Is it worth it?
Is the flavor much better than other tanks?
Will my Provari be fine using it, or am I better off selling it aswell?

The main problem that I have had in the past with vaping is the fact that I cannot get a decent taste to save my life; and also leaking issues.

Please help me I need to stop smoking for good! I am 20 years old, I have gum deterioration from smoking, I cannot breathe after a short jog, and I am ruining my health!

 

[Kloudz]

I haven't tried the v4 but have used a ehpro kfl+ and built it at 1.8ohms on my Provari 2.5 and it worked stellar until the fill hole screw locked up on me. It was a good beginner tank. I since then bought a Lemo for the Provari and it's usually my go to rig.

 

[ltk31]

is the v4 supposed to be better than the kfl+?

i like that everyone says the flavor is a lot better in a kayfun, but i do not know how to use a dripper, a tank would suit me much better. im just not 100% sure if i should because as with everything else, im sure i will have issues..

 

[JonasDK]

If flavor is what you're going for the kayfun should do fine. All though I don't know how the quality of the v4 clones are.
If that's still not enough flavour for you, then you consider getting a dripper. But then you probably have to face the leaking issues again.
Wearher it works on your provari is all up to the build you put in it.

 

[Susan~S]

I hope you realize that the Kayfun is a RTA (a rebuildable tank atomizer). There are no stock coils you can buy. You will have to wrap your own coils and rewick them. You can learn to do this, but it's not "plug & play".

I highly recommend you spend some time with Baditude (one of our resident battery experts) and visit his blogs. Make sure you purchase an ohm reader so you can measure your builds. The blogs regarding battery safety, Ohm's Law and rebuildables are listed below:

REBUILDABLES

Information Resources for Your First RBA
* An essential read and reference guide for someone new to rebuilding coils. Includes a multitude of useful links on battery safety, mod safety, coil meters, coil building, and the differences in the three types of RBA's.

BATTERIES

Battery Basics for Mods: IMR or Protected ICR?
* Another essential read to understand which batteries are safe to use in mechanical and regulated mods. Includes a frequently updated list of recommended safe-chemistry, high-drain batteries with their specifications.

Purple Efest Batteries not as Advertised
* A cautionary blog that reveals that the purple Efest batteries may not have the specifications advertised. Also includes a commentary on "continuous discharge ratings" vs "pulse discharge ratings" of battery specs.

OHM'S LAW

Ohm's Law for Dummies (Vapers)
* My attempt at explaining Ohm's Law in layman terms and how it relates to vaping.

Explain it to the Dumb Noob: Ohm's Law Calculations
* As simple as it is to use, some people have a tough time grasping the concept. Warning: Includes graphic photos of mod explosions.

BATTERIES - WHERE TO BUY

Only buy batteries from a reputable supplier (not ebay or Amazon) as there are many counterfeit batteries being sold. Here are several reputable battery suppliers in the US.

* RTD Vapor
* Illumination Supply
* Lighthound
* Orbtronics

 

[ltk31]

Sorry, I forgot to mention a few things!

I am an electrician, so I know all about ohms law. I have some kanthal wire and some organic cotton balls from last year when I bought a very cheap dripper, but I could never get it right. I can build coils decently, so I will have to practice. I am mainly curious about the flavor quality because I am just not getting it with the Protank 3.

I need something that is reliable, and that I can take on the go, so a dripper is out of the question for that.

Thanks guys!

 

[Baditude]

Although I use my Provari 2.5 with a Kayfun Lite Plus (rebuildable tank atomizer) while on the go as I prefer not to "drip and drive" with my rebuildabe drip atomizer. That said, my mech/dripper goes wherever I go (just not used while driving).

Please understand that you likely have "vaper's tongue". This is because after years of smoking you have damaged taste buds, so until you stop smoking completely you'll always have distorted taste. No matter what juice delivery or battery devices you use, it may not matter.

That said, the "higher end" delivery devices (rebuildables) generally provide the best flavor and vapor production. This is primarily because of the larger coils and better wicking material used. Factory made delivery devices use subpar materials (silica wick and smaller coils) which can't compete with the homemade stuff.

Don't give up with vaping. Consider as a journey to find the ideal vaping setup that fits your style.

 

[ltk31]

Although I use my Provari 2.5 with a Kayfun Lite Plus (rebuildable tank atomizer) while on the go as I prefer not to "drip and drive" with my rebuildabe drip atomizer. That said, my mech/dripper goes wherever I go (just not used while driving).

Please understand that you likely have "vaper's tongue". This is because after years of smoking you have damaged taste buds, so until you stop smoking completely you'll always have distorted taste. No matter what juice delivery or battery devices you use, it may not matter.

That said, the "higher end" delivery devices (rebuildables) generally provide the best flavor and vapor production. This is primarily because of the larger coils and better wicking material used. Factory made delivery devices use subpar materials (silica wick and smaller coils) which can't compete with the homemade stuff.

Don't give up with vaping. Consider as a journey to find the ideal vaping setup that fits your style.

i think i do have vapers tongue, simply because if i vape for a few hours, it starts to taste better, but then when i light up a cigarette, the cigarette gags me! im about to ween off completely, my mini nautilus will be here thursday (i hear its flavor is a lot better now with the new BVC design) keeping my fingers crossed!

i may use it for a while and see if it works, after that i will move on to a kayfun v4 just to learn.

IDEALLY, id like to have 2 tank setups that work perfectly. one for mothers milk, and one for tribeca or an ry4 (if i can ever find one) that way i can meet my needs either way

 

[TorontoOntario]

I would suggest a Lemo over a Kayfun. The authentic can be bad for 40 bucks or less and it comes built. Although the coil it comes with is fine I would re wick it. The stock build will work nice on your Provari. You may want a new device as well. Lots of great stuff to be had for cheap. An i stick, an IPV mini, Sig mini or some others. You can easily have a nice setup (not saying the Provari isnt nice, I am saying you MAY want more power) for around $100 and it may make you enjoy vapeing that much more. I would personally recommend an I Stick 50w, a Lemo and a Subtank Mini. The Subtank Mini is amazing for flavour and vape and is plug and play. You can use that while learning to wrap coils then switch to the Lemo or vape the Lemo with the stock build. Either or you expressed interest in having two tanks and those could be them. Either tank will provide great flavour. The I Stick can fire "sub-ohm" coils so you can use the .5 ohm heads in the Subtank if you wish. I think this would greatly improve your vape and while I used to use and LOVE my Provaris I feel for most they are outdated. It may work great for you which if it does GREAT. But it may not and I am offering suggestions on a great device that has built in batteries and two tanks that will provide you what you need. The IStick should be about 60 and the two tanks about 70. Or just get the Subtank for now as it can be ran on the Provari and will give you outstanding flavour compared to the Naitlius.

 

[tj99959]

I use a Kayfun 3.1, and see no reason to upgrade to the KF-4. So I know nothing about the KF-4 except for what I've read.
It sounds like there are better KF-4 clones than the Tobeco.

As for my Provari, it seems to be real happy with a 3 ohm carto in a J-tank.

 

[ltk31]

I recieved my nautilus mini today, and after carefully priming the coil, filling, washing the tank beforehand, etc., I am actually happy for once!

I will research more into the Lemo and Subtank ideas, and I would like to have a device that could use subohm coils because I hear that is where the good flavor starts to shine.

I am on a mission now to find the perfect device for flavor, not wanting to draw attention like a fog machine haha

thanks for the help guys! I will also check out the istick

 

[TorontoOntario]

Your ProVari cant fire sub-ohm coils. Some people will disagree but IMO sub-ohm vapeing provides much more flavour. At higher wattages more nuances come out and so forth. You may disagree but theres no harm in trying it out to see. I dont mean you have to cloud chase. The .5 ohm heads on the Sub Tank mini provide an amazing vape at around 25w and its not even close to cloud chasing. I think so far the best flavour I have experienced comes from my Lemo with Ni coils at .3 on a Flask or VS. Thats the build I have going now with KGD cotton and its unreal. I power it at 40w and the flavour is unreal. I find a lot of juices bland at lower wattages. When I go up the flavour usually explodes. But to each there own. I was happy with my ProVari and Kayfuns/IBTanked cartotanks till I tried a higher wattage device topped by a Tugboat V2. Same juice but boy was the flavour different at 50w as opposed to the approx 13 watts I was pushing into my KF with my ProVari. I haven't vaped at lower then 25w since and as I said my preferred vape is a Lemo at 40w.

 

[ltk31]

Your ProVari cant fire sub-ohm coils. Some people will disagree but IMO sub-ohm vapeing provides much more flavour. At higher wattages more nuances come out and so forth. You may disagree but theres no harm in trying it out to see. I dont mean you have to cloud chase. The .5 ohm heads on the Sub Tank mini provide an amazing vape at around 25w and its not even close to cloud chasing. I think so far the best flavour I have experienced comes from my Lemo with Ni coils at .3 on a Flask or VS. Thats the build I have going now with KGD cotton and its unreal. I power it at 40w and the flavour is unreal. I find a lot of juices bland at lower wattages. When I go up the flavour usually explodes. But to each there own. I was happy with my ProVari and Kayfuns/IBTanked cartotanks till I tried a higher wattage device topped by a Tugboat V2. Same juice but boy was the flavour different at 50w as opposed to the approx 13 watts I was pushing into my KF with my ProVari. I haven't vaped at lower then 25w since and as I said my preferred vape is a Lemo at 40w.

well i started the nautilus up at 9 watts and am now vaping comfortably at 12.8. every time i bumped it up i noticed an increase in flavor so i see exactly what you mean! i cant believe the difference!

i need to find someone or a vape store that has good mods/tanks so i can try everything before purchasing! thats my problem, it pains me to waste money and i have wasted a whole lot vaping sadly.

i also need to get into dripping to be able to sample flavors so i dont have to ruin coils by switching flavors so much.. for now i will just stick to mothers milk in my nautilus and thats all.

 

[ltk31]

so i made it through 1 and a half fill ups before this piece of crap started gurgling and spitting juice down my throat... i remember why i quit vaping last year! its like burning money!!

im debating selling the provari and getting a lemo and another mod that can fire sub-ohm coils.. this is getting a bit rediculous its so easy for me to quit smoking when i have a vape to turn to, but without it i have 0 chance..

what should i do guys?

edit: changed the coil, checked o-rings, refilled all the way, when sucking through the drip tip slightly, there is 0 gurgle. AS SOON AS I FIRE THE BUTTON, its gurgling so bad i cant vape it.

lighting up a cigarette now until i can figure this stupid crap out!

 

[WhiteHighlights]

Wow, you're having a tough time. Good move to step away for a few minutes. I never do well when I'm tired and frustrated. I've also learned not to try to rush a setup just before I head out the door. I always mess it up.

IMO, at the moment, the Provari isn't the problem - it's the naughty atty. I don't have experience building one so I can't give you tips to avoid the gurgling. Did you search ECF? Someone else probably had the problem too and can help. Once you've got that up and running, at least you'll have something to keep you going while you plan the next step for a 2nd set up.

Most rebuildable atty's, be it Kayfun, Lemo or anything else, has a learning curve. The quirks can be different but once you master them it gets easier. I read all I could and watched videos intensely before I decided what to buy and then again before I started rebuilding what I bought. I'm a nut case that way.

Don't give up. I'm not an engineer, coil making and the like gave me some challenges. Now I wonder why I found it so scary and difficult. You'll get there.

 

[ltk31]

well ive followed several steps today, cleaned inside and out, fresh tank. the coil is shot, i get zero flavor, but also zero gurgling.. so time to order new coils i guess..

im going to take a chance and get the subtank mini. does anyone recommend me do this OR get the lemo? i also need recommendations on a good mod to reach the 35-45 wattage range!

 

[TorontoOntario]

Yes. Get a ST Mini before the Lemo. Its real simple, plug and play. Mine has never gurgled or what have you. Fill a little less then to the top of the thing the coil screws into when putting it together and you should be more then fine. For a mod, theres a lot of small regulated devices. You want 50w? IPV Mini 2 is 70, I Stick 50w, IPV2s is 70w. The ST Mini shines at around 25w so you could also get something like a Sigeli mini 30w an IPV Mini 1 (30w), I Stick 30 or if you want something thats going to grow with you I would recommend a Sigeli 100w. It has dual batteries so even if your only pushing 25w you get a long time between charges and if you want to drip at higher wattages you easily can. The ST Mini will hopefully make you happy, I am sure it will. My tenant had a lot of the problems your having until I gave him a ST Mini and an IPV. Mini for his birthday. He hasnt smoked since. I have listed a lot of mod options as I think for you currently the ST Mini will make you happy. **to sub ohm you need good batteries. Sony VTC series, Samsung 25r or LG HE2 are the best bet in the order I listed. Please get authentic cells. Google illumination supply that site illumn.com I think is the name has the best prices on good quality authentic cells and they have a stellar rep in both the flashlight and vapeing communities for a reason. A quality charger is also needed**

Please post any more questions or whatever you need. Im going to get you through this gurgle and spitting onwards to a quality vape that you will enjoy more, yes MORE then smoking. This step up in gear will be an initial investment HOWEVER the money will come back to you and if you get a high enough wattage device like the IPV Mini2 or Sig 100 you wont need anything else for a long while. You can get through this. I remember having a sub par atty and it sucked. Once you get that ST Mini and minimum 30w device you will be blowing clouds of hassle free flavour so dw. Its a journey buddy just look at it that way

 

[ltk31]

Yes. Get a ST Mini before the Lemo. Its real simple, plug and play. Mine has never gurgled or what have you. Fill a little less then to the top of the thing the coil screws into when putting it together and you should be more then fine. For a mod, theres a lot of small regulated devices. You want 50w? IPV Mini 2 is 70, I Stick 50w, IPV2s is 70w. The ST Mini shines at around 25w so you could also get something like a Sigeli mini 30w an IPV Mini 1 (30w), I Stick 30 or if you want something thats going to grow with you I would recommend a Sigeli 100w. It has dual batteries so even if your only pushing 25w you get a long time between charges and if you want to drip at higher wattages you easily can. The ST Mini will hopefully make you happy, I am sure it will. My tenant had a lot of the problems your having until I gave him a ST Mini and an IPV. Mini for his birthday. He hasnt smoked since. I have listed a lot of mod options as I think for you currently the ST Mini will make you happy. **to sub ohm you need good batteries. Sony VTC series, Samsung 25r or LG HE2 are the best bet in the order I listed. Please get authentic cells. Google illumination supply that site illumn.com I think is the name has the best prices on good quality authentic cells and they have a stellar rep in both the flashlight and vapeing communities for a reason. A quality charger is also needed**

Please post any more questions or whatever you need. Im going to get you through this gurgle and spitting onwards to a quality vape that you will enjoy more, yes MORE then smoking. This step up in gear will be an initial investment HOWEVER the money will come back to you and if you get a high enough wattage device like the IPV Mini2 or Sig 100 you wont need anything else for a long while. You can get through this. I remember having a sub par atty and it sucked. Once you get that ST Mini and minimum 30w device you will be blowing clouds of hassle free flavour so dw. Its a journey buddy just look at it that way

thank you for wanting to help me! so i am trying to decide between the ipv2 and the sigelli 100w.

i really cannot thank you enough, i will be ordering the subtank and stuff tonight as soon as i make up my mind. are the 18650 batteries that i bought from provape for my provari good batteries?

 

[JRohrer]

There is a trick I use to clean out the gurgling in a Nautalus. Take out the coil and clean the bottom of the tank with a q-tip. Then put the coil back in and assemble the tank with no juice in it. Then open the air hole wide open and place a paper towel infront of it. Hold the tank upside down and blow through the drip tip. This will clear out the air path of any left over juice. I've done this many times and returned a Natalus to perfect use.

 

[stevegmu]

If you have this much trouble with a ProVari and Nautilus, I don't think 100 watts and a RTA would be a wise move, but that's just me..