kr808 user wants to get and eGo type device

[the_vape_nerd]

I've been using kr808 batteries and cartomizers for a few weeks now. It all works pretty well and the cost is somewhat minimal when compared to smoking. After reading many posts here though I can't help but think I'm missing out on some other aspects of vaping and would like try and eGo, a Riva, an e-power, or something similar. To that end I have a few questions for all you brilliant people:

1. What is the cost of monthly maintenance of one of these devices. How long do atomizers last? Will I use more juice? Are there other hidden costs I'm not considering beyond the purchase price?

2. I'm looking for something in which I can still use cartomizers. I've got this refilling stuff down pretty good and can do it and am comfortable with it. I've seen eGo type cartomizers and I assume this can work. My question is, does it work well? And if so, what's the best type of cartomizer to get for these.

3. Do you recommend an eGo tank type system? I've read a lot of posts stating that they leak.

4. I would like to experiment with this idea of dripping, though I'm not entirely sure what it is. I assume it is dripping juice directly onto the atomizer itself and then vaping? Won't the juice just go all over the place if you do that? Is the eGo designed to allow me to direct drip in this way?

5. I plan to continue to use my kr808s as well as the eGo. Are there places or situations in which the size of the eGo would interfere? Is it going to bulk up my pocket?

6. How long do the batteries last? Not in terms of hours after recharge, but in terms of how long until I would need to buy replacements?

7. Is there any thing else I'm not considering here? I've read that you need to adjust things occasionally?

Thanks in advance everyone. Look forward to your always informative responses.

 

[markfm]

I started with 808, moved to Rivas for a few months, now back to an 808 connector on a variable voltage mod for the last 5+ months.
The Rivas are a sweet price point, though I never used atomizers -- I've been very happy with cartos, used Boge 2 ohm 510 cartos (sometimes called Boge LR, low resistance) all the time.

A new Riva Lite bundle, from liberty flights, will run just over $30 after the october20 running discount code, about $35 with S&H. This gets you 2 750 mAh batteries, charger, two atomizers, some blank cartridges. You might also check the Classifieds -- I believe someone had a basically new eGo kit for $25 shipped (it might be gone by now, but worth a look).

At least the older Rivas were 3.2 - 3.4 volt devices, though I've heard at least some newer ones start higher, more in the KR808 voltage range. I'm not sure how long they stay up there, how quickly they taper to the 3.3 or so area. The Boge cartomizers at the lower voltage resulted in about the same power/warmth/vapor that I was used to with 808 gear.

Riva battery life was decent. For me, I would get about 3 hours on a standard 808 battery, 4-1/2 or so on an XL. A Riva battery generally lasted me about 8 hours, maybe slightly longer. The extra current needed on the Riva to get the same power as an 808 is what kept it in that area.
I found battery failures with Rivas to be about like 808 -- sometimes stuff just plain failed, though the price point wasn't bad.
Biggest annoyance with Riva was having to pry up the center contact periodically, to get contact with a carto or the charger. This got to be a pretty predictable thing, just a part of life with the Riva. I never had anything like that futzing around factor with 808, nor with my mod.

Similar to 808, make sure to wipe the battery contacts down before connecting to the charger, and periodically clean out the charger connector with a qtip dipped in isopropyl alcohol (do this with the charger unplugged, of course).

I never got into playing carto hunting games. A person I trusted early on said try the boge 2 ohm, they worked consistently.

No opinion on tanks, other than that like you I've seen what I would call at best mixed results.

For dripping, fat batt 510s are a good way to try it out.

You will almost certainly want a third Riva battery over any length of time, to cover failures, though your 808 gear provides a solid backup. Try one of those $30 kits for a bit, see if it's for you, then pick up a second kit or spare battery and charger if you want to stay in the fat battery camp for a while.

 

[Vapor2112]

Sorry for not following your questions directly, but I can give some insight based on my experience...
Started this adventure like many with a cheap tobacco store unit which didn't do much but did let me see the possibilities here.
Then moved to a standard 510 stick kit which while certainly a step up, didn't fully fit the bill.

About 1.5 years ago I bought a Riva kit which was indeed a great purchase. That kit is still alive and kicking (see, there's one answer to your battery question) after some very heavy use. I primarily use that kit with standard 510 attys (hey, am I answering another question here??).

I went quite a while dripping before following many others here and removing the wick / bridge from them as they started to go south. This basically entails grabbing a set of tweezers and removing the wire mesh / metal bridge that covers the atty coil. Plenty of instructions and vids can be found by searching this forum if interested. This is great on occasion, and also a great way to try new liquids / have some of one that you may not want a full cart / tank of, etc...

Not 100% satisfied with an easily pocketable solution, I turned to the smokeless image Volt (DR808-D1), and I'll say, its a fantastic little kit and it really cranks. I find myself using this MUCH more often than I had anticipated. Currently waiting on delivery of more Halo juice and some of their G6 cartos (which should be roughly if not the exact same thing). I've loved Halo for a long time and am absolutely amazed with cartomizer life using their juice in the Volt kit...

Anyway, to answer another part of your question, check out the GotVapes supplier forum here, they recently released their new "tank" called the Sapphire. Like you I had been looking at eGo kits and they happen to have recently launched one that comes with a few of these new Sapphire tanks as well. Its a great kit, and though this tank style is very new, its been getting some pretty strong reviews and I'm pretty impressed with them myself. Since I like to tinker I've taken apart to clean and replace the wick, but that's not to say they are necessarily high maintenance. So far (only had about a week or so) no leaks for me and they tast pretty good.

All of that being said, I'm still absolutely blown away by the flavor and vapor in the 808's and find myself going back to them more than everything else. Certainly not disappointed with any of my purchases and they all have their place..

Hope this helps at least a little...?

 

[leftfeild]

1. What is the cost of monthly maintenance of one of these devices. How long do atomizers last? Will I use more juice? Are there other hidden costs I'm not considering beyond the purchase price?

No hidden costs. Just juice and occasional new atomiser. Atomisers are expected to last over 2 weeks (most vendors carry a week to two weeks warranty on atomisers). Some of mine have lasted months.

2. I'm looking for something in which I can still use cartomizers. I've got this refilling stuff down pretty good and can do it and am comfortable with it. I've seen eGo type cartomizers and I assume this can work. My question is, does it work well? And if so, what's the best type of cartomizer to get for these.

510 cartomisers are on par with 808 cartomisers really. Brands differ but if you had 2 of the same cartomiser, one 510 and one 808 the only difference is the threading on the metal. Most would say get boge cartos 2.0ohm (low resistance) or 2.5 ohm.

I use a 510 to 808 adapter on my ego so I can use the 808 cartos I also use on my 808 PVs any time. I only have to buy 1 set of cartomisers this way.

My reccommended cartomiser? Volt cartomisers. Cheap, warm, robust and work well enough I use them on my ego. When I'm visiting the states I'm ordering a bunch to take back with me just so I can get more at once without shipping costs, I like them that much. They are also kr808 cartomisers.

Mods - E-Cig Multi Adapters (the 901 adpter allows an 808 fitted part on a 510 threaded battery).

3. Do you recommend an eGo tank type system? I've read a lot of posts stating that they leak.

Since I've used one and moved on? Absolutely not. Mine didn't leak, it did the opposite and wouldn't wick and didn't have much flavour. I moved on.

4. I would like to experiment with this idea of dripping, though I'm not entirely sure what it is. I assume it is dripping juice directly onto the atomizer itself and then vaping? Won't the juice just go all over the place if you do that? Is the eGo designed to allow me to direct drip in this way?

Yes, no and sort of. You put 4 drops in a fresh atomiser then around 2 drops after that per 5 - 10 puffs. The wicking fibres hold the juice very well, it will not leak unless you overfill it or use exceptionally thin elliquid. The ego in its simplest form is simply a normal 510 atomiser with a "hat" over it for aesthetics; it's the battery that's the best part about it and the atomisers are pretty standard procedure.

5. I plan to continue to use my kr808s as well as the eGo. Are there places or situations in which the size of the eGo would interfere? Is it going to bulk up my pocket?

I carry two kr808 pvs and one ego with me in one pocket on a daily basis with no hassle whatsoever. Here is a side by side comparison of a standard kr808 pv to a fully assembled ego (650mAh battery size) http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/leftfeild/capon.jpg

6. How long do the batteries last? Not in terms of hours after recharge, but in terms of how long until I would need to buy replacements?

It will vary. I hear the life expectancy is about 2 years on an ego battery. You should expect a few months at the very least. Mine are 7 months old, no sign of drop off in perfomance at all whatsoever.

7. Is there any thing else I'm not considering here? I've read that you need to adjust things occasionally?

Wouldn't say so really. The ego has been my trusty ecig for over half a year now and I can't say I have any complaints so far.