Hopefully the pony express will be here Monday, I have some catching up to do. My intentions are as follows using RY4 ((delicate bouquet (no masking)):
- Standard batt;
- eGo;
- 3.7V P18/Chameleon;
- 5V box mod;
- 6V Chameleon Tenregys & LifePO4s;
- 7.4V Chameleon.
As stated yesterday I received these cartos for review by Isaac. I was never a carto fan per se for many of the negatives that have been posted by others, not in this thread per se but in the forums in general. Those who love 'em, love 'em allot...
That being said having experienced KR8s in the past (Happy Jack's and V4L), I have to classify these as KR8s for which I am not really fond of.
As usual I will endeavour to quantify my findings and recommendations. As a tester, I vape new products blind, with known liquids and performance, the latter provides me with the necessary benchmark in order to formulate objectivity, then and only then, do measuring instruments come into the equation.
First Impression
These things are huge:
- standard cartos 1 3/8"; and
- these megas 2".
Initial fill held 55 drops, which equates to 2.5ml in my books (22 drop/ml). My second carto was filled using the condom method (which came with the cartos), it flooded at 1.5 condoms minus about an 1/16-1/8".
Although this is a positive (great capacity) it needs to be considered as a negative as well. When the carto dies, one would hope it is nearly empty and not freshly refilled (wasteful)
Unlike many cartos the KR8's draw is adjustable. As stock these are too airy for my liking a quick adjustment makes them perfect. A similar vape to vaping on an eGo with cone
Some folks like an airier vape and that is fine. The KR8s permit vaping style adjustments.
The test
As previously mentioned the test was conducted using the following liquid and devices.
My intentions are as follows using RY4 ((delicate bouquet (no masking)). Both cartos metered at 3Ohm:
- Standard batt;
- eGo;
- 3.7V P18/Chameleon;
- 5V box mod;
- 6V Chameleon Tenregys & LifePO4s;
- 7.4V Chameleon.
As reported the P18 did not like the adapter I was using. I have come to find out that the P18 is finicky when it comes to which adapter is used. Therefore, I tested 3.7V using the Chameleon. The P18 was originally chosen for the battery and nothing else.
Chameleon using AW RCR123a 3.7V 750mAh battery and RY4 (Dekang) @24mg:
- 4.2V unloaded;
- 3.6V loaded.
Vapour production fair 2.5/5
TH poor 2/5
Flavour 1/5
eGo (no cone ((too tight)):
- 3.5V unloaded;
- 3.0V loaded.
Vapour production fair 2.5/5
TH poor 2/5
Flavour 2/5
Parallel 3.7V box mod. 2 x 14500 TF batteries @ 900mAh;
- 4.2V unloaded;
- 3.7V loaded.
Vapour production fair 2.5/5
TH poor 2/5
Flavour 1/5
5V regulated box mod:
- 4.97V unloaded;
- 4.6V loaded.
Vapour production great 4/5
TH reckless 5/5
Flavour -2/5
Note: I used RY4 for a reason. This liquid has a gentle bouquet that can easily be over powered by certain devices, yet it provides a good benchmark to judge equipment by. Flavour scored -2. These cartos burn the 'liquid/flavour IMHO. There is a certain taste that all KR8 cartos I have tried give off (especially at higher voltages) that I am not fond of. Although I have experienced this with other cartos, it was not as prevalent as with KR8s.
6Volts to harsh, reckless and tasted burnt, carto popped.
Chameleon using AW RCR123a 3.7V 750mAh battery and Blackberry Menthol (my mix) @18mg:
- 4.2V unloaded;
- 3.6V loaded.
Vapour production good 3/5
TH good 3/5
Flavour 4/5
eGo (no cone ((too tight)):
- 3.5V unloaded;
- 3.0V loaded.
Vapour production good 3/5
TH good 3/5
Flavour 5/5
Parallel 3.7V box mod. 2 x 14500 TF batteries @ 900mAh;
- 4.2V unloaded;
- 3.7V loaded.
Vapour production good 3/5
TH good 3/5
Flavour 3/5
5V regulated box mod:
- 4.97V unloaded;
- 4.6V loaded.
Vapour production great 5/5
TH reckless 5/5
Flavour 2/5
6Volts to harsh, reckless and although not as prevalent as the RY4, some burnt taste.
Test Conditions
The cartos were metered and then filled. They were then allowed to rest for 30 minutes prior to testing (ensure thorough soaking), and a 10-15 minute pause during the test cycle. Draws were 3-5 sec hits.
The cartos were tested without technical data to reduce subjectivity. Vapour production, TH and flavour were tested both yesterday and first thing this morning. The delta is insignificant IMHO as liquids used were my staples. After preliminary testing was carried out, technical data collection began.
Conclusion
What can be drawn from this review? I believe many things can be drawn from this data. Although it may appear as unfavourable it is what it is. As previously stated I am not a carto fan, therefore I believe a certain amount of objectivity is offered here IMHO. As previously stated those who love KR8s love 'em allot and those who don't well...
I did not ask to participate in this test to provide just another endorsement (not saying any of the testers here have neither). The liquids chosen and devices utilized for these tests were well known to me, in both performance and delivery. I can say this objectively because the combination has provided great results in the past, for many tests and reviews, from which I now utilize as my benchmarks.
I do use cartos, not on a daily basis as some, but at least a couple of times a week when not travelling, or just don't feel like toping off. When I leave the house depending on my journey, I grab my cartos and P18 for longevity.
I do vape HV but normally not outside the home. I have found that 5v is the sweet spot for HV vaping (for me). I do vape at 6volts, but indeed prefer 5V.
I am not a KR8 fan nor do I think I will ever be. Having tried 3 different brands/resistances, they are simply not for me. OTOH the 510 SLB cartos
up. These on the other hand receive my full endorsement, and have been thoroughly tested and proven to be top performers, in the aforementioned test conditions. These are also the cartos that have changed my opinion wrt cartos in general.
Of them all, they all perform better on the eGo with cone adapted. Why is that? Well I believe that PMD plays a big role in overall performance and cures the "airiness common to most (unajustable) cartos.
In closing, many liquids because of strong flavours can often mask our perceptions of what is actually taken place during vaping experiences and testing. Choosing a liquid with a delicate bouquet will often bring to the surface nuances that would otherwise go undetected. Objectivity aside they are OK but nothing to write home about IMHO, when compared against the SLB 510s. Their best attribute is the carto's capacity which should see anyone through an entire day away from the home, and as discussed which could also become a negative when the carto pops! Unlike many cartos, they do not seem to heat up as much as many others including the SLBs.
Overall rating 2.5/5. OTOH the SLBs rate 4-4.5/5! But YMMV
I only wished I could have ordered more of them 
Mpetva! There isn't a gasp smiley big enough, nor is there a Thystean in sight!
