Looking for a logical upgrade path from a volt

[sonoftzu]

Hello, all. I've just started vaping recently using a Volt from smokeless image and their nano clearomizers. I am quite happy with what I bought and have no complaints at all, but I have been digging around on the forums and decided I need to upgrade before too long. I don't have enough money to just run out and buy a provari so I am hoping somebody can help me with an upgrade path that would cost about $60 a month, but at the same time i don't want to just toss out my volt batteries as they are still doing the job for me.

My list of priorities are as follows:
1)I want to be able to test a number of juices without having the flavor of the previous juice carrying over from one to the next
2)I would prefer to not spend significant money on products that I wouldn't be able to continue using once I upgrade to a 510 mod
3)I would like to skip the "eGo" step, I know I will be getting something more substantial in the future and feel like it makes sense to skip getting a twist - or any other variation - in favor of spending that money on a more long term mod

My plans currently are to get a 808-510 adapter and some dripping atomizer as my next purchase, followed by a couple different types of rebuildable clearomizers. after that I hope to hold tight for a few months until I have enough for a silver bullet. Any thoughts on this plan? Do I have it all wrong? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Baditude]

I, too, started with the Smokeless Image Volt 78mm batteries. I moved up to the longer lasting X2 batteries with the passthrough feature (same as an eGo, actually). I desired longer battery life and the ability to carry larger quantities of juice in a cartomizer tank, and got both the Altsmoke BB and Silver Bullet. I've since gotten a Provari.

I test my juices with ce3s, which Smokeless Image carries. I use a 510 to 808 adaptor to use them on my mods, as I still like Smokeless Image products. These are small enough to test small amounts of new flavors. They are relatively inexpensive, and easy to re-use. Just empty, rinse, and refill.

The Silver Bullet is a fine choice to upgrade from the Volt system that you are using. The 18650 battery may well last you 1-2 days depending upon how heavy or frequently you vape. It is a quite large and heavy device, but you shouldn't have a problem adapting to it. I took it with me everywhere. In fact, I used one of the Smokeless Image carrying cases for their X2 to carry both the SB and BB with me, with room for extra batteries for both mods, and a couple of cartotanks.

 

[Thrasher]

While the reasoning is sound, I feel skipping the ego step isnt a good one, even if you dont plan on using it for long and heres why - there are ego/ego knockoff batteries to be had in the 15-20 dollar range, first you get to start using 510 acc's now without an adapter and most importantly if you lose,break,or otherwise have problems with an expensive mod type you will have something to pull out of the drawer to keep going in the mean time.

 

[Baditude]

While the reasoning is sound, I feel skipping the ego step isnt a good one, even if you dont plan on using it for long and heres why - there are ego/ego knockoff batteries to be had in the 15-20 dollar range, first you get to start using 510 acc's now without an adapter and most importantly if you lose,break,or otherwise have problems with an expensive mod type you will have something to pull out of the drawer to keep going in the mean time.

The Smokeless Image X2's are exactly the same size and power of an eGo, just with the 808 thread that he is already familiar with. Either way, either one will work. Just depends upon when does the OP wish to pull out the adaptors to connect batteries to attachments, or the attachments to the batteries. One system is not better than the other.

 

[sonoftzu]

most importantly if you lose,break,or otherwise have problems with an expensive mod type you will have something to pull out of the drawer to keep going in the mean time.

Don't get me wrong, I don't plan on tossing the 808 gear in the trash, I just don't want to invest much into a system I don't plan on sticking with. My thoughts were that I could keep this as my back up plan.

 

[Thrasher]

no knowledge of the product already owned so my fault, and I hear ya - somewhere in a box is my old 808 batt w carts if all else fails somehow.

 

[sonoftzu]

Thanks for the info, Baditude. using the ce3's doesn't sound like a bad plan, my reading made it seem logical to look at an option for dripping. Right now I have about 20 juices I want to test don't necessarily want to use a full ml when I do it, i just want a taste. Is dripping a foolish endevor on these 78mm bats?

 

[Baditude]

Thanks for the info, Baditude. using the ce3's doesn't sound like a bad plan, my reading made it seem logical to look at an option for dripping. Right now I have about 20 juices I want to test don't necessarily want to use a full ml when I do it, i just want a taste. Is dripping a foolish endevor on these 78mm bats?

I do not advise dripping on any auto battery, if that is what you have. Any liquid getting into the connector can short them out and then its dead. Even though SI's batteries are "protected", they really aren't for dripping which can have a fair amount of juice spill.

I never cared for dripping, so henseforth I use the ce3s. You can always remove any unused juice from the ce3. I believe at some point Smokeless Image will be getting in ce3s that no longer require using the needle/syringe, which will make it even easier to use.

 

[sonoftzu]

Yep, I've read that about auto batteries before, luckily i have the manual batteries so that part of it is a non-issue. I didn't even think about removing unused juice from the ce3s, makes perfect sense, though. Thanks again.

 

[Standpoint]

As someone who has and uses both Smokeless Images 65/78mm cig style batteries, their X2's in all sizes, and eGos, I recommend that you move up to an eGo twist. I know you stated that you do not want to, but it is so economical and works really well. I personally use my eGo Twist with a Vivi Nova tank for liquid testing. The Vivi Nova is super easy to take apart and clean between flavors, with easy access to the atomizer/wicks, etc. Just unscrew the parts, run under water, dry burn the coil if needed, and go.

SI's X2 batteries are actually slightly longer than their eGo equivalents, the added length holds the passthrough components, I believe. The Twist is also slightly longer than a standard eGo, I believe to hold the variable voltage equipment.

If you truly don't want the eGo, then get whatever mod suits you, but I would still recommend the Vivi Nova for liquid sampling.

 

[Kropotkin]

I started out with Volt 78s and X2s also, and then upgraded to a Saber Touch with Joye eGos for backup. I love this combo myself, but I wouldn't know how advise somebody else without knowing what they want to upgrade for. (Battery life, VV, longevity, good looks?) The ideal mod for one person may be a total bust for somebody else.

I knew I wanted a super-reliable, well-made, rugged device without a clicky button (I hate those!) so I asked the Wise Ones at ECF about this specific bunch of specs and was given some really great advice, and eventually ended up with the perfect gear for my specific requirements without wasting buckets of money. I then bought the eGos to back up this particular mod so I wouldn't have to mess about with adapters and so forth. It worked out great, and everything is interchangeable.

I still keep the 808 stuff on hand, and I'm sure it won't go to waste, but I do think having your main mod(s) and backups in the same threading makes life a whole lot easier.