Looking for suggestions on a durable, hard hitting e-cig?!

[renegade_faith]

Erm so I'm sure there are previous posts about this and I looked through the FAQ and I'm just lost, so I'm terribly sorry if I'm being redundant! O_O
I don't smoke or use e-cig's (hence my confusion lol), but my fiance does and his atomizers and batteries seem to go out like every three months or so. It's getting to the point where he's ordering a new battery or atomizer almost every month. He believes it's because of the way that he smokes and that the e-cigs are not built to be used that way, but I'm thinking maybe he just hasn't found the right fit for his e-cig needs.

SO, I'm just wanting to see if anyone here might have some suggestions for me.

He is currently using the low resistance ego tank atomizer and the ego tank battery, he has also used the ego monster atomizer. He likes the shape this e-cig has, but at this point I don't think he really cares what the shape is like as long as it stops breaking and works well! I don't know if the brand of juice makes any difference for the brand/type of e-cig you use, but he uses juices from vaporbomb.

He would like something that's very durable as we are quite outdoorsy and active and sometimes things fall out of backpacks or pockets and hit the ground >_< (ha ha you should see our cell phones). Something that hits hard and that can handle very long drags without overheating the body of the e-cig, burning out the atomizer or destroying the battery. He takes very deep, long drags (almost the way someone might smoke weed) and he will hit like this maybe 3-5 times in a row every half hour or so (we are not drug users and no drug content is intended in this comparison, just trying to give an accurate description!!!).
He is not opposed to needing multiple batteries, but if we could find a very long lasting battery that can be used all day that would be wonderful.

Any and all suggestions or recommendations are very greatly appreciated! Thanks so much! ^_^

 

[sailorman]

He needs something that takes a good 18650 sized battery, not some built in cheapo Chinese sealed battery like most of the eGo types. A high drain 18650 2000mah battery will handle anything he, or any atomizer, can throw at it.

So, then it comes down to voltage. Fixed voltage or variable voltage. A variable voltage is nice, but you pay a big premium for it if you want something that you can knock around without worrying about breaking something. A hard hit is more a function of the atomizer or other device than the battery, as long as your battery is big and tough in the first place.

If you want a fixed voltage device that will outlast you, and your grandchildren, look at the Silver Bullet from Altsmoke.com
The Silver Bullet is legendary for it's ruggedness, durability and reliability. You can equip it with a 3000mah 18650 battery and I will personally guarantee you that you won't be wearing that battery out in a few months.

I have the smaller version, the BB. I used it for my only PV for 2 years and it's working like new. Let me give you a rundown on what I have put this thing through. I too am an outdoor type person and I take it everywhere.

* Ran it over with a tow truck.
* Buried it in mud overnight on a camping trip.
* Dropped it out of a car window at 30mph, twice. Bounced off the ashphalt 8 or 9 times that I could see.
* Dropped it off a bicycle at 10-15mph more times than I care to admit.
* Dropped it overboard into the Gulf of Mexico
* Subjected it to prolonged periods of heavy salt spray while boating.
* Knocked around, bumped around, thrown around and generally abused.

And the BB is the smaller, more delicate version of the Silver Bullet.
I won't even bore you with details about million cycle, vandal proof switches or aircraft grade aluminum.

If durability and the ability to handle a long, hard hit are the main considerations, the BB or Silver Bullet should be at the top of your list. Just make sure you put good quality batteries in them.

 

[Vapoor eyes er]

Hi and welcome to ECF.

It's getting to the point where he's ordering a new battery or atomizer almost every month.

eGo series batts are not the best and there are batts out there that will last a long time. My 18650 batts are 8+ months old and I'm just beginning to trash them. Remember 100 mah= 1 hr normal vaping.

 

[sailorman]

Just to give you an idea of what a good battery will do. Your bf takes 3-5 long hits every half hour. I take 3-5 long hits every couple minutes, on average, all day. If I want to, I can get about 12 hours between charges on a 1600mah 18650 battery. I rotate between 2 batteries and charge more frequently than necessary, but I expect this pair of batteries to last about a year and maybe longer. A 3000mah battery would last closer to 26 hours between charges and a set of them would probably last closer to 2 years before they wear out.

 

[renegade_faith]

Wow! You guys get back to people fast! Thank you SO much, I had no freaking idea where to even start so I'll definitely be looking into those.
You're awesome ^_^

 

[BiffRocko]

I'm going to offer another option since he likes the ego form factor, and suggest a Pure Smoker Icon. It's roughly the same size as an ego. It's all mechanical, and will hold up well to rough treatment. The batteries will last about as long as his ego.

PV's using the 18650 batteries that others are recommending will last a few days between charges, but they are much larger than an ego.

As for atomizers, they are disposable. If one lasts for a month or more, you've gotten your money's worth.

 

[renegade_faith]

Just looked at both the Silver Bullet and the BB and of the two I think he would like the BB better.

Altsmoke says to only use a 14500 900MAh battery with the BB. So do you actually use your 1600mah 18650 battery with the bb, or would you only recommend that for the Bullet?

Do you have a preferred atomizer? Does that atomizer need an adapter, if so is it a specific one? Do you have a preferred drip tip? I see a few options for battery chargers, is there any one you find particularly convenient?

Sorry to bombard you with a million questions! Thank you again!

 

[vonRies]

I must agree with Sailorman. The silver bullet is a tank! I too have abused the living crap out of mine. It is like the old Timex commercials, it takes a licking and keeps on ticking. My wife and I are both disabled, so my outdoor days are pretty much over. However, we both now have a problem with dropping things, and they have hit the concrete more times then I can count. The outsides are scratched big time. Mine to the point that my black "silver" bullet now has a silver ring around the bottom outside edge. The only time it has ever gone out of service was when I put two unprotected batteries (I bought from somewhere else and they claimed they were protected) and then over drained them. (Every mistake a person can do wrong and AltSmoke specifically tells you not to do). Much to my surprise, the batteries exploded right next to my face. The Silver Bullet completely contained the blast. I smoked out the hospital room I was in and it took a half an hour before it cooled off enough to pick it up with a wet rag. Now if it can contain a blast like that and be dropped as many times as I have, trust me, it is built like a tank.

The only reason I stopped using my bullet was because I completely changed over to Variable Voltage and it was not a VV mod. However, I was finally able to buy "The Kick" which makes several different tube mods VV mods., and the Silver Bullet is one of the suggested mods. I am so glad to have my bullet back! I bought a silver extender sleeve because the black ones were sold out and I did not want to wait to get a black one. I just wanted it back in use as fast as possible.

I have built quite a few of my own mods. and I wish my bullet had some of the features That I build into my mods., but I have never built anything that I think could contain a blast like the one I saw. (By the way do not try explosions at home, or anywhere else). Plus the Silver Bullet now comes in a variety of colors. Maybe something bright so you do not loose it on the trail hiking, and have to cry all the way home.

 

[Vapoor eyes er]

Looking for suggestions on a durable, hard hitting e-cig

As long as he gets a true 3.7 volt PV he will get the hit he's looking for. The SB and BB are 3.7 vollts. The eGo batts are not 3.7 volts, drain down very quickly and really don't give the "kick". It's not only performance but also how strong, voltage wise, the batts stay as they are being drained- eGo series batts do not fare well. I don't own the SB or BB but do own a similar 3.7 model and the SB and BB are well known in the vaping world to be workhorses.
As far as atomizers/ attys I only use them for testing juices so I can't really comment.
Good Luck.

 

[Pappy]

Good advice above on the Silver Bullet or Black Bullet. Be aware, however, that atomizers (and cartomizers) have a limited life span and are considered disposables. They may last a week or a month or maybe even longer. So regardless of what PV (e-cig) he buys, he will need a supply of atomizers, cartomizers, clearomizers, tanks, or whatever is his juice delivery system of choice.

Also, just in case he is a clearomizer guy, be aware that the Silver Bullet and Black Bullet require a little $3.00 adapter (called a "510 to Ego adapter" or somesuch) to use clearomizers.

 

[sailorman]

Just looked at both the Silver Bullet and the BB and of the two I think he would like the BB better.

Altsmoke says to only use a 14500 900MAh battery with the BB. So do you actually use your 1600mah 18650 battery with the bb, or would you only recommend that for the Bullet?

Do you have a preferred atomizer? Does that atomizer need an adapter, if so is it a specific one? Do you have a preferred drip tip? I see a few options for battery chargers, is there any one you find particularly convenient?

Sorry to bombard you with a million questions! Thank you again!

The 18650 I use is on a larger, Silver Bullet sized, device. I use 14500 batteries in my BB. I wouldn't use the batteries at the Altsmoke site though. A 14500 battery is the same size as a AA battery. It's pretty small. I use 750mah AW IC batteries. They hit harder than the AW 600mahs and are much better quality than the 900mah Ultrafire or Trustfire batteries. You can get them at SuperTmanufacturing.com. They also have better battery chargers for less cost. I like the Trustfire TR-001 for a cheap model, or the Xtar WP II for a better model.

The BB takes any atomizer with a 510 connection. Any resistance between 1.5 and 2.5 ohms is best. The only atomizers I use anymore are specifically designed for dripping straight into the drip tip. I would suggest using a Vivi Nova V2 Tank. Atomizers on the BB don't work the way they do on some of the eGos. You don't plug a cartridge into the end of them. If you're using an atomizer, you "drip" into it. It's not as convenient as a cartridge or "tank" as they're called on the eGo, but it works a million times better. Your bf can drip a few drops into an atomizer and get 3-5 good hits before he'll need to drop a couple more drops in.

Good dripping atomizers are the Inkenvape V2 Cannon and the i06 from Ikenvpe.com or eCigCharleston.com

Otherwise, he'd be best to use cartomizers, clearomizers like the Phoenix or Fluxomizer, or the Vivi Nova tank. All I'm ever using anymore is Fluxomizers and Vivi Novas. Both of them are available at Gotvapes.com

 

[sailorman]

.....

Also, just in case he is a clearomizer guy, be aware that the Silver Bullet and Black Bullet require a little $3.00 adapter (called a "510 to Ego adapter" or somesuch) to use clearomizers.

Not necessarily the case unless they were designed just for eGos. There are many, many clearomizers not built for an eGo. If he wants to use a clearomizer that he was formerly using on an eGo, he'd need a 510/eGo adapter. But any 510 clearomizer will work fine with the BB.
It sounds as if he has been using an ego "tank system" with their atomizer. He can't use any of that with a BB, and he wouldn't want to.

 

[sailorman]

Here's the Vivi Nova Tank System: This place also has the Fluxomizer XL and the Phoenix Clearomizers. Both of these are excellent juice delivery systems.

GotVapes VISION ViVi NOVA™ 3.5ml V2.5 REBUILDABLE TANK [gv-VIVINOVA-TANKV2.5] - $14.95 : GotVapes.com, E-cigarette Supplies - Atomizers Cartomizers Mods Juice and more

Here's the recommended battery for the BB: It's about halfway down this page. The AW 14500 750mah IC battery.
Super T Manufacturing, Innovative manufacturer of electronic cigarette products.
Battery chargers are on the same page, lower down. The Xtar chargers are excellent.

Here's a link to some good atomizers. The V2 Cannon and the i06 in 1.5ohms to 2.5ohms are the best. You can get the drip tips here as well. These sell out fast. I'm shocked that they appear to all be in stock at the moment.
Atomizers

I think he'd love the V2 Cannon. It lasts a VERY long time and hits like a freight train. The i06 feels hotter and is a bit more delicate. Both make a fantastic hit, but the Cannon is an animal.

I know this is a bunch of vendors, but if you want the best stuff, you have to put up with it. Nobody has the best everything and none of these places charge a lot for shipping.

 

[newplague]

I can't believe the REO Grand or Mini hasn't been mentioned yet. They are extremely durable and have a onboard bottle of juice. You can check them out at reosmods.com or the REO subforum in the suppliers section.

 

[sailorman]

Probably because the bottom feeding box mod form factor is quite a shock, coming from a eGo. It's really something you have to experience first hand to know if you'll get along with it. Spending serious bucks on a reo before you know if a bottom feeder and a box mod are what you like is a pretty large leap of faith. One or the other is an experiment. Both is a gamble.

Then, there's the whole issue of flavor changes. All told, it's a pretty radical difference from a 510 or eGo tube and a lot for many people to take on faith.

Anyway, there's extremely durable, and then there's SB/BB durable.

 

[newplague]

Yeah, I had a BB. The REO Grand is a far superior in every way. I'm not bashing the BB, it's a good step up from an ego or 510. The REOs are simpler to use then people seem to think. You can drip with them too. I'm just getting the word out. I wish the Grand had been around when I first started.

 

[anavidfan]

To quote sailerman:
"I have the smaller version, the BB. I used it for my only PV for 2 years and it's working like new. Let me give you a rundown on what I have put this thing through. I too am an outdoor type person and I take it everywhere.

* Ran it over with a tow truck.
* Buried it in mud overnight on a camping trip.
* Dropped it out of a car window at 30mph, twice. Bounced off the ashphalt 8 or 9 times that I could see.
* Dropped it off a bicycle at 10-15mph more times than I care to admit.
* Dropped it overboard into the Gulf of Mexico
* Subjected it to prolonged periods of heavy salt spray while boating.
* Knocked around, bumped around, thrown around and generally abused.

And the BB is the smaller, more delicate version of the Silver Bullet.
I won't even bore you with details about million cycle, vandal proof switches or aircraft grade aluminum."

To quote sailorman:I have the smaller version, the BB. I used it for my only PV for 2 years and it's working like new. Let me give you a rundown on what I have put this thing through. I too am an outdoor type person and I take it everywhere.

* Ran it over with a tow truck.
* Buried it in mud overnight on a camping trip.
* Dropped it out of a car window at 30mph, twice. Bounced off the ashphalt 8 or 9 times that I could see.
* Dropped it off a bicycle at 10-15mph more times than I care to admit.
* Dropped it overboard into the Gulf of Mexico
* Subjected it to prolonged periods of heavy salt spray while boating.
* Knocked around, bumped around, thrown around and generally abused.

And the BB is the smaller, more delicate version of the Silver Bullet.
I won't even bore you with details about million cycle, vandal proof switches or aircraft grade aluminum."


The BB sounds great, Is this similar or more advanced than the smoke tech e-power? I was thinking of getting a starter kit as a next step/backup to KGO. I see this is a bit more costly, but if its that rugged and lasting, It would be great to spend the extra. The BB is elegant especially in the black

 

[Wickedvalve]

Are you buying knock off ego's? The joyetech ego's I've tried are very good batteries that last well over a few months. I have had the ego twist for a few weeks and it's an awesome PV. I use it so much more then my provari, I sold the provari yesterday .

 

[Dana A]

I had a Rio and didn't care for the squanking. I always forgot to squank or over squanked. I love top feed tanks. They just take away the guess work by doing the feeding for you.

 

[Pappy]

Not necessarily the case unless they were designed just for eGos. There are many, many clearomizers not built for an eGo. If he wants to use a clearomizer that he was formerly using on an eGo, he'd need a 510/eGo adapter. But any 510 clearomizer will work fine with the BB.
It sounds as if he has been using an ego "tank system" with their atomizer. He can't use any of that with a BB, and he wouldn't want to.

You are, of course, correct. In my limited experience, I've only used the Vision clearomizers that won't work on something like the SB or the flat top LavaTubes without the adapter. I should have thought about the fact that there are other "clearomizers."