Looking to step up from minis to mid-size

[12gViolet]

My girlfriend and I have been vaping for over a year now. We started with mistic, but their supply was always low or out where we lived, and before long the batteries and cartos started dying quickly and quality just wasn't there. Went to searching for a reputable brand and found V2. We've been using those, jeez, coming up on a year this fall.

My girlfriend quit smoking with e-cigs, and I started. Smoked when I was younger but always had a bad reaction to one of the additives. Finally was able to "smoke" without the reaction and I was thrilled.

But we find ourselves exasperated with how quickly our batteries lose charge, and how fast we go through cartos. Some of our batteries have gone bad, and the cartos/refilling liquid seem to taste more and more like chemicals than flavor even with steeping. I don't know if we're becoming more demanding or if quality is slipping, but either way we're considering stepping up in the vape game.

AVPs are too complicated for us. I know that and unless something changes drastically we'll stay away from those. But mid-size sounds like a good step for us. What I need is recommendations for solid, dependable batts, preferably auto, and bottom coil clearos or an easy maintenance tank set-up. Our budget isn't big, but we don't need fancy, just decent. Good TH is a plus, no cold burn, and max flavor. Thanks!

 

[Nev NYC]

There aren't many option for mid size with an auto switch. If you've been satisfied with a small stick battery then you'll be fine with something like an ego twist. Even the most experienced vapers keep a few around.

On the left is a twist and the right is a Smoktech zmax mini. Both are pretty small and last be about the same time. U need separate batteries for the zmax but the mod will last longer than an ego battery. The batteries for the mod can be replaced rather than tossed like an ego after a few months. In my opinion, its worth it in the long run to invest in a mod if your in it for the long haul.

 

[12gViolet]

When you say "mod" is the zmax mini an AVP? I've seen the terms used interchangeably which is why I ask. I know some mods can get downright complicated, and I'm the techie of the household so it'd be down to me to make it all go. I'm not sure I'm in for complicated. LOL If we're talking a tube with a separate battery you just install, I'm good with that though.

I've seen some rave reviews of the twist. My brother-in-law has one and seems to like it. It's on my list to look hard at. Is it manual as well? There seems to be a button(?) up near the threads.

 

[tjoh311]

Also the smoktech mega dual coil cartos hold a ton of liquid, have a great clean taste to them and work great on those joyetech ego style batteries..

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Nev NYC]

Yes the zmax is an apv with a battery that can be replaced. It does have a menu system that is pretty simple. It's a variable voltage and variable wattage device that is great and compact.

The ego twist is a great battery and every vaper should have at least one. If that's going to be your primary device then you need 2 or 3 so you have another when one is charging. They don't have all the bells and whistles of a mod but vape great. Only downside is they only last a few months before you have to toss them.

The reason why variable voltage or wattage is good is so you have options on what tank, clearomizer, or cartomizer you can use with it to get the best experience.

 

[OBDave]

The one thing I see being missed so far is yes, all of these examples have a fire button. There is such a thing as an auto Ego battery, but I don't see many of them. I'd encourage you to give something with a fire button a try, it might not be as bad as you fear...

 

[12gViolet]

We tested a manual from V2 when we first started with their brand. Neither of us was a huge fan, my girlfriend because she was so used to analogs, and both of us because we tend to be "hands-free" vapers. Having to use a manual to solve all our other problems wouldn't be the end of the world, but it would lead to 1) an undesired retraining of habits and 2) a lot of cursing while driving. LOL As lazy vapers, having to twist the e-cig around to put the button in a pushable position would annoy us. Like I said, not enough to say no to a fix of our other problems, but something I'd like to avoid.

 

[OBDave]

It's a retraining of habits, but less of a deal than you think...and the bigger pieces are going to be to heavy to hang from your lip "hands-free" style anyway.

 

[Nev NYC]

Here's another idea that may work

It's a Halo G6 auto battery with a mini tank. In my opinion it vapes just as good as an ego battery with a clearomizer and the battery life isn't too shabby. I use it when I want to blend in with a crowd or avoid a thousand questions about my mods. Here is a link,

http://www.halocigs.com/

Their juices are great as well.

 

[DoogieTony]

The twists are quite nice batteries.
The "twist" part on the ego twist only sets the voltage. Manual batteries are really simple, just hold the button down while taking a pull. Plus you can lock the battery so it won't fire in your pocket etc.

For an easy clearomizer is suggest either a mini vision vivi nova or an evod, they both have replaceable atomizer heads that can be cleaned and reused for quite a while.

 

[12gViolet]

Did a search for auto ego and found this: Military Stealth Auto Ego! Designer Electronic Cigarette for your vaping pleasure!

It looks like what I'm hoping for, but does anyone have any experience with them? 1300mah suggests a good battery life, but it claims to be regulated to 4.2v. Regulation is nice, as I won't get hotter right off the charger and drop in voltage as it discharges, but 4.2 seems high for most clearos? The page suggests MT3s (the only bottom coil they specifically suggest with this batt) and I know I've heard fairly good things about those. But will they work well at that voltage? Anyone have any experience running a MT3 around 4.2v?

At least the set-up isn't expensive. I could try it and not be out more than $30. Just wondering if I could field the experts first.

 

[Volcanoboy]

I can vouch for the twist to. Have one myself and use it with an iclear16. Basically twist the bottom to set the voltage based on how much "heat" you want.

Don't let the word apv scare you too much though. For example the Provari is a really good device and allthough it is an advanced unit it's also very simple to use. Click the button 5 times to access the menu. First menu option is power up. Then click again to adjust the voltage. There are other menus but this is what you use 90% of the time.

 

[12gViolet]

Honestly, I'm torn between my desire for an auto and a unit with a replaceable battery. Auto would suit our smoking style much better, but having to chuck the whole unit after 6 months isn't cost effective. I buy rechargeable batteries for my electronics at home, makes sense to do so for my e-cigs too. I'll have to talk to my girlfriend and see how against the fire button we really are.

Don't know I can afford the Provari (especially two of them!) but I'll keep my mind and eyes open. Any suggestions for *simple* AVPs would be more than welcome.

 

[hvac999]

Try this setup a try- http://www.myvaporstore.com/Vision_Spinner_Joye_Ego_C_Twist_Combo_p/vvs-c.htm

 

[TBPlayer2112]

They're on the pricey side but I've heard good things about the Vapor Zeus. When you said you wanted a larger automatic this was the first thing that came to mind. Here's ECF favorite PBusardo's review:


Good luck in your search!

edit:Just noticed in the video that he mentions their other batteries at the beginning and they have a Twist version they call 'Dial-a-Volt' and those are automatic too. Keep in mind that Vapor 4 Life uses 808 threading for their equipment.

 

[12gViolet]

Thank you, @TBPlayer2112 for the alternative. I'll take a look at it. Any idea what the shelf life of the batts are? Better than the ~6 months of the average ego?

 

[OBDave]

Did a search for auto ego and found this: Military Stealth Auto Ego! Designer Electronic Cigarette for your vaping pleasure!

It looks like what I'm hoping for, but does anyone have any experience with them? 1300mah suggests a good battery life, but it claims to be regulated to 4.2v. Regulation is nice, as I won't get hotter right off the charger and drop in voltage as it discharges, but 4.2 seems high for most clearos? The page suggests MT3s (the only bottom coil they specifically suggest with this batt) and I know I've heard fairly good things about those. But will they work well at that voltage? Anyone have any experience running a MT3 around 4.2v?

At least the set-up isn't expensive. I could try it and not be out more than $30. Just wondering if I could field the experts first.

1300mah should last a long time, but that's going to be a pretty big battery. Also, 4.2v regulated sounds like a lot, I thought most unregulated batteries start at 4.2, drop to 3.7 for the majority of their life (which is also where most regulated batteries are set), and then fall off to 3.2ish as they're dying.

Can't speak on the auto thing, though...for $30 you might want to just give it a shot with one if you really think a fire button is going to be a problem...

 

[Grimwald]

Smokeless Image has auto ego sized batteries. They are 808/ego connections, so you would be somewhat limited in what you could connect in the way of clearomizers. I use their manual batts. When I started, I was sure that I would prefer autos...but I made a "mistake" on my first order and got one of each. I'm really glad because I found that I liked the manual a whole lot more.

 

[12gViolet]

Smokeless Image has auto ego sized batteries. They are 808/ego connections, so you would be somewhat limited in what you could connect in the way of clearomizers. I use their manual batts. When I started, I was sure that I would prefer autos...but I made a "mistake" on my first order and got one of each. I'm really glad because I found that I liked the manual a whole lot more.

You say 808/ego... I didn't think egos and KR808s were the same? Or did you mean they offer both options? I'm ok with getting egos, there are plenty of bottom coils that I've found good reviews for, but I haven't found many KR808s for serious vaping. There are some, just not as many that I've found. This does suggest they're different though. Now I'm confusing myself. LOL

I'd like to stay away from KR808s just for lack of options in my intended range.

 

[Larissa Jones]

Smokeless Image has auto ego sized batteries. They are 808/ego connections, so you would be somewhat limited in what you could connect in the way of clearomizers. I use their manual batts. When I started, I was sure that I would prefer autos...but I made a "mistake" on my first order and got one of each. I'm really glad because I found that I liked the manual a whole lot more.

You say 808/ego... I didn't think egos and KR808s were the same? Or did you mean they offer both options? I'm ok with getting egos, there are plenty of bottom coils that I've found good reviews for, but I haven't found many KR808s for serious vaping. There are some, just not as many that I've found. This does suggest they're different though. Now I'm confusing myself. LOL

I'd like to stay away from KR808s just for lack of options in my intended range.

The volt x2 by smokeless image has both 808 and ego threads which means that any cartomizers or clearomizer with 808 or 808/ego threads will fit on them (meaning 510 or 510/ego threaded ones will NOT fit on it without an adapter). There are some great vendors that sell them and they work great (I have lots of different things from smokeless image) BUT 510/ego thread is more common and you will find more products with those threads.

I may be mistaken but if you started with V2 e cigs brand then the batteries you had would be KR808 (808 for short) thread.

Why is there so many different threads??? Because life has to be confusing.

PS: the reason most ppl choose a manual over an auto is because if you get the eliquid on the post of an auto batt it could kill it. Manuals on the other hand can handle those small amounts of liquid without dying.