M201 & 402: My dream e-cigs!

[ruuku]

I could see how I would start buying a couple of each model as I became obsessed with vaping. Instead, I made a NicoStick and believe this will be the "go to" vaper for me. It lacks the elegance of the 401 battery but one 14500 battery lasts all day, it has a manual button for control and it fits easily in my hand.
When I screw on a 402 battery, I'm always amazed at how elegant the 401 looks and how comfortable it feels between my fingers.

AsI said above, my only concern is longevity of 401 attys. Perhaps I've just got a black cloud over my head when it comes to attys!

Hey Paradiso... nice to see you on this thread, usually see you around the mod section. Like i said in some of my earlier "rants" about liquid... there just may be a lack of QC in the industry as a whole. Its just an observation, rather than an accusation (or anything like that). Fortunately the industry isn't in denial about this fact, and most manufacturers/suppliers are more than happy to take back defective items (cough...Fedors 2mth old atty...cough). Considering the numbers being produced (liquids/attys/batts), and the relitive "infancy" of the industry as a whole, i don't believe that its at all surprising, and am suprised its going as smoothly (FDA notwithstanding) as it all is. So far I've had almost the complete oppisite experience with atts... been going on almost 3 months on my two oldest (and most vaporiffic... funny this dosen't make my spell check go crazy) attys...*knocks on wood*. Maybe things will take a turn for the worse with 5v, but only time will tell, and I'm willing to sacrifice an atty to the mod gods if it means I'm able to give back to the community.

 

[ruuku]

Perhaps i am still not understanding this correctly, despite some explanations given.

I will try to do some more research on the issue of auto vs manual batteries.

I would really appreciate it if someone can explain to me why it is necessary for a USB PT to have a manual switch design? Why have a battery in between if the sole purpose of a PT is to be used with an external power source? Does this make a better design? Does it provide better performance?

Hard to say Fedor, its not necessary per se, but for most of the modding community, it really is the ONLY way to go. Sure you could use the "innards" of a dead battery, but the wiring is a PITA. Yes, the purpose of the PT is to allow vaping w/o the use of a battery, however adding a manual switch just allows a greater sense of control when vaping. Like i said before, i usually preburn liquid to get a better throat hit with lower nic liquids.... this is something that i just can't do effectively with an auto switch. Manuals also seem to be more robust, especially when figuring dripping into the mix. Although with the 401, one can dip to prevent atomizer flooding, this isnt the case with the 801,201,510, or 901.

 

[prr2freya]

Perhaps I'm a atomizer serial killer but from my personal experience, I'm a bit concerned about the longevity of the 401 atty.

John

Not sure why yours have died. I have not had one 401 atty die yet and it has been 1 1/2 months since I started using them.. I am still only using two and have 4 stored for backups. My passthrough has not caused any damage to them yet either (knock on wood)

 

[Fedor]

Hard to say Fedor, its not necessary per se, but for most of the modding community, it really is the ONLY way to go. Sure you could use the "innards" of a dead battery, but the wiring is a PITA. Yes, the purpose of the PT is to allow vaping w/o the use of a battery, however adding a manual switch just allows a greater sense of control when vaping. Like i said before, i usually preburn liquid to get a better throat hit with lower nic liquids.... this is something that i just can't do effectively with an auto switch. Manuals also seem to be more robust, especially when figuring dripping into the mix. Although with the 401, one can dip to prevent atomizer flooding, this isnt the case with the 801,201,510, or 901.

Thats some great insight you are providing. It'll help me when i submit the "proposal". The last thing i want is to propose something that does not sell to Smoore and be blacklisted for it....LOL.

So do you think we should propose to Smoore to develop a normal USB PT or a USB PT with Manual Switch? The disadvantage i see with a USB PT with Manual Switch is that it can get cumbersome for those who use it. Besides having to hook it to a computer/ power pack, now you'll have to also activate a switch to vape. It certainly adds another level of inconvenience. Although i cannot tell for sure since i've not used one yet. What do you think?

 

[Paradiso]

Not sure why yours have died. I have not had one 401 atty die yet and it has been 1 1/2 months since I started using them.. I am still only using two and have 4 stored for backups. My passthrough has not caused any damage to them yet either (knock on wood)

Wow, that's what I expected from everything I read here. I'm now at the point where, with each drag, I wonder if its the last for this atty! Could it just be super bad luck and a bunch of bad atomizers from 2 different sources? Could it be that I'm so inept that I do everything wrong and kill perfectly good atomizers in a ridiculously short period? I just have no way to gauge. All I know is that I have 8 atomizers that are stone cold and the longest service I've gotten out of 1 atty is 2 weeks (and the shortest 1 day!!)

 

[Paradiso]

Besides having to hook it to a computer/ power pack, now you'll have to also activate a switch to vape. It certainly adds another level of inconvenience. Although i cannot tell for sure since i've not used one yet. What do you think?

Like many other aspects of vaping, I think its a personal preference thing. For me, the manual switch gives me control over the length of the hit and allows me to warm the atty a bit before taking a hit. I can see how others would prefer the convenience of just taking a hit and having teh auto switch handle the battery.

In America, most people won't/can't drive a car with a manual transmission. I can't stand driving a car with an auto transmission and have never owned one.

 

[ruuku]

Thats some great insight you are providing. It'll help me when i submit the "proposal". The last thing i want is to propose something that does not sell to Smoore and be blacklisted for it....LOL.

So do you think we should propose to Smoore to develop a normal USB PT or a USB PT with Manual Switch? The disadvantage i see with a USB PT with Manual Switch is that it can get cumbersome for those who use it. Besides having to hook it to a computer/ power pack, now you'll have to also activate a switch to vape. It certainly adds another level of inconvenience. Although i cannot tell for sure since i've not used one yet. What do you think?

Hmmm... tough one. Its difficult for me to be objective as i have only used a manual PT. I would understand if Smoore went with a automatic, just because they would have all the parts on hand (seeing as they don't produce a manual batt.) and all they really need to do is add a usb cable. As Paradiso said, its really a matter of personal preferance. My modded PT is actually quite cumbersome, but its made with things found around the home/radio shack parts, nothing that screams "sexy" but it gets the job done (I'll post pics later so you guys can have a quick laugh). This being the case I really would like to try an automatic PT, just to compare.

In the meantime, may i suggest a poll somewhere? I believe that we have enough M401 users to get a good amount of results as well as valueble feedback. It would also be interesting what users would prefer: a USBPT (of any kind) or a manaual batt... (or both me being greedy).

 

[Fedor]

It would also be interesting what users would prefer: a USBPT (of any kind) or a manaual batt... (or both me being greedy).

I do intend to suggest a manual switch battery to them. Its just that i don't know if a normal USB PT or a USB PT-With Manual Switch would sell better for them. But then again, i'm assuming to much that they'll even bother listening to me. LOL

 

[ruuku]

Hey one can always dream... Besides, i see the lack of accessories as a major hole in Smoore's line up. Right now the most supported e-cig (in terms of accessories) is the 510. It has both manual and automatic batteries, the PCC, as well as a pass through.

 

[kathyo13]

i have been using a m401 for 6 months and am still on the original two batteries that were provided.

 

[Germ]

i have been using a m401 for 6 months and am still on the original two batteries that were provided.

I've been using mine for a month and a half and have gone through six batteries!! ;_; Down to my last two and they're dying on me; the mail man can't get here fast enough! Haha, I'm having the exact opposite problem that Paradiso's having. Only on my second atomizer. It's got to be something we're doing wrong, there are so many other glowing testimonials here, I just wish I could figure out what.

As far as the debate on USB-PT Manual vs Automatic, my two cents aren't worth all that much since I haven't had the pleasure of trying manual yet. BUT I don't see how it would be a bad idea to introduce the manual passthrough, if only to test their market to see how receptive we would be to manual batteries in the future. I don't really care that much, honestly. Just give me one!! With all these battery issues I've been having, a passthrough of any kind would make my life a hell of a lot easier.

prr2freya, please keep us updated on how you're doing with your passthrough. If your atomizers are really holding up that well, I may have to break down and order it.

 

[gatsby]

6 batteries in a month and a half seems excessive. I have only lost one battery and I physically broke that one being dumb. One thing I have noticed is that there is alot about doing light cleaning and draining of atomizers, but no one mentions batteries. I dip and drip a lot and I noticed one of my batteries not charging very well. I looked and there was burnt/dried liquid in the threads and on the contacts. Now before I charge I wipe the threads with a napkin or a tshirt and I then clean out around the base of the battery. So picture the flat area where the hole is and notice that there is a gap between the flat part and threads. If I take a small screw driver or paper clip and carefully run it around in that gap I clean out some nasty goo. I will also get into the atomizers and the chargers with a qtip from time to time and it seems to kep the batteries charging strong. I also wash the atomizers with hot water when they start to get a little slow or if I notice one is leaving sediment in my dip. It sounds like a lot but once you figure it out and make it routine a little bit of cleaning and maintenance goes a long way in my experience.

 

[ShMiGgY]

i'm on three weeks on the same battery and atomizer that i first got with it... Seems to work better now than it did before, but i do notice getting about an hour less time out of a charge (6-8 hours still ain't too shabby)..

When my wife first started vaping, she would foul atomizers every, single, day, and expect me to get them fixed for her (which i did)... It was very irritating, so i gave her a tutorial once on technique... a few days later, i noticed that i hadn't heard anything from her about her atty's!!... She's now on 10 days without needing atty service. She got the skills now!!.

So much of reliability does depend on technique and frequency of use... We can use atomizers for an average of 1-2 weeks before any draining/cleaning are required, which is hella better than every day...

Also, there was a bad run of 401 batteries at one time... I saw it on a thread on here, I think Ruyan (if you got them from there), were replacing them if you had issues...

 

[ShMiGgY]

6 batteries in a month and a half seems excessive. I have only lost one battery and I physically broke that one being dumb. One thing I have noticed is that there is alot about doing light cleaning and draining of atomizers, but no one mentions batteries. I dip and drip a lot and I noticed one of my batteries not charging very well. I looked and there was burnt/dried liquid in the threads and on the contacts. Now before I charge I wipe the threads with a napkin or a tshirt and I then clean out around the base of the battery. So picture the flat area where the hole is and notice that there is a gap between the flat part and threads. If I take a small screw driver or paper clip and carefully run it around in that gap I clean out some nasty goo. I will also get into the atomizers and the chargers with a qtip from time to time and it seems to kep the batteries charging strong. I also wash the atomizers with hot water when they start to get a little slow or if I notice one is leaving sediment in my dip. It sounds like a lot but once you figure it out and make it routine a little bit of cleaning and maintenance goes a long way in my experience.

I was appauled when i looked at my USB charger and battery last night. Dark brown gunk on the threads and electrode.. I couldn't believe it.. I cleaned out all my stuff with isopropyl alc and q-tips...

This is definitely something to keep an eye on. My battery did get a cleaner charge afterwards and is still working from yesterday afternoon...

LOVE THE BATTERY/CART LIFE ON THIS THING!! I topped it off today before we went out for errands, 4 different stores to hit... Didn't take any juice either, and only one battery.. I'm still vaping it after i got home, haven't even topped it... That's awesome...

 

[prr2freya]

prr2freya, please keep us updated on how you're doing with your passthrough. If your atomizers are really holding up that well, I may have to break down and order it.

I have been using 1 passthrough a LOT since I got it.. I have one as a backup in case this one fails.. (the other two I sent along to a friend) The one I am using has gotten an easier draw as I have been using it... which makes me very happy.. I guess it had to be broken in.

I am still using the same two atomizers for 1 1/2 months and they are still going strong. I also exclusively dip. I have devoted one of them exclusively to the passthrough (dipping as well) so will see how it holds up. I have 4 backup atties still in the packaging so if one blows, I'll be ok

 

[bmckenna]

I'm not sure if it's the atomizer design, or just the way the liquid burns, but I've been dripping (way easier than using carts IMO) and notice that basically all the flavor disappears at some point, but it's still smoking and producing burnt (but not metallic) tasting smoke. When I drip regular liquid with no VG, and the atty goes dry, I notice a very metallic taste and that tells me it's time to re-drip. When I'm using liquid with VG added, it's as if the first 5-6 hits are good, then the last 3-4 are all lingering smoke, burnt-ness, and nasty. There's still liquid visible in the center of the atty, so...does the VG burn less easily than the PG/nicotine and I guess linger around until it's the last thing to be burned?

Usually what I do at this point is just blow a quick forceful burst of air through the inside of the wick to clear out visible liquid, redrip, and begin again...and eventually I'll unscrew the atty and blow it out into a paper towel to completely clean it and start fresh. Usually I'll do this latter portion when I'm changing flavors as well with a few quick puffs to burn out the very last bit of whatever's left after I've blown out the atty into a paper towel. Anyways, just wondering if anyone else had experienced this, or had noticed this with liquid with VG.

 

[apogee]

Guys I must say .. WOW... I tried the medium nicotine cartridge.. damn wow!!

Feels like a real cigarette - I even get a throat burn like a real cig.

Amazing!

The only thing I noticed (I'm an e-cig newb) is that after 70 puffs about - I need to change the cartridge to get good smoke.

I wanted to order empty cartridges and e-liquid. when I refill it - does it last longer than prefilled?

I also ordered 4 more batteries. and another vaporizer (just in case)



thanks! great product!

 

[ruuku]

bmckenna: its only rational that when cutting liquid with VG that there's going to be a loss of flavor, especially when hitting higher ratios of VG. There will be a dropoff of flavor as you vape, especially with dipping/dripping, but it shouldn't hit the point where your still getting vapor but no flavor. At least with all the liquids that ive cut with VG the flavor reduces, but it usually coincides with a drop off of vapor. The fact that you're getting a burnt metallic taste w/o VG means that you've effectively vaped the atty dry, and its time to refill. I relate the metallic taste to the nichrome wire heating up, and you should try to avoid this, as it can lead to the early death of your atomizer. I would suggest topping off/redripping/dipping BEFORE you get to this point. As soon as you notice a decrease in vapor production, add liquid. My reasoning behind the drop in flavor might be an inconsistent blending of VG and liquid. VG has a much higher viscosity than PG thus needs to be shaken well, and let sit before it combines.

Apogee: 70 sounds about right... don't believe ANY manufacturer/supplier claims that a cart is equal to X amount of analogs... this is simply not true. As for re-filled carts, i actually seem to get more vape time out of prefilled carts than any carts that I've filled myself (maybe i'm doing something wrong). Anyway once you get liquid it opens up many doors, to dripping, dipping, and/or refilling carts. I actually don't use carts unless i know i cant drip, so not very often. For me dripping/dipping gives a much better experience, in terms of throat hit, flavor, and the ease of draw. The internal cart design is IMO the Ms weakest link. If they could perfect/redesign this then it might change my mind about carts.
As for stocking up, I'm a heavy vaper and I'm still on my original batteries... they're still going strong (although i have 2 other units plus the PT) I also regularly carry about 5 batts just because most of my friends only have 2-3, and they run out of battery life about 1/week. Instead of stocking up on batts, i would really recommend getting more atomizers. After all, you still can vape after one battery dies, but if your atomizer goes....

 

[jac1599]

.........I have had HORRIBLE luck with atomizers, I've had 8 go dead in the 4 weeks that I've been vaping.......Those I never used with the USB but so far 3 of the 5 have gone dead after at most 2 days of use. I'm guessing a bad batch and they have offered to replace.

Not sure why yours have died. I have not had one 401 atty die yet and it has been 1 1/2 months since I started using them.. I am still only using two and have 4 stored for backups. My passthrough has not caused any damage to them yet either (knock on wood)

I've been using my 402 for 3 months and am still on my original atomizer. I've cleaned it with lemon juice twice. Still makes as much vapor as it always has too. Maybe I'm lucky...

The only thing I noticed (I'm an e-cig newb) is that after 70 puffs about - I need to change the cartridge to get good smoke.

I get somewhere between 50-70 puffs from carts. When you refill, how many puffs you get really depends on how you stuff the cart. I've been able to get as many as 13 drops in my M cart before. Needless to say, that cart lasted me quite a while.

 

[Fedor]

My 510 reached me 2 days back and i've been using it exclusively. I only ordered the standard starter kit with the normal batteries (not manual switch) so that the comparison is fairer. Here are my comparison with the M401/2:

General Impressions
IMHO, the 510 basically is a combination of 901 and 401 in its appearance. I got a white unit. After using the Mseries for some time, i was not quite used to the design of the old 901 type, where the atomiser is long. This aside, it does look quite elegant in all white.

The M401/2 is slimmer and definitely appeals to the newbies more than the 510, in terms of appearance.

Battery
It really packs a punch out of the box. The battery seems to deliver much more power to the atomiser. It seems like an overclocked battery to me. Besides that, the battery works exactly the same as any Mseries battery. With this being said, the battery life is really short. Really, really short. It requires charging in less than 1 hour of continuous and heavy vaping. The M401 wins hands down.

Atomiser
The atomiser resembles that of a 901. However, the steel bridge is pointy and extends further down than a 901. The steel part is also much smaller than the Mseries.

The performance of a 510 out of the box is excellent in my opinion. As mentioned above, i suspect that the battery is designed to deliver much more power to the atomiser compared to other models. There does not seem to be a break in period needed for the 510.

However, only after TWO days of continuous use, the atomiser is starting to weaken significantly. In the beginning, i only need to take very short and light puffs to get a good hit. Now, even long puffs will not create the type of hit i got 2 days ago. I think the extra power is taking its toll on the atomiser. I can't help but feel that if the atomiser steel bridge is bigger, it would perhaps lasts longer. I am saying this because it is really small.

The 510 atomiser performance for the first two days would literally murder the M401/2. However, this does not last long. To make sure that my mind was not playing tricks on me, i popped in a new 510 atomiser to judge the difference. For those of you who don't know, the 510 comes with 2 atomisers. The second atomiser gave me an excellent hit. Just like what i got 2 days back. A weakened 510 atomiser is very similar to the performance of a weakened 901 atomiser.


Conclusion
I'm sticking to the Mseries for now until the 510 can work on a more lasting atomiser.

This is only my personal review. I'm interested to see ruuku's review on the 510 as well.