Month and a half later, still frustrated by inconsistancy

[RollTheBones]

Ok, so my sig is not entirely true since I have not been completely cig free for 40+ days. I have cheated here and there, sometimes to extremes but only because I can't seem to find that sweet spot with these things. Every time I think I am finally there, something changes and I dont know what.

I started with a Joye 510, quickly tired of the cartridge mess and started dripping. I alternated between dripping the 510 and using cartomizers with the KR808. I have spent around $400 on equipment, juices and what not trying to find what works. There are a couple of flavors I keep coming back to but even then sometimes they just taste like .....

And the latest headache is wildly inconsistent vapes; I found on this forum a great video for cleaning Atomizers using rubbing alcy, and I have been doing that every night. Even then, the first vape of the morning after priming and dripping the magic number of 3 is ok, then after that either I get none of the juice taste at all, or all the taste and no vapor. So dont know if I have a bunch of dead attys or what, but to be honest I am just worn out from trying new things all the time and dumping money into this.

Not really sure what my point is, just venting I guess. This started out so promising and I keep running into walls. Sometimes expensive ones.

 

[wv2win]

If you do the math, it is still much less expensive than analogs in the long run. Most of us have been where you are it. I still get frustrated with some atomizers that work well for only 2-3 days and then regardless of what I do to them, just don't work well. That's why I buy atty's in larger quantities now (20-25) at a significantly reduced price.

What made the biggest difference for me as far as consistency was when I moved up to a 5 volt PV. 5-6 hours on a charge plus consistent throat hit. I also don't mess with carts anymore and mostly drip. However, I am now trying 801 blank cartomizers and find them to work fairly well although it's been a relatively short time frame using them. Another advantage to a mod is that the batteries are much cheaper ($3.50) and can be recharged 2000 times unlike the small tube type batteries. Plus you can buy them from non-ecig suppliers.

I would suggest you try one of the inexpensive 5 volt box mods such as from Ken's Box Mods: Box Mods to see how it works for you. And if you want to look at many different mod options, then this site reviews many of them on the market today: Best e-Cig Mod List | e-Cig Mods Database. Click on the Mod-DB link and then the Battery Mod link.

I hope things get better for you.

 

[Pav]

Accepting the fact that there will be inconsistency to some extent with vaping is just part of the picture, imo. It's still pretty new.

Did you not get consistency from the cartomizers? Using the KR8 cartos got me to a level of consistency and no hassle I never got from cartridges. Keep in mind that as you're using juice it will get empty after a point and you will start to realize better when that is happening so you can switch to a new cartomizer or refill the one you're using. The cartomizer with one of the newer fatty batteries (elegant/ego) got me to my sweet spot. Hope you find yours.

 

[banjo]

If you don't lake messing with carts, I would suggest a REO or similar mod that is a "bottom feeder". I use the LR510 atty with my REO and love it. No carts to fill and no bottles of juice to carry around. The REO has a 6ml dispenser bottle and a large 18650 battery, so I can go 2 days between juice refills and battery charging, and I only have to blow out the atty once a day or so.......

 

[br5495]

Ok, so my sig is not entirely true since I have not been completely cig free for 40+ days. I have cheated here and there, sometimes to extremes but only because I can't seem to find that sweet spot with these things. Every time I think I am finally there, something changes and I dont know what.

Just in case you are not already doing it, try cleaning out the battery fitting. Especially in the gap between the center post and outer threaded shell. Many of our devices draw air through this part of the fitting and sometimes the old gunk there can definitely ruin the taste of our juice.

 

[uba egar320]

If you don't lake messing with carts, I would suggest a REO or similar mod that is a "bottom feeder". I use the LR510 atty with my REO and love it. No carts to fill and no bottles of juice to carry around. The REO has a 6ml dispenser bottle and a large 18650 battery, so I can go 2 days between juice refills and battery charging, and I only have to blow out the atty once a day or so.......

I have to second the bottom fed option. Just got a used Kaji Journey man this weekend, and it's a game changer. Mess with it every other day as far as refilling and batteries. Other than that, pick it up and use the holy heck out of it.

 

[Vapulicious]

Carts are kind of a pain, i agree there, Ive learned to cut my own fluval and found that if you do that about every 4 or so carts and you consistantly cut the right size, density, and shape, you can get a very consistant vape from it. I switch between blends of PG/VG and have very few problems Fluval polishing pads are cheap enough, and you can cut 4 or 5 carts in the morning, and thats pretty good all day. I cut mine in a long thin triangle slightly wider than the cart, and its fluffed in layers so the thickness is about twice the height of the flat side of a 510, compress with tweezers, stuff, trim and fill. After you've done a dozen or so, you'll get exactly the right size and they vape the cart ALMOST completely dry. Mileage may vary.

Amazon.com: Hagen Fluval Polishing Pad-Fine 104/105/204/20 3/pk: Kitchen & Dining

 

[quarter]

If you don't lake messing with carts, I would suggest a REO or similar mod that is a "bottom feeder". I use the LR510 atty with my REO and love it. No carts to fill and no bottles of juice to carry around. The REO has a 6ml dispenser bottle and a large 18650 battery, so I can go 2 days between juice refills and battery charging, and I only have to blow out the atty once a day or so.......

Where do you purchase your REO? I use the ego mego atomizer and cartridges and am pretty happy but some days I just don't want to mess with it.

 

[cozzicon]

Ok, so my sig is not entirely true since I have not been completely cig free for 40+ days. I have cheated here and there, sometimes to extremes but only because I can't seem to find that sweet spot with these things. Every time I think I am finally there, something changes and I dont know what.

I started with a Joye 510, quickly tired of the cartridge mess and started dripping. I alternated between dripping the 510 and using cartomizers with the KR808. I have spent around $400 on equipment, juices and what not trying to find what works. There are a couple of flavors I keep coming back to but even then sometimes they just taste like .....

And the latest headache is wildly inconsistent vapes; I found on this forum a great video for cleaning Atomizers using rubbing alcy, and I have been doing that every night. Even then, the first vape of the morning after priming and dripping the magic number of 3 is ok, then after that either I get none of the juice taste at all, or all the taste and no vapor. So dont know if I have a bunch of dead attys or what, but to be honest I am just worn out from trying new things all the time and dumping money into this.

Not really sure what my point is, just venting I guess. This started out so promising and I keep running into walls. Sometimes expensive ones.

It's my fault (just kidding)

After you clean the atty try repriming with 4 or 5 drops.

Also, I love atties and use them all the time. Perhaps you might want to try a cartomizer like the Joye 510 cartomizers available from Cignot? (I name the vendor because they seem to be the only ones who currently have them)

Some of us like monkeying around with this stuff- for those that don't cartomizers are simpler to use, but a pain to fill.

 

[Pav]

Some of us like monkeying around with this stuff- for those that don't cartomizers are simpler to use, but a pain to fill.

Do you mean the 510 cartomizers are a pain to fill? KR8 cartomizers (with the soft caps) are definitely not a pain to fill.

 

[cozzicon]

Do you mean the 510 cartomizers are a pain to fill? KR8 cartomizers (with the soft caps) are definitely not a pain to fill.

I can't endorse the KR8s since to me, they taste bad.

I think it's pretty subjective. But yes the KR8s are easy to fill. They do not taste like a 510 however.

 

[banjo]

Where do you purchase your REO? I use the ego mego atomizer and cartridges and am pretty happy but some days I just don't want to mess with it.

email Robert at: Reo@reosmods.com

They are all handmade, so you'll have to ask him about what's in stock. He also has a new REO Mini, but it has a smaller battery and only a 3ml bottle.

 

[SimpleSins]

Do you mean the 510 cartomizers are a pain to fill? KR8 cartomizers (with the soft caps) are definitely not a pain to fill.

I'm not familiar with the KR808, but I suspect it is as easy as filling a soft-cap 510 cartomizer (pull off the top...which I have replaced with a drip tip, put in juice, put back on top). Now the eGo mega cartos, based on what I've read, seem to require a phlebotomist's skill to fill along with an ecig bib for the juice that leaks out of them. Which is why the few I bought are sitting gathering dust.

 

[Pav]

I can't endorse the KR8s since to me, they taste bad.

I think it's pretty subjective. But yes the KR8s are easy to fill. They do not taste like a 510 however.

Ok. So to say cartomizers are a pain to fill is not true. Just 510 cartomizers I guess. Never tried those.
I would think the taste has more to do with the juice in them, but there must be some difference in how the 510 and KR8 work that could affect taste.

 

[t9c]

I'm not familiar with the KR808, but I suspect it is as easy as filling a soft-cap 510 cartomizer (pull off the top...which I have replaced with a drip tip, put in juice, put back on top). Now the eGo mega cartos, based on what I've read, seem to require a phlebotomist's skill to fill along with an ecig bib for the juice that leaks out of them. Which is why the few I bought are sitting gathering dust.

Yeah, SS I agree with you on the Mega cartos, however it's looking like the Mega atty & cart really do the job right. Just a little expensively.

And to the OP, you sound like a good fit for an eGo/Riva/Hello. They really are very consistent with the stock atties. Just get yourself a charger & battery since you already own some atties. And if you'e feeling adventurous, a few LR510 atties.

 

[DC2]

And the latest headache is wildly inconsistent vapes; I found on this forum a great video for cleaning Atomizers using rubbing alcy, and I have been doing that every night. Even then, the first vape of the morning after priming and dripping the magic number of 3 is ok, then after that either I get none of the juice taste at all, or all the taste and no vapor.

If you just cleaned an atomizer and it is completely empty then 3 drops is not the magic number.
A newly cleaned atomizer, or one that has been completely drained or blown out, needs around 5 drops to get moving again.

 

[Automaton]

You may want to try an eGo battery or similar, with Joye 510 cartomizers.

So, carto confusion.

There are 2 types of 510 cartomizers. There are the SLB/Boge 510 cartomizers, which have the coil wrapped in a wick, wrapped in filler - like the Kr8 cartos.

And there are the Joye 510 cartos, which have basically an atomizer in the bottom, and a tank with filler in it above that. These need to be refilled with a syringe, but they taste like atomizers, last as long as the filler cartos, and don't tend to burn like the filler cartos.

So, refilling will be a pain. But they avoid a lot of the Kr8-style cartomizer issues, and with a bigger battery, you may find it's worthwhile. You can also get eGo Mega-sized Joye cartomizers.

Some of us spend a long time finding what works for us, but once you do, it's worth it in the end.

 

[br5495]

You may want to try an eGo battery or similar, with Joye 510 cartomizers.

So, carto confusion.

There are 2 types of 510 cartomizers. There are the SLB/Boge 510 cartomizers, which have the coil wrapped in a wick, wrapped in filler - like the Kr8 cartos.

And there are the Joye 510 cartos, which have basically an atomizer in the bottom, and a tank with filler in it above that. These need to be refilled with a syringe, but they taste like atomizers, last as long as the filler cartos, and don't tend to burn like the filler cartos.

So, refilling will be a pain. But they avoid a lot of the Kr8-style cartomizer issues, and with a bigger battery, you may find it's worthwhile. You can also get eGo Mega-sized Joye cartomizers.

Some of us spend a long time finding what works for us, but once you do, it's worth it in the end.

There is even more cartomizer confusion.

The original type 510 cartomizer has a horizontal coil instead of the vertical coil of a Boge. It has a 2.5Ω resistance and runs a bit warmer than the Boge at about 3Ω resistance.

Then, there is the new Edition 2 cartomizer that is now becoming available in the USA. It has a liquid reservoir that is filled with a syringe. Two reservoir sizes are available, depending on the length of the cartomizer tube. The E2 has a 2.5Ω resistance and is designed for battery voltages such as the 510, eGo, Hello, etc. The only thing inside that will burn is the juice, but only if it is operated at too high of a voltage.

The E2 is still in the development stage, but a good number of people are very satisfied with the performance of the latest revision. Unfortunately, a few users have not been satisfied. However, some of us have put all of our other devices aside and use them exclusively.

 

[quarter]

email Robert at: Reo@reosmods.com

They are all handmade, so you'll have to ask him about what's in stock. He also has a new REO Mini, but it has a smaller battery and only a 3ml bottle.

Thanks banjo!

 

[cozzicon]

Ok. So to say cartomizers are a pain to fill is not true. Just 510 cartomizers I guess. Never tried those.
I would think the taste has more to do with the juice in them, but there must be some difference in how the 510 and KR8 work that could affect taste.

Depends which cartos you are using. There is a difference in taste. The KR8 variety taste like one thing, and the 510 cartomizers taste like a 510 atty. That's my sense of it from having used both.

Many people swear by KR8 cartos... I just don't like them.