Need help selecting a good setup

[$andman]

In the last month I quit chewing tobacco by vaping. Chew is super high in nicotine, so I’ve been a very heavy vaper at the highest nic juice levels. I’m currently using the Volt from Smokeless Image. I have 2 78mm batteries that I’d like to use until I have the funds to upgrade. Here are the specs from the website:

Batteries:
300 charging cycles
Regulated 3.6 volts
7 second cutoff time
Logo VOLT
Battery width 9mm
Silver threading

Cartomizers:
1ml e-liquid capacity
Soft end cap
35.5mm length
9mm width
Silver Threading
Polyfill interior
2.8 ohms approximately

I quickly switched from Cartomizers to this tank-like system:

Smokeless Image | Only The Best Electronic Cigarette | VOLT X2 Clearomizers - Accessories

I have been reading a ton on this forum, but am still a newbie in vaping and could use some advice. I think I’d like to upgrade to a tank and low resistance atomizer, but I have no idea what to get. Here are things that I don’t like about my current setup and want to make sure my new gear would address. These are in order of priority:

-I think it’s called “Pull”. In any case, the volume of vaper I got from the cartos were OK, but not great. The volume from the “Clearomizers” (the Smokeless Image tank-like things) was terrible. I definitely want a higher volume of vaper. If I understand the things I’ve been reading, the LR atty’s should take care of this, even with my current 3.6 voltage batteries.

-Leakage. The cartomizer didn’t leak onto the battery, but the “Clearomizer” did. I could only fill it up 1/3 of the way and had to prop it up when not in use. It would be nice not to have to worry about leaking.

-The cartomizer was a BIG pain to refill. Clearomizer was easy to refill. I’d like something easy to refill.

-My current setup doesn’t hold a lot of juice. I’d like it to hold as much as possible.

-It would be nice if I could order all the new components from one company. I’d like a company that has good customer service and prices. Smokeless Image was excellent in this respect.

-I’d like some recommendations on Juice as well. I’ve been using Smokeless Images vanilla and Desert Joe. I’ve enjoyed these, but sometimes I’ve noticed a bad aftertaste. I’m hoping a LR atty will make juice taste better.

Thank you in advance for any advice. I really appreciate it.

 

[sailorman]

O.k. First off, you're limited to what you can do with the small batteries. Low resistance is pretty much out of the question.

The X2 battery can handle lower resistance. LR may or may not make the juice taste better. Mostly it makes the vapor warmer and produces more vapor. But too warm can make some juice taste burnt, so LR isn't a panacea.

Before giving up on your batteries, there are a couple other things you can try. Your batteries use an 808 connector, so you might want to think about a 808/510 adapter so you have more options regarding what will fit.

You can get good vapor production, (better than the Stardust, which is the generic name for that X2 clearomizer ), a couple of ways. One is to use regular cartomizers on the X2. The taste is not as "pure", but you might get more flavor and better throat hit with a 2ohm cartomizer on your X2. This is where an adapter might come in handy if you can't find 808 Low resistance cartomizers easily. You can try Fluxomizers in a 2.2-2.4ohm range. The XL size holds almost as much as the Stardust clearomizers, about 1.5ml. They produce lots of vapor and, for a clearomizer, the taste isn't muted as much as some others. They also NEVER leak.

For the small batteries, I'd try the Fluxomizers from Gotvape in the 2.4-2.6ohm variety. They make them with an 808 connection and that's probaby the biggest upgrade you'll be able to do for the small batteries.

Back to the X2, you can use a regular carto or atomizer tank, but you'll need an 808/510 adapter most likely. I'm not sure how available punched cartomizers are for an 808 battery. Also, normal tanks look goofy and top-heavy on an eGo type battery.

If there is a 808/ego adapter, you can use any number of other tanks that are specifically designed for the eGo. The E1 "Revive" is getting some good reviews and there is a Smoketech DCT made for an eGo. With some single coil 1.7-2ohm cartomizers, the Smoketech tank should perform better than the Stardusts. The E1 tank has it's own replaceable atomizer heads inside and is probably an even better option. But, you'll need an adapter for an 808 battery unless they come in that particular variety. I'm not sure.

If you're out to buy an entirely new system, that's up to you and your options are unlimited. But there are many other things you can do to improve the performance of what you have. What you put on the end of a battery is far more important than the battery itself. There's no reason you can't get good vapor from a 3.6V battery.

Hop on over to Gotvapes.com. See if they have an 808/eGo adapter. Buy a box or two of 808 Fluxomizer XLs and, if they have an adapter for an ego and/or a 510 connection, try one or two of the other clearomizer type tanks that are available. You can probably solve all your issues and still keep all your current batteries for well under $50.

 

[$andman]

Thanks for all the great information and suggestions! I'm gonna check it all out and then I'll probably have questions. If I were to get a whole new system, what would you (or anyone else reading this) recommend given the priorities in performance that I listed earlier?

 

[$andman]

I found an 808 to 510 adapter. I like the look of the GotVapes Vision ViVi Nova 2.5:

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

Is there any reason why this wouldn't work with my X2 batteries?

 

[kia2]

Congratulations on taking the small steps to first quit smoking and then to find out more about vaping! It is a journey, of sorts, but one day you will find just your right set up. There isn't any need to go overboard on the cash, as long as you don't go crazy with the "ooh, I want" syndrome. I'm guilty of this, though I've stayed in the 808 category all along. I tripped through a few different vendors and brands before landing for the long haul with the Volts.

The 808 to 510 adapter from GotVapes works just fine. I have both the X2 and I have the GotVapes adapter. No problems at all. I purchased the adapter because I wanted to try the Phoenix bottom coil cartomizers from GotVapes. They work well, but the X2 supplier is also developing their own version, which I am definitely assuming will have the 808 threading, so no adapter will be needed. I'm not sure I've seen another tank-type cartomizer with 808 threading, but it would definitely be a boon for me, since I find I rather like my 808 style batteries. They're also saying no syringe needed for filling, which would also be a definite plus.

On a side note, be sure to watch the SteelJan videos regarding adapters and the one about the Phoenix bottom coil cartomizers. Her videos are always full of good information.

http://youtu.be/qOfVdlXlVPA

http://youtu.be/d9-8Rb6RWe4


I'm probably a little on the odd side, but so far, I prefer the taste of my liquids in blank carts. The GotVapes tank cartomizer works well, but I still like filling my carto blanks. Maybe the tank cartomizers are on my short side because I have a tendency to vape a whole lot more liquid in one sitting with them, and it seems to be a little much for me, personally. That, and I like quite a variety at my fingertips, so the carto blanks are a little more on the cost effective side for me, I think. I refill them several times before they finally lose their "umph."

I also have quite a collection of liquids, as I went on a hunt to find the ones that satisfied me best. I have an espresso I really like, a watermelon not from the battery vendor I like, a dragon fruit, a cola flavor, some other fruit flavors, all from ECBlends that I like. I haven't found the right 555 flavor yet, so I stick with my battery vendor's version, which seems to be the best so far. I just want to find a different PG/VG ratio. Anyway, sorry to have gotten off track a little. Take your time with liquids and keep costs down by finding low cost or free vendor samples before putting out a lot of cash up front for liquids.


edited to add: I see that GotVapes has added an 808 threaded Phoenix cartomizer. It wasn't available yet when I tried the Phoenix.

 

[RiverNut]

I found an 808 to 510 adapter. I like the look of the GotVapes Vision ViVi Nova 2.5:

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

Is there any reason why this wouldn't work with my X2 batteries?

Not that I can tell. I get to try one tomorrow so I'll let you know what I think about if you'd like.

 

[bnrkwest]

I didn't know the Volt XL big battery was 808 connection, it looks just like an ego batt! But yes as suggested, you can an adapter to another size connection. You could even go to a glass tank with carto and just use your 808 cartos. Just saves alot of time topping off cartos by using a tank. bnrk

 

[$andman]

I appreciate all the feedback and I'll be waiting to hear what you think of the Viva Nova 2.5, RiverNut. The one concern I have about the 2.5 is the draw. I've heard people say that it is tight, which is something I really don't like about my clearomizer. It feels like I'm sucking air through a tiny straw. I just want a natural feeling draw, like a cigarette. Anyone able to comment on the draw of the 2.5?

There are a lot of people on the forums recommending the carto + tank option, so it must be pretty good. I really hate filling cartos, and they don't hold a lot of juice (at least not the ones I've been using), so a tank would really help. I'll probably end up going with this type of system if I hear bad things about the 2.5's draw.

 

[sailorman]

You shouldn't hear any bad things about the draw of the vivi nova. I have three of the Version 2 and one Version 2.5. the draw is the same and, personally, I like the Version 2 better. The only difference is the long wicks of the 2.5 and I find that the short wicks have better taste. I'll be trimming my 2.5 wicks soon, or I'll re-wick them.

The draw is not at all tight. I think it's perfect. It's definitely not like sucking air through a straw. The only comments I've heard about the draw have been either from users of a specific model of Lavatube, or positive and in comparison to the V1, which was far too airy. The holes of the v 2.0-2.5 have been relocated and that tightened up the draw in comparison to the V1. I think it's a looser draw than a lot of cartos Ive used. The draw is just enough to let you know there's something on the end of your drip tip and just a tiny bit tighter than a Fluxomizer clearo. It's certainly not like a 3 day old carto or even an atty that's been used a couple days. It's consistent too, which is something you can't say about any carto.

I can tell you this. I'll never go back to a carto tank as long as I have these vivi novas. No more leaks or swapping cartos between flavors. No more punching or filling cartos. No more inconsistent cartos, no wasting juice, no more sliding cartos and no more filler taste. As more people try these, it's going to put a dent in the use of tank cartos. The Vivi Novas just have far too many advantages over a carto tank. Only the 3-3.5 ml capacity could be a disadvantage compared to the larger carto tanks. But the ease of filling overcomes that to a large degree. The only other criticism I have is that, like any other CE2 clearo, they tend to mute the flavor and throat hit slightly. When I say slightly, I mean VERY slightly, almost to the point of irrelevance. The shorter wicks almost entirely eliminates that problem and the quality and cleanness of the flavor makes up for it anyway. I can notice a taste improvement over the longer 2.5 wicks, but that could just be because they're wicking better. In the end, the slight loss of flavor and throat hit is negligible compared to all the advantages they have over a carto tank.

 

[Flyer]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but Sailorman, can you talk a little more about how you trim the long wicks of the Vivi Nova and how much flavor improvement you achieve. I'm on day two with a version 2.5 and a flavor improvement would probably sell me forever on them. I have read other say that the supplied coils may be wound to tightly. Any truth to that?

 

[sailorman]

I haven't trimmed the wicks on the V2.5 yet. I will likely do that, but I've just been using the V2s so far. I would trim them to the same length as the V2s, or maybe a tiny bit shorter, depending on how they behave. The V2s just mash up against the inside wall of the tank. They probably span the distance of the outer diameter of the tank, maybe a mm more.

The V2.5s use multiple stranded wicks, instead of the heavier, larger diameter wick of the V2. I'm not sure how they'll work once trimmed. They may droop too much. I think the way the short wick remains horizontal helps them pick up juice better than if they were drooping off the head. If trimming the 2.5 wicks doesn't work well, I'll replace them entirely, possibly with cotton.

IMO, the shorter, fatter wicks get, or remain, more saturated. They are producing a fuller, heavier vapor. I've tried all the heads on my 2.5 and it's been a pretty consistent difference between them and the 2.5. It's not extremely dramatic, not night/day, but it is noticeable.

I don't know about the coils. It's possible. That could account for the "thinner" tasting vapor I think. Now you got me thinking. I may do a recoil tonight and see what happens.

 

[Mroutlaw]

I have the volt and now use the phoenix cartomizers from gotvapes. They are awesome, they don't leak at all, not a drip. Check them out. They have all the benefits of a clearo in a carto that fits the small battery.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[$andman]

Thank you again, everyone, for your advice.

Sailorman, you've convinced me to get a viva nova. I think I'll get the 2.5 because of the nice kit they have from GotVapes with the different resistence heads. It'll be fun to tinker. Please let me know if you discover an alteration that improves the vaping experience and/or flavor.

 

[$andman]

Just thought I'd follow up on my results with upgrading my setup with the volt batteries I already had. I took Sailorman's advice and bought an 808 to 510 adapter to increase my options. I also bought a Viva Nova 2.5 from GotVapes.com. Just got it today and it works great. I've been using the 1.8 ohm atty with Desert Joe. Taste and volume of vapor is excellent. This is a big improvement over the clearomizer I was using. The draw is just a bit tight, but it's all thick vapor, so I don't really mind. Thanks to everyone who responded for steering me in the right direction!

 

[RiverNut]

Just thought I'd follow up on my results with upgrading my setup with the volt batteries I already had. I took Sailorman's advice and bought an 808 to 510 adapter to increase my options. I also bought a Viva Nova 2.5 from GotVapes.com. Just got it today and it works great. I've been using the 1.8 ohm atty with Desert Joe. Taste and volume of vapor is excellent. This is a big improvement over the clearomizer I was using. The draw is just a bit tight, but it's all thick vapor, so I don't really mind. Thanks to everyone who responded for steering me in the right direction!

$andman, sorry I'm late to the party...sent you a pm

 

[Pappy]

$andman, I'm glad the Vivi Nova is working out for you. I just bought a couple of them too, although I think mine are v1's (although they were advertised as v2's). The draw on them is not tight at all, perhaps a little on the loose (airy) side but it's fine for me. I'm really liking this thing. Easy to fill, no leaks, no carto to punch or mess with, re-buildable and cheap to boot. What's not to like?

 

[cmacelloman]

Hey sandman,

Sailorman makes good points. Well, frankly, everything he said is true if you are not looking to buy an upgraded battery. The only issue I take with it is that the ego battery (eGo C Twist is what I recommend) can be modded simply by buying a sleeve to unify the tank to the battery and make it look like it belongs together. However the ego-C Type B tanks and tip are not bad for a step up from where you are. Be sure to put a pilot hole in the bottom of the tank before jamming the atomizer post into the tank. Leaking could occur if you don't. There are some maintenance issues with the Twist as with all good tank systems, but plenty of video help on YouTube. eGo C type B Twist kits are available with 5 rebuildable atomizers, 5 tips, charger (usb and AC) and other little niceties for around $70 from Cignot.com with coupon code.

My 2 cents.

 

[tycoonflynn]

You know at first I thought ole Sailorman was a goof but im seeing that he really knows his stuff. Sorry for thinking that and I appreciate your knowledge and experience.

 

[AlphaOmega]

Okay, THANK YOU SANDMAN for posting this because i have the exact same questions you posed.

I have read all the tutorials on this site. Then I started reading all the posts in the novice section. This thread has addressed all the other questions I have. Help me find the best setup...you definitely hit the nail right on the head !!!

Seems like whenever I have found a site that has a product with awesome reviews then there is another more advanced product they offer that requires so many more attachments and parts....Makes it hard to decide and well, I, myself cannot buy it all. I thought would have to spend so much more to get whatI wanted...This resolved all my questions.

I was just about to buy a Volt system and then when I saw their 2X battery options I changed my mind. I see why the eGo is recommended. I will not need a PCC for an eGO. If I have this right and eGo should keep its charge all day. That is a great selling point for me. Less things to carry better off I am. I can just put everything in a small case and keep it in my pocket/purse.

Now I know exactly what I want to buy...

I am going to get the Joytech eGo-C kit on that GOVAPES.com site that was posted (I kind of like the NEW VAPOR Complete Lit too). Looks like the perfect solution for me.

This site offers a lot of options and things can be changed and mixed/matched. That is just awesome.

I already have the juice issue down. I do not need any help with that. I am a chemist and can formulate anything to my taste.

THANK YOU....AND THANK YOU AGAIN....THIS MADE MY DAY. Just the very best thread...TYVM !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Saved me a huge future headache and expenditure.

 

[AlphaOmega]

UPDATE: Per this post and all the tutorials availavble up here I did buy the Joyetech eGo-C, Type-B kit from MyFreedomSmokes.com. Best of all they had a 25% off coupon for $200.00 + orders which helped me stock up on consumables.

I think MFS is a sponsor up here and I have to say the owner (Chris Yelton) validated that my choice was "good." He did not try to influence my decision, simply validated it was a good selection. Additionaly, he pointed me to some valuable 411 regarding "priming the atomizer", which is on the MFS site.

I am really happy with this system. I mean it is so easy and simple to work with. All I have to do is fill the tank, install it and can use the device whenever I like and for me it maintains charge for a good 4 days. IMHO, I could not have meade a better choice for myself.

I am thinking of getting something smaller as well to carry when i travel. The Ovale looks like a good choice. However, back to similar issues as before: I see clones all over the place like the 6 and the LSK and I see 350 mAh, 360 mAh, and now there is an Eagle LSK with a 700 mAH battery that would be my pick. But I am not sure if any of these are really compatible with the actual Ovale accessoires like the PCC, the desk charger, case, etc....Additionally, even though i see clones i see no accessories for clones. This battery size would not maintain charge for long so I will look around here for fome info and see what people have to say before i make another purchase.

Love my Joyetech eGo-C, but would still like a smaller format that is less imposing for certain professional environments I know I will have to deal with. This Ovale type device is also a tank system and I really like that. The format is sleek, small, thin, but then so is the battery...So have a few things to consider. So I see some more research and study is required.

Anyway, I find this site to be invaluable, very informative, whoever wrote those tutorials did a damn good job and I appreciate all the work that went into them. TYVM !!!!!