Newbie looking at SD-keychain

[wittykitty]

Hi all,

I had a e-cig a few years ago but it's knackered and I'm wanting to start from scratch.

I smoke just under a pack a day and am looking for a lightweight to start with, and the SD keychain really appeals to me.

I've been reading a lot on this forum and some posts are very complicated! I live in the UK and want to know simply what to buy to get me set up with one of these.

Can anyone help?

Kit

 

[ShogaNinja]

Well, to be honest I can't recommend something so small as that. I realize that you have a light habit but the EGO Twist is probably cheaper (I live in the U.S. and I don't deal with foreign vendors) but the real reasons I recommend it is because the battery life on a small ecig is far less. batteries are usually only good for 300 charges. After that the voltage drops permanently and they are recommended that you replace them (by the manufacturer) because over time your safety voltage regulation circuit on your lithium ion battery can fail and increase the chances of it catching fire (at least that is there thinking - to err on the side of caution). If you are recharging it twice as often then it will last half as long. The other reason the EGO C Twist is the best option is because with variable voltage it will give you precisely the vape you need, be it weak or strong. You can't do that on a standard, non-variable voltage PV.

I realize that this isn't what you wanted to hear, and I apologize for that, but it's good to examine your options. The only problem with my recommendation is that the EGO Twist is one long PV and it's the exact opposite in size. Oh well I'm assuming you carry a purse which is better to try and fit these devices than a pocket of some skinny jeans.

BTW: once a lithium ion battery has been sitting for years with no charge it is highly recommended that you do not try and charge them. Once they get below a certain voltage (usually 2.2v) they will go into a sleep mode. It is possible to "wake them up" but I am not going to go into it here because it can be dangerous (batteryuniversity.com will tell you if you really want to know). Once it reaches 0v the safety circuit dies and if you try to charge it there's a good chance that it will overcharge and blow up the battery. So that's why your old ecig is "knackered". The self discharge of your battery is caused by that safety circuit, so leaving it unattended for long periods of time is why it died.

Another reason is the SD Keyring as far as I can tell only puts out like 3.4volts. The EGO C Twist puts out 3.2 - 4.8v and is guaranteed to help anyone quit since they can dial in what they need. If they're having a hard day they can bump it up. You can't do that with a SD. You only got one speed. LOW.

Throw a E1-V clearomizer or a Vision Vivi Nova Mini on there (whichever is easier to get where you are) and you are good to go. The E1-V is the better of the two but you gotta do what you gotta do.

 

[Rickajho]

You mean this?

Smoktek 360 Electronic Cigarette Kit - 510 threaded Automatic, a step up from small E-Cigs. 360 mAh!

Ok, if it appeals to you that's a good start. But - and here come the buts...

If the UK version you find includes everything that this kit does then it has everything you need to get started. But two pre-filled cartos aren't going to get you get far. You will need to add more pre-filled cartos or empty cartos and liquids to your order.

You are only getting "one" - one battery and one charger. Can't use it while it's charging. You will now need to buy two of these kits unless you can wait a couple hours while it's charging.

The battery is proprietary. When the battery dies, you will have to buy another kit. You might get between 100 to 300 charges before the battery is dead. Considering that the battery is only good for about three hours of vaping before it will need a recharge, you may be replacing this thing every 30 to 60 days. That actually ends up being quite costly for a 300 mAh battery.

Really, this is the kind of thing a lot of people pick up as a novelty or curiosity. It's good for emergencies and convenient due to the small size but it isn't something you would want to rely on as your primary device.

So I really cannot recommend this thing as a first go kit either. If you want something small you would get better value out of a Joye 510 two battery kit. The batteries won't last any longer or give you longer run times due to the small size issue, but the replacement batteries will cost about 1/3 as much.

 

[wittykitty]

Hi,

Thanks for such a detailed reply. I appreciate what you're saying, and have had a look at the your link - I wish they put the weight in these adverts!

If this is the one you recommend, should I get a sterter kit, or buy all the bits seperately, or does the link have everything I'll need? My old one was a 3-piece and it came as a kit, if I need extras of something I'd trather buy them straight off.

Also, do you know if there is a retailer in the UK? USA shipping can be very expensive, plus customs charges.

Thanks so much

 

[dragonbone]

Hi,

Thanks for such a detailed reply. I appreciate what you're saying, and have had a look at the your link - I wish they put the weight in these adverts!

If this is the one you recommend, should I get a sterter kit, or buy all the bits seperately, or does the link have everything I'll need? My old one was a 3-piece and it came as a kit, if I need extras of something I'd trather buy them straight off.

Also, do you know if there is a retailer in the UK? USA shipping can be very expensive, plus customs charges.

Thanks so much

Hi Wittykitty, welcome to the ECF! After you have made 5 posts you can post in other parts of the forum. If you still haven't found what you are looking for, then maybe asking in the UK forum may do the trick.

You won't have to pay customs chargers, so just worry about the shipping. I agree about buying from the US. Too expensive. As far as I know, the SD Keychain is made in the UK. But I don't know where you can get it from. Maybe Totally Wicked, although most of us don't recommend them anymore, due to something bad that happened a few months ago.

Do you specifically want a SD keyring or will any small eGo ecig be OK? Go look in this thread at the eGo Mini .

If you can't find what you are looking for locally, it ill be better to buy directly from china, rather than going via the US, since everything comes from China anyway... A good place to start is Health Cabin . They are a registered supplier here on the ECF with a spotless reputation. They also have the eGo Mini .

To start: you need a few batteries, some kind of clearomizers and/or cartomizers, a charger, some juice and driptips.

Don't be hesitant to ask further questions.

 

[wittykitty]

Hi dragonbone

Any mini-cig will be fine, I'm just looking for something really light, not bothered about battery life really as I can always buy a couple. I struggled to give up with my last heavy one, so light is definitely better for me!

I looked at your link you attached but again - no weight listed! The lightest I've found is about 8 grams for like a standard size cig. I would prefer something smaller or I know I won't use it. IEven if I buy lots of parts, it's gotta work out cheaper than smoking!

 

[kiwivap]

Hi witty,
Chrissie from the UK forum put together a list of UK vendors . You might want to check out some of those.
I know of some mini cigs but I don't know the UK suppliers. The ECF UK forum that Dragonbone linked to would know. You just need 5 posts in this forum before you can post there.

 

[cyberwolf]

Wittykitty, welcome to the ECF. It usually is a good idea to buy a starter kit because it includes everything you need, usually at a better price than buying parts. As for buying extras, cartomizers and eliquid are the two main consumables, so make sure you get 5-10 extra cartos and at least a bottle of juice or two. Don't stock up too much, because you'll probably want to try other things, too.

As for the model question, the SD Keyring is a great little device, but I also wouldn't recommend it as your only device. Have you thought about getting both? A Riva kit and the SD Keyring would be a nice setup. I'm mentioning the Riva because they are good performing batteries, but smaller and lighter than the Twist. Liberty Flights is the place to look for them.

 

[wittykitty]

Hi cyberwolf

I agree a starter kit is the way to go.

I do have the impression that the SD Keychain is not good for my main device. I looked at the Riva but there's no mention of how much it weighs? If it weighs too much I just won't use it, I'd rather buy several batteries for a smaller device.

 

[dragonbone]

Hi dragonbone

Any mini-cig will be fine, I'm just looking for something really light, not bothered about battery life really as I can always buy a couple. I struggled to give up with my last heavy one, so light is definitely better for me!

I looked at your link you attached but again - no weight listed! The lightest I've found is about 8 grams for like a standard size cig. I would prefer something smaller or I know I won't use it. IEven if I buy lots of parts, it's gotta work out cheaper than smoking!

Oh... I see. So you want something very light in your hand? I thought that you were worried about shipping weight. OK, then IMO, the lightest ecigs are the mini ecigs. KR808D's are the best in the minis in my opinion. Go look at Smokless Image. They have very cute ones. They call it the Volt. Health Cabin also has 808's. I have bought 808's from both places. If you need pics of mine, or links, just ask.

OK, a bit unrelated stuff in the pic, but I took this one earlier today, and thought you might like to see. The purple and black one lying in the front is a Volt (KR 808D). That is a long cartomizer. Shorter ones are available too.
The tiny pink battery second to far right, is an eGo Mini. Once again, shorter and lighter cartos are available.

 

[tj99959]

If you are in the UK it's pretty easy to get a keyring (and they are a great little vape) They also come in two sizes now (300mah & 650mah)
Hang them from a lanyard so that they are tip down and they will last forever. I still have and use the first one ever commercially sold.

www.ecigscrewdriver.com The Home of an E Smoking Icon - Hosted by CaveCom

Another reason is the SD Keyring as far as I can tell only puts out like 3.4volts

That is not correct. The keyring comes off the charger at 4.2v and shuts off when it drops below 3.5v.
It is also a very efficient LiPo cell (so not Li Ion) Average run time on the 300mah keyring at my vape pace is 3.5-4 hours. (1.5ml of e-liquid)

 

[wittykitty]

They are some really pretty ones there! The last one I had was just like a cigarette in colour.

I do like the eGo Mini - is that the size of the entire unit?

 

[fuzziefreakie]

I'm waiting for an SD keyring and an eGo mini in the mail. Will post my experience with both once I try them!

 

[dragonbone]

They are some really pretty ones there! The last one I had was just like a cigarette in colour.

I do like the eGo Mini - is that the size of the entire unit?

No, that is my own arrangement on top. The kit stuff is even smaller. Basically with the eGo type batteries, you can add any cartomizer or whatever you like. Mix and match. Vapor Girl has the kits. Also in the US. Anyway, go and look, and if that is what you like then at least you know. Then all you have to do is find where to get it from that is cheapest for you.

 

[Chrissie]

Hello & welcome WittyKitty

The SD key ring is a good little e-cig for it's size & as it takes 510 cartomisers, you will be able to buy replacements from just about every UK vendor on the list that kiwivap linked to however, as it only comes with the one battery, you are going to have to buy 2 of them plus some more cartomisers & e-liquid for refilling.

 

[Vapoor eyes er]

HC has the Ego Mini fairly cheap:
Battery- $10.99
Mini eGo Battery (400mAh,3.7v) [C-B7 Vision eGo Battery] - $10.99 : Healthcabin Electronic Cigarettes - Wholesale and Retail
Charger- $2.20
USB charger for eGo K & eGo Q Battery
And then a choice of cartos/ clearos:
Cartomizers : Healthcabin Electronic Cigarettes - Wholesale and Retail

I own an SD Keyring and bought it because it fires at 3.7 volts and at the time the Mini Ego only fired at 3.3 volts. The new Ego Mini now fires at 3.7 volts so basically they're the same except the Ego Mini is a larger battery coming in at 400 mah as compared to the SD Keyring which is only 300 mah. Although I'm happy with it I wouldn't consider it my "go to" PV- only use it for special occasions.

 

[wittykitty]

So I seem to have a choice between the eGo Mini and the SD Keychain.

I'm assuming the main difference (to me as I'm looking mainly at weight) the SD is lighter but has less battery time than the eGo?

 

[tj99959]

HC has the Ego Mini fairly cheap:
Battery- $10.99
Mini eGo Battery (400mAh,3.7v) [C-B7 Vision eGo Battery] - $10.99 : Healthcabin Electronic Cigarettes - Wholesale and Retail
Charger- $2.20
USB charger for eGo K & eGo Q Battery
And then a choice of cartos/ clearos:
Cartomizers : Healthcabin Electronic Cigarettes - Wholesale and Retail

I own an SD Keyring and bought it because it fires at 3.7 volts and at the time the Mini Ego only fired at 3.3 volts. The new Ego Mini now fires at 3.7 volts so basically they're the same except the Ego Mini is a larger battery coming in at 400 mah as compared to the SD Keyring which is only 300 mah. Although I'm happy with it I wouldn't consider it my "go to" PV- only use it for special occasions.

The new keyring comes in at 650mah, plus it is a LiPo cell instead of Li Ion.

 

[Buggs5347]

The new keyring comes in at 650mah, plus it is a LiPo cell instead of Li Ion.

Are there advantages to LiPo?

 

[tj99959]

Are there advantages to LiPo?

Yes, some say they are safer, but the real advantage is that they plateau a little higher and tend to hang there until the bitter end. (less noticeable drop off). Have to say that Trog nailed it when he picked the cells to use in these little guys.