Nicotek Metro

[th3xer0]

Okay so this is a followup to my first post (in which I describe my transition to e-cigs yesterday).

I though I would make this a double-edged post. I will briefly review the Nicotek Metro (starter kit) that I am using as my first e-cig. Also I have some questions for anyone with any experience with the Metro.

Okay so in terms of my experience with the Nicotek Metro:
I bought the starter kit (Metro Electronic Cigarette Platinum Kit | Nicotek E-Cigs) for right around the price shown on the official website (I bought mine at a SmokerFriendly store though). I also bought a three pack of menthol cartomizers.

Details about what is in the starter pack etc. are available already, but I thought I could shed a little bit of light on a few aspects of the Metro:
-A cartomizer, although rated at ~300 puffs / 2 packs, lasted me about 24-hours. Seeing that I am/was a pack-a-day smoker and I have been puffing the Metro at about the same rate, I would say that a Metro cartomizer is probably closer to 1 pack of analog smokes. Also, I was using the traditional 1.8 cart so I imaging the 1.2 of 0.6 would have gone even faster (trying to get enough).

-Flavor: I have decided that I really kind of like the traditional flavor offered by Metro, although I cannot figure out how to describe it. I also the menthol flavor, which is very rich and minty, almost like chewing a piece of gum.

-Battery: Today was my first full day of e-cigs and I started the morning with both batteries full. Puffing away all day, I found that a single battery lasted me about 6-7 hours.


Now for some questions:

-Before I go down the rabbit hole of trying new e-cigs, I am wondering first if any other cartomizers (different brands) are known to work with the Metro. It would be nice to try some different flavors and find lower cost cartomizers for the Metro.

-How does 6-7 hour battery time compare with other comparable products?

-How does ~$10 for 3 cartomizers compare with other comparable products?

-What would be some logical next steps for better products?

 

[Alac]

From my understanding, the Metro is a 4081 is a RN 4081. Unfortunatly, not many companies use the 4081 connection anymore. A few companies still sell prefilled 4081 cartos. nJoy is another 4081 (20 dollers a 5 pack). AZsmokefreeAZ has prefilled (cheapest, but they don't last long) as does Aquavaper (@ 12.00 for a 5 pack, I have never used these). If you go this rout, the first 2 I mentioned are hard to refill, the last I couldn't tell you

AZsomkefree and good prophits sell blanks, if you want to load your own juice.

Right now, I'm useing a 4081 battery with an adapter to use blank 510 cartos (made by bloge). I'm not saying this is a great set up, but it can be done.

I am assumeing the Metro is a stamdard size slim, which should put it ay about 180 mAh, most standard slims. To get 6-7 hours, you sound like a light user. Some of the longer slims can get to about 320 mAh, but they will be longer thien a 100 from a soft pack. eGos and the like start at 650 mAh up to 1300 mAh (mAh is kind of like Battery Volume, how much power it can hold, Volt is electrical preasure).

If size is no issue, consider an eGo/vGo/kGo/yuGo. Scratcg that last one, that car is no longer made.

If you want "ciggy looking", consider an kr808 D-1. More companies sell cartomizers. There are over 20 companies that sell prefilleds for this model. (stay away from the evil twin brother, the kr808 D-2 few give this guy any love and it will be taken out on you with lack of venders that support this model).

 

[Sweeney Todd]

That battery life is pretty darn good for a small unit, but I don't know your vape pace.

As far as cartomizers, if you upgrade to an Ego or compatible (anything with 510 threading, really), you can get 5-packs of empty cartomizers for $7-8, and once you find a flavor you like, 30ml of e-liquid (enough for about 30 refills) for $15-20. It sounds like getting loose from a proprietary company and dropping another $50 on an Ego and some cartos will start saving you money after several refills, since you're only getting 3 cartos now.

30 refills is $100 from the company you're with now, and about $50 (30 cartos + juice) if you go the Ego route. Less than that since you can refill cartomizers - 10 should last you through 30ml of juice, most likely. Once upfront costs are out of the way it's more like $30, a dollar a fill. Eventually you can mix your own juice, and after those upfront costs, you're basically paying for nicotine base and cartos ($10). (Not that you need to think about DIY until you've found what premixed juices you prefer.)

Not that your current unit won't be invaluable to getting used to vaping, so it's not wasted money. But I wouldn't invest more in it than you need to keep it running until you get an Ego + cartomizers.

Hope this helps!

 

[SCTony]

Hi th3xer0. Congrats on quitting!! I started with that same kit. It is what got me off analogs so I guess I will always have a 'soft-spot' for it despite its shortcomings. After I used up the juices that came in the kit, the refills were just too expensive for me @ 5 for $20. I was going through them faster than you seem to be though. So I purchased a kit branded FUMA from a local tob. shop. The FUMA did work better than Nicotek but it turned out to be the dreaded KR808D-2 unit (see above). Anyway, I have since passed the Nicotek on to my sis-in-law so she can try e-cigs. For her to use it I got some Boge cartomizers which are refillable, some e-juice, and a battery adapter so the 510 threaded cartomizers will fit onto the RN4081 batteries in the Nicotek kit. Here is an example of the adapter- madvapes.com . Currently I use bigger battery style PVs with the standard 510 threading. I use a KGO, which is a manual unit with a button to activate, and also an Echo which is automatic battery (no button, you just draw on it to activate). I get about a full day's use out of either of these and have no problem recommending either one. One that has gotten pretty good reception is called "E-Power 14650" E-Power-14650 which is a similarly sized pv which uses replaceable batteries. I would consider that one if I were buying today. Cheers!

 

[th3xer0]

Thanks for the replies guys. Good info. At this point I think I am going to start looking into the eGo/vGo/kGo models. I still have enough Metro cartos to last for a little bit while I determine what my next pv will be.

The adapter mentioned by SCTony sounds interesting, but I think i will be better off just finding a new, more standard, model.

 

[ArchEnemy]

Hi! I started out with the metro as well, and I ended up upgrading to the Volt by smokeless image. I really like it and find it a good step up from the metro. Good flavors, SUPER fast shipping, (free shipping on orders over 50$) wonderful sealed automatic batteries, awesome vapor production. The pro kit is around 50 dollars I believe. Congrats for making the switch off tobacco!!!!!

 

[swedishfish]

Can you top off the cartos you already have with juice? $10 for 3 cartos is expensive. You can get a box of 5 empty cartomizers for around $8 and a 30 ml bottle of juice for about $15. Filling it yourself is about $2.10 a carto, including the carto.

Use it for awhile and see where you want to go from there. You can get a similiar model like the V4L KR808 or Volt, or get a bigger battery model like an ego.

Generally you get about 1 hour per 100 mah. Ego batteries start at 650 mah to 1300 mah.

 

[swedishfish]

GP has empty cartos

NEW Soft Tip GP4081 Cartomizers

They also have an adapter so you can use any carto you want.

http://www.shop.goodprophets.com/product.sc?productId=89&categoryId=51

 

[swedishfish]

edit: nevermind, that was for an atomizer

 

[k3rm1t]

I, too, started with the Metro just a few weeks ago. I found a local tobacco shop that sells e-juice and purchased that at the same time. The cartos are easily refillable and I've been very satisfied with the kit. I'm just buying my time until I receive my tax refund so I can upgrade to a little more "professional" set-up. But I'd recommend this to anyone just breaking in to vaping.