Noob who needs cartomizer help please!!!

[karinz]

Hey everyone! I've been searching around the forums, but I am still unsure what to do. I'm fairly new to vaping. Only until recently have I started to use it more often. I quit cigs about a month ago and love my vape pen! I'm using a Vision Spinner that that has an adjustable voltage up to 4.8v, and I believe it is 650mah. I'm using a dct carto 3ml side fill tank that I bought with my fiance at a local vape store. They set us up with it, and suggested the 510 SS SR Drilled 2.3mm atomized cartridges which I believe is the Boge pre punched carto. In the beginning it was a big step up from the clearomizer I had prior. But ever since I've had it I feel like I have to drag it, and it just feels clogged up. I have been priming it using what I think is called the "condom method?"

Long story short, I was just wondering if this is the best carto to use. I've read some negative comments about the Boges, and some positive. I just need help. The quality is just so on and off.

Oh! And I know depending on the juice I use can contribute to clogging the carto. I've tried multiple ones and still have this issue

Thanks in advanced!

 

[Ryedan]

Welcome to ECF karinz!

I used mainly Boge cartos in tanks late last year and early 2013. I still have a bunch I bought then (bought in bulk at about a buck a piece) and still use them when I go out. Priming with the condom method is a great way to start them off. Once you have one in the tank you should not have to re-prime it, it should maintain itself as you vape until it gets gunked up and you replace it.

I've heard both good and bad things about these cartos and the same about all the other cartos out there. IMO a lot more depends on getting them well saturated for first use and then keeping them wet during use. Yes, some juices will really shorten carto life and you will only know that it's the juice doing it when you find another juice that doesn't do it and the cartos last longer. Hope that makes sense

Do your cartos have one pre-punched hole or two? If they have one only that could be an issue. How long are they lasting for you, minimum ml through them compared to maximum? What juices are you using?

Baditude, one of our members has put together some great carto info here. Just look for the tank and cartomizer posts.

Hope this helps a bit.

 

[Baditude]

Welcome, karinz.

You didn't mention how long you've been using that cartomizer. How many tankfuls of juice have you gone through with it? Is this the only tank you are using?

Having multiple tanks set up for use simultaneously can prolong the life of individual cartos. I generally keep several up and running at any one time, each with their own flavor. Using just one will shorten it's life expectancy.

Any carto will have a progessively stiffer draw as you use it. It will never be as nice as when a tank is first set up. You should get plenty of good vape on it for a relatively long time, but just realize things go downhill gradually as the carto ages. Once the carto's pull becomes too stiff to enjoy, it's time to replace it.

I won't go into all the factors which go into decreasing performance of a carto here. I'll just say that a lot of it depends upon the first prime; its the most important step and determines how well the carto will perform for the rest of its life. I happen to use a different method of priming than the condom method. The one that I use works best for me. There's no one way that's 'best', only the way that works best for you.

There are differences between carto name brands: Boge, Smoktech, and Ikenvape.

Boge's filler is more compact or dense. This slows how easy it is to fill the carto; probably why I don't care for them as I use the drip & flip method (in the blog).

Smoktech's filler is less dense, allowing them to be easier to prime, but also may allow them to flood more easily.

Ikenvape's is somewhere between. Just a better all-around carto IMO. Better flavor and last longer.

 

[cmccl]

I second Baditude's recommendation. Ikenvape cartos are excellent. If you don't know what to order when you go to the site come back here and ask (I know I had to!).

 

[Baditude]

I second Baditude's recommendation. Ikenvape cartos are excellent. If you don't know what to order when you go to the site come back here and ask (I know I had too!).

It's not TOO hard. Just know which length to order. Ikenvape calls their longer XL length (45mm) carts "Mega".

Choices for cartotanks are between the 510 Fusion (with a flange) and the Platinum (without a flange). Both are available in standard resistance and low resistance. Both have two laser drilled holes if orderd "Punched!".

 

[karinz]

Ryeden, Baditude, and cmccl, thanks for the great advice!

The cartos I have do only have one punched hole into it. I've been using a variety of juices, mostly from local vape shops. And even using 1 juice I've had mixed experiences with the Boge cartos. Sometimes with one juice (It's called cucumber melon and its more of a lighter colored ejuice) my carto will be good for up to 2 weeks, 1 week, or 3 days. And I've only been using this one tank. I can go through maybe 5 ml a day of juice. Maybe I will buy some more tanks as well!

I think I'm going to try the Ikenvape cartos, since I've been reading great responses about their products! Unfortunately they are out of stock of the one I was planning to get. IKV 510 Platinum Punch! Cartomizer LR V2. Unsure if I should try the LR or SR first! I guess I'll just wait for them to be in stock first! Which will hopefully be soon!

Thanks again for the advice! Ya'll are great!