Ordered first VV PV, now what?

[gordong11]

Well I have to wait a week or so for my iTaste VV to be delivered. In the meantime I'm going to continue to use the Blu disposables. I kind of like the flavor of the blu regular disposable, it's like a coffee and tobacco mix, does anyone know what the flavor and maker is?

I was also wondering if I could use pre-filled cartridges in the iTaste VV if in a pinch? like would Blu cartidges work in my VV PV? Lastly is there a website that ranks/lists the top 5 online liquid shops? I'm trying to find a good place with lots of variety and excellent quality.

added: other than liquid, is there anything else I would need, or good to have?
Product Description
The Innokin iTaste Starter Kit - Black
NOTE: These iTaste units are v.II (Version II) and do NOT auto adjust the voltage like the first version.
Main Features :
-- 3.3 – 5.0 volts in .1 volt increments –- built-in puffer accounter -- Advanced magnet technology
-- The changeable atomizer system -- Long live energy 800mAh -- ON/OFF
-- Battery capacity display -- 12 seconds cutoff -- Short Circuit/Atomizer Protection
-- Over-Discharge Protection -- Passthrough -- tank system
-- Pen clip style
INNOKIN ITaste VV Gift Package Starter Kit
1x ITaste Polymer Li-ion Intelligent Rechargeable Battery ( 800mAh)
1x ITasteTank Atomizer square cover
4x ITaste changeable atomizer heads
1x ITaste Pen Clip Cap
1x ITaste USB Retractable Cable
1x USB A/C Power Charger Adaptor 110V/220V (CE, ROHS ,FCC Certification)
5x ITaste Refillable tank clear Cartridges ( Empty )
1x English Instruction Manual
1x ITaste gift box package

Thanks
Gordo

 

[tumbafox]

This Mod you purchased is apparently new to the market and as of yet relatively untested within the vaping community. It is apparently another new unreviewed Chinese knock off of the Provari VV mod which is the ultimate VV American made Mod but costly. Second best seems to be the Lavatube. Check the link below for lists of all the mods popularly available.

The mod you bought only has built in 800 Mah battery which probably wont last the whole day without recharge, whereas the Lavatube which costs around the same and has a lot of positive Youtube overall reviews and works with the removable rechargeable 18650 Lithium Ion or Lithium Magnesium batteries. It is actually cheaper and the 18650 batteries range from 1600 to 3500 Mah over 2 - 4 times the capacity of what you just bought.

Generally people buy spare batteries so they can keep vaping while there spent batteries recharge. Built in batteries are not that popular because when they fail, no more e-cig. Most Mods use batteries that are removable and rechargeable with a separate charger. That way you always have spare charged batteries ready to go. And a spare battery can run from $5 - $15 and last 500 or more cycles. Always use Protected Batteries to avoid explosions or the more costly IMR batteries which are deep discharge and best suited for VV.

Also, most VV mods go to 6 volts. The Provari goes from 2.9 to 6 volts. My Madvapes boxmod goes from 1.7 to 7.2 volts. Most VV vapers adjust the voltage according to best taste and throat hit. Each juice has its own sweet spot in terms of voltage settings. You have to feel your way until you like the setting.

This device may be very good. I don't know. And spare parts may be hard to come by. But for your next device read the reviews section on ECF and watch the Youtube reviews before you buy. Grimmgreen seems to have a big following on Youtube.

Suggest you look at the following link.

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/general-e-smoking-discussion/298549-new-members.html

Welcome to the real world of vaping which you will find makes the Blu look like overprice junk.

Another good review site is: e-cigarette reviews: detailed opinions, not sales pages! as well as Vaping Guides to the Electronic Cigarette

Good luck. Your in for a shock when you vape off of an advanced personal vaporizer which is the new term for the "mod"

What are you going to vape off of while your mod is recharging. Did you give that any thought.

How much are replacement parts? Atomizers and Cartomizers are expendables that often need replacing.

Suggest you read my post at: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/general-e-smoking-discussion/298549-new-members.html for a good primer on the real world for vapings.

You might want to consider ordering for a backup an ego or leo or riva styled 510 battery. It is far more popular and every vaper needs a backup device in emergencies. And the atomizers and cartomizers can be bought anywhere online.

Once you experience vaping off a real good e-cig Mod and a DCT tank cartomizer you will be quite surprised at the difference from the Blu.

 

[sailorman]

As foI think it's a stretch to call the iTaste a "knockoff" of a Provari. Using that logic, all VVs are knockoffs of the Provari. I think that's pretty presumptuous. The only thing it has in common with the Provari is a digital display and the fact it's variable voltage. Last I heard, Provari didn't have a patent on either of those things. Now the Vmax...That's a different story. The company that makes it is the same that makes the Leo and the Lea, both of which got pretty good reviews. It's not some fly by night knockoff company and they have every right to make a VV without being accused of copying anything, much less a Provari to which it bears no resemblance whatsoever. In fact, aesthetically, it's very similar to what a VV Leo would be.

You are right, it's relatively untested. Gordong will be the tester. Someone has to do it. My biggest concern with it is the extensive use of proprietary parts which, while not overly expensive, limits what else you can do with it and what other attachments you can use on it. The battery is also an issue. Not because of the size so much as the fact that it's a sealed battery and there is no provision to use the PV and charge it at the same time. This is the exact same problem I have with the eGo Twist. They may make good second PVs, but it's crazy to rely on them as your only unit.

The preview on tasteyourjuice.com highlights some issues Pbusardo had with his review unit. It seems that the voltage recommended by the microprocessor was being enforced. The manufacturer said they are addressing this problem, so I wonder what version Gordong got and if it's been fixed. It's a slick unit and if it actually works well it would be a nice adjunct to another more reliable PV someone might have. It's trim, compact and attractive; everything a Provari isn't. To imply that it's just a cheap Provari knockoff is Provangelism run amok.

As for Youtube reviews, until someone knows who to trust, they are the worst place a newb could ever go for advice. Youtube is awash in good reviews for garbage. A noob might leave Youtube with the impression that the V2 is the best e-cig in the world. Youtube is the home of hucksters, scammers and shills of every description. 99% of e-cig reviews on YT are absolutely worthless.

 

[tumbafox]

Also a good directory of e-liquid suppliers can be found at

Compare USA / European e-Liquid Manufacturers and Suppliers

Original Dekang juice is my favorite and they are probably the worlds largest single juice maker. I worry often about buying western made juices because you don't know if they are being made in a laboratory setting or in someone's bathtub.

I find eliquidplanet juices to be quite good personally and I trust them from personal experience. There is a section on juice reviews on ECF as well as many reviews on Youtube. Just enter search terms e-cigs and e-liquid or e-juice. You can sort the results by date or relevance. Everyone has their own preferences and it takes a lot of trial and error. I suggest ordering sampler kits which contain lots of different flavors to try.

More advance vapers like to make their own juice. That's what I do because then I am sure of what is in the juice I am vaping.

ECF has a section on D.I.Y

For nicotine juice I like Xtremevaping and Nicvape. Don't try this until you learn what its all about or you may risk overdosing on nicotine. THIS IS NOT FOR BEGINNERS.

I like Create your own perfume with The Perfumer's Apprentice and One Stop DIY Shop and DIY Flavor Shack.

I recently starting using Acetyl Pyrazine as a flavor booster. ONLY use one drop per 10ml.

Perfumers Apprentice - Acetyl Pyrazine 5% (PG)
Perfumers Apprentice - Acetyl Pyrazine @ 10% (Sig) (2-acetyl pyrazine)

It seems to be a secret ingredient that juice vendors use.

 

[gordong11]

I ordered mine as a pre-order so its not yet in stock, but I did call and ask, he said he expects them in early next week. Also I fully knew the battery wasn't as long lasting as the Provari, but it's also less half the price at 80 buck. I thought it would be a good starter unit because I can buy an extra battery but I cant buy a non-vv turn it into a vv. Plus I wear a lot of dress shirts, short sleeve for work and they all have a chest pocket, perfect for the pen form factor and I wanted a digital display for the cool factor.

He said he would take a return if I wasn't happy, so nothing to lose really. The guy was nice, the iTaste seemed like a good deal, so i took a shot. It could be horrible, it could be great, most likely its somewhere in the middle based in the price. I will post a review once I get it If interested where i buy, just let me know and I will post or PM. I'm not sure of the board rules here when it comes to linking stores.

added: I got 18mg tobacco flavor and 11mg Fruit punch flavor with my purchase. I smoke Winston lights about 3/4 - 1 pack a day so I'm hoping the strength is good enough.

 

[sailorman]

I just noticed that the issue of auto adjusting has apparently been fixed. That's good.
Personally, I like the unit and I hope it works great. It can't be any worse than the eGo-T.
If it's an improvement on the Leo, it should work very well.
I've seen the prices of replacement parts and they're not priced out of line or hard to find.
There is an adapter head you can buy so that you can use 510 or other cartomizers with it.
There are 4 adapters and each one fits one or more of the other common thread types.
I would have another more generic unit on hand for a backup. You can get an inexpensive kGo kit for backup and to use while the iTaste is charging.

 

[sailorman]

Can you buy an extra battery for this particular unit. Is the battery isolated from the electronics so that you can swap battery packs somehow? That would be really nice.

Like I said, I saw this unit for sale with all the accessories. I don't remember seeing any spare battery packs but now that I thik of it, I did see the adapters to use 510 or other cartomizers. I think they were about $8/each or a set of all 4 for about $25. Spare atomizers were about $7-8 as well. About the same as a standard 510 atty.

 

[gordong11]

Can you buy an extra battery for this particular unit. Is the battery isolated from the electronics so that you can swap battery packs somehow? That would be really nice.

Like I said, I saw this unit for sale with all the accessories. I don't remember seeing any spare battery packs but now that I thik of it, I did see the adapters to use 510 or other cartomizers. I think they were about $8/each or a set of all 4 for about $25. Spare atomizers were about $7-8 as well. About the same as a standard 510 atty.

Yes you can buy an extra battery It looks like most or all parts are posted on the sellers website for sale. I may get the 510 adapter JIC.

 

[tumbafox]

I beg to differ. Provari is the standard by which all other VVs are measured. These things are not really patentable anyway. Chinese patents work a lot differently than U.S. patents. A new VV would have to be of a revolutionary design to be patentable at this point. After all, Phillip Morris got the original patent on the e-cig and I don't see them suing anyone for U.S. patent infringement. Their patent is expired anyway so its open season for any company to make a modified e-cig. Just like generic drugs. I'm not a Provari shill. Actually, I get more pleasure out of my 17.99 Madvapes box mod I built myself. No L.E.D. but I adjust to taste.

And I agree with your point about built in batteries. I would never buy one unless I was willing to buy 2 or 3.

And I would never buy something brand new to the market. I have been burned to many times and at great expense.

And I have an issue with Lithium Polymer batteries. I used to use them in in an RV micro helicopter. Talk about unsafe?

And if all Youtube reviews were garbage I could say the same about ECF reviews. All reviews are only someone's personal opinion. It's a buyer beware world. I have learned more from video reviews than from written reviews. It takes time to know who the players are and who the aholes are.

This chaps a newbie and I think even Rolygate in his post, http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...287787-three-main-types-ecig-explanation.html advises newbies against jumping right into APVs or Mods as they are also known.

As always, Gotvapes is making a big deal about the Itaste as per his grand opening announcement at, http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...v-auto-tune-510-808-magnets-tidy-clearos.html. Again a product that is not even in stock yet. And I have nothing against Gotvapes. I use them frequently. It's the hype I have a problem with. But that's his right as a supplier under the rules so be it.

 

[tumbafox]

I have nothing against knock offs. Just like I have nothing against generic drugs. Sometimes a knock off can be better than the first to market. Improvements made, etc. I did not call it a copycat. Copycating is illegal. Its like selling something that is not a Rolex but calling a a Rolex which is fraud. Knock offs are perfectly legal and its part of fair competition. I have a friend who bought a lavatube knockoff an is very happy about it. To me all and e-cig is, is a battery connected to a battery connector connected an atty or carto. Everything else is personal preference. However, I do believe that different atomizers and cartomizers that are made of different grade materials and different type of wicking makes a big difference in the actual vaping experience. I have read lately that people are experimenting with cotton wicks and finding a big improvement in flavor experience. Only problem is that cotton has to be wet at all time or it will burn. But I'm eager to try it.

 

[tumbafox]

You can turn a regular tube mod into a VV. it's called The Kick by Evolv. Check out AltSmoke.com | Personal Vaporizers | Electronic Cigarette | Ecigs | The Kick by Evolv - Kick - By Evolv - Accessories

 

[gordong11]

As a Noob, I have nothing to compare iTaste to, so as long as it works and the battery lasts a few hours while not breaking in first month, I will be happy. If do end up enjoying vap'ing and it helps me quit smoking, I fully intend to shell out the cash for a ProVari and use the iTaste as a backup. I really can't go wrong as long it works.

 

[sailorman]

I beg to differ. Provari is the standard by which all other VVs are measured. These things are not really patentable anyway. Chinese patents work a lot differently than U.S. patents. A new VV would have to be of a revolutionary design to be patentable at this point. After all, Phillip Morris got the original patent on the e-cig and I don't see them suing anyone for U.S. patent infringement. Their patent is expired anyway so its open season for any company to make a modified e-cig. Just like generic drugs. I'm not a Provari shill. Actually, I get more pleasure out of my 17.99 Madvapes box mod I built myself. No L.E.D. but I adjust to taste.

The point is not whether it's patentable or not. It's presumptuous to make a blanket statement that any VV is a knockoff of a Provari. Who says it's the standard by which all other VV's are measured? I don't measure a sleek, ergonomic and inexpensive VV by the standard of a heavy, bulky and expensive Provari. Using that logic, if a Lamborghini is the fastest sports car, all other sports cars are knockoffs. Yeah, they all have 4 wheels and an engine. The Provari and the iTaste both have batteries and variable voltage. But that's about as far as the resemblance goes. According to that definition of knockoff, there can be no knockoff of a Buzzpro because it's not the standard by which all VVs are measured. There are design patents and mechanical patents. The only VV that is remotely a knockoff of a Provari is the Vmax, and only in terms of the design.

And I agree with your point about built in batteries. I would never buy one unless I was willing to buy 2 or 3.

And I would never buy something brand new to the market. I have been burned to many times and at great expense.

I agree about the batteries, particularly if I had no backup. But some people are "early adopters". I'm glad they're out there. It saves the rest of us from being burned.

And I have an issue with Lithium Polymer batteries. I used to use them in in an RV micro helicopter. Talk about unsafe?

I flew, and still occasionally fly, RC planes. I used to have an issue with LiPos, until I learned that they're virtually no different than Li-ions, except for the casing. I used them up to 3000mah and 11.1 volts without a problem. A little 3.7V Lipo in a hard shell case with a properly regulated charging circuit is not a problem. They're showing up in more and more consumer electronics every day.

And if all Youtube reviews were garbage I could say the same about ECF reviews. All reviews are only someone's personal opinion. It's a buyer beware world. I have learned more from video reviews than from written reviews. It takes time to know who the players are and who the aholes are.

The discussion was about newbies. By definition, noobs don't know who to trust. You dont find affiliate links all over the reviews and opinions on ECF. Half the reviews on YT are commercials. Most of the rest are incompetents and burn outs. You could give yourself an education in e-cigs in less time than it would take to separate the wheat from the chaff on YT.

This chaps a newbie and I think even Rolygate in his post, http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...287787-three-main-types-ecig-explanation.html advises newbies against jumping right into APVs or Mods as they are also known.

I agree. I never recommend an APV to a noob. Maybe the Provangelists should be reminded of this, since it seems like no new member thread can go by without at least one or more "Get a Provari" posts.
In this case, he already bought it. I wouldn't have recommeded it, but I'm also not going to lecture him in the folly of his noob ways. I wonder if you would have posted your lecture if he had chosen a Provari.

As always, Gotvapes is making a big deal about the Itaste as per his grand opening announcement at, http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...v-auto-tune-510-808-magnets-tidy-clearos.html. Again a product that is not even in stock yet. And I have nothing against Gotvapes. I use them frequently. It's the hype I have a problem with. But that's his right as a supplier under the rules so be it.

Gotvape is known for that. They do it with everything and they take their share of criticism for it. At the same time, they also end up with stuff a lot sooner than other vendors and if they want to cater to the "early adopters", that's fine with me. I'm not forced to buy it.

 

[sailorman]

I have nothing against knock offs. Just like I have nothing against generic drugs. Sometimes a knock off can be better than the first to market. Improvements made, etc. I did not call it a copycat. Copycating is illegal. Its like selling something that is not a Rolex but calling a a Rolex which is fraud. Knock offs are perfectly legal and its part of fair competition. I have a friend who bought a lavatube knockoff an is very happy about it. To me all and e-cig is, is a battery connected to a battery connector connected an atty or carto. Everything else is personal preference. However, I do believe that different atomizers and cartomizers that are made of different grade materials and different type of wicking makes a big difference in the actual vaping experience. I have read lately that people are experimenting with cotton wicks and finding a big improvement in flavor experience. Only problem is that cotton has to be wet at all time or it will burn. But I'm eager to try it.

In the context you used it, your use of the word "knockoff" was disparaging as well as technically incorrect. The Lavatube was simply a name given buy a certain vendor to a device made by a specific manufacturer. When that vendor lost his exclusive rights, other vendors sold that same device under their own names. That doesn't make them knockoffs. The copies made by J. Lin and Uniq are knockoffs, but they're improvements over the L. Rider original. The reason they're knockoffs isn't because the original is the "standard by which all VVs are measured". They're knockoffs because they copied the same design closely enough that they could, on casual inspection, be confused with the original. Even if something is, in your subjective opinion, the "standard by which all VVs are measured", it doesn't mean everything else that performs the same, or similar, functions is a knockoff.

The iTaste borrows nothing from the Provari. There is no similarity in design, display, form, function, materials or electronics. If it's a knockoff of the Provari, then so is the Lavatube, the Buzzpro, the Madvapes VV box mod and every single VV out there, including the Reo. Or does it have to be Chinese to qualify as a knockoff?