Ordered the Apollo VTube Kit. What else I need? I am a beginner and I’m lost.

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Hun_BV

Full Member
May 25, 2012
14
1
California, USA
I try to get started with e-cigs, but as more I read about it in this forum, the more lost I feel. (Too many abbreviations, too many names and models, too many combinations, and not enough links for references)

So far I ordered:


  1. Apollo VTube Kit (Stainless Steel) http://www.apolloecigs.com/VTube-kit-p/atube.htm
  2. 2.5 ml Jumbo resurrector 1.7 ohm single coil http://www.crystalclearvaping.com/25ml-Jumbo-resurrector-17ohm-single-coil_p_112.html
  3. 2 pc. Smoketech C.C.V. LR 1.7 Ohm XL Cartomisers (the resurrector) –Stainless steel. It came with a bundle item: 510 Smoketech C.C.V. XL LR 1.7 Ohm Stainless Steel (the Resurrector) http://www.crystalclearvaping.com/-SMOKTECH-CCV-LR-17-OHM-XL-CARTOMISERS-THE-RESURRECTOR_p_46.html

I’d like to know what else I need to buy. A link to the item/store would be very helpful. Is the Apollo VTube similar to LavaTube V.1.5? I have no idea what I am doing. All what I know is, that I like to be able to use the e-cig at home, at work, and in the car. Also, I’d like them to last at least for a day, experience some TH (I learned this one!), vapor, and taste. Should I look for extra parts, too? I am 1 pk/day smoker – Benson&Hedges or Marlboro light.

Thank you.
 

Chris77

Senior Member
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Feb 27, 2012
169
73
Fishers, IN
Looks like you're off to a great start!

Your kit includes an atomizer for direct dripping, and you've picked up a few LR cartomizers as well. Two 18650 batts will more than get you through a day.

You might want to grab a couple blunt tip needles. They're by no means necessary, but can make filling cartomizers a little less messy. Amazon sells them for cheap.

Also, a carry case of some sort to hold your PV, accessories and juice is never a bad idea - no links, purely a matter of preference.

Some might suggest a better/safer battery charger. I've heard the Pila 4 stage is decent: Best Rechargeable Battery Chargers: Pila Battery Charger & Pila Charger

Also, AW IMR batteries are the most recommended for safety reasons: AW Rechargeable Batteries | AW High Drain Batteries | Best 18650 Batteries | AW 2000 mah high drain batteries

Have you selected any juices yet? Juice is the only other mandatory ingredient you're missing :)
 

NGIB

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Apr 27, 2012
703
757
Hinesville, GA
I have a VTube Mini and it works well. It looks like all you need is juice and you're ready to go. The carto's included work very well with the unit and hold a lot of juice - I'm using one right now filled with cherry coke. I did buy more batteries and a better charger for mine as I like redundancy - if your charger takes a dump you'll be out of luck without a spare. Mine came with a neat little carry case from Apollo and I already had a few I could use anyway. I load a days worth of supplies in it when I leave for work in the morning and usually keep spares in the car as well...
 

sailorman

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Jun 5, 2010
4,305
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Podunk, FLA
You should probably have some higher resistance cartomizers.
The Resurrector is a good cartomizer, but the Vtube is based on v.1 of the Lavatube. It has a 2.5amp limit. That means it will restrict your voltage so you don't draw more than 2.5A. With a 1.7ohm carto, that would be approx. 4V. The Resurrectors will work well at 4V, but at lower voltages and resistances, you do not have the fine tuning available that you do at the broader voltage range that a higher resistance cartomizer makes possible.


With the Vtube, 2.5-3ohm cartomizers will allow you to take advantage of the full range of available voltages of the Vtube.

The batteries that come with it are o.k., but if you want the best battery, with the most capacity, safety and power, I would advise spending the extra $15-20 for a pair of 2250mah Panasonic CGR18650CH from Smartvapes.com or Orbtronic.com. They are superior to the AW IMRs in every way and work perfectly in the Vtube.

For an upgraded charger that performs like a Pila for less money, an Xtar costs about 1/2 as much and is available most places that sell batteries online.

There are no spare parts for the Vtube itself.
 
Last edited:

Hun_BV

Full Member
May 25, 2012
14
1
California, USA
Looks like you're off to a great start!

Your kit includes an atomizer for direct dripping, and you've picked up a few LR cartomizers as well. Two 18650 batts will more than get you through a day.

You might want to grab a couple blunt tip needles. They're by no means necessary, but can make filling cartomizers a little less messy. Amazon sells them for cheap.

Also, a carry case of some sort to hold your PV, accessories and juice is never a bad idea - no links, purely a matter of preference.

Some might suggest a better/safer battery charger. I've heard the Pila 4 stage is decent: Best Rechargeable Battery Chargers: Pila Battery Charger & Pila Charger

Also, AW IMR batteries are the most recommended for safety reasons: AW Rechargeable Batteries | AW High Drain Batteries | Best 18650 Batteries | AW 2000 mah high drain batteries

Have you selected any juices yet? Juice is the only other mandatory ingredient you're missing :)


Thank you for your help! Direct dripping is something I will have to understand better. I will look for the blunt tip needles. Is there some gauge measurements I need to know? I assume I need syringe, too.
Definitely I will check on the suggested charger and battery.
I haven’t check on the juices, yet.
Thank you, again.
 

Vapoor eyes er

ECF Guru
ECF Veteran
Sep 13, 2011
11,028
8,945
Toronto, Ont.
Definitely consider the AW batts. Far superior performance as they drain far less quickly compared to other batts. After 50% discharge my Trustfire performance falls of a cliff while the AW just keep on a givin'. We generally use the atomizers to test juices so a carto isn't contaminated with a foul tasting juice. You will definitely buy some yucky tasting juices. Best to buy sampler packs and discover what you really like. Some juices may have to be steeped before vaping.


Thank you for your help! Direct dripping is something I will have to understand better. I will look for the blunt tip needles. Is there some gauge measurements I need to know? I assume I need syringe, too.
Definitely I will check on the suggested charger and battery.
I haven’t check on the juices, yet.
Thank you, again.
 

Hun_BV

Full Member
May 25, 2012
14
1
California, USA
I have a VTube Mini and it works well. It looks like all you need is juice and you're ready to go. The carto's included work very well with the unit and hold a lot of juice - I'm using one right now filled with cherry coke. I did buy more batteries and a better charger for mine as I like redundancy - if your charger takes a dump you'll be out of luck without a spare. Mine came with a neat little carry case from Apollo and I already had a few I could use anyway. I load a days worth of supplies in it when I leave for work in the morning and usually keep spares in the car as well...

Yes, I will kook for extra charger and batteries. You describe everything like a lat of fun. This whole process is getting more encouraging for me.
Thank you.
 

Vapoor eyes er

ECF Guru
ECF Veteran
Sep 13, 2011
11,028
8,945
Toronto, Ont.
Welcome. Once you have your PV in hand it will come easily. ALL PVs are basically the same setup- battery, button, delivery system, connector and juice. Some may have some extra electronic goodies, larger/ smaller batts and/ or springs but they're all basically the same.

Thank you! I will read through it, and hopefully I will get a little smarter.
 

TomWaits4U

Full Member
Verified Member
May 24, 2012
36
26
Germany - Bavaria - Munich
As a charger I can recommend the Pila4 or the Xtar WP6 II to you.

With the eJuice it´s difficult. If you ask 10 vapors you might receive 12 answers... This is the most personal aspect with the whole vaping. If you like menthol it´ll become a little easier, because you can modify different juices like tobacco flavored juice, as well as fruity juices like strawberry, cherry, mango and so on. This could become a long but also entertaining journey for you. Don´t worry if there are flavours you dont like, you can try to mixe several tastes.

Have a nice vaping weekend!
 

sailorman

Vaping Master
ECF Veteran
Jun 5, 2010
4,305
2,840
Podunk, FLA

Hun_BV

Full Member
May 25, 2012
14
1
California, USA
You should probably have some higher resistance cartomizers.
The Resurrector is a good cartomizer, but the Vtube is based on v.1 of the Lavatube. It has a 2.5amp limit. That means it will restrict your voltage so you don't draw more than 2.5A. With a 1.7ohm carto, that would be approx. 4V. The Resurrectors will work well at 4V, but at lower voltages and resistances, you do not have the fine tuning available that you do at the broader voltage range that a higher resistance cartomizer makes possible.


With the Vtube, 2.5-3ohm cartomizers will allow you to take advantage of the full range of available voltages of the Vtube.

The batteries that come with it are o.k., but if you want the best battery, with the most capacity, safety and power, I would advise spending the extra $15-20 for a pair of 2250mah Panasonic CGR18650CH from Smartvapes.com or Orbtronic.com. They are superior to the AW IMRs in every way and work perfectly in the Vtube.

For an upgraded charger that performs like a Pila for less money, an Xtar costs about 1/2 as much and is available most places that sell batteries online.

There are no spare parts for the Vtube itself.

Thank you for the good information. I just realized that I ordered the wrong item. I was looking for the Lavatube v.1.5, and I thought the Vtube is a similar device. ( I think that I am the most confused beginner on this forum.)
So, I better look for a 2.5-3 ohm cartonizer for my Vtube.
Thank you for suggesting the 2250mah Panasonic CGR18650CH battery. Are they safe, too? I will look for the better charger, too.

Now, I will have to get a Lavatube v.1.5. Are the 2.5 ml Jumbo resurrector 1.7 ohm single coil and the Smoketech C.C.V. LR 1.7 Ohm XL Cartomisers will work with the Lavatube v. 1.5? If yes, where can I get the Lavatube v. 1.5 or better? Can you please provide a link? It looks like I am going to end up with 2 devices. I just want to be sure I can match the parts correctly with each device (PV)

Thank you, again.
 

Hun_BV

Full Member
May 25, 2012
14
1
California, USA
Welcome. Once you have your PV in hand it will come easily. ALL PVs are basically the same setup- battery, button, delivery system, connector and juice. Some may have some extra electronic goodies, larger/ smaller batts and/ or springs but they're all basically the same.


It is nice when things get simplified. Thank you.
 

Vapoor eyes er

ECF Guru
ECF Veteran
Sep 13, 2011
11,028
8,945
Toronto, Ont.
You're welcome. Just screw the atomizer into the battery and drip 2- 3 drops of juice on to the bridge (metal mesh wick) and vape. Be aware there will be primer/ oil from the factory on the atty and it's tastes AWFUl. Will have to be cleaned/ burned off first.
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/ecf-library/133998-how-fix-bad-taste-new-atomizers.html
"1. Blow out any primer from the atomizer. Blow from the top, open end, while holding some paper towel under the threaded end. This removes primer that may have absorbed manufacturing residues.

2. Rinse briefly in alcohol (vodka and rum have proved successful) or something similar such as denture cleaner. A mild solvent that is not unsafe for human consumption is best. Blow out.

3. Connect the battery.

4. Drip 4 drops of e-liquid directly onto the bridge*. Attach an empty cartridge, with no filler material or liquid in it. You now have in your hand a complete e-cigarette with the atomizer drip-primed and an empty cartridge fitted.

* This means: take the dropper that came with your e-liquid refill bottle and place several drops into the open top end of the atomizer, dripping them onto the tiny metal mesh arch you can see in there. Some refill bottles have a dripper tip on them. If you don't have a refill bottle with some form of dropper, then your e-cig kit is not complete. If you're totally stuck then you can use 'Glycerin, USP' plus a dropper, both from your local pharmacy / chemist. Glycerin is an ingredient in most e-liquids so using it for this has no ill-effects; however it may be a little too viscous (thick) and may benefit from thinning out a little, around 20%, with distilled water and/or alcohol (any spirit will do). Ice from the wall of your freezer/fridge is in effect distilled water and can be used for this.

5. Puff the e-cig 6 or 7 times, expelling the vapor each time from the mouth and not inhaling / breathing in the vapor.

6. Blow out the atomizer.

7. Repeat steps #4, #5, and #6."

Thanks. How do I do that?
 

Hun_BV

Full Member
May 25, 2012
14
1
California, USA
As a charger I can recommend the Pila4 or the Xtar WP6 II to you.

With the eJuice it´s difficult. If you ask 10 vapors you might receive 12 answers... This is the most personal aspect with the whole vaping. If you like menthol it´ll become a little easier, because you can modify different juices like tobacco flavored juice, as well as fruity juices like strawberry, cherry, mango and so on. This could become a long but also entertaining journey for you. Don´t worry if there are flavours you dont like, you can try to mixe several tastes.

Have a nice vaping weekend!


Thank you for the Pila4 or the Xtar WP6 II recomandation.
Good advice about the juices. Hopefully by next week, when I receive all my stuff, I will be vaping first time in my life.
 

Ratchet

Super Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Do you want to drip or do you think you might enjoy a tank that holds maybe 4 ml of juice or so? If so, you might want to look at Phiniac.com for NICE pyrex tanks that are nearly unbreakable and won't crack with any of the harsher juices. Along with some standard, prepunched, tank cartomizers available from most e-juice sellers like SmokeTek, Vaporkings, myfreedomsmokes, a.s.o............ :) Have fun with your LT! :)
 
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