Pen style recommendations ... for heavier vaping

[twgbonehead]

First, I would recommend that you get a battery with a 510 and/or ego thread. This will give you a much wider range of heads to choose from than an 808. (Not to mention you can still use your 510 cartos).

Second, the type of head you pick has a MUCH greater influence on the vape you get than the battery does.

Since cost is a consideration for you, here is what I would suggest.

1. buy a genuine spinner or twist from a B+M or online from the US. When you get it you can start vaping your 510 carts.
2. For a head upgrade on a budget, can you wait a bit? (Several weeks?) If so, here are some recommendations:

https://www.fasttech.com/p/1609804 $2.25 CE5-R Bottom Coil Clearo
I got a couple of these just for fun, and was amazed at how well they perform. Although they look like a CE4, these are bottom-coil, with replaceable coils. For an inexpensive head (and believe me, I've tried LOTS of inexpensive heads) these just blow everything else out of the water IMHO. WARNING: The image on the FT website makes it look shorter than it really is!

https://www.fasttech.com/p/1490700 $2.99 Vivi Tank
These also give a warm smooth vape, with a much larger tank (might not go well with your smaller battery, though!!!)
FT did just get some mini viva tanks, haven't got mine yet.
EDIT: Thinking about it, this tank probably isn't for you, it's too big in diameter.....

Also, while you're on FT, do a search for:
EVOD
CE4
CE5
iclear (the iclear 16 and 30 families)
Vivi
min protank

You will learn a lot just looking at the pictures, and reading the discussions.
I would NOT recommend you buy a spinner or twist from them; the ones they sell are knock-offs. They work ok, but for the most part are VERY FRAGILE! (The top tends to come off if it's in your pocket and you sit down!)

Also, for emergencies, these are well worth it:
https://www.fasttech.com/p/1382500 $5.58 VV Passthru (For while your batteries are charging!)

I hope this info helps. I am not trying to tell you what to do, just making suggestions. Hope you find something that knocks your socks off!

 

[DavidOck]

While the Itazte VV3 is a fine device with lots of features, it's only 800 mAh, and you can get a Spinner in 1300, so you can vape a lot longer between charges. Or something like the SLB VV3, which has all the features of the Itazte but in 1300 mAh. All of which are 510/ego threaded, so they will take your current cartos, and most any other topper you care to try.

Neither of them are pen style, unless you're happy with a Sharpie

But, as mentioned, that's the trade-off. To get longer run time you need a bigger battery.

Any of the "variable" devices can be helpful to a more "robust" vape, as you can adjust the power to the heating coil. Stick types (and others) are fixed voltage, you have no control. And that voltage will fall off as the charge depletes. Some are regulated, so the fall off isn't as blatant, but you have no control.

 

[Rickajho]

Wow, thank you so much for the advice! I checked of the other thread and am still trying to sort out what the differences are.

It seems like I'd be best off with a twist/spinner or Halo. I'm not locked into the 510s since I got them real cheap. Also saw Triton(?) recommended on other thread. I'm also not locked into cartomizers - I guess I'm just used to them.

So final question: best throat hit, vape, battery life in a smaller set-up?
Spinner/twist? Halo? Triton? (And what type of Carto or ato?)

Thank you so much again. This can be confusing and I don't have the budget to keep trying different types until I find the right one. I really appreciate it!

Hi

Couple few points about... all that.

You can't get around the matter that the smaller the size of the battery, the smaller the capacity, the shorter the run time between charges. In this case a Twist or Spinner is the winner versus the Triton.

When you look at this stuff keep in mind that 510 threaded devices have the market share. Consequently if you go with an 808 threaded battery you will have fewer choices in cartos or clearos for an 808 battery and they will cost a lot more than 510 stuff.

Throat hit? You have to find your own personal happy place on that one. When it comes to choosing liquids the higher the PG level the more throat hit - at the expense of vapor. High VG produces tons of vapor - at the expense of throat hit. For your first order it's best to split the difference and get something in a 50/50 PG/VG mix. Then get more PG on your next order if you want more throat hit. Or if it's too harsh increase the amount of VG instead.

Stick with small sample size bottles while you sort your likes and dislikes. You also have to find your right nicotine level too. Several places sell sample size 5 or 6 ml bottles. Nothing worse for a new vaper than blowing a pile of money on big bottles of stuff you can't vape - because you don't like the flavors, it's too much PG and too harsh, or you got the nic level wrong.

If you want to keep things small, but have a device with few problems, for a clearo consider a Kanger ProTank Mini. It's the same diameter as a Spinner or Twist battery. The coils can be cleaned and if you are on a budget and like to tinker they can even be rebuilt. Cartos are still an option too and since you are already familiar with them it wouldn't be a bad idea to pick a 5 pack of empty cartos too.

 

[twgbonehead]

While the Itazte VV3 is a fine device with lots of features, it's only 800 mAh, and you can get a Spinner in 1300, so you can vape a lot longer between charges. Or something like the SLB VV3, which has all the features of the Itazte but in 1300 mAh. All of which are 510/ego threaded, so they will take your current cartos, and most any other topper you care to try.

Neither of them are pen style, unless you're happy with a Sharpie

But, as mentioned, that's the trade-off. To get longer run time you need a bigger battery.

Any of the "variable" devices can be helpful to a more "robust" vape, as you can adjust the power to the heating coil. Stick types (and others) are fixed voltage, you have no control. And that voltage will fall off as the charge depletes. Some are regulated, so the fall off isn't as blatant, but you have no control.

David,

I've never seen the SLB VV3 before; it looks great! Do you have one? How well is it built, i.e. can it take a bit of abuse?

 

[FireDragon1138]

Maybe a KR808D-1? The quality is better than most 510's and they usually run at higher voltage. Then get an adapter to use up your 510 cartomizers. Volt and Halo give you a lot of options in terms of how you want your batteries to look, whereas most 510's have a more limited selection. That's OK if you just want a black battery with a red or blue light, but otherwise KR808's are higher quality. I own both, not sure which I like better yet... 510's are definitely cheaper however quality seems hit or miss.

EGo is not a penstyle. It feels and looks more like a cigar. They are a fine choice but they definitely are in a different category than penstyle e-cigs. I gravitate to using my Ego to test juices. . The VV Egos are longer, as the circuitry takes up space. If size is an issue, then that's something to consider.

 

[twgbonehead]

Maybe a KR808D-1? The quality is better than most 510's and they usually run at higher voltage. Then get an adapter to use up your 510 cartomizers. Volt and Halo give you a lot of options in terms of how you want your batteries to look, whereas most 510's have a more limited selection. That's OK if you just want a black battery with a red or blue light, but otherwise KR808's are higher quality. I own both, not sure which I like better yet... 510's are definitely cheaper however quality seems hit or miss.

EGo is not a penstyle. It feels and looks more like a cigar. They are a fine choice but they definitely are in a different category than penstyle e-cigs. I gravitate to using my Ego to test juices. . The VV Egos are longer, as the circuitry takes up space. If size is an issue, then that's something to consider.

Well, the KR808D-1 is obsolete, being replaced by the e-smart (which has "kind-of-compatible" threads, although the chargers are not compatible). I just don't see this approach, given that the ego/510 combo has such a huge share of the market (and the OP has a bunch of 510 cartos).

But I would agree with FireDragon, he's trying to give you recommendations based on what you asked for; most of the other responses are more geared towards what we think you should get. It's really difficult to fit a good battery into something the diameter of a pen (as Emmay (OP) has seen with his Boge batteries). A "Sharpie-size" is really a much better compromise, IMHO. It's big enough to hold a battery with a decent capacity, but still the kind of thing you can carry around comfortably in your pocket.

 

[DavidOck]

David,

I've never seen the SLB VV3 before; it looks great! Do you have one? How well is it built, i.e. can it take a bit of abuse?

Actually, yes, I do And a VV3, MVP, numerous Spinners, and tube mods both VV/VW and mechs...

Found mine at NEW SLB eGo-V V3 MEGA VV/VW : GotVapes.com, E-cigarette Supplies - Atomizers Cartomizers Mods Juice and more although it's always smart to search around for better deals.

Haven't had any issues with the SLB. It seems to be as well made as any of the Vision gear I have. Has a digital display, normally off, lights up when needed, and when you first put a topper on it it lights up with the Ω of the topper. It is a bit more $ than the Itazte, but that's to be expected for the bigger capacity. So far, I do like it. (Keep in mind that my larger tubes are my usual, but I never go out without at least two fully charged and filled devices, and the SLB at 1300 does provide a sense that, between the two, I'm not going to run out of anything! )

Hmm, abuse... hard to say on that, but probably in the same arena as other similar devices.

 

[Emmay]

Many, many thanks ~ this thread saved me a lot of trial and error! I'm going to try the spinner and will check out the different heads. A vape shop just opened not too far from me so I'll pop and and get a hands on (good suggestion!). If price is similar I'll keep it local and buy there, otherwise I'll buy some juice and head online for equipment.

There is a lot to learn when starting out and again I really do appreciate all the advice. This forum is an excellent resource for both myself and the many people who want to ditch cigs and start vaping.

 

[HoseGarden]

Thanks. By "pen style" I mean a very thin battery that is about the circumference of a pen. An example would be the Logic or Blu brands they sell at gas stations. I prefer them because they're lighter and less bulky. Unfortunately I may have outgrown them.

the ego c twist is a little bigger than a bic pen would be. if you are looking for something that thin the better option is probably the "blu" type brands

 

[Amraann]

The 510/eGo thread is now the de facto standard; avoid the 808/901 etc. Don't put too much money in them; I'm still looking for adapters to make use of stuff I bought a year ago.

V4L carries adapters. That is where I got mine

 

[edyle]

Many, many thanks ~ this thread saved me a lot of trial and error! I'm going to try the spinner and will check out the different heads. A vape shop just opened not too far from me so I'll pop and and get a hands on (good suggestion!). If price is similar I'll keep it local and buy there, otherwise I'll buy some juice and head online for equipment.

There is a lot to learn when starting out and again I really do appreciate all the advice. This forum is an excellent resource for both myself and the many people who want to ditch cigs and start vaping.

Having some kind of vape shop nearby is excellent; do take note of what stuff they have and let us know