Q regarding carto and protank

[Cliven]

I am still fairly new to this and researching on advancing from the simple batt and cartridge setup. I have heard that Cartos have much better flavor than say, the Protank.

Can someone please provide some clarification on what I have found? In researching the Cartos, I see that they are comprised of a cartridge within a tank. I assume you fill the cart, place it through the center of the tank then fill the tank. Are the holes in the cart just to allow the liquid in the tank to keep the cart filled? Also the atty is built into the cart. To change the atty, you would replace the cart? Is this correct?

How about the Protank? I have seen the Protank has a separate atty/head which is a bottom coil. You fill the Protank with juice and vape? I see the Protank also has a center post. Is this also a cartridge or is it just to deliver the vapor from the bottom coil? Also, you can just replace or rebuild the bottom coil. Anything else I should know?

So in going with a carto setup, I would need the tank and extra carts.
For the Protank, I would need the tank and extra heads.

I am looking at placing one of these on a Spinner VV batt.

what are your thoughts on this? Thanks for the input and any ideas.

 

[lisancentraltx]

I have both pyrex and polypro tanks that use Boge cartos - I like A LOT of flavor, and airy vape, and I don't like muted juice, so I double punch holes in my Boge cartos - The polypros go everywhere with me, polypro with grommets are my favorites so I can change out a carto no matter where I am, at work or shopping. I just need a sink to rinse my hands afterwards. The pyrex tanks are just to show off with & I have caps on those LOL They are a bit heavy for me since I have arthritis.

I've got Protanks coming in now, so I am not sure about the quality of the vape or construction, but you are correct in the the different parts.

There will be many different types of tanks and some will be preferred over others, it's all a matter of personal opinion, taste preferences, and ease of use =] You just need to decide what you value more =]

 

[kottonmouth401]

You can use cartomizers without a tank, and those don't have holes. For use in a carto tank, you can buy pre-punched cartomizers or just punch holes in them yourself. Yes, the holes are to allow juice to get into the carto. When you start losing flavor & vapor or start getting a burnt taste, you just replace the cartomizer. With the protank (and most other clearomizers), you can buy replacement atomizer heads.

 

[Coastal Cowboy]

I've found only a modest improvement using cartos over bottom coil systems like the Protank.

You sound like you understand the key differences between the two systems. Good on you for doing your homework!

To me, the bottom coil devices offer an ease of use advantage. Fill the tank, let the liquid wick to the coil (a few minutes), and go.

Cartos offer an improved flavor and warmer vapor that some people just have to have. However, they do take extra effort to fill, prime and get going and they're not as efficient in liquid use.

Try some different versions of both and see what works best for you.

 

[stevegmu]

Before you buy a carto tank set-up, just buy cartos and fill them first. If you filled them correctly and taste polyfill, carto tanks aren't for you.

 

[wanttoknow1]

You got it, now you need to deside.
I use a Welcome to Valley View Vapes - Your Home for Quality Inexpensive Tanks and Vaping Supplies he has the triple v tank easy side fill. Can also get cart's pre punched, suggest glass tank if in budget.I have been using the same cart in mine for over 2 months (it rotates with protank and just cart's)
Protank head do not seem to last as long but bottom feeder type is better.
This will become a hobby so I say try both if you can afford it.if not start with triple v.

 

[Cliven]

I think one of my biggest issues is the changing of flavors. The wife and I tend to change out 2-3 times a day as we like the variety. I feel that with the Cartos, this would be more expensive and time consuming as you would have to fill and or replace the cart and clean out the tank. With the Protank, maybe I can just wash it out and replace or clean the head. Bottom line, I see the Protank easier.

I did look at the polypro tank and they are pretty cheap. They also state that they are okay with tank cracking juices....

 

[Baditude]

I've made a picture dictionary of the more common juice delivery attachments for new vapors: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...k-what-primer-juice-delivery-attachments.html.

You seem to have the gist of it, though. Most people seem to settle on either a cartomizer/cartotank or clearo/clearotank device for various reasons. Both types have disposable/replaceable components. A clearo/clearotank will have replaceable "heads" (wicks & heating coil head) and a cartotank will have the cartomizers which will need replaced. The tanks themselves with both clearotanks and cartotanks can be used over and over again.

These tanks will be made from either polycarbonate (clear plastic which some flavors can destroy), polypropylene (frosted plastic which is immune to those tank-cracking flavors), pyrex glass (also immune), and stainless steel or other metal.

My personal favorite juice attachment are the pyrex cartotanks made by IBTanked - Get Tanked With Us!. For between $25 - $30 you get an inexpensive high quality pyrex tank kit with either stainless steel or anodized aluminum end caps, a cartomizer, and a drip tip that doubles as a tank accessory tool. These tanks are available in three diameters and two lengths to suit your particular needs.

I presently have 12 of these cartotanks, each with their own flavor, making changing flavors as easy as removing one tank and attaching another. I change flavor 3 - 4 times a day. I bought one or two tanks every month to accumulate this large collection of tanks to help spread out the expense. Between cartotanks and clearotanks, my preference are cartotanks for their fuller flavor and consistancy. There is a short learning curve with cartotanks and they take slightly longer to prepare, but they are worth it in the long run to me.

IBTanked pyrex cartotanks

I've made a blog with useful tips for new vapors. You can find helpul information on cartotanks, how I set up my cartotanks, and a review of my favorite cartotank here: E-Cigarette Forum - Baditude - Blogs

I'll also add that clearomizers have come a long way in the 16 months since I began vaping. I enjoy using the Kanger Evod and Protanks and the Innokin iClear 16 & 30 clearomizers. These are not quite up to the full flavor and consistancy that I enjoy from my cartotanks, but they are close. Considering how easy they are to "fill & go", these clearomizers are a worthwhile investment to include in one's vaping setup.



Kanger Protank and Innokin iClear 30 clearomizers

 

[Bill's Magic Vapor]

I am still fairly new to this and researching on advancing from the simple batt and cartridge setup. I have heard that Cartos have much better flavor than say, the Protank.

Can someone please provide some clarification on what I have found? In researching the Cartos, I see that they are comprised of a cartridge within a tank. I assume you fill the cart, place it through the center of the tank then fill the tank. Are the holes in the cart just to allow the liquid in the tank to keep the cart filled? Also the atty is built into the cart. To change the atty, you would replace the cart? Is this correct?

How about the Protank? I have seen the Protank has a separate atty/head which is a bottom coil. You fill the Protank with juice and vape? I see the Protank also has a center post. Is this also a cartridge or is it just to deliver the vapor from the bottom coil? Also, you can just replace or rebuild the bottom coil. Anything else I should know?

So in going with a carto setup, I would need the tank and extra carts.
For the Protank, I would need the tank and extra heads.

I am looking at placing one of these on a Spinner VV batt.

what are your thoughts on this? Thanks for the input and any ideas.

Basically, you have the right idea. Couple of things with the carto tank. You'll need a carto tool, like a SYM (Big Daddy's), to prevent damage to your O Rings, aid in filling, etc. Second, you'll need a carto punch, like the Siam Mods carto (heavy duty) punch. The threads can wear out pretty quick on the "lighter" ones. And, of course, a good tank. They are not only not all created equal, but a good carto tank does not leak, a cheap one can leak. I like the IBTanks and the Phiniac's....actually love the Phiniacs.

I get a richer, more saturated vape with the carto tank, though the Protank and Davide are the best clearos out there, imho, and quite good too. Air flow on the PT/Davide is a bit wide open, and many like it. I added and air flow controller to tighten up the draw and loved that even better. Bit more muting with the clearos vs. the carto's in terms of flavor. Theories include the saturation of the filler in the cartos adding to the flavor and aroma of the vape. Probably so. Some people can taste the filler and hate cartos. I can't (yet) and live for my cartos. My journey was pretty basic.....CE top coils....Vivi Nova.....MT3 bottom coil....iClear 30...Evod....Protank....Davide....Carto tanks (boges, SR, regular). I've also got several RBA's including Gennies, Ithaka's, Kayfun's, and gotta say, I still prefer the cartos slightly better. Vape is close, but the RBA's take some effort, so a trade-off there. All there is left to talk about is the requirement to get the Provari, particularly with a carto tank, as you absolutely don't need variable wattage or ego threading, which the Provari does not have (and I don't need). Okay, my two cents. Good luck, best to you, Power up and Vape On!

 

[Train2]

Someone should make a sticky thread: The ProTank is a Clearomizer, it's not really what we mean when we say 'Tank'
So - yes, OP, you figured it all out!

 

[90quattrocoupe]

I have agree with Baditude and Bill's magic vapor. I have Phiniac tanks, Kanger Protank II, Davide Clearomizer, and the Revolver Tank Clearomizer(DBOX). To me the carto tank gives the best flavor overall. The Kanger, Davide and Dbox are all about the same as far as taste goes. The BCC clearomizers are easier when on the go a lot, as they are easy to fill. Again with Baditude, I keep different juices in different tanks, and for that matter, I keep the juices on different mods. I just pick one up and vape.

Of the 3 BCCs, I like the Revovler(Dbox), most. It has the largest tank, 3.7ml vs Kanger/Davide 2.5. It also seems to be the best built, even though it does not come apart. When you take off the bottom cap, there are no holes to try to get your juice through, the whole bottom is clear.

Greg W.

 

[Cliven]

To Bill's comment ..... Why do you say the requirement for a provari? Are they that much better or required? How about in comparison with a Sigelei Vmax or iTaste SVD? These last 2 are soooo much cheaper. Is it that you get what you pay for? Is Provari better?

 

[Avenal]

IBTanked with a Boge 2.0 on a Provari Mini is my main setup. Love it! After I finally got my first Provari, I ended up getting 2 more.
Solid mod, solid build, quality, and a solid vape.

 

[Baditude]

To Bill's comment ..... Why do you say the requirement for a provari? Are they that much better or required? How about in comparison with a Sigelei Vmax or iTaste SVD? These last 2 are soooo much cheaper. Is it that you get what you pay for? Is Provari better?

Provari is NOT a requirement for a great vape with a cartotank or other juice delivery device. However, many owners of a Provari believe it provides a smoother vaping experience compared to other mods. It's military-grade microchip uses an 800 hz signal, while all of the Chinese-made APV's use an 33 hz signal. Not everyone will notice the difference in the vape, but many do. I use primarily two Provari's (a Mini and regular size) and they are my preferred battery devices to use over several other ones that I own. The vape experience is noticeably better.

The Provari uses the patented Accuset Technology, which mean the processor continuously monitors the battery voltage and automatically makes adjustments to insure that the voltage applied to the heating coil is the same regardless of if the battery is fully charged or has been in use and has a lower voltage. So the voltage that you set, you get precisely that voltage (within 1% accuracy) from the beginning of the battery until it needs to be replaced. There will be no drop off in vape experience due to battery's declining voltage as with many other devices.

Provape will repair a Provari even after its warranty has expired for reasonable repair fees. You won't get that from the Chinese mods - once they don't work they can go in the garbage. You will not find a more durable, consistant, dependable, or repairable mod than a Provari. Yes, it is worth the extra cost to me.

 

[Bill's Magic Vapor]

To Bill's comment ..... Why do you say the requirement for a provari? Are they that much better or required? How about in comparison with a Sigelei Vmax or iTaste SVD? These last 2 are soooo much cheaper. Is it that you get what you pay for? Is Provari better?

Once you get to carto tanks and standard cartos (same resistance, size, etc.), the need to vary voltage is reduced compared with many different clearos, with many different resistances (YMMV), which I preferred to use with variable wattage devices. I have all the devices you mentioned and many more and my early thinking was that watts are watts and the same coil temperature from any of them is going to give you the same vape. This turned out not to be the case for me. The way the power is delivered, consistency of pulse, etc., etc. does affect the overall vape, which I do notice, and like many others, I found it a surprising and pleasant difference.

Now, clearly the Provari is not a requirement. I meant that more tongue in cheek. But the better vape that you get from the Provari and the eVic, as an example is noticeable over the lesser China devices that use the 33.3 chip. Many will scoff at this, but it's absolutely true, and I've seen it surprise myself, all my friends, other ECF members, etc. time and time again. It's hard to put into words, and sounds somewhat ludicrous, so you don't hear about it too often, but the Provari owners all know about it. The other thing is that the longer you vape and the more dependent you become to vaping, the more importance that reliabililty is to you. When you leave the house, you don't want to necessarily take 3 APV's with you to be on the safe side. Ok, at first, but eventually, you just want your Provari and maybe a spare battery in a battery case, because no matter what happens, that's all you'll ever need. So, it's peace of mind, consistent, perfect vape, right up until the battery dies, and knowing that if you drop the thing, you check the damage to the floor, before you check the Provari.

Much of these are intangibles and hard to measure or even put your finger on, but they're there, and, over time, they add up. I am in the process of reducing my APV's from my current 22 to probably about 10 and plan to add two more Provari's, a Semovar, and two mech's. But, I'll let 13 or 14 devices go to help me to do that. They're all great devices too, I just don't need them, but wanted all of them initially because I wanted to make up my own mind about what's best, what works for me, etc.

Same with toppers. I have over 50, I need about 10. I'll give most of the others away, and already have. Vaping gear is so good in 2013, and there are so many good choices that it's taken me months to figure out what works best for me. I've been on and off vaping since 2009 and seen the changes, but nothing like 2013 changes. Went vaping 100% in February this year. We live in the Golden Age of Vaping now. Just about the best hobby/Vice/Whathaveyou I can think of.

The Sigelei's are great, I'm keeping the V5 and letting the rest go (the V2, the Mini and two mechs - keeping the 8w and 19b). The SVD is excellent, but the Sigelei is a better telescope imho. My eVic (3 of them) also telescropes with my KIr Fanis Tubes, so I don't need the SVD any longer, and frankly, I like the SS Vamo better. Another half a dozen APV's I'll let go as well. My other iTaste 3.0's, I'll keep (4). They replaced all my ego/sticks earlier this year. So, what I'll be left with are Provari's, eVic's, little iTastes, a Sigelei telescope, a Vamo, semovar and some mechs (Sigelei's, Just GG, Magneto, and semovar mech). Toppers will be PT/Davide's, Phiniacs, IBTanks, kayfun's, Ithaka and Gennies and a couple of drippers. I'll always keeps some spare evods and T3's just in case. I'm basically done, though, and love everthing about vaping. With the gear in great shape, I plan to focus on juices. I have 8 - 12 ADV's, but I think I can get that to about 25 by year's end. I DIY.

I don't need a Provari, but the Provari and the Phiniac's are my life blood to vaping. I will not live without them, no matter what. Anyway, my two cents, YMMV, just a personal preference thing, no right or wrong, but, there you have it. Best to You!

 

[Coastal Cowboy]

Yep. The Provari is widely considered to be the Gold Standard in electronic advanced personal vaporizer systems. And it's also true that they are worth every penny you spend on them. There are less expensive options available, all of which offer their own options and benefits over basic, fixed-voltage and "spinner" type devices.

The Vamo is good. The SVD is good. The MVP is good. These are all a step up from eGo systems, and they all have features that will dramatically improve the experience. But they also all have significant shortcomings when comparied to the Provari. They have a price advantage though, and let people who want to step up enter the APV world without breaking the bank or ruining the kids' Christmas.

Some people could find that, after spending the ~$50 or so on the less expensive APVs, that they were just fine with their 1100mAh spinner system and that they don't need to spend a lot more money going further along that path. That's fine. It's all about personal preference and whether the tradeoffs are worth it.

 

[Cliven]

Bill. I truly do appreciate your input as well as advice. I would also like your opinion on Cartos. What do you recommend/ like to use? I am actually looking at the provari's..........

 

[Cliven]

Bill. I truly do appreciate your input as well as advice. I would also like your opinion on Cartos. What do you recommend/ like to use? I am actually looking at the provari's..........

Sorry everyone else that has contributed! I value ALL of the responses that I have received. You all have helped me out tremendously!

If ANYONE has input regarding the better carto's, I will appreciate any and all input. This is a great group. You all have helped me learn a lot in the vaping world.

 

[Baditude]

I personally use either the Ikenvape 510 Fusion or Ikenvape Platinum, both pre-punched, in my cartotanks (IBTanked). I find that these are more of a premium-type of cartomizer which provide slightly better flavor and somehow last longer than either Boge or Smoktech. Far less duds out of the box, too.

Problem is they are only available from one online vendor, and he is limited in the number of cartos that he can get his hands on. These are made special for him by an un-named Chinese manufacturer to his specifications. They are such a popular carto that they generally are out-of-stock, and once available typically sell out within 24 - 48 hours.

For a backup cartomizer, I use Smoktech single coil cartomizers. Never been a fan of Boge, although there certainly are a lot of Boge fans.

 

[tagleda]

I have tried just about every type of carto's and atomizers out there. I still honestly believe that cartomizers have the best flavor but they are such a hassle.