Seeking Guidance - Minis

[CimmarioN]

Hi all, new to the forum, and I've been digging around a few days -- I don't think it's gotten me further than full-circle.

I came into this forum having done no more research about e-cigs than personal interaction with friends, co-workers, and random people on the street.
At this point, I've tried a disposable, and major brands: njoy, Blu, V2, GreenSmoke, and I may have tried an eGo.

I've been able to specify my criteria, if anyone might take the time to help me sift through and narrow down my choices.

I'd like to start by saying that money isn't much of an object. I'm making an investment into technology - something I'll rip apart and give a purple LED and maybe a paintjob or a rivet in empty space. I wouldn't be opposed to something severely fancy, but it's not my main concern.

My Requirements, by priority:

1. Durable and Reliable -- I intend to drop this thing more than once. Paint or finish scratch/chip doesn't mean anything, I want a device I can step on and not be forced to go analog until I fix/replace it.

2. Common Parts -- I only now know about the different model-trees and supported parts, so staying within major production that isn't being phased out is very important, as well as the option to install/replace 3rd party equipment freely.

3. Balanced Hit -- I'm sure we all want some balance, I'm leaning more toward flavor than vapor, without sacrificing a decent throat hit. (The V2 and GreenSmoke I found to be a decent balance)

4. Auto Battery -- I just prefer to pull over press, but I refuse to buy some audio sensor garbage. Diaphragm-based stuff, and maybe something that doesn't auto-fire while I say: run, jump down a 10ft drop, etc - these are all daily activities for me. Another point is I wouldn't mind a 100-sized, a 120-sized, or even either of those at a Camel Wide/Kool XL thickness.

5. Accessories -- Looking at mini's and being a moderate smoker, I just assume I'll have to go for 2 extra-long batteries for my 8 hour day at work. I'm strongly considering portable charging cases, which I'd honestly look into as a separate purchase from the e-cig, unless the manuf. actually makes a decent case.

5. Cartomizer -- I'd just rather have drop-in pieces that are good to go. If there's any real drawbacks though, please do inform me.


Well, I hope someone out there can help me directly. I don't need a salesperson to hold my hand, I just need some help narrowing my choices down. Even after reading a good portion of the newbies section I'm not too far along in my decision making, and all these manufacturers offer is propaganda.

As a side note: I've read elsewhere that the V2 batteries have a better charge life than most other brands. If that's truly the case, between battery life and mix/match finish, I'm done shopping (not to mention their Lifetime Warranty, which I don't quite know the specifics of)


Thanks in advance for any insight or assistance,

-CimmarioN-

 

[swedishfish]

You might like a KR808. Check out V4L--

I'd recommend manual (push button) batteries. Pull isn't so hard and you don't have to be as careful with batteries. With automatic batteries you have to be careful not to get juice in the battery.

Vapor4Life-Because it's your life - E-Cigarettes/Smoking Alternatives

 

[WomanOfHeart]

Based on your requirements, you should probably go with either a 510 or a KR808D-1. The parts are easily found online through multiple vendors. Both are durable and reliable, although I would lean more toward the KR808 in that area. Both will have plenty of accessories and both come in automatic, but I don't recommend automatic batteries. I know you would rather "pull than push", but getting used to the button isn't that hard and doesn't take long. Automatic batteries have a hole on the connection end and if juice gets in there it will ruin the battery. Manual batteries are sealed at the end and not prone to getting juice in them. I also think they hold up longer. You can use cartomizers with both.

 

[CimmarioN]

Thanks for the quick reply, the KR808 is actually the one I started looking into earlier in the day. My question now, after reading about the issue of dripping with an automatic -- can jumping around doing heavy labor cause leaking? If not I intend to be quite careful in the process itself, I'd just prefer an auto for convenience, even if it's a bit more work.

 

[swedishfish]

It's more about filling the cartomizer that holds the juice. Sometimes the juice leaks into the battery. With an automatic there's a better chance that juice can damage the battery.

 

[swedishfish]

My Mom has an automatic and manual battery KR808 from V4L. I could never use the automatic because of the draw factor. You really need to pull harder on it than the manual. With the manual you control the length of the inhale.

 

[dormouse]

You can't get past the fact that auto batteries can be killed easier by juice leaks. I stick my carto PVs in my pocket carto-down even though I have manual batteries.

The Vapor4Life/KR808D-1 XL batteries will not fit in the PCC if that is an issue. Only the short and standard fit in the PCC. However, the Vapor4Life PCC photo used to show the PCC open with the socket tilted up vertical and what appeared to be a battery charging in it open - you could ask them about that.

I have dropped my V4L battery and complete unit a number of times - no damge yet (though I didn't drop it on concrete or anything like that). I know Vapor4Life's cartos are soft-caps so easy to add juice but you'll have to be extra careful about drips. I do not know how easily their autos trigger from wind or vibration.

If you want even longer battery life, check out the leCig PigCig batteries which I believe are KR808D-1 - I know nothing about how it is with drops or wind.

Another option for fat long battery life - use Ego batteries with 510 blank cartomizers. With the fat battery you could use standard cartos or LR cartos for a hotter harder hit. The Boge soft-cap cartos are nice and as sturdy as KR8 cartos.

The 2 fat battery ones may only come in manual though.

 

[Goldenkobold]

I would also say the KR808 family is your best bet for what you are asking for.
Vapor4life has them
Bloog has them
Nhaler has them
lots of people have them.

I think this new style pcc from kanger that nhaler sells is pretty cool looking and holds a nice size kr808 battery. You can only buy it as a kit now with two batteries and 6 cartomizer but they are the new improved kr808 automatic batteries and cartomizers.

 

[OldDragon]

I would suggest MadVapes.com. They have a lot of different types of e-cigs and mods. The ruffsack maybe what you are looking for, have ones you can build and the parts to make them.

 

[CimmarioN]

Wow, thanks so much to everyone for all the info. I think I've made a decision, and I'm gonna get the manual VK and PCC, though the new smart PCC would really be great if I could swap out for manual (I changed my mind after scouring the web for mishaps). Thanks for the madvape link as well, though everything I've seen there I wouldn't even look at until I consider myself "marginally satisfied" with my original purchase.

As a side note, due to options available, I'd prefer to buy through v4l, though for a comparable kit I get banged an extra $10-15 depending on what extras I choose -- "The Wonderful World of Vaping" had links for coupon codes that are no longer hosted, do we have any other resources available to us?

 

[Rosa]

coupon codes

 

[Goldenkobold]

Wow, thanks so much to everyone for all the info. I think I've made a decision, and I'm gonna get the manual VK and PCC, though the new smart PCC would really be great if I could swap out for manual (I changed my mind after scouring the web for mishaps). Thanks for the madvape link as well, though everything I've seen there I wouldn't even look at until I consider myself "marginally satisfied" with my original purchase.


As a side note, due to options available, I'd prefer to buy through v4l, though for a comparable kit I get banged an extra $10-15 depending on what extras I choose -- "The Wonderful World of Vaping" had links for coupon codes that are no longer hosted, do we have any other resources available to us?

yea if you can handle a manual they are generally safer.

 

[keyzygirl]

V4L has family codes,its email notices for sales.You can get on the list its in the stickies section of the V4L subforum.

 

[SpliceTheMainBrace]

Right off the bat I'll tell you that you'll love the V2 product, you will hate their order fulfillment. Backorder is a way of life at V2 and receiving things over a month after you order it is not at all uncommon. I started with V2, loved it and switched to the e-go tank because they can't ship anything on time. The e-go tank is a larger mini-cigar size manual but the battery lasts much longer, and its easy to refill with anyone's juice.

Now your requirements:

Durable & Reliable - The v2 KR808 series is light and handles dropping well. Maybe even stepping on. The e-go tank is durable too but the mouth piece does crack easily if thats the end that hits first. Luckily they're cheap and you always carry extras. I accidentally kept an e-go in my pocket while sitting in a hot tub for 45 minutes. Looked dead but after drying out for 2 days it worked again. Still, all cartos and vaporizers can burn out if you overheat them and get gunked up over time. Keep spare parts no matter who you go with.

Common parts - The e-go tank is new and is easy to get parts for. Not everyone carries 808s but they're not all that hard to find either.

Balanced hit - The e-go tank is better for a longer relaxed vape, the v2 808 is better for an quick on the go vape.

Auto Battery - The e-go doesn't have it and I miss it. The auto 808s can get stuck on rare occasion but I could always fix it by blowing/sucking on the carto side and the LED side to unstick it.

Accessories - Don't consider a charging case for the 808s. It's manditory! It doesn't take that much to drain those small batteries. Dont bother with the longer battery. They don't last much longer and don't fit in the charging case. Get a regular and pop it in the recharge case when not in use. On the e-go, go for the 1000 mah longer battery. The e-go isn't manual so you have to hold it anyway and the longer battery is easier to hold. It will also last you all day unlike the 808s.

Cartomizer - Drawbacks are that they're more expensive, much less flavor variety and you can't tell how full/empty they are. You also tend to get locked into a single supplier (and it SUCKS if you're in V2's backorder hell). The big plus of the e-go Tank is that its easy to refill and you can buy any flavor juice from anyone. A tank option for the 808 is the CE2 cartomizer or "Clearomizer". These vape well and are a clear tank so you can see how much is left. Being plastic it is less durable than the metal cartos.

Another requirement you should add - Vendors

V2 - Great product, backorder hell. Everything is out of stock and they don't tell you when you order. Stuff just arrives MONTHS later.

DFWvapor - Great juice at a low price, tons of variety. Sells e-go tank and 808 CE2 cartos. Ships very quickly. They also include how many they have in stock in the item description, no backorder surprises. My favorite place.

Totally Wicked e-liquid - Another good place for juice and e-go tank supplies (they brand it as the Tornado Tank). My backup place.

Johnson Creek e-juice - Premium e-juice. Kind of a love 'em or hate 'em place. I like their juice but only for a relaxed evening indoors vape. Their juice is too subtle for vaping while doing something active.

 

[robocig]

I think this new style pcc from kanger that nhaler sells is pretty cool looking and holds a nice size kr808 battery. You can only buy it as a kit now with two batteries and 6 cartomizer but they are the new improved kr808 automatic batteries and cartomizers.

I just got this kit last week and it's really pretty awesome. I can charge up the second battery while I vape and by the time the first dies, the second has a complete charge. I definitely recommend it.

I use the auto batteries that came with it and I haven't had an issue with dripping cartos yet, but if I keep one assembled I just keep it carto side down just in case- but the case allows me to avoid that problem completely if I just disassemble it.

EDIT: I should also say that I really like the style of cartomizer that comes with it as well- they're sold on nhaler as the "dripper" cartomizers and I'm enjoying them so far.

 

[Crow79]

Hi all, new to the forum, and I've been digging around a few days -- I don't think it's gotten me further than full-circle.

I came into this forum having done no more research about e-cigs than personal interaction with friends, co-workers, and random people on the street.
At this point, I've tried a disposable, and major brands: nJoy, Blu, V2, GreenSmoke, and I may have tried an eGo.

I've been able to specify my criteria, if anyone might take the time to help me sift through and narrow down my choices.

I'd like to start by saying that money isn't much of an object. I'm making an investment into technology - something I'll rip apart and give a purple LED and maybe a paintjob or a rivet in empty space. I wouldn't be opposed to something severely fancy, but it's not my main concern.

My Requirements, by priority:

1. Durable and Reliable -- I intend to drop this thing more than once. Paint or finish scratch/chip doesn't mean anything, I want a device I can step on and not be forced to go analog until I fix/replace it.

2. Common Parts -- I only now know about the different model-trees and supported parts, so staying within major production that isn't being phased out is very important, as well as the option to install/replace 3rd party equipment freely.

3. Balanced Hit -- I'm sure we all want some balance, I'm leaning more toward flavor than vapor, without sacrificing a decent throat hit. (The V2 and GreenSmoke I found to be a decent balance)

4. Auto Battery -- I just prefer to pull over press, but I refuse to buy some audio sensor garbage. Diaphragm-based stuff, and maybe something that doesn't auto-fire while I say: run, jump down a 10ft drop, etc - these are all daily activities for me. Another point is I wouldn't mind a 100-sized, a 120-sized, or even either of those at a Camel Wide/Kool XL thickness.

5. Accessories -- Looking at mini's and being a moderate smoker, I just assume I'll have to go for 2 extra-long batteries for my 8 hour day at work. I'm strongly considering portable charging cases, which I'd honestly look into as a separate purchase from the e-cig, unless the manuf. actually makes a decent case.

5. Cartomizer -- I'd just rather have drop-in pieces that are good to go. If there's any real drawbacks though, please do inform me.


Well, I hope someone out there can help me directly. I don't need a salesperson to hold my hand, I just need some help narrowing my choices down. Even after reading a good portion of the newbies section I'm not too far along in my decision making, and all these manufacturers offer is propaganda.

As a side note: I've read elsewhere that the V2 batteries have a better charge life than most other brands. If that's truly the case, between battery life and mix/match finish, I'm done shopping (not to mention their Lifetime Warranty, which I don't quite know the specifics of)


Thanks in advance for any insight or assistance,

-CimmarioN-

AutoBatt, durable and realiable... Go for the new Smart PCC KR808 kit from NHaler - it's the same as a Bloog, and you will be impressed!

OR...

If you don't mind something slightly bigger, but still smaller than an eGo - try the Greencig G400! It is a KR808 with a 900 mAh bigger battery, automatic, analog-ish draw, and a MASSIVE cartomizer. Heard some great reviews on it here. You can find it at LeCig, or NHaler.. dunno who else carries it. the starter kit comes with prefilled cartos that are supposed to decent, but you can also buy fresh blanks and fill them yourself.

 

[OregonBill]

My favorite right now is the Echo-E. Basically an eGo with the Echo cartomizer on it. I have tried a number of the higher end ones and had settled on the eGo until the Tanks came out ... then I got the tank adapter for my eGo .... and then the Echo came out. Now I am on the eGo with the Echo-E cartomizer on it .... If I was to buy another (or recomend one to a friend) it would be the Echo-E.

 

[Bogey]

Only thing I have to add is that if you eventually want bigger batteries along with Dormouse's suggestion, there is also the iGo from nhaler. I just got mine today and it's a very nice kit. I have been enjoying it all evening with my V4L cartos that I also use on my manual V4L xls. I also have one of thier new diamond series batteries. It is an automatic and an xl. The draw is actually suprisingly light, almost too light for my tastes. Hope that helps.