Should I try cartomizers?

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Jeepersheart

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I wanna start by sayin that I have only been vapin for about 2 days, but I have been reading and researching for about 2 weeks. Every time I pull out my Ego and take a few drags it seems like I have to top off the cart after the first or second puff. Otherwise I get very little vapor and a faint burnt taste. The cart will almost always take at least 3-4 drops, is this normal for using cartridges? Should I try switching to cartomizers? I hear they will last a lot longer between refills, but how is the performance does the vapor production and taste stay consistent? I smoked about a pack and a half a day before I started vapin and since my kit came in I haven't even thought about analogs, so I'm loving life it's just getting a bit frustrating adding juice everytime I need a quick nic fix.
 

NukeDOC

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i just got my cartomizers yesterday. and i havent touched my regular attys since. a little weird and messy to fill, but once you figure out how much juice to put and master how to do it, its much better.

more smoke, better flavor, less burnt taste. it gets more smoke so i dont have to draw as long to get a good hit... less time on the button so my batts are lasting longer too. the flavor is almost overwhelming now. and the burnt taste doesnt come around till it starts to get a little low on juice, but its so much more tolerable... may not even notice it. im just mad at myself for only getting a pack of 5. im only switching between two of them right now. and i havent had a chance to figure out how long each lasts before i have to chuck it, but for about $2 each for this kind of performance i couldnt be happier.

obtw, im using a joye 510. your eGo will probably give you even better results IMO.
 

Automaton

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I wanna start by sayin that I have only been vapin for about 2 days, but I have been reading and researching for about 2 weeks. Every time I pull out my Ego and take a few drags it seems like I have to top off the cart after the first or second puff. Otherwise I get very little vapor and a faint burnt taste. The cart will almost always take at least 3-4 drops, is this normal for using cartridges? Should I try switching to cartomizers? I hear they will last a lot longer between refills, but how is the performance does the vapor production and taste stay consistent? I smoked about a pack and a half a day before I started vapin and since my kit came in I haven't even thought about analogs, so I'm loving life it's just getting a bit frustrating adding juice everytime I need a quick nic fix.

I have always had that problem specifically with the 510 carts. They just don't empty liquid effectively for me. A lot of people mod their carts, but I can't be bothered. So I either drip, or use cartomizers.

There are basically 3 types.

1. Standard filler - SLB or Boge brands. These are easiest to refill. They hold 1ml, roughly, but like carts, they don't vape completely dry. They do last longer between fills, though. Maybe 2 or 3 hours. You pop the top off to refill. They taste very different from atomizers - they're warmer, with a stronger throat hit, but they can muck up some flavors, especially fruity or "complex" flavors. Darker, richer flavors, however, taste better in my opinion.

2. Joye cartos - 510 or eGo. These are kind of a pain to fill. They require a syringe. But they taste like an atomizer, and the eGo version hold 2ml and go for ages. It may be worth it.

2. CE2's - Also a pain to fill. They require a *tiny* syringe. When you get a good one, they taste wonderful. More intense than atomizers, even. And lots of vapor. Unfortunately, they are somewhat inconsistent. Getting good ones is kind of luck of the draw at this point. They're very new, and it's a work in progress.

Are cartos worth trying? Oh yes. I vape cartos more than anything, and I love them. But they have their own pro's and con's, like anything.
 

Jeepersheart

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You can also try the Mega Atty & Cartridge which takes about 2ml of juice. I tried the carto route and didnt like it.. If it werent for the mega atty, id be smoking analogs again

What was it about the cartos you didn't like? Seems the only negative I hear is that they are a pain to refill. That's not a huge issue for me since I have open access to syringes and needles (I'm a paramedic).
 

Buzzy

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It does seem to me as I read all around the forum that people take very differently to cartomizers. I started with KR808D-1 cartomizers. They got me off of cigs, but to me tasted "dusty" or "dry." Then I moved to 510 atty/cart. Much better - again to me. But when 510 cartos became available, I had to try them for the convenience. So I bought both SLBs (brass threads) and Boge (silver threads). Now most respondents seem to like the Boge cartos best, but I cannot seem to get one to produce good vapor. I like the SLBs better, but still not as well as a good atty, either dripping or with a cart using the blue foam mod.

I just got some Joyetech cartos to try, and some eGo cartos, so I can't comment on those yet.

My point is: everyone gets a different taste/vapor/th from different atties, cartos, etc. So I think the only thing to do is just give it a try, and see how it works for you. Just don't spend too much on any one thing until you know if it will or will not be right for you.
 

Bozzlite

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Yes, definitely try cartomizers, cartridges are a thing of the past, hardly anybody uses them anymore, it's either cartomizers or dripping these days.

Wha? News to me.

I would say go ahead and try them. What have you got to lose. They are fairly inexpensive.
 
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deback

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Buzzy said: "Now most respondents seem to like the Boge cartos best, but I cannot seem to get one to produce good vapor."

Sounds like adding a little VG (Glycerin from Walmart) would help with producing more vapor. I started out with 1/3 Glycerin and that was too much. Then I tried 25% Glycerin and that was okay, possibly still a little too much when using an eGo but perfect when using the 5V 510 PT. Then I tried 20% Glycerin and that was fine using the eGo and not quite enough when using the 5V 510 PT. So, I think about 22-23% is perfect for both PVs (for me, that is, and to get great throat hits and enough flavor and vapor).

You're right, though. The results are different with different batteries, atties, cartos, and on and on.
 

pcijohn

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Buzzy said: "Now most respondents seem to like the Boge cartos best, but I cannot seem to get one to produce good vapor."

Sounds like adding a little VG (Glycerin from Walmart) would help with producing more vapor. I started out with 1/3 Glycerin and that was too much. Then I tried 25% Glycerin and that was okay, possibly still a little too much when using an eGo but perfect when using the 5V 510 PT. Then I tried 20% Glycerin and that was fine using the eGo and not quite enough when using the 5V 510 PT. So, I think about 22-23% is perfect for both PVs (for me, that is, and to get great throat hits and enough flavor and vapor).

You're right, though. The results are different with different batteries, atties, cartos, and on and on.

I cant get vapor out of the boge either bought the e2 v4 and they work great they give a full warm vape I think I may not use carts again
 

kcinci

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Aug 22, 2010
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I had a horrible time getting my vaping to be a great experience. From the refillable cartridges on my original Firelight (m402) to my really expensive 510 4 batt kits with PCC till I finally landed on the eGO XL batteries. I started with carts and then tried the eGO Mega Cartos... they were just nasty and messy... would melt if you vaped to quickly. Then I found the 510 XL ceramic cartomisers. I haven't looked back. They are 2.5 ohm and vape great on the eGO bat. I'm using 1 cartomiser per flavor and just vape them until they taste bad or die. I've only killed 1 in three weeks and thrown 2 where the flavor just wasn't right any more.

As for filling... they require a tad bit of skill. They come with plastic syringe tips which are good for about 3 refills... and are very temperamental. But a 21 gauge needle on 2-3 ml syringe is perfect (I picked up 5 for $4 as Sam's just yesterday). It takes me about 1.5 minute to fill one from opening the juice to capping it again. Just refill until you start to get a drip from the bottom. Blot add battery or cap with condoms for later use. I'm loving my vaping experience now. This Tuesday will be 7 weeks since I quit smoking (I've had 2.5 analogs in that time - none at all in last 2.5 weeks).

Good luck on your vaping journey!
 

deback

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I cant get vapor out of the boge either bought the e2 v4 and they work great they give a full warm vape I think I may not use carts again

The only time I can't get much vapor or any vapor out of the Boge 510 cartos is when I overfill them. When that happens, it's very noticeable from the first drag, like there's no air inside the carto, so I'll blow several times through the threaded end to remove as much excess fluid as I can from the mouth end (and into a kleenex). Then I push a large paper clip through the hole, starting at the threaded end and all the way through to the bottom of the filler, jiggle the paper clip a little to move the filler a little, and then I use a q-tip to blot out the excess liquid at the mouth end. Usually this will help to make the carto vapable. If that procedure doesn't work, I'll flush out the carto using hot/warm tap water with a 10ml syringe and rubber cone (available at Walmart in a children's kit in the pharmacy), let it dry for a day or two by the small circular fan that's sitting on top of my computer, refill it, and then if it still doesn't work, I'll discard the carto and assume that something's wrong with the built-in atomizer.
 

otrpu

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I prolly don't know what I missing. . .and prolly never will. My first EM 510 RIVa came with atty and pre-filled carts. Pushed the atty into the cart, screwed that puppy onto the batt. Took 3 or 4 great puffs. . .then snap! Nada. . .kapoot. Stone cold atty. Said to self, self. . .why would man devise such a crude method of doing this? Fortunately had also purchased a box of pre-filled cartos. Unscrewed the atty. . .screwed on a charged carto. . .bualla! Clouds of vapor, and tons of taste. Self. . .this is the way to do this task. Now orderin cartos by the hundreds, but do my own custom mixes now. EM sent me a replacement atty. . .I may start an eCig museum with it, of how they used to do it. Cartos may not be for everybody, but I suggest you give um a try. You may be pleasantly surprised. JMHO

Cheers,
otrpu
 

deback

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Sep 25, 2010
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I had a horrible time getting my vaping to be a great experience. From the refillable cartridges on my original Firelight (m402) to my really expensive 510 4 batt kits with PCC till I finally landed on the eGO XL batteries. I started with carts and then tried the eGO Mega Cartos... they were just nasty and messy... would melt if you vaped to quickly. Then I found the 510 XL ceramic cartomisers. I haven't looked back. They are 2.5 ohm and vape great on the eGO bat. I'm using 1 cartomiser per flavor and just vape them until they taste bad or die. I've only killed 1 in three weeks and thrown 2 where the flavor just wasn't right any more.

As for filling... they require a tad bit of skill. They come with plastic syringe tips which are good for about 3 refills... and are very temperamental. But a 21 gauge needle on 2-3 ml syringe is perfect (I picked up 5 for $4 as Sam's just yesterday). It takes me about 1.5 minute to fill one from opening the juice to capping it again. Just refill until you start to get a drip from the bottom. Blot add battery or cap with condoms for later use. I'm loving my vaping experience now. This Tuesday will be 7 weeks since I quit smoking (I've had 2.5 analogs in that time - none at all in last 2.5 weeks).

Good luck on your vaping journey!

I agree about the eGo Mega cartos being nasty and messy.

First, I don't wanna take the extra time to fill them with a syringe and needle. I can fill a Boge 510 carto in about 1/2 minute by just dripping 18-20 drops into the filler at the mouth end.

Second, the taste is bad, compared to the taste from the Boge 510 cartos that I use most of the time.

Third, I get that burnt taste after about 15-20 minutes, even though I know the Mega carto was full.

Fourth, when I refill the Mega carto, it will only take about 1/2mL before it starts dripping out the needle hole or the threaded end hole. Fortunately, I only bought a box of 5 Megas and will not buy any more.

kcinci - Have you ever tried the Boge 510 cartos? If so, I'm curious why you think the 510 XL ceramic cartos are better, especially since you said you have to use a syringe and needle to fill them and that they are very temperamental.
 
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RollTheBones

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Jul 21, 2010
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I had a horrible time getting my vaping to be a great experience. From the refillable cartridges on my original Firelight (m402) to my really expensive 510 4 batt kits with PCC till I finally landed on the eGO XL batteries. I started with carts and then tried the eGO Mega Cartos... they were just nasty and messy... would melt if you vaped to quickly. Then I found the 510 XL ceramic cartomisers. I haven't looked back. They are 2.5 ohm and vape great on the eGO bat. I'm using 1 cartomiser per flavor and just vape them until they taste bad or die. I've only killed 1 in three weeks and thrown 2 where the flavor just wasn't right any more.

!

Ceramic cartos? :ohmy: I am intrigued, having been down the same road of cartridge PITA, trying mods, 808 cartos which all tasted like .... to me. I did get a 5 pack of 510 Cartos and they were...ok but nothing as good as dripping.

Who/what/where are these ceramic cartos of which you speak?
 

sparky604

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Third, I get that burnt taste after about 15-20 minutes, even though I know the Mega carto was full.

Fourth, when I refill the Mega carto, it will only take about 1/2mL before it starts dripping out the needle hole or the threaded end hole.

Yes!! Same here. I vape it until it's dry and then try to add more juice and it just runs out the threaded end hole. Trying a Boge 510 for the first time, at least you can observe the filler! Seems OK so far.

The video says you can get maybe 5 or 6 refills before the carto goes south - how are the people with "You know, I bought one carto 2 years ago and it's still going strong, one puff and nobody in the room can see for the fog" doing it?
 
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