Some observations from a relative newb

[tada]

I started with a Mistic from Walmart. Not bad, but the cartos were expensive. The taste was good. So good that my wife still wants to use them.

Then I moved on to a Smokeless Image Volt. Good system if you want to keep that cigarette mini shape. And some of their flavors were very good, especially Desert Joe. If you want to keep the analog flavor, I highly recommend Desert Joe. But the batteries discharge quick, so either you always have to have one charging, or carry a second one with you.

Then I moved on to a KGO with EGO Clearomizers. The KGO works perfectly and rarely needs charging. Unfortunately, I got the V1 Clearomizers with the system, with the short wicks. They work pretty good, but if you use a juice high in VG, they leave a lot to be desired. To use a 100% VG juice like Boba’s Bounty, I almost have to take 5 dry hits before actually pressing the button to get one good hit. Otherwise it tastes burnt and will kill your throat. It probably has to do with the short wicks and not enough juice getting in the wick. If you use a high PG fluid, it works fine. It’s convenient as could be to fill. I try to avoid systems where I have to use a syringe or soak cartos in condoms.

So I have ordered a few more things. I’ve ordered V2 EGO Clearomizers from Health Cabin, but the slow boat from China takes a while. I have also ordered a Vivi Nova V2 tank to see if that works better with high VG juices. I should have it within days.

And now I find myself wanting to order an Apollo VTube. I think a tank like the Vivi Nova will look ridiculous on a KGO and be a hassle to carry. I do like the look and feel of a KGO with the Clearomizer mounted on it, especially when out and about, but the Clearmomizers seem to have limitations. Trying a variable voltage device with replaceable batteries also interests me, but not enough to go all the way in for a Provari. So maybe a VTube will do for me. I have also looked at an EGO E3 tank and CE5+ Clearomizers, but haven’t pulled the trigger.

As far as the expert devices like the Darwin, Genesis, Zenesis, etc., they look great, but I can’t justify spending that much right now. But if you look at what I’ve already bought, I’m into this for at least $150 so far just trying to find out what I like.

As far as juices go, I have tried AVE’s Boba Bounty and Gorilla Juice. Both excellent juices, but 100% VG. I have tried OMFG Tobacco from KVS. A really good juice, a great all day vape, and thin enough to perform well in the Clearomizer. But it has a slight undertone of baby powder or suntan oil taste. Kind of strange, but it seems to draw me back. Maybe steeping would make it even better. KVS also sent me a sample of Chocolate Covered Cherry flavor that was one of the best dessert flavors I have had. I have bought Casablanca Tobacco flavored juice from Backwoods Brew. Smoky, kind of cigar like with a little spice to it. Good liquid, but it gets a little tiring to me. All of the flavors I got from Sweet-Vapes were just to sweet for me, even the tobacco flavors. I have some tobacco juice from Vermillion River (Kentucky Blend No. 7) that I have not tried yet. I also have Gamel from AVE to try. Yesterday I got a free bottle of Classic Tobacco from Vape Dudes. It is my all day vape today. Very much like a cigarette. Non-sweet tobacco flavor, with a little ashiness to it, but no after taste.

So that’s my reviews of what I have tried so far. Thanks again to everyone for their recommendations, especially you sailorman. This forum is a wealth of knowledge.

 

[elfstone]

Well, we'll wait for sailorman, then. In the meantime congratulations on your journey. I can't do the math for you, but from my perspective, almost $1500 in, I think it's all worth it.

 

[bnrkwest]

What I am finding with clearos and tanks is they don't like thick juices, so a few drops of distilled water to your juice in a tank or clearo should help it wick. Congrats on your vape journey and enjoy the ride and reward yourself often! bnrk

 

[tada]

Well, we'll wait for sailorman, then. In the meantime congratulations on your journey. I can't do the math for you, but from my perspective, almost $1500 in, I think it's all worth it.

No offense meant toward the other senior members. Sailorman was just helpful (or convincing) in his recommendations. And yes, it is worth it. I really enjoy vaping.

 

[tada]

What I am finding with clearos and tanks is they don't like thick juices, so a few drops of distilled water to your juice in a tank or clearo should help it wick. Congrats on your vape journey and enjoy the ride and reward yourself often! bnrk

Thanks for the information. I didn't know if I could thin it out like that.

 

[HPloco]

....Then I moved on to a KGO with EGO Clearomizers. The KGO works perfectly and rarely needs charging. Unfortunately, I got the V1 Clearomizers with the system, with the short wicks. They work pretty good, but if you use a juice high in VG, they leave a lot to be desired. To use a 100% VG juice like Boba’s Bounty, I almost have to take 5 dry hits before actually pressing the button to get one good hit. Otherwise it tastes burnt and will kill your throat. It probably has to do with the short wicks and not enough juice getting in the wick. If you use a high PG fluid, it works fine. It’s convenient as could be to fill. I try to avoid systems where I have to use a syringe or soak cartos in condoms.
So I have ordered a few more things. I’ve ordered V2 EGO Clearomizers from Health Cabin, but the slow boat from China takes a while. I have also ordered a Vivi Nova V2 tank to see if that works better with high VG juices. I should have it within days.
...

I use a KGO with the ego clearomizer V1 aka stardust, all of my juice is 100% VG since my wife is sensitive to PG. I vape at an angle and never have a dry hit, i have had toots/drags from my friends juices that are 50-50 in stardusts and the only difference that I see is that the juice moves faster when i tip the ecig.
If you prefer an airy draw i would recommend to stay away from the stardust's and get a tank or get a 510 to 510 adapter, not the 510 to ego.

 

[tada]

I use a KGO with the ego clearomizer V1 aka stardust, all of my juice is 100% VG since my wife is sensitive to PG. I vape at an angle and never have a dry hit, i have had toots/drags from my friends juices that are 50-50 in stardusts and the only difference that I see is that the juice moves faster when i tip the ecig.
If you prefer an airy draw i would recommend to stay away from the stardust's and get a tank or get a 510 to 510 adapter, not the 510 to ego.

I'm assuming the adapters are in reference to the VTube. What is the best cartomizer/tank setup for the VTube and what adapters are needed? Is going with the Vivi Nova on the VTube a bad idea?

 

[sailorman]

Well, thank you, Tada.
I'm glad to know nothing I suggested was disastrous.
I think you'll like the vivi Nova V2. I did, enough to order 3 more in the last 2 days.
They seem to work very well, despite the short wicks, with my 70%VG juice. I never would have thunk it.
Then, there is always the option of re-wicking them or getting the V2.5 with the longer wicks.

It sounds like your problems have been more with the juice delivery devices than the kGo. That's usually the case.
The Vision clearomizers have gotten so popular that people forget there are other options. Besides the Vivi Nova, which will look kind of awkward on a kGo, there is the E1 clearomizer. That's another one that has gotten really good reviews and is not very expensive. Cheaper than a new PV anyway.

But VV is a nice way to go. It really opens up some options and, considering the current prices, you can't get a much better introduction to permanent device VV vaping than the Vtube.

Like elfstone pointed out though, we all end up spending a wad in search of our sweet spot. I don't expect miracles of my PV as some may, and after my initial cheapo kit, I was happy with the same BB for over a year. But it's taken me a couple years to find a couple of juice devices I think I can be happy with for the forseeable future. If I didn't do the DIY juice thing, the hunt might never end. IMO, too many people overestimate the importance of the battery and underestimate the juice and juice delivery device. That's where the real action takes place. This industry is constantly changing and there will always be new bells and whistles right around the corner. That's no reason to chase your tail or go broke trying to keep up. Try to get the most out of each step before you proceed to the next "flavor of the day" PV, whether it's a Twist or Vtube or Provari or Darwin.

Explore and enjoy the trip. Don't worry about some mythical vaping Nirvana. There are no perfect devices and you'll only spend yourself to death in search of that mirage. Anyone who claims to have found your bliss is, at best, letting their enthusiasm overtake reality. Congrats on sticking with it so far and I'm glad to have been of any help.

 

[sailorman]

I'm assuming the adapters are in reference to the VTube. What is the best cartomizer/tank setup for the VTube and what adapters are needed? Is going with the Vivi Nova on the VTube a bad idea?

I'm using the Vivi Nova on a Vtube. It's not a stainless one, so I don't know what issues regarding airyness you may encounter. Some people don't have a problem and some do.

I've been really impressed with the vivi on the Vtube so far. I'm not a vertical vaper. I usually vape at somewhere between horizontal and 30-45 degrees. The only time I have to consciously tip it is when the juice drops to about 0.5ml. Fortunately, there's zero leakage, so it's no big deal. I finished a tank last night and used every drop just from the action of holding the Vtube and incidental positions it was in as I held it.

I've pretty much settled on two juice devices that work best for me. The Vivi Nova and the Fluxomizer clearomizers, for smaller amounts. There's no way I'm going back to cartos as long as these two are available. They're not perfect, but they're as close as I've been able to find.

 

[tada]

I'm using the Vivi Nova on a Vtube. It's not a stainless one, so I don't know what issues regarding airyness you may encounter. Some people don't have a problem and some do.

I've been really impressed with the vivi on the Vtube so far. I'm not a vertical vaper. I usually vape at somewhere between horizontal and 30-45 degrees. The only time I have to consciously tip it is when the juice drops to about 0.5ml. Fortunately, there's zero leakage, so it's no big deal. I finished a tank last night and used every drop just from the action of holding the Vtube and incidental positions it was in as I held it.

I've pretty much settled on two juice devices that work best for me. The Vivi Nova and the Fluxomizer clearomizers, for smaller amounts. There's no way I'm going back to cartos as long as these two are available. They're not perfect, but they're as close as I've been able to find.

Did you need any adapters to attach the Vivi Nova to the VTube?

 

[elfstone]

No offense meant toward the other senior members. Sailorman was just helpful (or convincing) in his recommendations. And yes, it is worth it. I really enjoy vaping.

Nahh, no worries! Some people are allergic to his blunt honesty, but I'm sure a lot love him. I'm in the latter category.

 

[elfstone]

Did you need any adapters to attach the Vivi Nova to the VTube?

No adapter should be needed. First run of Vivis had some issue with the center post, they sat crookedly and sometimes didn't screw in all the way. Not sure if all that is fixed. If there's any issue, there's a way to file down the center post or you can use a shorty 510-510 adapter, but I doubt you'll need to.

 

[sailorman]

Did you need any adapters to attach the Vivi Nova to the VTube?

Nope. Regular 510 connection. They fixed the issue with the protruding center post. It' sits flush now. They also relocated the air holes down to the connector, which tightened up the draw.

 

[TarFreeMe]

I'll add a +1 for the Vivi Nova. I have the first two versions. v1 worked very nice for me with a couple simple mods, v2 virtually perfect right out of the box. Not sure if resistance works differently in China though. All my 2.4 heads are actually 2.9 - 3.1. My APV has a function to check resistance built in so it's no big deal, I can adjust voltage accordingly.

I thought I saw that in v2.5 they moved the air holes back to the base. Either way, I'm real happy with them.

 

[WickedSick]

Well no matter the cost I think you have made the right investment Tada, considering the effect on your health