[The introduction to this review appears in the Electronic Cigarette Reviews forum.]
And the Winner is:
A Tie! – the KR808D-1 or the Joye 510
(depending on the priorities of the new vaper)
(depending on the priorities of the new vaper)
There is no one best e-cig model for every vaper. We all come to vaping with our own set of expectations and priorities. Each of these two models has a different set of strengths that make it appealing to a new e-cig user. As for the Joye 302: it is equally worthy of your consideration, but one of its superficial attributes has caused it to be less attractive to many (but not all) new vapers.
#1 (tie): KR808D-1
If you want a simple, virtually maintenance-free model with a high-powered automatic battery that provides good throat hit and more puffs per charge than any model its size, the Kr8 is for you. It was my first e-cig (because of the simplicity). I didn’t stick with it because I didn’t like the taste of the cartomizers at that time (June 2009). However, they have improved considerably (e.g., CigEasy’s “Gold Label”, Vapor4Life’s “Premium”, and VaporNine’s “Turbo” lines) … and many more flavors and nicotine levels (and suppliers) are now available.
The cartomizer concept is a leap forward in cart/atty design. You just screw it onto a charged battery and vape; no messing with e-liquid required (although you can if you want to). Its ease of use is a boon to new vapers … and its convenience (e.g., when driving or at work) can be appreciated by all vapers.
As a cartridge, the cartomizer is the only one that I have found to be effective in delivering e-liquid to the atomizer. [Most Kr8 users don’t find it necessary to stuff their cartomizers with tea bags or blue foam in order to get a decent vape.]
As for the disposable atomizer portion, no model’s atomizer lasts that long; all really are disposable (and/or require considerable maintenance). The Kr8 atty is just a heck of a lot cheaper to dispose of. And, because of the simplicity, juice delivery, and disposability, I predict that the two-piece, cartomizer design will be what brings in the masses. Already it is making inroads in the 510 world.
The Kr8 battery’s 280 mAh is greater than most models, equaled only by the penstyle and 510 Mega. [The Kr8’s own mega version (“XL”) is 380 mAh.] Only the eGO/Tornado or mods provide more puffs per charge. Heading out into the world for the day with two fully charged Kr8 batts, many vapers wouldn’t even need its effective PCC. And the Kr8 battery is the only true 3.7V batt of the non-mods. In combination with the effective cartomizer, the Kr8 battery delivers strong throat hit. I even use it (with adapter) as the battery for my Joye 302 penstyle. (I call it the DaBoomMod.) [FYI: The Kr8 batt also accommodates a 901 atty, without an adapter.]
The downside of the Kr8 battery (and passthrough) is the implementation of the manual version: that button (more recessed than the 510’s) can stick and doesn’t always engage. The auto batt and PT work like a charm.
A downside of the Kr8 cartomizer is its vapor production: it’s decent, but just doesn’t compare with the 510 (or even the 302). And that cartomizer (which also is the mouthpiece) can get hot. Notice the plastic cap that Belletrist (Puff) keeps on her cart. [And I still don’t like the taste that much. But a great many people do, so it hasn’t affected my ranking.]
The cartomizer’s refillability is a wash: on the one hand, it can be refilled with liquid only two or three times before tasting yucky; on the other hand, it’s quick and easy to do (using Doggsbody’s Carto Cap technique) and, by the time you throw it away, you’ve than gotten more than your money’s worth.
The Kr8 model is now sold by many suppliers and often under different brand names. The following are the U.S. suppliers (and names they use) that I have dealt with:
- Vapor4Life (Vapor King) has the greatest selection of cartomizers (flavors and nicotine levels) and batteries (three lengths and many colors), but is one of the priciest (including $7 shipping). [However, if you are “SMILIN” when you place an order, you’ll receive 10% off.]
- NHaler (KR808D-1) also has a large selection of cartomizers (and adapters) and is a bit less expensive (although the shipping cost also is high). [When you order from New Jersey-based NHaler, remember that you can “SAVEinNJ” – also 10%.]
- Other U.S. suppliers (some of which are low cost and/or provide free shipping) include AltSmoke (KR808D), CigEasy (Easy), Cigtechs (KR808D),GoodProphets (VapoRite), LeCig (D1), LiteCigUSA (KR808D-1), Mist-Stix (Mist-Stix), PureSmoker (Ace), The House of Vapor (KR808D-1), VaporKings (KR808D-1), and VaporNine (Nebula).
- Outside the U.S.: Heaven Gifts and Health Cabin (China); Liberty Flights (U.K.) and iVapour elixir (Creator, U.K.).
If you want a slightly shorter model (112 mm to the Kr8’s 117 mm) with fantastic vapor and a well-implemented manual battery – and are willing to put up with more maintenance and frequent battery recharging – get the Joye 510 [held by Rob (terraphon) in the above photo]. And I do mean Joye 510, rather than clones (some of which may be OK, but you’ll be taking your chances).
I didn’t come to the 510 until relatively late in my vaping journey (after starting with the Kr8 and then spending several months with the penstyle and Prodigy). My first reaction was: “It’s so cute!” [Remember, I was used to much larger models.] And I’ve been very impressed; the 510 is now my second favorite e-cig. I can’t believe the vapor this little guy generates [demonstrated here by Scott (igetcha69)]; it tastes good; and that manual switch is completely reliable and easy to use.
The frequently discussed downside is its 180 mAh battery – twice the duration of a super-mini such as the Joye 306a, but appreciably less than the 280 mAh Kr8 or penstyle. However, for me, this is not a significant problem: the battery recharges quickly and the PCC works quite well. The more serious deficit of the battery is that it delivers only about 3.2V to the atomizer coil. [Yeah, I know, it is a “3.7V” battery. And a prefilled e-cig cartridge is “equivalent to a pack of cigarettes.” Then there’s the one about Jack and a Beanstalk.]
That 510 atomizer, however, is so amazing that it is able to generate wondrous vapor with that 3.2V. Another strength of the Joye 510 atomizer, in my experience, is that it lives longer than many other models (e.g., penstyles or other minis). One of my original 510 attys from last fall is still working!
My personal disappointment with the 510 is the TH. [I have an untested, extremely non-technical theory about this: The 510 atomizer squeezes as much goodness as it can from that wimpy battery and delivers it in the form of superlative vapor, with little left over for throat hit.]
I get no kick from five ten.
It is a vapor machine, yes I know.
But throat hit, I’m telling you true:
Only from Joye three oh two!
[You had to expect one song from me, right?]
However, I am in the minority on this. In fact, I conducted a poll here recently: 88% of respondents get at least as much throat hit from the 510 as any other model (over 50% get more).It is a vapor machine, yes I know.
But throat hit, I’m telling you true:
Only from Joye three oh two!
[You had to expect one song from me, right?]
The only other “downside” is that which is shared by most e-cigs – and is relative only to the simplicity of the Kr8 – high-maintenance. Blowing out and cleaning attys, constant dripping or hassling with carts – are the primary reasons that I’ve not placed the 510 above the Kr8 in this ranking. I consider this to be especially relevant for a new vaper.
[For newbies reading this, don’t be overly concerned. Remember that this “downside” is only relative to the almost effortless Kr8; and it has not stopped thousands of vapers from enjoying the Joye 510.]
These days, most ECF suppliers carry a 510 (not necessarily Joye).
- Some of the U.S. suppliers with the least expensive Joye 510 starter kits are: Cignot, LiteCigUSA, Rocky Mountain Vapor, NHaler, Liberty Flights US [NOTE: Liberty Flights UK carries the DSE510.], Ecigsupply, The House of Vapor, and Awesome Vapor.
- Outside the U.S.: Heaven Gifts and Health Cabin (China); Happy Vaper (Canada); Totally Wicked’s Titan (U.K.); and Janty’s Dura C (Europe, etc.).
If you want a PV with a wonderful combination of the big three (vapor, flavor, and throat hit) on an automatic battery with the same 280 mAh as the Kr8 – and are comfortable with a long e-cig (155 mm) – consider the Joye 302 penstyle. [I again call on Rob and Scott to demonstrate.]
I’ve already praised in song one of the Joye 302’s greatest strengths: its throat hit. It shares this attribute with the other penstyles, but leads the pack. The 302’s vapor is greater than the Kr8’s, but nothing can match that of the 510. The flavor is smoother and truer than the Kr8 (which I find to be a bit “off”) and at least equal in quality to the 510 (but intangibly different in feel – richer?). I’ve found the 302’s atomizer (low-bridge) to be the most reliable of the penstyle models, lasting me several weeks.
A penstyle’s length (which I happen to think is elegant and one of its strengths) may be off-putting to some … and is the primary reason that I rank it third for the typical new vaper (but not necessarily for you). I believe the reason there is not more buzz about the penstyle (including this model) is that, because of the length, most vapers have never even tried it.
All non-cartomizer e-cigs, including the Joye 302, require the same high-maintenance (relative to the Kr8) described for the 510.
A manual switch battery is not even available for the Joye 302 (other than in the expensive Janty Kissbox, which is kind of a penstyle), although you certainly can use the 302 atty on a manual DSE801 batt. I do not recommend it, for the same reasons stated for the Kr8 manual. In fact, the button on one of my 801’s became lodged inside the battery housing, never to be seen again. Like the Kr8, the penstyle’s auto battery works just fine.
Not nearly as many suppliers carry the Joye 302 and some only carry the 302 atomizer. [In that case, also get an inexpensive 801 kit from the same supplier … or a Kr8 (kit or batts and charger) and a “901 to 801” adapter, e.g., from LiteCigUSA, which has all the components: Kr8 auto batt, charger, 302 atty, and adapter.]
- The only U.S. supplier I know of who carries the full kit is Vapor Station. Those who carry the atomizer are: LiteCigUSA, Ecigsupply (also the batt and charger, but not as a kit), MyVaporStore, Electro-Nic-Stix, DIETsmokes, and Janty’s “Classic Stick TAWA”.
- Outside the U.S.: Heaven Gifts (China, full kit), Happy Vaper (Canada, full kit), and Janty’s “Classic-Stick TAWA” (Europe, atomizer only).
So there you have it:
- Ya want simplicity and a powerful battery? Get the Kr8.
- Voluminous vapor and a great manual switch? The Joye 510 is for you.
- Want the “big three” in a long, slender package? Join my Joye 302 fan club.
Afterword
Since submitting this last month for the ECF Review Writing contest, I have "discovered" the DSE901.
I just had not given it enough of a chance in the past. On a Kr8 battery (no adapter needed), its performance is quite similar to (but intangibly different from) the Joye 302, in a smaller package. It is now one of my favorite vapes. This is what it looks like in stainless steel (including metal drip tip):
I ain't no photographer.
Some "veteran" I am, eh?
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