I have owned many PVs in my time – skinny e-cigs, fat batts, and mods – and I've finally gotten it through my thick skull that the batteries (or battery housings in the case of mods) on these things are the least important thing about them.
And yet these batteries can be the most expensive PV component and the one to which we all give the most attention. [I have recently observed a slight shift in that attention to include the other components.]
I'm not saying that batteries are unimportant; you need them (or a PT) to provide electricity to the atomizer. But they pale in significance to the atomizer, juice delivery system, and (of course) e-liquid. [I will grant you that batteries are more important than, say, drip tips, but I classify those as optional accessories, not as a basic PV component (although I really do like a good drip tip).]
IMO, the most important PV component is the atomizer, with the juice delivery system running a close second. And I won't put up a big argument against those who would rank the e-liquid as numero uno. Personally, however, I'd rather vape a decent-tasting (but unexceptional) juice in a great cartomizer than the very best juice in a mediocre atty or carto ... or in any atomizer with a conventional cartridge or half-buttocked juice feeder.
I look to the battery to provide a sustained level of voltage for a reasonable period of time – contained in an attractive, comfortable-to-handle package. But 3.7V is 3.7V, whether delivered by a $30 Riva or a $180 Precise 16340 (with similar mAh). [That should not be taken as a put-down of the Precise, which I regard as perhaps the best engineered 3.7V mod.] My 1.7 ohm Smok Tech Mega Single Coils perform pretty much the same on my 3.7V KGO, 3.7V NoEgo's, 3.7V ProVape-1, and Ego Boostered eGo (when set at 3.7V). [I say "pretty much" because they don't all deliver exactly 3.7V throughout their charge cycle.]
But the experience of that cartomizer is very different from the Dual Coil or Echo-e or Leo or VOLT Kr8 or EastMall 801 – which are examples of good cartomizers that each have a unique feel.
My examples are cartomizers, rather than atomizers, because of the effectiveness – and cost-effectiveness – of their juice delivery systems. Direct dripping into attys is the least expensive way to get that effectiveness, but I finally got sick of it after two years. I've read great things about bottom-fed juice feeders, but any of the good ones are pretty expensive ... and I prefer the tubular shape.
There are so many different resistance levels available today that I've been able to find several that hit just right for me on my inexpensive 3.2, 3.5, and 3.7V batteries. [I've been vaping so long – and getting some free PVs to write reviews – that I've accumulated lots of such batts along the way. But if I just had that $30 Riva, I'd still be A-OK.]
"But what about the wonders of variable voltage battery mods?", you ask. Well, they are wonderful: for getting just that right amount of power with the atty or carto you are using. But the good ones are expensive. [If you don't mind cheap plastic boxes, the price isn't bad. However, I do mind cheap plastic boxes.]
The $60 Ego Booster is a good deal if you already own an eGo (and I was privileged to get the Booster free as a beta tester) ... and I want to learn more about the $29 (battery only) "eGo Variable," even though it really is selectable (3.2 or 3.7 or 4.2V), rather than variable voltage. But a $200 ProVari (cost includes batts and charger), $245 Darwin, or $300 EQ? Hey, if you can afford any of these neat devices, go for it!
I would rather have a year's supply of my favorite cartomizers (which I would need anyway, whatever battery package I vape them on).
And yet these batteries can be the most expensive PV component and the one to which we all give the most attention. [I have recently observed a slight shift in that attention to include the other components.]
I'm not saying that batteries are unimportant; you need them (or a PT) to provide electricity to the atomizer. But they pale in significance to the atomizer, juice delivery system, and (of course) e-liquid. [I will grant you that batteries are more important than, say, drip tips, but I classify those as optional accessories, not as a basic PV component (although I really do like a good drip tip).]
IMO, the most important PV component is the atomizer, with the juice delivery system running a close second. And I won't put up a big argument against those who would rank the e-liquid as numero uno. Personally, however, I'd rather vape a decent-tasting (but unexceptional) juice in a great cartomizer than the very best juice in a mediocre atty or carto ... or in any atomizer with a conventional cartridge or half-buttocked juice feeder.
I look to the battery to provide a sustained level of voltage for a reasonable period of time – contained in an attractive, comfortable-to-handle package. But 3.7V is 3.7V, whether delivered by a $30 Riva or a $180 Precise 16340 (with similar mAh). [That should not be taken as a put-down of the Precise, which I regard as perhaps the best engineered 3.7V mod.] My 1.7 ohm Smok Tech Mega Single Coils perform pretty much the same on my 3.7V KGO, 3.7V NoEgo's, 3.7V ProVape-1, and Ego Boostered eGo (when set at 3.7V). [I say "pretty much" because they don't all deliver exactly 3.7V throughout their charge cycle.]
But the experience of that cartomizer is very different from the Dual Coil or Echo-e or Leo or VOLT Kr8 or EastMall 801 – which are examples of good cartomizers that each have a unique feel.
My examples are cartomizers, rather than atomizers, because of the effectiveness – and cost-effectiveness – of their juice delivery systems. Direct dripping into attys is the least expensive way to get that effectiveness, but I finally got sick of it after two years. I've read great things about bottom-fed juice feeders, but any of the good ones are pretty expensive ... and I prefer the tubular shape.
There are so many different resistance levels available today that I've been able to find several that hit just right for me on my inexpensive 3.2, 3.5, and 3.7V batteries. [I've been vaping so long – and getting some free PVs to write reviews – that I've accumulated lots of such batts along the way. But if I just had that $30 Riva, I'd still be A-OK.]
"But what about the wonders of variable voltage battery mods?", you ask. Well, they are wonderful: for getting just that right amount of power with the atty or carto you are using. But the good ones are expensive. [If you don't mind cheap plastic boxes, the price isn't bad. However, I do mind cheap plastic boxes.]
The $60 Ego Booster is a good deal if you already own an eGo (and I was privileged to get the Booster free as a beta tester) ... and I want to learn more about the $29 (battery only) "eGo Variable," even though it really is selectable (3.2 or 3.7 or 4.2V), rather than variable voltage. But a $200 ProVari (cost includes batts and charger), $245 Darwin, or $300 EQ? Hey, if you can afford any of these neat devices, go for it!
I would rather have a year's supply of my favorite cartomizers (which I would need anyway, whatever battery package I vape them on).
