Upgrade advice please.

[Pollywollydoodle]

I'm not exactly a new member, but I don't post much, so I feel more comfortable here. I've been using various egos for four years and I'm finally ready to upgrade, what with all the folderol going on. I'm ordering an istick Pico from VapeNW. Their 18650 battery choices are EFest IMR, LG HG2 and Samsung INR. Are these all okay or is one better or worse than the others? I was also thinking about the Tomo M3 charger. The kit includes a Melo3 tank. The coil options confuse me so I thought I'd try whatever comes with it and see how I like it. I'm just looking for a good MTL vape, not huge clouds. A very nice lady at a B&M I went to said I could put something like a nautilus on it if I'm not using very high watts, so I ordered a mini. So...any advice would be greatly appreciated before I pull the trigger on the order. Thanks!

 

[Vaping2Live]

I use the LG HG2 in all my Pico's.

 

[Baditude]

Their 18650 battery choices are EFest IMR, LG HG2 and Samsung INR. Are these all okay or is one better or worse than the others?

I'd definitely go with the LG HG2. 3000mah capacity (run time) LG INR18650-HG2 20A 3000mAh Bench Retest Results...a great 20A battery!

You didn't specify which Samsung INR. The 30Q is nearly exactly the same as the LG HG2. The 25R is only a 2500mah battery (less run time). It is a good battery though.
Samsung 30Q 20A 3000mAh 18650 Bench Retest Results...a great 20A/3000mAh battery!
Samsung 25R Green 20A (25R5) 2500mAh 18650 Bench Test Results...a great 20A battery
Samsung 25R Blue Wrap 20A 2500mAh Bench Test Results...a great 20A cell


Efest is a rewrapped battery, and the company is notorious for over-rating their battery specs. I'd buy an Efest only if its the only battery available.

Purple Efest Batteries Not As Advertised
Are You Using a "Rewrap" Battery? Exposing The WORST ...

​

I've never heard of the TOMO battery charger. I don't know if its a reliable charger or not.

Guide to Choosing a Li-ion Battery Charger

• Guide to help a novice in choosing a charger. Covers recommended brands; suggestions for the number of charging bays you'll need, discusses what independent charging bays are, LED and Liquid Crystal Display models, and "smart chargers".

The Mini Nautilus is an excellent clearomizer tank.

​

 

[Topwater Elvis]

Any of these will work well in the Pico.
LG HG2 3000mah 20a cdr
Samsung 30Q 3000mah 20a cdr
AW 3000mah 20a cdr
Sony VTC6 3000mah 20a cdr

Avoid efest.

 

[Gramdogg]

Sounds like your B&M is one of the good ones. Your set up nicely with that gear.

 

[Pollywollydoodle]

Many thanks to all who replied. I ordered the Pico with Melo3, a Nautilus mini, two LG HG2 batteries and a Tomo charger. I'll probably pick up a couple more Picos down the line.

 

[BrotherBob]

Might like to read:
My thoughts about sub-ohm and latest VV/VW devices...
Efficiency. Thinner wire and higher resistance VS thick wire and lower resistance
Could check out the Eleaf Istick 40w TC with built in battery. Uses no external battery or external charger, mines been running almost a year. MTL and vape for flavor.

 

[Gramdogg]

Yeah the Melo don't have a MTL coil but it fits Aspire Triton and Vaperesso CCell coils which do come in above ohm MTL.

 

[Eskie]

You might want to start out with the Nautilus mini. It will give you a bit of a chance to get used to vaping in a style pretty much as you likely smoke. Then give the Melo a try. It will be a different style of draw (more airflow) than the Nauti.

Of course now that you have your hardware sorted out, the big question will be what are you going to vape? There are so many choices of flavors and mixes on the market (for now). Finding what you like may take some trial and error, but finding a juice you like can more important than what you use to vape it.

 

[Gramdogg]

I agree, save the sub ohm coils the Melo comes with and just buy 1.8ohm Triton coils (not triton mini) for it and use the Nauti. 2 MTL tanks and when you find juice you like and think your ready you'll still have your sub ohm coils.

 

[subwayaznm]

Provari 2.5 (@ Provape/Specials $35)you can get a variable wattage device that will outlast your vaping period. Simple and reliable device. Not mega wattage and no temp control but Rock Solid for the money.

IMHO Wattage is like the old stereo wars the Biggest and the most wattage wins; well not really. Back in the day you learned that the best speakers could win; quality not quantity wins. Same with vaping, not really the wattage as much as the vape your looking for out of the coil.

Cloud Chasing, low ohms (Sub Ohm) large Drip Tips, larger chimney.

Flavor Chasing, then higher ohm coil and smaller chimney and Drip Tip. Granted sub 1 ohm vaping does require greater wattage to get the heat needed to produce the vaped.

Tanks simply one of the all time best for all levels is the Aspire Nautilus Mini.
Simple wide variety of Replacement heads at a reasonable price. Trouble free Vaping. All for a reasonable price ($25 MyVapeStore)

But enough said just some food for thought

 

[medleypat]

I agree with the Nautilus tank should be closer to what you have been using. Might look at buying a triton 1.8 ohm coil for the mello.

 

[Who_Dey_1991]

Subscribing to this thread because 1. Literally just decided to buy the Pico after a couple paydays. 2. Wanted to use either the Nautilus mini or regular Nautilus with it and 3. Still really confused about some of the same stuff.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G935A using Tapatalk

 

[Gramdogg]

If I could go back in time I would never waste my money on a above ohm only MTL tank, The Pico and Melo combo is perfect just buy a pack of MTL coils separately. By the time they are gone you'll most likely want to try the sub ohm DTL coils anyways.

 

[Pollywollydoodle]

Might look at buying a triton 1.8 ohm coil for the mello.

What do I look for, just triton 1.8 ohm coils? Do you have a link?

 

[Pollywollydoodle]

Subscribing to this thread because 1. Literally just decided to buy the Pico after a couple paydays. 2. Wanted to use either the Nautilus mini or regular Nautilus with it and 3. Still really confused about some of the same stuff.

I've been using the Pico for about two weeks now and love both it and the Nautilus mini. I don't think the regular Nautilus would work as at 23mm it's a bit too wide. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, please.

 

[Gramdogg]

23mm fits but not 23.5mm+ So I'm told anyways.

 

[daviedog]

Pretty good^^ my Aromamizer V1 is 23.08mm. Will fit on pico 75, visual gap at batt cap. Too thin to draw notebook paper through..

 

[Pollywollydoodle]

23mm fits but not 23.5mm+ So I'm told anyways.

I read somewhere that the width of the regular Nautilus is 23.45mm. I can't for the life of me remember where I saw it, but the sequential numbers caught my eye. Has anyone out there actually used one on the Pico? I'd love the larger capacity.

 

[daviedog]

I read somewhere that the width of the regular Nautilus is 23.45mm. I can't for the life of me remember where I saw it, but the sequential numbers caught my eye. Has anyone out there actually used one on the Pico? I'd love the larger capacity.

Can't be done. Don't doubt me. The pico is a favorite 'beater' mod of mine. Tried many attys,,23.08mm was measured with a Mizuno electronic caliper.
May be a way out. You may stack heatsinks up to 6.5 mm in height, clearing the way. You would be able to use any atomizer you want.
As an aside, don't think a Nautilus is worth the hassle..