Upgrading from my basic ego

[NymeriaSand]

So I didn't do my research before starting vaping! I bought a basic rubbish ego starter kit from a e-cig stall and it's already annoying that it needs charged all the time, I can't use it when it's charging and is just basically rubbish!

So now I've just ordered an itaste vv/vw 3 that kit that comes with 5 iclear dual coil clearomisers - for when I'm out, at work ect. Also ordered an itaste mvp2.0 for at home use, mostly just to try it out to see what all the fuss is about! I choose these two as most of the feedback I've read on these has been very positive.

Now I'm a bit stuck on what is best to put on top of these! I currently have 2 v4 bottom dual coil tanks from Totally Wicked that I've been really happy with after the cheapo clearomiser that came with the starter kit and quickly tasted of burning juice. I think these will fit but I feel that the 2 itastes might deserve better?!

So I'm looking at the profones MT3 EVOD, looks ok but read a few bad reviews? And the Kanger aerotank, looks a bit foreign and intimidating plus is more expensive but everyone seems to be recommending these.

Any thoughts on what I'm looking at, pros cons? Or any further suggestions are much appreciated! I'm a total newb and want an easy to maintain system btw so anything that requires me building something is way above my current knowledge and skills!

 

[Baditude]

A Kayfun-style rebuildable tank would be the best option, but since you said you aren't interested in rebuilding coils, your options fall under a better clearomizer with air control or a cartotank.

Kayfun Lite Plus on an MVP

Kanger Aerotank

Aspire Nautilus

IBTanked Pyrex Cartotanks on MVP's

I've not personally used the Aerotank or Nautilus, but the air control function allegedly improves the air draw and performance. Pricey for a clearomizer, but maybe you get what you pay for.

I've used cartotanks as my main juice attachment for the better part of the last two years, and IMHO they provide better flavor and consistantly overall better performance than any clearomizer that I have tried. These use an entirely different wick system than clearomizers. Clearos use only tiny string wicks of silica which I feel are inadequate to feed enough liquid to the coils and often mute flavors. A cartomizer is full of polyfill wick, ten times the surface area of a silica string. This is the intermediate step between clearomizers and rebuildables.

Baditude's Cartotank Setup Guide

IBTanked pyrex cartotanks - review

 

[patkin]

Just FYI, I tend not to follow the pack and have been very happy with these on my VV3s:

Smoktech Mini Trophy Glass Tank

Economical, performs well, no leaks, glass.

Edit: I have V1 but see that hoosier's carries V2 and V1. I don't know anything about the V2 other than reading at hoosier. I got my V1s at desertvapes in AZ and cannot recommend getting them at the Smoktek store in the event of a DOA, I've not had a good experience there.

 

[swanysto]

I have the vv3 as well, and love it. I have two tanks that I absolutely love, however, replacing the heads is a pain. The Aspire Nautilus Mini, and the Smoktech T-Dux 2.0. I too started off with a $30 cheapo kit, and then went through about 4 different "clearomizers" before I found the T-Dux 2.0. The coils are pretty decently priced. My local shop has them for the same price as Kanger coils. The Nautilus Mini coils are a bit harder to come by, and aren't cheap. The cheapest I have found is about $3.50 a piece, but the vape is worth it in my opinion. The T-Dux is actually a very impressive little Clearo for $7. It gives me the same vapor production, but the Nautilus mini beats it by a little in taste. Both have similar technologies with the coils, as in they don't use exposed wick. The only time the T-Dux leaks is if I leave it in my car on a hot day.

I am not a big fan of Kanger, I don't like their coils setup. They can be rebuilt to work better, but it can be a pain. A lot of people enjoy them though. I would try the iClear 16's that come with them, I hear good things about them, and also the iClear 30's. I think you get one with the MVP if I am not mistaken.

Good luck in your search.

 

[djsvapour]

Hi!

I use both the iTasteVV v.3 and the MVP.

Did you have any joy from the 5 x iClears in the box? If not, don't get something like that again.

MT3 is quite outdated, and a "Profones" MT3 is just a horrible clone of the Kanger original. Most of the ebay and amazon kit is just clones. Some are fine, mind you.

The problem with clearomisers (all this sort) is that you buy replacement heads and they are sometimes OK but most of them do not last long.

The iClear16 (like you got with the iTaste) is probably one that lasts the longest. I can get weeks from these, as opposed to days with Kanger ones.

Today, I am using a mini Nautillus with the new BVC coils and so far these have lasted 4 days..... which is kind of a miracle i.m.o.

You could try the multi-packs of GS-H2 clearos from ebay or amazon. They are not great but at about £1 each, there are plenty of people who can live with them only lasting a few days. Some vendors do use these for their taster liquids in shops.

 

[djsvapour]

I've not personally used the Aerotank or Nautilus, but the air control function allegedly improves the air draw and performance. Pricey for a clearomizer, but maybe you get what you pay for.

Baditude - I am running a "value for money" test (how long do they last?) on Nautilus at the moment. I got 2 new tanks and a pack of coils from the Vape Escape stand at Vapefest 2014.

Aspire MINI Nautilus [VE745-B7] - £19.95 : Vape Escape

Until they are "dead" my Kayfuns are in the drawer. So far, I have no complaints... they vape well and both coils have done 4 days without any problem. They use the BVC coils. I never bothered to even try the BDC coils.... too many horror stories.

 

[eUsername]

I was happy with the vapeolnly bbc v1 on my vv3 before moving up to the nautilus mini. I mention v1 because they changed the design not too long ago and the v2 of that particular bbc is .....

 

[acbna]

Aspire Nautilus is the best tank on the market, if you do not want to make your own coils

Kayfun is the best tank on the market for custom coils.

These are my own personal preferences

 

[djsvapour]

Aspire Nautilus is the best tank on the market, if you do not want to make your own coils

Kayfun is the best tank on the market for custom coils.

No disagreement from me (yet) on this comment.

The other way forward is to use a carto-tank of course. Cartos are now under £1 in the UK and can outlast most cheap clearomiser heads, which are £1.20-1.99.

 

[Snowbass]

I like my iclear 30B

 

[doctadrea]

I still use my Kanger Protank II on occasion. It's never given me problems and replacement coils are everywhere, although it works way better if you rebuild them yourself. I use either cotton or bamboo yarn.

 

[NymeriaSand]

Hi!

I use both the iTasteVV v.3 and the MVP.

Did you have any joy from the 5 x iClears in the box? If not, don't get something like that again.

MT3 is quite outdated, and a "Profones" MT3 is just a horrible clone of the Kanger original. Most of the ebay and amazon kit is just clones. Some are fine, mind you.

The problem with clearomisers (all this sort) is that you buy replacement heads and they are sometimes OK but most of them do not last long.

The iClear16 (like you got with the iTaste) is probably one that lasts the longest. I can get weeks from these, as opposed to days with Kanger ones.

Today, I am using a mini Nautillus with the new BVC coils and so far these have lasted 4 days..... which is kind of a miracle i.m.o.

You could try the multi-packs of GS-H2 clearos from ebay or amazon. They are not great but at about £1 each, there are plenty of people who can live with them only lasting a few days. Some vendors do use these for their taster liquids in shops.

Thanks! Think I've made a good decision going with the itaste range. Unfortunately I've only just ordered them, so will be a difficult wait for the delivery! So I've not tried the iClears that come with the kit, didn't really have high hopes for them anyhow. Well the Nautillus is now on the 'must try' list, thanks again

 

[NymeriaSand]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions, I'm prob going to have to spend a load of money trying out all the good options...oh well I'm actually enjoying figuring everything out though, just wanted to start in the right place! Surprised about the mixed feedback on the aerotank, thought that was the safest option! Thinking about trying the Smoktech Mini Trophy Tank now and the Aspire Nautilus.....and possibly the Protank 2! Ah well I'm saving over £250 this month from not smoke, might as well spend it somewhere

 

[djsvapour]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions, I'm prob going to have to spend a load of money trying out all the good options...oh well I'm actually enjoying figuring everything out though, just wanted to start in the right place! Surprised about the mixed feedback on the aerotank, thought that was the safest option! Thinking about trying the Smoktech Mini Trophy Tank now and the Aspire Nautilus.....and possibly the Protank 2! Ah well I'm saving over £250 this month from not smoke, might as well spend it somewhere

OK... what can I add?

I bought a Protank 2 specifically with the intent of building my own coils. (£7.99) When it arrived, I thought I may as well use the factory head. It didn't last even 10 hours.
I vape at medium power (8 watts, maybe only 7 with a factory head), don't vape often and it still died in less than 1 tank. Since then, I remade the head and that was a month ago. It's had about 20ml of Lime liquid through it....often up to 10 watts.

None of my Smok tanks see any use at all. Every single one of them leaked. Even rebuilding them didn't fix inherent design faults. I've not tried the new one, but I can say that UK vendors have mostly given up on them. The original Trophy was a Protank copy, and the Protanks leak, so go figure.

Bottom coil clearomisers are a great idea on paper. In reality, most of them leak at some point and all of them require "feeding (buying)" replacement heads far more often than one would expect, given the design should keep the coil wet. I just got so fed up with ordering another 5-pack of heads every blo*** week. £300 a year on heads? No thanks.
BUT, I am bored of making little coils and re-wicking these every few days.... so, I am trying the BVC which is a new design.

It might work, it might not.... too early to tell. They've only been on sale for a few weeks (as far as I know). If I can get 6-8 days from two tanks (3-4 days per tank) then I shall send my rebuildables (Kayfun, Taifun) to someone who loves them a little more than me.

 

[NymeriaSand]

OK... what can I add?

I bought a Protank 2 specifically with the intent of building my own coils. (£7.99) When it arrived, I thought I may as well use the factory head. It didn't last even 10 hours.
I vape at medium power (8 watts, maybe only 7 with a factory head), don't vape often and it still died in less than 1 tank. Since then, I remade the head and that was a month ago. It's had about 20ml of Lime liquid through it....often up to 10 watts.

None of my Smok tanks see any use at all. Every single one of them leaked. Even rebuilding them didn't fix inherent design faults. I've not tried the new one, but I can say that UK vendors have mostly given up on them. The original Trophy was a Protank copy, and the Protanks leak, so go figure.

Bottom coil clearomisers are a great idea on paper. In reality, most of them leak at some point and all of them require "feeding (buying)" replacement heads far more often than one would expect, given the design should keep the coil wet. I just got so fed up with ordering another 5-pack of heads every blo*** week. £300 a year on heads? No thanks.
BUT, I am bored of making little coils and re-wicking these every few days.... so, I am trying the BVC which is a new design.

It might work, it might not.... too early to tell. They've only been on sale for a few weeks (as far as I know). If I can get 6-8 days from two tanks (3-4 days per tank) then I shall send my rebuildables (Kayfun, Taifun) to someone who loves them a little more than me.

Right ok, see I read a few times that the protank worked best after it has been modified. So you won't recommend it as it comes? Was going to opt for the protank 3, maybe the issues with the 2 have been resolved in this model? Thanks! [emoji1]

 

[djsvapour]

Right ok, see I read a few times that the protank worked best after it has been modified. So you won't recommend it as it comes?

No...

(in short)

 

[mkbilbo]

I am not a big fan of Kanger, I don't like their coils setup. They can be rebuilt to work better, but it can be a pain. A lot of people enjoy them though. I would try the iClear 16's that come with them, I hear good things about them, and also the iClear 30's. I think you get one with the MVP if I am not mistaken.

Dunno which the MVP comes with but the VTR comes with an iClear 30S and I like 'em myself. Been meaning to try the new Pyrex iClear X.1 but haven't got round to it yet. Have one 30 but prefer the 30S definitely.