V2 Cigs: Standard Kit Review

[McDougal]

Background: I ordered my first full kit from V2 after some research. I've used E-cigs for about 7 months now, using various cartos and a couple different batteries.

First off, the shipping from V2 Cigs was prompt, as it was shipped off the day after the order was submitted. There has been some talk about V2 growing rapidly recently, and how they were taking on more than they could handle. Any issues seem to be resolved, because another order put in a few days later for juice and tips was also shipped the next day. (I'll review those when they arrive.)

This "standard kit" comes with 2 batteries, which are the KR808 model, and is compatible with quite a few cartos. These batteries are 4.2 volt. They are standard length, which are 3.11 in (79 mm). With the carto they're 4.3 in (110 mm). The great thing about it is that one battery is automatic and one is manual, so you get the best of both worlds. You can also pick what finish you want the batteries in, and the choices are stainless steel, white, blue and black. It also comes with 10 cartos to get you started, and the V2 cartos are different colors, depending on the flavor. Of course, the kit includes a USB and AC charger. It all comes in a nice box. The kit is $74.95.

The look of the batteries and cartos are attractive, and I ordered the black battery with 10 cartos of Sahara 18 mg. Everything feels and looks of great quality, and clearly I haven't owned hardware this nice before.

The performance? I started vaping on the manual battery heavily on and off, and as of 8 hours later, it's still producing a lot of vapor. I'm quite floored, actually. I can see this battery going a long, long time with heavy vaping. (Of course, everyone is different, and "heavy" means different things to different people.) I haven't used the automatic battery yet, other than just taking a few vapes to make sure it's in good working order, and it is, and also produces a lot of vapor. Apparently, V2 just started carrying the 4.2 volt model last month.

The Sahara flavor tastes nothing like Camel, but it's actually very good. Excellent throat hit too. I'm big on knowing what's in my juice/cartos, and V2 lists all their ingredients on their website. I have a 10 ml sampler of Red coming tomorrow, so I'll see if that's just as good.

So, it's day one, and my V2 experience couldn't be better. It has me excited again. It's far better than any other I have owned, which isn't much, because I'm pretty minimalistic about my vaping needs. Their hardware is a tad higher than other kits, but again, it's clearly of superior quality compared to some sub-par stuff out there. I'm not rich, but for a few more bucks, I wanted more assurance I was getting something reliable with good performance.

So far, so great!

 

[Vego]

About a month or so ago I hadn't even tried an e-cig yet when I placed my order for the v2 travelers kit. The next day, I discovered ECF. The following day, after reading through the threads, I ordered an ego-t.

Now, I'll agree that the v2 is a pretty good, quality product. The only problem is that I found the pre-filled cartos to be... well, rather disgusting tasting, especially after comparison with the ego using fresh juice in the tank. You're right, at 4.2 volt, it produces some pretty good vapor and TH. But with the flavor of those pre-filled cartos, it just doesn't interest me anymore other than for an emergency backup. Then I discovered using 510 attys, dripping and cartos on the ego batt, and have never even looked at the v2 kit again. Oh well...

 

[McDougal]

About a month or so ago I hadn't even tried an e-cig yet when I placed my order for the v2 travelers kit. The next day, I discovered ECF. The following day, after reading through the threads, I ordered an ego-t.

Now, I'll agree that the v2 is a pretty good, quality product. The only problem is that I found the pre-filled cartos to be... well, rather disgusting tasting, especially after comparison with the ego using fresh juice in the tank. You're right, at 4.2 volt, it produces some pretty good vapor and TH. But with the flavor of those pre-filled cartos, it just doesn't interest me anymore other than for an emergency backup. Then I discovered using 510 attys, dripping and cartos on the ego batt, and have never even looked at the v2 kit again. Oh well...

Thanks for the feedback.

The Red and Sahara aren't bad, in my opinion, but I picked those just as part of the initial shipment. I'm using different juices.

As for the eGo, the only benefit it would give for my vaping preferences is the lengthy battery. Other than that, right now I'd rather use the quality 808s from V2 and drip into the cartos with different juice. I just like simplicity, and 808 cartos are widely available just about everywhere. Since I drip, I'd rather have a used carto to fill. V2 is a little high, but it was my first purchase since buying a cheapo smoke shop setup a few months back, and with V2, at least I managed to get a quality product without really knowing what I was doing. I've seen some here get seriously ripped off by White Cloud, etc.

If I buy anything else, I'll definitely get an eGo. I suppose I could go with cartos with an eGo, which may happen in the future, because to me, having a separate atty is just another thing that can go bad, which is why I like cartos with fresh attys. I do like that the eGo fits 510s, but right now, I'm an 808 fan.

 

[Vego]

Oh man, I sure do know what you're talking about with getting ripped off, especially with that White Cloud at the mall. $150 on up to $300 +. Give me a break. Those were the first e-cigs I tried there at the mall, and they were pretty bad. It's amazing that I continued on to discover proper vaping. I'm actually glad I have the v2 for backup though.

If you like dripping like I do, I can tell you that the longer lasting mah of the ego is not the only thing you would get out of it. An ego with a standard or lr 510 atty... I really think you would find that kind of dripping an eye opening experience. Oh the flavor!

It's cool that you enjoy using the 808 cartos for dripping(filling), but dripping is really best when you use a proper atty and drip right on the coil without the prefill... especially if you can figure out how to de-brige them. I actually tried removing the prefill from the v2 cartos and trying a proper drip, but it was a leaking, and burnt tasting mess. They're just not made to be used without the prefill.

Good luck in all you're vaping endeavors... and if you ever do try an ego or bigger batt mod with an atty for dripping, let us know your experience as compared to the 808 cartos.

 

[Running Wolf]

I just ordered an eGo-t so drop me a line in a few days or look for me to post a review of it.

I started, and am using a cheap gas station cig till my eGo-t gets here. A Mistic (did do a review on it), not bad for a $15 start up kit from a gas station. But like ya'll said the cartridges taste like poop.

Hates off to ECF. After lurking for a few weeks and joining a week or so ago I have learned a lot, met a lot of nice people with good advice.

 

[Moofaso]

I guess V2 catches all the newbies. I too have a cheapo Jasper and Jasper I picked up from a gas station, and just ordered the V2 Ultimate. This was before I found this forum, and now I am thinking I may have jumped the gun. My kit seems very overpriced now that I have seen the others listed, I hope it is worth it. I will get it on Wednesday.

 

[Vego]

I just ordered an eGo-t so drop me a line in a few days or look for me to post a review of it.

I started, and am using a cheap gas station cig till my eGo-t gets here. A Mistic (did do a review on it), not bad for a $15 start up kit from a gas station. But like ya'll said the cartridges taste like poop.

Hates off to ECF. After lurking for a few weeks and joining a week or so ago I have learned a lot, met a lot of nice people with good advice.

Yeah, ECF is a God send. This community rocks. Cool, helpful, knowledgable people who really seem to be looking out for us noobs. It really seems like EVERYBODY, from the most long term experienced vapers to the new startups seem to follow the same path of getting jerked around and wasting money in the beginning, THEN finding ECF, and venturing forth into vaping bliss with new found knowledge, give or take a few stumbling blocks along the way.

I think you're going to find this next step, the ego step, to be quite enjoyable. Play around with the tank system, note how much better your juices are going to taste, and find out through experience after a few weeks what the shortfalls of the ego t system are... (leaking, dry burnt hits, poor wicking). After that, I highly suggest putting the tanks aside and getting some good attys to use with the pretty excellent (for what it is) ego batt and discovering the world of dripping. You'll flip at the flavors coming alive in your mouth.

Good luck and I look forward to hearing your review.

 

[Vego]

I guess V2 catches all the newbies. I too have a cheapo Jasper and Jasper I picked up from a gas station, and just ordered the V2 Ultimate. This was before I found this forum, and now I am thinking I may have jumped the gun. My kit seems very overpriced now that I have seen the others listed, I hope it is worth it. I will get it on Wednesday.

Have you noticed how when you first google electronic cigarettes, you get all these faux "review sites" that come up and tout all the v2-like e-cigs. I think that's why so many of us make bad choices at first. Do you realize that when I made my v2 purchase, I'd never even heard of ego, Joye, Boge, or mods.

Don't feel too bad about making a bad initial e-cig choice... you're among good company. I like to think about it as paying dues.

Also, don't forget to check out Youtube. Man, that is an awesome place to gain vaping knowledge.

 

[Moofaso]

Yes indeed, that's what got me to the V2 site, I thought I did my homework checking so many review sites, but after finding this forum I see V2 has great marketing, but certainly not the best product as I as a noob was led to believe. But, I am using their KR8's now and it has been 2 days without an analog. I certainly spent way too much money at V2, but so far it has kept me off regular cigs so I can't complain I guess. I will use this setup for awhile, do more research, and upgrade. Thanks to this forum and all the great peeps here I am sure I will eventually upgrade to something much better and more solid.

 

[McDougal]

Oh man, I sure do know what you're talking about with getting ripped off, especially with that White Cloud at the mall. $150 on up to $300 +. Give me a break. Those were the first e-cigs I tried there at the mall, and they were pretty bad. It's amazing that I continued on to discover proper vaping. I'm actually glad I have the v2 for backup though.

If you like dripping like I do, I can tell you that the longer lasting mah of the ego is not the only thing you would get out of it. An ego with a standard or lr 510 atty... I really think you would find that kind of dripping an eye opening experience. Oh the flavor!

It's cool that you enjoy using the 808 cartos for dripping(filling), but dripping is really best when you use a proper atty and drip right on the coil without the prefill... especially if you can figure out how to de-brige them. I actually tried removing the prefill from the v2 cartos and trying a proper drip, but it was a leaking, and burnt tasting mess. They're just not made to be used without the prefill.

Good luck in all you're vaping endeavors... and if you ever do try an ego or bigger batt mod with an atty for dripping, let us know your experience as compared to the 808 cartos.

Yeah, I should have said "refill," because that's all I'm doing. You're right, dripping straight onto an 808 atty just doesn't work, but that's not really the point of an 808 anyway.

Since I've written the review, I've discovered a plethora of products here on the forum, as well as good juice. I didn't know anything about juices until I started ordering Copper Creek, and I'm very, very impressed. As far as V2, I'm sticking with the batteries for now, and I could've gone way worse starting out and not knowing anything. The batteries are actually good quality 808s, 250mAh. Now, I'm just looking for empty cartos that will work well with them. The ones V2 sells are low res, and I'm not sure if I should go to a medium res with the 4.2v battery or not.

Anyway, good luck to you too!

 

[McDougal]

I guess V2 catches all the newbies. I too have a cheapo Jasper and Jasper I picked up from a gas station, and just ordered the V2 Ultimate. This was before I found this forum, and now I am thinking I may have jumped the gun. My kit seems very overpriced now that I have seen the others listed, I hope it is worth it. I will get it on Wednesday.

V2 is a little high, but not a complete hoodwink. If you are looking at KR808 batteries here on the forum, V2's are those kind, and actually good quality, just a bit high. If you keep the V2, I recommend getting empty cartos and buying your own juice. I didn't know what good juice was when I ordered V2. If you want the KR808, but go with another company, check out the Volt. That's probably what I would've done had I browsed the forum more before ordering.

I am going with the eGo after I get some mileage out of the V2.

 

[Moofaso]

I am actually looking at the KGO from Dark City Vapors. It is the original SLB KGO for just $45. I have a ton of KR8 filled carts and blanks right now so I may wait and use them up first, but I have the KGO in my shopping cart, I don't know I may end up getting it sooner than later.

 

[Moofaso]

well I couldn't wait lol, I went ahead and ordered the KGO.

 

[chinchilla]

Your V2 kit will be great! I too ordered a V2 kit. I also use the Elite by cigeasy. I like to go between the V2 and the Elite throughout the day. They are perfectly matched as they are both standard KR808 set ups.

 

[Bostonsnboxers]

well I couldn't wait lol, I went ahead and ordered the KGO.

You're gonna love that Kgo! I started with V2 as well, and after getting some really BAD cartridges and finding this forum, it wasn't long before I went with the kgo. If you want, you can buy an adapter for around $3 and still use your v2 catriges on the kgo, but once I started using cartomizers....whoooo.....no more cartridges for me!

I still pick up my 808 auto occasionally if I want to vape while doing something (cooking, cleaning, etc) that I need both hands for, but I could never go back to an 808 as my main pv again

 

[Moofaso]

You're gonna love that Kgo! I started with V2 as well, and after getting some really BAD cartridges and finding this forum, it wasn't long before I went with the kgo. If you want, you can buy an adapter for around $3 and still use your v2 catriges on the kgo, but once I started using cartomizers....whoooo.....no more cartridges for me!

I still pick up my 808 auto occasionally if I want to vape while doing something (cooking, cleaning, etc) that I need both hands for, but I could never go back to an 808 as my main pv again

Thanks, I am really excited about getting it. I have read alot of good things about the kGo and after blowing so much $$ at v2, I am hoping I can get a PV I can love. The 808's are okay, I vape mostly on the passthru at home and in the car, I don't get a good enough TH from the manual 808 I have, but using the PT is better. From what I have read, the kGo should do the job for me. I love your self portrait avatar, did you make it yourself? I have tons of v2 carts now and even more blanks for the juice I have ordered, I wish I found this forum before I went to v2, but I have been off analogs now for 5 days and don't even think about them anymore so that's a plus anyway.

 

[Vego]

One of my neighbors in my aprtment building is always out front smoking his cigs. We got around to talking about vaping, and I whipped out my REO mini and showed it to him. His eyes lit up, and he damned near wanted to snatch it out of my hands. When I saw his interest, I reached into my satchel and, without even thinking about it, I gave him my V2 passthrough and a new box of Sahara cartos. He started hitting it, and low and behold, he really liked it.

I gifted it to him and he's really diggin' it... even with those rough v2 flavor cartos. Like V2 or not, it was good enough to induct a new Vaper into the fold.

 

[McDougal]

You're gonna love that Kgo! I started with V2 as well, and after getting some really BAD cartridges and finding this forum, it wasn't long before I went with the kgo. If you want, you can buy an adapter for around $3 and still use your v2 catriges on the kgo, but once I started using cartomizers....whoooo.....no more cartridges for me!

I still pick up my 808 auto occasionally if I want to vape while doing something (cooking, cleaning, etc) that I need both hands for, but I could never go back to an 808 as my main pv again

That actually surprises me about the bad cartos. Based on my own experience and what other people have said, V2's cartos are among the best KR808 cartos I have used. Mind you, I am talking about carto quality, not flavors. I fill with other juices.

 

[luvinit]

I, too, was sucked into the marketing of those fake review sites and ordered the V2 Ultimate kit. But I must say that I'm really happy with it. One month with no analogs and I'm loving this thing! I am starting to think of upgrading, however. I find this all very confusing... atty's, mods, and all the other "stuff" is intimidating. Thank God for this site, I've gained a ton of knowledge and have been buying liquid and refilling my carts.. it's so easy! But I feel like I have to top off an awful lot, I guess because I pretty much vape non stop when I'm home. Is that a bad thing? IMHO, these things are the absolute best way to get rid of the stink-sticks. So I've been looking at the Ego and other 510s but I'm too intimidated to take the plunge. I think for me right now, I'll stick to my V2s and just keep refilling. McDougal, if you find good carts for refilling, I hope you'll post. Thanks for sticking up for V2,, they don't get very good reviews but I've been very happy with them.

 

[tonybaloney]

I ordered a v2 kit a few months ago and I have to say that I'm not happy with it at all. At first I thought it was the greatest thing since sliced bread but after using it for two weeks it's true self appeared. I had multiple battery failures and numerous DOA cartomizers. The charger stopped working after three weeks and I had the pass thru fail 5 times within three months. Fortunately they have a lifetime warranty( as long as you keep buying stuff from them) and they replaced them very quickly. The bad thing about the warranty process is that they require you to pay for shipping each and every time you have a warranty replacement. Usually I wouldn't care about the shipping but after having to replace over ten items in three months I racked up over $50 in shipping charges. The $80 starter kit ended up costing me $130. Not to mention all the juice I wasted with DOA carts.

As for the performance, they produce a fair amount of vapor for the first week or two. By week three or four they don't work any more. Either the button breaks or they won't hold a charge for more than ten to fifteen puffs.

I spoke with a women from V2 yesterday and told her I was fed up with all the items breaking and that I wasn't paying for the shipping charges. As to my surprise, she actually admitted that V2 cigs are junk and that they where exploring new options for the future. The only thing they were willing to do was offer me store credit for the shipping. That's great and all but there is nothing I want to buy from them considering they sell nothing but garbage. I gave up and threw everything in the trash.

I think for the money you can find a far superior product. Considering in three months I went threw 4 manual batteries, 5 pass- thru's, and two chargers. Also, out of 40 cartomizers 13 were DOA. Hope this helps.