Which clearomizer?

[moze229]

I'm fairly new to all of this folks.

I've been using regular polyfill cartos since I started, and they work great. No worries of leaking (usually) and they are easy to refill. I'd like to be able to add the convenience of seeing how much liquid I have left. I've also heard that you get a better vape from clearos, although some disagree.

I'd like to try a few of these, but how much of a pain is cleaning? I like the fact that you can just refill cartos until they don't work anymore and then pitch 'em. Clearos seem like they may be a bit more of a hassle. Also, we have top coil vs bottom coil. What's the difference? I also have to consider leaking/cracking based on types of juice. No cracking worries with cartos.

I currently have 2 cig-a-like batts from another vendor and the X2. I'll probably be picking up a 78mm auto from SI whenever I order my other stuff. I leave my X2 at home and take my cig-a-likes with me.

Which clearomizer would you all go with first?

 

[Grimwald]

I started with cartos like most folks and swore by them for 6 months. As I gained experience, I began to experiment with clearos, and I will never go back full time to cartomizers. I prefer top coils, others will prefer bottom coils, so you will likely need to do your own experimenting.

Certainly cleaning is a big and necessary part of using clearos, but it is worth the effort. Each type is a little different in cleaning, but most will at least require an occasional flushing with hot water. When I consider the time involved, I just remember all the time I used to spend cleaning ashtrays, vacuuming, driving to the smoke shop, standing in the cold...it's all relative.

For the cig-sized batts I would choose the new mini (T4) hands down.

For the X2s...there is a thread on down that discusses all those that will fit. I prefer T2s. From SI the X2 clearo (CE4 style) is something I use as well. Of course the mini will also fit the X2.

I'm sure others that prefer and have more experience with bottom coils will come along to further the discussion.

 

[Xenu2112]

I started with top coils but now I'm a bottom coil guy all the way (does that sound dirty?). From what I've found, top coils give a little warmer (sometimes harsher) hit and you have to make sure the wicks stay saturated. Bottom coils stay more saturated due to simple gravity and give a smoother hit, so you don't have to worry about finding that sweet spot, making it easier to use.

I use the Kanger evods almost exclusively now. They're smaller than some other cleaross, but they hold plenty of liquid, give a great hit, and the flavor is super clean. They're also easy to maintain (I just rinse them out and shake them dry every week or so) and replacement heads are cheap.

For my purposes, they work awesomely. The knockoff ones from fasttech are only a couple bucks and I think they work just as well as the kanger-branded ones, so I always keep a few handy loaded with different flavors. Highly recommended.

Only time I use cartos anymore is when I'm sampling a new juice. In fact, once I finally go thru all the ones I have left over from my pre-clearo days. I'll never buy another...way too much work for what is, at best, an inconsistently-performing product.

 

[Garemlin]

Check out this thread I started. I gave my feedback on several.

Clickity-Click

Keep in mind the Liquimax I have listed are almost identical to the new SI small clearos. I love them for a small top coil over any others. And to add to that list because I had not tried them at the time, the T3 mini is my favorite bottom coil. I use them almost exclusively now.

 

[moze229]

Thanks! I'll check out that thread.

 

[Gaspar74]

+1 Kanger Evods

 

[cindycated]

For the 78s, T4 (SI's new mini clearos) would probably be best. Liquimax is the same thing, but keep in mind that SI has the distinction of using better plastics for their tanks (most other places use polycarbonate - not very chemical resistant, emits BPAs). Most of the problems you'll hear of with certain flavors are most likely because of polycarbonate tanks.

For X2s and Spinners, my favorite so far is the Vision VT (no adapters necessary, wicks exceptionally well for a top coil, easier to fill, metal replacement tubes available). I also love EVODs (bottom coil), but having to unscrew the beauty ring and adapter can be a PITA when recharging the Spinner (no big deal with the X2 - you can just leave the beauty ring and adapter on, since it charges at the bottom). But because these are non-SI products, I'm guessing their tanks are probably polycarbonate. Oh well. SI's mini-T3 is pretty close to EVODs in performance (not quite, but almost), with the better plastic.

Top coils give a slightly warmer vape, and with some (not the Vision VT), you have to do a little twirling and tipping to feed the coil. My problem with bottom coils is that sometimes the coil becomes oversaturated and I end up sipping juice (especially with my 80/20 liquid). Then I'd have to sop it up with a pipe cleaner to get it good again. I never have to do that with the Vision VT. But EVODs and replacement heads are much cheaper, so I tend to use them more often.

 

[JoAnnW]

For the 78s, T4 (SI's new mini clearos) would probably be best. Liquimax is the same thing, but keep in mind that SI has the distinction of using better plastics for their tanks (most other places use polycarbonate - not very chemical resistant, emits BPAs). Most of the problems you'll hear of with certain flavors are most likely because of polycarbonate tanks.

For X2s and Spinners, my favorite so far is the Vision VT (no adapters necessary, wicks exceptionally well for a top coil, easier to fill, metal replacement tubes available). I also love EVODs (bottom coil), but having to unscrew the beauty ring and adapter can be a PITA when recharging the Spinner (no big deal with the X2 - you can just leave the beauty ring and adapter on, since it charges at the bottom). But because these are non-SI products, I'm guessing their tanks are probably polycarbonate. Oh well. SI's mini-T3 is pretty close to EVODs in performance (not quite, but almost), with the better plastic.

Top coils give a slightly warmer vape, and with some (not the Vision VT), you have to do a little twirling and tipping to feed the coil. My problem with bottom coils is that sometimes the coil becomes oversaturated and I end up sipping juice (especially with my 80/20 liquid). Then I'd have to sop it up with a pipe cleaner to get it good again. I never have to do that with the Vision VT. But EVODs and replacement heads are much cheaper, so I tend to use them more often.

Ditto all the way!! You have a beautiful way with words Cindy!

 

[cindycated]

haha, typos, made-up words and all!
Thanks JoAnn - likewise.

 

[moze229]

Thanks cindycated, for the in-depth explanation. I have some things on my order list now as soon as they get the black cones for the X2's back in stock.

 

[cindycated]

Hope I helped some. I was a hardcore carto user too (exclusively for two years) and could never seem to break away from them until now, after all the clearos I had tried. Glad I finally found some that I actually like. Ah, so glad I don't have to clean cartos anymore!

And it only gets complicated when you get into rebuilding coils. Otherwise, it's rinse and refill. When the coil gets cruddy, a quick dry burn, or screw the old head off, screw a new one on. Easy peasy.

 

[frustrated newby]

I have been using the T3 clearomizer and am really happy with the performance and life they have given me. But I thought the T3s was a cheaper way to go. I didn't know they will not work till I received my order today. The post is too long and will not screw onto my x2 batteries. Is there an adapter I can get anywhere to be able to use these?