Rixter
-
Posts
1,902 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
55
Posts posted by Rixter
-
-
Prior to the late 'sixties, musicians used tube amplifiers...it's what they had, and they worked just fine.
Then the 'seventies came around, and with it, the birth of the solid state amplifier. No tubes = nothing to break...sounds good & lasts forever. Win - win.
Fast forward to now. After all the years of development, it would seem that the tube amp is again (and has been for quite some time now) the most highly sought after type of musical amplifier in the business. Solid state has its place, too, but it just doesn't offer the same "nastiness" that a cranked tube amp does. Fact. Sometimes, the basics are the best.
Why did I go there when this is supposed to be my take on juice tanks? (could be too much coffee and free time) Because the same thing appears to be happening with juice tanks.
In the beginning, there was the DCT (dual-coil carto) tank (tube amp). It was cool. It held a lot of juice and produced tons of vapor and flavor...but it leaked. Yeah, you might get away without getting a leak for a little while, but it was gonna happen, and it was gonna suck.
Along came the (solid state) wick-style tanks with a newly-designed engine (in all sorts of pretty colors and options) and vapers fell in love. Rebuildable, toss-able, less prone to leaking, easily fill-able. Seemed like somebody had actually come up with a "better mousetrap". But they, too, had their ups and downs. Although a great improvement over those leaking DCTs, they just didn't seem to give the same sort of vaping experience as the DCTs did. Flavors were somewhat muted, and its hit-to-hit consistency left a little to be desired. Sometimes, they leaked, too.
I sort of missed the boat on DCTs and clearos, and had my first real tank experience with a Vision ViVi Nova. I really liked it a lot, and it remains active. The Nova, by the way, is kind of like a "hybrid" amplifier, having both tube and solid state components...meh. Just old school tanking with a modern engine...still had the same flavor-muting qualities, and "stiff draw" & "burnt taste" were becoming just things you had to deal with in your pursuit of convenience.
In the very recent past, there has been a resurgence of the lowly DCT, but this time, there may actually be hope. Personally, I have always used Smoktech 3Ω double punched tank cartos, simply because that's what my carto vendor carried. I like them because they produce more vapor, taste, and throat hit than anything else I've tried, but sometimes they leak, too. I usually have to toss at least one leaking carto from each box.
Now, there are so many available options for tanks cartos...flanged, unflanged, single-coil, dual-coil, triple-coil, low Ω, medium Ω, high Ω, single or double punched, long or short...
...or the (new?) CE2 "wick-style" tank carto replacements. I've got a couple of 2Ω single-coil versions, and they really seem to be "the answer" to good tank performance without any leaking. On the outside, they look just like a regular punched, poly-filled tank carto, but on the inside, they have a a wick and coil in a sealed cup that seems leak- and gurgle-proof (so far).Like any other CE2 system, it took about 1 ml of e-juice running through the wicks to get them to break in and perform, but once they did, they really performed well, and for some reason, there was no detectable flavor-muting going on, either. (7 watts is where this setup likes to be, it seems...8 watts is just a little bit too much for the wicks to handle my 80PG/20VG juices efficiently and I get a mildly harsh vape).
There's really no learning curve to these things, either. If you know how to install a carto in a tank, this is the same exact thing, with the only real difference being in the priming of the carto for initial use. With poly-filled cartos, it takes about 30 drop to prime the carto. With CE2 cartos, you just fill the tank, drop a few drops through the drip tip onto the exposed coil inside the carto's shell, let it soak in thoroughly, and start vaping.
If you haven't tried CE2 tank cartos out yet, you should. I haven't used them long enough to know about their longevity yet, but I can say this...I don't plan on using any poly-filled cartos in my tanks for the foreseeable future.I got mine here fast and cheap.
Rixter
-
I just read a very informative review about the Vamo/eGo Bamboo/Vision APV by Steve K here. He mentions some major differences between single and stacked battery operation.
(Excerpts from the review)
"To be honest, this device is at its best with two batteries...
...With dual batteries, the Vamo has to pulse everything to bring the voltage down which means my rudimentary test gear can’t pick up readings, so I’m going with how everything feels to me. Still, I’m pretty confident this device is working as it should...
...Running dual coil cartomizers at high voltage is no problem with this device, which seems to be the case with many dual battery devices. The thing didn’t really even break a sweat pushing a 1.5 ohm dual coil at 5 volts...
...In short, it’s a night and day difference between single and dual battery modes on this device...
...The Vamo has a number of battery configurations it can use, but unfortunately, only one of those configurations actually works well. Still, it performs quite good if you are comfortable with dual battery devices"
It isn't really clear to me if he's referring to a single 18650 vs stacked 18350s, or if he means a single 18350 vs stacked 18350s.
Has anybody here tried one of these with stacked 18350s yet, and if so, did you notice any substantial performance difference?
-
-
-
-
No gurgling or leaking on the first one out of the package. Like other CE2s, it seems that there will be a break-in period involved so the jury is still out on whether or not they beat SmokTech tank cartos in taste and performance, but so far, they look very promising.
-
And then again, there are CE2 Tank Cartomizers and Artemas Locking Cartomizer Tanks to check out now, too.
Mini-Tanker
Boge 700 mAh VEC pass-through (3.7v eGo) with Artemas Locking Carto Tank and 2Ω SC CE2 (wick-style) Tank Carto. (Shown next to a 50 ml bottle of juice from EC Blend for size comparison.)
-
I ordered a couple of CE2 "Wick" Style Tank Carto Replacements and an Artemas Locking Carto Tank from them just the other day. Painless. Since they're in Nashville and I'm just south of Memphis, shipping should be pretty fast.
-
*UPDATE*
I think I might have found a way to stop the leaking tank carto issue...
*ANOTHER UPDATE*
...and then again, maybe not so much.
The carto in question (first one out of the box from SureVapes) kept gurgling and leaking despite all efforts, so I grabbed the next one in the box and moved on with my life.
No leaks...no gurgles...an outstanding vape.
Tank carto success rate: 71%
-
Nice review, Tam.
EC Blend was the first place I ever ordered juice from, and it's remained my number one source for American-made e-liquid.
-
...I was in the parking garage smoking when I saw a man with a zmax and at first I had to take a double take- this was a strange looking smoking device. He explained he had also been a smoker but that the zmax had helped him quit. I found a store near me called "all about vapor". The people there showed many many devices and allowed me to test some product. I ended up with a zmax and a 120ml bottle of 24mg flavored nicotine which I love...The zmax was so easy to use...I LOVE IT
Man...I wish I would've bought a Zmax as my first PV. If the Zmax doesn't do it for you, nothing will. Congratulation on making the switch.
-
my vote goes towards a good vv device, and a solid de-bridged/de-wicked atomizer. you can dial in the juice's "sweet spot" and the vape is second to none on a good atomizer when compared to any carto/clearo imho.
I second that. I love my 901 drip atties...better flavor than any carto by far, but also a slightly higher maintenance level than a carto, and can be a little inconsistent in performance from one pull to to the next.
I enjoy tinkering with my juice mods, but as far as being simplistic, I just can't think of anything easier and more consistent than Boge cartos.
-
I started vaping on April 8, 2012, and since then, I've tried out variations on just about every new juicer that's come down the pike . IMO, if you want the same vape every time, nothing beats a good ol' freshly filled Boge carto for consistency and simplicity.
It's sort of like the McDonald's cheeseburger of juicers...it may not be as fancy as the other stuff out there, but with the Boge carto (and the McDonald's cheeseburger), you know what you're gonna get every time...a good quality vape (err...cheeseburger).
-
-
I like the functionality of the eGo-C Twist, but I don't like the dial. I think that most people here would agree that the Vision Spinner has adjustment markings that are much easier to see. You can pick up a 1300 mAh Vision Spinner from VapeLite.info for $24 shipped, or a 900 mAh Boge eGo-C Twist from VapeLite.info for $18 shipped.
Personally, when it comes to eGo-style VV tubes, I prefer using the Ego Pass-through VV that I got from free-cigs.com for $30.99 shipped.
I think it's better than the twist/spinner for a few reasons:
1. It's got a wider voltage range than the twist/spinners. (3-6v vs. 3.2-4.8v)
2. Since it's a pass-through battery, I don't have to unscrew the carto/atty/tank to charge it, so I can actually use it while it's charging. (not so with the twist/spinners)
3. It's got lockable "plus" and "minus" buttons for voltage adjustment. (as opposed to a spinning dial)
4. The segmented display shows battery status, voltage setting, and puff counter. (if you're into that sort of stuff)
5. It looks really cool with a flange-ring and carto tank on top. (if you're into that sort of stuff)
These are my perceptions.
-
-
-
I just got a Sigelei Zmax VV/VP kit from VariTube.com ($89.95 shipped) and I gotta go with that. The kit came with the Zmax body, two 18650 2200 mAh batteries, battery charger, zippered case, 18650 & 18350 battery caps, and a clearo...and no battery rattle.
I almost bought the Vamo, but by the time you figure in two batteries, battery charger, case, clearo, and shipping, the Sigelei Zmax is actually the better deal price-wise.
SmokTek's Vamo
Now, if you already have batteries, charger, case, and clearo, Smoktek's Vamo body-only price (with shipping) is $64.50 vs. $72.95 shipped for VariTube's Sigelei Zmax body.
The Zmax and Vamo have the same circuitry and functions, but the Zmax is machined out of solid (vs. stamped) stainless steel, which gives it a very substantial feel, even with no battery in it.
My two favorites...eGo Pass-through VV & Sigelei Zmax VV/VP.
-
First, you'll prime your tank carto with about 30 or so drops of e liquid while holding the carto at a 45 degree angle, being careful to avoid getting liquid in the center air flue hole (if that does happen, just blow through the carto to clear the flue). Then screw the carto onto your battery and slide your tank all the way down onto the flange at the bottom of the carto.
You should get a filler tool, which is a funnel that fits in the top of the carto and makes filling the tank much easier. Then just slide the tank up onto the filler tool, drip the liquid into the funnel, and when the tank's almost full, slide it back down to the carto flange. Remove the filler tip and replace it with a drip tip. Now you're ready to vape.
Steve K's got an excellent description and review of the filler tool, how to use it, and where to get one here.
Also, there's a new type of tank carto out that looks pretty promising. Steve K's description and review of that can be found here. I just ordered a couple to see if the hype is true for myself.
There are other methods to fill tanks, but this is about as easy as it gets.
BTW, EC Blend has a clove flavor called Kretek Blend that can be found here. EC Blend offers a variety of options as all of their juice is custom blended, but for use in a tank, I'd recommend an 80% PG / 20% VG blend. I've found that mixture provides good flavor and vapor production characteristics while remaining thin enough for tank use.
-
Yeah...if these things are all they're cracked up to be, it just might change some minds about carto tank vaping.
-
I think these are new...I haven't seen them before. I ordered two from Nashville Vapor in any case. Here's Steve K's review of them.
-
I have been using boge 2.0s lately. I use them inside tanks that I get from Valley Vapes. The tanks are dirt cheap and work flawlessly.
Sure Vapes has the Boge F16 Carto Tank on sale for $5.95 shipped. It holds 4ml of e-liquid and includes a single coil dual punched 1.6Ω Boge F16 cartomizer and drip tip. I've run at least 50 ml of juice through mine and it still works like new...great o-ring seal on the carto and tank. I recommend these to all of my vaping friends and everyone that gets one loves it.
-
...the first one out of the five-pack from Sure Vapes is gurgling and leaking...
*UPDATE*
I think I might have found a way to stop the leaking tank carto issue.
First, I drained the remaining liquid from the tank using a syringe, washed it out with hot water, and dried it off inside with a cotton swab. Then I removed the carto from the battery, blew the excess liquid out of the threaded end (blew air into the drip tip end), and cleaned the threads on both the carto and the battery connection with tissue. Next, I screwed the carto back onto the battery, replaced the dry tank and drip tip, and vaped on the still saturated carto without liquid in the tank. I took about 20 or so pulls as if I was vaping on a regular cartomizer. Lastly, I refilled the tank. I've had zero gurgling or leaking from the carto since I performed these steps.
-
Welcome...congrats on making the switch.
.jpg)
...
.jpg)
vs 
Is Vaping Completely Harmless?
in General Vaping Discussion
Posted
Breathing air isn't completely harmless.