Steampunk

Having been vaping for about a year now, and having tried almost everything available, I'm posting a subjective "guide" to ecigs in general.

A lot of people come here new and ask, "What's the best...?" And, as rocket says, there is no real "best", it's all what you like. So, some off the cuff observations:

Let's start with the 801; because I couldn't make one last longer than three hours, so I have no real data to provide.

My personal favorite is the 510 so far, since it gives up lots of steam and lots of taste from the juice. However, my abysmal luck with atomizers makes this, for me, an expensive proposition. The best I have done is about 10 days on one atomizer, my average is three days. For the heavy smoker of full-flavor cigarettes, this is probably the hands down winner. Note, others have reported 2-6 months from their atomizers; I just can't seem to make it that long...

The 901 would probably be my second favorite. Again, a good amount of steam, but not quite as much of the flavor of the juice seems to get through. A so-so throat hit, but not too weak, I would place this as a good bet for a moderate smoker of full flavor or light ciggies.

The "Super minis" like the DSE 084: These things are a bit harder to refill, and don't have much vapor or throat hit, but the flavor can't be beat! You really get the taste of the juice full-on. I would place this one for moderate smokers of light cigs, or for those who have a good juice flavor and really want to taste it.

Similar models are the 306, but I haven't frie..er, TRIED one of those yet. Next on my list.

The 808 I haven't really tried, but I did try some of the D1 and D2 carts, and these are a bit 'different' for me. The best way I can describe it is, it tastes like your juice with pepper! The throat hit is good, and the flavor is, well, different. Moderate to heavy smokers will probably like this. My experimenting with these is limited, so feel free to comment!

Cartomizers: As mentioned above, I haven't had a lot of experience with the 808 models, but they are pretty good.

All in all, Cartomizers are pretty decent. They don't cost as much as atomizers, and they stand up to my type of e-cig abuse fairly well. I tend to gum them up rather than burn them out, probably because of the VG juice I use as opposed to PG. From what I have tried of the cartomizers so far:

My favorites at this time are the 2 ohm BOGE carts I got from LiteCig. If you were a heavy, full-flavor smoker these will give you what you're looking for! Lots of steam, a strong enough throat hit as to sometimes make you cough! (Just like a real ciggy!) They generally last 5-12 days, then gum up a bit. You can clean them, but for ~$1.65, why bother? Use it till it gums, then break out another one and start anew.
These are great for a standard battery or a big battery mod, but on a 4-5 volt passthru or other mod they taste a bit burnt after a couple days.

Next are the BOGE standard cartomizers. I think they are ~3.4 ohms. This means they will place a good sized load on a 510 battery, and are best suited for a large battery mod, a passthrough or some kind of wired device. Good throat hit, good vapor, and they can stand up to higher wattage than the 2 ohms do.

SLB cartomizers. Um, hit or miss. The only cartomizer I manage to fry. The center hole is more flimsy than the BOGE version, and collapses after being filled for 2-3 days. Trying to clear it can try your patience, since the center material is weak and gets caught easily. As far as vapor and flavor, they are about the same as the BOGES, they are just harder to deal with. About the same price as the BOGES.

To me, ALL cartomizers are lacking in the flavor department, but right up there in the amount of vapor and throat hit. To me this is more imprtant than the taste, because if I don't feel it, I'm reaching for a cig. If they get the flavor to come through, there will be no stopping these.

If anyone has more experience with the 306, and now the Ceramic versions, please add your opinions! The technology is getting more and more refined, and I think within the next year we might actually see something the closely resembles the smoking experience!

I stayed away from the "Branded" e cigs, like the Luci, Prado, etc, since these are nothing more than just rebranded models of the types mentioned above, but at a premium price. Shop around, you'll find what you like at a decent price.

And a note about shopping: some people have learned not to buy at the Mall, they are generally mid to low quality at a higher price. Find a reputable on-line retailer like LeCig, LiteCig, Rocky Mountain, Vapor Room, MadVapes, Totally Wicked and others, to name a few. Most of these have been around for a while and stand behind their products, and are very easy to deal with and trust.

For the final caveat: STAY AWAY FROM "FREE OFFERS!" They are FAR from "free", since they usually require a 'subscription' to get refill cartridges at a bloated price. And no one buys from some product that says you can Smoke Everywhere or Anywhere; we all know better now!

ChRiS

good info Hach. 808 cartomizers are great, just not to great when hooked up with an adapter to a mod with HV. you really have to check on them and keep them topped off. but on a 808 battery they work great. they are handy when you go out to dinner or want to be discrete and not take along your mod. i take my 808 to work, the bar and while i run quick errands.

as for SLB 510 cartos, i hate them. i like cartomizers with loose "straw like" stuffing in them. the SLB's have a tampon in them that swells up when filled. the concept of them is good, but when they swell they compress the heating coil up against the material and is easily burned. 510 LR boges are great, no complaints. now im just waiting for my CE2's to come in so i can try those out. dripping a 510 atty is the ultimate in flavor, just not user freindly when out and about, at work or in the car. i carry a small 3ml "ice drops" bottle with juice in it in the small pocket of my jeans at all times weather i have a carto going or an atty.

berger

Very Nice job SP, appreciate all the insite from a pro.

Steampunk

i'm still a n00b. Only one year, but I tried almost everything looking for the "perfect" e cig.

There is no such thing. You just have to find what you like. I'm hoping my notes will be a good starting point for others who decide to try vaping.

Even with all the stuff I've bought, tried, kept and kicked to the curb, I'm still WAY ahead of what I would have spent on tobacco over the past year!

Rose

You are right! Thanks hachi/steam punk

berger

I dont think Ive gotten ahead of the curve yet. I keep coming here and finding more stuff to buy all the time...but hey I keep getting closer to the perfect ecig with every attempt after the input I read around here!
AND the fact that I feel better then I have in 5 years after just a month off the analogs!

Steampunk

You'll finally settle down, find something that works and stick with it...for a while.
Right now I'm sticking with 510 cartomizers; they give me what I want except for taste. (SHHHH...don't tell my current atty...it's a 2 ohm 510 Carto going past it's second week...still steaming up a storm!)

If I can find anyone with some CE2s I'll try those...until they come out with a 2 ohm version...

lafl333

What about Janty Ego? Ever try it...love mine!

ChRiS

cloudsofvapor.com have them, so does awesomevapor.com

Steampunk

Got some coming from awesome. This will be interesting. I also ordered a disposable just for a thrill...

ChRiS

disposible what? knowing you, your refering to a 510 atty lol.

Steampunk

That would be it! I wanted to try a disp to see how long it takes to fry it.

claustin

I checked awesome but the CE2's i saw seemed to have the male thread on them. Did you get them for the 808 or something else? I got some from clouds of vapor for the 808.

As far as cost, I was only about a pack to pack and a half a week guy, mostly only smoking at the bar and at work, so I've spent considerably more than i would have on smokes, but my guess is once I find what I like I can stock up and really have it be a push, which is fine by me. Even if i spend more it's ok because I really enjoy it. I vape waaaaaay more than I ever smoked.

I know you're an 808 fan, Chris. What do you use to drip?

Steampunk

I have 510 stuff, so I got the 510 version. I didn't notice if they had an 808 or 901 style

ChRiS

hey where you been? well i do somtimes use my 808 stuff, but since you been gone i've bought a few things hehe. i always had my flashlight mod from rocket, but i recently bought an Omega. i use just a regular joye 510 atty and a stainless drip tip i got from litecigusa. i seem to be hooked on dripping RY4 lately. well thats not entirely true, i do also drip the orange juice i bought from vaporrenew too. i also picked up some 510 ce2's from awesomevapor and they give off a similar "drip" taste to my liquids too. Rose bought some 808 ce2's, ask her how they are working out. so hows your battle with analogs been? good i hope.

Steampunk

If they taste like dripping on a 510 atty it must be real good!! Hope I'm not hyping myself up for a letdown!

ChRiS

they are basically an atty with an extra long wick that snakes down to a holding tank where your juice is at. i have noticed that if i try to triple hit, or take fequent tokes like i do with a dripped atty these things will give off a lil burnt taste, but not as bad as a dry 510 atty. if this happens give the ce2 carto a minute to rewick some juice and its good.

Rose

The 808 ce2's are fine for me. I'm even using an automatic batt. with them. If you don't like them I will buy them from you.

berger

An auto battery? So far I always end up overfilling them. Just fill them until they drip out the bottom because I cant really see in with the hypo in there to tell when they are topped off. I have to blow out the tube to try and get the balance of the liquid out.
Whats you favorite flavors with them?

ChRiS

i like the orange juice from vaporrenew in them, as well as RY4 and caramel mochachino taste great in them too. the caramel mochachino will be availible from Lecig in the next week or so.

Rose

I love RY4

ChRiS

i do too, i'm almost out of the 10ml bottle i have. i have about 8 different flavors in my drawer to try, but i seem to always go back to the RY4 that i got from Lecig. i better make some trades with people or buy a 30ml bottle soon lol.

berger

Is it PG or VG or a blend?
I tried it once in a pre-filled yeti cartos but it tasted sorta like burnt Carmel and whiskey to me. They came from altsmokes I think. Does RY4 supposed to have a tobacco flavor also?

berger

Sorry, Im not trading my vaporrenu stuff. Mine, mine, mine, mine

ChRiS

i dont expect ya too, jasons stuff rocks. i might just take the juices i have along with the ones mike gave me to the meet for people to sample lol. the only thing is jason doesnt make an RY4 juice. but i do like the one mike has, its PG. Lecig's tastes like butter rum with caramel and a slight taste of tobacco in it, its good to me. i've heard the cartos and even the juice from altsmoke sucks on reviews all over the net.