The Next Step? Upgrade time.

[commonsense]

Morning AAE-C folks,

So I've been off the stinkies (bar a few sneaky drunken mishaps) for nigh on 4 months and I must admit, I feel fantastic! I've been training for my first 1/2 marathon and am doing a ToughMudder in the middle of November and the health improvements over my prior 20 a day habit have been great.

Anyway! It's time to move on from my various eGo battery / stardust / sd keyring combo and am looking for something a bit more permanent and easier to get along with.

I've been doing some research (sometimes it feels like that's all I do!) and am thinking about getting two bits. I would appreciate a bit of advice as to whether this is a sensible set-up to go for. I'm after as easy a setup as possible, so out with the stardusts, they seem to break on me far too often. VivaNova a good alternative option from what I've read (I'm not yet confident enough with a 'true' rebuildable).

I had some early experience with a very basic VV eGo setup and I liked it, but didn't really have much control so have settled on a LavaTube like device which I understand to be very robust and hard to break. However, I don't like the size of the standard LT so am looking at the LT-Mini for my at home setup and a Gripper mod for my out and about. I don't really need the option for VV on the go - just an easy vape when needed. I also like that these will take the same 18350 batteries.

So - for those that have scan read (I don't blame you, I have a tendency to ramble):

LT Mini - Body Only [31.20] Gripper [12.90] TrustFire Charger [10.99] : All EcigWizard
48.27 Including Discount

4x Torchy 18350 from big_f_d_d on eBay [15.98]

1x Vivi Nova [10.95] + 2 Spare Atomizers [5.00] [2.4ohm] and pack Boge XXL Cartomizers [6.99] : VapeEscape
20.65 Including Forum Discount

So a total of just shy of 85 (minus postage).

Is there a similar type setup that I am missing around this price point?

Thanks in Advance All!
Happy Vaping
-commonsense

[Brian]

I definitely secong the vivi nova. My all day everyday tank. Easy to change wicks, and totally leak free.
Ive no experience with Grippers, but dont remember seeing any bad reviews on them.

The LT mini is a pretty robust device, so cant see you going wrong there.

Good idea to get the 4 batteries too. Can never have too many

[DiscoDes]

Looks to me you have all bases covered there! The only change I would make and I'm sure that many would agree is to change the Trustfire charger to a Xtar WPII charger as the Tustfire's can be a bit variable on quality. It would be about £3 to £4 more but worth the extra.

[commonsense]

Cheers Brian and DiscoDes,

I think I've got found the sweetspot - fingers crossed! I will have a look at that charger you mentioned DiscoDes. When you mean variable on quality you mean they have a tendency to break or charge slow or, or, or?

Anybody have any experience with the Torchy branded batts from the ebay chappie? I assume they're better than the one's that are normally packaged with the LT kits, but are they on a par with the red AW's?

Cheers
-commonsense

[OneDay]

Agree with everything said so far. I must admit though, having got into vv I find anything else quite frustrating now, not having the control. Have you considered the vv gripper?

[alanfinal]

Good Ideas,I have both full size and mini original LTs you can get the full size using a discount code "mojuten" for around £23 also a good place for a couple of cheap 18350 batteries I use two of these and two AWs

www.mojurepublic.com/products/Lavatube-Variable-Voltage-Mod-.html

though I cant see a mini there though but sure a hunt will find it below 25 quid somewhere

Iam off looking

[commonsense]

Thanks Alan,

There are just soo many darned vendors, I can't keep track... Surely the market can't sustain so many small businesses flooding, but I guess the demand is there otherwise new one's wouldn't be cropping up all the time.

Anyway - cheers - that'll be a good place for replacement batts.

cheers,
- commonsense

[DiscoDes]

Oct 17, 2012 10:37:15 GMT commonsense said:

Cheers Brian and DiscoDes,

I think I've got found the sweetspot - fingers crossed! I will have a look at that charger you mentioned DiscoDes. When you mean variable on quality you mean they have a tendency to break or charge slow or, or, or?

Anybody have any experience with the Torchy branded batts from the ebay chappie? I assume they're better than the one's that are normally packaged with the LT kits, but are they on a par with the red AW's?

Cheers
-commonsense

Yes, the Trustfire's have a reputation to fail, they charge OK, but if you're leaving batteries charging you really need to be confident in your charger.

A few vendors do them, Daz @ Safercigs and Vape Escape do them, you get a car charger lead and can use your charger with a charged battery in it to charge things like your mobile. It also has 2 modes of charging Normal & Fast. (I use normal mainly as I have a few batteries) It will charge a 18350 from flat in around a hour on the fast setting. You only get 2 spacers as standard though so can only charge 1 x 18350 at a time, I got 2 extras so I can charge 2 at the same time.

Torchy has a good reputation for supplying quality batteries and I'd be more than happy buying his branded batteries from him.

[Brian]

Can also get the Xtar charger here, www.priceangels.com/XTAR-WP2-II-EU-Intelligent-USB-Battery-Charger-for-14500-14650-17670-18500-18650-18700-Battery-s234952.html
Free shipping too.

I bought one a couple of months back and its perfect. Even use it as a back-up charger for egos and mobile phone when out and about, using an 18650 battery as power source.
Mine took slightly more than a week to arrive, but I did have a tf 0001 as a back-up charger til it got here.

EDITED: can use this dissie code to reduce price even further

PARF2012

[commonsense]

Didn't realize that i'd need extra spacers so thanks for that DiscoDes. Just gave Jason a call and he's adding it to the order *phew*

Thanks again,
-commonsense

EDIT: Just a thumbs up for Jason - awesome service again

[Skwoddy]

Oct 17, 2012 11:44:55 GMT Brian said:

Can also get the Xtar charger here, www.priceangels.com/XTAR-WP2-II-EU-Intelligent-USB-Battery-Charger-for-14500-14650-17670-18500-18650-18700-Battery-s234952.html
Free shipping too.

I bought one a couple of months back and its perfect. Even use it as a back-up charger for egos and mobile phone when out and about, using an 18650 battery as power source.
Mine took slightly more than a week to arrive, but I did have a tf 0001 as a back-up charger til it got here.

EDITED: can use this dissie code to reduce price even further

PARF2012

Be careful, thats the EU charger, they do a UK version, different plug

[Brian]

I think thats a UK plug, mine was, and it is from a UK warehouse.

[andym]

Do you know that the Vivi Nova already comes with 3 atties?So no need for extra attys,that £4 saved.