Carto meets Clearo.. ideas?

[djs]

OK, so it's not all doom and gloom. (no vapesaster )

I've totally sorted my new "work-day" set-up and tested it today with great success. Left home at 7.00am with just 2 mini 510s (joyetech) and 2 cartos and didn't even need two of anything.

A regular fresh-filled cartomiser on a mini 510 isn't quite up to the standard of a RIVA (why is that?) but overall, no complaints.

Even managed a cheeky stealth in Costa.

However, I'm still planning on using the RIVA @ home, but am trying to decide which way to jump re; cartos/clearos.

My history is that I killed a vision V3 in under a day (still unknown) and I wrote off some cartos last week in a random e-liquid catastrophe. I've been using Boge and Kanger with equal success (although they are different) BUT either my vaping style or lack of maintenance has seen off <15 in just over two weeks.

15 is bearable (I guess). I love the mini vivi although it's as thirsty as a fish on ecstacy......it's mostly filled with lemon/menthol just to show off t.b.h. As I have 3 or 4 flavours on the go, it passed my mind to look into things like

CE2, CE3, other(?)....

Are these things hybrid cartos (without filler) or clearos?
How do they compare size-wise with mini nova?
Is there less chance of burn-out with regular swooshing/tilting?
If they are clearos - how come they are so cheap? is it 'cause they are disposable/unrepairable?
Will they last for more refills?

Any bad news on them?

Just a million questions.

Ta.

[GothicLord]

I use CE2s, they are pretty good, and hold about 0.9ml of juice, and are about the came physical size as a carto. However they are disposable (not found a rebuildable version yet), they need to be filled by needle, and it's easy to over tighten and break the seal.

I also have a pair of mini novas, these are a little bigger, but taking up to 2.5ml it's to be expected. I use my mini novas as my main juice delivery system, as the flavour is as good as the ce2, the vapour is better, and as you can strip and rebuild them easily, cleaning is quick, and you can change to different resistance attys in seconds.

I am planning to get more vivi novas, as I like them so much

[djs]

Thanks Gothic,

So about 1ml in a CE2. That's like 2/3 of a mini nova, or a tiny bit more than a carto?

Have you had any bad issues that have ended their use what might be considered "early"?

I guess what I'm asking is; would you reckon to get more life out of one than a carto? Clearly as you can't replace stuff, they are throwaway items.

Price-wise they seem to be less than twice the price of a carto, if the flavour is good and the life is even a week+ say (on the less used juices) might be worth a go? ???

Also, TW do an iClear - looks funky.

[300]

A Boge LR carto for a std ego type battery is pretty hard to beat IMO, however, I do love clearos.

I have some Vision Ego / Vivi Nova / Mini Nova / Kanger T2 on the desk in front of me but the one I always reach for & take out to work every day is the Kanger T2, they work really well straight out of the box but as I find with all the clearos they work even better once re-wicked / re-coiled with 2 long strands of 2mm silica wick & a 2ohm nichrome coil vaped at 4 volts.

The thing that sets the Kanger T2 apart from the others is the position of the coil, it’s so high up it’s almost in the mouthpiece & this creates a lovely warm vapour, pretty close to the sensation you get from analogues (if my memory serves me well). Flavour & vapour production are both excellent, for my taste, the best of all the clearos, you can also restrict airflow by blocking one of the two air holes to boost flavour & vapour. They hold more than 2ml of juice & it seems to flow better in the tube than the mini nova which considerably improves wicking. They’re easy to fill / clean / re-wick & re-coil, & they’re cheap at only £4:99 with replacement heads for £1:25.

As with all things though nothing is perfect, so for some balance there are a couple of points to note…. If you don’t get them wicking right they can be a bit gurgley (is that a word?) & they are quite fragile in comparison to any of the vision clearos, I’ve been using these for months though & so far I’ve only put 1 in the bin beyond repair (just last week).

Looks wise, I’d say they lose out to the novas too, they’re quite ugly really with a quirky looking mouthpiece but I forgive the Kanger T2 these shortcomings & so far they’re my preferred choice of clearo.

I use mostly tobacco/caramel/coffee/nutty flavours, all quite heavy flavours really so have no idea how any of the clearos perform with more subtle flavours.

[leftfield]

I used the XL CE2s for over a year and I loved them! They have a 1.8ml capacity and last for months.

The downside - I had to take out the inner seal and cut the seal slot into a /\ shape so it would wick vg. Once I'd done that though, it was good to go for a long time.

You also need to swish the CE2 upside down for it to keep up with wicking, which I didn't mind at all.

I've never had one not work on me and never had one die on me before I'd seriously used it. I can easily make one ce2 last a month. I used to buy a new 5 pack of ce2s every 4 - 6 months.

I'm using a vivi nova at the moment because I can't keep my ecig upright with the job I have so I'm more used to the vivi now. I wouldn't complain if I had to go back to CE2s though. Amazing flavour, very reliable and last so long it's unreal for a disposeable.

[timnowvapes]

I've had two Vision V3 rebuildables since June, and despite having a spare tube and a few spare heads, they're the original two going strong, had a hassle when I first started with them, but some good advice from Jason (VapeEscape) - they've been brilliant! They've now both been re-wicked and re-coiled by me, the one I'm currently using was re-wicked and coiled the other night after about a month, took less than 15mins to dismantle, wash, dry, re-wick & coil (didn't even bother checking it with my test meter)!

There are loads of spares, easy head changes if you don't wish to wick and coil yourself. They really are quite brilliant, but will lack the vape of a £60+ rebuildable - but then they're less than £5!

They hold 1.6ml, I use them on my Twist, mini ego, and normal egos.

I've had every juice I've had flow through them, thick, thin, PG, VG, 50/50 70/30 VG100 - not had any issues, no cracking or anything

Apart from when I've had one in my back pocket and made it go a little wonky, (just a case of re seating it).

The only issue I have, is that I have to stop typing as I need to top up

(VE Grizwald - Karoffee Kick if you're interested)

Oh, and before I Post Reply - they're dead easy to fill too

[djs]

Thanks for all the detailed replies. It sure is helpful.

So a vote for
Kanger T2 (2.4 ml, replaceable head)
Vision V3 (1.6ml, replacable head)
CE2 XL (1.8ml - disposable)

I think my choice is firstly, to try another Vision V3 and try not to burn it out. (£5?)

get a 5 pack of CE2s. I think I should be safe with PG or 70/30?

and also pick up a Kanger T2. The size of it has got to make sense, hasn't it.

I'm so concerned about burning out the standard cartos, I've side lined the RIVA for a while and just sticking with mini 510.

Is this logical, or am I missing an obvious flaw in the plan? (like "it makes no difference", Dave ???)

You guys are the tops....cheers.