Looking for an upgrade

superneat

Hey lads,
Just started vaping recently and I've really taken to it, don't miss the fags at all!
I started with a Kanger twist T3 starter pack as recommended on here.
I find it great and love trying different flavours although the cookies and cream from wingnuts is defo my main vape.

As with all things in my life, I always have an eye on what's next?

So what would be a good upgrade from my current equipment or is it a case of "if it aint broke.."?

Also, is this a bit foolish to be thinking of, what with the impending EU directive?
I'm only sickened that it's taken me this long to get into vaping, when the end of it as I know it, is around the corner!

On a second note, what will people here be doing if the ban comes into effect?
Will ye stockpile before hand and try to import afterwards?

Thanks guys!

kiffy

superneat wrote: »

Hey lads,
Just started vaping recently and I've really taken to it, don't miss the fags at all!
I started with a Kanger twist T3 starter pack as recommended on here.
I find it great and love trying different flavours although the cookies and cream from wingnuts is defo my main vape.

As with all things in my life, I always have an eye on what's next?

So what would be a good upgrade from my current equipment or is it a case of "if it aint broke.."?

Also, is this a bit foolish to be thinking of, what with the impending EU directive?
I'm only sickened that it's taken me this long to get into vaping, when the end of it as I know it, is around the corner!

On a second note, what will people here be doing if the ban comes into effect?
Will ye stockpile before hand and try to import afterwards?

Thanks guys!

Well we have at least 2 years minimum if it goes ahead.
You can't go wrong with a Provari, IMO best out there, the Vamo seems to have a lot of issues with electronics but seems to be good if your one of the lucky ones. Then there is the eVic which is due out any day now (new year(ish)) I have one on pre order from Bargainvapour at €70, can't go wrong there unless it's useless that is.

As for stockpiling I'll wait until I can find out for sure what shelf life is and what the downsides are when due date is up (whether just loses effectiveness or becomes lethal etc)

superneat

kiffy wrote: »

Well we have at least 2 years minimum if it goes ahead.

Sweet, that's great, I was worried I may have missed the boat in terms of vaping.

I'll have a look at that eVic shortly, would love the provari judging by the looks and reviews I've seen, but it's a little expensive right now, that's not to say I won't get one!

Here I thought vaping was going to be cheaper than ciggies!

superneat

Just checked out this review of the eVic

Seems to be exactly what I was looking for! Very good looking, longer battery life and very techie.
Love the way it tells you how many puffs are left on the battery.

Am I right in saying the T3 heads I have will fit seeing as it has 510 and ego threads? Thought I saw a review of something similar that would work with the T2 but not the T3 because of the grooved bottom part??

kiffy

superneat wrote: »

Just checked out this review of the eVic

Seems to be exactly what I was looking for! Very good looking, longer battery life and very techie.
Love the way it tells you how many puffs are left on the battery.

Am I right in saying the T3 heads I have will fit seeing as it has 510 and ego threads? Thought I saw a review of something similar that would work with the T2 but not the T3 because of the grooved bottom part??

Yeah Sup it will take both 510 threads and female threading of the eGo tanks.

superneat

Awesome, I'm actually ordering juices at the moment and now really tempted to order this as another pressie to myself!
It says shipping out on Friday on the website so I may wait (hopefully the price doesn't go up) until i hear what you have to say on it.
Will you do a bit of a review on it when you get it kiffy?

kiffy

superneat wrote: »

Awesome, I'm actually ordering juices at the moment and now really tempted to order this as another pressie to myself!
It says shipping out on Friday on the website so I may wait (hopefully the price doesn't go up) until i hear what you have to say on it.
Will you do a bit of a review on it when you get it kiffy?

No prob's but not actually sure when I'll be getting it, hopefully end of next week?

superneat

I might not last that long! Usually when I have my eye on something I just buy it!
I'm gonna check some more reviews and decide in the next few days. Will make do with some new juices til then

eeloe

I got my mam an eVic for Christmas and she loves it, says it's the nicest vape she's had in a long while and she's tried lots of ego style batteries, 3.3, 4.2 and twists.

superneat

Does anyone know how it would compare to a vamo? I like the look of that too, although I wouldn't be able to use my T3's with it.

kiffy

superneat wrote: »

Does anyone know how it would compare to a vamo? I like the look of that too, although I wouldn't be able to use my T3's with it.

Haven't used a Vamo looks ok for a cheapy with Dodgy electronics but any mod that doesn't fit an ego you need a 510 to eGo adapter and your in biz.

grindle

The Vamo can power dual coils properly. If you ever buy DCCs or want to try them in the future, or you get into rebuilding with duals, the eVic won't be able to power them properly.

Lucutus

Very happy with the Vamo here, would recommend it as an ego twist upgrade to everyone.

I wasn't aware of any electronics issues as mentioned by kiffy above, I also see that he hasn't ever tried one, so there's that too. :P Variable wattage is a great feature to have.

I see pbusardo has reviews of the eVic and the Vamo (I linked that in another thread here a while ago), so they are worth a watch.

Whatever mod you do get, consider a dripper also, made a big difference for me.

superneat

Yes I watched a good few of his videos including the vamo and evic ones. I enjoy his reviews and he seems to rate the vamo very highly.

The dripper is one thing I'm not familiar with yet, will have to research that one along with a few other things I'm not sure of, but the ones you linked to are expensive!
Again, not knowing their real purpose yet and whether they are a need or an upgrade of sorts.

I'll get the hang of all this stuff, although it might cost me a fortune in doing so!

kiffy

superneat wrote: »

I'll get the hang of all this stuff, although it might cost me a fortune in doing so!

Join the club, I've been off stinkies 7 months and 7 days and must have spent at least half (if not more) on devices and juices, but money well spent .
But no matter what set up I'm on I'm always looking for something else to try, don't know why, probably because I have the money to spend that would have been wasted on stinkies.

kiffy

Lucutus wrote: »

Very happy with the Vamo here, would recommend it as an ego twist upgrade to everyone.

I wasn't aware of any electronics issues as mentioned by kiffy above, I also see that he hasn't ever tried one, so there's that too. :P

Came across it on the vapers facebook page, seems to be more than just the odd one that's gone gammy, put me off getting (oh must try that and see what's its like) one.

Lucutus

Link us up there. interested to see if it's BS hearsay or there's something too it, I've been recommending Vamo's to all, I would hate to think you were right kiffy.

I imagine it's just a few from the very first batch with a long since fixed 6W problem.

Anyway, make with the source link

kiffy

Lucutus wrote: »

Link us up there. interested to see if it's BS hearsay or there's something too it, I've been recommending Vamo's to all, I would hate to think you were right kiffy.

I imagine it's just a few from the very first batch with a long since fixed 6W problem.

Anyway, make with the source link

Lucutus of Borg are dougbting my sincerity
Here's a few comments on the bits that concern the letrics


Paul Nevin Electronics Ian, I have seen this a few times with the
Vamo, if you got it off us let me kniow
December 23 at 9:29pm · Like


Ian Flavin Thanks Paul. Wasn't from you. It really does look like an
electronical issue!!
December 23 at 9:33pm · Like


Paul Nevin We have gotten a few back with the same sort of issue,
they are more hit than miss but there is a high percentage failure rate with them
December 23 at 9:35pm · Like


Lee O Donnell Where are you based Ian, I've a spare one here you
can borrow till you get it sorted!
December 23 at 10:04pm via mobile · Like


Ian Flavin Wow, thanks for the offer, but I think I will be okay with
my lavatube over Christmas. Thanks anyways, dude.
December 23 at 10:37pm via mobile · Like


Lee O Donnell No worries man! Offer stands if anything happens
the LT!
December 23 at 11:26pm via mobile · Like

There are 20 odd comments before it gets to the lectrics bit.

And here's the link (doubting Thomas) https://www.facebook.com/groups/irishvaping/
It's a nice bit down the page. And it seems like it's been a problem with a least 2 vendors so it's hardly a bad batch where more than one vendor is concerned.
Chuck em in the bin and get a P****ri/eVic

Lucutus

DAMN IT KIFFY *shakes fist* Thanks though, good to know theres something up with them.

What exactly is the problem there? just not firing or what? would like to know so I can double check with ppl who've gotton them on my word. If any vendors would like to chime in, that's welcome too

kiffy

Lucutus wrote: »

DAMN IT KIFFY *shakes fist* Thanks though, good to know theres something up with them.

What exactly is the problem there? just not firing or what? would like to know so I can double check with ppl who've gotton them on my word. If any vendors would like to chime in, that's welcome too

I stand by the last comment in the last post on it
"Chuck em in the bin and get a P****ri/eVic "
You know it makes sense
Hope to Buddha the bloody eVic ain't a crock of Shiite after all this :eek:

Lucutus

What exactly is the problem though? a couple of DOA units?

My Vamo is great for 40 quid, more features and it's lot more affordable than your 225 quid provari.

The attitude of the 'vamo is for the bin' from you kiffy is upsetting me, please stop it. I love my vamo.

artyeva

Lucutus wrote: »

What exactly is the problem though? a couple of DOA units?

My Vamo is great for 40 quid, more features and it's lot more affordable than your 225 quid provari.

The attitude of the 'vamo is for the bin' from you kiffy is upsetting me, please stop it. I love my vamo.

here here! [hear hear?]

fair enough if someone owns both, but to diss something in favour of a thing you haven't even used yet kiffster is a bit unfair.

kiffy

artyeva wrote: »

here here! [hear hear?]

fair enough if someone owns both, but to diss something in favour of a thing you haven't even used yet kiffster is a bit unfair.

Aw come on Arty you should be used to me on the boards by now I do love a good leg pulling.
I know the Vamo is a good mod, saw yours and Viktors in Newmarket I just love taking the piss and winding people up

Lucutus

"Your Vamo is better than my Provari..." SAY IT!

kiffy

Lucutus wrote: »

"Your Vamo is better than my Provari..." SAY IT!

You might say that, I couldn't possibly comment

Thinking of buying the eRoll now like the look of it, but the 0.6 tank is putting me off a bit. But at only €49 (that's €10 cheaper than that lecky problem proned Vamo :rolleyes:) its not really dear.

grindle

€49? You mean €10 dearer?

kiffy

grindle wrote: »

€49? You mean €10 dearer?

Well spotted Grind's, that's my first mistake today
Anybody want to buy a 2nd hand P****ri for €220 :eek:

grindle

Lucutus.

Lucutus

pm-ing details.

superneat

Ok, so I think I will go with the Vamo. Going to buy from thebestshop.eu.

As far as batteries go, should I get the 2 X ICR High Power 18350 batteries on their website?

Or get better batteries on another website?

Something like these AW 18350 IMR High Drain Battery on e-smokeireland.


The bestshop batteries are €7 for two and the e-smoke ones are €20 for two, probably a no brainer but if someone could chime in I'd be grateful.

grindle

I'd get the eFest 18350s.

They test as well under load as the AWs, although the capacities can be slightly lower than stated on the wrapping. The eFests @ ESI have ~10% less capacity than the AWs, but they're half the price.
Half the price => twice the amount of batteries.

Lucutus

I ordered a pair of efest 18350 from ESI but they ended up shipping me the AWS ones as they were out of stock on the efest.

I also got a pair of efest 18650's too.

The Vamo on both types of setup (pair of 18350s or a single 18650) last me a day and a bit, YMMV depending on how much you vape, I don't chain vape, but I'm a pretty consistent vaper.

I prefer using the 18350's, can't explain why, I just do *shrug*

Make sure you double up on the batteries so one set is always charged and ready.

superneat

Cool, thanks for the info!
I might go with 2 of the efest 18350's to start with so, I'll revert to my twists while charging for the meantime.
I'd rather get the two smaller batteries so I can do the mini mode and I saw on PB's review there will be no rattle in that config.

What should I be looking at in terms of sticking on top of the vamo? I have 3 X T3's, what is the obvious upgrade here, a dripper? No budget really so if that ebarron is the best than I would likely go for that.

Lucutus

T3's don't fit the Vamo, the skirt is too wide for the drip well, the full size vivi nova works well on it.

The dripper is fantastic though.

superneat

Lucutus wrote: »

T3's don't fit the Vamo

Oh snap! Is there some sort of adapter I can get?

grindle

andthatwouldbethisthing

I do know the T3s can be fussy about the connection though. Some 510-EGO adapters have a flat connection, some a tube-type connection that pokes up, and the T3 hasn't gotten along with the tube-type ones n the past for some folks (including me).

Might just be the seating of the tube is a fraction of a mm off, but it makes the difference between fire and no fire.
Can't remember what shop I got the flat connection adaptor from, sorry - email TBS or ESI or whoever else carries them to see which they have.

superneat

Adapter it is then.
As far as a charger goes for the 18350's, is this one ok?
http://www.thebestshop.eu/shop/vv-mods/146-trustfire-tr-001-charger.html

So if I get the Vamo, adapter, batteries and charger, then use my T3's with it for a week or two, my next treat for myself should be the spiral dripper?

I like the idea of great flavor and strong TH while I'm at home, so ebarron dripper there and the twists for out and about, would that setup be all I need, really?

Cheers.

superneat

All this of course, is being funded by the jar I'm throwing my price of the ciggies into since I quit, amazing how fast it fills up!!
Makes you realize how much you've been wasting on an attempt to kill yourself

Tempted to save for a provari but I'll see how I get on with the Vamo first, €200 bucks is still a lot of money! :rolleyes:

grindle

That's all the set-up you'll need, yeah. Not sure you'll need the twists much day-to-day as you're using the Vamo in small mode... but I do know bouncers and security can be absolutely unrepentant, mind-boggling pricks about anything they don't recognise, so the twists might be a good idea for pubs/festivals.

With the Spiral Dripper, I'd hang on 'til this new eBaron 'Killer 705' device comes about. It'll work as a dripper, but it'll also work inside a normal carto-tank for outs-and-aboutsies. Should be out in a couple of weeks, so it'd definitely be worth waiting a few days for.
Seems to be going for around €55 on the sites abroad that are preordering it. An extra €5-10 for the benefit of having a tank with the actual flavour of a dripper with chamber is a bargain.

Charger: Trustfires are known to slightly overcharge batteries, which is meant to be a grave no-no - but myself and almost anybody else in Ireland who uses a large battery probably use a Trustfire (it's what our vendors mostly stock, so...). Don't remember any catastrophes from the last year at least.

superneat

Thanks grindle. I find the twists are great for work, small enough to go unnoticed at times.
I think the Vamo might be too big for that, so the plan is to use it at home and out and about, when I'm off.

I am loving the T3, but I don't have anything to compare it to, other than a few puffs from a T2. So just trying to find info on what is better than it, I don't mind paying €50-€60 on something if it's gonna be worth the money!

Going to put in my order now for the Vamo and stuff, will give a bit of feedback when I get it. And it will be a couple of weeks anyway, before my next upgrade, so hopefully this killer 705 will have been tested and reviewed in depth by then.

grindle

I'm not sure if you're getting into the rebuilding side of things or just buying the replacement cups&coils, but...
If you don't want to spend the €60 outright then get the Phoenix that ESI have on special for €7.
TBS sell wick and wire now (or skip the wick and buy some cotton make-up pads to make strips of wick from - next-best thing to mesh IMO).

It's a great vape but will loosen up and start leaking after extended use, although.. and this is a big although... it's a fúcking terror for those without eagle-eye vision to rebuild. Deliriously tiny holes to fit wire through.

superneat

Not too pushed with the whole rebuilding aspect really, would rather use something that just works, and when it doesn't, replace it. The cost of this stuff compared to the smokes is nothing anyway!

Just looking around for the best price for a Vamo now and came across this SS version (bamboo?) for like a tenner more.
http://www.healthcabin.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=8214

Now it will be coming from China so there's two things here.
1. I would prefer to buy Irish
2. I would like the best for my money, the SS seems to get more favorable reviews.

Also I may be waiting longer for it to get here from China. Is it worth going for the SS over the chrome? Does it fade and wear off over time? I suppose it isn't the biggest deal but I don't wanna be using something that gets tatty after a short time using it.

grindle

I've only seen owners of the gun-metal/black chrome complain about the finish wearing off sooner rather than later (from rubbing off the hand, no less), but it is just a coating. If it falls or gets scraped enough, any finish will come off.

I was sure I saw some vendor mention the SS version on the Irish Vaping FB group, but as FB is unsearchable it's next to impossible to find.
If said vendor wants to bump their comment up on FB?

The problem with buying from China is that if something's wrong with your unit, the Irish guy's'll have it replaced within a few days, the Chinese guys might replace it, within a few weeks.

superneat

Ya that's the worry with ordering from China.
What about this website "besserdampfen.de"
The SS is on there for €45, not too bad, and the batteries and charger are also a little cheaper as well.
Will work out pretty much the same, plus it'll be from the one website as opposed to two.
Might go with that.

superneat

Does anyone know if this charger
http://www.e-smokeireland.eu/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=Xtar&CartID=3

would be better than the trustfire?

http://www.thebestshop.eu/shop/vv-mods/146-trustfire-tr-001-charger.html

Or would this be better still and worth the premium?
http://www.ebay.ie/itm/XTAR-WP2-II-USB-Charger-For-16340-18650-18700-3-7v-Battery-Car-Charger-EU-Plug-/220919302339?pt=UK_Sound_Vision_Battery_Chargers&hash=item336fd108c3

Will be used with two 18350's.

grindle

Yup, Xtar chargers have better reviews than Trustfire.
Pila chargers are the best reviewed/performers but carry a heft price-tag.
The eBay Xtar one is worth getting if there's any chance at all that you might use an 18650 in future.

Up to you whether you do or not -with the ESI Xtar you could always buy two more 18350s to keep paired if you want to use Vamo's long-mode (they have to be paired and never ever used separately if you want to use them together again), but if you ever move on for the Vamo to a ProVari in future you'll have to buy a new charger as well as batteries.

I'd go for the path with most options (eBay Xtar).

superneat

grindle wrote: »

they have to be paired and never ever used separately if you want to use them together again)

Have I this right? If I use one battery in mini mode, I can't then use the two together in long mode? I would need to use two different batteries and keep them paired all the time? Feck

So I'll have to buy 4 batteries altogether, 2 for mini mode and 2 for full size operation.

Also with the XTAR WP2 II, I don't see 18350 listed on ebay or the mftr website but I'm sure I saw it somewhere but can't find it now
Will they work for sure?

grindle

superneat wrote: »

Have I this right? If I use one battery in mini mode, I can't then use the two together in long mode? I would need to use two different batteries and keep them paired all the time? Feck

So I'll have to buy 4 batteries altogether, 2 for mini mode and 2 for full size operation.

Yup, have to be paired, and each time you put the two batteries back in you have to swap which one goes on top as it takes a smidgen more of a battering than the bottom one.
If you used a battery independently and then used it with a relatively unused battery, once the more-used battery reaches empty the other battery starts providing all the power to the mod whilst also reverse charging into the empty battery which will cause thermal runaway. Not even a maybe. The only maybe is if you can get the batteries out fast enough before they vent gas (IMR) or explode (unprotected or batteries whose protection has either failed or is fake - protected batteries that work should stop the mod from working once too much current passes through, which happens very quickly).
Worth noting that overcharging is the biggest cause of single batteries venting/exploding (usually in the charger, usually due to either a fake battery or a bad charger), whilst in-ecig stacked batteries are the "winner" for thermal runaway, usually unprotected batteries, non-IMRs. IMRs will heat up enough for you to notice and take out within a few seconds as they can handle pretty huge current-draws. Small mercies.
This is why so many people are sketchy about stacking batteries and why dual battery mods generally use batteries in parallel instead of in series.
Number them, take care of them and nothing should go wrong.

superneat wrote: »

Also with the XTAR WP2 II, I don't see 18350 listed on ebay or the mftr website but I'm sure I saw it somewhere but can't find it now
Will they work for sure?

Seems you'll need spacers for it to work with 18350s.
Some vendors in America sell them with spacers and lots of forum posts referring to people charging 18350s with it. That's probably why.

superneat

Well in the end, because I've no patience, and I also wanted everything from the same e-tailor, I went with the Vamo and got 2 efest 18350's for using in mini mode and one efest 18650 for normal mode.

What I might do is use the 2 18350's in it first, and then compare them to using just the single battery, and then decide which would be the best use for me. Because the only charger on the site was the trustfire, and grindle (blaming you if I get cremated) reckons they are ok-ish, I went with that too.

I can always upgrade the charger when I need new gear, which probably won't be too far off... like everything I enjoy, I'm constantly updating!

I already have enough in my cigarette jar for two of those fancy ebarron dripper thingies, it will be a challange to not buy one!

Thanks for all the help and info I got here anyway, I'll give an update and my thoughts when it arrives!

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

trustfire are fine. they're the most popular charger out there by a long shot so you're always going to hear more stories of them failing than other brands just because of that reason. reliability wise they're no worse than any other afaik and they do what they're supposed to do well.

grindle

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar wrote: »

trustfire are fine.

This. All of what he said.

Remember that every review of everything is being written by a fanboy of whatever the particular persuasion is, that makes up ~1% of the total users.

If there were something catastrophically wrong with the Trustfire chargers (most popular large-battery charger in the world) there'd be heads rolling to get them off the streets.

The unfortunate thing about our hobby is that it's all about pushing batteries to their limits (boosting/stacking).

If this is all still around in five years, that new battery "Manhattan Project" the Americans are starting will truly revolutionise the landscape.
Batteries with 5x the capacity, 5x cheaper. Jaws will drop. Mine is already partially dislocated.