After smoking my 901 now for about two weeks I decided I wanted something else for comparison. I looked at the polls and reviews and it seemed like the 510 was starting to pass the 901 in terms of popularity, so I ordered a Joye 510 kit with "new & improved" automatic batteries. These two e-cigs are most definitely different vaping experiences, so here is my take on them.
Vapor Production:
With fresh batteries and a newly filled cartridge in each the 510 does produce a bit more vapor than the 901. It's not the "staggering difference" I expected from the talk on many of the forums, but it certainly produces more vapor in a "short puff". You can get about the same from the 901 if you do a primer puff followed by a long draw but it takes longer. Even though there is more vapor from the 510, it seems "thinner" than what my 901 produces. This is much more noticeable using VG based liquid. Here is the twist, once the battery is about half way gone the 901's vapor production catches up to the 510 and eventually surpasses it.
Battery Life:
At the rate I smoke my 901 usually lasts me about 4 hours or more on a single battery, which works out well because the battery only takes about 3-4 hours to charge. I just alternate which one is in the charger and rarely run out of power. My 510 never lasts more than about an hour to an hour and a half and the batteries take longer to re-charge than the 901 batteries do. If this was my only device I would be in trouble unless I had several chargers and a stack of batteries. I had read that the 510 burns 20% hotter so the batteries run out "a little quicker" than the 901's do, but that is like saying a Hummer Limo holds "a few more people" than a VW Bug.
Throat Hit, Draw, and Taste:
The 510 has a slightly lighter draw than the 901 and gives a stronger throat hit. I am guessing this is because the vapor is warmer due to the 510's higher atomizer temperature. What I did not expect is the huge flavor difference between the two. I stopped even putting any "subtle" flavors in the 510 after the second day because it is a total waste of good liquid. The 510 does ok with "sharp" flavors like Apple, Strawberry, and Peach; but flavors like Chocolate, Vanilla, and Banana are barely discernable. The taste drop is lesser in VG based liquid but in PG they just about disappear.
Cartridges, Atomizers, and Liquid Consumption:
I absolutely hate the 510 cartridge design. Sometimes it gurgles so much it sounds like I am smoking a frikkin ..... At first I thought it was the atomizer getting flooded but it turned out most of the time it is just the cartridge. I think the two small airways on the 510 cause condensation to build up where the 901's larger airway lets it pass through. It actually smokes better with a 901 cart on it than it does with an actual 510 cart. The 510 does a better job when the cartridge gets low, but I don't mind topping off my cart from time to time. My other complaints about the 510 are that it burns through e-liquid like a starving vampire in a blood bank and the atomizer gets so hot you can cook off of it.
Overall Opinion:
I have to say I won't be getting rid of my 901s any time soon. I like the 510 and it is a good backup e-cig, but I really enjoy the robust flavors I get from the 901, not to mention its vastly superior batteries and lower liquid consumption rate. The 510 may produce a bit more vapor but it fades with the battery, and that means quick. I think my next purchase will be an 801 since it may give me the best of both worlds.
