Mini Vivi Nova vs. Kanger T2 and CE4 Stardust: Which do you prefer?

[ZooKansas]

@ZooKansas - thank you for such a detailed review! Mine should be here tomorrow. Regarding TH, have you tried a LR replacement attie? I need serious TH, and I wanted to make sure it just isn't a flaw in the overall package.

Absolutely...have tried almost every variant of LR atties (510's, 801's, 306's). Hands-down my favorite atty for flavor, vapor, and TH is the Ikenvape i06, 1.8ohm. vaping on it right now, lol. 510 connection. Uses a proprietary drip-tip that you can buy from his site. If you can splurge for it, the siam mods stainless d-tips are great for it ($12), but the $2 delrin one works great too. Don't like the pyrex glass ones, because they develop serious condensation while vaping. This atty is similar to a 306LR, but it has a tighter draw and more vapor production and outstanding flavor. It will easily last you 3+ weeks. I've had one go for 62 days before it died (no cleaning whatsoever). It's the atty I recommend to everyone. They had some issues with gurgling as Isaac shut down and other vendors started carrying his stuff, but I ordered a new one a few weeks ago and all issues seem to be solved. 5 drops to prime, and then 3 drops afterward while vaping. It performs similarly to the $22 HH357 from avidvaper. I really liked the HH357 I had, but I cant justify the price of getting another) as $9 for the i06 gives very similar performance for me compared to the HH357. And no, I don't know Isaac personally...just spoke with him a few times over the phone, and he's a stand-up vendor. Use coupon "ECF5" for 5% off. If you do decide to get one, and don't like...I will gladly buy it off you.
Link to the atty: https://www.ikenvape.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=1829
Link to the drip-tips: https://www.ikenvape.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=STLo6
https://www.ikenvape.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=io6DTBLK

 

[njay23]

Nope. I had hoped that was what I was getting, because the ad said they were the old ones, but I got the long wick ones with no cup. The cup idea makes sense to me....

IVape has the short wicks with the cup.

 

[njay23]

I have been happily using T2s. Everyone raves about the Vivi mini and EV1 so i got a couple from discount vapor. The vivi mini came with short wicks, very short. Is this an old version or something? Anyway, lots of dry hits even with the second (long wick) head I bought. The EV1 was no better. I don't get it, what can I be doing wrong? Thet all work basically the same. Guess I'll just stick with the T2s

 

[axolotly]

Absolutely...have tried almost every variant of LR atties (510's, 801's, 306's). Hands-down my favorite atty for flavor, vapor, and TH is the Ikenvape i06, 1.8ohm. Vaping on it right now, lol. 510 connection. Uses a proprietary drip-tip that you can buy from his site. If you can splurge for it, the siam mods stainless d-tips are great for it ($12), but the $2 delrin one works great too. Don't like the pyrex glass ones, because they develop serious condensation while vaping. This atty is similar to a 306LR, but it has a tighter draw and more vapor production and outstanding flavor. It will easily last you 3+ weeks. I've had one go for 62 days before it died (no cleaning whatsoever). It's the atty I recommend to everyone. They had some issues with gurgling as Isaac shut down and other vendors started carrying his stuff, but I ordered a new one a few weeks ago and all issues seem to be solved. 5 drops to prime, and then 3 drops afterward while vaping. It performs similarly to the $22 HH357 from avidvaper. I really liked the HH357 I had, but I cant justify the price of getting another) as $9 for the i06 gives very similar performance for me compared to the HH357. And no, I don't know Isaac personally...just spoke with him a few times over the phone, and he's a stand-up vendor. Use coupon "ECF5" for 5% off. If you do decide to get one, and don't like...I will gladly buy it off you.
Link to the atty: https://www.ikenvape.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=1829
Link to the drip-tips: https://www.ikenvape.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=STLo6
https://www.ikenvape.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=io6DTBLK

You are a gentleman and a scholar. I've been dreading pulling out my 2-year old LR atties and drip tips fearing they aren't as well made as the ones now, and I need a little dripping system for trying out new flavors. This is next on my order list. Thank you so much!

 

[ZooKansas]

@axolotly: Good luck, and I'm critical to a fault, so finding the "perfect" atty was a timely and costly adventure for me.

 

[ZooKansas]

I have been happily using T2s. Everyone raves about the Vivi mini and EV1 so i got a couple from discount vapor. The vivi mini came with short wicks, very short. Is this an old version or something? Anyway, lots of dry hits even with the second (long wick) head I bought. The EV1 was no better. I don't get it, what can I be doing wrong? Thet all work basically the same. Guess I'll just stick with the T2s

The short-wick ones were first version. Not sure as to why you're getting dry hits; perhaps the build structure on the version one's is different, regardless if you have short or long wicks. I always steer clear of short wicks. Just asking for a dry-burn with those.
Did you get this one?: DV Mini Vivi Nova Tank Clearomizer 2.5ml - eGo threaded If so, it's a knockoff and not a "vision" vivi-nova. That could explain a lot. I got my mini at gotvapes. I think it was around $10.

Edit: http://www.gotvapes.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=151_189&products_id=940
^Great deal there

 

[mrelwood]

Nope. I had hoped that was what I was getting, because the ad said they were the old ones, but I got the long wick ones with no cup. The cup idea makes sense to me....

I don't think the cups worked that well. I recoiled my T2 heads with long wicks and without the cups. The performance is better now, as I don't have to tip it nearly as much as with the short wicks and the cups. Didn't find the cups affecting filling though.

The Thor looks like a Vision CC, is it the same?

 

[njay23]

The short-wick ones were first version. Not sure as to why you're getting dry hits; perhaps the build structure on the version one's is different, regardless if you have short or long wicks. I always steer clear of short wicks. Just asking for a dry-burn with those.
Did you get this one?: DV Mini Vivi Nova Tank Clearomizer 2.5ml - eGo threaded If so, it's a knockoff and not a "vision" vivi-nova. That could explain a lot. I got my mini at gotvapes. I think it was around $10.

Edit: GotVapes Vision Mini ViVi Nova™ 2.5ml 2.4ohm [gv-MiniViViNova510-2.4ohm] - $9.45 : GotVapes.com, E-cigarette Supplies - Atomizers Cartomizers Mods Juice and more
^Great deal there

I DID get that one from DV! I'm gonna order one from gotvapes right now... thanks!

 

[axolotly]

I DID get that one from DV! I'm gonna order one from gotvapes right now... thanks!

I got mine from GotVapes - it is the best thing I have attached to my Ego Twist besides my lips. Here is a quick rundown:

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/clearomizers/333613-cartos-clearos-cash-money-what-buy-rundown.html

 

[njay23]

Got the "REAL" vivi mini from gotvapes today. HUGE difference. Works great.

 

[media]

I own 4 of the rebuildable stardusts and two mini vivi novas. I'm kind of torn. The stardust is better on a standard battery, where the vivi nova falls short. The vivi nova shines with a vv battery in my opinion. I only own 2.4ohm attys

 

[mrelwood]

Got my Vivi Nova Mini and Vision CC (replaceable Stardust) today. The Stardust already had a small crack on the plastic, but it is still usable. I like both better than the Kanger T2. I seem to have a bit of a battery problem as none of my batteries (eGo Twist 650mA, eGo-T 650mA, Chinese 3.2/3.7/4.2V eGo) give me the performance I'm expecting, even from the rebuildable Phoenix dripping atomizer. Or perhaps my tolerance has grown because of increased vaping.

Anyway, Stardust feels and even tastes like a regular Stardust, and the drag is the tightest of the group. T2 is too airy (and hot, somehow moist) to my liking, and the Vivi Nova Mini is somewhere in between, pretty much optimal to me. I can see the Vivi Nova Mini becoming my favourite clearo/ato.

The replaceable heads (on both Vivi Nova and the Stardust replaceable, I suspect they are interchangeable) are so far the easiest to recoil that I've seen. Extremely close to actual rebuildables. Neither of the heads can be replaced with juice in the tank, while on the Kanger T2 you can. On the T2 the ato head connection leaks if juice is filled above it, while the other two are sealed very well. The heads and the battery must be screwed pretty tight on both the Nova and the Stardust, or the coil does not get a contact.

Regarding the post by "media" above, it could make sense that the tighter draw lets the Stardust create slightly more vapor with a smaller battery. I also noticed that removing the small metal cone at the top of the ato head does free up the airflow slightly. That makes it essentially a Vivi Nova head.

Vivi Nova and the Stardust replaceable are built very well, while the T2 does have some issues. I like the Vivi Nova design and decisions the most. Not sure if the Stardust cracking is an actual issue or just a one off.

Edit: I use 1.8 ohm heads on all of them.

 

[judy j]

I like to switch flavors a lot too. Hadn't thought about filling my T2 only half full. Thanks Rivamen for your post.

 

[judy j]

I have solved the leaking problems with my T2 thanks to Njay advice to clean my heads often.. I didn't know to that.. My T2s are vaping like brand new. I have no desire to change.

 

[skelley]

I've been testing the CE4+ CC clearos the last couple of days.
They do not wick fast enough and the tight draw reminds me of the v1 stardust.
The Nova was close in taste to the T2, but has a tighter draw also. (Top coils all mute flavor to some degree, don't kid yourself)

I haven't tried the mini, but I will drop one in the cart next week.
If the easy draw of the T2 is to much, at least you can put a small piece of clear tape over one of the holes. To increase air flow in the CE4+ and the Nova requires much more modding.

I can get a T2 coil for $1-$1.60 each. I would like to see heavier construction of the T2, but I think clearos & cartos are disposable.
$6-$12 bucks either way, isn't going to last you years, but everyone will have different mileage.

Yes, many clearos can be rebuilt, but I don't classify them as so. A lot of things can be rebuilt.
I have a 3ml CE3 coming to try out as nothing in the clearo market has come close to the flavor of them yet. I can make a few adjustments to a CE3 and get it performing well.

Until they make a clearo that has adjustable air & juice controls, there won't be a 'one-clearo-4-all' nor will there be a 'Best'.
What's best for me, may not be the best for you.

Fav to date...
Flavor...BetterLifeTech's CE3
Production...Kanger T2

 

[mrelwood]

An update to my experiences with the Vivi Nova Mini. Have been recoiling the head quite a few times, reason being revealed was that my new no resistance wire didn't get a good contact with the kanthal. I recently made a cotton wick covered with #500 SS mesh, and oh dear. The vapor is more dense and tasteful than I have ever gotten even from dripping. I am sold. I should stack up more of these.

The stock 1.8 ohm heads are okay if you don't mind the taste of silica and the rubber grommet, but this modded one is the bomb. Using a regular eGo-T 650 mAh battery.

 

[skelley]

I've been using SS mesh/cotton core for several weeks in my actual rebuildables.
I've made a few around 1.5- 1.8ohms, but I had to get a better battery device to push them.
The mesh acts like a heat sink and the cotton wicked so well that it kept it cool. The coil didn't perform at it's best until I got a device that could really push it w/out getting hot.
I don't know if my mind was playing tricks, but it tasted like a t-shirt at first....lol.
But yeah, it was pretty crisp taste for sure.

 

[Kyi]

Hm, so I skimmed this thread. I need to get some new equipment as well, I've been using the same 3 atomizers (Betterlife dripping attys) for like 5 months now. They still work but I think I want something new. I've tried the Stardusts, CE3s, Kangers and whatnot, not too pleased overall (plus I lost some of them), so I guess the next best thing would be to try the Thor's and Vivi Novas? I don't really vape a lot and don't want something bulky, so maybe I should get the mini Vivi Novas? Do the IKV io6 atomizers come with 510 threading or do I need to get some kind of adapter? I still have to use the 306 drip tips with them? Oh one more thing.. are the Vivi Novas on the IKV site legit or should I just get them from Gotvapes? I'd rather not have to pay shipping costs for 2 sites.

Thanks... I unfortunately don't have tons of money to try out everything so I just need something good and hassle free that works!

 

[ninjuh]

Hm, so I skimmed this thread. I need to get some new equipment as well, I've been using the same 3 atomizers (Betterlife dripping attys) for like 5 months now. They still work but I think I want something new. I've tried the Stardusts, CE3s, Kangers and whatnot, not too pleased overall (plus I lost some of them), so I guess the next best thing would be to try the Thor's and Vivi Novas? I don't really vape a lot and don't want something bulky, so maybe I should get the mini Vivi Novas? Do the IKV io6 atomizers come with 510 threading or do I need to get some kind of adapter? I still have to use the 306 drip tips with them? Oh one more thing.. are the Vivi Novas on the IKV site legit or should I just get them from Gotvapes? I'd rather not have to pay shipping costs for 2 sites.

Thanks... I unfortunately don't have tons of money to try out everything so I just need something good and hassle free that works!

Mini vivi novas are nice for size, same diameter as stardust basically. Even if they aren't "the best", I still think everyone should at least try them once. I use them all the time & love them. I've gotten them from China & the US, and haven't noticed any differences.. ikv is a reputable vendor I'm sure you'd be fine buying it there.

 

[mrelwood]

A note on the heads. A rebuildable Stardust head will work in a Vivi Nova Mini, but the head's cap system (the silicone tube and the metal 'spike') must replaced with only the silicone tube from a Vivi Nova head (only the silicone cap from Stardust will also work).

And the Vivi Nova Mini head works in a rebuildable Stardust, if taking the metal ring from inside the Vivi Nova cap and putting it inside the Stardust cap system.

So if your vendor doesn't have the one you want, you can use them across. The heads are otherwise identical.

Even if they aren't "the best", I still think everyone should at least try them once.

If this is not the best, please tell me quickly what is, as I'm planning on ordering a truckload of these!

Wait... I don't need a truckload 'cos they're replaceable and rebuildable. Anyway, I REALLY like the modded one I've got.