What juice? A few months off should be fine - Juice has a 1-2 year shelf life, and usually the labels are set to 1 year... at least most if the time.

But that still depends on what's being mixed in the juice. Creamy stuff tend to go bad faster (1 year max) while fruity stuff tend to last longer. Also (as markypcs had mentioned) how it was stored tends to effect shelf life as well.

The beat way to check it is by trying it. If it feels off (weirdly harsh TH, weird taste etc etc), then bin it.

Very much in agreement with this.

Just have to add that for both the Pico and VTC, it's recommended that you get an external charger... and it's NOT because "it's better for the batteries", either. It's ACTUALLY because the microUSB ports on both the Pico AND the VTC are rather fragile, and break easily under heavy use.

Also, in regards to battery life, why not just carry spare 18650 batteries in a case (like I do... and yes you ABSOLUTELY NEED A CASE). You really don't need a bigger mod for better battery life lol, you just need spare batts (in CASES).

Hence, its probably better for him to choose between the Pico and VTC and spend the rest of his budget on a good tank, spare batteries (+CASE) and quality juice.

Also, for a first timer, for the love of God AVOID DNA200/75 mods like the plague. He's just starting out, and he doesn't need to worry about additional carp like eScribe. Really.

This post has been edited by Eiraku: Aug 10 2016, 05:45 PM

For around 120, the Fuchai can be considered... IF said vaper doesn't really want to ever consider doing TC... ever. The Fuchai is as broken as the OG213 at that - the build-in TC function is pure BS at its best.

At the standard 200+ retail price... better get a Cuboid IMHO. Or an RX200s/RX23. Even with the dodgy JT 510s, I feel a whole lot more comfortable recommending these three then any Sig-lie mod (other then the OG Sig150).

Or as the initial recommendation went, Pico/VTC mini + tank + batteries + spare batteries (+case) + external charger + (most importantly) a boatload of juices. Seriously, when you get a semi-competent mod, juice choice becomes a more important factor then the hardware itself.

As for tanks, getting either Pico or VTC in a Kit (tank included) nets you simple OCC tanks that work well for both MTL (mouth draw - ciggies) and DTL (lung draw - shisha) styles of vaping. Of course, they are both outclassed by whatever more advanced tanks out there, but they are much, much easier to use.

This post has been edited by Eiraku: Aug 10 2016, 10:33 PM

It's limited local availability is the problem though lol. Can't recommend unless it's relatively easy to find IMHO.

I mean if the Quantum was easy to find I'd recommend it easily over the VTC (for various reasons).

This post has been edited by Eiraku: Aug 10 2016, 11:13 PM

Rulo TwoThirds Transformer (RX2/3) review up: http://goo.gl/reldJz

Skipping the VT133 review for a cycle, simply coz the TwoThirds is newer lol. Next, the 'Becco Velo V2.

Summary: I like it, it works well, but it's really just another JoyeTech mod with the same JoyeTech chip and all the same JoyeTech carp that they still haven't fixed (iffy 510, weak microUSB, no balanced charging etc etc). TC works slightly better compared to the Pico/VTC though.

However, for the money (around RM200, or cheaper from auctions), it's still very much worth it just for the "transform" capability alone. "Swinging" batteries to keep them "married" in both 2- and 3-cell mode is gonna be a bother, but I only use it in two batt mode anyway.

This post has been edited by Eiraku: Aug 11 2016, 01:51 PM

My poor FT Nugget package has been "Held by Custom" under Singpost tracking for nearly a week now sigh. Still no letter coming of it being detained by customs either.

And it's nowhere near 500 either. Sheesh.

At this rate the GB RDA package is gonna win the race lol.

Scratch that. Apparently a parcel has arrived back in "homebase". No drills yet though so no idea which one, GB or FT.

This post has been edited by Eiraku: Aug 11 2016, 03:28 PM

I work in the ulu jungles outside of KL Bro. The parcel is addressed to my "home" address in KL (for obvious reasons) and I can only ask the folks at home to see if it's here or not.

I can only check physically on weekends when I don't have work lol.

Ooooh, good idea about the Pos Malaysia site, I totally forgot about that...

... annnnd yeah FT wins the postage battle (was delivered yesterday). The GB parcel is still on the way from NL lol.

Maybe I should drop by home tomorrow to pick it up.

This post has been edited by Eiraku: Aug 11 2016, 10:40 PM

My Artrey Thrombosis Nugget is finally here, yay! And yeah, it's tinier than tiny lol. Fits well for its role as my everyday dripper/tester (aside the Pico), especially with the just as small Maze RDA.

Performance? Frankly, not bad at all. SS TC is a tad off compared to the Pico, buuuut at least it works so okay. Batt life at 40-50w (0.36 coils) isn't gonna be anything to write home about lol, gonna try wrapping a slightly higher res set of coils (say, 0.5?) for it later and see if it helps.

Now the VTC (the previous walkaround dripper) can be side-graded to "high risk" applications... but first I need to find a decent smallish tank for it. Eyeing the GMv3, not sure when it's gonna hit our shores.

This post has been edited by Eiraku: Aug 13 2016, 02:57 AM

Ori RX200 = Cheap, small screen but huge.
RX200s = Slightly more expensive, big screen, still huge.
TwoThirds = Most expensive, big screen, can be medium or huge depending on configuration.

That said, the price difference between the three is actually quite small lol. IMHO, save up and get the TwoThirds. Why? You can go medium or large according to your needs... it's like having two mods at once.

Here's my review on the TwoThirds (my current backup multi-batt mod), hopefully it helps: http://goo.gl/reldJz

That said, even if all the RXs go to 250w with three batteries, I still think my VT133 fires and TCs better. And while VE is still having their VT sale, it's only a little bit more expensive than any of the RXs. Maybe worth considering IMHO, if you don't mind having to learn how to eScribe.

If you don't want to bother with eScribe, then get the RX2/3. It's still a very solid mod.

This post has been edited by Eiraku: Aug 13 2016, 10:55 AM

Pico my friend, Pico. Built like a bloody tank. Mine's fallen like how many times also I've lost count edi, and it's still chugging like a champion.

Check my gushing review on it to further sway your choice lol.

Nope. At 50w it will mostly buck from both 2-cell or 3-cell configuration. For all intents and purposes, it should pretty much feel exactly the same, though of course the 3-cell setup will have longer battery life.

Above 150-200w there might be a noticeable difference, as a 2-cell setup will probably have to boost more then the 3-cell one - there will be a noticeable difference in firing characteristics due to this (especially as your batteries drain more and more in use).

Price should be around RM200-ish for the RX-TwoThirds.

Sib Will do. Seems disassembly for the Nugget is plenty simple too.

The only mod I have no balls to take apart for now is the TwoThirds - seem like it's gonna have lots of small parts that will spring loose the moment I open it up. Maybe later.

This post has been edited by Eiraku: Aug 13 2016, 12:25 PM

Then get the VT133. DNA inside. Guaranteed more kick. Just need to learn to adjust using PC and eScribe, that's all. Below RM300 (just) from all Vape Empire outlets as long as the offer still stands. That's cheaper than anywhere else in the world, Internetz included.

Not that the RX23 doesn't kick... it just doesn't kick as hard IMHO (especially in TC). It's a backup for my VT133 for a reason lol, even when the VT is rated to "just" 133W.

Of course, if you can't justify paying the extra dough for DNA, the RX23 works just fine really. In 2-cell mode it does hit considerably harder than the Pico at 50W TC (though it loses to my VT133).

Also to consider, the Smok H-Priv, if you don't mind ordering online (cause seems nobody's stocking Smok stuff locally any more). Around the same price as the RX23, hits better (according to TristanX).

Personally now waiting for the DNA167 mods to hit (DNA250 using 2x18650). First out is the Boxer (as always), hopefully HCigar (or even better, LostVapes) follows suit.

This post has been edited by Eiraku: Aug 13 2016, 03:37 PM

Yep it's the new "Rulo" lol.

That said, I ONLY really recommend the TwoThirds if anybody's looking for a cheapish multi-batt/above-75w mod cause it doesn't lie in your face (*ehem* 213) and is easily available offline (*ehem* Smok). Also because the "transform" thing is pretty neat, and means you don't have to forever suffer the 3-battery "penalty" of the normal RXs if you don't want/need to.

Plus, it's actually slightly more compact and lighter then the Cuboid too, which is a bonus.

If they have extra dough (and they say they don't mind tinkering with eScribe) I steer them towards the VT133 (as long as VE has them on sale anyway).

If they're just "looking for a new mod", I immediately suggest them the Pico. Or the VTC (of course).

Horses for courses, folks.

This post has been edited by Eiraku: Aug 13 2016, 04:43 PM

True, though if he's not used to it he'll get nic sick from 12mg rather quickly without changing his vaping habits. And trust me, you can get nic sick *very* quickly.

If he just wants a harder hit, maybe more wattage (50->80)? Though that might burn (and burn *through*) his juice faster also, depending on his tank/coils/wick.

Or... you know... just get juice with better TH without upping the nic.

TBH, I'm happily running 50w through my Pico + Cado (straight SS spaced 26awg duals) as I type this and I really don't feel any "need" for something that shoots harder either. My higher wattage mods are just there for my weird wire builds lol.

This post has been edited by Eiraku: Aug 13 2016, 05:12 PM

I thought so. Try upping your wattage and get juices that can handle the heat ler. Fruity juices are usually more suitable for high wattage applications then creamy ones IMHO.

And yeah, being able to fire 200w on two batteries doesn't mean you HAVE to fire 200w lol. The Pico BLEEDS battery life once fired above 60w... you'll have a bigger envelope to experiment with wattage at least (without losing too much battery life) with the TwoThirds.

So yeah, don't wallow in buyer's remorse just yet lol.

This post has been edited by Eiraku: Aug 13 2016, 05:19 PM

Also fair point. Listen to this guy.

In the end though, unfortunately, vaping is something that has so many variables, to achieve an end result requirement that differs so widely between person to person... that it's actually very hard to truly recommend a "perfect" setup for everyone who asks.

We can only really throw folks breadcrumbs in hopes that it would lead them to their own personal nirvana lol.

*throws breadcrumbs*

This post has been edited by Eiraku: Aug 13 2016, 05:29 PM

Well, in that case I guess our breadcrumbs helped, I guess. Hopefully the RX23 gives you the additional performance that you seek.

BTW, the TwoThirds are actually more consistent (no kicking itself out) doing TC with my twisted wires then both the Pico and VTC were. It's the same chip and yet this.

Got me thinking... all the normal Wismec hanky panky aside, they might have done something right with this one after all lol.

Still TCs like crap compared to my DNA200 though lol.

This post has been edited by Eiraku: Aug 13 2016, 06:23 PM

Lol. Normal firing or TC? Don't tell me the TC is also near DNA level already?

If so you're gonna make me want one. I hetchusomush...

Personally... I can actually agree lol. Been through all sorts of mods, including the same-chipped Pico/VTC/TwoThirds, and as funny as it may sound I can say that yeah, every mod model fires differently.

It's probably the grounding or wiring or soldering or internal resistance or something. There must be *some* science to it but yeah it happens.

As for TC... well so far there's totalBS Scumbag TC (213/213 Fuchai), semifake "Pulse Temp Limiting" TC (JoyeTech chip mods), nearly real actual TC (DNA200/75) and everything in between lol.

So yeah, there's a lot of differences on that end too.

This post has been edited by Eiraku: Aug 13 2016, 08:01 PM

Dam. Now I gotta get a few Smok mods just to test this.

Hetchu...

Wonder if the Cube Ultra, Quantum and the R150 are as good.

This post has been edited by Eiraku: Aug 13 2016, 08:36 PM

Sounds like a plan. Should be free next weekend for a quick Chatime stop. Later we work out something.