Atomizers Versus Cartomizers

What’s the Difference Between an Atomizer and a Cartomizer?

In the e-cig world, a few pieces of electronic cigarette jargon are needed to make informed ecig purchase decisions. Atomizers, “attys,” and cartomizers, “cartridges” or “carts,” are very different components of an electronic cigarette and should not be used simultaneously. Read this informative comparison on e-cigarettes atomizers and cartomizers to decide which component works best for your vaping needs.
Any electronic cigarette needs three parts: a battery, a heating device and a place for e-liquid. In both the two-piece and the three-piece ecig models, all three parts to an ecig are represented.
In a two-piece ecig model, the cartomizer encompasses the heating device and the liquid storage in one piece. The cartomizer then attaches to the battery for easy vaping.
In a three-piece model, all three parts (the battery, the heating device and the liquid holder) come as separate components. The atomizer (the heating device) attaches to the cartridge (the e-liquid holder) as well as to the battery.
Cartomizers were created by manufacturers as a two-in-one atomizer/cartridge set because of the high cost of replacing atomizers. Cartomizers were designed to be quick and easy ways to vape because of their disposability and cheap price tag. Many cartomizers come prefilled and are available for immediate vaping because of their simple assemblage; then, when the cartomizer runs out of liquid, just toss out the cartomizer and snap on a new one. Cartomizers are growing in popularity partially because some ecig vapers have found ways to lengthen the life of a cartomizer. A huge perk to using cartomizers is their capacity for 250% more liquid than an atomizer, which lengthens the time of a vape session. The main reason cartomizers are disposable is due to the inability to refill their liquid, but there are ways around that. Many e-cigarette pros have been trying various methods to refill a cartomizer without wasting e-liquid. A common method is using an e-cig cartridge condom to push liquid into the cartomizer. Check out this video on using the cartridge condom method to refill cartomizers.
In theory, an atomizer and cartridge set last longer than a cartomizer, which explains their higher price tag. Atomizers on general have a lifespan of a few months and require periodic cleaning to prevent e-liquid backup. When the atomizer burns out and stops producing vapor, it is time to buy a replacement. This burn out and purchase represents one of the few recurring costs with electronic cigarettes. In a few forums on e-cigarettes, a couple participants noted that atomizers are ideal for trying out new ecig liquid flavors as they hold less liquid and cartridges with different flavors can be switched out.
So, what are the pros and cons for atomizers and cartomizers?
Cartomizers

Pros: cheaper, holds more liquid, can be reused, easier to assemble

Cons: not as easy to try out new flavors, disposable

Atomizers

Pros: better flavor, good for dripping, last longer

Cons: more expensive, harder to assemble

For a starter electronic smoker, we recommend the Joye EGO Starter Kit, which features the three-piece ecig model (with an atty) or for a cartomizer, check out our cartomizer selection that features blank and pre-filled cartomizers.

What to Look for in an Electronic Cigarette Starter Kit

In this post, you’ll learn what to look for in an electronic cigarette starter kit and how to decide which electronic cigarette accessories are right for you.
An electronic cigarette is comprised of three basic parts:

• The Cartridge: the cartridge is the mouthpiece and this is where the e liquid is held to be vaporized, or “smoked”
• It’s a plus to look for a starter kit with a few pre-filled cartridges so you can begin your vaping experience immediately
• The Atomizer: the atomizer is the heating element; it’s responsible for vaporizing the liquid in the cartridge
• The Power Supply: this is the battery; it provides the juice to heat up the atomizer

In a traditional electronic cigarette starter kit, you will want to find all three elements mentioned above. Sometimes, the cartridge and the atomizer combine to form one unit called a cartomizer. A cartomizer is disposable and typically less expensive on the front end than purchasing a cartridge and atomizer separately. In the long term, it is typically more cost effective to buy a cartridge and atomizer individually as the only maintenance required is refilling the liquid and recharging the battery, whereas with a cartomizer, you are constantly replacing the disposable apparatus.

Beyond the three basic parts to an eCig, you should consider the importance of some of these electronic cigarette accessories in your starter pack:

• An extra battery: an extra, rechargeable battery is an important perk for an eCig starter kit in order to avoid running out of power
• A heavy smoker switching to eCigs should expect to run out of battery life in 4-8 hours
• An average smoker should expect the battery to last up to 24 hours
• USB cable for charging and passthrough capability: the USB cable is vital if you plan to vape frequently, especially in an office or location which easy access to a USB portal.
  
  • The USB cable allows you to vape while saving your battery, never cutting off an enjoyable vape session because of power shortages.
• Wall adapter to recharge the eCigbattery


• Instruction manual: eCigs are a relatively new creation, and it’s important to make sure you understand the parts and how your eCig works


• Lanyard to allow for easy transport of your eCig:, a lanyard allows you to carry around your eCig while leaving your hands free

When deciding which electronic cigarette starter kit to purchase, keep in mind your smoking needs and budget. It’s also important to consider how close you’ll be to a power source in order to recharge your battery if needed. For more information about electronic cigarettes and eCig accessories, visit LiteCigUSA.net.

Our Top 5 Most Popular Electronic Cigarette Flavors!

One of the most exciting aspects of vaping is the personalization of your e cigarette. No matter what type of smoker you are – frequent or casual – you can find the right style of e cigarette, and since e cigs are available in a variety of sizes and colors (the pink Joyetech eGo anybody?) you can make sure that your personal vaporizer will stand out in the crowd just as much as you do!

The best way to maximize your vaping experience is to select the flavors you like most for your electronic cigarette. Our customers love our huge selection of e cig liquids from top brands like Dekang, Americano and High Caliber. Between these three e liquid manufacturers, we have over 100 unique, delicious flavors from which to choose! Here are some of our customer’s favorite flavors, maybe you can discover something new for you too!

High Caliber Banana Split

Many of our sweeter, fruit and candy flavors are popular as dessert substitutions amongst our customers. Pop in our delicious banana split e liquid by High Caliber and enjoy a tasty, calorie-free, after-dinner luxury!

High Caliber Smooth Cuban

Love the taste of a quality Cuban cigar but hate the smell? Love the rich flavors but hate the rich price? Our Cuban-inspired flavored e liquid from High Caliber gives you that full-bodied cigar aroma and flavor without the expense, the stench, or the legality concerns! Fans of this delicious, robust electronic cigarette liquid swear they can’t even taste the difference from the original!

Dekang USAMix

The classic, earthy taste of American tobacco comes alive in this hearty e liquid by Dekang. We love the wholesome, gritty flavor of this e liquid and so do our customers – this has been a consistently popular flavor for months. If you love this aromatic, spicy tobacco e liquid, we also recommend the Dekang Dark Tobacco e liquid.

High Caliber American 55

Much like the Americano Tobacco we previously mentioned, this vaping liquid hones in on the complex flavors of classic American tobacco. Many of us who vape prefer the classic flavors of cigarettes for our personal vaporizers instead of the more adventurous flavors which is what makes the American 55 such a delight.

Dekang Cool Menthol

Inspired by the classic taste of traditional menthol cigarettes, this crisp, cool menthol e liquid is one of our top sellers during the hot summer months. A perfect vaping option when it’s warm outside, the Cool Menthol by Dekang offers a refreshing way to enjoy your personal vaporizer. Mint has long been used as a palate cleanser and we recommend this as an excellent option for an after-dinner palate cleanser!

The Development & History of Electronic Cigarettes

Developed in 2003, the electronic cigarette is still a relatively new development, especially considering the long history of its tobacco progenitor! The e cig was born in China, where its creator, Hon Lik, wanted a smoking alternative to the traditional cigarette.

Lik, a pharmacist, inventor, and avid smoker, created the very first electronic cigarette model and presented it to the company for which he worked, Golden Dragon Holdings who recognized a golden idea when they saw it and immediately began developing the device. Shortly thereafter, the company renamed themselves Ruyan, a word meaning “like smoke” in Chinese. Today, Ruyan is still one of the largest manufacturers of electronic cigarettes in the world.

Businessman Greg Carson is typically credited with introducing personal vaporizers and e cigs to the Western world after their initial success in Asia. By 2006, the electronic cigarette had arrived in Europe where it quickly gained popularity in the UK and other nations; in fact, their success was so enormous that the British parliament had to pass legislation legalizing the use of electronic cigarettes in public!

In recent years, ecigs have been available in the U.S via a variety of online outlets and stores. The success of e cigarettes online has been stupendous, and via word of mouth and the endorsement of celebs who love their personal vaporizers, the electronic cigarette is taking the U.S by storm!

In recent years, much of the media attention has revolved around the debate about whether electronic cigarettes are less damaging than traditional cigarettes. Although the jury is still out, many national and global health organizations have stated views from both ends of the spectrum. For example, although the World Health Organization proclaimed that e cigs are not viable smoking cessation tools, a study by Health New Zealand identified extremely low levels of toxicants in e cigs, such that they fall below harmful levels, and deemed these products a safer alternative to smoking.

Today, a variety of e cig manufacturers populate the industry, offering everything from small, disposable cigarette models to all inclusive kits. The market has also expanded to offer a huge variety of flavored liquids for your e cigarette – from apple to coffee to classic menthol. Any smoker can find the perfect cigarette and flavor at the right price, especially with the huge selection of e cigarettes online.

Electronic Cigarettes in Mainstream Media

In old Hollywood, the glamor of the cigarette was readily apparent. From starlets to leading men, the stars of Hollywood’s Golden Age were constantly lighting up, but these days the It Girls and Heartthrobs of the silver screen are choosing to light up in a completely different way.

Celebs and E-Cigs

It’s not a surprise that celebrities love their cigarettes; tabloids and paparazzi are consistently churning out photos of a TV star smoking outside NY’s new bistro or a Golden Globe winner enjoying a cigarette on the beaches of Malibu. The newest trend, though, is sleek, cost effective, and reusable – the e cigarette is taking Hollywood by storm!

In recent months, more and more a-list celebs have been spotted enjoying their favorite electronic cigarette. In September of last year, Katharine Heigl made an appearance on the David Letterman show where she pulled out her electronic cigarette and proceeded to smoke on the show! Letterman, himself an avid cigar smoker, also tried the e cig on air.

Several of the celebrities that have been spotted with personal vaporizers were once fans of the traditional cigarettes, such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Petty, Ryan Seacrest, Kate Moss, and Taryn Manning.

E Cigarettes in the Movies

E cigarettes broke into the mainstream at the end of 2010 with the release of the Angelina Jolie-Johnny Depp action thriller, The Tourist. In a pivotal scene of the film, Frank (Johnny Depp) smokes an electronic cigarette on a train while speaking to Elise (Angelina Jolie). He goes on to explain some of the benefits of vaping – no smell, no left over cigarette butts to dispose of, and that they can be used in a car, train, or in your home. We’d also like to add that they-re cost effective – after purchasing your personal vaporizer or e-cig kit all you need to spend money on are replacement cartridges! Some models even offer reusable cartridges which reduce costs even further!

Growing Popularity

With the presence of electronic cigarettes ever increasing in films, TV, and in magazines, it should be no surprise that they are becoming more popular in general and news outlets are picking up on this new trend too! We expect to see a continued rise in the popularity of personal vaporizers so don’t be surprised if you see more film featuring them!

E Cigarettes: State Laws & More

What is electronic smoking? Is it legal? Can I vape where others are smoking traditional cigarettes?

These and other similar questions are fielded by us here at LiteCig USA so often that we’ve decided to compile a comprehensive list of laws and information so you can safely use your personal vaporizer and know your rights!

Since smoking e cigs is considered the same as smoking traditional cigarettes here in the U.S, many of the pre-existing smoking regulations still apply. For example, if your city prohibits smoking within 10 feet of a store or restaurant entrance, you must comply even if smoking an electronic cigarette.

No Ban Laws

Some states have no statewide tobacco laws. These states include: Alabama, Alaska, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, West Virginia, and Wyoming. Generally, it is up to the manager of the facility to post smoking rules and designated areas, however, some counties or cities have specific regional regulations that you must comply with. For example, even though Texas does not have restrictive laws on smoking, Austin (the state’s capital) prohibits smoking within bars and restaurants and requires smokers to be at least 10 feet from any entrance.

Bars/Restaurants Exempt Laws

The following states have statewide laws on smoking; however, smoking is permitted in bars and restaurants: Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Nevada, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. Arkansas has a statewide ban on smoking in all enclosed spaces not including bars. Make sure you are familiar with local laws as individual cities may have their own regulations!

Bars/Restaurants Non-Exempt Laws

Non-exempt laws mean that smoking is prohibited in bars and restaurants – that is, bars and restaurants are not exempt from these laws. States that have these laws include: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin.

The state of Arizona has a statewide ban of smoking in enclosed workplaces and within 20 feet of an entrance of a workplace. This includes bars and restaurants and exempt in private residences, tobacco stores, private clubs and outdoor patios. Be sure to check with the specific city or country in which you are staying as they may have specific local laws surrounding the use of tobacco products!

Although many of these laws have been in effect for quite some time, it is important to stay up-to-date with any changes in the legality of smoking so that you are able to enjoy your electronic cigarette safely and legally. For example, just recently the city of New York changed their regulations to prohibit smoking in public parks, beaches, boardwalks, pedestrian plazas, public pools, and recreation centers. Be knowledgeable of your state’s laws, and if you are traveling with your e-cigarettes be sure to brush up on the local laws of your destination!

Traveling with Electronic Cigarettes

Although electronic cigarettes have been on the market for about ten years, the laws and regulations surrounding them are oftentimes vague or undefined which can cause problems during travel. We have compiled some frequently asked questions regarding air travel with e cigs to make sure you have all the necessary information when taking a trip with your personal vaporizer!

Can I take e liquids on the place?

Per TSA rules, you can take any liquids on the aircraft (including cigarette liquids) as long as they are 3.4 oz or less. Make sure that your e liquids are stored in a container that is commercially labeled with the volume of the liquid (3.4 oz or 100mL). Make sure to place the e liquid in a clear Ziploc or plastic bag with any other liquids you may have (shampoo, etc).

What about batteries?

Batteries are allowed in checked luggage, but are usually frowned upon in carry-on bags. We recommend storing batteries with your personal vaporizer parts and dispatching it to avoid any problems.

Can I carry my vaporizer on the plane? What about using it?

Up until recently, most airlines did not have restrictions on the use of electronic cigarettes in the aircraft; however, this is changing and as of spring 2011 the Department of Transportation is to institute an official ban on the use of e cigs in planes.

Of course, you can still travel with your PV, but we recommend packing it in checked luggage to avoid any issues or run-ins with TSA agents. Invest in a quality cigarette travel case which can securely store your PV, atomizers, cartridges, charger and all other parts or pieces. Alternately, if you purchased an electronic cigarette kit, these usually come with some sort of case or package which you can use to store your belongings for flights.

If you use your vaporizer frequently and know that you’ll need a smoke upon landing, you are still legally allowed to pack e cigs in your carry on. Be sure to disassemble the vaporizer and pack each part (atomizer, cartridge, etc) separately.

What items are prohibited?

The TSA has a comprehensive list of prohibited items at TSA: Prohibited Items. We also recommend checking in with your airline to see if they have any specific rules (American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta, Jetblue)! As far as international carriers are concerned, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Air Canada, Japan Airlines and KLM have all announced that e cigarette use is not allowed on their flights although passengers may store their vaporizers in dispatched luggage.