34 replies to this topic

[Snaggletooth]

Hi All,

A bit more than coincidence that my battery I ordered with my original kit is losing kick, just at the time I was starting to get bored with my PCC, just at the time TECCs sale is in its closing few days.

So I've decided to take the opportunity to act my age & purchase myself a big grown up battery device & although a natural progression would seem to be the Tornado, based on forum concensus, I'm also drawn to the Screwdriver.

I've little sense of vanity so not concerned about anything from a cosmetic stance, only a practical & economical, & with that we have:

Tornado Battery: Capacity = 650mah Cost = £15.00

Screwdriver: Capacity = 900mah Cost = Base kit @ £27.00 & £5.00 therafter

So although I've had many pointers at the Tornado, the Screwdriver, despite the higher initial cost (but includes atty & charger) has cheaper ongoing costs, & a higher capacity battery. Just a bit concerned at the spare buttons available for sale for the Screwdriver, what's the deal with that? Is it a manufacturing flaw?

So I'm struggling a bit here & would appreciate some guidance/recommendations from anyone with good/bad experiences with any of the two before I make a sale.

Cheers

Tam

[Onceupon]

Tornado / Riva / eGo.

Longer ones are available with more mAh.

Welcome to the grown-up world

[Crossbow]

Both are reasonably durable, so probably the main choice when it comes to decide is the switch position... end or side?
End switch fans will tell you that you get used to it (and it's true, you do, to a large extent) but for some people (like me) side switched is just more natural.
Another thing to consider is replacement cost... losing it is always possible.....

[Tyke]

From my perspective I've got a Screwdriver Mk1 that I've probably used a couple of times in the last 3 months, I've got Tornado/eGo/Riva batteries that I use any time I'm out or in hotels.
At the TECC sale prices Tornado would be my choice.

If you prefer the 901 atomiser then you can get adaptors or Riva's with a native 901 connector.

[xjohnukold]

Tam, you make up your own mind, but I'll say this just once. A LOT of members have screwdrivers, and other mods for that matter, gathering dust whilst they vape on their tornegoivas... At current TECC prices for the tornado batts... for me at least, it's a no brainer. Tornado looks and does the business reliably as well as anything or better. You'll still have to replace screwdriver batts, they don't last forever either, but you'll be charging them up more often than a tornado battery to have a fully charged device that vapes well. Screwdriver stock isn't selling as well as the tornado stuff, you have to ask yerself why...

[Bruce]

I've had both the SD1 and SD2. Both are fine, so you can't go wrong with them really.

BUT...put up against a tornado, there's a clear winner and it aint the SD.

SD at full tilt is a better vape than a tornado.
But that full tilt lasts a short time, it drops off, resulting in an incostistent vape, and its guesswork for when you gotta recharge batts.
Tornado charge lasts right down to the wire, its the same at full charge as it is to the light on the button blinking no charge.
So for peace of mind and general consistency, its the tornado for sure.

[Rusty]

Bruce, on 29 August 2010 - 12:40 AM, said:

I've had both the SD1 and SD2. Both are fine, so you can't go wrong with them really.

BUT...put up against a tornado, there's a clear winner and it aint the SD.

SD at full tilt is a better vape than a tornado.
But that full tilt lasts a short time, it drops off, resulting in an incostistent vape, and its guesswork for when you gotta recharge batts.
Tornado charge lasts right down to the wire, its the same at full charge as it is to the light on the button blinking no charge.
So for peace of mind and general consistency, its the tornado for sure.

I totally agree Bruce

[ApOsTle51]

+1 for the tornado. I was an early adoptor of the original screwdriver ( the SD was the only mod there was at the time) and It was great until other mods started to surface. Since the tornado tho it's pretty redundant now. Bear in mind that although the tornado bats are initially more expensive they have a much longer ( 6 months plus) lifespan, whereas the batts for the SD i was replacing once a month.

Tornado batts also charge quicker and last longer per charge than the SD ever did.

But, I am glad my SD is in the cupboard......just in case

[prof beard]

This an interesting discussion.

Firstly - let me say right out that I've not got a Tornego - partly because I actively dislike side buttons, partly because I'm mainly a 4075/901 user, and mostly because I'm happy with what I've got.

Having owned SD Mk1 and 2 for a long time I will happily say I've found them reliable.

I think there is one important difference that is neither a pro or con for either device: When you buy a Tornego you are buying something which is "parts" ie you can change all of its components (what I'm trying to say is that if you use a different battery and a different atty you are in effect using a "different" Tornego) - when you buying something like an SD (or indeed any mod) you are buying a "thing" - I'm still using the same SD Mk1 I bought in April 2009 - I've bought new batteries and atties of course, but it is still "the same SD".

So a mod is something you can become "attached to" in a way I would suggest you (I certainly) wouldn't with a Tornego where in effect all of the device is "disposable".

Other than people losing the switch buttons and springs on the Mk2s (easily solved by tightening them up properly in the first place) there are no "design faults" with SDs other than its overall design - which you either like or don't.

I like the fact that current SDs are essentially mechanical devices (ie have no fancy circuitry) - but that DOES mean, as others have said, that voltage will slowly drop from 4.2v downwards as the battery is used between charges - the Tornego delivers a consistent voltage at 3.7v until the battery "just stops" and needs recharging.

What I would say, is than long term use as proved to me that the finish on an SD Mk2 is not as good - over a very long period - as the finish on an SD Mk1 - if someone wants to go for that "long term ownership" feeling I'd recommend a "new" SD Mk1.

Edited to add - I use 1200mah batteries on the Mk2 and 1000mah (protected) batteries on the Mk1 - both from Kaidomain and very cheap

Edited by prof beard, 29 August 2010 - 10:12 AM.

[xjohnukold]

ApOsTle51, on 29 August 2010 - 09:59 AM, said:

But, I am glad my SD is in the cupboard......just in case

Same wi' me DSE905s... [ducks rotten tomatoes!]

[Jackie]

Just get both, problem solved.

I bought an SD when they cost £100 and never regretted that purchase. An SD is what kept me vaping after I felt let down by the unreliability of my first kit (a 901 auto - the auto part being the letdown). Since then I've bought many different devices, but these days I mostly use a Tornado / Ego / Riva. I do get an SD out now and again, it's not too bad at all coupled with an LR atty, and I am glad I have mods that take cheap batteries for backup purposes (and I can't live without my Mako for 5v vaping now either). The SD I've always thought does feel great in the hand, but you may or may not hate the bottom button. I've never had a problem in that regard myself.

With the prices at TECC currently - if you fancy them both get them both if you can. If not though, I think my vote would go to the Tornado.

[Kingtut]

It has to be The Tornado this was my first ecig, I have the SD`s and other mods now ,but still go back to my trusty Tornado on occasions. not my favourite by far, but better I think then the SD I always had problems with the switch on the SD not always firing..........and an absolute bargain at TECC at the moment

Edited by cliffy1, 29 August 2010 - 05:24 PM.

[Onceupon]

I'm now thinking the Riva has a little more oomph. And the firmer button ain't so bad. In fact, it's rather good.

Gold soon rubs off, though. There's always summat.

Edited by Onceupon, 29 August 2010 - 05:26 PM.

[Raff67]

I'd say buy a tornegova. If you want an 510 SD mark 1 with the updated switch, pm me your addy and I'll send you one free. All you would need for it is a us->uk plug adaptor for the included nano charger.

It's just a belief of mine that the 510 SD is weak with the cr123a batteries where as a 901 sd is fine.

[moog]

The same as Jackie here......I sold all my mods and I'm left with the tornado/ego/riva and an SD MK1(901) for backup.....

[Lisaf01]

Just wanted to add that the tornegova is not a 3.7V device. If you get one, do not expect to get a decent hit out of standard 3-3.4ohm atomisers, you'll need to purchase atomisers of 2.4 ohm or lower to get the best out of it.
Everything else has pretty much been said already.

[Snaggletooth]

Hi All,

Many thanks for all your comments & suggestions, made for some interesting reading. Kinda guessed the Tornado would prevail in the popularity stakes but thought I'd chuck it out there anyway. As always when I log on here it proved a good education.

With all confirmed now I was moments away from sending off an order when Raff67 stepped in with an absolutely incredible offer. SD M1 absolutely free & for nothing. With my faith in mankind glowing like a .... big glowy thing I only think it courteous that I shift the Tornado down a space in my "to buy" list to allow myself to become aquainted with the Screwdriver fellow.

I believe Jason recently hinted at an oncoming TW sale so maybe then.

Thanks again Raff for your staggering generosity & to everyone who contributed to the thread.

Tam

[gadget]

Funnily enough i had to fall back on my old SD a couple of weeks back after killing several ego batteries. Out
Of the two, the ego would be my preferred device for both battery performance and looks.

[scrimshaw]

Been using the screwdriver MKII for a few months having finally given up the search to find an epipe that doesn't die on me. Fantastic bit of kit and always reliable.

Just a quick question though... the SD is particularly great with a 901 to 510 conversion ring and a lo-res 510 atomiser. Is the tornado essentially also a 510 device and will my stock of 510 atty's therefore work with it? I'm tempted by the prices at TECC and from posts in this thread it could be a steal at the moment.

Scrim

[Tyke]

scrimshaw, on 01 September 2010 - 09:52 AM, said:

Been using the screwdriver MKII for a few months having finally given up the search to find an epipe that doesn't die on me. Fantastic bit of kit and always reliable.

Just a quick question though... the SD is particularly great with a 901 to 510 conversion ring and a lo-res 510 atomiser. Is the tornado essentially also a 510 device and will my stock of 510 atty's therefore work with it? I'm tempted by the prices at TECC and from posts in this thread it could be a steal at the moment.

Scrim

Scrimshaw, the Tornado is a native 510 connector so you can use your 510 atomisers without an adaptor.

They're a steal at the price.