A Reborn Vaper Looking For Advice.

I began vaping in 2013. It was a basic setup: Ego Twist with a couple of Vivi Nova tanks.
It took some trial and error but found a couple of juices that I liked and stuck with them. Started
at 18 mg and settled on 12 mg nicotine level. The Ego was nothing special, but it seemed to work well at the time as I quit smoking for an entire year with it. As time wore on, I began getting to get more and more burnt / dry hits. Seemed to be happening all the time. Went through countless coils and it became such an issue that I finally got tired of messing with it and quit vaping. Went back to cigarettes. Looking back, I believe I was using a High VG or possibly Max VG liquid which may have been the cause. Desperate to get off cigarettes again I tried again last year. Bought several starter kits including Innokin IO and Innokin Endura T22. Did not like either of these. Just seemed to give me a headache even after just a couple of puffs. I tried both with 12mg and 6mg. Did not notice much of a difference. I just did not get the satisfaction I remember from years earlier. So gave up on vaping again and went back to analogs.

It is now 2019 and I am really sick and tired of smoking cigarettes. I hate them but can’t stop.
Along comes the JUUL, I decided to give it a shot and just figured it would not work.
At first I did not like it. Seemed WAY to strong at 5%. Stuck with it for a week and thought - hey this is not bad. Mainly was using Virginia and every once in a while a Mango pod was nice (Maybe ½ to 1 full pod a day). I was still smoking a couple of cigs in the morning but after that I would use the JUUL the rest of the day. It was by no means great but good enough. I would constantly struggle to get a decent hit off of it though. There always seemed to be air bubbles in the pods causing a problem or I had to pull the pod out and put it back in just to get it to hit decently. Like I said just good enough. After about 6 months or I started have stomach issues. Mainly really bad gas and thought it might be due to the higher nic level in the 5% pods. So I dropped down to 3% for a month or so and noticed no difference. Finally decided to quit the JUUL altogether to see if it made any difference. Within a week everything went away and was back to normal. No more JULL for me. I am guessing something in the Nicsalts didn’t agree with me. I never had this issue with freebase nicotine.

So, am now looking for a device to replace the JULL that does not use nicsalts and was hoping to get some recommendations. I do not need a big mod device to blow clouds or anything like that.
I want something very simple that hits well and does not burn. I am open to anything really as long as it works. I do prefer MTL style and have heard good things about the Joyetech AIO as well as the SMOK infinix devices. I am really open to anything that will work well. Prefer something small, easy to use and that fits in my pocket. Also, I prefer tobacco flavors and am planning to try out the Blacknote stuff which is a 50/50 PG/VG mix so looking for a device suited to that. Any advice or recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks!  

Background: I started vaping years ago when the technology was relatively immature and rapidly changing. I was an avid participant in this forum at the time. I used 808s and 510s with all sorts of atomizers, cartomizers, clearomizers, and tanks (and most of them were awful by today's standards). Some of you who have also been around for a while may remember cutting up air conditioner filters...

But when I found the Eleaf iStick Pico and paired it with an Aspire Nautilus tank (1.8 Ohm coils) I was done. I have used that same rig for years and have been very satisfied. I even quit coming to this forum because I thought there was nothing left for me to learn.

But I know the technology has continued to advance and I am now wondering if I am missing out on the next great leap in vaping. I have come back to this forum (a little surprised my account was still active) seeking updated knowledge.

To be clear, I am not interested in creating giant thick clouds of vapor. In fact I generally prefer to keep my vaping clouds as thin and inconspicuous as possible when I am anywhere outside of my own home (which sadly is not too much these days). It is throat hit and flavor that I am after (so I try to find low VG juices, for example).

So I am hoping that some kind forum members will help me quickly get back up to speed on the state of the art for vaping. Maybe point me to some good resources that will explain the more recent advances. I tend to think of sub-ohm mods as being only for those giant clouds, but maybe I am full of it. But I have been told that rebuildable atomizers offer better flavor, so that interests me. I don't even know what I don't know at this point. Please help me learn.

Thank you in advance for your help.  

I remember when I started vaping 3 years ago, the transition was hard and I had many relapses. I started with stick style batteries which were far and different than smoking a cigarette. It was like sucking through a straw for 7+ seconds, with little vapor and throat hit/satisfaction at the end. It worked for a while then I relapsed back to cigarettes. I tried Ego-Batteries with 1.0-1.5ohm cartos/tanks, it came close but so many dry hits, and it still wasnt much like a cigarette so I relapsed again, then towards the end of last year, I picked up a vaporshark and started vaping <1.0ohm coils in tanks/RDA's and it got me hooked, it was very much like smoking a cigarette. 2-4second drags, throat hit, and nicotine delivery.

which comes to my second question, I know there is this whole thing of 'cloud chasers' and 'tootle puffers', but what kept you on vaping and didnt make you relapse? For the cloud chasers, was it the visual aspect? The hobby of vaping, the want to get more and bigger visuals out of clouds, or more throat hit and similarity to smoking with clouds just as a side effect? And for the tootle puffers, did you just get used to taking longer drags compared to smoking, have you tried subohming at high wattage and just found longer less direct throathit was more satisfying to you when compared to smoking?

it makes me wonder how people come to their desired vaping setups, if they came by them by trying to find something similar to smoking, or just fell into something completely new that they enjoy even more.

when I think of how I ended up at subohming on mechs, from starting on egos/30-40w devices. I believe it has to do with me chasing that way i used to smoke, 2-4second drags on newports. For those of you that subohm or low watt vape, what type of cigarettes did you use to smoke before you switched? this could be helpful information for people reccomending setups to those who want to make the switch to vaping.  

Greetings, while looking through my photo archive I found images that help show my beginning steps in vaping. I need to point out that during the work day I use losenges that I get from Costco so only smoked in the mornings before work and the afternoons after work.

Here's the first one taken July 6th 2015:


In March/April of 2015 the other half started complaining about my cigarette smoke. She had a eye issue that she found was sensitive to the smoke when returning from visiting her daughter. (she would get used to it but would complain when he first got back)

Looking to solve the problem possibly with Vaping, I picked up a Blue kit and some extra cartridges from (of all places Costco). It was not all that expensive and the batteries (or cartridges) did not last very long or put out much vapor. They did have a "coffee" flavor I did like. I continued smoking.

Next time she left for a few days with her daughter I dropped by a local vape shop and for ~$75-100 (I forget) they set me up with a iTaste CLK!, Aspire K1 (and Maxi) and 15ml of 18mg Strawberry juice. While it took 3 days to get used to the charging/refilling/exc of the setup I quit smoking with this setup. The 1.5ml tank and mere 800mah battery were the main limitations as well as "glassomizers" really did not put out much vapor.

With in a few days I'd upgrade the tank to a Nautilus mini and shortly afterwards I'd get Full sized Nautilus tanks and the Blue tube mod shown in the center. While this mod was a good match to the Nautilus tank, I grew tired of swapping 18350's so bought the other two tube mods to the right. One could take ether 2x18350's stacked or a 18650 and the Vamo v10 on the right could take a stacked set of 18350's.

By July of that year I had given up on "drop in coil" tanks (the store bought juice I was using was killing them in as little as a few days) and had decided to take the plunge into RTA's and into temperature controlled vaping.


At the time the two leaders in TC vaping was DNA and Yihi. I bought a SXMini ($200) and three different popular (at the time) tanks: Atlantis, SubtankMini and Lemo2. Two of the three could be used with factory coils or a RBA head, the Lemo2 had the unique feature of top fill. (I still use a Lemo2 today!)

Back in those days if you wanted to TC, you were going to do it with Ni200 wire. I decided I liked the 28AWG. A few weeks later I had added two more mods:


By this point in my vaping journey I was developing a few habits: I was 'marrying' a flavor with a tank, a tank with a mod and all battery charging was being done via USB port. I just cycled complete setups on two USB charge cords I had. Others liked complaining about the SXMini's battery door but I had no issue with it as I'd only used it once.

Sometime that summer (or was it fall?) I got tired of paying the outlandish juice prices and decided to make my own. Granted for YEARS I simply made 7mg or 18mg unflavored 100% VG juice but the cost savings allowed me to get dozens of different tanks and mods to play with and try out.

By April 2016 I took this image:


TC vaping had evolved from from Ni200 wire to Ti to NiFe48 and SS. Early TC mods only supported Ni200 (and some Ti) and newer ones supported SS. Mods I've bought had to have a user programmable TCR value. I've been exclusively using NiFe48 for years.

Finally by about 2019 I decided to get into vaping flavors. Knowing that RDA's or Squankers give the best flavor, I outfitted myself (Bullcity flavors) with a bunch of squankers and now have the option of vaping flavors. (many of my squankers are in my profile image)

NOTE: only one mod in the images I've shown is dead and no longer able to be in service.

These days I have mods scattered all over the house but in/for 5 main areas: morning coffee, home office, watching tv, night stand and to take with me in the car/truck.

Thats my story and journey - happy vaping!


g.  

I currently use Halo's Triton batteries and I like the batteries but I do not like the tanks. I have been having issues with them wicking and it's annoying. I use the batteries now with the regular cartomizers because the cartos always work and I don't have to fiddle with them. The problem is they are a regular carto and don't hold much juice so I'm always topping them off. I've always like the streamlined look of the triton and ego style batteries and the battery life is ok on them but I'm tired of having to fiddle with crap. I just want to pour in some juice and be able to vape for a while without worrying about anything.

I have noticed the Isticks and they actually look kinda cool but I'm still concerned about jumping into the box mod world. My other concern is what tank would you use on them that would be better than the Triton tanks, do they make some that are hassle free and you can just vape and maybe screw on a new coil every week or two. Another thing is it seems all the new tanks out there have metal mouthpieces and I HATE those, they feel horrible on my lips. I like the regular plastic kind that don't get cold or hot but are just normal feeling (if that makes sense).

If someone could please give some advise on a tank, there are so many new things out there and I'm lost. I have been vaping off and on for several years but have never found anything to keep me off cigs for more than 6 months at a time because of all the fidgiting thats involved. Also any thoughts about going from an ego style battery to a Istick.

Thanks for any and all help. This stuff is so confusing to me.  

Greetings,

maybe I was bored. Maybe to much doom and gloom on all the bans of new gear and the shipping of it. I started to think - why not have some fun with some of the stuff I already have?



Cases in point - the two rigs in the picture above. I believe that all the hardware (mods and tanks) are over 5 years old. The setup on the left has a bit of a story about it.

Sitting on my desk is a few old tube mods that I wonder what it would be like to use again. I found a old (I think KFv3) tank laying around, built a very low mass 2ohm coil in it, filled it up and went and tried it out on my old 15W tube mods. Sadly not a one of them liked the KFv3 and would register the 2ohm coil. So what to do? I had a old Evic that surely could be put into power mode. While I was not to surprised that it all works (I've actually refilled the tank a few times and replaced the battery once) the vape is more restrictive than I tend to like and be it the build (or the 10W power mode) I don't really like the flavor of the unflavored juice with this. Another negative is that while it is top fill, there is no juice flow control so the atomizer get flooded each time the tank is refilled. While I could (and have) used it in a pinch, I can get 1-2 tank fills on a single 3000mah battery.

The setup on the right represents some historical firsts for me. Years ago when I first got into rebuilding a Lemo2 was one of three tanks I bought when I started. It was also my first top fill tank. Sitting under it is my first ever Dicodes mod (a #6). This mod is setup in TC mode with 380F temperature setting and 23W.

Be it the better tank or the use of TC mode, the setup on the right provides a good vape. The 26650 has enough mah to easily allow me to vape the tank dry (takes me most of the day) and since years ago I got Dicodes very over priced charger, I just drop the mod in the charger at the end of the day and its ready for more vaping in a few hours.

So, anyone else putting to use or having some fun with +5 year old vaping gear? How do you like it?


g.  

I AM ASKING FOR ADVICE

This will be long..

Preface:
First off I've been vaping close to 10 years, before 20 years on cigs, back when a 510 was a battery not just a thread type. Back when we had PCC's and cartos. I've had 810's 510's egos, mechs, provari's, tanks, carts, drippers....Ive been wrapping my coils for close to 8 years. I am just stating this so veterans here can understand I've been around the block.

I also have seen and continue to see many defensive and disgruntled responses to people here that post anything other than vaping is great, long live vape. I expect this thread to be treated kindly and respected as I will will also respect your opinions. I've been here along time, I know who are solid contributors and some who are ..... If you search my post history you will find a thread from 5 years ago where I questioned my new relationship with a woman who wanted to start vaping. She had been nic free for 4 years when we started dating and wanted to take up vaping. I was considering ending our early relationship over it. I know in retrospect that it was the wrong approach but seemingly NOONE could understand my point of view. Well now she hates vaping more than anything in her life, cries sometimes because she "cant" quit, hates her dryer skin, despises the "effort" involved (although minimal). All I was saying is that she would REGRET this decision and I was met with extreme backlash, and I was right. I knew it then, its true now. The one thing she regrets the most in the past 10 years is picking up vaping. This thread is closed but some of it will come into play. Please be respectful in your responses and opinions. As I stated up top, I am asking for advice from long term members.

So to the matter at hand. I have been, for the 2 years coughing, wheezing at night (pretty bad, wife can hear it) and just generally not comfortable in vaping.Throat irritation, shortness of breath etc...I exclusively sqounk moved everything to profile rda's with mesh coil. I changed to DL inhale about 5 years ago from a hybrid MTL and started with tight MTL (we had no choice back in the day). I also experience chest pains from time to time. My nic is 3mg, been stuck there for years ever since I went DL.

The wheezing and daily coughing and congestion are not directly related to the mesh as traditional kanthal, SS, TI, whatever would cause it too. I would think its more related to DL inhale and the influx of vapor. I tried to go back to a hybrid MTL setup but just found it hard to become satisfied. I'm thinking of quitting for good, which I've thought of many times before but failed in my attempts. So I'm looking for opinions or options from experienced members who have maybe been in the same boat? I've also noticed that alot of juices have changed, or its just me? What was once smooth is now irritable unless I turn it down to say 20 watts. I've read a few of my brands changed their recipes, cut costs and I blamed it on that. I'm having trouble finding any juices I truly like anymore and never got into DIY. I always felt I should but I feel I dont have the time or patience required to dial in recipes. I'm pretty busy most days and weekends. So I suppose there are a few options...

1. Quit. Honestly I would love to. Save money, no more remembering to bring gear etc. My wife would love it as she states she cant quit until I do, the temptation is too much for her. I'm not sure if I'm ready for that but I am seriously considering the option.

2. DIY juice? Could this be whats been causing this the last few years? 3mg maybe too strong but then I dont feel satisfied and sometimes dont even with 3mg?

3. Back to MTL 6mg? Not sure if this would make it harder to quit. Less vapor but more concentrate, still think 3mg with DL would be more overall nic consumption.

4. Combination of 3&4? But I need a combo that would satisfy.

Not sure about any of this anymore, the FDA is going to shut this down eventually (I really think they will) and we could all be left with only 3 choices. Quit, blackmarket or purchase what THEY manufacture. But for now I am simply not enjoying vaping anymore and it has been like cigs the past few years. I dont want to do it because it makes me wheeze cough and irritated but I'm clearly addicted. Give me your experiences/ideas on what may help me and what are YOUR plans for the future?  

Greetings to all

Having quit cigs, I am alternating With Jf Minifit*20mg Nicsalt for outside and nic craving, and Aspire K4*3mg regNic at home, because as it leaks and, at just over 12cm, too big, annoying for pocket. K4 is great to vape and at length with low nic, since I do sometimes just need to keep puffing, and I am worried about how much I use the minifit with the 20.

I am hoping y'all'll be able to advise and help. The following is a rather stretched permutation of a similar thread (with older gear and less details):
Will the Aspire Nautilus fit the iStick Pico?

Looking now to have something with the (1)dual function, to gradually lower the nicotine while shifting the settings to keep things cofortable and satisfying. In other words, I am seeking to have something that can do both 20mg Nicsalt and Subohm.
(2)Size (averse to large devices) and (2)leakage are priorities. So is (4)ease of filling and coil replacement. In addition, if possible, I would like to exclusively (5?)keep with salts (even as I lower the nic).

The boys at the store recommended istick pico + nautilus 2s. Does this setup work for the numbered and underlined above? Do the pieces fit? If so, can I use the sub-ohm coil for low nicsalt or is the material of the salt just bad for sub-ohm regardless of nic level?

Which is easier to fill/change coil: nautilus 2s standard or TPD? ANy other differences? Is the TPD available in Europe?

Is nautilus the only tank with the dual function?

Is it worth having two tanks to be able to keep shifting? Whether Nautilus 2s or another? And is there some sort of bag or case for my stuff to keep in my backpack (saw a lady with something for her stick in her purse once)?

Given the purpose of ease, Should I consider the Orion Lost vape, or is the ability to lower the wattage just not enough, and I need something with high-ohm. Keeping in mind I don't like anything higher than 3mg on the Aspire K4.

What about Chubby Bunny and Magico? Easy alterntives that vape better than Minifit, have a little more options but not too complicated and still easy to use, fill, etc?

I noticed, pico is small, together with 2s they'll be bigger than K4. Given the purpose of size, what about the istick pico baby + nautilus mini? Do the sizes fit and can nautilus mini take high/sub-ohm coils?

Is nautilus mini easy to fill like 2s or is it like the old nautilus requiring cap removal?

On their website, I read that nautilus mini has 2ml capacity and standard/tpd 2.6, but in the thread above it said the standard has 5ml. Who's correct?

Why didn't the boy recommend other setups? I came across istick pico X and Snowwolf mini and what about Aspire own mods like the one that comes with nautilus; the Zelos, K1 Stealth or Reax Mini?

Finally, is there antyhing I should know about VG/PG percentages with Salts and any of the devices above?

Thanks in advance!  

Hey guys! I'm new here so thanks for having me! I have been vaping for 2 years now.

I am looking for a good system that can give me that throat hit and stand chain vaping at times. I had been using the Smok Nord and that was working really well, but it recently broke so I was recommended the Orion Lost Vape DNA. I prefer small mods and pens, but really need that throat hit since I started vaping once I quit cigs.

Salt Nic juices have helped a ton with that hit but with the Orion my coils are burning out in like 3 days? Lowering the wattage levels take away that throat hit, too.

What do you guys recommend?

THANK YOU!!  

Just got back from my local vape shop, i still ask questions 6 months into vaping. Not too mention they have various gear you can try out. So was curious what various box mods vape like compared to my Vamo 5 Nautilus/ Alantis sub ohm CF sub setups. Also got a ZNA 50 watt APV mod which i don't use much as it does drain the batteries really fast. I tend to use the ZNA 50 when my CF is on charge. I been vaping a lot on my Nautilus Vamo 5 set up a lot recently due to it being a lot kinder on my juice. Sub ohm vaping does love drinking juice like anything.

So my visit to the vape shop as made me curious about box mods in general as there some nice small compact ones out there. Was looking at box mods that can go up to 80 watts.

If and when i take the plunge as i'm just rolling it around in my mind at the moment. I'm not keen on the dripper's tanks so i would most be thinking about a box mod that i could attach a sub ohm tank on and one you could charge on it's own.


Any recommendations anyone ?

PS i love the new look of the forums! a major improvement.