An idea has been brewing in my mind for a while. Until now, I had hoped that it was something I could start, something I could put together and show people and say hey, this is my contribution to vaping. However, I don't have the resources or skills to do this, so I want to pass the idea on to those who might.
Sometimes, and I think this is especially true for new vapers, people buy things based on a whim. When I was new to vaping, I bought a mod because I liked how it looked, before doing any research into what that device was capable of and whether its feature set was appropriate to my other gear or personal style of vaping. It turned out to be fine, partly because at that time there were far fewer options than there are today, but also because I was lucky. However, I didn't know that it was widely regarded as having a limited lifespan, so when it died I was terribly disappointed, as well as being out sixty bucks.
But vapers of all levels now have a fantastic array of options. Much of the gear sold over the last few years is still available, and many of the articles and videos of the past give advice that was appropriate then, but might not be as relevant now, though they are still easily found.
For instance, when I first got into 'big battery' mods, the AW IMR battery was widely touted as the safest and best battery you could get. I bought two, an 18650 and an 18350. I still use them and they have lasted much longer than I ever thought they would. However, if someone bought an AW 18650 now and put it into a mech mod with a very low resistance atomizer on it, it would fry because it only has a ten amp limit.
So here's my idea: An online database of sorts, in which every product, new and old, is represented. Each piece of gear would show the end user of the database exactly what other products are considered safe and compatible with that product. Anyone from consumers to vape store employees could easily check to see what other gear was appropriate for any item they chose. They could look up a mod and instantly see what kind of batteries would be safe to use in it, and with what atomizers, and what's recommended with regards to their juice options.
The extension of this database would be a simple coding system that manufacturers could add to their packaging, which would enable every vaper, no matter what their level of experience or internet access, to know right away if the mod, battery, topper and juice they are buying will work together, either before they go shopping or at the point of sale.
Granted, some products would cross between categories, which is why I propose that there should be only four. I call them 'Stages'. The reason I chose 'stages' instead of 'levels', is because it doesn't sound like a judgement or a race. Like this: Stage Red would be something like non-replaceable stick batteries with no more than a 3 amp limit, and clearos with a resistance of 1.5 ohms or higher. Stage Blue would be regulated mods that go up to 15 watts or so, and toppers like Protanks and Evods. Stage Green would be regulated mods and their respective toppers that go beyond 20 or 30 watts, and Stage Yellow would be mechanical mods and rebuildables.
Stage Red would of course be accompanied by a big red square. It's the most common favorite color, and used in so many other ways to mean the extreme, or ultimate goal. This would help attract new vapers who think, for whatever reason, that they deserve better than 'n00b gear'. Calling it Beginner or Level One, on the other hand, might put some new vapers in the position of feeling embarrassed, which I believe the system should strive to avoid. Not every smoker is willing to walk into a vape shop and say 'I'm new to this vaping thing, tell me what to buy'.
To further illustrate this point, think of how many times you bought some electronics, like a new phone or stereo, and didn't read the manual before turning it on and pushing buttons because you thought you could figure it out on your own. If you're like me, then that number would equal the number of electronic devices you own, because I'm a bit of tech geek and never read manuals. Until later, when I realize I'm not as smart as I thought I was.
Each stage and its color might also contain other symbols to further distinguish it in case it crosses into compatibility with other stages. A 30 amp battery can still be used with a mod that only puts out 15 watts, for example. So maybe a mostly Stage Green product that could work with a Stage Blue device could have a bold green stripe through it. Something to indicate that it's backwards compatible with Stage Blue, but mostly meant for Stage Green.
Most importantly, this system should be very easy to understand. It shouldn't alienate or cause presumption, but only inform. Simply and directly.
I've recently heard stories on this forum about people who went into a vape shop and were sold incompatible gear which could have resulted in catastrophe had they not consulted other forum users before using these products together; and I've heard people who work at vape shops complain that they mostly spend their work hours saying the same things over and over, telling newbies what's what. I think this system might help put an end to those unfortunate things, and help everyone make safer, better choices, and help eliminate careless errors.
Cigarettes were so easy. You knew pretty quickly if you preferred lights or menthols. You didn't have to bookmark a website with an ohms law calculator, join a forum or spend a week watching videos on youtube to buy and immediately use that product. And I'm not saying those educational resources aren't incredibly valuable, or suggesting that they be eliminated. On the contrary. I believe that reviewers and forums are still a necessary part of vaping culture and experience. They act as a support group to those in need of information as well as helping people get through the very serious and painful process of ending an addiction. The withdrawal symptoms might be considerably lessened by vaping, but I know from personal experience that they are still there, and still very difficult to overcome without some guidance and the occasional shoulder to lean on. The Stage system could help alleviate some of the workload as more and more people switch, but ultimately it's meant to improve safety and make vaping more attractive and easier to get into for everyone who wants to.
Please comment and let me know how you feel about this idea, and/or feel free to make a stunning presentation we could share with the vaping world as to how this could work. I know we're all worried about the FDA and others who seek to stop vaping in its tracks, but even with all that's going on, there are still constant innovations and new products coming out, and I think it would help us all if there was a way to make them more accessible. Because the more of us there are, the stronger we get.
Sometimes, and I think this is especially true for new vapers, people buy things based on a whim. When I was new to vaping, I bought a mod because I liked how it looked, before doing any research into what that device was capable of and whether its feature set was appropriate to my other gear or personal style of vaping. It turned out to be fine, partly because at that time there were far fewer options than there are today, but also because I was lucky. However, I didn't know that it was widely regarded as having a limited lifespan, so when it died I was terribly disappointed, as well as being out sixty bucks.
But vapers of all levels now have a fantastic array of options. Much of the gear sold over the last few years is still available, and many of the articles and videos of the past give advice that was appropriate then, but might not be as relevant now, though they are still easily found.
For instance, when I first got into 'big battery' mods, the AW IMR battery was widely touted as the safest and best battery you could get. I bought two, an 18650 and an 18350. I still use them and they have lasted much longer than I ever thought they would. However, if someone bought an AW 18650 now and put it into a mech mod with a very low resistance atomizer on it, it would fry because it only has a ten amp limit.
So here's my idea: An online database of sorts, in which every product, new and old, is represented. Each piece of gear would show the end user of the database exactly what other products are considered safe and compatible with that product. Anyone from consumers to vape store employees could easily check to see what other gear was appropriate for any item they chose. They could look up a mod and instantly see what kind of batteries would be safe to use in it, and with what atomizers, and what's recommended with regards to their juice options.
The extension of this database would be a simple coding system that manufacturers could add to their packaging, which would enable every vaper, no matter what their level of experience or internet access, to know right away if the mod, battery, topper and juice they are buying will work together, either before they go shopping or at the point of sale.
Granted, some products would cross between categories, which is why I propose that there should be only four. I call them 'Stages'. The reason I chose 'stages' instead of 'levels', is because it doesn't sound like a judgement or a race. Like this: Stage Red would be something like non-replaceable stick batteries with no more than a 3 amp limit, and clearos with a resistance of 1.5 ohms or higher. Stage Blue would be regulated mods that go up to 15 watts or so, and toppers like Protanks and Evods. Stage Green would be regulated mods and their respective toppers that go beyond 20 or 30 watts, and Stage Yellow would be mechanical mods and rebuildables.
Stage Red would of course be accompanied by a big red square. It's the most common favorite color, and used in so many other ways to mean the extreme, or ultimate goal. This would help attract new vapers who think, for whatever reason, that they deserve better than 'n00b gear'. Calling it Beginner or Level One, on the other hand, might put some new vapers in the position of feeling embarrassed, which I believe the system should strive to avoid. Not every smoker is willing to walk into a vape shop and say 'I'm new to this vaping thing, tell me what to buy'.
To further illustrate this point, think of how many times you bought some electronics, like a new phone or stereo, and didn't read the manual before turning it on and pushing buttons because you thought you could figure it out on your own. If you're like me, then that number would equal the number of electronic devices you own, because I'm a bit of tech geek and never read manuals. Until later, when I realize I'm not as smart as I thought I was.
Each stage and its color might also contain other symbols to further distinguish it in case it crosses into compatibility with other stages. A 30 amp battery can still be used with a mod that only puts out 15 watts, for example. So maybe a mostly Stage Green product that could work with a Stage Blue device could have a bold green stripe through it. Something to indicate that it's backwards compatible with Stage Blue, but mostly meant for Stage Green.
Most importantly, this system should be very easy to understand. It shouldn't alienate or cause presumption, but only inform. Simply and directly.
I've recently heard stories on this forum about people who went into a vape shop and were sold incompatible gear which could have resulted in catastrophe had they not consulted other forum users before using these products together; and I've heard people who work at vape shops complain that they mostly spend their work hours saying the same things over and over, telling newbies what's what. I think this system might help put an end to those unfortunate things, and help everyone make safer, better choices, and help eliminate careless errors.
Cigarettes were so easy. You knew pretty quickly if you preferred lights or menthols. You didn't have to bookmark a website with an ohms law calculator, join a forum or spend a week watching videos on youtube to buy and immediately use that product. And I'm not saying those educational resources aren't incredibly valuable, or suggesting that they be eliminated. On the contrary. I believe that reviewers and forums are still a necessary part of vaping culture and experience. They act as a support group to those in need of information as well as helping people get through the very serious and painful process of ending an addiction. The withdrawal symptoms might be considerably lessened by vaping, but I know from personal experience that they are still there, and still very difficult to overcome without some guidance and the occasional shoulder to lean on. The Stage system could help alleviate some of the workload as more and more people switch, but ultimately it's meant to improve safety and make vaping more attractive and easier to get into for everyone who wants to.
Please comment and let me know how you feel about this idea, and/or feel free to make a stunning presentation we could share with the vaping world as to how this could work. I know we're all worried about the FDA and others who seek to stop vaping in its tracks, but even with all that's going on, there are still constant innovations and new products coming out, and I think it would help us all if there was a way to make them more accessible. Because the more of us there are, the stronger we get.
