4 Years vaping and still a noob. Need help moving forward.

[stols001]

Also, I'm wondering (and I don't mean to insult you at all) but did anyone ever sit down with you and teach you how to prime a coil, etc.? Because it seems like if you were having trouble with all your atomizers, maybe that's the missing step? I will say that today's basic stuff is more complicated than when I started out, although I didn't stick with it. It's still fairly easy, but I'd say *whatever* setup you get, watching a few demos/reviews (not so much for the reviewer's opinion, but a clear, visible demonstration of how to use it) really helps me with my equipment. I do it for all my new mods and tanks, now, and it's cut down on my frustration considerably.

If you have a decent B&M vape shop near you, they can also be of help when running into issues. I'm not saying not to use cartos or vape pod systems, but it is less expensive to use some of this other stuff.... are you at all up for learning more about it, and trying that again?

If not, and you are trying to quit, this might be one time I would recommend the juul, since I hear its delivery system is new and improved.... The Juul is a gas station cig-a-like, and it's not cheap, but there are members who've had a lot of success with that method, honestly, and it might be worthwhile while you are building your skills for other vape options. The Juul uses nic salts at a fairly high percentage, and some folks find that an easier device to quit with, and I believe it's fairly hassle free to use. You CAN refill the pods with some nicsalt juices, or heck, even regular nicotine, but you don't HAVE to. Just know that you'd be paying gasoline cigalike prices, (i.e. the delivery device costs $50, which is pretty insane for what it is) but it's a good option for some. You might be that person? I hardly ever recommend cig-a-likes, but when I do, I tend to recommend the Juul as it seems to have the most satisfaction from folks using it to try and transition off cigs.

Anna

 

[VictorViper]

Nicotine Salts will also be new to you and may prove useful - they hit more like a cigarette and so you just take a few Vapes and put it away. You don't need to vape for several minutes as with traditional "freebase" nicotine.

I've actually been considering grabbing a little low power device like the Aspire Breeze to use with Nic Salts for those situations where I want to get my fix quickly.

On that note, something like the Aspire Breeze (not an endorsement) is about what you can expect from vape "pens" nowadays.

 

[Bworms1980]

Thank you all for the suggestions and help. I'm looking at the Pico and like what i've read, but the mods that come with an internal battery seem easier for me. I had one of those telescope/flashlight looking mods before but I'm a disorganized person blessed with a terrible memory. So I ended up running all over the house trying to find my extra batteries and charger.

Since then I've only used a Vision Spinner (stopped working after a few months), a few ego's, before moving onto an itaste mvp 2, and now i have eleaf 20w, but need to replace it since the threads are so stripped that the bending adapter I bought also doesn't screw in.

So I'm really eyeing the eleaf tc40w that was mentioned above, but I keep going back to the Pico, really like the looks of it. At this point I may need to flip a coin.

With so many recs on it, I'll definitely get the Nautilus 2. Really do want to get a tank that works for me.

 

[Bworms1980]

Set it and forget describes me perfectly. I have never heard of a vape pod system, so im about to go check out the subforum you linked me.

Our OP here has found long term success with eGo style hardware and has (not unexpectedly, believe me!) lost touch with what's available. Not to say anything against what was mentioned so far, but our OP sounds very much like a set-and- forget vaper.

Who wants to jump in and offer info or recommendations on Pods?

Vape Pod Systems

 

[Bworms1980]

Not trying to quit. I love vaping, and its my only vice, so I'm keeping it .

Not insulted at all. I don't know anyone who vapes, so I haven't had anyone to teach me how to use clearos and tanks. I never even figured out how to use the old atomizers that you dripped and vaped. Cartomizers were just easier for me. I tried Youtube tutorials but everything still burns.

As for priming, I thought you just fill the clearos tank, wait a bit and then vape. Some of them vape fine for me, then start tasting burnt after a few minutes. Others work for a day or a few days and the flavor decreases and even if vapor still comes out, I can't get a good puff from it. Still others burn or give me a bad or off flavor when I change the coil. And of course there are the leakers. Also, I keep checking, but don't have any vape stores near me or close enough to visit in my city.

I'm up for learning what I can. I've tried reading up on things, but i'm not technical and i'm horrible with numbers so everything tends to go over my head. I tend to click the back button if the tank I'm looking at says RBAs vs RDAs vs RTAs vs RDTAs or SUB-OHM because I don't understand them.

Also, I'm wondering (and I don't mean to insult you at all) but did anyone ever sit down with you and teach you how to prime a coil, etc.? Because it seems like if you were having trouble with all your atomizers, maybe that's the missing step? I will say that today's basic stuff is more complicated than when I started out, although I didn't stick with it. It's still fairly easy, but I'd say *whatever* setup you get, watching a few demos/reviews (not so much for the reviewer's opinion, but a clear, visible demonstration of how to use it) really helps me with my equipment. I do it for all my new mods and tanks, now, and it's cut down on my frustration considerably.

If you have a decent B&M vape shop near you, they can also be of help when running into issues. I'm not saying not to use cartos or vape pod systems, but it is less expensive to use some of this other stuff.... are you at all up for learning more about it, and trying that again?

If not, and you are trying to quit, this might be one time I would recommend the Juul, since I hear its delivery system is new and improved.... The Juul is a gas station cig-a-like, and it's not cheap, but there are members who've had a lot of success with that method, honestly, and it might be worthwhile while you are building your skills for other vape options. The Juul uses nic salts at a fairly high percentage, and some folks find that an easier device to quit with, and I believe it's fairly hassle free to use. You CAN refill the pods with some nicsalt juices, or heck, even regular nicotine, but you don't HAVE to. Just know that you'd be paying gasoline cigalike prices, (i.e. the delivery device costs $50, which is pretty insane for what it is) but it's a good option for some. You might be that person? I hardly ever recommend cig-a-likes, but when I do, I tend to recommend the Juul as it seems to have the most satisfaction from folks using it to try and transition off cigs.

Anna

 

[Bworms1980]

As you guessed, I've never heard of nicotine salts. At this point I'm more addicted to the act of smoking and not the nicotine itself. I've been ordering 0mg ejuice for over a year now. I never noticed the difference because of the menthol.

Nicotine Salts will also be new to you and may prove useful - they hit more like a cigarette and so you just take a few Vapes and put it away. You don't need to vape for several minutes as with traditional "freebase" nicotine.

I've actually been considering grabbing a little low power device like the Aspire Breeze to use with Nic Salts for those situations where I want to get my fix quickly.

On that note, something like the Aspire Breeze (not an endorsement) is about what you can expect from vape "pens" nowadays.

 

[Bworms1980]

Also forgot to mention, I'm on a fixed income, so I only have about $60 to spend on a setup right now. Was really checking out the Pico, but between the mod itself or the kit with Melo tank, at least two 18650 batteries and a charger, I won't have anything left to get juice for the next month or to try the Nautilus tank. So will probably have to get the istick TC40w by default.

 

[Bworms1980]

Yes, I'm up for learning more. As I said, I don't understand them, even after I've read countless articles. And every time I go to order either cartomizers or clearo tanks, I still have to search up ohms to try to figure out what my istick 20w can handle. I only pay attention to the volts because thats what my Vision Spinner was marked with and I don't understand the watts side of things.

@Bworms1980 are you open to simple explanations of VW gear? Most of the "basic" stuff out there is advanced compared to 4 years ago. I promise it's not much more difficult than "up for hot, down for cool", but it does mean you need to have a rudimentary understanding of WHAT your gear is.

VW settings, as an example, are just a fancy way to tune your vape based on the resistance of your coil. Still an up/down choice in reality.

 

[Bworms1980]

Just finished looking at some of the pod info and products. Would have been eager to try them a few months ago, but still having bad flashbacks of the Joyetech AIO. Bad taste and it gets way to hot. It's on my desk staring at me, and I'm still trying to find someone to pawn it off to.

I so know nothing about pods, but have heard some good things recently about the Penguin, but also some issues? That's about all I got. Though, at Bworms1980, that would be a good forum for you to check out for some recommendations.

There are also some more heavy duty all-in-ones nowadays, but again, I haven't had much experience with them. Good luck.

Anna

 

[VictorViper]

Yes, I'm up for learning more. As I said, I don't understand them, even after I've read countless articles. And every time I go to order either cartomizers or clearo tanks, I still have to search up ohms to try to figure out what my istick 20w can handle. I only pay attention to the volts because thats what my Vision Spinner was marked with and I don't understand the watts side of things.

Honestly, you can get by with just a rudimentary understanding of this stuff. For what you intend, that knowledge will only really matter when it comes time to buying new coils (to ensure you get the right ones).

It's a double-edged sword sometimes. The simple stuff tends to come with challenging troubleshooting - tanks can be finicky buggers when they don't just work, as an example. The stuff you NEED to know will be the usual things associated with refilling once you pop a new coil in. None of that stuff is new and is thankfully well documented everywhere.

Wattage settings are almost literally no different than voltage from a practical usage standpoint - when you change your voltage on the spinner, you are actually adjusting wattage as well, but nothing reads and displays that information.

Your main point of focus should always be your topper. That's what will determine your draw, flavour and vapour production. Picking one that suits your style (mouth to lung from the sounds of it) and has easily sourced replacement coils is ultimately the most important part of your shopping list. It's also the most personal choice.

Pick a mod that looks nice to you and has a form factor you enjoy. That's the easy part. Any complexity with the device itself can easily be ignored, I promise.

 

[stols001]

A lot of folks really like the Melo III tank so if that's the setup that is calling to you, you could certainly wait and get the Nautilus 2 next month. You may find that you are perfectly satisfied with the Melo tank in any case... When/if you get started with that setup-- post before you use it, and I'm sure members who have one or have had one will be happy to help you trouble shoot. Same thing on any other setup...

We're also gonna need to know what type of VG/PG mix, and etc., to help you get the most out of your vape and avoid dry hits, coil flooding, and etc.

Anna

 

[Bworms1980]

What's a topper?

Honestly, you can get by with just a rudimentary understanding of this stuff. For what you intend, that knowledge will only really matter when it comes time to buying new coils (to ensure you get the right ones).

It's a double-edged sword sometimes. The simple stuff tends to come with challenging troubleshooting - tanks can be finicky buggers when they don't just work, as an example. The stuff you NEED to know will be the usual things associated with refilling once you pop a new coil in. None of that stuff is new and is thankfully well documented everywhere.

Wattage settings are almost literally no different than voltage from a practical usage standpoint - when you change your voltage on the spinner, you are actually adjusting wattage as well, but nothing reads and displays that information.

Your main point of focus should always be your topper. That's what will determine your draw, flavour and vapour production. Picking one that suits your style (mouth to lung from the sounds of it) and has easily sourced replacement coils is ultimately the most important part of your shopping list. It's also the most personal choice.

Pick a mod that looks nice to you and has a form factor you enjoy. That's the easy part. Any complexity with the device itself can easily be ignored, I promise.

 

[VictorViper]

LOL - your atomizer. Tank/dripper etc.

 

[Bworms1980]

I don't know anything about the Melo tank, its just that all the Pico kits seem to come with it. As for my juice. I have an allergic reaction to VG, which I discovered when I tried a recommended max vg juice. So the majority of my menthol juices are 100pg but I also have a few 50/50 juices. Which is another problem for me. I bought the Kangertech Genitank Mega and it wasn't wicking well with a 50/50 mix. Had the same issue with other tanks as well with that same percentage. So I've just been trying to stick to 100%PG menthol.

A lot of folks really like the Melo III tank so if that's the setup that is calling to you, you could certainly wait and get the Nautilus 2 next month. You may find that you are perfectly satisfied with the Melo tank in any case... When/if you get started with that setup-- post before you use it, and I'm sure members who have one or have had one will be happy to help you trouble shoot. Same thing on any other setup...

We're also gonna need to know what type of VG/PG mix, and etc., to help you get the most out of your vape and avoid dry hits, coil flooding, and etc.

Anna

 

[Bworms1980]

LOL - your atomizer. Tank/dripper etc.

Lol. Also, I am a mouth to lung vaper. The only time I try direct lung hits is when I can't get a good hit from a tank. I take a puff and even with all the vapor, I don't get a good hit. That's another fight I have with tanks. And even some of my cartos. It vapes well, then minutes or hours later, i can't get little vapor and very little throat hit, don't know what i'm doing wrong.

 

[VictorViper]

That'll be for other folks to help you sort out. I ditched tanks long ago out of frustration and I never found a carto that worked well for long.

Flip side of the simplicity coin is moving to drippers, but I can't recommend that path for you based on your goals.

 

[gofishtx]

Thank you all for the suggestions and help. I'm looking at the Pico and like what i've read, but the mods that come with an internal battery seem easier for me. I had one of those telescope/flashlight looking mods before but I'm a disorganized person blessed with a terrible memory. So I ended up running all over the house trying to find my extra batteries and charger.

Since then I've only used a Vision Spinner (stopped working after a few months), a few ego's, before moving onto an itaste mvp 2, and now i have eleaf 20w, but need to replace it since the threads are so stripped that the bending adapter I bought also doesn't screw in.

So I'm really eyeing the eleaf tc40w that was mentioned above, but I keep going back to the Pico, really like the looks of it. At this point I may need to flip a coin.

With so many recs on it, I'll definitely get the Nautilus 2. Really do want to get a tank that works for me.

You can charge the Pico thru the USB port. I just set my cousin up with a Pico as her starter kit and she loves it. A Nautilus tank should be just the right tank for you. I think that would make you a nice set-up.
If you choose to use the Mello Tank that is included there are 2 coils, one is .5 and one is .3. Either of these start at 25 watts and up the wattage until you find where it vapes the best. don't forget to prime your coils with a few drops before filling your tank

 

[gofishtx]

Also forgot to mention, I'm on a fixed income, so I only have about $60 to spend on a setup right now. Was really checking out the Pico, but between the mod itself or the kit with Melo tank, at least two 18650 batteries and a charger, I won't have anything left to get juice for the next month or to try the Nautilus tank. So will probably have to get the istick TC40w by default.

I bought the dual Pico, 2 batteries and some cotton from Vaporbeast $39. Charge thru the USB for a bit and add on some Juice. With free shipping you will be well within your budget.

 

[Eskie]

You can get a Pico (no Melo tank) for $25 at Element Vape (good vendor) Eleaf iStick Pico 75W TC Box Mod - JayBo Designs

Samsung 25R (excellent, recommended by among several other batteries by battery expert Mooch) for $5 from IMR (excellent battery vendor) Samsung 25R 18650 2500mAh 20A Flat Top Battery

Charge by USB for now, add a decent $10 Nitecore charger down the road.

Aspire Nautilus 2 $19.99 VapeNW Aspire Nautilus 2 $19.99

That's all just from a quick bounce around. If you don't mind waiting a bit on delvery you can use Fattech/Heavensgifts/3Vape for Chinese sites that will be a bit cheaper but only if you're patient on waiting for delivery. HOWEVER, don't order batteries from overseas (real customs headaches on Li batteries by international mail) or from places like eBay, you're far more likely to get a counterfeit that's more expensive than an authentic). There is a battery section on here if you want to review that, and I'll put up a list of recommended batteries, but really, any of the 18650s will be fine for you (although you don't need anything over 20A so no sense getting higher and having less runtime).

Then next month an extra battery, a charger, and your ongoing expense will be coils and juice. I've used evape.us for Nauti coils, ship from FL and they're reliable and $8.95 for a 5 pack. Electronic Cigarette - Best Electronic Cigarette - Vapor Cigarette Aspire Nautilus BVC Coils (Pack of 5) at www.evape.us

Oh, battery list for the future if you want to get all technical

 

[gofishtx]

I bought the dual Pico, 2 batteries and some cotton from Vaporbeast. Charge thru the USB for a bit and add on some Juice. With free shipping you will be well within your budget.

I should note this was all just over $35 and since you don't need the cotton..........