A realization... for old hands and n00bs alike

[State O' Flux]

Having insomnia, I read quite a bit... when all y'all are sleepin'.

I've read a lot of threads in the sub-forums where the OP is, for lack of a better description, lost. They've been vaping for 5 minutes, listened to some "vapin' pros", went out and bought mech mods, RD and RBAs... and they don't have the first clue as to basic electrical theory, the concept of wicks, coils, resistance and finding a "balance" to achieve vaping nirvana.

So, what's going on here? Is it folks who do understand "how things work" not realizing (or perhaps caring) that they're talking to folks who still don't get "rightly-tighty, lefty-loosey"... let alone are capable of building a safe and functional RDA?

Perhaps it's new vapors who can blow just enough smoke up the gentle reader's ... to make everyone think they know of what they speak, and therefor are holy enough to receive the vaping gospel... according to Saint Sub-Ohm? (Saint Sub-Ohm is now copyrighted, so no, you can't use it as a user name without expressed permission... and cash ;-) )

Seriously I'm not going to name names... but threads that start out something like this...

"Hi, I've bought a Dripmaster clone and a Siglee(sp) and some kinda batteries I dug out of an old laptop. I have some cotton balls and some wire I stripped from out of aunt May's toaster (may she rest in peace)... and I'm ready to start makin' clouds! So, ah... what is an ohm anyway?"

... are just far too common. An exaggeration, yes, but also a composite of a few real threads.

Who in the hell lead this guy or gal down this road, and why did this guy or gal get the idea that they could drive on this road in the first place?

OK... all done with my sub-rant. I'm the first to admit that I frequently don't pick up on the more sly threads... they have to be pretty obvious before I'll back up, say whatinthehell?... and question the OPs sanity.

So, is it just me? Comments... verbal beatings, silent contempt?

 

[Talyon]

Cute, but I've noticed that most noobs come in say Hi, ask about a starter kit they either bought or are considering, and usually get the right info they seek......

Hard to stop the RBA sub ohm etc or the Provari crowd chiming in. ( yes I'm buying a Provari soon lol)

Freewill in a Freeworld, until u open a Cart at a Vape site. Hehe!

 

[ScandaLeX]

Cute, but I've noticed that most noobs come in say Hi, ask about a starter kit they either bought or are considering, and usually get the right info they seek......

Hard to stop the RBA sub ohm etc or the Provari crowd chiming in. ( yes I'm buying a Provari soon lol)

Freewill in a Freeworld, until u open a Cart at a Vape site. Hehe!

And this right there says a lot.

BTW, @State O' Flux your post was funny as hell but it doesn't just happen like this here.
Many forum members seem to forget they too had to start off somewhere and sometimes hand holding was necessary until they felt confident to walk on their own.

More times than not, simple starter questions are often met with simple starter answers until some genius bust upon the scene and puts the idea in a newbies head that the simple way is not the way they should go.

Once the seeds been planted the newbie then immediately hits up youtube and gets taken in by the huge clouds of vapor and wants to be able to do it too.

 

[skyztheLynnit]

So, what's going on here? Is it folks who do understand "how things work" not realizing (or perhaps caring) that they're talking to folks who still don't get "rightly-tighty, lefty-loosey"... let alone are capable of building a safe and functional RDA?

You must have missed the threads here about the frustration of the vaping veterans trying to help these lost people.

Sometimes, people only hear what they want to hear. Yet, many people attempt to offer sound advice anyway. I care insofar as i don't want a few bad apples giving vaping a bad name. New rule: only smart adults are allowed to vape.

You can't save people from themselves if their mind is made up.

I read those idiot threads with an expression like this:

 

[tj99959]

There's always something new going on, and everyone with two days under their belt is bound to try it. Probably only about -10% of experienced vapors will. That's just the way the world churns.

When I started almost every other thread on ecf was about how to clean/use an eGo-T atomizer. So of course I had to have one, even tho' the experienced vapors were saying they were a POS.

What I see these days is most of the long term vapors won't even respond to a sub ohm thread simply because their response would be negative.

I tend to look at sub ohm from an efficiency point of view. That huge cloud = a lot of wasted juice, and unless you DiY, juice is the most expensive product we use. You will, by far, spend more for juice in a year than you will spend for a PV. So why waste it with a huge cloud that makes everyone around you just want you to leave.

 

[Kirkwood]

I was exited about getting a "Legal Vape 4000" until I realized PBusardo' video was just a skit he did.

 

[soba1]

Well I for one still consider myself a newb. If I do decide to go the mech route. I do have a friend who is majoring in electronics.
He is where I would go for hands on help. The one main reason I would get a mech is the do look really nice

 

[cyberwolf]

I see a lot of "I'm lost" threads, too, but perhaps even more of them advising new users to skip the intermediate steps and go all out. I think that's where they get into trouble. This forum covers everything from newb to veteran to hobbyist, though, so the responses are bound to be all over the place.

 

[Krazirob]

i cant say that i havent seen newbies get suggested to go straight to the APVs. I know ive suggested a few times to newbies that getting an EGO setup will be their next step from disposables and cig alike setups.......but once i see it im sure i would chime in.....LOL

 

[retired1]

Part of the problem is the Internet itself. Any dweeb with a webcam can make an "oh so awesome!" video of themselves doing things that really shouldn't be done. Unfortunately, there are many who look at YouTube as a definitive source of factual information. Just like those who will whip out a Wikipedia link to bolster a scientific argument.

As for ECF, there are definitely some who should go back and retake Reading Comprehension 101.

 

[Elantis]

I am not a "pro" by any means, just crossed my one year smoke free, and became a ECF Veteran the very next day.

I too find numerous frustrations entering into any type of advice threads for new members. It seems no matter what my advice is - there seems to be three or four other recent members (less than a month into vaping by admission) who seem to have more knowledge and better input than I.

I only know that I took the "slow" road, and as the op stated read, read, read until the early hours of the morning. I tended to stay with the cigalikes longer than most, and even the eGo types until I was about six months into vaping. I really don't recall asking many questions, nor starting new threads, but searched for the answers from members who struck me as knowledgeable and experienced. Many have blogs that are very detailed with links to many helpful threads regarding battery safety, building coils, etc. and I still refer those new people to those blogs at times.

But again, human nature takes over, and those that want to "jump in blindly" will continue to do so...my only concern is the harm done doesn't outweigh the "harm reduction."

 

[the_vape_nerd]

err there are also tons of us telling noobs to slow down and take it easy

there are also a bunch of us who are capable of building sub ohm coils but who choose not to

people get to choose their road so i think all advice is good advice, let the individual make their choices

 

[bikerbeagle]

In every walk of life, you are always going to find a certain number of people who *think* they are on the right side of the bell curve ...when, in fact, they are on the left.

 

[SirSteve]

Having insomnia, I read quite a bit... when all y'all are sleepin'.

I've read a lot of threads in the sub-forums where the OP is, for lack of a better description, lost. They've been vaping for 5 minutes, listened to some "vapin' pros", went out and bought mech mods, RD and RBAs... and they don't have the first clue as to basic electrical theory, the concept of wicks, coils, resistance and finding a "balance" to achieve vaping nirvana.

So, what's going on here? Is it folks who do understand "how things work" not realizing (or perhaps caring) that they're talking to folks who still don't get "rightly-tighty, lefty-loosey"... let alone are capable of building a safe and functional RDA?

Perhaps it's new vapors who can blow just enough smoke up the gentle reader's ... to make everyone think they know of what they speak, and therefor are holy enough to receive the vaping gospel... according to Saint Sub-Ohm? (Saint Sub-Ohm is now copyrighted, so no, you can't use it as a user name without expressed permission... and cash ;-) )

Seriously I'm not going to name names... but threads that start out something like this...

"Hi, I've bought a Dripmaster clone and a Siglee(sp) and some kinda batteries I dug out of an old laptop. I have some cotton balls and some wire I stripped from out of aunt May's toaster (may she rest in peace)... and I'm ready to start makin' clouds! So, ah... what is an ohm anyway?"

... are just far too common. An exaggeration, yes, but also a composite of a few real threads.

Who in the hell lead this guy or gal down this road, and why did this guy or gal get the idea that they could drive on this road in the first place?

OK... all done with my sub-rant. I'm the first to admit that I frequently don't pick up on the more sly threads... they have to be pretty obvious before I'll back up, say whatinthehell?... and question the OPs sanity.

So, is it just me? Comments... verbal beatings, silent contempt?

I have been in threads where the OP is using cigalikes and wants to move up, sometimes it is painfully obvious that they don't know anything about VV/VW and ohms law. They often have something in mind like Spinner/Twist, Vamo or a price range that that leaves out the higher priced things. You can bet someone with a month under their belt will chime in and recommend a Mechanical and a rebuildable. Of course often times someone will chime in with the Provari.

I have a Mech and four rebuildables, and I also have a Provari on the way. So nothing against these devices, but it just seems outright ridiculous to recommend either one to someone who doesn't want one, can't afford one, or just doesn't have the knowledge necessary to use something safely.

Of course you also have new people who want to bypass the learning experience altogether and grab some trustfires and build sub ohms, while charging batteries on a unbranded cheap charger that no one seems know who makes or what it is rated at. Some of these people are beyond reach, sad, but they are more worried about looking cool than they are about learning how to use things safely.

 

[XeniaMike]

Yea, I tried an RSST tank after reading "Gee, it's so easy I wrap coils while watching TV." NOT! After nearly wrecking my regulated APV on the assurance it would fire sub-ohm (It was about .8), I decided it wasn't for me, at least not yet.

 

[tj99959]

Yea, I tried an RSST tank after reading "Gee, it's so easy I wrap coils while watching TV." NOT! After nearly wrecking my regulated APV on the assurance it would fire sub-ohm (It was about .8), I decided it wasn't for me, at least not yet.

But you had to try it, didn't ya and that's kinda the point of this thread.

What I worry most about is while knowledge is where it's at, a little knowledge can be very dangerous.

 

[skyztheLynnit]

What I'd like to know.. is WHY? Is sub ohm really that much better than normal ranges? Does it produce more flavor? Yes i know it produces "massive clouds dude!"..
other than more vapor.. and trying to appear cool..what is the appeal?

 

[tj99959]

What I'd like to know.. is WHY? Is sub ohm really that much better than normal ranges? Does it produce more flavor? Yes i know it produces "massive clouds dude!"..
other than more vapor.. and trying to appear cool..what is the appeal?

It's to subjective to really say. Just because something would taste really good to me doesn't mean that anyone else on the planet will like it. All I can say is that from my experience, sub ohm tasted different. (better or worse would only be in the eye of the beholder)

I chose the RDA that I use because it best replicates my normal LR dripping atomizer, which is the vape that I've always liked best. My RDA has a sub "2" ohm coil in it.

 

[fourtytwo]

What I'd like to know.. is WHY? Is sub ohm really that much better than normal ranges? Does it produce more flavor? Yes i know it produces "massive clouds dude!"..
other than more vapor.. and trying to appear cool..what is the appeal?

It's part of the culture we have promoted. Just look at the juice reviews from the most popular reviewers on Youtube.
We are told from the start that huge clouds are the sign of a good vape.
I like less vapour as long as the throat hit and taste is there. I like to point out that if I close my eyes, I can still taste and feel my vaping. I don't need to see it as well.

 

[fairmana]

@fourtytwo, fantastic point and I completely agree. Well said.