Back on the Vape

[Kristian]

I have been using ecigs for 2 and a half years, on and off. I have used them in conjunction with regular cigarettes for most of that time. This is officially the third attempt at getting off analogs for real. I haven't bought a pack in 2 weeks. I have bummed an analog here and there, but none for the past few days. For health reasons, I really need this to work this time.

I am mostly using a brand new screwdriver mk2 with a LR ego-t 510 atty. The battery on the screwdriver seems to run down after a couple of hours and I have to switch it out for the one on the charger. I bought this thing with the thought that the battery would perform better than the ego batteries and last longer than a couple hours. I got the ego-t stuff because I spend about 8 hours or more a day driving around for my job. I'm going through at least 3 of these "tanks" a day. I have several ego batteries. With a fresh charge, the ego batteries perform at about the level of the screwdriver with a weakened battery, that is to say, poorly.

I have ordered one of these SmokTank XL - Dual Coil Cartomizer Tank - New tank design for 510 PV's! 6ml 1.5ohm with a couple extra atomizers, and some of these 510 Ego Mega Dual Coil Cartomizer - 1.6 ohm, 4.5ml, - Black w/tip
Then I ordered a few of these for dripping when I am sitting at my computer or watching movies or whatever https://www.theecig.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=306 Atomizers 1.5 Ohm . I'm still waiting for all this stuff to show up.

Now I'm starting to think this screwdriver isn't up for the job. I might have to get a variable volt mod. I'm thinking about just spending the money on a Provari and accepting the fact that I will be getting a divorce for spending more money on myself than my kids for Christmas this year.

Anyway, the only reason I am posting this is because I had some really good info for someone in another section of this forum and I wasn't allowed to post there because I didn't have enough posts on this site to post anywhere but in this section. So, if the person who posted a question about replacing the tubes on tanks is reading this, McMaster-Carr.com is the way to go if you are looking to fabricate things from scratch. That is where I would look for materials to replace the polycarbonate tubes in tank mods.

 

[Kanewalker]

Hi Kristian

Glad to see that you are back vaping it's definitely the way to go, hopefully it sticks this time! I just wanted to say that I just recently got a Provari and this thing is amazing!!!! In no way would I ever condone putting yourself in a position that could potentially leave you divorced but damn this Provari might be worth it! I love my Provari and I will probably never use anything else, unless of course they upgrade on the current model and then I will have no choice!!!!!

 

[Bootsand]

Variable voltage is certainly the way to go, so you can stop using specific rez atomizers... but there are other great devices that aren't the Provari!

Before you make the plunge, I would recommend researching variable wattage vs variable voltage. Bear in mind I'm a Darwin fanboy, but Evolv developing something called a Kick to add variable wattage to most 5V tube mods. Combine that with a 45.00 Maxi Roughstack from madvapes and you have a high end variable wattage mod for around 100 bucks (once the Kick is released)

If you can't wait, at least check out the Darwin before springing for a Provari. Both incredible PV's for around the same cost, but everyone has their favorite. I personally would not trade my variable wattage for anything, even the best variable voltage mod on the market.

 

[wv2win]

I agree with Bootsand's advice. The Provari is nice but based on what you are looking for, you should look at the Darwin. With a standard resistence atty or carto, you will get 21 - 35 hours on one charge. So there is no need to ever carry extra batteries, just charge it each night. With dual coil cartos, you will get about 13 hours on a charge. And this is for heavy vaping. Plus it doubles as a pass-through, so you can actually vape and charge at the same time. In addition, you can use dual coil cartos with the Darwin unlike most variable volt models.

I like the fact that the Darwin uses boost ciruit technology so there is no drop in performance as the battery drains. Excellent consistency. Plus it actually is variable wattage, not volts. And it comes with a full two year warranty at no extra charge.

Power regulated, variable wattage Darwin: Nhaler

Good Luck

 

[Kristian]

Bootsand,
I agree with the wattage vs voltage situation. Reading and regulating wattage makes way more sense. I just do not like the design of the Darwin. As I was researching this stuff, I thought I might try my hand at building a mod that allows you to adjust the output to the wattage but built in a package more like a tube mod. I used to build large Tesla Coils from scratch for fun, so this wouldn't be too much for me to take on from an engineering standpoint. I haven't had much time for hobby stuff since I started my own business last year. Maybe I'm in the wrong business.

 

[wv2win]

You would be surprised at how nicely the Darwin actually fits in your hand. It's not as big as it looks in pictures. Another advantage to the shape that most never consider is that it lays flat on the desk or table and won't roll off like all my tube PV's did. But it's real selling point is the performance.

 

[Kristian]

So would the consensus be that variable wattage would be preferable to variable voltage in a mod? This is what I would assume. It makes way more sense to look at it this way. Would tube mods be preferable to box mods? I think I would prefer a tube, personally. I don't know though, I have never used a box.

 

[Bootsand]

Kristian, you probably know loads more than me! You have a leg up on the game already. It makes me happy to hear that Most mods are build by, well... people like you actually lol so if you ever feel the desire to create something great, there will *always* be a market for it! A ton of people on this forum love supporting new creators/vendors of vaping goodness.

As for current products on the market, the only two variable wattage units that I know exist currently are the Darwin (ugly at first, I know, but feels amazing in the hand and for function over form people, its ideal) and the upcoming Kick that I only heard of a day or two ago. At least the Kick will be usable on various existing mods as well. Did you take a peek at the Maxi Roughstack at mapvapes.com? Imagine that with a Kick inside it... the function of a Darwin, with the portability of a small tube mod. Available in tons of colors

Oh, one last bit about the Darwin (sorry to gush, but I'm still in love with this thing) the inline charging similar to a cell phone is really convenient. If it were micro usb instead of mini usb, I'd be happier, though. Also, the thing is build like a tank. I think I could use it as a hammer for 2 years on a construction site and it would show very little wear... if the military were to make a PV, I'd venture a guess that it would be similar to this

 

[Kristian]

Due to the lack of availability of the Darwin, I went with the Provari. I would like to get a Darwin as well, but funds are depleted for the moment. If they are back in stock by mid to late February, I will be purchasing one.

I have also been looking into building my own mod. I like the idea of regulating power instead of voltage, but I really don't know how to do that yet. The one thing that is obviously the Achilles heal of the whole vaping experience is the atomizers. I have been looking into rebuildable atomizers and that would be something I definitely would want to have as an option in my ideal set up.

I really like what I have seen of the Zenesis and Katana. The Zenesis in particular is intriguing with the fact that it is all one piece and does not have any connections to deal with. I asked to be put on the list to get one of these on the next production run.

So I am currently looking to build a tube mod with regulated wattage, one piece/no threaded connections other than the battery access, built in tank, and a rebuildable atomizer. Pass thru USB charging would be a plus as well. I also have free access to a machine shop that is terribly outdated (dangerously old equipment) and a CNC guy that has access to equipment that was made more recently than the Eisenhower administration that might be able to help me out.

 

[holly123]

after reading what people have to say about vv mods ...makes me want one EVEN MORE lol