Cig-a-likes/pen vapes

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Orphiel

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May 21, 2017
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Hey everyone
Another question really about transitioning from smoking. I'm currently using a small box mod (Aspire N30), and getting the hang of the nicotine level and vaping experience on that, but I actually really miss the ease and smallness of a cigarette, like being able to hold it with a couple of fingers of one hand whilst drinking your tea with the same hand. I'm considering getting a back up vape anyway, because basically if this one breaks I'm 90% sure that I'll pick up a cig again, so want to remove the temptation. However, I've got a bunch of e-liquid, and would like to be able to use those in any new device, as well as needing to be able to vape higher vg in it, as I can basically taste pg in the back of my throat. (I know I can do 70% vg, unsure if 60% is ok, but have some on order, I know 50/50 is bad for me).
So really, my fantasy option would be a cig-a-like, but one with a refillable tank and enough power for 70/30 or 80/20 vg liquid. Does such a thing exist? I suspect not, so would also look at small pen vapes, if anyone has any recommendations. Bonus with the pen ones is that I could probably fit my existing tanks (nautilus 2) on some of them, I guess.

I'm based in the UK, and not looking to spend a lot, probably up to around £30. I am currently vaping around 16mg nicotine, using a 0.7 coil, and wattage is about 15-19. I know the cig-a-likes normally don't have variable, which is fine if it's cheap. Is there anything that would fit my needs? I was looking at the Jacvapour V3i starter kits, they have good reviews: V3i Starter Kits | JAC Vapour

Partly I don't want to spend too much because I think that once I get further into vaping and away from smoking I'll be less interested in the actual look and feel of the thing, so it doesn't have to be one that'll last for ever.

Cheers for any advice,
Orphiel
 

djsvapour

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Oct 2, 2012
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Do not buy V3i
End of story.

Yes, I have them. No, they are tragic.
This isn't 2012. Time to wake up and smell the coffee.

Besides, Kanger sell all that stuff (yes, exactly the same) for 33% of the price.

Find my review from 2012 and ask me if what I wrote stands up to scrutiny in 2017. The answer is - not even 10%.
Stop trusting reviews. Please. We are talking a different era of vape products.

If you 'google', feel free to use my username and the company name you are talking about and read the countless threads on these products and this brand.
It won't make for good reading, but then again, only a few days ago you were contemplating spending 2 grand a year on pod mods. This will be cheaper but worse and you will regret it....
 
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D4rk50ul

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Haha, I appreciate the honesty! I did have a quick search for forum threads but didn't come up with anything, but I'm out of practice with forums. Do you think there's any of the smaller type vape stuff worth getting then, or is it all out of date and that?

I've owned a ton of stuff over the past 7-10 years ranging from show pieces to crazy cloud chasing setups. I still have some 801 batteries and carts I modded to be able to refill around for when I just want to throw it in my pocket for going out.

Things you will sacrifice for cig-a-likes:

Battery life (1 hour for me per charge)
Capacity (carts hold very little juice)
Vapor production (its there but you won't be ninja vanishing in it)
Throat hit (nope)

They do have decent flavor depending on the setup, are small and easy to carry, and if you don't rely on them as a heavy vaper they could have a place in your collection.
 

Sludge Van Diesel

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Sep 24, 2009
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I was using these Electronic Cigarette by ePuffer | MAGNUM SNAPS E-PACK STARTER Kit until my van got broken into & all the batteries along with the PCC & 3 of my e-pipes got stolen.

I'd say they were the best cigalike available in the UK since Joyetech stopped making the eRoll. (& trust me we looked at everything in the cigalike market as a replacement). If they hadn't been nicked, I'd still be using them for at work or driving (I'm now 100% e-pipe).
 
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djsvapour

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Oct 2, 2012
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England and Wales
Haha, I appreciate the honesty! I did have a quick search for forum threads but didn't come up with anything, but I'm out of practice with forums. Do you think there's any of the smaller type vape stuff worth getting then, or is it all out of date and that?
There's loads. You can vape ultra cheap/basic eGo (pen) vapes all day long as far as I'm concerned.
Feel free. My only mission in life is to stop people buying over-priced brands and their BS products.
This hardware costs pennies... seriously... pennies. Why pay £50 for something you can source for under a tenner, maybe a fiver. You're still giving them profit. You could buy an eSmart from China for £4, maybe £3.
 

BrotherBob

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Dec 24, 2014
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To keep your costs down you want to concentrate/study on the atomizer part of the equation. RDA's are inexpensive and scalable. Battery and juice no problem, smallest internal battery that will do the job for the projected length of vape time and DIY your own juice.
You have to decide on:
Coil
An ID which allows a wick to refill at the pace of the vape and at the same time, permitting the wick to last as long as possible while being a diameter, as such, when inserted into the coil allow easy access.
Coil overall length as wrapped not to exceed the two post width.
Coil wire diameter (ga) should promote longevity when handled.
Material that promote's formation of coil & no taste.

Wick
Best fluid transfer characteristics.
Provides best taste possible.
Must not readily burn.
Allows easy insertion into into coil.

Ohms
High as possible which allows for rapid heating of coil but does not promote burning of wick.

Juice mixture
Highest in PG which allows minimum leaking/seeping.
Highest PG which promotes taste intensity.
Lowest PG which lessens TH.

Watts
Balance between cloud and taste.

Battery Milliamp Hour
The higher the mAh, the longer the battery will allow vaping (LiPo 2600 mAh typ. one power pac.)
 
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