Complete noob needs suggestions.

[TrikStari]

So, to begin with I'll tell yall a bit about myself. I'm, 26, and a chain smoker. I smoke about 2 packs a day if not more, and have been doing so for roughly 10 years now. I started out on Salem Black Label menthol's, moved to Newports, then to Marlboro red, and now I smoke Special Blend Golds 100's. The reason I am telling you all this is to help you understand my level of nicotine intake, and my needs as a smoker.

My ultimate goal here is to quit smoking real cigs, I just can't stand the way it makes my lungs feel anymore, and can't stand all the dust clogging up my computer.

I am hoping that all of you can suggest to me a good first vape to start off with. I'm not sure exactly what I want or need, but I would prefer something that will satiate my need to puff frequently, but also last a good long while between needing to be serviced.

For me, the act of smoking isn't just about the nicotine, it's the whole experience, the cloud of smoke, the act of puffing every now and again, and I just need something that satisfies that ADHD induced craving to constantly be doing something with my hands, even while I'm doing other things.

From what I've learned from talking to other vapers, I think I may want a rebuildable, simply because they sound cheaper to maintain, but I'm not 100% sure on that. So can anyone give me some recommendations on what they think I need or should purchase? My total price limit is $175.

 

[RamShot Rowdy]

Since you're a pretty heavy smoker, I'd skip the cig-a-like and ego style devices and go straight to an entry level variable voltage/wattage mod. The eLeaf iStick 30 Watt would probably be a good option.

As far as tanks, I'd get at least one tank with premade coil heads, since you're new. Something like an Aspire Nautilus with BVC coils should work. If you want to get a rebuildable to start learning on, I'd suggest the eLeaf Lemo.

You should be able to get all that for under $150.00.

 

[TrikStari]

Since you're a pretty heavy smoker, I'd skip the cig-a-like and ego style devices and go straight to an entry level variable voltage/wattage mod. The eLeaf iStick 30 Watt would probably be a good option.

As far as tanks, I'd get at least one tank with premade coil heads, since you're new. Something like an Aspire Nautilus with BVC coils should work. If you want to get a rebuildable to start learning on, I'd suggest the eLeaf Lemo.

You should be able to get all that for under $150.00.

If it comes with premade coil heads, are they replaceable or no? There's so much lingo to learn lol

 

[DingerCPA]

Welcome TrikStari

Yes, the BVCs are replaceable. Might check evape.us for decent pricing on the Nautilus (if that's the tank you shoot for) coils. There are two types of Aspire BVCs - read carefully.

I have a couple of them, and they're pretty nice. I prefer the Mini for the size. The full-sized Nautiluses seem like I have to vape them forever to drain the juice

 

[edyle]

So, to begin with I'll tell yall a bit about myself. I'm, 26, and a chain smoker. I smoke about 2 packs a day if not more, and have been doing so for roughly 10 years now. I started out on Salem Black Label menthol's, moved to Newports, then to Marlboro red, and now I smoke Special Blend Golds 100's. The reason I am telling you all this is to help you understand my level of nicotine intake, and my needs as a smoker.

My ultimate goal here is to quit smoking real cigs, I just can't stand the way it makes my lungs feel anymore, and can't stand all the dust clogging up my computer.

I am hoping that all of you can suggest to me a good first vape to start off with. I'm not sure exactly what I want or need, but I would prefer something that will satiate my need to puff frequently, but also last a good long while between needing to be serviced.

For me, the act of smoking isn't just about the nicotine, it's the whole experience, the cloud of smoke, the act of puffing every now and again, and I just need something that satisfies that ADHD induced craving to constantly be doing something with my hands, even while I'm doing other things.

From what I've learned from talking to other vapers, I think I may want a rebuildable, simply because they sound cheaper to maintain, but I'm not 100% sure on that. So can anyone give me some recommendations on what they think I need or should purchase? My total price limit is $175.

Whatever else you might end up getting, get yourself a simple rda; I like the veritas; but you're likely to find a common 3 post rda in a vape store like an igo, tobh, sillaire, helios, smok; there's tons of rda's. It will def give you something to do with your hands )
And get a roll of 30 gauge kanthal to use for wrapping your own coil.
You can use cotton for wick.
You tube has lots of videos on vape stuff; check out pbusardo and riptripper channels.

A common starter kit these days is the eleaf istick and the aspire nautilus.
The new tank from aspire is the atlantis; the new tank from kanger is the subtank; the subtank comes with an optional rba head so you can recoil that head instead of buying replacement heads; the replacement heads seem to be easy to rebuild also. It's also being said that the subtank mini is a better design than the first subtank.

 

[wheelie]

Darn good advice from RamShot Rowdy. MVP20 and MVP30 watt is an option as well. I was also a two pack a day smoker for 42 years. The eGo's just help me cut back and the MVP is what got me off smoking totally. Only other thing I can say is welcome to the forum.

 

[Sir2fyablyNutz]

Hi Trik and welcome to the forum. I would suggest the eleaf 50W, ($50 online) due to the fact it has an all day battery (4400mah) , and in the future it would be an easy transition to sub ohm coil building. For tanks I really like my Aspire Nautilus Mini's (Kanger makes a nice Aero tank too, -- strongly suggesting a tank with an adjustable air flow.) I'd suggest buying two tanks (20 to 30 each online), get a pack of 5 premade coils ($15 online) (Nautilus comes with 1 extra coil to start.) Then you have the juice quest. Go to a local vape shop and look at the equipment, sample all the flavors to find one or three you like, (I use different tanks to switch flavors) and then come back to the forum and ask for advice (2nd opinion). I'd just guess you'd start with at least a 24 in the nic level. If you find you are lower, you can always dilute teh juice with a lower strenght of the same flavor, or with PG you can buy at Walmart or a drug store for $4. Good luck, the juice quest is my most frustrating part. Get the right nic level and you won't want a cig again.

 

[RamShot Rowdy]

Yes, the Nautilus will come with a couple of coils, and you can buy replacements for $2-$4/each. You simply unscrew the old coil head, screw in the new one, put a few drops of liquid onto the coil, fill up your tank and vape. Coils last anywhere from 3 days to a week or more for most people. Just make sure you get BVC coils for the Nautilus/Nautilus Mini tanks.

The Lemo is rebuildable, meaning you have to wind and install your own coil and wicking material. You will need wire (typically Kanthal A1) and wicking material (typically organic cotton) to set it up. The Lemo will usually come with a coil and wicking in them, so you can use it right away. I would suggest you check YouTube for basic coil building and specifically ones about the Lemo.

 

[SunshinePete]

TrikStari starts with a fine appreciation of the addictive demon he's about to wrestle and that can only be a good thing. Smoking has a wide range of compulsive elements, no way is it a simple addiction to nicotine, and I think facing it with eyes wide open is a great approach. I could add nothing useful to the equipment advice above, and in any case I'm sure it's more about being a strong person than it is about hardware. Every cigarette not smoked is a battle won, and a few minor skirmishes conceded are nothing in the grand scheme of things, so don't beat yourself up if you have some weak moments. Hope you get to enjoy vaping.

 

[djsvapour]

Welcome.

$175 ought to be enough for a mod and a rebuildable tank/atomizer.

Just be careful where you buy. There a e-cig companies out there happy to take $200 off you for a $40 "pen" style device.

If I came home to find all my hardware gone (stolen/thrown out/lost) I'd probably buy a 30 or 50 watt iStick and a Lemo or Mini Subtank (OCC).

 

[troutspinner]

I dabbled with e-cig type devices for a few years, what finally made me transition recently was using a sub-ohm so Ramshot Rowdy's advice is perfect. Personally, I went with the Aspire CF Sub Ohm and the Atlantis Tank, $85 at a local Vape Shop.

I didn't want to get into re-buildables so I went this route as I felt it was less maintenance. When the coil starts getting nasty or less productive, I take it out and screw in a new one and I am off to enjoying again, depending where you buy, about $3.50 - $4.00 per coil so consider that as part of the costs if you are wanting to track costs. I do clean the coils and they perform close to new but you just can't beat a fresh new coil.

Since you smoke 2 packs a day, a larger battery sounds like it could be in order, or at least have an additional battery on hand if you do not have convenient access for charging throughout the day. I would also suggest trying 18 to 24 mg nic with the amount you smoke. Try 18 first, if it doesn't keep the itch at bay then go up until you figure out your level.

Good luck!

 

[Vinylpimp]

Welcome brother, cigalike is the first step, then aspire nautilus mini, im on rdas now, so far theyre sarisfying me. I would say start with nautilus and with high nicotine lvl juices, like a 24mg, also theres really good cig flavor juices out there to start switching.

 

[HuckTwain]

I'd second the iStick 30w. I had the 20w iStick and loved it, until the threads stripped (which apparently is a common issue). The new 30w iStick now has stainless steel threads and doesn't have this problem. It's a nice option because it's relatively inexpensive, it's portable, has a long battery life, and it charges via a USB cable.

For a tank I would get the Nautilus Mini. You might need to fill it a little more frequently because of its smaller size, but all of the other larger tanks look ridiculous on the iStick. Plus, you'll be trying tons of different flavors at first and will probably be wanting to refill quite frequently. It will keep it nice and lightweight.

If you like the vaping, keep the 30w iStick as a portable/mobile option and move up to something bigger.

 

[Blitzz]

I would recommend a tank over an rda because you are probably use to smoking while your out and about and a tank is easier to use. I found that the more effect I had to put into quitting the less chance of success. You'll want something that is easy to use, fill, carry around etc.

 

[Bunnykiller]

you asked ... I'll answer.... price hmmm
Fasttech.com
What... Itaste SVD ( reliable tuff well made affordable 37$usd)
rebuildable? Flavor or clouds? Flavor... Aqua V2... Clouds RSST
batteries ...ummm VTC4 or VTC5 charger... Intellicharger 2 bay
juice...Heathers Heavenly Vapes

yes there are more powerful mods and bigger atties... but you need to figure out what your preferances are.... so much to choose from so much to buy...
since you mentioned 175$ as a top price for your "investment" into vaping dont bother looking at sites like Vaperev.com... unless you can up your budget by 400$...

 

[TrikStari]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I think my best bet is going to be to go to my local vape shop and try some things out. I'll admit I do want something fancy looking (the more glowy the better lol).

One big concern I have with that however has been that I have a firm belief that salesmen will tell you what you want to hear, or try to get you to spend more money than you should. The other big concern being all the lingo thrown around. I've watched some video's on youtube about coil making, which to me seems rather easy, but then again the people doing it have more experience with it so they make it look easy.

I'm sure I will visit the store, but I plan on coming back online to confer with all of you before making a purchase.

 

[tj99959]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I think my best bet is going to be to go to my local vape shop and try some things out. I'll admit I do want something fancy looking (the more glowy the better lol).

One big concern I have with that however has been that I have a firm belief that salesmen will tell you what you want to hear, or try to get you to spend more money than you should. The other big concern being all the lingo thrown around. I've watched some video's on youtube about coil making, which to me seems rather easy, but then again the people doing it have more experience with it so they make it look easy.

I'm sure I will visit the store, but I plan on coming back online to confer with all of you before making a purchase.

Funny thing about those videos, the coils always look about 5 times larger than they actually are.

If you go to a B&M, do yourself a favor and tell the guys that you want to learn how to walk before you try to fly.

 

[Frenchfry1942]

When I was researching to switch to vaping, I realized I would have more up-front costs. At 3 cartons a month. I was willing to spend the $170 for two complete set-ups. A complete spare is good.

Hope helps

 

[troutspinner]

One big concern I have with that however has been that I have a firm belief that salesmen will tell you what you want to hear, or try to get you to spend more money than you should.

Be an educated consumer. Find reviews for local shops and pick one with a good reputation. While we all like to get a good deal, don't be too concerned by paying a little more locally, the benefits you are going to receive are priceless.

 

[SirEvelynTremble]

I've got a Vapros nunchaku 6-18W and a Vapros Vision Stylish 3.3-4.8V batteries, and two Aeotank V2's (i liked my first one so bought another)

I don't have any probs with these and I make DIY juices. I vape for nicotine & flavour, not for clouds, so I use only 100% PG mixes (thin clouds, more throat hit, more flavour, doesn't gum up the tank)

I use dual coil 1.5 or 1.8 ohms (ie powering 3.0 or 3.6 ohm coils in series), which produces more smoke and flavour. I haven't got a clue about high power batteries, self-builds and sub-ohm stuff but i DO know that Dr Farsalinos, the leading pro-vape scientist in the world, advises vaping no higher than 10W really, as the hot coils produces formaldehyde at much higher wattage than 11W I

I do it for health, not for how 'cool' it looks blowing out huge clouds. But there again I'm 44 so not interested in trying to be James Dean with a cigarette either