Converted a friend to vaping - what should he buy? Vamo, iTaste SVD, or...?

[Vwls]

Hi guys (and gals):
Hope everyone's doing well

I am looking for advice that takes me back to when I first started vaping, but with a slightly different angle.

A friend of mine started vaping (yay) and I am looking for the right equipment for him.

Here are his needs:
1) Doesn't want to wrap his own coils
2) Doesn't want to drip the liquid in every few minutes (needs something that lasts all day)
3) Wants a lot of vapor (not satisfied with the puny amount he's getting from a clearo and an eGo)
4) Wants something small that can fit in his pocket
5) Needs something fairly tough - something he can bring on the golf course/beat up a little
6) Under $100 (but preferably closer to $50)

OK so here is my thinking. A Provari Mini and a Protank (or other BCC - maybe the kind that has a metal casing over the glass for optimal protection) - with 1.5 ohm replacement coils would probably be ideal. Yes? Only Provari Mini costs too much.

So what battery mod can he rock in 18350 mode so it's small enough for a pocket but still packs a punch... And what topper that comes with pre-made coils and carries liquid in it for a full day's supply would produce the most vapor?

Or should he go with a mechanical? There are lots of them for cheap that run in 18350 size, but will they work well with the higher ohms required by premade coils/heads?

I let him take a hit from my mechanical and RDA with a .5 coil and cotton, and he loved it. But he says he's just not ready to deal with the minutia of rebuilding, which I get - I wasn't ready for it when I first started either.

I did think of referring him to a carto tank. All I'd have to do is teach him to prime the carto and fill the tank, and make sure to get him a lower ohm carto I guess... but I'm not sure you can ever actually get a good amount of vapor from a carto... Any thoughts?

Thanks for your advice

 

[ScottP]

Smoktech AROs hold like 4ml are metal covered glass, like a taller glass version of an EVOD. I use Kanger brand MT3S/T3S replacement heads for it. I use them on an iTaste SVD which is telescoping so can be used with any 18 series battery from the 18350 to the 18650. So he can make it whatever size he wants.

 

[Vwls]

Also a possible - mini-Zmax?

 

[Topacka]

Well, from his wants, it sounds like rebuildables and mechs are the answer, and obviously all the safety precautions that go along with it.

But then there's the whole, I want the best, with no effort and no maintenance, which just doesn't happen. In my personal opinion, cartos are the best middle ground, but then there's priming, and dead cartos, which take up as much time as wrapping a coil for a kayfun type system. He likes your rebuildable and will submit to the time requirement eventually, he's probably just still stuck on "I used to just buy a pack of smokes and that's it, I want vaping to be like that" and it can, it just sucks that way imho

 

[Vwls]

Smoktech AROs hold like 4ml are metal covered glass, like a taller glass version of an EVOD. I use Kanger brand MT3S/T3S replacement heads for it. I use them on an iTaste SVD which is telescoping so can be used with any 18 series battery from the 18350 to the 18650. So he can make it whatever size he wants.

So what resistance replacement heads do you put in them, and what voltage setting do you use on your SVD?

And the most important question - are you producing a good bit of vapor?

 

[AmandaD]

You mentioned a Provari mini - that's a great start - but use it with cartotanks (I like the ones from IB Tanked). He'll never have to worry about leaking or building coils, will get tons of vapor and flavor and will thank you However, that's not under $100, so you'll need a different battery setup to work with the cartotanks if he's set on that figure.

 

[Vwls]

Well, from his wants, it sounds like rebuildables and mechs are the answer, and obviously all the safety precautions that go along with it.

But then there's the whole, I want the best, with no effort and no maintenance, which just doesn't happen. In my personal opinion, cartos are the best middle ground, but then there's priming, and dead cartos, which take up as much time as wrapping a coil for a kayfun type system. He likes your rebuildable and will submit to the time requirement eventually, he's probably just still stuck on "I used to just buy a pack of smokes and that's it, I want vaping to be like that" and it can, it just sucks that way imho

Yeah I totally agree with you. I went through the Protank stage and the carto tank stage, always in search of more vapor. The day I finally gave in and started rebuilding, my whole world changed. Now I love rebuilding and can't remember why I was so afraid of it. But I think you're exactly right - smoking cigs is easy, and vaping takes a bit of effort and time... it's hard to turn that corner.

So maybe a Kayfun clone and a mechanical? Could definitely get that going for him for under $100, and I guess I could build his coils for him for a while...

 

[Vwls]

You mentioned a Provari mini - that's a great start - but use it with cartotanks (I like the ones from IB Tanked). He'll never have to worry about leaking or building coils, will get tons of vapor and flavor and will thank you However, that's not under $100, so you'll need a different battery setup to work with the cartotanks if he's set on that figure.

Well the Provari Mini is too expensive, so would have to replace that with an SVD, a Vamo or a Zmax Mini. But which one is best?

Agree with you that IBTanked makes great carto tanks, but I don't remember getting great vapor production out of my IBTanked. Also would that be tough enough for the golf course?

 

[sean5340]

Yeah I totally agree with you. I went through the Protank stage and the carto tank stage, always in search of more vapor. The day I finally gave in and started rebuilding, my whole world changed. Now I love rebuilding and can't remember why I was so afraid of it. But I think you're exactly right - smoking cigs is easy, and vaping takes a bit of effort and time... it's hard to turn that corner.

So maybe a Kayfun clone and a mechanical? Could definitely get that going for him for under $100, and I guess I could build his coils for him for a while...

Same for me. Now that I'm building I can't stop. I really enjoy tinkering with things.

 

[Topacka]

Yeah I totally agree with you. I went through the Protank stage and the carto tank stage, always in search of more vapor. The day I finally gave in and started rebuilding, my whole world changed. Now I love rebuilding and can't remember why I was so afraid of it. But I think you're exactly right - smoking cigs is easy, and vaping takes a bit of effort and time... it's hard to turn that corner.

So maybe a Kayfun clone and a mechanical? Could definitely get that going for him for under $100, and I guess I could build his coils for him for a while...

That's what I drifted to after my vision spinner carto tank phase. Not saying it's for everyone, but it's small, rugged, lasts all day, totally customizable, and will last virtually forever because you're not waiting for a chip to die.

 

[ScottP]

For some reason I can't reply with quote right now but I personally use coils in the 2.2 -2.5 range at 7 watts (the SVD is both VV and VW) but since it is capable you could use the 1.8 at a lower setting. As far as vapor, I don't look like a dragon, but I can get my living room kind of foggy in just a few min without a fan on.

 

[edyle]

Yeah I totally agree with you. I went through the Protank stage and the carto tank stage, always in search of more vapor. The day I finally gave in and started rebuilding, my whole world changed. Now I love rebuilding and can't remember why I was so afraid of it. But I think you're exactly right - smoking cigs is easy, and vaping takes a bit of effort and time... it's hard to turn that corner.

So maybe a Kayfun clone and a mechanical? Could definitely get that going for him for under $100, and I guess I could build his coils for him for a while...

If somebody got you a kayfun and a mech to START with, do YOU think YOU would have stopped smoking?

But you said he started vaping; so what is he using at the moment?

 

[TheReign]

Well the Provari Mini is too expensive, so would have to replace that with an SVD, a Vamo or a Zmax Mini. But which one is best?

Agree with you that IBTanked makes great carto tanks, but I don't remember getting great vapor production out of my IBTanked. Also would that be tough enough for the golf course?

I would go SVD, I've dropped mine a few times and my heart sank into my stomach, still works great. I've heard of people dropping a vamo and having it break from 2ft up.

If he wants something small maybe the MVP from Innokin would work the best size wise.

 

[Vwls]

If somebody got you a kayfun and a mech to START with, do YOU think YOU would have stopped smoking?

But you said he started vaping; so what is he using at the moment?

He's got an eGo battery with a clearo on it. It's a VV eGo - one I haven't seen before. (He doesn't like how long it is.)

As far as whether I would have stopped smoking with that setup - the answer is yes. But then, I was absolutely determined never to smoke again and I would have (and did) fought my way through anything to keep vaping. Not sure how resolute he is.

I just think something that produces more vapor and is easy is probably the answer for him at this juncture.

 

[Vwls]

I would go SVD, I've dropped mine a few times and my heart sank into my stomach, still works great. I've heard of people dropping a vamo and having it break from 2ft up.

If he wants something small maybe the MVP from Innokin would work the best size wise.

Thanks - that's the kind of info I was looking for.

 

[klynnn]

Sounds like an mvp would suit him.

 

[Rosenec]

I have this tank and it's a beast 5 ml HyperTank
I also have this tank 5 ml, glass, but very light,a same size as a pt mini 2 (wider) and lighter Disposable Stardust -Blue this is my golf course topper
Both these tanks use pt coils.
This is the bat I use on the golf course 1500mAh Saturn 7 Twist VV Colored High Power Vapor Battery Giant Smoke Variable | eBay

View attachment 304290
I have included a pick for size reference.
From left to right
Black 900 w/ismoka
White 650 w/ pt2 mini
Red 1500 vv w/ vision 5ml
Mvp2 w/ hyper tank
Cool fire 1 - 18350 bat
Black 1100 vv/vw with pt2

 

[Vwls]

I have this tank and it's a beast 5 ml HyperTank
I also have this tank 5 ml, glass, but very light,a same size as a pt mini 2 (wider) and lighter Disposable Stardust -Blue this is my golf course topper
Both these tanks use pt coils.
This is the bat I use on the golf course 1500mAh Saturn 7 Twist VV Colored High Power Vapor Battery Giant Smoke Variable | eBay

View attachment 304290
I have included a pick for size reference.
From left to right
Black 900 w/ismoka
White 650 w/ pt2 mini
Red 1500 vv w/ vision 5ml
Mvp2 w/ hyper tank
Cool fire 1 - 18350 bat
Black 1100 vv/vw with pt2

Hey thanks for your answers... Your photo is not showing up though.

Also, that battery that you use on the golf course... $45?? Am I missing something? Why would it be so expensive?

 

[Rosenec]

I only paid $25 shipped for the bat
Sorry the pic is side ways
Thy this http://www.ebay.com/itm/1500MAH-EGO-TWIST-VV-VARIABLE-VOLTAGE-BATTERY-Saturn-7-New-for-2014-/151164598796

 

[Storm52]

A little more reasonably priced one is here: 1500mAh Ego Twist VV Variable Voltage Battery Saturn 7 New for 2014 | eBay