Crazy how much has changed in 6 years

[roxics]

I was just thinking. I started vaping back in 2009. Six years ago. Times were different then. lol

I first heard of e-cigs at a bachlor party in late 2007 or early 2008 I think. Hard to remember because I wasn't paying much attention. A friend of mine had ordered a pen style e-cig from a vendor in China and was showing us all out in the garage where we were all smoking. I just remember the blue LED tip and thinking that was cool. But I was really skeptical of it and remember saying to him "are you sure that's safe? You're inhaling something that comes from China where they still put lead in their paints and stuff."
Basically I passed judgement and went on with my life still smoking.
Then in 2009 one of my bosses at work and I were talking and she said she was thinking about getting one of these e-cigs and I kind of repeated what I said to my friend a year or so back. As I was walking back to my desk I realized that I shouldn't pass judgement of this thing so early without really knowing anything about it. So I started researching it and that's when I found ECF.

I'm not here all the time. I tend to take breaks from the vaping world and check back in on it every six months to a year. I'm still vaping, I'm just happy with what I have and busy doing other things in my life. So it's kind of like people you don't see very often, you notice bigger changes in them than the people who see them every day. That's my perspective on the vaping world. In and out. Seeing large changes (or phases as I call them) every time I come back.

Back in 2009 I bought my first e-cig from a local smoke shop. Even though I had done a little research on ECF I got excited and wanted to quit smoking that day and switch to e-cigs. So I skipped all the advice and went to the smoke shop.
The smoke shop only had one kind and I don't even remember the name of it. Some crappy little cig-a-like in a green and white cardboard cigarette looking pack that held the battery, acted as a charger and held the atomizer and cartridge. Complete junk and tasted aweful. Used it for one day before ordering some Vapor4Life stuff (generically known as the KR808D-1). Much better and the cartomizer concept was very cool. Realized there were generic versions and started buying those and blank carts with liquid from other vendors like Johnson Creek and Tasty Vapor.

I was happy and left for a while. Then lapsed and went back to smoking for about a year and ended up with bad bronchitis so I decided it was time to quit again. Decided my 808 stuff was a little worse for wear and my girlfriend had just bought a 510, so I figured moving to 510 connection was probably a good choice. Seemed to be the most popular connection type. At this point eGos were the new thing and all the rage. Picked up a Riva (eGo clone) and some 510 cartos and also discoverd the LR306 atomizer. Loved it.

Happy and left for a bit. Came back a while later deciding it was finally time to get my first mod. Green Silver Bullet. Looked silly as hell with that little LR306 on top of it but was great to vape. Experimented with different batteries. Left and came back. Not long. This time carto tanks were taking off so I got into that and those mega cartos as well. Pretty happy so I left for a while.

Came back and variable voltage eGos were a new thing. Picked up one of those just to try it. Loved it. Rotated between that and my Silver Bullet. Also started making my own liquid around this time. 2011ish. Left again.

Come back a while later and mech mods with rebuildable atomizers and subohm vaping is the hot new thing. All those shiny metal tube mods with boats etched on the side made of brass and stainless steal. Cool, but some were pricey. Picked up a magneto mech mod and a cheap IGO-L RDA and some RBA I barely used. Also picked up a Protank at this time and left cartos for good. Turns out I didn't care much for building my own coils and only did it a handful of times, although I did it for both the RDA and the Protank coils. Ended up liking the Protank with store bought coils more than the RDA and stuck with that on my mech mod.

Note: Actually really liked this phase of the vaping world. Very beautiful steam punk or high end looking mods. If they sold mods at jewery stores these are the kind I would expect to see. Just plain classy.

Left again and ran into a guy at a bar with was vaping a regulated tube mod and he told me variable wattage is the hot new thing right now. Figured I'd give it a try. Bought a cheap SID tube mod at a local vape shop and was happy paired with my protank. Picked up another one last Christmas when I also got my girlfriend one. Been vaping that since a week ago. Each lasted about a year and when that started acting up I decided it was time to check into something new.

Come back and all the classy looking mods have given way to the kids with their sleeve tattoos and graphic tees rocking high wattage box mods with temperture control and liquids with crazy names and graphics that look like something off an album from the 70's. Maybe I've got a little chip off my shoulder because I walk into a vape shop these days and these are the kind of people behind the counter now. Which is fine it they didn't have huge egos (not the e-cig type) and act like they've been vaping forever and treat me like I'm just a complete noob. Of course I don't go in acting like I've been around either, but in so many ways it is all new again and I've got a little catching up to do. But I'm sure I was making my own juice years before they even picked up their first e-cig. Sorry, end rant about that.

But what the heck, figured I'd try the new stuff. But on the cheap as always because these trends change so quick. So I picked up an Evic VTC Mini kit and a couple new 20 amp batteries. Just tried it today. Whoa! Talk about hot vapor! Not sure about this. Granted some people thought I was crazy years ago when I was stacking RCR123As in my Silver Bullet with a 1.6ohm LR306 and getting about 22 watts. But today 22 watts is nothing.

People are building some wild artsy looking coils with various different metals and batteries are coming with higher and higher continous amperage. Heck even looking into the new members forum here where everyone used to recommend 808s and then eGos, people are now starting off with some better gear than I have. What happened to all the people who have barely even heard of an e-cig or how it works? I can only assume it's because vape stores are everywhere now and every smoke shop is carrying almost as much vape stuff. Compare that to how it was when I walked into one six years ago looking to see if they had even heard of e-cigs.

Amazing how much has changed over the years and the different phases the vaping world has gone through. I probably missed a lot of stuff along the way I'm sure. In fact I'm thinking about picking up a couple of those classy tube mech mods just in case they become illegal or something in the future. Being that they're unregulated. I also think I'm going to try RDAs again. Considering a Velocity clone. Seems like it's easier to build on.

I just think it's really cool to see how fast everything has evolved and changed in such a short period of time. From cheap Chinese cigarette looking devices with barely a whisp of vapor to these cloud making boxes with oled screens and all this customization. It changes so fast it's almost impossible to keep up with unless you live it every day as a main hobby. I've got too many other interests and things going on in my life to make it that. So it's always fascinating to come back every 6-12 months and see all the changes. Makes me wonder where the vape world will be at a year from now. What crazy new thing will everyone be into then?

How about you? Are you like me and have been vaping for years but only check in every so often? What are your thoughts on how this world has changed?
I'm really interested to know if some of you veteran vapers just kind of settled at some point and gave up on progressing further, and if so at what point it became good enough for you? Then again if you did, I don't know if you'd be reading this or just out living your life.

 

[DaveP]

In early 2010 I discovered ecigs through an ad. I researched and found out about ECF. I started with a 510 cigalike from Cig-Not and kind of liked it. Within a week, I was down from 40 cigs a day to about 6. I vaped all day and smoked one after a meal for an extended time and finally quit smoking altogether. Strangely, I had no withdrawal at all.

I've been through all the 510 style choices and the tank atomizers. I think I have one of everything that was the latest and greatest. Kayfun completely took me by surprise. I was tired of buying atomizers that lasted a day or two and really enjoyed winding my own coils and making my own wicks.

I'm still a big Kayfun fan and I still have a box full of brand new atomizer coils for various tank attys that I call my backup stash. for the last couple of years it's been all homemade coils and cotton wicks.

 

[MyMagicMist]

How about you? Are you like me and have been vaping for years but only check in every so often? What are your thoughts on how this world has changed?
I'm really interested to know if some of you veteran vapers just kind of settled at some point and gave up on progressing further, and if so at what point it became good enough for you? Then again if you did, I don't know if you'd be reading this or just out living your life.

Not exactly a veteran vaper in the sense of doing it for years. Still,
I kind of share where you are. Been thinking about trying Genesis type
rebuild tanks. Figure if I do, that will likely be about all I desire
progressing.

May find a decent variable wattage mod capable of a little sub-ohm
vaping. May want to some but not too wound up over it, or the
temperature controlled fad. Heck, I could see being happy with my
current rotated kit. It's a T-Dux 4.0 tank paired to a X-Pro 22M mod.
The tank and mod both do what they say on the tin, make fair vapor.

I have a bunch of Evod style tanks as well, T-Dux 3s, ARO. I keep them
as backups for use with an MVP 2, Itaste 3 mods. Need to buy a few RGM2s
& some plain regulated eGo 900mah batteries to keep back. All these
kits for me are simple, frugal, functional.

Not sure I'm keen upon a lot of bells & whistles, or even a lower end
with mech mods. Enjoy a little foray with the illusion of control. "Ha, I
can turn up or down my watts/volts!" All in I suppose it's all the same,
... makes fair vapor.

Know that may seem bland, dull. It works though and for some that
suffices.

 

[Swede]

I started in '11 with ego non vv batts and bridge atomizers with refillable cartridges. Quickly moved to 510 cartomizers and then to the Ego-T tank atomizers. Not great, but worked better than the 510's. Stayed on the Ego-T stuff and left for a bit.

Came back to vaping (rather than starting smoking) during a spouse induced relapse. (she was preg and wanted to vape rather than smoke, never stopped smoking while I vaped and gave up due to rather poor devices.)

Got new ego twist batts and CE-4's which was a whole new world, she never took to vaping even at that point. I tried the new gear and liked it, and carried on with that rather than smoke again.

Few years later, was on a trip and saw a flea market with a ecig vendor showing wares, had tube mod and crazy big atty. Got curious and hit up ECF again. Found out about VV/VW and ordered my first true VW device, a Innokin VTR and a Kayfun 3.1 clone.

Loved it, but found the KF4's quickly and an IPV mini. RBA's were my new thing, and have since gone on a spree that rivals the best here...

After trying out the KF4 clones and being sick of leaks, I tried the TGT2 and KS tank, as well as a Hurricane clone tank, I've settled on the Hurricane with the TGT2 as a backup. Erlk and KS are backbenched.

Devices have gone from Vamo 5, IPV, clone flask (seldom used, don't like the interface) and on to my real favorite device, the VT 40. Can't wait for me new one, a Reuleaux DNA200.

It's amazing the journey we've all made following this technology to it's current point, please add your story here.

(BTW, thanks to the OP for starting this thread)

 

[sonicbomb]

I started with a cigalike back in 2009 and even though it was utter crap, not smoking made it worth while. A little less than a year later I got into Egos tanks and carto tanks, which was a huge improvement, and I stuck with those for several years. I became increasingly frustrated with the lack of airflow and power. I got an Ego twist that had variable voltage and better power delivery, but the minuscule airflow of the cartos I was using was still a problem.
Then 18 months half ago (seems like longer) I got a Sigelei 30W tube mod which lead onto mechs and RDAs and finally really satisfying vaping.

I was not part of any community and knew no other vapers, if I had been I would probably have made the progression to better equipment sooner. I joined ECF because I explosively vented an 18650 and wanted to share my experience. I found a happy home here helping out new vapers and expanding my own knowledge of what has become a hobby and not just a smoking cessation method.

Lesson learned, knowledge is everything

 

[roxics]

Awesome to read. Keep them coming.

 

[Hotbox147]

I started on a generic ego type pen thing, last about 2 weeks then it started leaking and eventually broke, went back to the cigs. Was at a tattoo convention and there was a stall there full of all these new massive boxes and things but despite my better judgement got another ego type, burned up the wick in that and couldn't be bothered to look for replacement coils, went back to the cigs, again. Then the girlfriend got pregnant so I decided it was time to try again, went out and got an mvp 3.0 with the Atlantis v1 tank, cost me about £100. Was on that for about a month and I'd had a rubbish day so went and bought some cigs. Hated that I use to always cough smoking the cigs, I could smoke between 20-30 cigs a day. Then about 3 months ago a guy at work came in with the Kangertech sub-box and I though I'd give it another go. Cracked out my mvp again, bought some new coil heads and used that for about 3 weeks, watched a lot of smoke tricks out of Bordem at work and stumbled upon mech mods and drippers. Purchased a dimitri mech mod, a mutation X v4 rda, two 18650 batteries, a i4 charger and some 28awg kanthal. Didn't like the mutation X v4 due to leaking issues so I used my Atlantis tank. Then my girlfriend got me a smpl mod along with a Royal hunter and two vtc4's for my birthday and I loved it, did a little more digging and stumbled upon the velocity rda. Now my mvp 3.0 and my Atlantis tank just look pretty on a shelf and I use my mech mods. I've always liked building and making things myself so I love the fact I have to build my own coils etc. Currently rocking the smpl mod with the velocity rda, dual 24awg coils and vaping some lemon Sherbert flavour a buddy of mine makes. Haven't touched a cig in about 3 months and I've never felt better. Stumbled upon this forum when I had a problem with a dimitri I got for a friend and members helped me with info on how to test where it had shorted (had an idea and sorted it before but wanted to check before testing with another 18650) now I check in 2-3 times a day to see if there are people I can help in some way.

 

[classwife]

Moved to General Vaping Discussion from The Lounge

 

[Plumes.91]

Been in your shoes. Just returned after around 1 year off... came back to find that they were marketing SUBOHM tanks at NOOBS! I was kind-of upset about this (and still AM!) but, figured, what can I say, what can I do? right? It's a blessing and a shame. I hate to see NOOBS building subohm on MECH MODS with NO PROTECTION and FIRING without knowing whether or not it's a SAFE BUILD. Uncool... But, that is the way the vape-winds have changed, and there is nothing I can say or do to stop the trend. Now, n00bs to mods, are building and trying builds that took me years to learn and adapt-to... NO ONE is using the safety precautions we had set in place back in the day. EVERYONE is building/firing on unprotected mech mods w/out 1st testing on protected/regulated mods.

EVERY NEW MOD that comes out, is paired with a sub-ohm tank in the kit. Every new mod coming out goes above 12w. It used-to-be that noobs naturally went to regulated mods 1st, and those regulated mods had 12w wattage limits, and, the experienced vapers were using mechs at 30 watts (at full charge) and the balance was perfect. The balance is no-longer perfect. -______-

Should i really be complaining? Yes, the learning curve is at a different angle these days- &, the nicotine level options are lower on all of the juice vendor's websites, because of the changes in the new mods... The airflow in new RDAs has gotten a lot wider, to allow for subohms and high wattage (which means those of us whom like a tighter airflow, like a cigarette, and smaller vapor-clouds, like a cigarette, well... we're out of luck, in some ways) LOTS of S&$T has changed... but, tht just means n00bs need to READ the instruction booklet, figure-out how to use sub-ohm coils, high wattage mods, and that's all there is to it. & it means ME, and my fellow tootle-poofers, whom actually ENJOY tighter draws, smaller clouds, throat hit, flavor over vapor production, we're in the minority, but, it is still very much possible to buy new gear that caters to OUR style of vaping. So whatever changes, im sure vaping as a whole will continue to evolve and keep n00bs away from the cigarettes, w/a smile on they facezzz

 

[crxess]

So I picked up an Evic VTC Mini kit and a couple new 20 amp batteries. Just tried it today. Whoa! Talk about hot vapor!

Out of all that, I got this Clearly. Oh and incorrectly.
The Vape is what you make of it.
Turn the power down

 

[jumphour]

I've only been around for like a year and a half, and I can't believe how much things have changed since then, never mind from 2010! I drool over everyone's pics on the high end regulated mod page....I just love the lights and buttons. LOL I have an eVic VTC mini I just got a couple of days ago, and it's way beyond me....I don't sub-ohm or do coils, so mine is happily sitting at 8.5 watts with my Nauti on top....but I get to look at a cool little OLED screen! Sure is a lot more fun than my old cigalikes and eGos!

 

[StaceyB]

now I check in 2-3 times a day to see if there are people I can help in some way.

Thanks to you and all the other experienced people for helping us newbies out. Appreciate your time and advice!

 

[Hotbox147]

Thanks to you and all the other experienced people for helping us newbies out. Appreciate your time and advice!

I wouldn't say I'm experienced @StaceyB just abit of a tech head that does research.

 

[EvilZoe]

It's only been over 2 years for me and it's changed radically even in that short period.

Fortunately, I'm finding some of the tried and true gear (cartotanks!!) is still available and still continues to be used by the quieter tootlepuffers.

 

[BreSha6869]

This is a great thread for us newbies.

Thanks and keep it coming!

 

[Vaslovik]

Yeah, it sure has changed a lot, but I haven't. I'm still old school about my vaping, and I don't much care what others want to vape on, I'm good with my tube mechs and gennies. I don't go into the B&M's anymore at all, because I don't need anything they have, and because I feel out of place there among all the heavily tattooed and pierced young people with green and purple hair blowing wall clouds with their 200 watt boxes and giant dual clapton coiled drippers vaping Naked Fish juice and acting like I'm a stupid noob who doesn't get it. I don't want to get what they are doing. I'm happy with what I'm doing, and anymore I just keep to myself with that.

 

[coolerat]

I like coming here because my children and grandkids always try and make me feel old.

But when I come here covered in tattoo's and chucking cloudz from a box mod I'm a "kid".

I'll take what I can get these days.

One thing that does make me curious though. Here any type of retail is handled by younger people. I gather for most of ya all retail is handled by older people and only vape shops hire younger people?? That seems odd to me.

 

[K_Tech]

How about you? Are you like me and have been vaping for years but only check in every so often? What are your thoughts on how this world has changed?
I'm really interested to know if some of you veteran vapers just kind of settled at some point and gave up on progressing further, and if so at what point it became good enough for you? Then again if you did, I don't know if you'd be reading this or just out living your life.

Although the forum considers me a "veteran", I really don't. I've been vaping for about two and a half years. Yes, I experimented a bit with cigalikes for years, but I didn't even know the term "vaping" until shortly before I joined the forum.

However, I'm really interested in the history of vaping. Sometimes I binge watch YT videos from "way back" and I think it's really exciting how far vaping has come over the years. Although I wish I'd got off the cigarettes and into vaping much sooner, I think I started vaping at a really good time. The advances have really seemed to pick up pace over the last two years.

And to answer your question, I could honestly have settled in to vaping with the two Ego C-twists and the two Kanger PT2s I bought back in August of 2013. I was satisfied, I was off the cigarettes, and I was happy with the equipment.
But I got the gear acquisition bug. I hadn't had a real hobby in years, and my interest in vaping served two purposes - it kept me off cigarettes, and it gave me something to do in my spare time.

I think I'm in a good spot now. I know what I like. I know what I want. The gear I have is good and reliable, and I'm handy at maintaining what I have. But I'll probably still keep buying new things for some time to come.

 

[DaveP]

I have a few vaping friends who delight in blowing clouds. The guys at the local vape shop drip and exhale streams of vapor that go across the counter and hang in a long stream of thick vapor. I don't really get it. I'm not fond of VG juices and prefer 80pg/20vg. VG gives me the heavy lung feeling. PG doesn't.

I really don't care to walk into a vape shop with the room clouded with vapor. My local vape dealer had to install heavy duty exhaust fans due to that. Someone complained to the city about the problem and they paid her a visit.

I guess I'm just a tootle puffer who vapes for the enjoyment and not for show. My Hangsen vapor dissipates in a few seconds and I get to do that in retail establishments without anyone complaining. 10W is my top end vape.

 

[EvilZoe]

I like coming here because my children and grandkids always try and make me feel old.

But when I come here covered in tattoo's and chucking cloudz from a box mod I'm a "kid".

I'll take what I can get these days.

One thing that does make me curious though. Here any type of retail is handled by younger people. I gather for most of ya all retail is handled by older people and only vape shops hire younger people?? That seems odd to me.

I think the certain knowledgeable, personable older person could find his/her way into the local vape shops to do retail if they so desired. All one really needs to do is start talking vaping gear and tricks to the staff of a shop that needs help.