Feeling a bit overwhelmed. Recommendations welcome.

[RottenJeeves]

Good day to you all.

I am returning to vaping after a long absence. Some of you might of seen my come back thread. I appreciate everyones kind words.

Feeling a little behind the curve.
My last setup was a provari mini and a kayfun lite. At the time I thought it provided a pretty decent vape.

I would like to get back into rebuildable tanks but even that is not what it once was. I see all these fansy looking alien coils and things that I have know nothing about. What happened to wrapping kanthal around a drill bit? lol.

Bottle line is I would like to upgrade my equipment to something a little newer/nicer.
I thought I would start with a new mod.

Perhaps you guys can recommend a decent regulated mod around $150 that would be a good allarounder.

Thanks in advance from a vet-noob.

 

[Eskie]

Have you ever tried temp control? If you have and like it, then any of the DNA based mods are within your price range and provide solid performance. If you're not interested in temp control, there are literally tons of mods out there that can be had for far less and be perfectly acceptable in wattage mode. I guess the question is what type of use are you looking for? Do you want to recreate the low watt, mtl style you used to vape, or do you want to try some of the higher power lower ohm stuff out there?

And the Provari's are still available at even better prices than they were a few years ago. and The KF tanks are still popular. There's nothing wrong with using a simple single Kanthal coil build either. I still have simple coils in some of my tanks, just with SS 316L wire as I prefer temp control. No need to go all fancy with fused Clapton coils or the more esoteric Aliens, Stapled, and whatever else someone dreams up for braiding wire this week.

 

[OlderNDirt]

That is actually a tough question to answer. There are so many available today and everybody has their favorites. At least the price level you mention leaves the door open for all kinds of options and choices. If you could define some of your personal preferences (size, TC or wattage, aesthetics, battery life, etc), it will narrow down the field a bit.

Being pretty much a wattage vaper, here are my favorites of the 10 mods I have. The Smok Alien and G-Priv 220 are at the top of my list. The Alien is small/light enough when out and about, dual 18650 that easily gets me through a full day and more. I've only had the G-Priv a little over a week, but although it is bigger/heavier then the Alien, I am really liking the ease of changing the settings with the touch screen. Both do TC and can be got, with tanks if you choose, for close to your $150.

As for building, although I have a few pre-wound fancy coils, I am quite happy with my single kanthal wrap coils on my RTA's and drippers. Then again, I'm kinda old and not participating in any cloud chasing comps.

 

[Maestro]

A provari and a Kayfun is still the preferred setup for many of us. It just works. The Provari 2.5 can be bought for insanely low prices right now and the Kayfuns have most of the bugs worked out. I think the mini v3 and the mini v3 plus ticks all the boxes and they should have just stopped there.

 

[Hightech Redneck]

I'll second the alien it has become my all day driver as well. And if you stay at the lower wattages the battery life will be awesome.
You could get a couple different colors for the budget you mentioned, and the batts and charger (in case you hadn't calculated that in).

 

[RottenJeeves]

That is actually a tough question to answer. There are so many available today and everybody has their favorites. At least the price level you mention leaves the door open for all kinds of options and choices. If you could define some of your personal preferences (size, TC or wattage, aesthetics, battery life, etc), it will narrow down the field a bit.

Being pretty much a wattage vaper, here are my favorites of the 10 mods I have. The Smok Alien and G-Priv 220 are at the top of my list. The Alien is small/light enough when out and about, dual 18650 that easily gets me through a full day and more. I've only had the G-Priv a little over a week, but although it is bigger/heavier then the Alien, I am really liking the ease of changing the settings with the touch screen. Both do TC and can be got, with tanks if you choose, for close to your $150.

As for building, although I have a few pre-wound fancy coils, I am quite happy with my single kanthal wrap coils on my RTA's and drippers. Then again, I'm kinda old and not participating in any cloud chasing comps.

What's temperature control offer? I have not heard of that.

 

[KenD]

Have you ever tried temp control? If you have and like it, then any of the DNA based mods are within your price range and provide solid performance. If you're not interested in temp control, there are literally tons of mods out there that can be had for far less and be perfectly acceptable in wattage mode. I guess the question is what type of use are you looking for? Do you want to recreate the low watt, mtl style you used to vape, or do you want to try some of the higher power lower ohm stuff out there?

And the Provari's are still available at even better prices than they were a few years ago. and The KF tanks are still popular. There's nothing wrong with using a simple single Kanthal coil build either. I still have simple coils in some of my tanks, just with SS 316L wire as I prefer temp control. No need to go all fancy with fused Clapton coils or the more esoteric Aliens, Stapled, and whatever else someone dreams up for braiding wire this week.

Plenty of cheaper mods do well in temp control. In Djlsb vapes' reviews the majority of tested mods seem to do quite well in tc. For my own part the current Joyetech/Wismec/Eleaf mods have done well in tc. My favourites are the Wismec rx200, the Eleaf iStick Pico, and the Eleaf iStick tc100w.

Sent from my M7_PLUS using Tapatalk

 

[OlderNDirt]

What's temperature control offer? I have not heard of that.

Not real sure of your question and assuming you are familiar with "temperature control", I am focusing on the reference to "offer" as it may relate to my statement:

Both do TC and can be got, with tanks if you choose, for close to your $150.

As is the case with most new mods, I wanted to be clear that both those I mentioned do temp control ...... if that is of interest to you. Although I use both in power mode, TC is there if one wants to try/use it. And both are sold as a kit with a very nice tank (the Smok Baby Beast on the Alien and Big Baby Beast with the G_priv), either well under you price. I picked up both when on sale for just over your $150. As I have little interest in TC, I do not know if either of those tanks has TC coils available and you indicated you prefer building your own coils anyway. But at the price in the kit, both are very nice vapes should you want to try one. If not, I believe I have seen just the mods available at a price you can get both and stay at/under your $150.

Hope I answered your question.

 

[RottenJeeves]

Not real sure of your question and assuming you are familiar with "temperature control", I am focusing on the reference to "offer" as it may relate to my statement:



As is the case with most new mods, I wanted to be clear that both those I mentioned do temp control ...... if that is of interest to you. Although I use both in power mode, TC is there if one wants to try/use it. And both are sold as a kit with a very nice tank (the Smok Baby Beast on the Alien and Big Baby Beast with the G_priv), either well under you price. I picked up both when on sale for just over your $150. As I have little interest in TC, I do not know if either of those tanks has TC coils available and you indicated you prefer building your own coils anyway. But at the price in the kit, both are very nice vapes should you want to try one. If not, I believe I have seen just the mods available at a price you can get both and stay at/under your $150.

Hope I answered your question.

Thanks for info.
To clarify. I dont know what TC mean in reference to vaping. Like the device turns off when it gets too hot or?

 

[OlderNDirt]

Thanks for info.
To clarify. I dont know what TC mean in reference to vaping. Like the device turns off when it gets too hot or?

TC, just an abbreviation for temperature control. There are far more knowledgeable people on TC then I, but the Reader's Digest version.....

In TC mode, one sets the maximum temperature the coil will reach, purportedly eliminating dry hits. Once the set temperature is reached, the mod will supply the needed power to maintain that temperature until the fire button is released. The mod is not able to measure the temperature of a kanthal coil, so stainless steel (SS), nickel (Ni), or titanium (Ti) wire is necessary for TC to work (although stainless steel can also be used in power mode). I have tried all three in factory coils on a few different tanks and now only use one Ti and one SS and will probably drop those once the extra coils are gone. Apparently, many are building their own TC coils and are very happy with the results, but I am happy staying with single kanthal builds for now. But it is nice to have a decent TC mod in case the interest/urge arises.

Hope that helps.

 

[Hamhawk]

There is a plethora of choice out there and it really depends on your own personal preference. Smok, Eleaf, Vaporesso, iJoy, Wismec, Geekvape, and more all offer good products at decent prices. Take a look around youtube at reviews and see what calls to you, a few channels I check out, DJSLB Vapes, Mike Vapes, The Vapor Trail, VapnFagan, and The Vaping Biker are all very approachable with extensive reviews. You can also pick up decent wire at a variety of sources as well as premade special wire and coils, I prefer using Advanced Vape Supply, which has mostly SS316L because I tend to switch between temp control and power mode depending on the atomizer and mod. For a little more money, DNA devices definitely provide a fantastic vaping experience.

I hope this helps and welcome back!

 

[RottenJeeves]

There is a plethora of choice out there and it really depends on your own personal preference. Smok, Eleaf, Vaporesso, iJoy, Wismec, Geekvape, and more all offer good products at decent prices. Take a look around youtube at reviews and see what calls to you, a few channels I check out, DJSLB Vapes, Mike Vapes, The Vapor Trail, VapnFagan, and The Vaping Biker are all very approachable with extensive reviews. You can also pick up decent wire at a variety of sources as well as premade special wire and coils, I prefer using Advanced Vape Supply, which has mostly SS316L because I tend to switch between temp control and power mode depending on the atomizer and mod. For a little more money, DNA devices definitely provide a fantastic vaping experience.

I hope this helps and welcome back!

After reading a little I think I am leaning on doing something with a DNA board in it. I had one many moons ago that I traded for the provari; which at the time was fine but I remember liking it.
Not sure which one I want yet. If you all have any suggestions that would be awesome sauce.

 

[Hamhawk]

I hear great things about the Lost Vape Therions , I personally have a HCigar VT Inbox DNA75 Squonk mod which I absolutely love.

 

[RottenJeeves]

What makes the Lost Vape Therion Special?

From what I gather most things now days are more about personal preference then what's "better". Which was completely different back in the day. There were definitely defined "best". Very interesting.

 

[Hamhawk]

What the Therions are, in essence, are well designed and built DNA mods with a British flair in style.

Another reliable brand is Boxer, which 3D prints its mods for its own unique look.

If you want something special, look up Vaporized Nomad Boss mod, made in the USA, fully customizable, and able to be turned into your own work of art. I think they start at $280 and can top $500 fully customized.

Or, look up getting a custom stabwood or resin mod that uses a DNA chip.

 

[RottenJeeves]

What the Therions are, in essence, are well designed and built DNA mods with a British flair in style.

Another reliable brand is Boxer, which 3D prints its mods for its own unique look.

If you want something special, look up Vaporized Nomad Boss mod, made in the USA, fully customizable, and able to be turned into your own work of art. I think they start at $280 and can top $500 fully customized.

Or, look up getting a custom stabwood or resin mod that uses a DNA chip.

Nice! Little too rich for my blood. Still trying to get all my DYI in order before I look into something like that.

 

[RottenJeeves]

After looking more at the alien I am a bit torn between the alien kit and getting something with a DNA board. hmmmmm...

 

[OlderNDirt]

After looking more at the alien I am a bit torn between the alien kit and getting something with a DNA board. hmmmmm...

I've refrained from making more comments because it is hard enough making one's own choice as well as understanding another's preferences to make a recommendation. I don't want to come off as pushing to/away from specific items. However......

I have a Lavabox DNA 200 and it is a very nice mod. It is easily the best temp control mod I have, hands down, and I only use it for what little temp control vaping I do. But in all honesty, I feel like it is overkill for my style of vaping. I can see for those doing all kinds of fancy and/or multiple temp control builds, the escribe software gives them an almost unlimited range of options. For me, using factory coils or simple single kanthal builds, there is little advantage with those abilities. At the price of the Lavabox, I prefer the Alien kit and G-Priv 220 kit both with a good amount of $ left over.

Speaking of which, should you opt for the Alien (I would also suggest taking a close look at the G-Priv 220 with a really nice touch screen), you might compare the difference in price between the kit with the Baby Beast versus just the mod and going for the Big Baby Beast. Both very nice vapes, but less filling with the bigger tank. Of course you could get both kits and have enough left out of your $150 to pick up some spare coils. VapeNW has a 15% discount code right now for a pretty good deal.

Just to whet your appetite:

 

[RottenJeeves]

I've refrained from making more comments because it is hard enough making one's own choice as well as understanding another's preferences to make a recommendation. I don't want to come off as pushing to/away from specific items. However......

I have a Lavabox DNA 200 and it is a very nice mod. It is easily the best temp control mod I have, hands down, and I only use it for what little temp control vaping I do. But in all honesty, I feel like it is overkill for my style of vaping. I can see for those doing all kinds of fancy and/or multiple temp control builds, the escribe software gives them an almost unlimited range of options. For me, using factory coils or simple single kanthal builds, there is little advantage with those abilities. At the price of the Lavabox, I prefer the Alien kit and G-Priv 220 kit both with a good amount of $ left over.

Speaking of which, should you opt for the Alien (I would also suggest taking a close look at the G-Priv 220 with a really nice touch screen), you might compare the difference in price between the kit with the Baby Beast versus just the mod and going for the Big Baby Beast. Both very nice vapes, but less filling with the bigger tank. Of course you could get both kits and have enough left out of your $150 to pick up some spare coils. VapeNW has a 15% discount code right now for a pretty good deal.

Just to whet your appetite:
View attachment 620067

I appreciate your input. Its nice to see people take the time to type something to help out a vet-noob as myself.

I really like the alien and will probably end up getting it. The value is really remarkable. I love that it comes with a nice tank as well.
Good eye on the 15% off that pretty much seals my fate.

 

[OlderNDirt]

@RottenJeeves

I hope I was of some help to you and you like whatever you end up getting. The Alien Kit is a fine set-up, especially at that price point. After all the help I have gotten here, I want to help others when I can.

Oh, and the discount code "2NDCHANCE15".