First Mod Question

[punishedprimate]

Relatively new to vaping here, I smoked my last analog on 8/7. Currently using an ego type set up that I got from a local smoke shop. I enjoy it but in watching youtube videos, I'm really wanting a mod/tank set up. It looks like the Kanger Pro Tank or Pro Tank 2 seems to be the way to go on the tank but there are a billion (it seems) mods out there. The PV seems a little pricey, the Innokin iTaste 134 looks really cool but, from the reviews I've seen, it's a little lacking on features for the price. Is it typical for mods to come without batteries and chargers? As far as the functionality I'm looking for, I used to smoke almost 2 packs a day so I vape off an on pretty much all day. Any suggestions? Also, does anyone get their batteries from Batteries Plus?

Thanks

 

[AndysPrincess]

You can usually get them both ways with or without batteries and charger. If you are willing to wait a few weeks in order to save a good chunk of change then check out fasttech but be aware its coming on a slow boat from china.

 

[stillnotsmoking]

The iTaste 134 is HUGE and lacking in features for the price IMO, i think it's more of a novelty. And it's also kinda pricey coming in at $140 or so. At that price you are very close to ProVari price.

 

[punishedprimate]

the iTaste 134 is huge, but I'm sort of a Jedi Junkie so the light saber look is pretty appealing but for 169 bucks, I feel like I could get a much better unit.

 

[tj99959]

Most of the time the batteries & charger included with a "mod" are of poor quality. You are far better off buying them separately.
I only use AW IMR or Efest IMR batteries, but that's just me ... I will only use "safe chemistry" batteries.

As for APV's, there three IMO that have stood the test of time and stand head & shoulder above the rest.
Silver Bullet from altsmoke.com
Provari from provape.com
Reo from reosmods.com

There are, however, lots of other APV's that are OK. They just are of a lesser quality (and price) than the three I listed. (however the SB is only $85)

 

[redeyes24321]

I usually tell beginners to look at the Itaste MVP because the battery and charger come with it (the battery doesn't come out of the mod), and its a good price to start out.

 

[Baditude]

Any suggestions? Also, does anyone get their batteries from Batteries Plus?

I see you are from Louisville, Ky. If you don't mind a short car trip, you could travel to Cincinnati to AltSmoke's B&M. They have probably a dozen mods on display that you could actually try out prior to purchasing one. They carry almost all of the juice delivery devices on the market, and have over a hundred flavors from several manufacturers to sample at their e-juice flavor bar. Open on weekends. http://altsmoke.com/

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/altsmoke/386936-cincinnati-oh-altsmoke-store-7.html



AltSmoke will be opening a Lexington, Ky store sometime next month: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/altsmoke/453597-altsmoke-lexington-ky-store.html

Concerning batteries, I'm pretty sure most stores like Batteries Plus DO NOT carry the Li Ion or Li Min batteries that we use in mods. These are sort of specialty batteries. NEVER use over-the-counter type batteries in your mod as they could explode in your mod. Here's a battery resource guide on the batteries that we use in advanced personal vaporizers.

Battery Basics for Mods: Protected or IMR?: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blogs/baditude/4848-9-battery-basics-mods-imr-protected.html

I personally only use AW IMR (safe chemistry & high drain) in both my mechanical and regulated mods. Tried and true, consistant, and one of the safest batteries made.

 

[ravinaznracer]

what i started with was a vamo v3 with a protank and i love it.... to this day i still use it every so often. for the price you cant beat it

 

[JMCIV]

How slow is the boat from china when you order from fasttech

 

[Jazzi Mike]

Relatively new to vaping here, I smoked my last analog on 8/7. Currently using an ego type set up that I got from a local smoke shop. I enjoy it but in watching youtube videos, I'm really wanting a mod/tank set up. It looks like the Kanger Pro Tank or Pro Tank 2 seems to be the way to go on the tank but there are a billion (it seems) mods out there. The PV seems a little pricey, the Innokin iTaste 134 looks really cool but, from the reviews I've seen, it's a little lacking on features for the price. Is it typical for mods to come without batteries and chargers? As far as the functionality I'm looking for, I used to smoke almost 2 packs a day so I vape off an on pretty much all day. Any suggestions? Also, does anyone get their batteries from Batteries Plus?

Thanks

I think a vamo is a good starter mod. It is cheap ($40-$50) and has a lot of features. The vendors that sell mod "kits" are a rip off. The batteries and chargers that come with them are typically substandard in quality. They will work in the mod, but are more likely to have safety issues.

The only mod kit I have seen that actually comes with a decent charger and good batteries is at fast tech. $54.32 Vamo V3 Variable Voltage E-Cigarette Mod Battery Compartment Set - with Nitecore I2 charger / 2*Sony US18650V3 batteries at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping

 

[JamesEh408]

The boat?! Hell...they weren't even going to ship my order OUT of China for almost three weeks after my order! And then I gotta wait for the boat?! Hell no! Order canceled! Got me a ZMax coming from the us on Saturday

 

[AndysPrincess]

When you look at the item it tells you how many days it takes to ship and then from them to dallas is 9 days from the day of shipping.

 

[tyburn]

My first order from fastech arrived today. It took exactly 2 weeks from when I placed the order. That's longer than from a US vendor, but the shipping is free. Not that bad if you want to save some $ and it's not an emergency.

 

[fairmana]

The post made by Jazzi Mike on the first page of this thread is exactly where I bought my Vamo V3 several months ago (FastTech). The stainless finish will last you longer and not wear easily. It usually takes 10 to 14 days from China in my experience. Well worth the wait for the price and for what you get in the package deal. The Vamo is a great PV for beginners and for veterans alike. It's simple to operate, reliable, and the price is definitely right on ($58.85 at the time of this post). I use it more than my Segelei Zmax V3 telescopic PV because of how easy it is to change the wattage (1 button press vs. 6 or 7 with a menu wait time with the Segelei Zmax). The NiteCore charger that comes with it is supposed to be a decent "intelligent" charger (won't overcharge/overheat your batteries and reduce their life span). Just be cautious with some of the FastTech packages because not all of them come with that charger. If it doesn't say "NiteCore" in the description, it's going to be a cheapo charger. Also, don't get the one's that say "Euro" in the description or you'll get the 230 VAC version, no the US 110 VAC version. The batteries in the FastTech deals are cheapo's with smaller mAh ratings, but will get you going until you get around to buying better ones. The Vamo V4 is supposed to be out now, and FastTech may have a similar package deal with that one as well (although I haven't verified that myself). If I had it to do over again, I would jump on that Vamo deal without a second thought or rearward glance. I would recommend it to anyone and I think you'll be quite pleased.

As for the tank, I've only ever used the Viva Nova, but I just ordered the Kanger Pro Tank 2. I think you're on the right track with that decision (get the Pro Tank 2, not the original Pro Tank). I like that it's bottom-fed since I'm fed up with having to top-off the Viva Nova with e-juice to avoid that slightly burnt taste that seems to start happening when the tank is only 10-20% empty. What's the point of the large tank if you have to constantly top it off? I'm hoping the Pro Tank 2 will solve that without introducing new issues (flooding and gurgling?). I guess we'll find out soon enough... Apparently most people are happy with it.

Best of luck and congrats on tossing out the cancer sticks! Vape-on!

 

[Train2]

I got my first mod from FastTech, Innokin SVD.
7 days flat to California, and I LOVE it.
There were a few good recomendations, but several were "pricey" - for like $50-$60, you can get set up using FastTech or shopping around get near that price, for a VAMO or an SVD, which are both real popular mods. They both have a TON of comments and advice here on ECF, they're both variable voltage and variable watts, and you can use yer ProTank (or almost anything else) on them...

 

[jmartinbos]

I see you are from Louisville, Ky. If you don't mind a short car trip, you could travel to Cincinnati to AltSmoke's B&M. They have probably a dozen mods on display that you could actually try out prior to purchasing one. They carry almost all of the juice delivery devices on the market, and have over a hundred flavors from several manufacturers to sample at their e-juice flavor bar. Open on weekends. AltSmoke.com - Your Online Electronic Cigarette Store

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/altsmoke/386936-cincinnati-oh-altsmoke-store-7.html



AltSmoke will be opening a Lexington, Ky store sometime next month: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/altsmoke/453597-altsmoke-lexington-ky-store.html

Concerning batteries, I'm pretty sure most stores like Batteries Plus DO NOT carry the Li Ion or Li Min batteries that we use in mods. These are sort of specialty batteries. NEVER use over-the-counter type batteries in your mod as they could explode in your mod. Here's a battery resource guide on the batteries that we use in advanced personal vaporizers.

Battery Basics for Mods: Protected or IMR?: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blogs/baditude/4848-9-battery-basics-mods-imr-protected.html

I personally only use AW IMR (safe chemistry & high drain) in both my mechanical and regulated mods. Tried and true, consistant, and one of the safest batteries made.

Thanks for this! I am from Louisville, KY as well and had no idea about this store. I have been ordering everything.

 

[punishedprimate]

I've gotten a lot of recommendations for the Vamo. Has anyone had any issues with this model or vendor? VAMO Rev.2 Variable Power (adjustable wattage), Variable Voltage APV - Gun Metal

 

[piggy]

Takes 2 weeks to get to NY from fasttech. Innokin SVD is about $5 dollars more than a VAMO. If you were smoking 2 packs a day, I would probably get 2 mods from fasttech to keep as backup. If you got the bucks, I hear that Provari has an awesome warranty (might want to look into that).

 

[pmfh]

I've used the Protank & Protank2. They're quick and easy, no more prefilling your cartos. They work well on VV/VW mods, not so well on mechanicals (unless you're using a kick).

 

[punishedprimate]

Don't know if i'll make the trip but I like the site and products you have and with your proximity to me, shipping shouldn't take long so I believe i'll be ordering from you soon!

I see you are from Louisville, Ky. If you don't mind a short car trip, you could travel to Cincinnati to AltSmoke's B&M. They have probably a dozen mods on display that you could actually try out prior to purchasing one. They carry almost all of the juice delivery devices on the market, and have over a hundred flavors from several manufacturers to sample at their e-juice flavor bar. Open on weekends. AltSmoke.com - Your Online Electronic Cigarette Store

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/altsmoke/386936-cincinnati-oh-altsmoke-store-7.html




AltSmoke will be opening a Lexington, Ky store sometime next month: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/altsmoke/453597-altsmoke-lexington-ky-store.html

Concerning batteries, I'm pretty sure most stores like Batteries Plus DO NOT carry the Li Ion or Li Min batteries that we use in mods. These are sort of specialty batteries. NEVER use over-the-counter type batteries in your mod as they could explode in your mod. Here's a battery resource guide on the batteries that we use in advanced personal vaporizers.

Battery Basics for Mods: Protected or IMR?: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blogs/baditude/4848-9-battery-basics-mods-imr-protected.html

I personally only use AW IMR (safe chemistry & high drain) in both my mechanical and regulated mods. Tried and true, consistant, and one of the safest batteries made.