General Vaping Equipment Questions

[NewbVaper94]

As Im looking through what kind of vaping equipment i should by I come across a lot of questions that the general vaping refreence sections dont clearly elucidate what I want to know so Im coming here to get some basic questions answered.

My number one question is what is the main difference between vape pens and a mod, how do they work and whag are the benefits of each?

Another questions is about tanks, attomizers abd cartomizers, what are the diferences between them, how do they work, and why are there so many different kinds of them on the market, what does one tank do for you that another one cant?

And my last question is on juice and how different levels of pg/vg effecg a vape and what kind of pg/vg is better for different types of tanks.

Im trying to frontload these questions so i dont waste too much money and time when I invest in a setup a plan to use for a couple of months if not years as i dont have a lot of money and time and would like to go in buying something i know works, and how it works, and how to make it the best experience possible.

 

[NewbVaper94]

Sorry for the crappy grammar im on my phone

 

[sparkky1]

Are you a long time smoker ?
Have you ever tried vaping ?

 

[NewbVaper94]

Ive been smoking for 2 years. Ive used those Vuze catridges and i borrowed a friends SuBox Mini for a month once

 

[OlderNDirt]

Welcome aboard!

While I can appreciate your interest in finding out "everything you need to know" about vaping to make your wisest first purchase, a complete analysis of everything you ask would require quite a lengthy dissertation. Just in the mention of mods, there are a plethora of variances. Perhaps others might provide some detailed information, but I can only offer:

Vaping preferences are highly individualized. What some like, others don't care for, both in performance and aesthetics. Many will tell you what they prefer or suggest, but it is just that, a preference/suggestion.

My best suggestion, that others may disagree with, is to go to some vape bars. Find a vendor that seems genuinely interested in answering your questions and showing/explaining your options. Look at and handle what you may be interested in. Try a bunch of their flavors and hopefully find at least a couple you like and want to start with. Most bars I am familiar with have simple pen style testers, so you get to try those as well as the flavors. If that works for you, then you are good to go, whether you buy it there or on line. If those comes up short, they can guide you or possibly even have something a little more advanced for you to try.

Vaping today is a fairly vast world with many options. Perhaps after a visit to a vape bar, you can be a little more specific with the questions. Good luck!

 

[Hitmetwice]

What did you like about the subox?
What did you dislike?
You've had a chance to try one of your possible options.
If there were aspects of the set-up you think need improvement like for example, a floating/springloaded 510 centerpin would be better or perhaps you did not like having to replace batteries so you'd prefer your device to have built in batteries etc.
Then at least you have a starting point to search from for devices with the attributes that best suit your needs. Cheers.

 

[Baditude]

My number one question is what is the main difference between vape pens and a mod, how do they work and whag are the benefits of each?

Vape pens (eGo battery devices) are considered a budget beginner vaping device. Some are single voltage, some have variable voltage. That's about the extent of features available. Lightweight, but not so durable.

A mod is a more complex vaping tool. It can be un-regulated (mechanical), meaning it has no variable power adjustments, no protection circuitry, and no built-in voltage or resistance meters. Can be box or tube shaped. Very durable.

A regulated mod has variable power, protection circuitry, and built-in voltage/resistance meters. Can be box or tube shaped.


Advancing Up the Vaping Ladder

• From cigalike batteries, to eGo's, to mods. Another picture dictionary of terminology and form factors for beginning vapers. Includes videos.

Another questions is about tanks, attomizers abd cartomizers, what are the diferences between them, how do they work, and why are there so many different kinds of them on the market, what does one tank do for you that another one cant?

Proper Terminology: Is it a carto, a tank, or what? A Guide to Juice Delivery Devices

• A picture dictionary for beginners with descriptions of clearomizers, nano's, drip atomizers, bottom feeding mods, cartomizers, cartotanks, and RBA's (rebuildable atomizers). Includes video demos/reviews of all devices.

And my last question is on juice and how different levels of pg/vg effecg a vape and what kind of pg/vg is better for different types of tanks.

Generally speaking, pg is a better flavor carrier, and has the consistency of water. It also provides some "throat hit".

Vg is the vapor producer. It has the consistency of oil, so higher concentrations of Vg may be difficult for some tanks to wick the e-liquid quickly enough without resulting in a "dry hit". I've used some all-vg e-liquids which tasted as good as a pg/vg mix of 50/50.

Most of today's later generation tanks have larger wicks and coils than in the past, so Vg heavy flavors are not so much of a problem as before.

 

[NewbVaper94]

What did you like about the subox?
What did you dislike?

For the first week or so I was using the built in .5 occ head and it was working fine, i loved it. Then i switched to another juice using the same occ like a newb and the flavor was horrible i used the rba. It took half a week to wick it right and then it ran smoothly for a week. Then i started getting dry and burnt hits, the battery would die in an hour of use and the circuit kept on saying it was shorting even though i had just hit a minute ago. It might have been a .... mod or i was doing something wrong, i just know i want something simple a.d strajght forward to use that produces a decent vapor and gets my 3mg of clean nicotine.

Vaping today is a fairly vast world with many options. Perhaps after a visit to a vape bar, you can be a little more specific with the questions. Good luck!

Sounds like a plan, i went to one smoke shop that was just a bunch of potheads, or people comsuming waaaay too much nicotine at ine time, that were not at all interesred in helping. Theres another one around that looks more professional,

And thanks Baditude for the data, ill look it over tonight when i have time!

 

[mountaingal]

I have a wide range of atomizers (erlK, SquapeR) and batteries. I like the Kanger Subtank mini and nano, you can build your own coil or buy pre-built ones. I did manage to make one taste all burnt, but all in all they are a good product for everyday use. I have even used 1.5Ω coil in it on a istick 20W and it was not too bad. I use the Subtank on the clouper mini or sigelie 70w.
I also use the new ego AIO (all in one) it's a sweet device for ease of carrying and use. The AIO is pretty basic, no VV/VW only one coil available (so far), but it puts out as much vapor as the Subtank.
It is all a quest for what you like and can afford. Watch out for shinyitis (a dangerous habit of buying all the new shiny components).
Good luck!
Vape on!

 

[NewbVaper94]

@Baditude I read through those guides and it definitely gave me a better idea of what all the equipment is. It sounds like an eGo pen is the best choice for me, i see that now they have variable voltage onea like the AIO so when i go to tbe vape shop im gonna look.into that, thanks!

 

[7sixtwo]

Welcome, and congrats for taking steps to eliminate coffin nails from your life after only 2 years of smoking. It took most of us a lot longer, (~18 yrs for me). Of course, vaping hasn't been around that long, but I digress.

Skipping over the basic knowledge which can be found in the above posts/links, when it comes to what you should actually buy; imo you can do a lot better than the Subbox Mini, (Kanger mods kind of suck), for the same or less money. I'd probably suggest the Cuboid Mini kit, from Joyetech. It's simple enough that anyone can use it, yet still powerful for its small size, and it also has all the different TC modes that you might want to use as your experience grows.

Imo, the Cuboid Mini kit is also a very good value, especially as your first, (and for now, only), mod. It comes with 4 coils, (most come with 2), including the new notch coil and a little RBA. There are many different coil options for the good sized 5ml tank it comes with. The firmware is also upgradable, and Joyetech supports their devices with updates. I think the kit is ~$50-$60 online, (from places like myvaporstore, eciggity, aspen valley vapes, etc). It's a great price for what you're getting, imo. The only other thing you'll need to get started is some juice, (any PG/VG ratio will work fine, including "max" VG).

 

[beckdg]

Generally speaking, pg is a better flavor carrier

This is a fallacy still held on to by many.

Internet myths are hard to abolish.

Seems they live forever.

ETA: Older gear didn't allow proper juice flow for thick VG liquids.

This often kept wicks from getting properly saturated.

A dry wick results in muted flavor.

Adding up to 5% distilled water to a thick vg juice will thin it tremendously allowing for unchoked capillary action.

In those older systems, the flavor then comes alive and "pops".

Pg and vg both impart their own flavor.

Though the flavor of pg is rather unique and thus seemingly neutral.

Whereas the flavor of vg is recognizably sweet.

So we maintain that vg changes the flavor or that pg carries it better.

Neither of which is true for comparisons sake.

Tapatyped