Getting back into vaping

[Trapper Shrek]

I started vaping about 6 years ago. I quit smoking and it lasted about 4 months.
I found myself super tired in the morning and it was so hard to get out of bed and I was dealing with all frying my coils all the time and it seemed like any juice got old really fast. I stopped vaping and started smoking again and the tiredness went away. Been smoking ever since.
Last fall I ordered a Kanger Evod starter kit and extra coils. Tried it a few times and I dont like how it cant stand up and I dont like the built in batteries. I used to have a cheap mod with 2 18650 batteries and I likes that setup.

So I guess coming back here I am looking for support and help in all the newer equipment.
What are your recommendations for a good quality Mod with removable battery or batteries and varible voltage? Also looking for good tanks? I like something that holds a fair amount of juice and has good coils. I used to burn up a lot of coils. I am going to help a friend start vaping also so I will be giving him ideas on what to buy. Looking to stay around $50 for the mod.
I was thinking about the SMOKTech AL85 Starter Kit, Kanger KBOX 70W 4000mAh, GeekVape Aegis TC Box Mod, or the Wismec Sinuous P80 Starter Kit

 

[Shawn Hoefer]

The Geek Vape Aegis is a chunk but also fairly indestructible. However, you'll also NEED an external charger as the device has no charging circuit.

Pass on the KBox 70.

The Al85 is an OK starter kit as is the Wismec.

Consider also the iStick Pico 21700. It offers a decent wattage range, decent battery life, compact design, and a reasonable price. Even the OG Pico 18650 is a good starter, and the Melo tank and coils are pretty good, too.

Sent from my LG-H931 using Tapatalk

 

[Baditude]

Good Starter Setups for a Beginner Vaper

• Typical starter setups recommended for a new vaper.

 

[Trapper Shrek]

Well my setup is just a bit out of that range @ $105.43 total for both the VT75D and the Serpent SMM from Fasttech. If you don't already have 2 18650 batteries you would need to add those as well. 4 batteries is preferred (but not required) so you can have 2 charging and 2 in the mod, as well as an external charger. You are going to need batteries and a charger for anything you get though unless it has a built in battery.

Vaping can be a bit expensive to get started but far cheaper in the long run compared to smoking which is cheap to get started, but costs you an arm, a leg, and a lung over the long haul.

I know lol, I had a dual battery Mod before with 4 batteries and 2 chargers. I liked it but it was not VV so I would fry the coils really quick. About every 2 to 3 days. I tries a lot of different coils and tanks. I have been doing a lot of reading and trying to get a grip on all the new stuff but dont want to make a bad purchase or recommendation to my friend.
My first mod was a plastic box with 2 batteries and a button, none of this fancy stuff now days. 6 years really has made a huge difference in the vaping world LOL

 

[ScottP]

Is there a huge difference running 1 battery or 2? I was looking at dual and found the Wismec Reuleaux RX GEN3 that one dont look to big and i like the price on it.
Otherwise are there any other recommended mods and tanks? I dont want to buy something I will regret.

The primary difference is that you will get longer battery life from dual batts. You can also hit higher wattages with 2 batts but as MTL that isn't going to be a concern. I get a bit more than 2 days on my mod with dual batts before having to recharge.

Of course the specific batts you choose, your mod, your settings, will all affect battery life, so YMMV.

 

[Letitia]

Good kit and the Ello has good coils. Good site to order from. 10% off code TENOFF.
Eleaf iStick Pico 21700 ELLO Kit

Another good kit but uses an internal battery Good site, if you are a first time customer code NEWMFS15 gets you 15% off.
Kroma A Mod with Zenith Tank Starter Kit by Innokin

Welcome back!

 

[leyfeel]

Hey now! Just wanted to say this thread has been so helpful for me and thanks to all who have responded. I started vaping a while ago and went back to smoking cigarettes due to ease. Left cigs about 6-7 weeks ago and back to vaping only and playing the ego style vape (what I was used to from before) but looking for a better alternative for MTL vaping with better battery longevity. I have tried DTL / sub ohm and while I am able to do that with some herbs not able to make the switch with nicotine. Strange I know but it is what it is.

Again great thread THANKS to all and I just ordered a MTL tank that was suggested. You guys are truly the best.

 

[Rangertrix]

The Geek Vape Aegis is a chunk but also fairly indestructible. However, you'll also NEED an external charger as the device has no charging circuit.

Pass on the KBox 70.

The Al85 is an OK starter kit as is the Wismec.

Consider also the iStick Pico 21700. It offers a decent wattage range, decent battery life, compact design, and a reasonable price. Even the OG Pico 18650 is a good starter, and the Melo tank and coils are pretty good, too.

Sent from my LG-H931 using Tapatalk

I agree on the Pico 21700 kit and it's on sale at eightvape for $33.99 right now and I believe the code eightvape10 will get you an additional 10% off. It also comes with an adapter to use 18650 batteries.
They also ship from Vegas, so you'd get it lickity

 

[ScottP]

I am not sure your price range, but I HIGHLY recommend the HCigar VT75D mod. It's a dual 18650 mod in a kind of rounded triangular shape, which makes it extremely stable standing up. It has the highly accurate and well respected DNA 75C board in it. It's feels sturdy and well made, and feels good in the hand. It is also a very short, compact mod for a dual battery.

As for tanks, you have not mentioned if you are a MTL (mouth to lung) or DL (direct lung) vaper. Coming from smoking my guess is probably MTL. If so, and you do not want to use a rebuildable, then perhaps the Zenith tank from Innokin would go nicely with this. If you are willing to consider a rebuildable (as suggested by @Ionori), then perhaps the Ares from Innokin would be a good choice. If you want an RBA that has the potential to do either a loose MTL (by using a narrower drip tip and closing off 75-80% of the airlfow) OR a DL (Original drip tip and more open airflow) then I can suggest the Serpent SMM as what I personally use.

 

[Letitia]

Just kidding guys,

No your not

 

[Coastal Cowboy]

What are nic salts?

A different form of the nicotine compound. The biggest difference you would noticed is significantly reduced throat hit from higher nicotine levels.

 

[DeloresRose]

Lots of great ideas so far. And you’re right, a lot has changed. Since it has been a long time for you, starting back at mtl might be a better choice for now, it’ll feel more familiar I think.

You could always do that Pico Kit and grab a mtl tank to go with it, and put the subohm away for when you’re ready. Just a thought.

Either way, gear is much more reliable these days, coils are lasting longer with a good prime, and even internal batteries have gotten better.

I think you’ll be okay with anything you mentioned, or any others suggested. I’ve bought a little of everything lately, and not a lame duck in the bunch.

Good luck!

 

[Trapper Shrek]

Im learning a lot, Thank you all. I am going to order the Zenith tank so I am not only stuck with subohm but I will try it both ways

 

[Trapper Shrek]

I am MTL. I have never done DL. Not saying I cannot change though.
Budget is around $50 to $70 to start out.

 

[ScottP]

I am MTL. I have never done DL. Not saying I cannot change though.
Budget is around $50 to $70 to start out.

Well my setup is just a bit out of that range @ $105.43 total for both the VT75D and the Serpent SMM from Fasttech. If you don't already have 2 18650 batteries you would need to add those as well. 4 batteries is preferred (but not required) so you can have 2 charging and 2 in the mod, as well as an external charger. You are going to need batteries and a charger for anything you get though unless it has a built in battery.

Vaping can be a bit expensive to get started but far cheaper in the long run compared to smoking which is cheap to get started, but costs you an arm, a leg, and a lung over the long haul.

 

[Letitia]

Kroma A Mod with Zenith Tank Starter Kit by Innokin
This kit is what I meant to link to. NEWMFS15 code for 15% off.

 

[stols001]

It's freebase nicotine, converted by a variety of acids (citric, malic, benzoic) into a different form of nicotine. It is much less harsh, and almost 0 throat hit. You can buy premade or DIY form (I use Nicotine River's nic salts). Because of the lack of harshness, there are some rather high nic nic salts out there these days, (I guess the highest I've seen would be the Juul pods, at 50 mg/ml) and they are of more use if one is sensitive to nic harshness or want a higher nic level.

You can use them in any device just at the correct nic level. You can say, sub0hm nic salts at 6 mg/ml although I'm not sure of the usefulness of that, really, given how low 6 m.g. is. I started with nic salts DIY early on as my throat was a torn up mess when I got here. I DIY at 18 mg/ml.

Mixed reports on absorption, some say they are absorbed faster although I was told recently that is not the case. I'd say perhaps it may depend on how the freebase nic was converted, honestly, and I don't have much to offer on that other than, if you want to try nic salts, do keep an eye out for nic overload, especially at high percentages (yawning, nausea, hiccups, fatigue, light headedness, dizziness, etc.) They may or may not be slightly more bioavailable it seems.

It's possible to convert freebase to nic salts if desired, there is a thread on it somewhere, most folks seem to be using citric acid, and it becomes a matter of getting the Ph balance right.

Hope any of this was helpful.

Anna

 

[stols001]

Well, that's a fairly low resistance coil, and you may require more wattage. That tank (and the Smok prince tank) are really more in the sub0hm range, so if you are looking at that type of coil and wattage, I would suggest a higher VG juice (although really that is partially preference, there are sub0hm vapers who use a 50/50 ratio, or even less p.g. I'd say 18 nic may be too high for sub0hm tanks, honestly, I'd consider starting at 9. Or even less. If it's unsatisfying you can always bump up your nic.

The Zenith tank is really a MTL setup, and even with the 0.8 coil you are going really only very slightly sub0hm. That can still be vaped in a MTL fashion, so if you desire trying out nic salts at 18 mg/ml, well, you can probably purchase some premade nic salts at or around that level. I'm PG sensitive so I can't give you a ton of personal advice about PG/VG ratios other than to say that 50/50 seems to me to be a reasonable place to start, again you can play with your ratios if 50/50 doesn't suit. You could certainly try a nic salt vape, although honestly, unless you have a very, very hard time handling nicotine's harshness, it may be equally fine to just use freebase nicotine, depending on your nicotine tolerance. Either would work and would be easy to obtain I'd think. But, if you try nic salts, I'd probably reserve them for your MTL tank. They are more expensive, and (IMHO) there really is no reason to use nic salts in those devices, unless you want to DIY nicotine, and just buy one kind of nic and etc.

You do pay a premium for nic salts, even if you DIY, they are overall more expensive. Most DIY outfits will sell you a sample of nic salts for the cost of shipping, so if you want to try it out inexpensively and have a bit more control over your ingredients, you could get some with little initial outlay, and just buy eliquids that you enjoy but with 0 nic, and then add your own. If that's overwhelming, well, sample some ready to vape nic salt juices and see how you like them.

I just opened a 100 mg/ml nic liter of nic salts, but the latter part of my stash is actually freebase. Since my throat has recovered, I may try returning to regular nic salts, as I'm currently using juice I won at 18 mg/ml regular freebase and having no issues, if it works out, it will be nice not to need to convert them.

Best of luck,

Anna

 

[stols001]

It's because you are getting a ton more vapor per puff. Typically (depending on how low) many folks are using 3 or 6 mg/ml in their tanks. Although all the vapor is not absorbed it is a big enough difference that (unless you want to take two puffs an hour or something, although if you go too high on the nic, you will feel it. You will probably cough and choke, and that is because your body just can't handle being hit with all that nicotine at once.

I mean, let's say you're vaping a 0.3 coil, and satisfactory vapor production occurs at 50--70 watts, that is a quite different situation than running a much higher resistance level, and getting less vapor per inhale, well, at that point you can safely raise your nicotine level to much higher, as you absorb less per inhale.

If you are ordering both types of tanks, you will quickly find out what the difference is like. I showed up at ECF with a very sub0hm setup and vaping 12 m.g. nic. It was exactly the opposite of what I needed, I prefer smaller MTL tanks with a higher nic level.

With that said, lots of folks enjoy BOTH types of vaping, so I'm not trying to discourage you from sub0hm vaping, I'm just trying to explain the difference between them and the rationale for lower nic in sub0hm setups. It's a very different kind of experience.

Anna

 

[Ionori]

If you have issues with replaceable coil heads, try rebuildable tanks, you can get massive savings, like 1.5 USD worth of prebuilt Vapefly coils + 5 USD worth of cotton = 100 premade coil heads worth about 200 USD.