Hello from India - noob vaper needing help :)

[K Ananthakrishnan]

@Letitia
Nope, I still have managed to maintain a clear head. Have not scurried away confused.
Actually all the back and forth has indeed cleared a lot of things for me. Incidentals and "coincidentals"

@untar @HazyShades @Baditude @tailland
Great set of in depth posts. "Crackling" professorial stuff with lots of learning material, so thanks for that.
Actually this thread has become a one stop shop for practical and theoretical know-how, fantastic stuff !

 

[HazyShades]

@Letitia
Nope, I still have managed to maintain a clear head. Have not scurried away confused.
Actually all the back and forth has indeed cleared a lot of things for me. Incidentals and "coincidentals"

@untar @HazyShades @Baditude @tailland
Great set of in depth posts. "Crackling" professorial stuff with lots of learning material, so thanks for that.
Actually this thread has become a one stop shop for practical and theoretical know-how, fantastic stuff !

I opined that you weren't getting confused but I suggested you save resistance and coils until a later time after you get all the basics down pat.
As far as the little discussion goes, I suggest that you re-read tailland's learned post on the subject of ohms law and vaping and save it for future reference.

Sometimes some folks don't notice the reciprocity of certain laws...and get stuck in semantics,
but like somebody said, "You can take a horse to water but you can't make a donkey drink.."
(or something to that effect)
I am no longer an active participant in this thread. It was phun.
Should you have any questions or if I can help in any way feel free to send private message.

Vape on.
Hazy

 

[Baditude]

You are all hijacking another's thread and probably confusing him further.

@Letitia
Nope, I still have managed to maintain a clear head. Have not scurried away confused.
Actually all the back and forth has indeed cleared a lot of things for me. Incidentals and "coincidentals"
@untar @HazyShades @Baditude @tailland
Great set of in depth posts. "Crackling" professorial stuff with lots of learning material, so thanks for that.
Actually this thread has become a one stop shop for practical and theoretical know-how, fantastic stuff !

Sorry for the "hijacking". But when someone posts misinformation on an important aspect on vaping which can lead to confusion, I feel an obligation to set the facts straight for the benefit of others. I'm sure @untar felt the same way.

For example, this poster in another thread was attempting to fit Ohm's Law with his regulated mod and seeking help to insure he was vaping safely. In this situation, he needed to be using Watt's Law, not Ohm's Law. Am I vaping safe? Ohms law

Let's move on.

 

[K Ananthakrishnan]

@Baditude @stols001 @Letitia @tailland @HazyShades
Just a quick side note. Today I managed to talk to 2 Indian importers (one of them resides in the same city as me) and they were quick to unanimously point out that imports have gotten nasty. What was an acceptable rate of passing through customs has now become appalling. I believe that the customs generally tend to poke their nose into all packages remotely connected to "e-cig".

What is more befuddling is the fact that there is no law that is actually being enforced. They are trying to bundle e-cigs under the Drug Act just because it contains nicotine which is just not right. So, by the letter, we are not breaking any law but they just choose to be dismissive and absolutely stubborn and end up confiscating the device not to mention that they sometimes levy fines too (they also issue show-cause notices sometimes and demand an in person appearance for justifying your miscarriage of law!!!, not looking forward to that at all !!).

Just cannot wrap my head around this - some local forums that when confronted they really dont have any solid answers but they just end up abusing their authority. So my hope of the pro C reaching me are next to nil, apparently !!

 

[Baditude]

@K Ananthakrishnan, sorry to hear that. It's quite an unfortunate situation for which there are no easy answers. Your only hope is given time e-cigarette use becomes less of a political issue and more of a pro-health issue.

I find it ironic that the country where most e-cigarettes are manufactured, they are (I think) illegal to use in China.

Kind of like in my State of Ohio, fireworks can be manufactured and sold in the state, but setting them off in this state is illegal. Thousands of Ohioans set off fireworks illegally on holidays.

 

[HazyShades]

@Baditude @stols001 @Letitia @tailland @HazyShades
Just a quick side note. Today I managed to talk to 2 Indian importers (one of them resides in the same city as me) and they were quick to unanimously point out that imports have gotten nasty. What was an acceptable rate of passing through customs has now become appalling. I believe that the customs generally tend to poke their nose into all packages remotely connected to "e-cig".

What is more befuddling is the fact that there is no law that is actually being enforced. They are trying to bundle e-cigs under the Drug Act just because it contains nicotine which is just not right. So, by the letter, we are not breaking any law but they just choose to be dismissive and absolutely stubborn and end up confiscating the device not to mention that they sometimes levy fines too (they also issue show-cause notices sometimes and demand an in person appearance for justifying your miscarriage of law!!!, not looking forward to that at all !!).

Just cannot wrap my head around this - some local forums that when confronted they really dont have any solid answers but they just end up abusing their authority. So my hope of the pro C reaching me are next to nil, apparently !!

Greetings Ananth,
First consider that my opinion has been deemed comical..in that light consider this:
You knew the situation was coming...So don't concern yourself with it generally any more than necessary.
Authorities will prosecute people who import in quantity, not the individual customers unless one is buying as a wholesaler with the intent to resell, and that only if a bureaucrat notices too many packages going to the same addy or someone informs on you..
I doubt anybody will concern themselves with you.

Don't feel like it's India alone as it is not. Vaping has been deemed the same as smoking in the US
and any part of an "e-cig" whether tank, coil, or drip tip is a tobacco product..LOL.
Then on to applied reality.
Fasttech ships in envelopes (plastic epackets or Manila) with no markings to let on that the content is vape gear. Don't worry.

Other than that...keep your fingers crossed.
I don't know your faith and whether you're faithful..but if what I surmise is correct I'd suggest you appeal
to Sri Ganesha to let your goods come to you w/o any obstacles or deviation.

Regards,
Hazy

 

[tailland]

20y ago when I worked for a company which operated its own production facility in China and then imported it, bribing greedy low-key officials was simply part of the game. Those folks had no real power but they could be annoying to deal with because superiors generally didn't care, so handing them over a small amount of money each week would keep them quiet. If I read Ananth correctly, India is still at that stage. That's frustrating for a regular citizen to deal with. Can't help but think the local dealers should stick together and shell out a bundle of dollar bills a week to make things easier.

 

[HazyShades]

Greetings Ananth,
First consider that my opinion has been deemed comical..in that light consider this:
You knew the situation was coming...So don't concern yourself with it generally any more than necessary.
Authorities will prosecute people who import in quantity, not the individual customers unless one is buying as a wholesaler with the intent to resell, and that only if a bureaucrat notices too many packages going to the same addy or someone informs on you..
I doubt anybody will concern themselves with you.

Don't feel like it's India alone as it is not. Vaping has been deemed the same as smoking in the US
and any part of an "e-cig" whether tank, coil, or drip tip is a tobacco product..LOL.
Then on to applied reality.
Fasttech ships in envelopes (plastic epackets or Manila) with no markings to let on that the content is vape gear. Don't worry.

Other than that...keep your fingers crossed.
I don't know your faith and whether you're faithful..but if what I surmise is correct I'd suggest you appeal
to Sri Ganesha to let your goods come to you w/o any obstacles or deviation.

Regards,
Hazy

Postcript:

I'm in no mood to re-read all 27 thousand pages of ECF rules
but if I remember correctly (it is possible I don't - old age can be a bummer)
it is a violation of ECF rules to suggest that a member break the laws of their country. (perhaps @classwife can chime in )
So I can't suggest that you continue your efforts to disregard Indian law...
In India, Federally, The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 does not provide any clear classification on various usage of nicotine especially in regards to e-cigarettes...but as you know several states have banned vaping.

BTW, For y'all's edification:
Vaping is still legal in the People's Republic of China.
Their State Council has been considering a ban for several years, two that I'm aware of
but apparently the manufacture and export of 90% of vaping devices sold world-wide is quite profitable
and has slowed down their impetus.
However in Hong Kong the sale and possession of nicotine-based e-cigarettes classified as a Type I Poison, is governed under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance. Sale or possession is not authorized and both are considered punishable by a fine of up to HK$100,000 and/or a prison term of 2 years.

 

[K Ananthakrishnan]

@Baditude
I think, (in India, though it is kinda losing-face to admit this), it is a matter of stupefying ignorance mixed with a heavy dose of arrogance. A customs official has no idea what he is dealing with and sometimes it is all about numbers to portray efficiency. Its depressing to say this but it is the hard truth.

@tailland
You hit the nail on the head. Both the importers cried about the fact that they have to grease so many palms that they sometimes wondering if it is even worth it. And this is a convenient reason for them to markup the prices to such exorbitant ends that it is laughable. Yet I can empathize with their state. Considering the blossoming smoking population here, maybe it is big tobacco at play here trying to protect their interests. Its the same miscreants albeit in different forms and doses that rain on any good parade. Damn man !!

@HazyShades
Lord Ganesha has been called upon indeed !! Its seems a trite selfish to call upon his services for an e-cig but hey, what one wants one prays for
As per the letter, no law has been broken. The reason I state this is that some guys have applied for a RTI when the customs officials behave like jokers. And then they do not know how to proceed and this ends with unquestionable confiscation or actual release of the package. But the headaches are aplenty thus dissuading you from going down that path. What can I say, its a damn shame
But I am still hopeful, at least if I get an intimation from the customs my plan is to return the intimation so that I dont claim liability. Though it is at the expense of my money lost, its a small victory (damn, that feel hollow!!)

 

[HazyShades]

Lord Ganesha has been called upon indeed !! Its seems a trite selfish to call upon his services for an e-cig but hey, what one wants one prays for
As per the letter, no law has been broken. The reason I state this is that some guys have applied for a RTI when the customs officials behave like jokers. And then they do not know how to proceed and this ends with unquestionable confiscation or actual release of the package. But the headaches are aplenty thus dissuading you from going down that path. What can I say, its a damn shame
But I am still hopeful, at least if I get an intimation from the customs my plan is to return the intimation so that I dont claim liability. Though it is at the expense of my money lost, its a small victory (damn, that feel hollow!!)

Dang it, man! Twisting my arm so I'll play Guru?
Otay, Grashopper
Thought directs energy...
Think good stuff and so it shall be

As long as you don't intend to be a vaping goods vendor I don't think you have anything to worry about.

 

[K Ananthakrishnan]

@Letitia @Baditude @HazyShades @tailland @stols001
Finally after some back and forth with some vendors, (lot of) YT stuff, some more reading on the internet, I have arrived at the following shopping list. As a rule, I am NOT going to import anything until I get anything at all. my pro C coils, if the Indian tracking system is to be trusted, held by customs. Dont know if this is routine or the actual rabbit-hole. Either way, local vendors is the only way I am going for now. Adventures later. So onwards with my list for your review/opinion/comments etc etc !

Atomizer:
1. UWell Crown 3 with coils
@Baditude The Uwell crown is a no-go as I have been trying to get someone to respond on the coil state to no avail. I guess this is my middle ground
2. Innokin Scion tank
@Letitia I am putting MTL on hold for now. I have asked for some vendors to see if they can source it at a competitive prices. This might be one the "adventure" I embark on later!

Mod:
1. Smoant Cylon
After a lot of looking around, at 4.4K INR, I think this is the best bang for buck Smoant I can get locally. @tailland @HazyShades The aspires and the evic vtcs are just too expensive and provide no value for money. This mod is okay priced and has some good review and as per @Letitia this should serve me well for the near future. Though this may not be my final mod as @stols001 has reiterated, I still think this is a near permanent buy.

Batteries:
Going to source 2 more LG HG2. So that means 4 in all, so I am covered there.

Charger:
Still waiting on FT but I can get the Efest LUC 2 or LUC 4 locally as per @Baditude blog post for batteries.

So that is all I guess. What do you people think? I also still have the battle star mini in my list, I can get it for 2.8K INR. That is the only other mod in the running that presents a decent value for money !

Fire away people

 

[Letitia]

@Letitia @Baditude @HazyShades @tailland @stols001
Finally after some back and forth with some vendors, (lot of) YT stuff, some more reading on the internet, I have arrived at the following shopping list. As a rule, I am NOT going to import anything until I get anything at all. my pro C coils, if the Indian tracking system is to be trusted, held by customs. Dont know if this is routine or the actual rabbit-hole. Either way, local vendors is the only way I am going for now. Adventures later. So onwards with my list for your review/opinion/comments etc etc !

Atomizer:
1. UWell Crown 3 with coils
@Baditude The Uwell crown is a no-go as I have been trying to get someone to respond on the coil state to no avail. I guess this is my middle ground
2. Innokin Scion tank
@Letitia I am putting MTL on hold for now. I have asked for some vendors to see if they can source it at a competitive prices. This might be one the "adventure" I embark on later!

Mod:
1. Smoant Cylon
After a lot of looking around, at 4.4K INR, I think this is the best bang for buck Smoant I can get locally. @tailland @HazyShades The aspires and the evic vtcs are just too expensive and provide no value for money. This mod is okay priced and has some good review and as per @Letitia this should serve me well for the near future. Though this may not be my final mod as @stols001 has reiterated, I still think this is a near permanent buy.

Batteries:
Going to source 2 more LG HG2. So that means 4 in all, so I am covered there.

Charger:
Still waiting on FT but I can get the Efest LUC 2 or LUC 4 locally as per @Baditude blog post for batteries.

So that is all I guess. What do you people think? I also still have the battle star mini in my list, I can get it for 2.8K INR. That is the only other mod in the running that presents a decent value for money !

Fire away people

Personally I would skip the Battlestar mini, I can't remember why, it's been a while. Maybe @Coastal Cowboy can chime in about it. It well have been some small thing, I am rather picky about gear.

The Crown III is a good tank but higher wattage coils iirc. Stock up on juice if you can get a sale price; read you have found some you like.

 

[HazyShades]

held by customs

In the US Customs usually hold stuff for a week

 

[K Ananthakrishnan]

@Letitia
Yes, .25 and .5 comes with the tank. I was only able to find .5 replacement coils !! I guess I can get more "juice" life this way right?
Battlestar mini was just a backup in case the Cylon is unattainable. Its going out of stock with a number of local vendors!

@HazyShades
Crossed fingers beginning to really smart guru

 

[K Ananthakrishnan]

@Letitia @Baditude @HazyShades @tailland @stols001
These were my short listed tanks and mods out of which I made my final decision. In case you guys seem some glaringly bad decision.

Aspire Cleito 120 Atomizers Head - 2.5K INR - smartsmokeindia
Asvape Cobra - 2.5K INR - madrasvape
Voopoo Uforce T1 - 3K INR - madrasvape
Uwell crown 3 - 2.5K INR - vapemantra
Zenith Tank - 2.3K INR - vapemantra
Geekvape Aero - 2.2K INR - vapemantra
Innokion Scion - 2.6K INR - lovelites
Wismec Elabo - 1.8K INR - vapelab
Ample Mace - 2.2K INR - mysticplumes
Aspire Cleito Exo - 2.1K INR - mysticplumes
Horizontech Arco II - 2.5K INR - mysticplumes
Desire Mad Dog GTA - 2.8K INR - mysticplumes
Sense Blazer - 1.4K INR - vaporsparadise
Sense Herakles - 3K INR - esutta

Vaporesso Revenger X - 6.2K INR (vapelab), 6K INR (indovapes) - WITH TANK
Wismec Ravage 230 - 4.5K (mysticplumes)
Aspire Skystar - 5.4K (vapelab)
Smoant Cylon (30mm) - 4.4K (indianvapehq)
Vaporesso Switcher - 6.5K INR (smartsmokeindia)
Voopoo Too - 5K (vapelab) - WITH UFORCE TANK
OBS Bat - not available locally
Smoant Ranker - 3.8K INR for Camo style (vapelab)
Tesla Punk 220w - 4.8K (vapelab)
Innokin Proton - 8K INR (evapeshop)
Smoant Charon Mini - 5.4K INR (indivape.in)

and

Smoant Battlestar Mini - 2.8K INR (indovapes)
Vaptio Wall Crawler - not available locally

 

[Letitia]

@Letitia
Yes, .25 and .5 comes with the tank. I was only able to find .5 replacement coils !! I guess I can get more "juice" life this way right?
Battlestar mini was just a backup in case the Cylon is unattainable. Its going out of stock with a number of local vendors!

@HazyShades
Crossed fingers beginning to really smart guru

Yes the .5 coil will go through somewhat less juice if it is a single coil. If it is a parallel coil then it will require higher wattage.

 

[K Ananthakrishnan]

@Letitia
Specs off the vendor page

• 0.25 ohm SUS316 Parallel Coil
  • 80 to 90W
• 0.5 ohm SUS316 Parallel Coil
  • 70 to 80W

 

[Baditude]

Yes the .5 coil will go through somewhat less juice if it is a single coil. If it is a parallel coil then it will require higher wattage.

I believe the Crown 3 is a parallel coil SS.

Recommended Wattage:

• 80-90 (0.25 Ohm)
• 70-80 (0.50 Ohm)

 

[HazyShades]

@HazyShades
Crossed fingers beginning to really smart guru

Oh ye of little faith...
I mentioned one prospective (grand)daughter's name, the other one is PATIENCE.
Not that I'm one to be seduced by stereotypes but
you Sir are the first impatient Indian I have ever met.

Considering this adventure began less than two weeks ago even if you count the month ½ that you've been vaping
you still have lots of time to wait before it becomes unbearable.
Carry on.

 

[Letitia]

@Letitia
Specs off the vendor page

• 0.25 ohm SUS316 Parallel Coil
  • 80 to 90W
• 0.5 ohm SUS316 Parallel Coil
  • 70 to 80W

Even if you are like me and vape below or at the low end of recommended wattage you are going to be refilling frequently. This is why so many of us keep several tanks in daily rotation. It gives longer coil life which will offset juice cost. Having several different flavors going can also reduce vaper's tongue.