Hello, new to forum and outdated on vaping.

[DevinC]

So as the title states, I'm new to this forum, used to vape, but feel very outdated now.
I went back to smoking and have been for almost a year again, but only because it's more
convenient compared to how I was vaping. I was using a mechanical mod a lot of the time and a rba.

I'm looking to swap back to vaping, but the options seem overwhelming compared to back a couple years ago. So I kind of figured I would come here before I dropped a couple hundred on a set up.

I've been interested in some of the "higher end" starter kits, specifically the smok mag and SMOK tvf12 prince or whatever combo kit. But I was looking to get some input on a kit like that and batteries I should look at.

 

[Opinionated]

There is nothing high end about smok products. I personally cannot find it in myself to recommend their products.

What type of vaper are you... what coils did you used to build? Did you build above 1ohm or below?

 

[DevinC]

I know SMOK is seen as lowly, but from what I've tried, they seem to do their job and I don't beat on my stuff at all.
I used to build around 1.5 I think because I didn't have the best batteries. I still have my Sigelei 100 plus, but I don't think I really want to use that. I just want a decent tank and mod for everyday use with minimal upkeep haha.
(Used to polish my brass mech regularly and build a new coil every week or so.)

 

[Baditude]

First off, I have to say I'm not a fan of SMOK mods, but that's as far as I feel like going today. I would not categorize them as "high end". Just do your research on this forum concerning SMOK products before you buy.

I can probably help you most with your choice of batteries. SMOK says the Mag uses two 18650 batteries and can do 225 watts (yeah, right). Don't realistically expect this mod to do more than 180 watts. Depending upon the wattage setting that you will use, choose your batteries thus:

If you use a good quality 15 amp CDR battery like the Samsung 30Q or Sony VTC6, then you are good up to 45 watts per battery; 90 watts using two; 135 watts for three batteries.

If you use a good quality 20 amp CDR battery like the LG HG2 or Samsung 25R then you are good for 60 watts per battery. If using a 2-battery regulated mod, your good for 120 watts as you have two batteries. If you are using a 3-battery mod, you're good for 180.

If you use a single 30 amp CDR battery like the LG HB6 you are good up to 90 watts; with a pair of 30 amp CDR batteries you could safely do 180 watts assuming the mod cuts off when the batteries reach 3.4 volts.

20W-45W:

Samsung 18650 30Q, 3000 mah 15 amp CDR
Sony 18659VTC6 3000mAh 15 amp CDR
​

20W-60W:

LG 18650HG2 3000mah 20 amp CDR
LG 18650HE2 2500 mah 20 amp CDR
Samsung 18650-25R, 2500 mah 20 amp CDR
Sony 18650VTC5, 2600 mah 20 amp CDR
Sony 18650VTC4, 2100 mah 23 amp CDR
AW 18650 3000 mah 20 amp CDR
​

30W - 75W:

Sony 18650VTC5A, 2500 mah 25 amp CDR
​

60W - 90W:

LG18650HB6 1500mah 30 amp CDR
LG18650HB2 1500mAh 30 amp CDR
LG18650HB4 1500mAh 30 amp CDR
​

​

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.

 

[ruet]

I know SMOK is seen as lowly, but from what I've tried, they seem to do their job and I don't beat on my stuff at all.
I used to build around 1.5 I think because I didn't have the best batteries. I still have my Sigelei 100 plus, but I don't think I really want to use that. I just want a decent tank and mod for everyday use with minimal upkeep haha.
(Used to polish my brass mech regularly and build a new coil every week or so.)

I'd keep the Sigelei, buy new batteries for it and experiment with different tanks until I found one that suited my needs. I'd take any Sigelei product over any Smok product any time. ...and I've never owned a Sigelei product.

 

[Opinionated]

I would recommend this mod to you

Smoant Battlestar 200w Mod - EightVape

(Not a fingerprint magnet )

And I'll let someone else suggest a tank for you... I'm not as good with factory tanks and coils as I build. .

@Letitia - tanks?

However, if you must have a smok product then good luck to you. And either way, good luck to you! Welcome to ECF!

 

[DevinC]

Awesome write up! Thanks for all of the info.
I don't plan to push any mod over 150w, probably staying around the 80-100w range.
I have a pair or VTC5's that I'm going to test once I get a new charger, but they should be fairly new if not brand new.
I'll look at more mods and not jump to the prettiest lmao.

 

[dom qp]

Awesome write up! Thanks for all of the info.
I don't plan to push any mod over 150w, probably staying around the 80-100w range.
I have a pair or VTC5's that I'm going to test once I get a new charger, but they should be fairly new if not brand new.
I'll look at more mods and not jump to the prettiest lmao.

Asmodus, as far as mass production Chinese products goes, is higher end regulated. The reborn goes to ~150. I'd put Smoant in the same bracket too.

For real high end regulated you would be looking at a Hexohm V3 , Raffymods Ranger, or Squid Industries Double Barrel.

Then of course there's all the DNA mods. Lost Vape in particular seems popular. Personally I feel like they're going of the way of Provari. Very well made devices but lacking innovation (and aesthetic IMO).

 

[ruet]

Awesome write up! Thanks for all of the info.
I don't plan to push any mod over 150w, probably staying around the 80-100w range.
I have a pair or VTC5's that I'm going to test once I get a new charger, but they should be fairly new if not brand new.
I'll look at more mods and not jump to the prettiest lmao.

If you are just venturing back to vaping I don't know why you would want to come close to even 100W. Coming back from cigarettes I'd be looking at 20-30W through a .5ohm coil with a high nic juice. Nothing fancy or complicated. Just something that works to get you back into the swing of things.

 

[Baditude]

Awesome write up! Thanks for all of the info.
I don't plan to push any mod over 150w, probably staying around the 80-100w range.
I have a pair or VTC5's that I'm going to test once I get a new charger, but they should be fairly new if not brand new.
I'll look at more mods and not jump to the prettiest lmao.

I'll recommend the Efest LUC V2 or V4, depending upon if you need a 2 or 4 bay charger. They are inexpensive, and the V4 charges 4 batteries fast (1 amp) simultaneously, unlike many other chargers that charge unequally. Efest batteries are meh, but their chargers are top notch. Guide to Choosing a Li-ion Battery Charger


Just a FYI, I use a JAC Vapour series B DNA75W and an original Uwell Crown tank. It's probably the best setup I've ever owned. Check them both out.




I get a full day use with a single Samsung 30Q battery vaping at 30 watts. I also have a Segelei Fuschai 213 Plus (2 battery mod) that I use as my backup.

 

[dom qp]

I'll recommend the Efest LUC V2 or V4, depending upon if you need a 2 or 4 bay charger. They are inexpensive, and the V4 charges 4 batteries fast (1 amp) simultaneously, unlike many other chargers that charge unequally. Efest batteries are meh, but their chargers are top notch. Guide to Choosing a Li-ion Battery Charger


Just a FYI, I use a JAC Vapour series B DNA75W and an original Uwell Crown tank. It's probably the best setup I've ever owned. Check them both out.

'
You need to stop recommending that JAC Vapour.

Every time you post it I have to spend 30 minutes trying to convince myself I don't need another mod for 'out and about'.

 

[Baditude]

You need to stop recommending that JAC Vapour.

Every time you post it I have to spend 30 minutes trying to convince myself I don't need another mod for 'out and about'.

Sorry, I can't. Everyone I know who has one loves it and I've seen nothing but stellar reviews. JAC Vapour Series-B DNA 75w

I don't often go out of my way to recommend vaping products. They have been limited to the Provari, AltSmoke Silver Bullet, IBTanked cartotanks, Ikenvape cartomizers, and the Uwell Crown 1 tank. Unfortunately all were American products that are no longer made except for the Crown. So I get excited when a new product comes along that meets my standards of quality.

 

[dom qp]

Sorry, I can't. Everyone I know who has one loves it and I've seen nothing but stellar reviews. JAC Vapour Series-B DNA 75w

 

[DevinC]

There are just so many options, it feels crazy overwhelming.
I'll take all the recommendations into consideration and will do more research.
All that I have left to order is the mod and tank itself.

 

[dom qp]

There are just so many options, it feels crazy overwhelming.
I'll take all the recommendations into consideration and will do more research.
All that I have left to order is the mod and tank itself.

In the end the mods are all similar (assuming they're in the same class). A 2 batter 18650 mod will deliver a fixed amount of power to your coils. The only difference between them, quality issues aside, being form factor & aesthetic.

IMO pick the one you think looks best, while googling to make sure there's no obvious issues (i.e. Smok Alien with paint peeling).

For a tank that's largely subjective. I can tell you my Wake RTA and Reload RTA vape just as well as my Squonking/Dripping RDAs. Doesn't mean you'll like them as much as I though.

Do you want to go single coil or dual coil? I feel like single coil has a range of tanks that are very similar. While with dual coil your choice becomes a bit more nuanced.

Since you're an experienced builder, and every RTA i've tried has completely blown out the best of pre-made coiled tanks, I would suggest you pick something that has an RBA deck available. E.g. the Wake RTA with a couple of premade 0.5 ohm coils.

A lot of the Tanks with RBA decks were made for premade coils with the deck being secondary. There are a few RTAs where it's the other way around. Make sure you get one that has an RBA deck that isn't microscopic and finnicky to build on, as the chimney are often designed for pre-made coils.

 

[DevinC]

The only tank experiences I've had are (recently) the tfv8 and my past ones that I still own, aspire atlantis and the kanger sub tank.
For rebuildables, I have a tugboat v1, kraken rta and a couple of junk clones.
So I'm pretty limited in personal experience but know I want decent flavor, top fill, and the ability to hold quite a bit of liquid.

 

[dom qp]

The only tank experiences I've had are (recently) the tfv8 and my past ones that I still own, aspire atlantis and the kanger sub tank.
For rebuildables, I have a tugboat v1, kraken rta and a couple of junk clones.
So I'm pretty limited in personal experience but know I want decent flavor, top fill, and the ability to hold quite a bit of liquid.

Regardless of what you decide to get, do yourself a favour and get a Kindbright Reload RTA clone from fasttech for $12.

$11.87 Kindbright Reload Styled RTA Rebuildable Tank Atomizer - 304 stainless steel + glass at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping

If you order it soon it should arrive in 2-3 weeks, after you've picked out a mod and tank. Then, when you're ready (and if you're willing), you can blow the socks off of your pre-made coil tanks for $12.

Top fill
Flavour same/better than my RDAs
Holds a good amount of liquid (especially if you buy bubble glass. I think I got 3 for $2)

 

[DevinC]

Alright, I'll bookmark that.
Do vape shops typically do trade ins?
I'm not sure if the old stuff is worth much, but I don't plan to use a lot of it and have authentics.

 

[MJCSD]

Hello and welcome to ecf

 

[Opinionated]

Alright, I'll bookmark that.
Do vape shops typically do trade ins?
I'm not sure if the old stuff is worth much, but I don't plan to use a lot of it and have authentics.

No they don't. Most people sell off older gear places like here or eBay. In order to buy sell or trade you have to be verified.


As far as tanks go with factory coils, there is the Uwell Crown 3 that is very popular that everyone swears by.

Again, I build so I've never tried it but lots of people really like it.