I am new here and Confused on what device to get

[lisaott86]

Hi my name is Lisa and I am a vapeaholic lol...I have been some free for 3 years in September. I have always used starter devices, obviously. I was using the Aspire Plato with the BVC coil. I need something bigger to be able to go down in nicotine level. I got the new smok stick and I love the taste and vape production I get. However, I am going through coils every 3-4 days ...I have tried the .15 and .25 and it is awful!! I do not want a huge 200+ watt device because I simply will not use it. I have been looking at the Alien 85(?).

I know this is a long post but I'd really love some suggestions on a new vape. I would like something small, ideally $70 or less, a pass through would be awesome, and something I can use as an ADV. I know, I don't want much, huh!

 

[dyanaprajna]

What type and kind of juice do you use? The Smok stick uses the baby beast tank, and my coils last about two weeks before they start going bad, and I can generally use them for another week before I need to change them. Juices that are dark and/or sweet will kill coils quicker than lighter and less sweet juices, so that might be an issue.

As far as a new mod, I think the AL85 would be an excellent mod, but the whole kit comes with the same baby beast tank. Maybe look at the G80 as well.

 

[djsvapour]

Is the Plato a starter device? (It might be with the high resistance coils, I guess - but there are others available)
You might not need to spend $70... although once you get the batteries etc, that's a good amount.
Today, I am vaping on a $40 mod and $14 Eleaf tank. The coils are $1.50 and last 40-80ml depending on juice.
I also use 200w box mods for the battery life by the way.
Vaping (and forums) are all about opinion. Speaking personally, value for money and reliability are more important than following the crowd. Certain tanks require expensive coils, it's the way of clawing back money for selling hardware at class-leading prices.
Can you not do something with the Plato?

 

[lisaott86]

What type and kind of juice do you use? The Smok stick uses the baby beast tank, and my coils last about two weeks before they start going bad, and I can generally use them for another week before I need to change them. Juices that are dark and/or sweet will kill coils quicker than lighter and less sweet juices, so that might be an issue.

As far as a new mod, I think the AL85 would be an excellent mod, but the whole kit comes with the same baby beast tank. Maybe look at the G80 as well.

I have been using Chubby Bubble Purp and Candy King juice. I believe Candy King is an 80/20 and Chubby is a 70/30. They are sweet but they are clear. Would the AL85 be good for sweeter juices? I know that that is subjective and depends on use. I use them as an ADV. i will check out the G80 as well. Thank you so much for your response.

 

[lisaott86]

Is the Plato a starter device? (It might be with the high resistance coils, I guess - but there are others available)
You might not need to spend $70... although once you get the batteries etc, that's a good amount.
Today, I am vaping on a $40 mod and $14 Eleaf tank. The coils are $1.50 and last 40-80ml depending on juice.
I also use 200w box mods for the battery life by the way.
Vaping (and forums) are all about opinion. Speaking personally, value for money and reliability are more important than following the crowd. Certain tanks require expensive coils, it's the way of clawing back money for selling hardware at class-leading prices.
Can you not do something with the Plato?

I'm not sure the Plato is a starter device or not. It also has another coil that can be used with it but it seems very harsh when I use it. That's why I love the Smok stick but the coils lasting 2-3 days is a real downer. Thank you so much for your response.

 

[DingerCPA]

Hi @lisaott86! Welcome

The AL85 is a nice little device (I have one on order) I also have a couple of iStick Picos (very similar size). You will need to get rechargeable batteries (and preferably a dedicated charger). You can recharge batteries right in the devices; I just prefer an external charger. BUT, if you are o.k. with the actual Smok Stick, you might just need to consider a different topper. Depending on what you like, there's the Nautilus/Nautilus 2, eGo ONE tanks. For rebuildables, I love the Serpent Mini. Just because a device outputs a certain level doesn't mean you have to run it there! I have an Alien 220 running at 19W right now

 

[OlderNDirt]

Welcome to ECF, @lisaott86

Since you have and like The V8 with the Big Baby tank, want something to last all day, and would prefer pass through (presumably for longer battery life ), you might consider a dual 18650 battery mod (maybe the Alien?) and picking up another Big Baby tank. I have a V8, AL85, and the Alien and each serve their own purpose. While the AL85 is nice for its small size, it comes at the cost of shorter battery life, at least I will not depend on it coming close to lasting anywhere near an 8 hour day with either baby beast tank. The Alien, while the batteries will last that long (or very close to it depending on wattage and use), I am more likely to run out of juice in the Big Baby then out of battery. But I carry more then one tank for changing flavors. And as others have mentioned, just because it does 200+ watts, nothing says you have to use them all.

On the other hand, if you are looking at making a total change from the V8, there are a plethora of choices available in mods, tanks, and combinations of those. We'll all be happy to tell you what we like, for whatever that is worth.

 

[jseah]

The tank that I like to use is the Freemax Starre Pure. Although the 0.25 ohm coils are rated up to 70 watts, I use it down around 35-40 watts and they will last me easily 3-4 weeks. With some really sweet and coil gunking juices, it drops it down to about 2-3 weeks. At $10 for a package of 5 coils, it is very economical. I also like that it is top fill and top airflow so it will never leak. My go to setup now is the Pure tank coupled with the dual battery Sigelei/Fuchai 213. The dual battery gives me a good battery life (nearly a full day of use) and the size is small enough to be easily pocketable.

 

[djsvapour]

I'm not sure the Plato is a starter device or not. It also has another coil that can be used with it but it seems very harsh when I use it. That's why I love the Smok stick but the coils lasting 2-3 days is a real downer. Thank you so much for your response.

Your Smok stick must be pumping out some decent vapor.
I am surprised you can tolerate that but have an issue with the Plato using the 0.4ohm coil.
Which of the coils are working for you? (Sorry... I got confused about 0.15 and 0.25)... surely the 0.15 can't even be used on a 'stick' mod unless it's temp control.
I think there might be something else at play here. Have you been using TC (temp coils) for example? Does your stick do temp?
(Just throwing out ideas....)

 

[OlderNDirt]

surely the 0.15 can't even be used on a 'stick' mod unless it's temp control.

Ever hear about "speak softly and carry a big stick?" They call it a stick, but it is not the "stick" one normally thinks of. Guess that is why they call it a Stick V8. And it vapes very nicely with their M2 0.15Ω coil....no temp control available.

 

[zoiDman]

Hi my name is Lisa and I am a vapeaholic lol...I have been some free for 3 years in September. I have always used starter devices, obviously. I was using the Aspire Plato with the BVC coil. I need something bigger to be able to go down in nicotine level. I got the new Smok stick and I love the taste and vape production I get. However, I am going through coils every 3-4 days ...I have tried the .15 and .25 and it is awful!! I do not want a huge 200+ watt device because I simply will not use it. I have been looking at the Alien 85(?).

I know this is a long post but I'd really love some suggestions on a new vape. I would like something small, ideally $70 or less, a pass through would be awesome, and something I can use as an ADV. I know, I don't want much, huh!

Hi Lisa. Welcome to the ECF.

I think you will find that once you have a VW Mod, that things will be Much Better. Because VW gives you the Ability to Fine Tune the Hit you get by either Turning Up or Turning down the Wattage.

The Alien 85 as mentioned is Very Similar to the eLeaf Pico. I don't have an Alien 85, but I have an eLeaf Pico and it is Great Mod. So is the eLeaf iStick 40w TC if you want a Mod with a Built-In Battery.

---

When you say you are going thru "Coils" in 3-4 days. Do you mean Factory Pre-Built Coil Heads that you just Screw in? Or are you putting your own Coil into a RBA Section and then wicking it with Cotton?

 

[Jeff M.]

I just got back into vaping after a long break. Honestly, I think that the Eleaf iStick Pico is one of the best "starter" devices on the market. I have purchased three of them since March.

They do the basics really well while having some more advanced features like Temperature Control built in as well. At the same time, the advanced features don't get in the way or clutter the device and interfere with it being used simply and intuitively to start. It's definitely something that a beginning vaper can grow into with time and not have to go out and buy another fancier device. Another plus is that it's relatively small and light so that it can go with you just about anywhere and everywhere. It uses a removeable 18650 battery that can be charged inside the device with a USB cord, or can be removed to charge with a stand-alone charger. As battery technology advances, you can get newer/better/longer lasting batteries for it without replacing the entire device. Even the firmware is upgradeable on the Pico. I haven't played with it yet, but I will likely start playing with the Arctic Fox firmware on one of my Pico at some point just because I'm curious.

I did just get an AL85 or "Baby Alien" and I like it. Basically a slightly bigger Pico that can use tanks that are 25mm in diameter instead of the 22mm that the Pico is limited to. It seems like it has a few more features, but the screen is more cluttered and seems a bit more complicated than the Pico. I'm sure it seems that way because I'm not used to it yet. The biggest negative to it IMHO is that the firmware isn't upgradeable like the Pico, but that's probably not a huge issue for 99% of normal users.

Pair the Pico with a Kangertech Subtank Mini (aka "STM", which is what I have used for a few years, or alternatively a Toptank Mini, which looks to be identical except it can be filled from the top without removing the tank), and it would be hard to beat for both ease of use for a beginner AND upgradeability and room for growth and experimentation. There is a wide variety of premade coils available for the Subtank Mini, which they call their "Organic Cotton Coils" or OCC (or SSOCC, the SS meaning Stainless Steel for the material used in the housing - not to be confused with the stainless steel wire coil that can be found in some, but not all, of the SSOCCs) for different vaping styles. The OCCs and SSOCCs are plug-and-play. The STM also comes with a rebuildable deck to use if/when you want to start wrapping your own. Even some of the premade coils can be rebuilt with a little effort and a few minutes watching Youtube how-to's. There also seems to be a wide variety of different aftermarket parts available for the STM to play around with different sizes, styles, and materials used for the tank.

 

[zoiDman]

+1 on a TopTank Mini.

 

[lisaott86]

Your Smok stick must be pumping out some decent vapor.
I am surprised you can tolerate that but have an issue with the Plato using the 0.4ohm coil.
Which of the coils are working for you? (Sorry... I got confused about 0.15 and 0.25)... surely the 0.15 can't even be used on a 'stick' mod unless it's temp control.
I think there might be something else at play here. Have you been using TC (temp coils) for example? Does your stick do temp?
(Just throwing out ideas....)

It is not a TC. It uses the M2 coils which states they are specific for the stick. I'm at a loss myself. I know my boss uses the stick as well and she is complaining about the coils as well. I was told you can use other smok coils, but I have no idea where/what to start with them. Thank you so much for your reply.

 

[lisaott86]

Ever hear about "speak softly and carry a big stick?" They call it a stick, but it is not the "stick" one normally thinks of. Guess that is why they call it a Stick V8. And it vapes very nicely with their M2 0.15Ω coil....no temp control available.

I have tried both the M2 0.15 and the 0.25. I don't know why it is burning through them so quickly. I have 2 of them and they both have this issue. I am so confused by it. Thank you so much for your reply.

 

[lisaott86]

Hi Lisa. Welcome to the ECF.

I think you will find that once you have a VW Mod, that things will be Much Better. Because VW gives you the Ability to Fine Tune the Hit you get by either Turning Up or Turning down the Wattage.

The Alien 85 as mentioned is Very Similar to the eLeaf Pico. I don't have an Alien 85, but I have an eLeaf Pico and it is Great Mod. So is the eLeaf iStick 40w TC if you want a Mod with a Built-In Battery.

---

When you say you are going thru "Coils" in 3-4 days. Do you mean Factory Pre-Built Coil Heads that you just Screw in? Or are you putting your own Coil into a RBA Section and then wicking it with Cotton?

Yes, it is the pre-built coils. This girl wouldn't even know where to begin with an RBA lol! Thank you so much for your reply.

 

[lisaott86]

What do you guys think about the Alien with a Cleito, not the 120? Can you run the Cleito at 35-40 watts? I have to be honest, I am not a fan of the Kanger tanks. I have had taste issues with them, meaning they kinda taste like plastic. That may be my taste buds lol. Will the Cleito fit on the AL85 and not be too big? After all, I am a girl who needs it to be pretty lol! I know, it's ridiculous but it's me

 

[zoiDman]

Yes, it is the pre-built coils. This girl wouldn't even know where to begin with an RBA lol! Thank you so much for your reply.

You might be Surprised.

Building your own Coils may look difficult, but it really Isn't. And it is Sooooooo Muuuuuch cheaper than buying Coil Heads. And the Hit you get is Better also.

Anyway, I think many things will get Better when you get into a VW Mod. And some of the Coils you found you Don't Like actually taste OK (or even Good) when you have the Ability to turn the Power Up/Down.

 

[zoiDman]

Yes, it is the pre-built coils. This girl wouldn't even know where to begin with an RBA lol! Thank you so much for your reply.

BTW - Don't tell Anyone. But I Don't make my own coils much anymore. And just Buy Coils that have already be Pre-Coiled.

Like these...

$2.20 Authentic MKWS 316 Stainless Steel Pre-Coiled Wires for RBA Atomizers (50-Pack) - 26 AWG / 0.4mm dia. / 0.32ohm at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping

 

[ddirtyvapes]

The Cleito will fit the AL85.

The Melo III and Melo III Mini are also good tanks with a lot of coil options; the M3M is the one that comes with the Pico kit.