I Do Not Know What I Need, but I Do Know My Wants :)

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BassPlayersWife

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Feb 8, 2013
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Hello Vapors ;)

My husband and I are now just over a month on vaping. We hurt ourselves right away by going to a kiosk in the mall and buying a ego/clearomizer system for an embarrassing amount of money as we needed one right away and couldnt wait.

So, I have been researching this last month. What i know is that we will be ordering the Provari's and want an EXCELLENT tank system. I just ordered a few Vivi Nova V2's for the current ego bats we have. If i ever use another CE4, please feel free to shoot me. I am so tired of terrible taste. It started out so wonderful and we were so happy. Now, its much more rare to ever get a good taste. I go through clearos like crazy, as i was dry burning them every time i changed juices out. I am so sick of burned, harsh, dry, scratchy taste on my tounge. Now i know better, but i want to get the search over with and the enjoyment back.

we are passed the dry mouth and drink tons of water, we are passed the bleeding gums, lol (yeah us!).

I have been reading for sometime now.. and while you guys have done a great job in the forums, please help one more noob. I will tell you what our priorities are, and please, please, please, help us, lol.


As stated, we are ordering the Provari's so anything and everything must be usable with them. As my hubby is a musician/singer, we are moving to a 50/50 or 40/60 PG/VG based juices as the higher PG's are hard on his throat. We use EC Blends and have loved them to date. We have been on the 24 nic, but are moving down to 18's as i read that as i vape a great deal and taste is an issue, that the lower nics may be better. I always order extra flavor as well, if that matters. Please correct me on anything and everything.

1. What is most important to us is taste. Pure, excellent, consistent, taste. I like STRONG flavor.
2. Reliability. I do understand that the ViVi Novas are not a true tank system that uses cartos. I havent ever used a carto before. Please suggest anything you think is better than the VN's (how long do the cartos last?).
3. Ease of use. I have no desire to rebuild my system from scratch. I do not mind changing out cartos/attys, but i do not want to have to rebuild coils/wicks etc. I like how i can buy the attys for the VN's and just replace as needed without doing all the wicks/coils.
4. I would like to get away from the plastic/cracking issues. I havent had one yet, but i dont want to either, lol.
5. looks/money

I have a few stupid noob questions as well that i am not finding easy answers to.
I understand that the different bases of the juices, flavors, etc will make a difference as to which resistance and voltage we will need, and i will need to truly learn all of that once i have the new gear in my hand. Reading is easy, experiencing is obviously how we will really learn. Any suggestions for a great place to start would be nice, lol. I really got my heart broke when i read about the Genesis' and then tried to order them, lol.

Drip tip help please? Is the tip important for taste, or just keeping the juice drops out of my mouth and off of my lips (these are not doing that).

After we get a solid, dependable, and EXCELLENT taste system going, i will be trying out most everything, lol, but please, help me get this set-up into the zone. I was a professional smoker for over 35 years. I take my nicotine seriously, lol.

I am tired of messing around, lets do this thing :D
 

SissySpike

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Phiniac carto tanks with SS caps are the best and coolest looking IMO. Also you can give different juice vendors a try. I dont like everything any certain vendors makes. I get fruit flavors from one and coffee from another and sweets from a different one yet.
I get HV catrs from https://www.ecigcharleston.com/one-page-checkout.asp from ecig Charleston. I get 4.5 ohm and 5.0. when in stock I get Ikenvape punched 801 fusions or platinum. This carto punch is the absolute best Ive found. Aluminium Cartomizer Punch V4 - Cartomizers/Tanks - Accessories but like everything well made in the Vape world you have to keep an eye out and get it when they have some in stalk. The one at clouds of vapor is ok looks the same but dose not work nearly as well.
 

Rocketpunk

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Aug 14, 2012
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If you're looking for strong flavor, relative ease of use, etc., I highly recommend carto tanks. I've been down the clearo road, they work great... for a while. Cartos can last anywhere from a few days to a week to a month (I've had cartos last over three weeks). Some claim they can taste the polyfill, however. Thankfully, I cannot.

If you're interested in more info about carto tanks, try lurking the "Tanks" subforum. Also, seek out Batitude. He's the gentleman who could answer any and all of your carto tank questions better than me. Heck, better than most anyone.
 

BassPlayersWife

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Thanks so far :)

Yes, i have an abundance of juices in many varied flavors to stop the taste burn out. I have used a few different juice vendors, but i really like EC Blends for some reason. They seem to not have a chemical taste that i pick up in store bought juices. I have bought from Zeus Juice as well while a few of mine steeped.. was really yummy :)

I just opened my last new clearo... hope it lasts until the VN's get in. I do not know if i will like the ViVi Novas or not. I havent used them yet, but i am looking forward to it. Kind of.

I have had one clearo last 3 weeks, and it is actually still working well, but i have a different flavored juice in it that i dont really care for, but hate to waste... that means i stare at it with a frown on my face, but dont vape it.

I was looking at getting some of the metal/aluminum(?) tanks for the VN's until i decide what to get for the Provari order, then decided to ask in here first in case someone was willing to help me pick a great tank system.

Any thoughts on the drip tips?

I have indeed been lurking the Tanks sections, and read some of the mentioned gentleman posts. I will send out my SuperHero Psychic Powers to The Batitude and see if he is willing to be intruded upon ;)

PS, i do search out most of what i can see in everyone's siggys, which is how i ended up researching the Provari. Of course, PhilB reviews on youtube are most always the clincher for me, lol. I cannot however find a review on the various tank systems from him, still watching others as well. I saw on FB a tank sytem he uses, and it us unavailable.. much like the Genesis i was stone cold set on... until i tried to buy one, lol.
 
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Rocketpunk

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The Genesis is a rebuildeable atomizer. It's not for all noobs! But if you think you've got the concept down pretty well, and you're inclined to stuff like that, go for it.

But a little sliver of advice: if you consider yourself a noob, I wouldn't throw myself into the high-end delivery systems just yet. I say try simple and go from there. It's a bit overwhelming and one can get a bit of "mod envy". You see these vapers with their cryptic devices and delivery systems and how much they praise them, so it's only natural to want what they have... But! It doesn't work that way all the time.

Practice caution! Don't stretch yourself to the point where you'll get discouraged if it doesn't work for you right away. With vaping, the KISS principle goes a long way.
 

Renolizzie

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Welcome to this journey called vaping. I like my Vivi Novas. I do use a Provari. The carto tank combos are reasonably easy to use although I managed to make a mess a couple of times trying to refill. No worries. I figure I'll get the hang of it. I have two IBT tanks and one Phiniac tank.

I have been using Smoke Tek Ressurector cartos. I went with Xl tanks and bought the XL cartos, of course. XL just means Extra long.

The tank can come in a couple of sizes around as well as in a couple of lengths so, for example, I have one IBT 19mm XL tank and one IBT 25 mm XL tank. Obviously, the 25 mm XL tank holds more juice than the 19mm XL tank.

Hope that helps.
 
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Renolizzie

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Drip tips- Pretty basic stuff. Pick one that will look good with your new tank colors:) I have bought several drip tips from several companies. No need to spend big dollars unless you want to. Here is a link to a variety of drip tips

Drip Tips

So, you'll need the tank itself, the cartos, the vaping device [in this case your Provari and a drip tip.

Baditude has some info on his blog.

Let's see if I can get this demo video to post.

Electronic Cigarettes 101: Tank Basics - YouTube

Hope that link works.
 

donnah

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Try the vivi novas that you have coming for awhile. I prefer the drunker tank myself over the nova. You can buy replacement coils with wicks that are easy to install. I rebuild my own with cotton for wicks but the ones that they sell are fine. I too started out with a mall kit and paid an embarrassing price for it. I needed to see what vaping was all about, I had no idea that different devices performed differently or that I could buy (and make) different flavors of juice. It took me a year and a half to work my way up to a provari but once I did, I've bought nothing else (except 2 more provari's!)
 

Pentarth

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Having been down the long road and tried about everything on the market. Tank cartomzers are good. Vivi Novas are better (not without their own minor issues) and Genesis systems are hands down the best vapor.
Genesis systems, like the Z atty pro, produce prodigious amounts of vape with hands down the best flavors. Last a LOT longer on each rebuild than cartos or atomizers and are not that hard to use/rebuild if you have a variable voltage mod (not required but no 2 coils ohm out exactly the same and adjusting your voltage to taste is recommended).
The drawbacks are cost, they are a lot more expensive than other systems (you get what you pay for). They are heavy (which doesn't bother me but bothers some people), and they will leak out into the top cap if you lay them down or invert them for any length of time.
Lastly they are hard to get, and frequently sold out of most stores (there is a reason for this... they are rapid sellers because they produce the best vapor on the market and isn't that what we vape for?)
I explain mods to people like cars... you buy a Mercedes Benz (Provari) you don't want the transmission from a Pinto powering it.
Cartomizers and other systems work.... but how well? Having tested them all over time the Genesis systems are hands down the best choice.
 

Scoop224

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For me.... A Provari with an IBT in XL size (2ml of juice) is perfect for taste, and long times between fills/charges. After all, you did say that reliability & durability are key requirements. I'd suggest Pyrex for durability in a carto tank. Never have had luck with viv novas.... The taste was always "off" in my case.
 

LV SuzyQ

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Hi Bassplayerswife,

That was quite a read! Ok I can see how determined you are to make this work. The Provaris are a good, reliable well built, consistent PV but.. If what you put on top doesn't work .. It's all for naught. My husband and I both have Provari minis and he loves the vivi novas( they are just so easy .. Never had any leak issues yet) but for me the taste is a little off in them. My perfect setup so far is an Ikenvape prepunched carto with an Ibtank or Phiniac tank both glass both very beautiful and durable.
Now keep in mind as great as these tanks are .. They are only vessels to hold your liquid. It's all about the carto! Get some good prepunched cartos and you will be well on your way to finding vape heaven! Gl
 

BassPlayersWife

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Feb 8, 2013
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I really appreciate the input. Yes, i am tired of messing around. This is getting expensive, and i havent even got the good gear yet. I would rather just get the known, proven, equipment and go from there. As i have been lurking for a while now, i know you guys know best (and yes, i understand about personal preferences).

I did a lot more research today and I am happy I got the ViVi Nova's for now. We watched how to modify them if there is a need. I think the big question will be if we have a problem with the taste of the cartos. I have been reading about the cartos.. Boge? Opinions?

My husband is good at, and enjoys tinkering, so we were indeed looking at the Z Attys as he wanted liked the idea of rebuilding his own.

Right now I am experiencing a bit of sticker shock from staring at my shopping cart for the Provari's. We need two, and with just the basics it's well over $300.00 more than the Sigelei Zmax's, lol.

Someone hold my hand, tell me I am doing the right thing on the Provari, lol.
 

LV SuzyQ

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For better taste, change flavors often no matter what delivery system you choose to use. So get several Vivi Novas, if they are what you like. If you vape the same flavor all day your taste buds will become dull to that flavor.

Great point Tj! I wish someone had warned me of this in the beginning. I vaped one flavor exclusively for over a month and got vapor tongue! It lasted for ten days and was scary and awful. Constantly rotate flavors and drink lots of water :)
 

LV SuzyQ

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The Genesis is a rebuildeable atomizer. It's not for all noobs! But if you think you've got the concept down pretty well, and you're inclined to stuff like that, go for it.

But a little sliver of advice: if you consider yourself a noob, I wouldn't throw myself into the high-end delivery systems just yet. I say try simple and go from there. It's a bit overwhelming and one can get a bit of "mod envy". You see these vapers with their cryptic devices and delivery systems and how much they praise them, so it's only natural to want what they have... But! It doesn't work that way all the time.

Practice caution! Don't stretch yourself to the point where you'll get discouraged if it doesn't work for you right away. With vaping, the KISS principle goes a long way.

Well said Rocketpunk. :)
 

Renolizzie

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For long term reliability, I think the Provari is well known. I don't know what you were spending on cigs but I know I was spending $200 per month. If I spend anything less than $2400 in twelve months and I have quit smoking, I am definitely ahead of the game. Honestly, it can be expensive to get started. Right now, other than some cartos, mpossibly some Viv Nova heads, I have everything I need to last for months of vaping.

I may still end up buying a back up charger and a couple of more batts at $10 apiece also for back ups.

I might buy a couple of more tanks just because they are so pretty:)

I will come out ahead on finances by my first anniversary. If you keep the shopping impulse down, you will more than likely be ahead on finances rather soon:)
 
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