I really don't understand MODs, carto tanks, etc

[snickers]

I feel I'm starting to get more 'advanced' after 7 weeks of vaping. I can tell the difference between what makes a good vape, what's just ok and well, what just plain sucks.

I have 2 ego twists, 2 iClear 16, and have tried a couple of other clearomizers. The twist and iClear 16 setup is great. I can't find anything to complain about. Except... I see so many amazing photos of large battery setups with crazy tanks on top with metal rings, brass looks to them and what not. I can't be satisfied until I consider myself an 'advanced' user of things. It' s problem...

I have little desire to try batteries, when I get the money I'm just going to buy a provari. Seems like a hammer in your toolkit.

But I'm incredibly clueless about what goes on top aside from the under $20 clearomizer setups I see and try. Once we get into things like the AGA T2 which I kinda understand? I lose it. Any links or tips for a new guy looking to be intermediate?

 

[lightandmind]

I know it's a lot to get used to, don't get overwhelmed! AGA T2 is a rebuildable tank, (you put the wick in yourself and wrap a coil wire around it yourself), but you have lot's of different options depending on what you like. If you like a heavier, more cigarette-like drag, maybe try a small "dripping" style atomizer for around $5, you can only drop about 4 drops at a time though, but really great, intense hits. If you want something smoother, stick with a tank, I like the Viva Novas a lot, but a "bottom feeder" like the Kanger T3 might be a good idea. Other types like clearmizers and whatnot are a little less popular, I'd start by sticking with just plain old tanks and attys.

 

[snickers]

Thanks.

I feel I've tried dripping at the vapor bar and hated it. It seems to go against everything I've read, but I couldn't taste the juice well and pulled in juice into my mouth.

How do cartomizer setups vary from those drip tips? I don't quite understand the logic of cartomizers with a tank.

 

[Baditude]

I've been using cartotanks exclusively for several months and have been extremely happy with their performance. Not a fan of any string wicked device because of inconsistant flavor and frequent dry hits despite frequent "tipping" to keep the wicks moist. The cartotanks have a slight learning curve but they are worth it.

Just getting my feet wet with my first rebuildable tank, the AGA T+. This has quite a bit more learning curve to it than the cartotanks. I'm getting excellent vapor, but so far the flavor is not up to par to my cartotanks. But I'll be the first to admit I'm still a rookie with RBA's.

I recommend visiting my blog articles for a lot of information that you seem to be seeking. Click the link below my avatar to find them. A particularly useful one in your current situation would be this one:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blogs/baditude/3230-1-proper-terminology-carto-tank-what-juice-delivery-attachments.html


Continue to seek information on the rebuildables after gaining some experience with the other juice delivery devices, then when you feel you are ready, get one and fiddle with it. They can be frustrating at first.

The most information on these can be found right here: Rebuildable Atomizer Systems

Welcome to the ECF and good luck on your search for your perfect vape.

-- Baditude

 

[fed71]

Hi, snickers!
In my opinion that what you have is enough. For a start it is a very good set. You just need to learn how to use the e-cig. The size and price of the device then do not play a big role. As a result, it may be that other you do not need.
At this stage, just experimenting with different e-liquids and atomizers. For now, just the accumulation of experience. There is no point in wasting your money on something that may not be useful at all.
And it will be very helpful to read reviews on different devices. This will help you determine your opinion.

Good luck!

 

[Shane Werner]

i agree with fed71 review review review the get your feet wet rebuildables imo are the bomb i have both the cheaper griffin and the aga-t2 gotta say they both perform well but both have a learning curve it'll vape as well as you can coil i perfer the ss mesh 500 been using it for a while now and flavor ,th,vapor all good i like the aga-t2 better. just my 2 cents good luck

 

[Thrasher]

there is def a big difference in performance from a 510 prebuilt drip atty to a rebuildable dripper. bad said it already, but i will repeat the same thing start hanging out in the RBA forums and youll get all kinds of crazy input to digest.

 

[Bigstar000]

I feel I'm starting to get more 'advanced' after 7 weeks of vaping. I can tell the difference between what makes a good vape, what's just ok and well, what just plain sucks.

I have 2 ego twists, 2 iClear 16, and have tried a couple of other clearomizers. The twist and iClear 16 setup is great. I can't find anything to complain about. Except... I see so many amazing photos of large battery setups with crazy tanks on top with metal rings, brass looks to them and what not. I can't be satisfied until I consider myself an 'advanced' user of things. It' s problem...

I have little desire to try batteries, when I get the money I'm just going to buy a provari. Seems like a hammer in your toolkit.

But I'm incredibly clueless about what goes on top aside from the under $20 clearomizer setups I see and try. Once we get into things like the AGA T2 which I kinda understand? I lose it. Any links or tips for a new guy looking to be intermediate?

You could go with a Lavatube V2 instead of the Provari. Not quite as nice but its more in line with the price.

 

[snickers]

You could go with a Lavatube V2 instead of the Provari. Not quite as nice but its more in line with the price.

That does look pretty nice. But from what I've read, I'll most likely want to jump to the Provari at some point. Might as well shell out the extra cash up front.

 

[-db-]

I'd echo what Baditude says here.

I'll add a recommendation that you go ahead and get a VV battery, because you'll come to the realization that each juice-n-mizer combination performs best at different voltages/wattages. I recently picked up a eVic; while I'm not a fan of the sheer bulk of the device, I absolutely love that I can tune the voltage/wattage to get the best vape out of each juice. A VV battery will also be practically required if you do venture into rebuildables.

b

 

[pita1028]

And when you get confused about a term or how a RBA works just ask and we'll explain in the forum or send a pm.

 

[theo3285]

Why would you move to something else when you're "extremely happy" with what you have? An ego twist will provide you with VV and do the job just well.

 

[snickers]

Why would you move to something else when you're "extremely happy" with what you have? An ego twist will provide you with VV and do the job just well.

When you put it like that, it's a good point. But it's like driving a Toyota. You can be extremely happy with how it works, but you know that there are tons of other cars out there that would drive so much better. I have to find out why they're potentially so much better.

 

[Vapoor eyes er]

The problem with VV/ VW is there's so many diff PVs in that category coming out right now. I know some loyal P fans that have now put their p on the shelf in favor of other VV/ VW PVs. I own a Provari and "I" never had any use for it. I now just loan it out to converts that are considering moving up to the large VV PVs. Quality is definitely there but I'm having a hard time justifying the price given the choices available right now.

 

[Romowens01]

Why would you move to something else when you're "extremely happy" with what you have? An ego twist will provide you with VV and do the job just well.

I remember when I was a kid, I would beg my mom to take me to the park. I was extremely happy with how fun it was to swing on the swings. Then one day I tried out the merry-go-round, and I realized that the swings were no longer in my 'extremely happy' zone.

You never know what is the best unless you tried the rest.

 

[sawlight]

Bang for buck, this carto tank looks nice, even on a Provari, and isn't very expensive, IKV Fusion Tank 6ml
For an entry level RBA, this comes set up already and works great, if you want to rebuild it, cool, if you try and don't like doing RBA's, you aren't out much, and for the price, you really can just throw it away and buy another when the coil/wick goes bad.
Then the ever popular AGA-T, AGA & AGA-T Rebuildable Atomizer this is perhaps the most discussed RBA on this forum, so there are lots of ideas, tips, tricks and fixes can be found on them.
I own all of these and the carto tank gets used the most!

 

[Baditude]

Why would you move to something else when you're "extremely happy" with what you have? An ego twist will provide you with VV and do the job just well.

The following scenario may never happen (I sure hope not), but suppose the worse case scenario of the FDA rulings coming up bans all electronic cigarette devices made after 2007, as has been proposed in the past. Likely all of your vaping setup will be considered illegal. You would be unable to buy new cigalike batteries, no more new eGo batteries, etc. as these are only used in the e-cig industry.

At least for the APV's that utilize removable, rechargeable batteries - those batteries will still be available as they are used in other devices such as flashlights and remote control models. 0 nicotine PG and VG are available in pharmacies and some major department stores. Flavoring agents are available. So vapors who decide to continue to vape will be able to make DIY juices.

Items such as liquid nicotine will be scarce or be a black market item. Juice delivery devices will become scarce such as cartomizers, clearomizers, etc as people panic and buy up existing stocks.

RBA's require only stainless steel mesh and wire to make wicks and coils, so suppliers of those items should be amble. Probably a good idea to get in on the rebuildable scene just in case worse comes to worse.

 

[EMTium]

I learned a lot from pbusardo videos. A popular vapor videoblogger

 

[cbur]

if you do get into rebuildables, i highly recommend skipping the AGA T+ and just jumping straight to a DID, Bliss, Cobra, etc, etc. Yeah, theyre more expensive, but the AGA is mass produced and in my honest humble opinion, not too well designed. the wick hole is too far from the positive post, causing endless shorts and hot spots. also the positive post has a tendency to move around in the slot, causing you to lose connection. I have been into rebuildables for a while now and i love the taste and vapor production compared to a regular carto or atty

 

[djdeity]

Hello - another vaping newbie here. I've now been vaping for at least 1.5 months.

Looking over the OP's set-up, I've found that I'm almost in the same boat. In my case, I have the eGo-C Upgrade with the iClear 16 clearomizers. I've used the Vivi Nova Mini, and while I like it (still go back to it from time to time), I like the taste from the iClear w/ the dual coils.

I've also tried the eGo Mega Dual Coil Carto, but I feel like I'm still on a learning curve there. With the clearomizers, I can see what I'm putting in. With the carto, I'm blind and I'm sure I've overfilled it more than a few times which makes trying to vape it a drag. Again, learning curve.

My issue is that I believe I may be missing something in my vaping by going the eGo-C route. I have sampled through liquids from ECBlend, Rawr, Vapedudes, and a couple others, and I don't seem to be getting the flavor out of them that other reviewers have. To me, the flavor has always been a bit hollow on the initial intake. I get a bit of the flavor when drawing the vapor into my lungs, then out again. But I just seem to be missing something. And yes, I have let my liquids steep for at least a week or more.

Any insight would be appreciated, and thanks!