Is Your Vaping Interest Just a Passing Phase?

[Ansah]

For one, I think there is still plenty of room for hardware evolution. By that I don't mean simply a better power source, but perhaps new atomizer systems that get away from the traditional wick 'n wire...

...I do like to keep an eye on the regulatory/political developments. Across the world, it seems there are a variety of approaches being eyed. Interesting is Australia with the possibility of replacing cigarettes with ecigarettes...

The threads on 'How bad regulation is going to be' get a bit tiresome when it's not clear that anyone has good information with which to make an informed call. Still, suppliers/producers seem to be moving forward. New nicotine base vendors continue to appear.

...I'm a little bit leery of the traditional tobacco companies and the $6 to $10 disposables along with the disposable cartomizers. People new to vaping may think that's just the way it is and perhaps comparable to smoking costs, so it may not seem all that bad. The tobacco industry certain has the funds to be in the public's face with their products. While our usual ecigarette vendors can certainly undercut those prices by a great margin, will they gain the future possible motherload of new vapers?...

.. Will there be plentiful and inexpensive WTA concentrate in the future?

...I suspect that is more the norm for most rather than for those who stick around ECF and remain active.

Excellent writing and post, Cool_Breeze. You ask some very good questions. Part of my problem with thinking about the vape scene in general is that I can't intellectually engage the political dynamics without it driving me nuts. When I was younger, I was all for "Fight the Power!" etc. Youth tends to romanticize iconoclasm for it's own sake (a la the famous Marlon Brando "What are you rebelling against?" "Whaddaya got?" in The Wild One), and if that energy can be channeled into working for social justice, all the better. But as I get older, I just wish that I lived in a sane, simple world, and tend to be cynical about the power of ordinary people to effect change on a grassroots level. As much as I would like to think the FDA or whoever won't dismantle the whole Ma-&-Pa industry, I'm not particularly confident that they won't, and this depresses me.

... I haven't tried WTAs yet, in large part because they're pricey, and I'm not very fussy about flavors, but this is an excellent question, and I hope there is indeed plentiful and affordable WTA eliquid available in the future.

 

[RedForeman]

I've been through a few interest/maintenance cycles. Three years ago I enjoyed the act of smoking and really did not want to quit. But I always knew I needed to quit for health reasons. My discovery of vaping seemed to be the solution. After several months of enthusiastic trial & error, I stumbled upon a solution that ended my smoking habit. That was when I found some go-to flavors at the right nic level and a delivery tool that was relatively fiddle-free and reliable.

That lasted about a year and a half. Maintenance mode. Order liquid and a few consumables each month and just vape. Then I began to wonder. I was using an eGo pass thru and type A atty/cart combo and had a run of bad attys. So I came back to ECF to see what the latest was (turns out that was cheap tanks). A little more trial and error and I found a setup I liked. A few more months go by...

Now I've replaced my eGo batteries a few times. Wondering about something a little more durable, maybe longer lasting off the charger. Back to interest and learning about even more new stuff. I bought a provari after researching the topic to death, and now back to maintenance. That last spike of interest was about two years ago. Coincidentally, that was when I also cleaned house of all the old half used juices and possibly good or not spares. Simplify. A bottle each of my three favorite flavors, a few recent samples for trial later, and a rotation of 16550 batteries. I still have a few eGo batteries and new attys/carts to pay it forward with when I come across someone that is interested. The days of my Big Box of Flavors and three coffee cups full of half spent batteries and attys are over.

Now coming up on the 4 year mark, I come back to ECF once in a while for the social aspect, keeping up to speed on new developments and also sharing my own experience. Vaping itself is mildly interesting any more. Just something I do now instead of smoking.

 

[EvilZoe]

Well, I certainly hope my vaping isn't just a passing thing for me. Now that I've stopped smoking cigarettes (without even intending to!) I'd rather not go back.

 

[onry]

nope not by a long shot.
i still check out mods try to keep up on the newest big thing(even tho i cant afford most of them)
but running my face book group for local people takes up alot of my time.
I dont get to spend as much time here as i used to which bums me out sometimes.
Now im into dripping and trying different type wick set ups for flavor and occasionally chasing clouds.
the latter when im at home not out in a crowded place just because i try not to be rude.
I am coming up on a year stinky free and couldn't be happier with vaping so nope not a phase for me at all

 

[Cool_Breeze]

...Part of my problem with thinking about the vape scene in general is that I can't intellectually engage the political dynamics without it driving me nuts...

Thanks for the praise, Ansah. You've underscored a concern that in context could stand more airing.

 

[KjAthena]

I dont see vapeing as being a fad for me. I can see myself still vapeing years from now.

For the first 2 months I was a buying machine, trying every clearomizer and juice to find what was best for me. Found 3 good juice vendors and decided I liked the protanks best. Upgraded to a spinner battery, researched mechanical mods, bought a secondhand homemade mod(because my Legacy never arrived) got in on a co-op for the VTR. Now I will be in replace the ego batteries, replace coils and purchase more of my favorite juices mode. I may buy a provari when I have saved enough (borrowing one from another vaper next week to see if I like it enough to justify the cost).

 

[peterforpats]

it is definitely a passing phase- from smoking, to vaping, to when they lower me into the ground.

coolbreeze- wta will always be more expensive because it takes so much tobacco and time to come up with such a small amount. the secret is to get unflavored and mix it with regular e-liquid. a lot of vendors will add extra flavor either on their order page or if you ask them. then add some unflavored wta and it lasts a lot longer and is more economical. of course, vaping it straight ain't bad either....

 

[e-pipeman]

it is definitely a passing phase- from smoking, to vaping, to when they lower me into the ground.

Agreed!

 

[Valhalla17]

I started vaping to quit smoking. I loved to smoke so knew I needed to make this as enjoyable as possible. The better it is the less of a chance that I would fall off the wagon. So I jumped in with both feet, tried everything I could, found what I like and now spending has calmed down. I enjoy it as much as ever but I've found what I like so less buying. Unfortunately, what I like is the high end stuff lol. Once in a while its time for a new toy so I buy something cool but mostly enjoying what I have. I'll never quit, I enjoy it way to much.

 

[The Dingo]

Yes, it's just a passing phase for me.
I only plan on vaping for the next 50 years...60 years tops. By then I'll be 103 and I'll probably have another hobby by then.

 

[irwink]

If I learned tomorrow that the only hardware replacement parts I could ever order again were batteries then I would be satisfied with my vaping existence as is. It's a far cry from what I started with.

On the other hand I'm a techie and always have been. So for me the search for the next greatest thing will likely never end. I don't buy everything that hits the market though. I've learned to be patient and selective. I guess my biggest wish right now is the "perfect" delivery system - little to no performance degradation over time and as maintenance and hassle free as possible. That wish I feel is still well beyond the horizon.

 

[Wow1420]

I hope I've truly moved to maintenance mode as far as hardware goes. I want to keep up the "hobby" interest in exploring DIY liquids.

 

[Cool_Breeze]

it is definitely a passing phase- from smoking, to vaping, to when they lower me into the ground.

coolbreeze- wta will always be more expensive because it takes so much tobacco and time to come up with such a small amount. the secret is to get unflavored and mix it with regular e-liquid. a lot of vendors will add extra flavor either on their order page or if you ask them. then add some unflavored wta and it lasts a lot longer and is more economical. of course, vaping it straight ain't bad either....

I'd like to think that economy of scale factors will figure into the future of WTA.

 

[DC2]

I don't mean being interesting in actually vaping, but being interested in exploring it, thinking & writing about it, and buying new stuff.

I discovered vaping around last November (haven't smoked in over 4 years, using snus), joined these forums, and got to 300 posts pretty quickly. Every time I earned a couple of extra dollars I was getting another battery, tank, carto or clearo, and I enjoyed perusing the various vendors' websites in my free time, watching video tutorials about rolling mesh, whatever...

... But my enthusiasm eventually waned. Now I just want to have a decent vape and not really think about it. On the other hand, because of the volatility of the political situation, I think it socially responsible to maintain a presence in the community (strength in numbers and all of that), but these days I pretty much fire-up my Provari & Cobra, or fill an Evod, T2 or Protank on a Spinner or Twist for the road, and go about my business pursuing other interests, thinking about other things, so I have very little to say.

Is this a common progression? I used to worry about missing The Next Big Thing, but now not so much since I have too many accessories already, can't keep it organized, and what I do use on a daily basis works well.

There might be a reason to stay around here to help new people, but whenever a new person has a question there are so many people who have more expertise than I do, it doesn't seem necessary... But I will continue to be a supporting member for as long as this place exists, whether I have anything to say or not.

Yeah, you pretty much just described me.

When I first started vaping I spent a lot of time reading and trying things in order to get a satisfying vape.

Once I finally settled on equipment that worked for me I turned my attention to helping newbies.
But since I stopped trying new things years ago, I long ago lost the ability to be of much help to newbies.

At that point I turned all my attention over to activism.
And the ongoing battle to protect vaping is pretty much the only reason I am still around.

 

[Nermal]

I started the vaping cruise looking for a replacement for my wife.

So, how did the replacement work out? Better than the last wife, or just different.

 

[EvilZoe]

So, how did the replacement work out? Better than the last wife, or just different.

I was going to post something like that earlier but got distracted....LOL

 

[alisa1970]

So, how did the replacement work out? Better than the last wife, or just different.

I was going to post something like that earlier but got distracted....LOL

Yep, stole my thunder too, LOL. I'll let it go though, as Eeyore was my favorite WTP character.

I've found myself really tapering off the enthusiasm myself. I fully intend to keep vaping, but I was really super into it at first. I might still be if I didn't develop some derailing health issues that have competed for my attention. There are some more juice vendors I want to try out, and maybe a new PV or two in the near future but I'm not obsessing about it (didn't buy anything vape related last month). I have no interest in DIY or rebuilding. Just like to fill-n-go. A nice routine, just like I did when I smoked but tastier and healthier!

 

[peterforpats]

I'd like to think that economy of scale factors will figure into the future of WTA.

I think it already does-2 and 1/2 grams of wta from a kilo of tobacco leaf. these suppliers(2) aren't giant corporations and the amount of equipment and people to crank out gallons of the stuff is beyond their capability. it is one thing for a small "mom and pop" operation, but who has the capital or long term foresight to know where this product will be in the near future. wta may be targeted for scrutiny even more than straight nicotine liquid. would you invest in tons of equipment until you knew how this is going to shake out? I think they crank out as much and as fast as they can now. if you love it like me, grab what you can now and hope nothing stops it......

 

[Penn]

Good times. I used nasal snuff as well. I just stopped using it when I ran out of my buysnus order. If I ever get the craving I have a couple stores around me that sell general of course heh.

I used snuff for a very short while when I was a kid because a store where I lived sold it to minors but not cigarettes.

I know Skoal sold (maybe still do) Bandits labeled as snus but when I used it (same reason as snuff) I never saw the word snus. Are Bandits snus?

 

[Valhalla17]

If I learned tomorrow that the only hardware replacement parts I could ever order again were batteries then I would be satisfied with my vaping existence as is. It's a far cry from what I started with.

On the other hand I'm a techie and always have been. So for me the search for the next greatest thing will likely never end. I don't buy everything that hits the market though. I've learned to be patient and selective. I guess my biggest wish right now is the "perfect" delivery system - little to no performance degradation over time and as maintenance and hassle free as possible. That wish I feel is still well beyond the horizon.

"the perfect delivery system" was my quest from the beginning. The hunt for the perfect vape. I found it, mechanicals and drippers turned out to be my zen. Specifically, a Poldiac mech and an Omega dripper was the first setup where I was lacking nothing. My perfect vaping experience, I feel like I found the Holy Grail