Looking for Satisfying Vaping Without an Electrical Engineering Degree

[Breaking Free]

Hi to all:

I'm still very much new to the world of vaping. I tried to cut back on my analogs earlier this year with a Joye 510 starter kit, but my experiment with vaping only helped for a few weeks before I went back to being a full-time analog smoker.

There seemed to be two huge roadblocks keeping me from beginning to vape full-time and try to really kick those analogs forever: SATISFACTION and SIMPLICITY.

SATISFACTION: Honestly, the Joye 510 starter just didn't "cut it" for me. As a smoker I "hit" on a cigarette for only 1 second whereas the Joye I had to literally drag on it for 10+ seconds to get the same vape cloud. Just like the old song: "I can't get no satisfaction." I looked very carefully on the E-Cig forums and ran across this wonderful thread to try to approach this problem. I really want a vape that can totally replace analogs, and I need something I could hit for only 1-2 seconds and give me total satisfaction. Problem was...something that confronts all new vapers...complexity and an overabundance of choices leading to the goal of...

SIMPLICITY: I admit I don't know jack about Ohms, Volts, and Watts. It overwhelms me! But my research on the thread linked above says I should try a Smok Tech dual-coil cartomizer with either a Darwin, Provari, or some other big battery like a Riva? But....geez...how do I pick the right ohms and volts for this new setup? It looks like 1.5 ohms dual-coil with a 5v battery is the best ratio to use...but I'm shooting in the dark here.

Am I going in the right direction with those numbers? Any reason for 2+ ohms and higher voltage? Or why should we do variable volts?

It is wonderful how people try their best to be very helpful to newbies on the E-Cig forums, yet I'd be willing to bet money that it's extremely intimidating to most smokers trying to vape because analogs are simple to buy over the counter and they don't require an electrical engineering degree for smoking satisfaction

Thanks for reading this. Anyone with more knowledge than I have in this area...feel free to post any suggestions you like. Thanks.


REFERENCED THREAD ABOVE (repeated): http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/cartomizer-reviews/177866-smoktech-dual-coil-cartomizers.html

 

[DC2]

If you want to take that short of a drag and get a still get a good hit, you are on the track you need to be on...
You definitely need to get into high voltage vaping to satisfy those requirements.

If you can afford it, then by all means go variable voltage, as you just can't beat that.
But there are other options if the cost of the top-of-the-line devices is prohibitive.

By the way, how much of what do you smoke?
How do you feel about charging batteries, or carrying more than one battery?

That may also be a factor in this decision.

 

[Breaking Free]

Hi DC2:

I smoke 1-1/2 packs of Marlboro Lights per day (yuck!). I would like to change the battery only 1-2 times per day if possible. These tiny 100-150 mamp batteries are just too much of a hassle, to be honest.

I don't mind paying decent money for a good vaping experience, but I am afraid of making a mistake and would like to make very sure I will likely not be disappointed before actually buying the necessary "mods". Like others have said on the newcomer forums, I'm not really a vaping hobbyist...just trying to quit the dangerous analogs.

 

[vicsan]

A 3.0 carto on a vv Lava Tank at 4.2v. and up is GREAT. A 3.0 ohm will handle higher voltage up to 6v. If a Provari is too expensive for you, there is the less expensive Lava Tube. I just got a LT last week and hardly ever take it over 4.2....sometimes up to 4.5. It's a warmer vape with a LOT of vapor. It gives a great hit, but definitely longer than one second. You may want to stick with the Riva with a 2.0 Boge carto on it. The Riva starts out at 4.2v. and goes down to 3.7v., so the vape will be better on a freshly charged battery and pretty good when it's almost time to charge it.

Just keep in mind that a dual coil carto burns through your juice twice as fast. They work great, but I've decided to stick with single coil cartos so I don't have to buy twice as much juice...which isn't cheap either.

 

[vicsan]

Hi DC2:

I smoke 1-1/2 packs of Marlboro Lights per day (yuck!). I would like to change the battery only 1-2 times per day if possible. These tiny 100-150 mamp batteries are just too much of a hassle, to be honest.

I don't mind paying decent money for a good vaping experience, but I am afraid of making a mistake and would like to make very sure I will likely not be disappointed before actually buying the necessary "mods". Like others have said on the newcomer forums, I'm not really a vaping hobbyist...just trying to quit the dangerous analogs.

The Riva 1100mAh batteries will last you most of a day. You would probably only have to change it once, maybe twice if you're a heavy vaper. An AW IMR 18650 battery in the Provari and Lava Tube would last about as long...one or two changes a day if you're a heavy vaper.

 

[Breaking Free]

Hi viscan:

Do you ever run into "burnt taste" problems with a single coil? The thread I linked in my original post talked about not suffering from burnt taste with dual coil.

 

[jgriff63]

I was right there with you! I ended up with a KGO, used with either XL dual coil cartos or 1.7 ohm XL cartos (I am trying both of them, no preference right now) from Hoosier. I LOVE this set up! I never have to change batteries during the day, carry one extra carto, usually swap that out in the afternoon, all is great! And VERY affordable.

 

[vicsan]

Hi viscan:

Do you ever run into "burnt taste" problems with a single coil? The thread I linked in my original post talked about not suffering from burnt taste with dual coil.

Any carto will give you a burnt taste if it's not kept wet enough. I had 3 boxes of the clear dual coil cartos and in about two days, the coils melted holes through the wall of the cartos! NOT good. Also, no carto is going to last indefinitely. After 3-6 days (depending on the juice and your vaping style), the juices start to taste funky, so you have to pitch them. Some people wash them, but I don't. I just toss them and start with a fresh one.

 

[Off Topic]

I use these, they rock on an ego. Unfortunately you need an ego attachment to use them.

eGo Mega Dual Coil Cartomizer, Flat Tip

I love the juice capacity and vapor volume.

 

[Kami]

This will take you in a completely different direction but it may be worth a looksy.....
A bottom feeder...It's a palm sized PV (personal vapourizer) about the size of a mans palm.
They have a 5 - 6 maybe 9 ml tanks and a good IMA battery..... Here is an example of what I hear is a pretty decent one.
Vapage V-MOD XL
They are not inexpensive, and you would need to buy a couple of batteries, and a charger...but for about $110 - $120 you would have a PV that would clearly last you all day on a single charge, hold plenty of juice, no messing about filling cartomizers or dripping juice onto an atomizer. The cartomizer is easily replaced with a variety inexpensive ones. From the reviews I've read, they do not leak and seem to give good flavour and vapour. So what you would spend in a few weeks smoking analogs you could set yourself up with a pretty decent kit. Just a alternative for you. Good Luck Breakin'

 

[pdags]

Hi viscan: Do you ever run into "burnt taste" problems with a single coil? The thread I linked in my original post talked about not suffering from burnt taste with dual coil.

A Dual Coil splits the voltage over two different heating elements. So each heating element burns cooler (compared to a single heating element carto) but produces a more uniform heat throughout the carto.

It's sort of like having 2 50 watt lightbulbs lighting a room instead of 1 100 watt bulb. The same amount of energy is being emitted between the two setups but you have two sources of light\heat instead of one.

 

[Trucapri]

I started with a 510 and had 4 batteries to keep charged to get through the day. It didn't bother me that much really, BUT since I stepped it up to a mini-mod with 18650 batteries, well, it just doesn't compare in convenience! I change batteries out at night, put one on charge, fix up 3 cartos and I'm done. The next morning I put the freshly charged battery and the cartos in a thrumb-drive case and I'm off for the day. At bedtime, I repeat. So far I have not needed that spare battery, but I take it with me anyway and I still have my 510s charged and put away . . . always be prepared!!!

Best wishes and good luck in finding what works for you!!! And welcome to ECF!!!!!!

 

[swedishfish]

This is a good kit. I'd select the 1.7 smoketek single coil cartos. Try the dual coil cartos after you've been vaping for awhile. They need to be kept really wet.

XL Riva SE Carto Kit | Sweet-Vapes E-Liquid

 

[Hottody]

Boge LR cartos and a tank system! That will help duplicate high voltage vaping!

 

[yzer]

I agree with the Riva recommended above.

Another non-techie winner is the E-Power 14650. At 3.7 volts it is enough power to use Smoktech single coil 1.7 or 2.0 ohm LR (low resistance) XL sized cartos, which produce a lot of vapor. The 14650 standard Li-ion batteries are rated 1050 mAh or higher, cost only $4.50 apiece and last most vapers for more than a day between charges.

E-Power From Smok Tech and HECS

 

[KeysBum]

I have owned and used kr808's and 510s. I still own and use Joye Egos, Rivas, Kgos, e-powers, and 5 VV mods. I've used probably 30 or 40 different attys and cartos.

If you want a good, affordable and simple vape. Get a kit with a couple Rivas or Kgos. Use simple single coil cartos. Boge 2.0 ohm and the smoktech 1.7 ohm are both good. You'll be set for a while.

EDIT: I think I basically said what Swedishfish said. That looks like a perfect start.

 

[Cardslinger]

One thing about vaping is that your experience will be different from everyone elses. What will work for you might not work for me. but the good thing is that there is a sweet spot for all of us if we can find it.
One of the big things that effect vaping is the juice, more PG gets a result & more VG gets another, flavors, Nic content all matter & it takes time to sort things out.
My advice is that you think about making a commitment to vaping & if you decide to do it then getting a good mod, some LR carts & a number of different juices with different nic content & experement.
If you find your not happy with vaping you can put everything in a draw & should you decide to try it again well you have good equipment to start with or give what you have to someone that is starting their vaping adventure.

 

[Retriever]

The KGO from Hoosier ecigs gets good reviews too. Might want to at least give them a look.

KGO kits and parts

 

[Breaking Free]

Wow, nice choices everyone. Thank you for your thoughtful replies.
I will spend some time carefully reviewing these suggestions before buying.
Based on what everyone said, I will put off the dual-coils and feeder mods until I have more experience.

 

[swedishfish]

You'll get a good vape with an ego, regardless of the brand. KGO, Ego, IGO, etc. If that and low resistance cartomizers don't work for you, you'll probably want to get a higher voltage device. You could always pick up a 5V box mod pretty cheap.

I have a 510 like you have and didn't mind it (it wasn't my all day vape). The biggest drawback to me was not being able to use low resistance cartomizers. That was the key for me. I like the boge 2.0 or the smoktek 1.7. The Smoktek cartos hold more.