Looking to get back into this, where to start with the APV scene?

[splifYphus]

Hey all!

I was really into PVs about 3 years ago, but then I had to cut down on luxuries in my life due to cashflow problems. Times are better now and I really miss the vaping lifestyle, so I'm looking to get back into this.

The thing is, the variety available now is ridiculous! I barely have any idea where to start. So many different brands and reviews and vapers, this scene has really exploded.

Before I quit, I had graduated to a Screwdriver and was dripping onto the carts, which at the time seemed like pretty sophisticated vaping to me. Basically, I'm looking to get back into this at least where I left off, so my criteria in finding a new device are something like -

• looks are secondary to function, completely. in fact, the less it looks like an analog the better.
• durability. needs to be able to be dropped a few times and last a while (like, a year or more).
• uses generic, interchangeable replacement parts (batteries, atty's, etc - no being locked into a name brand)
• minimum fuss. ideally, I'd like to be able to set up in the morning and then medium/heavily vape for a whole day without messing with anything.
• starting budget maxing out at around $200. The Darwin, for instance, seems a little too far out into the deep end for me right at the moment.

From the research I've done, it looks like this puts me firmly in the APV market. I don't know anything about variable voltage or low resistance vaping, and I have never heard of a cartomizer before now (but it sounds like a great innovation). Where do I start? Boxmod or tubemod? Any clear standouts in this crazy free market?

 

[kiwivap]

You might like to look at the Zmax. It's variable wattage and variable voltage. The beauty of variable wattage is the Zmax will read the ohms of your atty, carto, or tank and adjust the volts to your preferred wattage - so you don't have to keep changing your voltage depending on the ohms of your atty, tank, or cartos. Set your preferred wattage and vape. The Zmax remembers your preferred wattage when you turn it on. You can pick them up for around $120 - they are 510/Ego threaded. They are proving quite popular at the moment as variable wattage is a new improvement.
There's a thread here if you want to read more:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...tech-zmax-owners-pics-tips-tricks-quirks.html

Edited to add better link.

You can also pick up a nice Provari for around $180. But with the extras you need you'll spend over $200 total.

Just a couple of ideas for you.

 

[Buzzsaw46]

The Vivi nova tanks are pretty hot right now, lots of good reviews on them and they seem easy to rebuild/repair. For durability I think a cheap mod like the Smoktech telescope makes a lot of sense. It is 100% mechanical so it should survive some rough treatment.

 

[thevinstigator]

Seems like a real exciting time to get back into things, lots of stuff available right now. Seems like the Provari is the one all others are modeled after. Just my opinion though.

 

[Bobalot]

I've been vaping for about 10 days after a break of 2 years. Things have really moved on in this time. I have an old Silver Bullet I've started using again and bought some dual coil cartomisers. To be honest they were ok but I still preferred my old basic cartridges on a 510 atomiser. Then I bought a vivi nova tank and these are great, no leaking and last more or less all day from one top up. I will be looking to get a new pv over the next couple of months but as mentioned above the variable voltage seems the way forward. At the moment I'm stuck on 3.7v all the time with my trusted SB..

 

[splifYphus]

Quick replies! Awesome, thanks guys!

Lots of questions already. So, are tanks the next evolution over attys/cartos? How long do they last in comparison? I'm assuming 'rebuildable' means you can repair them yourself without having to buy whole new units, correct?

 

[Bobalot]

You can buy replacement atti's or rebuild them.

Here is a good link demonstrating how to rebuild the vivi nova.

A PBusardo Tutorial - Vivi Nova Cleaning & Rebuilding - YouTube

 

[kiwivap]

There's so many tanks - or so it seems to me anyway. Rebuildable meaning you can buy replacement parts, or rewick them yourself. The Vivi Novas have replaceable parts so you don't have to buy a whole new tank.
People like the vivis because they don't have the leaking issues some tanks have.

Then there's tanks that use cartos inside like the Phiniacs.

Cartos have evolved too - bottom coil cartomizers give a good vape.

It comes down to preference really.

 

[Buzzsaw46]

I'm using DCT tanks yet and really like them. I get between 4 days and a week or so on each carto, but with the rebuildablity of the vivi nova, thinking about giving them a try to reduce my costs. Wicks and wire are pretty cheap!

 

[splifYphus]

Ah, so a tank is another addition to attys/cartos that removes the need to drip entirely. Awesome. And apparently the costs really ramp up - is $150 on something like the Z-atty pro really worth it? The vivi nova looks has all the same functionality for a fraction of the cost.

In terms of unit, it seems like the Provari is the universal standard right now, may have to re-evaluate my starting budget already.

Thanks for the responses guys! Already feeling much more caught up.

 

[Buzzsaw46]

The ProVari does appear to be the standard which all others are measured against. I have tried several of the less expensive units. My first one was a good experience but I lost it while out riding my side x side. I replaced it with the V2 version and that one died the very first time I dropped it, three days after I received it.

My Provari just shipped today, I hope it lives up to it's reputation.

The Z-atty pro is a very nice looking system that has apparently had a lot of thought put into it's design. Is it worth the price? I'm not yet convinced, even though I want one. I'm still pretty happy with the tanks and replaceable cartos, but do want to move towards a rebuildable to further reduce my costs.

 

[splifYphus]

So what exactly are the pros and cons of bottom feeders? Is there a compelling reason to go for them over something more standard like the ProVari? Is it worth having both?

 

[oxygen thief]

Can't help on bottom feeders but the Provari is smarter than I am, built like a tank. There a reason so many APV's steal their design and menu system. But they aren't Provari's. I can vouch for the vivi nova's too, I rarely mess with carto's anymore and I don't like dripping at all.

 

[JC Okie]

So what exactly are the pros and cons of bottom feeders? Is there a compelling reason to go for them over something more standard like the ProVari? Is it worth having both?

I'm a huge fan of my bottom feeders....specifically the REO. You should visit their forum and read up, or go to reosmods.com and see what's in stock. There are several models, but the metal ones (Grand, Mini, VV Grand) are built like tanks. The Grand and the metal Mini are all mechanical and hard to harm. The VV Grand is the latest model and it's absolutely awesome. The value of a bottom feeder is that they're so compact.....everything you need contained right there. No tanks necessary. There are other bottom feeders out there....I just happen to be a fan of the REOs. I think there's a thread in the Library about bottom feeders in general.

 

[01max]

To me simple would be something like a Silver Bullet with a vivi nova tank or any other tank system you may like, you can throw a kick in the silver bullet if you like, i think that might run you less than 200 with batteries charger and all.