mod newbie questions

[bartlebooth]

Hi everyone,

I tried e-cig about two years ago, but back then I gave up after a few weeks and went back to analogs. I would like to give it another try, as it seems there has been some progress in the technology... and also my health and my wallet would be grateful!

The main problem I had two years ago was that I could never get used to inhale slowly and the hit was not strong enough. Basically I tend to take very big puffs when I'm stressed, and as a result my e-cig would clog up, so I had to clean it up frequently... ultimately with all the quite disappointing feeling and tedious maintenance I gave up. btw it was a Kanger Evod with VV battery.

So here comes the question: I'm thinking of trying a mod with high wattage: if I'm not mistaken, this is the logical answer to my problem, right? I've read a few things about the current devices, but I'm completely lost with all the possible choices, some I don't even know what they mean: I know the basics but nothing about sub-ohm tanks, different kinds of coils, etc... I guess I'd like something which is powerful enough, easy to use and to maintain (experience shows that I'm not very patient when I crave my nicotin fix)... but still adjustable to my taste, since I don't know yet what I like. Money-wise I'm willing to spend what's needed, I don't want to buy some cheap beginner kit and be disappointed again (took me 2 years to consider trying again )

A few more specific questions:
- sub-ohm tanks are what I want if I want to obtain a really strong volume and/or strength, am I correct here?
- I saw that temperature control is a big trend currently. It seems interesting to me since I assume it's easier to use and can gives a more regular feeling: what do you think?
- I see why people want big capacity tanks, but if I want to be able to compare different liquids isn't it more convenient to have several small tanks? does that even exist??
- btw I'd take advice about liquids too: I used to like a tobacco with fruity flavour liquid, if you have any suggestions along these lines?

I think that's it... sorry for the length, just wanted to give as much context as possible in case it helps.
Any tip you could give me I'd be very grateful! Thank you!

 

[Robert Cromwell]

Might want to break in a bit slowly. A Subtank Mini might be a good starter tank.
You go huffin big clouds right off the bat and you will likely cough your lungs out.
Then move up to maybe a TFV4 if you want big clouds and high wattage.

 

[suprtrkr]

+1 to @Robert Cromwell Try the Kanger Subox kit. It's good gear-- good enough to serve as a useful backup if you later move on-- and it's 50 watts which is pretty powerful. Most vaping occurs under this threshold no matter what you read. The included tank has both subohm and +ohm coils available so it can be set up a number of different ways so you can figure out where you want to be. You are correct Subohm is a lot stronger than +ohm; so much so most people have to use lower nic content juice to not choke on it. A caveat: most new vapers find subohm too strong. TC is very nice, especially with the newer Stainless wires. But it is not necessary to get big and satisfying vape and it would probably be better for you to look into that if you decide to move on from the Subox. The easiest way to compare juice is to not use a tank at all, but rather a dripper, a most similar part without onboard juice storage. These are called RDA, a rebuildable dripping atomizer. To use them you will have to learn to build coils or pay your local shop to coil them for you. This will surely raise more questions in your mind; feel free to ask

 

[steam heat]

I would start out with a subox mini from kanger...it is 50 watts and comes with the subtank mini which is a great subohm tank.

 

[Winchester]

Hi and Welcome!
Things have changed a lot in the last two years. I would recommend a eVic Joytech mini and Tron tank starter kit. You can get one for about $60.00. Then you will need a good charger and some good 18650 batteries. Start with the 1.0 Ohm coil that comes with it. Order more coils before you use it. Joytech has some good info on how to use their stuff on-line. Later on the eVic Mini will still work on a RDA. Good Luck!

 

[Sir2fyablyNutz]

Hi @bartlebooth and welcome to the forum.

Lets start with the "mod" (battery). You have 2 basic choices, internal battery recharges via usb cable and a mod where you replace or swap out the batteries when it's needed. There are probably 50 of each version to choose from.

Currently I am loving my Wismec Reuleaux RX 200 mod ($45). It uses 3 18650 size batteries ($7 each- 6 batteries would be an additional $42) so it lasts a long time (mah) before having to swap them out. The downside to removable batteries is you do have to spend extra on the batteries and a separate independent charger is highly recommended (Nitecore or Xtar brands for example- $20). The Wismec RX200 is very ergo and I find more comfortable than the 2 battery mods I own and use. I am certain you will get other opinions from others as well.

Temp control is a big thing. Most mods now come with it and I would recommend getting a mod that has it as a function. You don't have to use it, you can use power mode. Temp control takes special coils (made from Titanium, Nickel or Stainless Steel) and protects the user from dry hits. I build my own coils so currently I am using only power mode in all my tanks.

Tanks are many and varied too. Almost all of them out there now come with temperature control coils available. From reading your post I would highly recommend the Kanger Subtank Mini as a great place to start. With it you can buy the factory coils or learn to build your own on the rba deck. You will want a Subtank Mini V2 (version 2 ) because it has improved airflow and the rba has larger wicking holes on it's side. The Subtank Mini rba is great for learning the coil building part of vape (really easy to do and cheaper than buying coils).

I am a firm believer in walk before you run so I would not suggest the Smok TFV4 (though I love mine and it is most definitely a juice guzzler). The Uwell Crown gets lots of love on the forum so it would also be a good tank to look into for start. I have 6 of the Subtank Mini's that I use to swap flavor rather than clean out a tank and refill. It's a common practice to have more than one tank, and having a backup for everything is a great idea when you are getting off cigs as things can go wrong, need recharged, or learned before use.

The best advice I can give for juice is to find a local vape shop and go sample the flavors. (You can also look at or even hold any of the mods you might be interested in.) You have to be careful as vape shops will try and sell you gear (it's their job) on their opinion or on just what they have in stock at the moment. You'll probably get better advice from ECF members as we have nothing to gain and we've seen a few bad decisions made in vape shops. We've also seen great advice from vape shops.

If you update your profile as to your location I can offer some places to shop. Don't be shy about asking questions there are many here to help. Good luck in your journey, you've made the correct decision.

 

[BrotherBob]

Welcome and glad you joined. Might like to read:
(4) Good Starter Setups for a Beginning Vapor | E-Cigarette Forum
(10) Advancing Up the Vaping Ladder with Egos and Mods | E-Cigarette Forum

 

[bartlebooth]

Thank you very much for your answers guys, that helps a lot! Now I see more clearly in which direction to start.
I'm not too comfortable with the idea of building my own device though, I'd be a bit afraid to mess things up. Anyway I can see about that later I guess. Thanks again!

 

[daviedog]

Since you're not into rebuilding coils, I'd look into a kanger tech nano. No reason to buy an included build deck you won't use.
In a few weeks when you get the bug & want to rebuild, you'll know what is an appropriate RTA for you..

 

[batteredwombat]

Yup 50w is good enough and will make a great backup if you decide you want more watts later on as others have pointed out.

 

[KayP]

@bartlebooth Hi and welcome to ECF. I can see you have received plenty of good advice already, but here's my two . The Kanger Subox Starter Kit was my tool of choice in quitting cigarettes, and I smoked for 14 years I chose the Subox because it was highly recommended and I realised it would not only serve as a beginner friendly device, but also had potential to take my vape a little further. When I initially started I was able to close off the air flow to it's smallest setting, turn down the wattage and puff on it mouth to lung to replicate the tight draw you get from a cigarette. When my lungs got used to it, I was able to open up the air flow all the way, turn up the watts and take direct lung hits. Imo the vapour it produces is nice, but more importantly the flavour is great. The kit comes with OCC coil heads (pre-built coil heads) which makes it very easy for beginners. In addition, it also comes with a RBA deck so you can play around with coil building when you're ready. The one thing this kit will not offer you is regretfully temperature control. There are other similar starter kits out there, especially with temp control; however, I'm glad I chose this particular one.

I wish you all the best and hope you'll be able to kick the cigarettes

 

[Clydde26]

The Kanger Top Box Mini With temp control is where I would go. It has the subtank mini tank that everyone has been raving about but it has top fill (very convenient when refilling juice) The mod (battery) also comes with temp control and up to 75 watts. The tank accepts all the coils that the normal subtank takes so finding them wont be an issue. Remember that when it comes to quitting for good, ease of a device is as important as anything. If you have to do rocket science to get your nicotine fix then your just gonna go back to the spark and draw in the end. I also recommend trying to stray away from e juices that remind you of your favorite cigarette brand at first. If you get stressed out and your vaping on your favorite tobacco brand and it just isnt hitting the spot like the (insert big tobacco chain here) then your just gonna say F--- It and go pick you up a pack. So find you something that reminds you of a dessert or candy or even mint or bubble gum, just initially. When you start into sub ohming you will see that coughing will come, and much like getting acquired to the taste of alcohol, you have to get used to the huge increase of vapor in order to reduce the throat tickle and control your coughing fits. Higher Vg juices will reduce the throat irritation as well as lower nicotine. You will also notice that where you were needing 12-18 mg of nicoting in your old EVOD stick, subohming you can easily go to 3 or 6mg, and carry a high mg nic liquid just in case of emergency. In my opinion the higher the nicotine content when subohming the harsher the hit is on your throat, also subohming tends to go through a lot more e juice, and if you find a flavor you are particularly fond of, you could easily intake more nicotine then you had planned and get light-headed and dizzy (been there done that lol). Good Luck on getting back on the wagon. I too tried to quit with an EVOD type device and it just didnt do it for me, perhaps the restriction of the draw or the lack of knowledge i had about unlocking the potential of the device, but in November when i decided to go and try again I got a Kanger Sub Box Mini Kit and the rest is history. Im not cigarette free, nicotine free, and have one of the most enjoyable hobby's of my life. All in the matter of 3 months. And i had smoked for 14 years.

 

[KayP]

Im not cigarette free, nicotine free, and have one of the most enjoyable hobby's of my life. All in the matter of 3 months. And i had smoked for 14 years.

Did you mean "Im now cigarette free"?

I'm still vaping away 12mg nic juices and I wonder if I should cut down. I have lots 12mg juices to go through, but I also have 6-9mg juices stocked up.

 

[Clydde26]

yes i meant now lol.... and it isnt my place to tell you when is the right time for you to cut back... i gave myself a timeline and stuck with it, but not everyone is willing to or wants to. Ultimately now that we are off cigarettes on vaping, the nicotine is equivalent to a cup of coffee.... some people need 1 cup to get up and go... others like to drink it all through out the day. I definitely have to applaud you if you are capable of subohming 12mg juices though. 6mg was tough for me. And if I chain vaped it i got light headed and I used to smoke close to a Pack and a half of cigarettes a day. But i Digress, if your goal was just to get off cigarettes congrats and your there no further progress needed enjoy vaping and do what you do, if your goal was to become nicotine free and enjoy vaping as a leisure as i do, then set timelines for yourself to begin stepping down in strengths of nicotine. And always keep your back up tank for those extra stressful days (luckily im on meds now so i dont need to worry about that )

 

[KayP]

@Clydde26 Yes, my goal was obviously to get rid of the smokes; however, I never really considered going nicotine free. As I live in Australia and don't want the risk of a bad purchase, I source my juices from USA. It is an expensive affair with the exchange rate and shipping, and henceforth I still have quite a few bottles of 12mg juices to finish up. I have received good advice about diluting the juices down but I don't have any issues vaping away at it. As I said I have also stocked up on 6 to 9mg juices, but my goal is to eventually cut down to 3mg juices. From what I interpret, lower nicotine will make a more comfortable vape at higher wattage. As for backups, I did get the ever popular shinytus and bought myself two more tanks and mods last week

 

[Clydde26]

There is nothing wrong with that Shiny-itus. It has taken me by storm and if it wasnt for me learning how to make coils and throw together a little DIY ejuice here and there I would be in the corner rocking with very pretty mettle objects and no e liquid to put in them. I currently have 7 tanks and 4 mods and I have only been in this game for 3 months. But i wouldnt change it for nothing. The building gives me something to do at night to clear my head right before i go to sleep, and the DIY juicing is a nice cost effective way for me not only to keep up with my vaping habit but to explore my creative side a bit. Plus since I dont utilize nic its extremely inexpensive. What two tanks and mods did you pick up?

 

[edyle]

Thank you very much for your answers guys, that helps a lot! Now I see more clearly in which direction to start.
I'm not too comfortable with the idea of building my own device though, I'd be a bit afraid to mess things up. Anyway I can see about that later I guess. Thanks again!

Both the subtank setup and the tfv4 have the option to use replaceable or rebuildable coil heads.
In my opinion, a setup that doesn't even have the option is outdated.

 

[KayP]

I think I have already mentioned in this thread that the Kanger Subox Mini was my first. Thereafter I collected the Aromamizer Velocity RDTA, Griffin RTA, iStick 100W and RX200.

 

[KayP]

Both the subtank setup and the tfv4 have the option to use replaceable or rebuildable coil heads.
In my opinion, a setup that doesn't even have the option is outdated.

I had a mishap with my OCC coil heads from the get go (I burnt the cotton); therefore, I've only had experience with the RBA deck. The premade coil heads are still a definite plus for begginers.

 

[Clydde26]

Im actually using my aromamizer on my rx200 right now so you definitely wont be disappointed in that one. Havent had the chance to fiddle with a griffin yet, nor an istick, but i mean i have a sigelei fuchai 200w TC which is close to the same size.