Moving on from a "Starter Kit"?

[Mishona]

Good evening all from Stockport, I hope I'm neither being too forward or posting this in the wrong section or anything, but I figured this was the best place to come to for advice - I've visited several times but only now stopped to make an account

I started on the Vape-Train in 2012, picking up some pretty cheap - and pretty shoddy - E-Cigs from the petrol station near me. Even though I later found out they were pretty naff, I was still very impressed with them and the whole vaping experience and that got me hooked; certainly more enjoyable than a cigarette! I moved from there, onto an Apollo eGo Starter Kit, which came with 2 eGo batteries, bottle of juice - the standard sort of set up from these kits - and was pretty happy for a good year on them. I had to change the clearomizer several times, and tried several different ones but never really found one that stood out. Recently I thought I would upgrade, and since I've been using Apollo E-cig's website for a while, I picked up one of their Endeaver Kits.

Lotta to-and-froing with customer service with that one! Batteries that won't charge, wouldn't vape with any clearomizer (The correct ones to fit the battery mind) and even now a month after getting them I'm still not impressed - The battery life seems tiny, they produce so little vapour despite several different clearomizers and I'm starting to feel like I've wasted my money with this one. Hell, I keep going back to my old eGo batteries which only like to work half the time, and they seem better!

Anyway, I was wondering if you could point be to a good and reliable eCig for an intermediate user. I don't think I'd be quite comfortable with modding and whatnot yet, but I don't want something for a beginner either. Has anyone any experience with Apollo E-Cigs?

Edit; I've been looking at the V2 Pro Series 3 E-Cig, and I've seen the MVP2 being mentioned a lot here too. Would they be good places to go to?

Sorry for the very long post!
Hope to be a regular poster here.

 

[drunkenbatman]

Hey Mishona, welcome! You're in exactly the right place.

Has anyone any experience with Apollo E-Cigs?

I don't consider them to be a great company, and I'm sorry you got pulled into their orbit.

Anyway, I was wondering if you could point be to a good and reliable eCig for an intermediate user. I don't think I'd be quite comfortable with modding and whatnot yet.

Somewhere, a burrito needs my help to find its way home, so here are a few questions people are going to want to know in order to help you (they love this sorta thing, it's nice of you):

1. Do you have a budget?

2. You say you aren't sure you're you're ready for a modding... can you elaborate? e.g., are you set on a form factor or size?

3. What is it about your current setup that you're unhappy with and would like improved?

Hope to be a regular poster here.

Imma hold you to that.

 

[Sir2fyablyNutz]

Hello Mishona and welcome to the forum. I'm a newbie with 5 cheap batteries, 10 different flavors, 3 different style tanks, and I am headed to the Aspire Nautilus mini (in the mail). I've been reading about the MODs and will be looking at the eleaf 50w when it comes available soon. Everything I have is basic to this point except the small upgrade to the Spinner 2 battery. I'm not a cloud chaser so I feel like the adjustment on the MOD's will be fairly simple. However there are only 1000 different other directions to go, so I wish you luck. The search box at the top right corner of this page has been valuable to me in my learning process.

 

[Fattlestar]

For moving on from ego setups, I would suggest a good fixed-battery mod, either the eLeaf iStick (20 watt is enough) or the MVP 20 watt. Both will cost you around the same amount and offer more than enough power. The iStick is more compact and a little finicky with power settings, but if smaller is important to you it's the right choice. The MVP 20 watt is rock solid on power output and would be my top choice, but it is a bit bigger in the hand.

Then you will need a good clearomizer to put on top of whichever battery mod you choose. The easiest answer is the Aspire Nautilus Mini with BVC coils, or the Kanger Aerotank (Version 2). Both have replaceable coils and produce nice flavor within the power range that the MVP 20 watt or iStick will produce.

Keep in mind these are not "kits" and are the next step up from an ego type kit. They require a little more knowledge to utilize properly. So if you have questions, please ask them

 

[Zazoie]

I went from an ego-t to eleaf Istick 30watt with a Kanger Subtank Nano and love it! Super easy. Can vape while its charging. Huge vapor huge flavor. Nearly zero learning curve. No rebuilding coils. As easy as it comes and just fantastic. Just one suggestion of many. Good luck!

 

[Jwaterski]

Welcome, hello and congrats on making the switch to vaping! Get ready, the choices will be pouring in soon. I think almost all will be an improvement over what you have.

 

[Mishona]

and I am headed to the Aspire Nautilus mini (in the mail). .

I keep hearing about this, and I might pick it up - A lot of people seem to recommend it.


Thanks for the warm welcome, and very quick replies both of you

1. Do you have a budget?

2. You say you aren't sure you're you're ready for a modding... can you elaborate? e.g., are you set on a form factor or size?

3. What is it about your current setup that you're unhappy with and would like improved?

1. Somewhere up to £50-£60 would be lovely.

2. It's just a lot of it I don't understand yet. So many abbreviations and things - Makes my head spin haha. I like the size of the eCigs I've tried so far, the cigar shape - but I'd sacrifice it for a good battery life, good vapour product and a good throat hit!

3. With what I'm vaping on now, the most recent Endeavour Kit I got from Apollo - The first day it was superb. It looked nice, and it gave a fantastic vape and throat hit - but it quickly deteriorated. Now, both batteries deliver a very small hit, and the button to start it flashes 4-5 times and stops after a couple of seconds.


What is wrong with Apollo? I'm not defending them, I'm just curious so I might avoid another site like it again

Cheers!

 

[Danrogers]

Here is another Idea, Reo Grand LP, great flavor good vapor. Check them out on ECF, you will be amazed. I have been vaping for a year and am using a Mini Protank 2 on a Spinner 2, I have been checking Reo's out for the last month and that is the direction I am headed.

 

[Fattlestar]

What is wrong with Apollo? I'm not defending them, I'm just curious so I might avoid another site like it again

Cheers!

There is nothing wrong with Apollo. But they are for beginners, and like most things made for beginners, tend to be a little pricey for what they actually do. But they DO work and, as a general rule, whatever is keeping you off of cigarettes is a good thing. That said, there are better things at better prices available to you.

 

[Mishona]

Ah, that makes sense. I've had a -20% off Code which seems to work at every checkout, so I just kept on using them haha.


I looked into that MVP2 - It's certainly a little different to what I'm used to, but it definitely seems to be getting a lot of rave reviews. I'll have to write it down so I don't forget - MVP2 with an Aspire Nautilus Mini; would that be a good "next-step"? I've heard people say it's lasted them a LONG time with good care and attention so I do like to the sound of it.

I'll have a look around the forum for some good UK Suppliers - Hopefully avoid another overpriced-beginner sort of place

Edit; I've bought all my E-Juice from Apollo, and some seem very thick and unpleasant and some seem very thin and watery - Is this just based on type of flavour or is it poor mixing or something? I'm not too sure how varied the quality of juice can be between suppliers.

 

[Fattlestar]

Write down MVP 20 watt instead. The MVP2 is a good mod, but older and not as capable as the recently released MVP 20 watt. Note that these are different items. MVP 2pointO (2.0) and MVP 20 WATT. You want the 20 watt. Not the v2. With proper care these items will last a long time, yes.

Again, that said, the MVP2 is quality as well. Just seems smarter to get the new version.

 

[sparkky1]

Kanger sub nano 1.3 ohm coils
istick 30

 

[Mishona]

Write down MVP 20 watt instead. The MVP2 is a good mod, but older and not as capable as the recently released MVP 20 watt. Note that these are different items. MVP 2pointO (2.0) and MVP 20 WATT. You want the 20 watt. Not the v2. With proper care these items will last a long time, yes.

Again, that said, the MVP2 is quality as well. Just seems smarter to get the new version.

Ah I see, thanks.

I think I'll get the MVP2 with the Nautilus Mini tank - And try somewhere else for the Juice too. Sorry to keep asking so much, but do you know a good supplier for them? I've looked at the Supplier link on ECF, and there's so many to chose from - I'm not sure which to pick


Thanks everyone, you've all been very helpful

Edit:

I looked at that Kanger SubCoil - It looks and sounds really complicated - It does look very nice though.

Edit 2:

I found the MVP 20w Express for £25 and the Nautilus Mini BVC for £19. Are these fair prices? I think the MVP sounds cheaper than I expected, and the Nautilus a little bit more than I expected. They're from a website called Puremist.

 

[gizmo74]

I just upgraded about 2 weeks ago from my ego starter kit. I got the MVP 20W and the aspire nautilus mini, great setup, I just love it. I think you would be very happy with it. Great battery life, great vapor and great taste. Highly recommenced.

 

[Mishona]

I just upgraded about 2 weeks ago from my ego starter kit. I got the MVP 20W and the aspire nautilus mini, great setup, I just love it. I think you would be very happy with it. Great battery life, great vapor and great taste. Highly recommenced.

Sounds like you were in the same boat as me with the Starter Kit

I think I'm sold on this set-up now

 

[Fattlestar]

Ah I see, thanks.

I think I'll get the MVP2 with the Nautilus Mini tank - And try somewhere else for the Juice too. Sorry to keep asking so much, but do you know a good supplier for them? I've looked at the Supplier link on ECF, and there's so many to chose from - I'm not sure which to pick


Thanks everyone, you've all been very helpful

Edit:

I looked at that Kanger SubCoil - It looks and sounds really complicated - It does look very nice though.

Edit 2:

I found the MVP 20w Express for £25 and the Nautilus Mini BVC for £19. Are these fair prices? I think the MVP sounds cheaper than I expected, and the Nautilus a little bit more than I expected. They're from a website called Puremist.

Seem like fair enough prices to me. You may want to also get a pack of replacement coils for the Nautilus so that you can replace the heads when they get gunked up from use. (Nautilus BVC coils specifically)

 

[hooplah101]

Check for coupons on here. Just saying they have some good ones.

 

[Mishona]

I can't post links yet so the description for them is: The Aspire Bottom Vertical Coil Heads. Replacement heads for the Nautilus and Mini Nautilus only. New and innovative Vertical Coil heads offer a unique design making these atomizer heads last longer than other Aspire coils.

These? Seems like a nice cheap solution to a potentially expensive replacement.

Can't thank everyone enough for being friendly and helpful

Edit:

Check for coupons on here. Just saying they have some good ones.

Ah cheers, I'll have a look through these, see what I can find

 

[Fattlestar]

I can't post links yet so the description for them is: The Aspire Bottom Vertical Coil Heads. Replacement heads for the Nautilus and Mini Nautilus only. New and innovative Vertical Coil heads offer a unique design making these atomizer heads last longer than other Aspire coils.

These? Seems like a nice cheap solution to a potentially expensive replacement.

Can't thank everyone enough for being friendly and helpful

Edit:


Ah cheers, I'll have a look through these, see what I can find

That appears to be the right coils, yep. 1.8 ohm is a good place to start, since you'll likely have to choose between 1.6 and 1.8.

You should read up a little on the Nautilus Mini and how to properly prime the coils (short version: Put a drop of juice in the coil, fill up the tank, seal it up, and wait a half hour before using), and remember that once you have filled up the Nautilus and primed the coil properly, you should start at a low power setting and slowly increase until you find the right vape (going too high power to start with can ruin a coil).

 

[sparkky1]

Or get the kanger nano and not have to worry about the coil / wicking / tight draw issues.....