Need help - still can't find the sweet spot

[bghouse]

Hi Everyone,

I joined ECF back in Oct 2008, and started my e-cig life with a 901. It stopped working, and I fell off the wagon in a big way. Fast forward to now, and I'm trying to get back in the swing. I learned alot, and there are a lot more options now - but I still can't find what I'm looking for and need some advice.

I smoke Marlboro Silver 100's (used to be called ultra lights). I smoke 1 to 1.5 packs per day, depending on how stressful my day is. I'm also allergic to PG (you'll see some of my older posts around on that). I recently purchased an eGo T (B type tank) and some liquids from Virgin Vapors (100% VG, organic, extra flavor, diluted for the eGo).

This weekend was my first attempt to get back on the e-cig wagon. I hated filling cartridges in my old system, so thought I'd give the tank a whirl after reading up here. However, I'm very uninspired. The vapor was good, but the taste - kind of dull. (which I've read is pretty typical). These weren't easy to fill with liquid either, I've had some leaking, and a spectacular mouth full of juice that left me spitting like a camel.

I made it almost 7 hours without a real cig today, but just cracked and ran to the corner store to buy a pack. I just couldn't take it anymore, and had to have a real cig. It's great that vaping cut down my real cigs, but I'm really trying to find that combination that will take me all the way.

I tried to concentrate on what the difference was in my Marlboro, and one thing I noticed was that it felt warmer than what I'd had on the eGo. I definitely enjoyed that. I'm not sure what the throat hit really is, so not sure if I was missing that.

I've been trying to read on the forums about LR and also 5V devices - thinking maybe that warmer vape is what I'm needing. As I'm 100% VG, it's not the vapor amount.

There are so many new advancements since when I first started, and folks like Annette that do 100% VG mixes are amazing (I was having to mix my own stuff back then, which also threw me off the wagon). But now the choices are a bit much for me, with stuff I'm not familiar with like drip tips, and I hope some of the vets can help me out.

So I need some advice. I'm looking for that combination that will get me off my Marlboros for good. Here's my ultimate list:

1.) Will be staying 100% VG due to allergies
2.) Would like the least amount of fuss in filling cartridges, etc. Like the idea of tanks but not married.
3.) Would like to taste my liquids, not have them feel dulled or limited.
4.) Would like the warmer vapor feel - maybe Vari volt or something?
5.) Battery Life - I can do the USB thing, multiple batteries, etc. Don't want long battery life by compromising the other priorities.
6.) No leaking would be nice
7.) I don't mind mods, don't care if it resembles a cigarette. Would like to be able to travel with it, so it can't look like a homemade bomb - lol
8.) I tend to find a flavor and stay with it, but I will buy multiple tanks or whatever if I need to change during the day.
9.) Not limiting myself to a budget at this point - I just want to find that sweet spot.

I could surely use recommendations here, as I can tell the eGo T is not going to be my ultimate kit. I pretty much need recommendations across the board - batteries, atty, mods, etc.

Thanks!

 

[my4jewels]

I know that everyone has their own preferences, but here's what I think for the biggest bang for your buck. get a Krimson Kustom VV evercool boxmod, $55., great performance, handmade by our own JamesW on ecf. http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/modder-accessories-supplier-forum/206210-krimson-kustoms-3-7v-5-variable-voltage-evercool-quality-look-great-price.html.

Then, I'd go with a liquinator by Vape-O-Matic Liquinator 3mL.

Or you could make your own tanks. http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...756-homemade-syringe-tank-mod-looks-easy.html

I recommend a 3.0 ohm Boge cartomizer in your tank.

Juice is up to you.

 

[bryansthl]

I wasn't able to get completely off analogs until I started mixing my own e-liqiud 80%-85% vg 15%-20% flavor. I tested my premix stuff I bought and the nic levels where half of what they said they where. You can buy nic test kits at amazon. I found that ce2 xl steel cartomizers give me a warm saticfying hit how ever they are a pain to fill and I do have to modify the silicone cap wick notches makeing them larger because of the vg being so thick.

I hope you find something that works for you.

 

[Robotfactory]

Carto tank with a 2-2.5 ohm carto on a 3.7v device will be a pretty good start. i think it would meet all of your requirements, and there is plenty of flavor.

 

[NoMoreMondays]

I think, I know where you are coming from and ... you are wrong: The e-cigarette (especially them first few draws!) should just about blow your head off and if it doesn't you have a problem right there. You need a better e-juice to be able and follow thru with your plan to quit analogs and that is easy enough to accomplish. Rule number one here: Get high nicotine e-juice with a tobacco flavor and a complimentary flavor to "spice" things up. My suggestion: Honey flue cured from Liquidxpress and their Taboo or Artisan, or Myfreedomsmokes B&H and the Turbosmog (I hope I spelled that right?!). Don't go for the fruity stuff. Save that for later on, once you are using your eGo like you were born with it.
Next up: I would pitch the tanks. I've tried them myself and they really have a negative effect on the flavor and the drawing effort ... think of it as trying really hard to suck the curtains from the window! They will not warm up the liquid enough to be even remotely reminiscent of analogs, due to the lack of liquid delivery to the wick. And doing quick draws ... uhm, good luck with that.
There are some really nice cartos around that look awesome on the eGo, are super easy to fill and hold enough juice to easily get you through the day. I'm talking about Echo cartomizers. While they do contain poly fiber (yuck!), you are not likely to burn them and get that filthy taste in your mouth, simply because they hold enough liquid to make it easy to avoid that. Fill two of those per day (that's 6 ml!!!) and you would be good to go for at least a day. Use an all day vape in one and a kicker in the other to reach for when the taste buds go numb (since this isn't your first time around, you know what I'm talking about).
And finally: Invest into a sit'n'go for the time you spend at the computer. You've got almost no way of ever running out of battery power that way. Charge/vape while being plugged in and take along when you are ready to go. As an added plus: The sit'n'go seems to warm up the juice more than the normal batty, making the vapor that much more analog-like.

Best of luck!

 

[hairball]

The best 5V device available these days is the GLV2 5V by greatlakesvapor.com. They are running a sale until the end of the week and they will go up even more than they were before the sale. $95 + $5 shipping. You can get a kit that includes batteries and a charger also. Very nicely made and durable PV.

For variable voltage..my4jewels nailed it. Krimson Kustoms box mod...JamesW builds some excellent box mods and with the evercool system, your batteries will last a long time. I own 2 of his mods and going to order another one.

If you don't want a box mod in VV, go with a BuzzPro from notcigs.com. Nice tube mod with a dial adjuster. Nothing is sweeter than being able to tune in your juice.

For a nice sized cartomizer, I recommend an ego dual coil cartomizer from madvapes.com or even an e-power dual coil cartomizer. Huge capacities, warm vapor/flavor/TH. You will need a 510/ego adapter to use any of these on the mods I listed above..madvapes sells them also.

If you choose a GLV and use one of the cartomizers I recommended, you also need a shorty 510/510 extension so that you get a little clearance for the button and headcap. Madvapes also sells these.

Since you're using 100% VG from virginvapor, Annette can thin your juices for use with cartomizers...all you have to do is leave her a comment in the comments section upon checking out or shoot her a PM.

 

[bghouse]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for the recommendations. Unfortunately, a higher nicotine does not work for me, made those mistakes back in 2008. I need to stick with the lower nic levels.

@hairball - when you said "tune in your own your juice" - do you mean variable voltage and using different levels for different e-liquids? If all my equipment stays the same, would I still find that different flavors of Annette's juices needed a different level?

Off to look up some of these mods....

 

[six]

Alien Visions 555 is a 100% VG light cigarette flavor.

Though I often vape HV (more often than not - about 85% of my vaping is done above 4.4v), I'd like to suggest a slightly different route for you in your quest for hassle reduction: The 1.8 ohm boge cartomizer produces a nice warm vapor on 3.7v. And, an inexpensive bottom feeder can keep a carto in the sweet spot all day. - Old Goat makes a nice little bottom feeder and sells them to ECF members for a very reasonable price (I think I spend thirty bucks on mine). -- So, a thirty dollar bottom feeder, a ten dollar box of cartos, and about ten bucks worth of batteries for it (plus a bottle of juice - AVE is on the expensive side for juice, but worth it), and I think you'll be well on your way... and if you do indeed like that configuration, you can always get in to a more deluxe sort of bottom feeder like the REO or similar.

 

[bghouse]

I'm curious, in reading the responses, why no suggestions for a tank. I was just looking at the BuzzPro recommended above - and there is a M1A1 tank on the site. Why a cartomizer and not a tank?

 

[bryansthl]

I'm curious, in reading the responses, why no suggestions for a tank. I was just looking at the BuzzPro recommended above - and there is a M1A1 tank on the site. Why a cartomizer and not a tank?

I tried tanks and kept getting poly fiber in my mouth. I didn't like it not one bit at all.

 

[KTaylor]

Just my .02. It is very difficult to stay focused for some if that all elusive sweet spot isn't found. If you are willing to bend the budget and commit, my suggestion (not to start a mod fight of course) is a Provari with a notta tank that uses boge cartos. This will give you all the options you are looking for to find your sweet spot. You will have the 3.3 to 6v range PV, a tank that uses cheap yet very dependable cartos and as far as juice goes I would agree AVE for sure (BOBA's!!!). I would also suggest RAWR for juice (amazing flavor) but make sure you pick 100 VG in the mix list and NO menthol.

 

[bghouse]

Hmm, I'm getting a bit confused again. With the eGo I have now, the tanks push into the atomizer and then the battery - right? And there is no poly fiber or other filler in the tank.

The Boge have poly fiber, yes? So you use that and a tank together?

My old Janty had the cartridges with filler material, and I either overfilled (backwash) or underfilled (burnt taste).

ProVari has a starter package that says it has a "5 pack of 3 ohm cartridges" and a drip tip. Are these cartridges and atty in one piece? Do they have poly fiber in them.

And what is a drip tip, and how do you use it?

Seems this was all a bit easier back in 2008 - of course, not satisfying back then or I wouldn't have gone off the wagon - but easier.....sigh....

 

[my4jewels]

A variable voltage pv is exactly what hairball said. You can change the voltage up or down to give you a harder, warmer, cooler, whatever hit. It can also improve flavor. It's like tuning in your vape and your flavor.

The tanks I referred to use a cartomizer inside of them, and usually hold 3ml or more. The cartomizer does have filler, but there are holes or slits in the carto, and the juice feeds into the holes/slits every time you inhale to equalize the pressure in the tank. This will keep the carto wet at all times, won't burn and they will last much longer. These tanks have been a real game changer for lots of people, including me. I find that the draw on a tank depends on the carto and the pv. On my KK VV boxmod with a tank, I get a nice easy draw. On the Buzz Pro, I find that the draw is significantly tighter. I have never found the draw from my tanks to be anything like sucking curtains from a window. On a VV mod, you can get a great warm to hot draw.

Personally, I don't do tobacco flavors. Vaping cannot imitate the taste of Burning tobacco in most cases. You may be surprised to find that you enjoy non-tobacco flavors.

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for the recommendations. Unfortunately, a higher nicotine does not work for me, made those mistakes back in 2008. I need to stick with the lower nic levels.

@hairball - when you said "tune in your own your juice" - do you mean variable voltage and using different levels for different e-liquids? If all my equipment stays the same, would I still find that different flavors of Annette's juices needed a different level?

Off to look up some of these mods....

 

[bghouse]

Thanks everyone. After inhaling some posts up here for the last couple of hours - I took the plunge and bought a ProVari.
Going to use the standard cart from them to start, but ultimately would like to look at the tank system. I've seen these four mentioned a lot:
Big Daddy Vapor
Notta
Liquinator
VPX Cartomator

Anyone have any favorites when used with a ProVari? And and specifics on carts (like Boge)?

 

[kabonk]

I have a j-tank it cost about 19.99
and a aluminum Liquinator it cost about 31.00 I think
and about 6 homemade syringe tanks cost me about about 2.00 a piece to make
my point here is they all do the same job and my homemade ones work every bit as good as my 31.00 one, a word of caution some juices will crack the polycarbonate tanks

 

[washvap]

I think the best suggestion on a mod to get would be a VV Sargeant Tanks V2. It's a bottom feeder which makes it extremely convenient to take out without having to worry about being out of juice and batteries. Easy to use and it performs awesome. The best part of this is that it is a VV mod as well.

So, your getting the best out of both worlds for a 107 shipped:

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...vv-army-tank-variable-volt-bottom-feeder.html

 

[washvap]

Here's some reviews to get more information on this mod:

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...202272-vv-army-tank-bottomfeeder-jmarkus.html
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/e-cigarette-mods-reviews/224699-vv-army-tank-v2.html

Along with my REO's. This is one of my go-to mods.

 

[kabonk]

to late he bought a provari he could always get a army tank for a back up as I seem to be finding out you can never have to many mods

 

[washvap]

Knew I should of read the whole thread. Oh well, that's true. My mod collection is slowly growing with every passing month. This mod also has a 3A chip. So, if he wanted to use dual coils or something beyond 4.5V or wanted to try a good bottom feeder than this will come in handy.

 

[bghouse]

Thanks washvap, it is very interesting and yeah - I'm sure I won't stop at just one

@kabonk - I was looking at the syringe tanks, but I'm really not very handy. Maybe I could get one of my guy friends to build some for me. I wish someone made and sold those - as the cracking of the polycarbonate tanks is a bit of a concern.