New Member - Advice needed please :)

[RyanSmith654]

Hi there and thanks for clicking on my cry for help!

I've been on the Vape scene for about 18 months now and I've basically just been going through bad quality pens. At the moment I have an e-leaf Basic, which as I believe (and as is described), is quite basic and I presume this is why it doesn't produce the best vaping experience, as doesn't always fire and the taste isn't great in comparison to friends pens, that I have tried (a low range kangertech one and a joyetech Evic mini mod kit).

Now my question is, have I just been unlucky with the pens I've bought being rubbish and should/can I buy a decent/reputable pen? Or, are they all the same, i.e around the £30 mark, and going to soon deteriorate?

And that would lead on to, should I buy a mod instead? (I am good enough with simple electronics etc, and I smoke lots) But don't know much about these and I am a bit worried I'm a little out of my depth there.

Any comments/pen or mod suggestions greatly appreciated!

Thank you for your time and for reading my essay.

Bests,
Ryan

 

[Eskie]

Hi and welcome! If it has to be a "pen" style (tube) maybe something like a Joyetech AIO. All you have to so is charge, fill, and change the coil once a week or so. A small mod with a separate tank would allow you more flexibility, but takes a tiny bit more time to figure out the best fit.

 

[djsvapour]

Welcome Ryan.
I would say you have been predictably unlucky. Depends who and where you bought from. Most are not great. There have been some good ones, but also some shockers.
There are few 'pen' style batteries that provide the reliability of a box mod. The latest fat batteries are capable of amazing things (like working at 59 watts, for example) but many are still junky. Again, depends on brand. We (and I speak for enthusiast vapers I know) have long-since turned out backs on certain shops and have followed a different direction, picking up hardware from independent shops or China. It's complicated, but you're unlikely to see us in mainstream shops.
Depends what you want from your vape... you could buy another fat pen style kit, or just stretch that bit further.

 

[RyanSmith654]

Hi and welcome! If it has to be a "pen" style (tube) maybe something like a Joyetech AIO. All you have to so is charge, fill, and change the coil once a week or so. A small mod with a separate tank would allow you more flexibility, but takes a tiny bit more time to figure out the best fit.

Thanks very much for your advice, my friend with the mod actually suggested the exact same Pen to buy, so seems that one is generally well perceived.

 

[RyanSmith654]

Welcome Ryan.
I would say you have been predictably unlucky. Depends who and where you bought from. Most are not great. There have been some good ones, but also some shockers.
There are few 'pen' style batteries that provide the reliability of a box mod. The latest fat batteries are capable of amazing things (like working at 59 watts, for example) but many are still junky. Again, depends on brand. We (and I speak for enthusiast vapers I know) have long-since turned out backs on certain shops and have followed a different direction, picking up hardware from independent shops or China. It's complicated, but you're unlikely to see us in mainstream shops.
Depends what you want from your vape... you could buy another fat pen style kit, or just stretch that bit further.

Thank you for your reply, I have bought most from a second hand shop we have here on the Isle of man (although they're brand new), as we didn't have a vape shop. We now have a totally wiked, but from what you're saying, that's not good and that's what I'm starting to see also. We have a smaller independent shop selling mods and Kangertech stuff, but I'm just not sure thanks again!

 

[Eskie]

Pretty sure Totally Wicked would sell one, just under their label and for a lot more money. Any chance on ordering online and having it shipped to you? You'll probably find a lot more choice online.

 

[RyanSmith654]

Yes, I don't think I'll be buying another from a shop to be honest (being on the IOM) and happy to order online. Also happy with a bulkier model. Quality is my main concern and I'm not fussed about big clouds, I just want my nicotine on tap

 

[Eskie]

How is your access to juice? Are you still smoking?

I was a pack and a half day smoker and switched over to 24 mg nic juice. After several months I dropped to 12 mg. Now I have more subohm tanks and only need 6 mg nic. If you're just switching over and don't need clouds (which you really don't need) a simple single battery mod like a Pico or a Coolfire 4 18650 is more than enough. for a tank you can look at a Nautilus X (the 1.5 ohm coils seem to be preferred), classic Nautilus mini, Eleaf GS air. Lots of options that way.

 

[djsvapour]

I found a shop on the IoM when I was there. It was near a Chinese take away.
For me, I would order online.
'Clouds' are not always a good thing, depending on your circumstances.
Most of the best current crop of e-cigs offer a variety of power if that power is not adjustable.
Innokin T18/T22 vapes at 14.5w... not very cloudy but still too much for a sneaky puff in Nandos.
Joyetech AIO... up nearer 30w.... (really, can that be right?) so, um.... more vapor.
Kanger Subvod 1,300.... uses lower resistance coils but vapes more around 23w.
Most of the day, I vape at 14-16 watts using a box mod (anything to hand) and personally like a few of the better tanks designed for mouth-to-lung inhales.

 

[RyanSmith654]

How is your access to juice? Are you still smoking?

I was a pack and a half day smoker and switched over to 24 mg nic juice. After several months I dropped to 12 mg. Now I have more subohm tanks and only need 6 mg nic. If you're just switching over and don't need clouds (which you really don't need) a simple single battery mod like a Pico or a Coolfire 4 18650 is more than enough. for a tank you can look at a Nautilus X (the 1.5 ohm coils seem to be preferred), classic Nautilus mini, Eleaf GS air. Lots of options that way.

I order online and have a friend that makes it (probably dodger than I know, best tasting stuff I've had though). I get the strongest one in the shop, but I only have the odd puffs at my desk and in the car etc, it does me good nicotine wise. I'm not looking to stop smoking, I like nicotine, especially without the carcinogens. Thank you for the suggestions, I'll check those out straight away!

 

[RyanSmith654]

I found a shop on the IoM when I was there. It was near a Chinese take away.
For me, I would order online.
'Clouds' are not always a good thing, depending on your circumstances.
Most of the best current crop of e-cigs offer a variety of power if that power is not adjustable.
Innokin T18/T22 vapes at 14.5w... not very cloudy but still too much for a sneaky puff in Nandos.
Joyetech AIO... up nearer 30w.... (really, can that be right?) so, um.... more vapor.
Kanger Subvod 1,300.... uses lower resistance coils but vapes more around 23w.
Most of the day, I vape at 14-16 watts using a box mod (anything to hand) and personally like a few of the better tanks designed for mouth-to-lung inhales.

Haha, chineses everywhere mate! Must be 25 of them for the 80000 of us here lol. Thanks for your advice, I do like the sound of the box and a good tank, presumably that wattage also controls the cloud, so to speak? I definitely just want mouth to lung, I think the other is just for show is it? I'm quite a quiet guy, just looking for good vapes so thats what I have to get a feel for, what wattage I want to use? Then adjust accordingly as you're using the box mods? Thanks again for all your help, I have tried to self educate online, but it's just people trying to sell their stuff mainly!

 

[djsvapour]

You are right about "people trying to sell their stuff" - it's a scene that has been with us from the beginning really.
Now.. Mr Google will send you to certain shops some of which neither deserve your custom or will charge you a fair price. We had this thing going on (for years) where the big companies liked to overcharge at will and then offer their 'facebook friends' special deals. Quite frankly, I need a bucket to even think about these vendors. It is outlawed (or will be fairly soon) under the TPD.
Totally Wicked are different from all the rest, so I tend not to pick on them. They are what they are and if they just chilled a bit and actually stopped charging shop prices online, then we could all get on with our lives. There is nothing wrong with walking in, investigating and leaving with stuff... no problem at all. I do it sometimes too. These days, they hardly go mad on the prices, not like the time they were selling an e-cig for £79.99 that we all bought for about £35.

Try Googling "best e-cig UK" and see what you find. Here's what I see.

Fake review site. Someone who doesn't have a job and milks commission.
Expensive shop with the worst customer service in the business. Avoid.
Fake review site. (One of the most nefarious)
Rip-off brand. (Yes, them that charged £27.99 for a £2.09 battery)
Same again
Magazine that reviews (for commission) and doesn't know Jack.
Fake review site
Drop-shipping website

and it goes on, and on. What chance does anyone have?

Thankfully, the cat is out the bag with forums and certain areas of social media...

 

[RyanSmith654]

Well I'm just thankful that you guys and gals are here to help! As you say, googling vague questions is just a rabbit hole to advertising and what you explained above. Further to the many replies (thank you very much!) and another couple hours of googling devices and phrases (mech was the last one) I am going to buy a box mod, a regulated one. I don't know which, I will watch review videos and read more, but I want to play with temp control/resistance, but will be sticking around the 2.5 mark I feel, as I am really not one for clouds. Thanks again for the help, and and final tips in closing to help me with my regulated box mod before it arrives would of course be greatly appreciated. Can't help myself lol

 

[JCinFLA]

I'm not looking to stop smoking, I like nicotine, especially without the carcinogens.

Does that mean you're dual using (smoking and vaping)? Or are you thinking of vaping also as "smoking"?

I dual used until I got totally off the smokes within 2 months of starting to vape, and have never even considered a smoke again. Vaping, and getting my nic that way...is all I do now.

About a set-up for you - I'm in my early 60's, and I use a variety of vape pens/tube mods (ie. 1100mAh Ego batteries, Kanger 1900mAh Evod Mega kit, Provari's, etc. with a variety of tanks). But I also have & use a variety of Innokin, Sigelei, Kanger, and Eleaf box mods. I've also just gotten into RDAs and RBAs not too long ago and have learned how to actually build my own coils now for them!

I still use all of these types at different times. There's a wide variety of set-ups you can choose from. When you find the one or 2 that meet your needs...the searching for them has been well worth it...and it's great!

 

[RyanSmith654]

Hi and thanks for your message. Yes, to be honest, I am a bit of both, mainly due to previous pens braking at the worst of times.

You have lots of stuff! But so do many enthusiasts. As you say, I need to experiment and I think there is no fast answer to my question, just to explore

Can I ask in what situations you use your pen, apposed to the box mod? I couldn't image using my pen after getting the mob, but spoken as a true noob, so please enlighten me.

Thank you for your comments

 

[JCinFLA]

I use one of the pen/tube shapes in lots of situations and for several reasons: Just a quick trip to town; when I go places where most people don't vape...so I don't want to be so obvious; when I'm working with my horse or walking my dogs, they're easier to handle and pocket in a hurry if necessary; when mowing my yard and pastures (except the Provari's...those don't go mowing with me) in case of accidental droppage, etc. Other than those times or situations...I usually use one of the box mods, or several, with different eliquids in their tanks.

I even have and use a variety of really "old school" vape stuff, too, (shorty 510 attys, cartos and tanks, etc.). It all still serves a purpose. Lots of us still have some of it and use it, too. The little attys are great for taste-testing new eliquid recipes we make! Can use an RDA, too, but I don't like having to rewick too frequently and I try several recipes at a time.

 

[Grimwald]

That istick basic (if it's what I'm thinking of) will accommodate a variety of 14mm tanks. I actually like the gs air that comes with it, but evods, protank II minis, most older CE types, will work.

 

[RyanSmith654]

Thanks Grim, as far as I'm aware it does accommodate all sorts, but I just doesn't fire consistently and nothing I can do about that unfortunately, it's the magnetic design of the clearomizer, and the way that that whole part just pops out and back in again with a magnetic plate. It's a cool idea, but too much scope for the connectors to not connect when trying to smoke

 

[RyanSmith654]

I use one of the pen/tube shapes in lots of situations and for several reasons: Just a quick trip to town; when I go places where most people don't vape...so I don't want to be so obvious; when I'm working with my horse or walking my dogs, they're easier to handle and pocket in a hurry if necessary; when mowing my yard and pastures (except the Provari's...those don't go mowing with me) in case of accidental droppage, etc. Other than those times or situations...I usually use one of the box mods, or several, with different eliquids in their tanks.

I even have and use a variety of really "old school" vape stuff, too, (shorty 510 attys, cartos and tanks, etc.). It all still serves a purpose. Lots of us still have some of it and use it, too. The little attys are great for taste-testing new eliquid recipes we make! Can use an RDA, too, but I don't like having to rewick too frequently and I try several recipes at a time.

Thanks for your reply, I was thinking along those lines to be honest. Your horse is beautiful! Thanks again for your advice.

 

[juskiddin]

How is your access to juice? Are you still smoking?

I was a pack and a half day smoker and switched over to 24 mg nic juice. After several months I dropped to 12 mg. Now I have more subohm tanks and only need 6 mg nic. If you're just switching over and don't need clouds (which you really don't need) a simple single battery mod like a Pico or a Coolfire 4 18650 is more than enough. for a tank you can look at a Nautilus X (the 1.5 ohm coils seem to be preferred), classic Nautilus mini, Eleaf GS air. Lots of options that way.

I'm a Nautilus X fan; if you're thinking of ordering one may I suggest ordering the extension kit available for this tank?
In all honesty I didn't enjoy the Nautilus X tank when I first purchased one. However, it was suggested I order the extension kit for it and this made a huge difference (for me). The tank comes with a 1.5ohm coil but 1.8ohm coils are available and are what I use. The extension kit is 4ml (instead of the 2ml tank) and vastly improved my vaping experience with this tank.
You'd need a mod capable of say, 20w for this tank (I don't go higher than 15w). I use an istick 30w or Coolfire IV with the Nautilus X.
The extension is inexpensive and in my opinion, for about $6 (Canadian)made it my daily tank...no more hot drip tip in addition to an improved vaping experience. Plus, the tank is super easy to use (top fill).
The Nautilus mini is also a nice tank.

Cheers