Hello all. I'm a brand new member - but long time reader - of these forums. The information here has been insanely helpful to me and I'd like to pay it forward, so here I am. If you're new to vaping and you're reading this, rest assured that you're in the right place!
(Skip to the bottom if you'd like a TLDR version).
I've been vaping for quite a while and have tried several mods / toppers, but I remember how difficult it was trying to make a decision when I first started. There are so many choices out there. So many people recommending different products. It was totally overwhelming. I wasted a ton of money on crappy hardware - and almost gave up entirely - before finally finding a satisfying combination. In an effort to help others avoid all of that frustration, I'm here to recommend a combination of products that works very well for me even to this day. Keep in mind this is not the end-all, be-all of vaping, it's simply a great place to start in my opinion. As someone who uses a Provari 2.5 on a regular basis I can honestly say the experience of using the products listed below is not light years off. It's satisfying, and it won't cost you a small fortune.
First and foremost is the e-cig / mod / battery. When I'm traveling or going out to get drunk with my buddies, I don't trust myself to keep track of my more expensive gear. For these occasions I use a Vision Spinner 2. It's sleek, it's got decent build quality with great battery life (1600 mAh) and it's variable voltage allows you to fine-tune the output for different e-juices / toppers. It will fit easily into a pocket or purse, and the "spinner" voltage dial is rigid enough that it won't change voltages randomly in your pocket. The LED light will change colors as the battery level depletes, which is also a nice feature. The voltage output seems to dip a bit as the battery power gets lower, but a quick (slight) increase as the charge drops allows you to keep the flavor consistent until recharging. Be sure to purchase a charger to go along with it.
Toppers. I remember getting a headache when I was trying to decide what to buy first. Of all the things I've tried, I've settled on using cartotanks because they're convenient, easy to use & clean, and I can go days without having to change batteries or add more liquid to my tank. This is a great plus for someone who's trying to quit smoking -the less fuss the better. I personally use IBTanked cartotanks (thanks Baditude) because they're inexpensive and well made. The "thingie" also makes it extremely easy to prime your cartomizers. You really can't go wrong regardless of which style / size you choose, but I prefer the stainless steel caps and 19mm tube. You'll also need a drip-tip and a tank tool - both available in matching colors from IBTanked.
As far as cartomizers go, I've tried numerous brands and I've settled on using Boge. Trying to figure out resistances when you're starting out is a pain. For the Vision Spinner 2, I'd recommend using LR (low-resistance) cartos. This allows you a good range of wattage options from the low end (3.3V - 5.5 watts) to the high end (4.8V - 11.52 watts). If you purchase an e-cig that goes above and beyond 5V, go with SR (standard resistance) cartos. But with the Vision Spinner 2, I typically keep mine around 4.2V (9 watts), as I find that is the best setting for the juice I use. Keep in mind that if you purchase a standard size tank, you'll use standard size cartos. XL tanks require XL cartos.
When it comes to e-juice, I prefer Virgin Vapors. I always purchase 18% nicotine, 100% VG (Vegetable Glycerin) with extra flavoring added in. This produces a wonderful amount of vapor and flavor using the aforementioned cartos / tanks / e-cig. All of their products are all-natural / organic, and unlike some other brands, their 100% VG liquids are thin enough to be used in tanks. Please note that any juice you choose to use will work well so long as it's not too thick to wick, Virgin Vapors is just my preference.
So that's it! I've compiled a short-list of my recommendations below. This is a great setup to help you get started in the world of vaping. Feel free to post comments / questions below and I'll be happy to help in anyway I can.
TLDR - My recommendations for a solid starting point in the vaping world:
E-cig: Vision Spinner 2 - It's sleek, it's got decent build quality, and it's variable voltage allows you to fine-tune the output for different e-juices / toppers. Be sure to purchase a charger along with it.
Topper: IBTanked Cartotank - make sure to purchase end caps, a tube, a drip-tip, and a tank tool.
Cartomizers: Boge LR - standard or XL depending on the size of the tank chosen.
E-juice: Virgin Vapors - all natural / organic e-juices. I recommend extra flavor shots, especially if you just quit smoking.
These four things are everything you'll need to get started with a satisfying vaping experience.
View attachment 345088
(Skip to the bottom if you'd like a TLDR version).
I've been vaping for quite a while and have tried several mods / toppers, but I remember how difficult it was trying to make a decision when I first started. There are so many choices out there. So many people recommending different products. It was totally overwhelming. I wasted a ton of money on crappy hardware - and almost gave up entirely - before finally finding a satisfying combination. In an effort to help others avoid all of that frustration, I'm here to recommend a combination of products that works very well for me even to this day. Keep in mind this is not the end-all, be-all of vaping, it's simply a great place to start in my opinion. As someone who uses a Provari 2.5 on a regular basis I can honestly say the experience of using the products listed below is not light years off. It's satisfying, and it won't cost you a small fortune.
First and foremost is the e-cig / mod / battery. When I'm traveling or going out to get drunk with my buddies, I don't trust myself to keep track of my more expensive gear. For these occasions I use a Vision Spinner 2. It's sleek, it's got decent build quality with great battery life (1600 mAh) and it's variable voltage allows you to fine-tune the output for different e-juices / toppers. It will fit easily into a pocket or purse, and the "spinner" voltage dial is rigid enough that it won't change voltages randomly in your pocket. The LED light will change colors as the battery level depletes, which is also a nice feature. The voltage output seems to dip a bit as the battery power gets lower, but a quick (slight) increase as the charge drops allows you to keep the flavor consistent until recharging. Be sure to purchase a charger to go along with it.
Toppers. I remember getting a headache when I was trying to decide what to buy first. Of all the things I've tried, I've settled on using cartotanks because they're convenient, easy to use & clean, and I can go days without having to change batteries or add more liquid to my tank. This is a great plus for someone who's trying to quit smoking -the less fuss the better. I personally use IBTanked cartotanks (thanks Baditude) because they're inexpensive and well made. The "thingie" also makes it extremely easy to prime your cartomizers. You really can't go wrong regardless of which style / size you choose, but I prefer the stainless steel caps and 19mm tube. You'll also need a drip-tip and a tank tool - both available in matching colors from IBTanked.
As far as cartomizers go, I've tried numerous brands and I've settled on using Boge. Trying to figure out resistances when you're starting out is a pain. For the Vision Spinner 2, I'd recommend using LR (low-resistance) cartos. This allows you a good range of wattage options from the low end (3.3V - 5.5 watts) to the high end (4.8V - 11.52 watts). If you purchase an e-cig that goes above and beyond 5V, go with SR (standard resistance) cartos. But with the Vision Spinner 2, I typically keep mine around 4.2V (9 watts), as I find that is the best setting for the juice I use. Keep in mind that if you purchase a standard size tank, you'll use standard size cartos. XL tanks require XL cartos.
When it comes to e-juice, I prefer Virgin Vapors. I always purchase 18% nicotine, 100% VG (Vegetable Glycerin) with extra flavoring added in. This produces a wonderful amount of vapor and flavor using the aforementioned cartos / tanks / e-cig. All of their products are all-natural / organic, and unlike some other brands, their 100% VG liquids are thin enough to be used in tanks. Please note that any juice you choose to use will work well so long as it's not too thick to wick, Virgin Vapors is just my preference.
So that's it! I've compiled a short-list of my recommendations below. This is a great setup to help you get started in the world of vaping. Feel free to post comments / questions below and I'll be happy to help in anyway I can.
TLDR - My recommendations for a solid starting point in the vaping world:
E-cig: Vision Spinner 2 - It's sleek, it's got decent build quality, and it's variable voltage allows you to fine-tune the output for different e-juices / toppers. Be sure to purchase a charger along with it.
Topper: IBTanked Cartotank - make sure to purchase end caps, a tube, a drip-tip, and a tank tool.
Cartomizers: Boge LR - standard or XL depending on the size of the tank chosen.
E-juice: Virgin Vapors - all natural / organic e-juices. I recommend extra flavor shots, especially if you just quit smoking.
These four things are everything you'll need to get started with a satisfying vaping experience.
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