New venture in vaping...tell me what I need!!

[Lois2013]

Ok, so I've been vaping about a month exclusively (prior to that, was just dabbling with Blu while still struggling with letting go of the analogs). Boyfriend got me a Halo Triton for my birthday, and I never looked back - it gave me all the things I needed that Blu was lacking (like so many other users have experienced). I know there are lots of options and opinions out there on what hardware is "the best," and with how obsessed I've become with this forum and learning about everything, I'm sure I'll eventually move on to bigger and better things - but for now the Triton is working perfectly for me and I have no complaints.

However, I want to try dripping.
One small reason is because I am curious about the supposed "best flavor" hype, but first and foremost I want to use it to taste test new juices. Since I am new to this, I'm trying different juices like crazy to find what I like, and it's no fun to have to empty out a tank that's still half full, clean it, etc when you try a juice you don't love - not to mention that seems to be hard on the coils.

From what I have read, dripping with an atomizer would be perfect for this - and being the OCD, information hog that I am, I have read and researched A TON. But unfortunately due to a vast range of opinions and available options, I'm finding myself just as confused as when I started (due to having to piecemeal information from different thread topics). I try to avoid posting questions that I'm sure have been asked a million times, but I can't seem to find any concise direction on what I'm looking for, so I hope you guys can help me.
Here is what I think I need based on what I have read:

-510 atomizer
-808 to 510 adapter (as I'd prefer to be able to use my Triton battery, as opposed to having to purchase a whole new setup)
-drip tip

Here is where my confusion lies:
-there seems to be thousands of atomizers to choose from at a very wide range of prices!!! Bridged vs bridgeless (I know what the physical difference is, but which one do I need?), Ohms (I like a warmer vape and want the most flavor; my Triton coils are 2.0-2.4 ohm, but I seem to be reading a lot that low resistance is better, so should I go 1.8? Is 1.5 too low? Is 2.0 too high? My battery is a 3.7v - not variable. Do I need different resistance for a high VG juice vs a higher PG or an equal PG/VG blend?)
How often do you need to replace an atomizer if you're not using it all the time, exclusively? Do I invest in an HH.357 because everyone seems to say it's "the best", and I'm only going to use it every once in a while to test flavors? Or do I get a handful of cheaper ones? Is there that much of a difference in flavor?)

Is an 808 to 510 the correct adapter? Do they not make atomizers that fit 808 battery connections?
I do kind of like the idea of the adapter even if there are 808 atomizers, because I have a bunch of Blu cartos left over from when I first started and it would be nice to be able to use them in a pinch. But is there anything I need to know about the adapter?

What is a Drip "Shield" - is it necessary? Or is it just for looks, or a "nice to have" to prevent leaking if you over drip? Do you use it in conjunction WITH a drip "tip" or in lieu of?
Do you remove the drip tip to drip into the atomizer, or drip right into it? Seems to me that the whole point of a drip tip would be that you would drip into it, but some of the tutorial videos I watched on YouTube, the person said to remove the drip tip, then drip into the atomizer??

Phew - I think that's all...for now at least, lol. Sorry this was a novel!! If you've made it this far and are still reading, thank you!!! If you can offer any insight, I would be eternally grateful!!!!!

 

[Stosh]

Dripping is reasonably simple, and was the preferred method before all the RDA, carto tanks and clearos were developed. A couple of adapters 808 battery to 510 atomizer would be a great investment. I have adapters for almost any connector type, from 401 to 801 and Go-Go, built up over the years and they don't go bad, it's a one time investment.

You could just get an extra battery as a spare, your Triton is a simple ego type battery with a 808 connector. The 808 connector is becoming the Betamax, to the 510 VHS, a good standard but not as often used.

For an atty, a 306 bridged (helps hold the juice) would be a good dripper, (will fit a 510 connector) and simple to clean. Regarding a drip shield, I've never used one. Starting out a couple of tissues in case of over dripping would suffice, and you will quickly get to gauge how many drops are necessary.

Resistance-wise, if you're tasting juices to be used with 2.0 - 2.5 clearos, stick with attys of the same resistance. The should give you the best idea of how the juice will taste in your tanks. You could try a 1.8 ohm, but lower ohm attys would be just that much easier to overpower, and give you a burnt taste. At least until you get the hang of dripping... The PG?VG blend does not make a difference.

Drip tips are actually made for dripping, if the hole is big enough you can just drip through the center, give it a very gentle blow to push the juice down, and vape away!! If you're having issues getting the drops to go down the tip, take it off and drip directly on the bridging, it's allowed...

A 306 makes cleaning very easy, take the tip off, rinse under water, dry in a paper towel, and drip some unflavored (50/50 PG-VG works for me) and vape it off. Presto cleaned, ready for the next flavor. If the flavor isn't strong, you can skip the water rinse.

p.s. If this doesn't make sense, let me know...
It's tough to describe something that's become second nature..

 

[Lois2013]

Dripping is reasonably simple, and was the preferred method before all the RDA, carto tanks and clearos were developed. A couple of adapters 808 battery to 510 atomizer would be a great investment. I have adapters for almost any connector type, from 401 to 801 and Go-Go, built up over the years and they don't go bad, it's a one time investment.

You could just get an extra battery as a spare, your Triton is a simple ego type battery with a 808 connector. The 808 connector is becoming the Betamax, to the 510 VHS, a good standard but not as often used.

For an atty, a 306 bridged (helps hold the juice) would be a good dripper, (will fit a 510 connector) and simple to clean. Regarding a drip shield, I've never used one. Starting out a couple of tissues in case of over dripping would suffice, and you will quickly get to gauge how many drops are necessary.

Resistance-wise, if you're tasting juices to be used with 2.0 - 2.5 clearos, stick with attys of the same resistance. The should give you the best idea of how the juice will taste in your tanks. You could try a 1.8 ohm, but lower ohm attys would be just that much easier to overpower, and give you a burnt taste. At least until you get the hang of dripping... The PG?VG blend does not make a difference.

Drip tips are actually made for dripping, if the hole is big enough you can just drip through the center, give it a very gentle blow to push the juice down, and vape away!! If you're having issues getting the drops to go down the tip, take it off and drip directly on the bridging, it's allowed...

A 306 makes cleaning very easy, take the tip off, rinse under water, dry in a paper towel, and drip some unflavored (50/50 PG-VG works for me) and vape it off. Presto cleaned, ready for the next flavor. If the flavor isn't strong, you can skip the water rinse.

p.s. If this doesn't make sense, let me know...
It's tough to describe something that's become second nature..

Thank you so much Stosh!!!! I guess I need to be less long-winded as I seem to be the only post that no one is responding to!!!
I really appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions. Makes perfect sense!

 

[kittybite]

I haven't ventured into dripping myself, yet, but I have done some research that you may find useful. First, check out The Ocelot's blog on dripping:

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blogs/the-ocelot/4005-drip-drip-drip-sound-dripping.html

The other item is a YouTube video that walks you through the steps. Be warned, though - when I first watched this I thought it seemed quite complicated. However, after understanding how dripping works, this guy's setup makes sense (though there are many other dripping equipment options).

Beginners Guide To Dripping - YouTube

Good luck and post back when you've tried it - I'm interested to hear how it goes!

 

[SkinyFatMan]

Thank you so much Stosh!!!! I guess I need to be less long-winded as I seem to be the only post that no one is responding to!!!
I really appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions. Makes perfect sense!

I don't think it's because you were long winded. Just that Stosh said pretty much all that needed to be said in a concise and logical manner.

 

[happydave]

i started dripping because i love tobacco juices. tobacco flavors are hard on the coils. i started using the "smoktech octopus RDA mini" (they run about $6) months ago an im still enjoying it. you will see and air hole in the side of the body, out of the box the air hole is small so you need to drill it out. start with a 1/16th drill bit and if you want more air flow go up in size from there wash and scrub it well after drilling. to large of an air hole and you wont get good vapor production. i use the Octopus rda with a 1.5 ohm coil on a eGo 1000 mah USB pass-though these ego batterys can handle a 1.1 ohm coil. what i use for my coils is 32. kanthal twisted with a drill (check it out on youtube) then i take a butane torch lighter and run direct flame down the length of wire 2 times. then using 4 strands of 2 MM wick i make 3/4 wrap using my twisted kanthal. i like to use a sewing needle with the point cut off parallel with the strands of wick and just wrap the kanthal around the needle and wick then carefully remove the needle and install the coil. once you get both coils leads through the post hole i like to pull the leads really tight and screw down the posts make sure the posts are tight by using a pair of pliers to tighten them down. you can build "micro coils" this way that produce amazing flavor and vapor. its a process i know. but once you get the hang of it you can make a coil in under 10 minutes. total cost for the coil and wick is under $0.50 and each coil lasts me about 3 days (im a heavy chain vaper)

when you put that body back on after drilling your air hole out you want the air hole to line up with the coil... you should be able to see the coil though the air hole...

 

[Bill's Magic Vapor]

Plenty of great advice already on this issue. I don't know why I have so many drippers. With the right airflow, they're all pretty close. Some are better than others, but dripping was here before most everything else was, so it's one of the foundations of the vapor world, and you'll actually have a hard time finding something that doesn't work pretty well. Also, entry level drippers are not all that expensive, so be adventurous and don't be afraid to try a few. Only way you'll really know the differences. Welcome to the Forum and good luck in you DripQuest!

 

[Lois2013]

Thanks so much everyone for the info!!! And Kittybite, the YouTube video is great!

Can anyone here tell me the difference between a 510 atomizer and a 306?

 

[Stosh]

Thanks so much everyone for the info!!! And Kittybite, the YouTube video is great!

Can anyone here tell me the difference between a 510 atomizer and a 306?

The difference is in the construction for where the coil and bridge sit, and the drip tip required.

A 510 is a small cylinder with the coil bridge down inside the tube.
A 306 has an exposed bridge and a different drip tip that covers the coil & bridge.

Both are threaded the same and will work on a 510 threaded battery.
The 306 makes a better dripper because it's easier to get the juice onto the bridge, then...

 

[Lois2013]

Good luck and post back when you've tried it - I'm interested to hear how it goes!

Simply amazing!!!
I ended up getting a Cisco LR510 bridgeless 1.5ohm sealed post atomizer from AvidVapor.com (thanks to the YouTube video you recommended, and what HE recommended for new drippers - as well as all of the great info I got from Ocelot's blog). I got the other necessities from GotVapes.com (808 to 510 adapter, drip shield, drip tip)....my order came from both sites in three days from the time I placed the order to when I had it in my hands, and I didn't even get express shipping! As far as the vape goes, I am BLOWN AWAY!!! Juices I had that I loved before that had very subtle flavor in my clearos, are intensely delicious when dripped!! I was nervous I wasn't going to be doing it right, but AvidVapor.com has very thorough and informative instructions on the use and care of their attys. I'll still use my clearos when I'm out and about, just out of convenience, but I have a feeling that when I vape at home I'll be exclusively dripping from now on!!

I am waiting on a 16 flavor sampler from Alice in Vapeland, and I'm so excited I got this before it came!! Changing flavors is an absolute breeze!

I definitely highly recommend giving it a shot if you're even THINKING about trying dripping!!