Newbie looking for info and help
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Pen style usually has a built in battery and less or no user adjustments.
Hi and welcome to the board. One of the biggest differences is with most pen style vapes, including yours, there is no capacity to adjust the vaping power. That's not universally true, not all pens lack this, and not all boxes have it, but in general it is. The only way you can change the applied watts of your vape is to change the coil, and even that is limited to the coils Smok makes for your tank. With (most) box mods you can set the wattage you will vape independently of the coil value. Another big issue, again not universally true, is most pens have fixed batteries, and a great number of boxes have removable ones. That's important due to vaping style and longevity. All Li chemistry batteries have a life cycle; they're no more good after about 300 full charge cycles. With a fixed battery mod, it isn't worth replacing them unless you happen to be an electronics tech and have a battery stash handy, which means the whole mod is gone. With removables, you just pop in a new battery and keep going. That's also true when the battery is discharged; just take out the flat one, put it in the charger, install a fresh battery and keep vaping.
None of this is to say there's anything wrong with what you have. If it suits you, and it's keeping you off the smokes, it's the right gear. There are any number of people who prefer fixed battery mods for the convenience and don't mind replacing when the time comes. I myself like fixed power vapes because I use mechanical mods all the time; and adjust the power by building a new coil when it pleases me.
None of this is to say there's anything wrong with what you have. If it suits you, and it's keeping you off the smokes, it's the right gear. There are any number of people who prefer fixed battery mods for the convenience and don't mind replacing when the time comes. I myself like fixed power vapes because I use mechanical mods all the time; and adjust the power by building a new coil when it pleases me.
Congrats on the month of cigarettes! The setup you have is very common to start with. It’s simple to use and shouldn’t give you any problems, which sounds like where you are if you’ve been ok for a month now.
As already mentioned, the only real difference is flexibility. As long as you use the tank and replacement coils made for it you’re good to go. But if you ever decide to try something different (which some folks do like to do but don’t have to) it’s harder to properly use a different tank with the pen battery without worrying about will there be enough power or too much (all depends on the battery part design). With a “box” mod you can set it to work with any tank you want to try. That’s handy if you want different vaping experiences, but is not a requirement for vaping.
The goal is to stay off smokes. If simple is working no need to mess with success. If you want to explore the vaping options beyond that then you’ll need something that offers you more personalized control.
As already mentioned, the only real difference is flexibility. As long as you use the tank and replacement coils made for it you’re good to go. But if you ever decide to try something different (which some folks do like to do but don’t have to) it’s harder to properly use a different tank with the pen battery without worrying about will there be enough power or too much (all depends on the battery part design). With a “box” mod you can set it to work with any tank you want to try. That’s handy if you want different vaping experiences, but is not a requirement for vaping.
The goal is to stay off smokes. If simple is working no need to mess with success. If you want to explore the vaping options beyond that then you’ll need something that offers you more personalized control.
Thank you for your reply. I like my pen but. But I seem to be craving more. If that makes sense. I see all these differet tanks and styles and I'm stuck with the one tank that it came with. Seems that my v8 will last a year and be done.
Not to worry. When you're ready to move on, sing out. We'll all be happy to help you spend your money. Opinion is one of the two things people around here are reliably full of.
Hello and welcome to ecf
You. Could get a smok al85 for cheap. That's what my wife uses she's been using it for 6 months now . Give it a try see if you like it.
When you do switch to a box mod, and start using batteries + a charger. Please buy battery cases if you carry spare batteries in your pockets or purse. They are very cheap, and you need them for safety. Most if not all videos on youtube of e-cigs exploding is because of carrying loose batteries in pockets or purse with other metal objects.
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I progressed from similar hardware to yours, to devices which can hold more power. These days i charge two Sony 18650 batteries on an "XTAR VC2" dual bay battery charger about every three days, that's with constant use. I chose to start using dual battery box mods for this reason only. Obviously they're bigger and heavier, but i pretty much only use them at home. I could use something lighter if i go out but tend not to vape when i'm out anyway so....
Welcome to ECF. Most box mods provide more power (especially two battery mods). Depending on your wattage needs, that may be the way to go for you. You're fine with your smok pen for now if it's working, but at some point you may well want a backup vape. Box mods can be pretty versatile, so if you decide to buy one I'd check out the VW/VV mod thread and see what setups people are using and liking. Could also ask the question on that board.
Anna
Anna
Hi and Welcome-
1st off congrats on quitting cigarettes for a month!
2nd like Anna suggested you need another backup- what will you do if the one you have stops working,gets lost or you drop and break it???? Cigarettes should never be your back up plan! When you get your new Mod you can use the one you have now as a backup.
There are so many great starter kits on the market- way more than when I started vaping 3 years ago!
Maybe check out a Vape Shop to see all they have, the pros and cons of different devices- then look for it online- it will be much cheaper!
Get one that you can adjust the wattage.
I like the box mods that I use external 18650 batteries ( only buy trusted brands like LG or Samsung check out Mooch for the best and safest)
18650 Battery Ratings -- Picking a Safe Battery to Vape With | E-Cigarette Forum
- you can be charging one battery while vaping the other. Yes the batteries are another expense along with a good charger, but worth it to me. I don't have to worry about the life of an internal battery mod.
Buy a plastic battery case to keep your batteries safe when you go out- do not throw loose batteries in a purse or pocket!
1st off congrats on quitting cigarettes for a month!
2nd like Anna suggested you need another backup- what will you do if the one you have stops working,gets lost or you drop and break it???? Cigarettes should never be your back up plan! When you get your new Mod you can use the one you have now as a backup.
There are so many great starter kits on the market- way more than when I started vaping 3 years ago!
Maybe check out a Vape Shop to see all they have, the pros and cons of different devices- then look for it online- it will be much cheaper!
Get one that you can adjust the wattage.
I like the box mods that I use external 18650 batteries ( only buy trusted brands like LG or Samsung check out Mooch for the best and safest)
18650 Battery Ratings -- Picking a Safe Battery to Vape With | E-Cigarette Forum
- you can be charging one battery while vaping the other. Yes the batteries are another expense along with a good charger, but worth it to me. I don't have to worry about the life of an internal battery mod.
Buy a plastic battery case to keep your batteries safe when you go out- do not throw loose batteries in a purse or pocket!
another good thing about most box mods is you can use different tanks on them including the tank you now use so you can put your current tank on it and play with wattage that way you will see how different wattages affect your vape.
Welcome and glad you joined.
Glad to see that you started vaping the right way, simple. Some novices inadvertently choose advanced starter equipment which can lead to confusion. The poor learner is flooded with too many variables and never gets the basics down pat.
Since vaping is totally scalable, the choice you have can be overwhelming. one of the main things to remember is, part of vaping is all about you the vaper, being in control and the freedom to fix/tailor any aspect you feel you need to improve upon. If you want more taste,taste and cloud, control over how your liquid should taste etc. you just need to ask.
Different equipment can be just one way to control the vaping experience. Might like to read:
http://www.vaporauthority.com/pages/learnVaping and Inhaling: Everything You Need To Knowhttps://spinfuel.com/new-vapers-start/http://www.ecigarettedirect.co.uk/a...tte-college-guides-tutorials-information.htmlhttp://guidetovaping.com/category/e-cig-beginner/http://vapingcheap.com/vaping-101/6 Quick & Useful Vaping Tips for Beginnershttps://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/f...up-the-vaping-ladder-with-egos-and-mods.5058/https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/f...nk-or-what-a-guide-to-juice-attachments.3230/
Congrats on your success! 
These articles may help:
Advancing Up the Vaping Ladder
Good Starter Setups for a Beginner Vaper
These articles may help:
Advancing Up the Vaping Ladder
- From cigalike batteries, to eGo's, to mods. Another picture dictionary of terminology and form factors for beginning vapers. Includes videos.
Good Starter Setups for a Beginner Vaper
- Typical starter setups recommended for a new vaper.
- A picture dictionary for beginners with descriptions of clearomizers, nano's, drip atomizers, bottom feeding mods, cartomizers, cartotanks, and RBA's (rebuildable atomizers). Includes video demos/reviews of all devices.
- A popular and essential read to understand which batteries are safe to use in mechanical and regulated mods. Includes a frequently updated list of recommended safe-chemistry, high-drain batteries with their specifications.
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Congrats on your accomplishment. You are fortunate to find a first device that got you off Smokes. You are now at the second step, which I think is the hardest. The desire to advance a little. This is where everyone gets in a battle of finances, too many choices, and urge to succumb to shinyitis.
First, you definitely need a second device. Either for a backup, to add in a rotation, or as a primary if you move your Smokstik to backup.
If you aren’t ready for batteries, chargers, etc. there are a couple of popular internal battery mods that are versatile and are great mid level units. First is the Aspire Zelos kit that comes with the Nautilus 2 tank. The second is the iStick 30w with the Nautilus 2 tank. You buy those separately. Many members here have used those two, some never moving beyond that.
If you want to move up to external batteries and charger, I’m not going to venture a guess. It really will depend on your style of vaping, MTL or DTL. There are countless choices.
I am a dedicated, tight draw, MTL guy. Started with junk, moved to the fixed wattage Endura T22 kit. Tomorrow will be 6 months Vaping, and my current rotation is multiple Provaris, an SVD 2.0, and sometimes the old Endura mod. Tanks are Nautilus 2’s, Kabuki clones, and T22’sI don’t see myself changing what I have. But that’s me. However, there are other 6 month vapers that are using multiple battery mods and sub ohm rebuildables. Some people use both.
Good luck. You’ll figure it out.
First, you definitely need a second device. Either for a backup, to add in a rotation, or as a primary if you move your Smokstik to backup.
If you aren’t ready for batteries, chargers, etc. there are a couple of popular internal battery mods that are versatile and are great mid level units. First is the Aspire Zelos kit that comes with the Nautilus 2 tank. The second is the iStick 30w with the Nautilus 2 tank. You buy those separately. Many members here have used those two, some never moving beyond that.
If you want to move up to external batteries and charger, I’m not going to venture a guess. It really will depend on your style of vaping, MTL or DTL. There are countless choices.
I am a dedicated, tight draw, MTL guy. Started with junk, moved to the fixed wattage Endura T22 kit. Tomorrow will be 6 months Vaping, and my current rotation is multiple Provaris, an SVD 2.0, and sometimes the old Endura mod. Tanks are Nautilus 2’s, Kabuki clones, and T22’sI don’t see myself changing what I have. But that’s me. However, there are other 6 month vapers that are using multiple battery mods and sub ohm rebuildables. Some people use both.
Good luck. You’ll figure it out.
Congrats on quitting. I’ve been trying on and off for about 2 1/2 years. I’ve tried a bunch of different tanks and mods without much success. Just got the priv v8 kit 2 days ago and it’s been my best choice yet. Pretty much the same as yours but with a removable battery. For me the it’s perfect because the draw lets me take an easy drag but you can also take a hard pull and make some nice clouds. The tank doesn’t have a ton of airflow but I would like to see what it does with one of the higher wattage coils and then an adjustable mod to support it. When it’s time to upgrade that might be the way to go before springing for a new tank. Then when you upgrade the tank you have your original kit as a backup/portable.
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Here's an example - I am using a Kanger TOPBOX Mini Platinum (left pic). It is a box mod that hold a 18650 battery. The tank hold 4ml of juice which is pretty good and it is super easy to fill. When the battery dies I have plenty of spares and I always have a plastic battery holder with at least 2 charged batteries in my purse.
In addition to the topbox I also own a Kanger SUBVOD Mega (right pic). The mega is a pen style vape pen that has the battery built in and it comes with the topbox mini tank. I carry just the battery portion in a small case in my purse.
With this setup - I have an extra tank - just in case of anything and should I run down all my batteries, I simply unscrew the tank off the TOPBOX and screw it on the SUBVOD. The photos are not exactly to scale but the topbox fits the round pen battery perfectly. Also, sometimes if you want something a bit more understated this could be the way to go.
I also own a Kanger Nano toptank and Kanger Mini C.
And in case you are wondering ---I do not work for Kanger. The reason I like this setup is that all of these items use the exact same coils and the exact same batteries --except the subvod which has it built in.
And as an even bigger bonus, I am just starting/learning how to build my own coils and the Kanger TOPBOX setup lets you use the regular coils or you can build your own so it is expandable.
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