One Week In

[BigEgo]

New user here. Here's a short "bio".

I smoked 2 packs of cigs a day for about the past 10 years. I am 35 now but have smoked on and off since age 15. I was pretty much a chain smoker (if my environment allowed it) and had a cig in my hand pretty much all the time at home. I used to work-out routinely (weight-lifting) and did a lot of cardio. After my workouts at the gym, I would light up a smoke in the car. Yeah, pretty insane and sad at the same time.

About two weeks ago a family member told me about something called "vaping." I had a very vague idea of what they were talking about, but didn't know much about it. I had assumed it amounted to using those cheap gas station "e-cigs" so I wasn't too interested. So this person bought me an ego starter kit from a local shop and I must say I love it. I haven't had an "analog" cig in a week. But more surprisingly, I haven't had the desire to smoke a "real" cig, which is pretty impressive. I have done the patches before, and while they are "OK" I still had a strong desire to smoke. Not so with my ego.

One thing I have noticed is that the clearomizers that came with my kit suck. I have gotten a strong plastic taste from them. I don't know the branding but they look like the standard CE4 top coil clearo. So I went and bought a Vivi Nova as well as a generic bottom-coil clearo. Both are much much better. I find the Vivi Nova to be a bit too "hot" so I think I am going to like the BC's better.

So I am the type of guy who learns everything there is to know about a subject I am interested in (quite obsessively too). I have watched pretty much all of Pbusardo's and Grimm Green's videos. I have watched most of IndoorSmoker's vids. I think I have a good understanding of amps, volts, watts, and ohms and how they relate to e-cig "mods." I have a good idea of most of the VV/VW mods on the market (thanks to Busardo's reviews).

Thus, my next step is to buy a mod. Since I am not rich, I am thinking about the Smok-Tech SiD as my first device. While it is made in China, it appears to have all the VV/VW stuff I need as well as a pretty reliable output. Would love to have a Provari, but I can't see myself spending $200 right now. I really like the iTaste vv form factor (like an ink pen) but it only goes up to 5v and its output is not reliable (according to Busardo's testing). So I think the SiD is the best option.

So, I guess my question is, would you folks recommend the SiD as a starter mod? From everything I have read, it appears to be at least as good if not better than the Vamo. I think it looks better than the Vamo and comes in multiple colors (which I like).

Also, does anyone know which online vendor has the best price for this unit?

 

[WhiteHighlights]

I really wish I could help you. I want to give you points for all the research you've done, it's impressive. As I've wandered around ECF, I've seen more support for the Vamo, but since you've done your homework, I'll bet there are recommendations for the SiD too. You'll probably be happy with either one, but if you like the look and the color of the SiD over the Vamo, go for it. You need to be happy with your setup. What's right for someone else may not be right for you. I went crazy, I admit it, and got a Provari and like it so much I just got a 2nd one as a back up.

 

[THETOTALLYCOOL]

I haven't a clue.
But for that plastic-chemical taste, you can try two simple solutions.
Uno-- Drink more water. Things start to taste weird when you're dehydrated.
Dos-- Don't fill a brand new tank. Wash it, rinse it. Sometimes, the machine oil is not sufficiently removed during manufacturing.

 

[WarHawk-AVG]

Did a quick Google

SMOKTech SID Ecig Mod Variable Volt & Watt
Not sure if the BEST price...but 1st hit

do you know the resistance of the heads and what voltage your vaping rig is pushing...too much power and you get a hot metal taste

I like my Vamo V3, can set wattage and forget it...6.5 watts right up the middle (most people find 6-7 optimum..but everyones tastebuds are different) all day long with any head I put on it (I get best results around 2.5Ω

Good research...before you jumped in and dumped a buncha money like many have you did your homework!

Once I get the money..I am jumping on a MVP2 like a fat kid on a twinky though you might be interested in that too
Innokin iTaste MVP V 2.0 Brief Introduction

Wish I could help you more...good luck

The iTaste VV V3if you push it hard is unstable...if you look PBusardo's voltage video on it they were stable till it almost maxed out then it went all squiffy especially with odd resistance heads like real high or real low

 

[Pirate_Freder]

Congrats on quitting and welcome to the community! I too am an obsesser/overdoer and I can certainly say that there is much to be learned here.

As for good introductory mods at a reasonable price:
-Sid
-SVD
-Sigelei Zmax V3
.....hmm, these all start with an S...
-evic

The Evic is my first and current mod and it's a good daily driver but for my more demanding rebuildables I have found that I need more power. I think it's a great APV seeing as the menus are so easy to use and I frankly have no desire to downgrade to a single button menu or any other such system.

 

[Bill's Magic Vapor]

SID is a good device, but for about the same money, I would go with a Sigelei V3/5. Telescoping is not everybody's favorite, but I liked it, and thought the Sigelei the best APV under $100. Quality, great looks, full featured. Very nice. The SID always reminded me of the Sigelei Mini or Zmax for some reason, but a lesser version. It's a fine APV though. In fact, most of the under $100 APV's from Vamo to Zmax, including the SID and Sigelei's are very close in performance, most use the same chip, and provide an almost identical vape. Form factors change, but, otherwise, they're all pretty close. Almost all of them come out of Shenzhen, China, and vary not only in appearance, but some are of higher quality than others. Colors are nice, I have several, but have found that it's hard to beat the stainless steel APV's for durability and long term appearance. Mine take a beating, YMMV. Also, the MVP 2 is gaining some nice traction lately, particularly since they added the Ohm Meter. Nice in the hand too and long battery life, but no changeable batteries, which is either a plus or a minus, depending on point of view, and about the same price as the SID, a bit more perhaps. Just some suggestions to consider. Don't think you can really go wrong at your price point, particularly if you stick to the name brands. Good luck in your VapeQuest! Power up and Vape On!

 

[loislolalane]

I do have a SID as well as a K-100 with a kick and the SID gives off a much better vape. My favorite feature is that the LED screen has actual words. I caught on really quickly and have no issues. Watching the video I was under impression it would make the "rattlesnake sound" but it's really just a sound device that gives a great vape! Good luck!


Living, loving, and laughing all the time!

 

[Kris EmRich]

Congratulations and welcome

 

[illthiest]

Sweet! Welcome

 

[RubyRoo]

I'd go Sid over Vamo for sure. Better quality IMO. I'd go MVP 2.0 over Sid though. Unless you are looking for a tube mod with removable batteries, that is. I must say, the MVP 2.0 is awesome and has killer battery life. I'm a fan of the compact box-mod style as well. It is a go to APV for newbies and veterans alike. I'm a fan girl for sure, but it's a great buy and you won't be disappointed. The button has not been an issue for me, nor the bottom switch (which I ground down with my Dremmel.) If you stick between 1 and 3 ohms, you'll be just fine with the wattage/voltage output. Happy vaper trails to you!

 

[illthiest]

Svd isnt that bad either. That was my first vape.