Ready to Drop Some Money - But Where?

[deacon000]

Week 5 of vaping and I think I've got some pretty good stuff so far. But I have a huge list of things that I want to add to the collection. Mechs, RBAs, tanks, rebuild gear, etc. But where to start? Or more appropriately, where to continue? Here is my stash as of today:

PV's
- eVic
- Various eGo's

Atty's
- HH.357
- iGO-L

tanks
- 2x Kanger ProTanks
- 2x ViVi Nova's
- Kanger T3s


I think a mech is at the top of my list but there are so many cool tanks, genny's, RDAs, etc out there. I know most of you have probably been through this, so knowing what you know and given my current gear, where would your spend money next? Let's say $200-250 to keep it reasonable...

Possibilities:
- Spend it all on a high-end mech
- Get something mid-range like a Natural and add a nice genny or 2 and some RDA's
- Go cheap on the mech (KTS+ or K101) and get something like an Amp tank
- Skip the new mod and load up on... what?
- Whatever, open to anything really...

Going to need batteries, multi-meter, charger, etc as well

I laughed when I first joined this forum and saw the massive collections some of you have. I thought there is no way I will ever do that... Should've known better!

Thanks!

 

[PinoyBoy]

Charger: http://www.amazon.com/Nitecore-i2-I...F8&qid=1374782460&sr=8-1&keywords=nitecore+i2

Batteries: AW, Efest, Panasonics, you have alot of option. $20 should get you 3 or 4 bats. Or go cheap and use your eVic as a charger.

Multi-Meter: User your evic as an ohm reader?

This IMO would be one of the ultimate mech mods. reosmods.com I've been wanting one, but my vape budget is too low for the mean time. $200-250 gives you alot of option as long as you don't get talked into buying the artisan mech mods.

 

[KapapanganPinoy]

With a budget of $200-$250USD, you have quite the range of possibilities in terms of what you can afford.

My personal suggestions -

Option A - High End Mechs
For $250, you could easily get some of the best mechanicals on the market. Personally, I would take a look at the Cronus by VHO, Poldiacs, the Nemesis, the list goes on. Many at the top perform within each other's range, from my experience I would purchase based on looks. You can't go wrong on the first three when it comes to performance and build quality, but they all have distinctive styles and looks. You wouldn't have much left over to spend if you went this route, so of course, may not be the best option.

Option B - Mechanical Clones
I just put up a short review on the Chiablo, a Chinese clone of the Pinoy TVS Diablo, and I found that, in comparison to the Sigeleis and Kamrys I've had, it absolutely smokes them in terms of performance and build quality. It has a very....distinctive...look, but if you like it, you have $200 plus to spend on what you would like. I would get one of those, a Nimbus clone on fasttech as well, and their 30A Sony Batteries. You could also buy a Nitecore charger from fasttech as well, and your total would sit around....$60 USD? You would have two very good batteries, a good charger, a solid RDA, and a good mech. Alternatively, you could also purchase a Xtar VP-1, which is possibly the best charger on the market, and that would cost $50USD.

 

[Rodeorat]

With all due respect to your current setup, you appear to be ready for a nice carto tank(IBtanked, Valley View, etc). You've got drippers and clearos covered, but a carto tank may supplant the clearos.

For mods, I have enough personally, but I just saw the new Swordsman mods on FT and had to have one.

 

[Bosco]

I'd say with your current stash - you could use a mechanical. I'm assuming since you have an IGO-L, you already have coil and wick supplies. If you don't already have a good IMR battery - you'll need at least one of those.

If it were me, I'd be tempted to go for the nZonic V3 $185 at okcvapes. I've been drooling over it for weeks now. But I'd probably actually go for something more like the Smoktech Natural + an RSST (with some rebuilding supplies), a couple of aw 18650 1600mah batts, a nice charger, and maybe a few clone rebuildables, some rebuilding supplies, etc.

 

[deacon000]

Multi-Meter: User your evic as an ohm reader?

This IMO would be one of the ultimate mech mods. reosmods.com I've been wanting one, but my vape budget is too low for the mean time. $200-250 gives you alot of option as long as you don't get talked into buying the artisan mech mods.

Not sure I trust the reading from the eVic enough to rely on in rebuilding. It's handy to have it built-in once I know what the ohms are since I typically use VW, but I just don't think it would be a good source.

I've heard a lot of good things about the Reos but the box mods don't do anything for me just yet (looks-wise). I'm sure at some point I'll come around and see the light, just not today...

 

[deacon000]

Bosco,
Just looked at that nZonic and that is Sa-Weetness! Out of stock at okcvapes, may have to see if anyone else carries them. I like the idea of a magnetic switch - sounds like that would be smoother operation than spring.

Still waiting on the iGO to show up from FT and I have wick/wire coming in soon from eBay. I'll prob get a couple of IMR's (18500 or 18350 and a 18650) + a good charger.

I really like the looks of the Natural and it's not a break-the-bank mod. I'm sure this won't be my last mech so why not start there? May have just talked myself into it. Then pick up a Nimbus.

 

[deacon000]

I probably should have hit the checkout button last night before payday LOL. Maybe I wouldn't have gotten so carried away. Here's what I ended up with:

Vaper Venue:
nZonic v3

Avid Vaper:
AW IMR 18350 LiMN Rechargeable Lithium Battery
AW IMR 18650 LiMN Rechargeable Lithium Battery
XTAR VP1 Battery Charger

OKC Vapes:
RSST (Kanthal Wire: Ribbon AWG 0.020X0.0040, SS Mesh:3x3 500 SS Mesh)
Kanthal Wire (AWG 28g)
Ekowool Silica Wick (1 mm Threaded)
Efest Battery Case

Also stopped by Radio Shack last night and got a multi meter and a small toolkit.

So much for trying to keep a budget. But still, $300/mo on tobacco Vs. $300 on some cool toys - I'll take that every time! I'm gonna need a bigger tackle box...

 

[Jazzi Mike]

You may want to give rebuilding a go for a while before you go for the higher end mechanicals. It took me a good month before I could actually build a good coil that didn't taste like burning.

Also 28 gauge is good for people that build super low ohm coils. You may want to pick up some 30 or 32 gauge to build your first RBA/RDA. It isn't that big of a deal, but you should try building a solid coil for your eVic that has all of the protection in it before trying a super low resistance coil on a mech.

Anyways good luck. Rebuilding coils is frustrating as hell at first. The learning curve may have been a little longer in my case because I am building coils with only one functional hand (due to a stroke).

 

[deacon000]

Thanks for the advice Mike. I have some 30g wire coming in already so I thought I'd throw some 28 on this order to try different setups out. I realize I'm going to have to put more wraps on a 28 to get where I want to be. I need to read up a lot more on the SS mesh before I try that out.

I've read enough threads (and watched enough YouTube) to scare me. I def will take my time and practice before throwing a rebuild on a mech. Fortunately I have an HH.357 and some ProTanks to let me start enjoying the new mod right away.

I tried my first (pseudo) rebuild last night. I took the coils off of a 2.4 ohm ProTank (usually reads ~2.6), flattened out the wire and re-wrapped the wick. Turned out better than I thought. It came in at 2.9. Probably won't ever use it, just wanted to give it a go.

 

[jmkiang]

I hope you got some 2mm and 3mm silica/ekowool too! I bought some 1mm for flavor wicks but I never use it.

OT but I've found that for the Protank, 1 loop (2 strands) of 2mm wick plus a 4/3 wrap of 32g Kanthal (1.8ohms) performs fantastic! No leaking at all and it gurgles very rarely. Good flavor and respectable VP for a BCC. Give it a shot! I just got some 2mm ekowool and 30g Kanthal so I'm excited to try it out. I can post a picture if you think that'll help you.

I just picked up my first mech mod, the K100 and absolutely love it in 18350 mode. I know you're probably looking for something higher end though. Built my first coil (1.6ohms) on the IGO-L the day I received it. On the second day, I drilled out the stock air hole to 1/16", drilled a second hole and built a dual coil (0.7ohms). That's the lowest resistance I can safely go on my Efest 18350s. Definitely excited to rebuild this with some 3mm ekowool and 30g Kanthal... Maybe 28g if I can get the res "high" enough.

Good luck!

 

[deacon000]

I hope you got some 2mm and 3mm silica/ekowool too! I bought some 1mm for flavor wicks but I never use it.

OT but I've found that for the Protank, 1 loop (2 strands) of 2mm wick plus a 4/3 wrap of 32g Kanthal (1.8ohms) performs fantastic! No leaking at all and it gurgles very rarely. Good flavor and respectable VP for a BCC. Give it a shot! I just got some 2mm ekowool and 30g Kanthal so I'm excited to try it out. I can post a picture if you think that'll help you.

I just picked up my first mech mod, the K100 and absolutely love it in 18350 mode. I know you're probably looking for something higher end though. Built my first coil (1.6ohms) on the IGO-L the day I received it. On the second day, I drilled out the stock air hole to 1/16", drilled a second hole and built a dual coil (0.7ohms). That's the lowest resistance I can safely go on my Efest 18350s. Definitely excited to rebuild this with some 3mm ekowool and 30g Kanthal... Maybe 28g if I can get the res "high" enough.

Good luck!

I do have some 2mm silica, just trying some different stuff to try out. I think 1mm will probably be too thin but plan on doubling it. We'll see how it turns out. Been reading about silica and SS together - need to look into that more too - may be a good place to use the 1mm ekowool?

Sounds like you've got the rebuilds down! That's about the range that I want to be in (1-1.8ohm). 28g is probably a little low so we'll see. I'm going to play around with my ViVi's and ProTanks this weekend before the new goodies come in - see if I can get some nice coils going.

 

[jmkiang]

My IGO-L coils aren't pretty yet, just functional. Haha

 

[peterforpats]

since it seems to be the law , let me be the first to say it- you need to get a provari.(I feel so much better)

 

[deacon000]

since it seems to be the law , let me be the first to say it- you need to get a provari.(I feel so much better)

Now that you mention it, the thread seems a little naked without a Provari plug. Thanks for making sure we're covered.

 

[havoc1967]

Now that you mention it, the thread seems a little naked without a Provari plug. Thanks for making sure we're covered.

ha ha ha............. No doubt in my mind that the Provari is an excellant device. I just don't care for the look of them. I guess I am a bad American I am now prepared to be cyber attacked by legions