The road to perfection...?

[UncleDelph]

Here goes my first attempt on getting smarter (or more confused, lol).

Sorry if I sound like a mess at this, lol.

I have a smok Stick V8 - simple use, great taste and great sub-ohm clouds. I bought a couple of mod kits to have the freedom to adjust, see battery life and, well, have something that's more functional, instead of just single fire-button without any interface. My frustration is this:

I'm trying really hard on getting the same satisfying flavour and effect on my AL85 / G150. I got told that low-ohm-coils give good effect, so, I prefer using 0,15Ω coils. On the Stick V8, I primarily used the smok M2 coils, but they don't go so well on a higher watt setting above 45W (so they say). I don't want to burn them all up in one day (I like a good throat hit as well), but whatever I try on the mod kits, the flavour just doesn't hit that "sweet spot". They feel more stale-like.
I know it sounds obvious; more powerful mods need a more powerful coil to cope with higher watt-setting.. but, what I really don't understand is: how can the Stick V8, with a M2 45W-max coil deliver so much more flavour, when the same tank is installed on a mod, set on a range between 45 - 50W??

All of your wisdom is much appreciated

 

[OlderNDirt]

I have a stick V8 with the Baby Beast using the 0.15Ω coil. I recently picked up the GX2/4 and, since my M2 coil was getting close to the end, I stuck that tank on the Gx2/4 and gave it a whirl. I had read something about watching the volts and stay at or under 3.7. I ran it up to 66 watts and thought the vape was actually better then on the stick. Seemed good enough to me that the stick will sit in the rack unless I am going out on short trips and I will use up my stock of M2 coils running them on the GX2/4.

Oh! And welcome to ECF!

 

[Mike McVape]

I also started with the Stick V8 and now have GX2/4. Does the Al85 and/or GS150 have the adjustable "soft-normal-hard" for how fast it comes up to full wattage? Seems the GX2/4 needs to be in "hard" to come up to full power fast like the Stick.

Oh and ditto welcome to the forum!

 

[UncleDelph]

I also started with the Stick V8 and now have GX2/4. Does the Al85 and/or GS150 have the adjustable "soft-normal-hard" for how fast it comes up to full wattage? Seems the GX2/4 needs to be in "hard" to come up to full power fast like the Stick.

Oh and ditto welcome to the forum!

Hey Mike!

Thanks for your reply and the welcome

Yeah, both the AL85 and G150 have the same menu functions (though firmware versions vary). I usually try to switch between S/M/H, but that doesn't quite pull it either. I installed a T8 0,15ohm coil in one of my Baby Beast tanks yesterday, and fire up between 75 - 80W with the G150, first now i feel there's a significant difference...! Now i've only tried with my favourite 75/25 juice, but, damn that's quite a performance leap.

 

[UncleDelph]

I have a stick V8 with the Baby Beast using the 0.15Ω coil. I recently picked up the GX2/4 and, since my M2 coil was getting close to the end, I stuck that tank on the Gx2/4 and gave it a whirl. I had read something about watching the volts and stay at or under 3.7. I ran it up to 66 watts and thought the vape was actually better then on the stick. Seemed good enough to me that the stick will sit in the rack unless I am going out on short trips and I will use up my stock of M2 coils running them on the GX2/4.

Oh! And welcome to ECF!

Hi OlderNDirt thanks!

Yeah, my intention was also to take the Stick with me in case of emergency.
I was walking with it in my pocket one day, and my gf asked whether I was happy to see her or I had a V8 in my pants, lol

It's a bit vague what the Stick performs.. according to my local vendor it regulates the output itself. Like I wrote in my reply to Mike; the T8 coil has really made a huge difference, but haven't tried it yet on my other juices. I also tried a X4 coil running on 60W and after a day one of my juices turned totally brown around the ventilation holes (wtf?). I had to throw the coil out after 3 days because it was both leaking a lot and started tasting burnt.

I have never looked at the volts - after reading your reply I set the G150 to 66W (Hard) and saw it wobbled between 3.6 and 3.7.. was pretty satisfying, but I'll keep that in mind and see!

 

[stols001]

Hey UncleD,

Glad you're starting to figure out the differences, you've made quite a jump from your former setup to your new one. TBH, some people feel more flavor DL, and some people feel more using MTL devices. It depends on a lot of variables. I personally am more comfortable in the 1.8--0.7 range on a coil but I have used the aspire Cleto and I don't hate it, I just don't vape it much because I'm more into the flavors I get from my smaller, MTL tank. I also enjoy the fact that I'm using less juice (not really cost now I'm DIY, more harm reduction, I figure the less juice entering and exiting my system is probably good-- I have ZERO science to back that up, though. )

The wattage range per person can vary so much, you really are going to have to find your sweet spot. For example, I'm unlikely to vape the HIGHEST end of what a coil's capable of, heck, I only vape my cleto at around 30--40 watts which is even below the coil's rating. I think as you try things out, you'll find what works best for you If you are vaping the same juices at a higher volume/wattage, you may want to adjust your nicotine level since it's easier to get overnicotinzed more quickly on a DL sub-ohm device.... I use up to 20 mg nic in my MTL tank, and 6 m.g in my cleto tank so that might be something to look at, also.

If juice is getting brown/burnt, may want to look into your airflow, wattage, and also mix. Higher VG is usually recommended for sub-ohm tanks.

Good luck and happy vaping!

Anna

 

[UncleDelph]

Hey UncleD,

Glad you're starting to figure out the differences, you've made quite a jump from your former setup to your new one. TBH, some people feel more flavor DL, and some people feel more using MTL devices. It depends on a lot of variables. I personally am more comfortable in the 1.8--0.7 range on a coil but I have used the aspire Cleto and I don't hate it, I just don't vape it much because I'm more into the flavors I get from my smaller, MTL tank. I also enjoy the fact that I'm using less juice (not really cost now I'm DIY, more harm reduction, I figure the less juice entering and exiting my system is probably good-- I have ZERO science to back that up, though. )

The wattage range per person can vary so much, you really are going to have to find your sweet spot. For example, I'm unlikely to vape the HIGHEST end of what a coil's capable of, heck, I only vape my cleto at around 30--40 watts which is even below the coil's rating. I think as you try things out, you'll find what works best for you If you are vaping the same juices at a higher volume/wattage, you may want to adjust your nicotine level since it's easier to get overnicotinzed more quickly on a DL sub-ohm device.... I use up to 20 mg nic in my MTL tank, and 6 m.g in my cleto tank so that might be something to look at, also.

If juice is getting brown/burnt, may want to look into your airflow, wattage, and also mix. Higher VG is usually recommended for sub-ohm tanks.

Good luck and happy vaping!

Anna

Hi Anna! Thanks for sharing your experience

You're definitely right that it all depends on a lot of variables. I think it's fun getting the hang of it, but certain aspects can also be frustrating, since I don't know whether I'm spending money on the wrong coils - which is a costly hobby in the long-run since I have no clue how to build/re-wick my own. With my recent two Beast tanks I got a couple of RBA coils and some cotton - that sure got my curiousity, but need to figure out how to build them and what ohm / watt setting they work best on.

I also have an Aspire Cleito tank, but since it spits so much juice in my mouth I hardly use it. After I got my more advanced kits I went down from 6mg to 3mg nicotine, I could really feel ill / headaches after a day of puffing. Are you saying that juices with, say a 50/50 mix are not that good in a sub-ohm tank? I guess I'm picky as hell, too, because if I don't feel a good throat-hit, I don't feel as satisfied. Again, balance.. and patience!

 

[Mike McVape]

Are you saying that juices with, say a 50/50 mix are not that good in a sub-ohm tank? I guess I'm picky as hell, too, because if I don't feel a good throat-hit, I don't feel as satisfied. Again, balance.. and patience!

IMO 50/50 works just fine sub ohm. Running a 50/50 juice (3mg) at moment in Big Baby Beast tank 0.15 ohm oct coil 80w. I do have some 90/10 VG/PG on the way to test...

 

[stols001]

Well, most people using DL are using a higher VG ratio, more like 80/20 or 70/30 so yes, you might experiment. Not sure if it's more due to flavor issues or just cloud production, I think VG heats sooner than PG? (Don't quote me on that) so it may be a smoother vape and your 50/50 may be causing the burnt sensation, as I'd imagine you'd have to go higher watts to get flavor/clouds, but I'm not really sure as I'm not a DL person, I only use max VG because I'm sensitive to inhaled PG. But, you may find less spitting/the ability to lower your wattages if you mess around with your mix. You can get VG USP grade at Walmart, and just try adding some to what you have, to see (flavor will go down, but it would be more of an experiment, I guess. Like, you could try that experiment in one tank, fill it 2/3 with the juice you have and top up with VG and see what happens....) That said, I'm sure there are people sub-ohming at a 50/50 mix, but try some experimenting and see what works. Throat hit just isn't as much of an issue either as the flavor increase really has to do with inhaling MORE of the juice, I think. I don't crave a TH fortunately, since I'm unlikely to get much of one in any tank. I like the "airiness" of VG and can vape it unflavored somewhat happily (I am stingy with flavorings when I mix juice, don't love overpowering flavoring...)

The Cleto has never spit at me, so I'm wondering if your 50/50 was the reason... I find that tank to be stellar for sub-ohm, it's really well built. That said, I'm an aspire fan

But everyone's different, so definitely experiment. And have fun with your new setups!

Anna

 

[AXIOM_1]

Hi OlderNDirt thanks!
I was walking with it in my pocket one day, and my gf asked whether I was happy to see her or I had a V8 in my pants, lol

lol ..... Vaping really is good for something other than blowing vapor

 

[AXIOM_1]

Hi Anna! Thanks for sharing your experience

since I have no clue how to build/re-wick my own. With my recent two Beast tanks I got a couple of RBA coils and some cotton - that sure got my curiousity, but need to figure out how to build them and what ohm / watt setting they work best on.

@UncleDelph ........... building coils is very easy and you need not feel intimidated by the process. You can watch many online videos by going to a search engine and typing "how to rebuild vaping coils" and you will see many videos that you can watch.

 

[Gramdogg]

Hi Anna! Thanks for sharing your experience

You're definitely right that it all depends on a lot of variables. I think it's fun getting the hang of it, but certain aspects can also be frustrating, since I don't know whether I'm spending money on the wrong coils - which is a costly hobby in the long-run since I have no clue how to build/re-wick my own. With my recent two Beast tanks I got a couple of RBA coils and some cotton - that sure got my curiousity, but need to figure out how to build them and what ohm / watt setting they work best on.

I also have an Aspire Cleito tank, but since it spits so much juice in my mouth I hardly use it. After I got my more advanced kits I went down from 6mg to 3mg nicotine, I could really feel ill / headaches after a day of puffing. Are you saying that juices with, say a 50/50 mix are not that good in a sub-ohm tank? I guess I'm picky as hell, too, because if I don't feel a good throat-hit, I don't feel as satisfied. Again, balance.. and patience!

The RTA deck for the Cleito is great. If your used to TFV8+ you'll probably want to just buy a 5m spool of 26/26 32 fused clapton wire and a 2.5mm coil jig to wrap it with, 5 or 6 wraps.

 

[UncleDelph]

So, it's been some time now since I've uttered my frustration, and must say I've become smarter with my current SMOK (GL150 and AL85) setup (also thanks for all your input). I've figured maybe a weird work-around which might make you think I haven't become smarter at all, but, depending on the type of flavour, the SMOK TFV8 T8 Octuple coil (0,15Ω) running on a lower Watt than recommended (60-80W) is doing quite a good job. With clear fruity flavours 50/50, with a range of 50-55W brings out the best flavour, though running 70-75W quickly makes it/them taste burnt and get discoloured, ruining the entire experience. With a tobacco flavour 30/70 I experience best flavour vaping at 70-75W.

Fun fact is: I gave my gf a Vaporesso Veco atomizer for her SMOK AL85 mod (I know, pure blasphemy), on which you can easily switch coils on (pretty neat and easy), with some fresh 0,4Ω 40-50W coils... and I'm so jealous! The clouds and taste are fantastic! This really confuses me, should I go up on ohm'age, instead of my usual 0,15Ω? I have 4 Big Beast atomizers, and I feel it'd be a waste shoving them aside if simply some different coils can do it (instead of buying atomizers from a different manufacturer). I know that "dripping" is an absolute winner when it comes to flavour, but, convenience-wise I'm pretty happy with my "pocket mods"

 

[Letitia]

I prefer BBB rba. Flavor on point with simple build. Not a big fan of Smok coils since tfv4. It's all subjective. Try different coils. Enjoy the journey.

 

[suprtrkr]

I don't have either mod, and you're getting good advice, so I will just welcome you to the board.