This is way harder than it needs to be

[HipGnosis]

Hi;
I'm kinda a new guy - I signed up yrs ago but still haven't started vaping...
Part of that is that I only think of vaping in the winter. I ride motorcycles most of the year, and get bored in winter (when I'm not riding). My main problem with boredom is that I snack when I'm bored. I retired last year and I'm bored a LOT now.

The bigger part is that it's hard to learn vaping. I research what I want to do or buy to make informed decisions. Researching vaping is like learning a new language. There are unique terms, slang and acronyms left and right . Is there a glossary somewhere?!?
I've deduced that 'analog' is slang for actual tobacco cigs. I can't figure out what 'APV' means.
Another issue is all the options. I have to research each one, like sub-ohming for example, and decide if it appeals to me.

About me: I haven't smoked in many years. I'm looking into vaping to give my hands and mouth something to do.
I won't vape any nicotine or tobacco flavors. I don't have a sweet tooth. I'll start with fruit-custard flavors and samples of others.
I will make my own juice once I learn what I like (and research it thuroghly).

I have lots of questions, but I will post them separately.
HipG.

 

[Opinionated]

APV = advanced personal vaporizer. This is more advanced gear.

If there is anything you don't understand just ask here and we'll answer...

I agree you do have to do some research and it takes some time getting used to.

To start with, you might like to get an easier starter kit, something like an innokin t18 or the t22, they aren't too costly at all, grab some ejuice to go with it and start there.

See how you like it, decide what you don't like about it... is the draw too tight? Or does it seem too loose? Do you want more flavor? Does it seem underpowered to you?

Jumping in with both feet into something small, gives you a greater understanding of what you personally might like to be looking for.

If your not too big on sweets Heathers Heavenly Vapes has a lovely coffee ejuice called Fresh Grindz... you might like that.

Fresh Grindz - $9.00 : Heather’s Heavenly Vapes, Top Quality Custom E-Liquids

As with all things, begin at the beginning. You might enjoy higher power and more advanced gear, you might find the mid range area good for you or you may just be tickled pink with low power...

So, start where most of us start, something basic and inexpensive and then go from there once you know more about what you might be looking for.

Welcome to ECF! Ask any questions you like... we are all here for you and happy to help in any way we can!

 

[dom qp]

This is why it can be worth paying a premium and visiting a regular in-person store for your first purchase.

A good and responsible one would walk you through the different types of vapor, let you find one that suits you, and help you pick up juices that fit your tastes.

Once you get started things start making a little more sense.

 

[Baditude]

We all admit that vaping is more difficult than smoking. It requires some basic knowledge that can be easily found from a forum such as this one. It requires some forethought, because running out of e-liquid, a charged battery, or a replacement coil will not be as easily replaced quickly than running to the gas station or convenience store to buy a new pack of cigarettes. Vaping is a newer technology and speaks its own language.

Having said that, vaping can be as easy or as difficult as you make it. There are simple, convenient setups out there (cigalikes and pod systems) that require little knowledge or experience, but you will pay out of your wallet for their convenience. And there are advanced systems out there (like Temp Control) that confuse an experienced 6 year veteran like myself.

You're not currently a smoker, so being a "recreational" vaper will be easier for you than a current smoker looking to quit tobacco. Start with something "simple" and advance your hobby at your own pace. Most of us have purchased several setups before we found our ideal setups. In effect, it has become a hobby for many.

The following blogs won't contain everything you'll need to know, but they'll come close and get you on the right path:

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.

Proper Terminology: Is it a carto, a tank, or what? A Guide to Juice Delivery Devices

• A picture dictionary for beginners with descriptions of clearomizers, et al.

Battery Basics for Mods: The Definative Battery Guide for Vaping

• 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.

Deeper Understanding of Mod Batteries Part 1

• For those who want to learn the differences between IMR, IMR/hybrid, ICR, and LiPo batteries. What do those numbers and letters on batteries mean? What's an amp rating and why is it generally more important than the mAh rating when choosing a battery for vaping?

 

[MJCSD]

Hello and welcome to ecf

 

[HipGnosis]

Thanks, but, down the rabbit hole I go...

What (exactly) makes a vaporizer 'advanced'? Are there public vaporizers?!?

What does 'draw tight / loose' mean?

I have no idea what 'underpowered' means in this context.

I would say that link to the glossary should be in the new members stickie, but it's from 2011. LOTS has changed since then!

HipG.

 

[dom qp]

Thanks, but, down the rabbit hole I go...

What (exactly) makes a vaporizer 'advanced'? Are there public vaporizers?!?

What does 'draw tight / loose' mean?

I have no idea what 'underpowered' means in this context.

I would say that link to the glossary should be in the new members stickie, but it's from 2011. LOTS has changed since then!

HipG.

Basically it seems like anything capable of higher wattage output is deemed advanced these days. They all share the same protections so it really doesn't matter (since you can select the wattage output of your vaporizer).

Advanced used to be 'mechanical' mods. These don't have the built in protections.

The draw is the resistance you feel when sucking in air. Something with a 'tighter' draw is more like a cigarette. Something with a 'looser' draw is more like shisha.

 

[Opinionated]

Thanks, but, down the rabbit hole I go...

What (exactly) makes a vaporizer 'advanced'? Are there public vaporizers?!?

What does 'draw tight / loose' mean?

I have no idea what 'underpowered' means in this context.

I would say that link to the glossary should be in the new members stickie, but it's from 2011. LOTS has changed since then!

HipG.

I'll type out a new glossary for you... I did it once a year or so ago in a thread but now it's been so long that it's a bit lost..

Okay... so, all vaporizers are personal.. it just sounds cooler.

What makes a vaporizer advanced is the knowledge and skill set it takes to operate it. It's knowledge that takes a bit to learn, so not something a beginner wants to start with as a general rule.

The draw. Okay you remember taking a drag off a cigarette right? At least somewhat.. so think of vaping as anywhere from that to something more airy, more like sucking air through a big straw versus sucking a shake through a straw.

Mouth to Lung (MTL) tanks have a tighter draw, closer to a cigarette.

Direct Lung (DL) tanks, are airy - more like sucking air through a big straw.

The DL tanks need more airflow because of the power (wattage) going to the coil on high powered devices heats the coil up very hot, so they need more airflow to keep the coil cooler than the MTL tanks do because MTL vaping is lower powered.

Those two styles of vaping don't mix, because of the airflow needs of the coil. You cant MTL at higher power without burning your coil up, and there isn't enough power going to the coil in order to DL at low wattages - so people enjoy either one or the other...

when i said under powered i meant how vaping feels to you... like your not getting a big enough drag or a warm enough vape... basically, just a sign if your vaping a low wattage device that you might prefer something with more ummpphh.

 

[Coastal Cowboy]

Thanks, but, down the rabbit hole I go...

What (exactly) makes a vaporizer 'advanced'? Are there public vaporizers?!?

What does 'draw tight / loose' mean?

I have no idea what 'underpowered' means in this context.

I would say that link to the glossary should be in the new members stickie, but it's from 2011. LOTS has changed since then!

HipG.

Early vaporizers looked like cigarettes. Similar in size and shape. These days, pretty much anything that doesn't look like one of those is "advanced." They're more customizable (some to the degree of silliness) and more powerful.

A tight draw is like the airflow one gets with a cigarette. A loose draw is airier than that, to the point where there is no airflow restriction at all.

"Underpowered" means you aren't getting the kind of flavor and vapor production you want.

Many of us here on ECF are enthusiasts, hobbyists, tinkerers and pioneers. We're the ones who make the lingo so foreign-sounding. But we can blame the Brits, too. They're the ones who made things so complicated (they're Brits; it's what they do).

 

[Opinionated]

I do have to disagree with others somewhat, because with the advanced devices you should learn about your batteries and battery safety before using them.

I'll give you some YouTube videos that our resident battery expert Mooch has so nicely uploaded for you to watch and learn from.



You would also need the list of recommended batteries and know proper battery care, charging and safety as well.. if you decide upon an advanced device.

There is no substitute for knowing your batteries.

Mooch's blog | E-Cigarette Forum

And Mooches blog is up-to-date. .. no worries.

 

[Coastal Cowboy]

@Opinionated has a good point about batteries. We don't use Duracells or Energizers. Almost all e-cigs use batteries with Lithium (either Lithium-ion or Lithium polymer) chemistry. They can be dangerous if abused, mistreated or used in the wrong application. Used correctly and treated with respect, they're the safest and most efficient portable power source we have today.

 

[AzPlumber]

The acronym for Advanced Personal Vaporizer is preferred over
Personal Electronic Nicotine Inhalation System.

 

[Baditude]

The acronym for Advanced Personal Vaporizer is preferred over
Personal Electronic Nicotine Inhalation System.

I wonder how many people get that joke?

 

[CagedSpam]

I retired last year and I'm bored a LOT now.

Sounds like a good time to recon the local vape shops and make a nuisance of yourself. There will probably be at least one or two that give you a good vibe.

DIY and rebuilding is a great way to keep the hands and mind busy - enjoy.

 

[Opinionated]

Okay... Vaping terminology, going to be all I can think of at the moment.

there are the basics of vaping devices. All devices has a power source which is the battery, which often but not always goes to an electronic board, which then powers the atomizer and vaporizes e-liquid, which is why vaping is called vaping. Its not smoke it vapor. So lets start here.

E-liquid or e-juice (same same) is comprised of four main components.

1) VG = Vegetable Glycerin
2) PG = Polypropylene Glycol
3) Nic = Nicotine suspended in either PG or VG (No one buys pure nicotine)
4) Flavorings

Making your own eliquid at home is called DIY - Do it yourself.

Atty - Short for atomizer and can mean the entire assembly including the tank which holds the coil, wicking material and e-juice.

Coil = the coil element which heats up and vaporizes your ejuice. Here are some pretty ones:

all coils have wicking material going through them, most common are Japanese organic cotton, cotton bacon which is medical cotton which comes in sheets, or rayon. You will find ceramic used in factory coils as well for wicking.

The wicking literally wicks the ejuice to the coil, so that it gets vaporized when power goes to the coil and the coil heats up.

This is your atomizer, but many people, myself included, often mean the entire tank assembly when they speak of your atty.

Topper = your atomizer tank. (Ive used that before)

Tank = your atomizer tank which has a reservoir for e-juice.

Mod - an advanced personal vaporizer with no atty on top. Its just the device that holds the battery and the electronic board.

DNA - A highly sought after electronic board, a big selling point for manufacturers who use this board. Very popular.

And then you just have your batteries... which go inside your mods.

18650 = a common size battery used for vaping
20700 = a size of battery used in vaping, but less frequently than 18650's


Pod Mods = mods that take cartridges of ejuice that contain a coil, basically, mods with disposable atty's. Some beginnners like those as they don't have the hassle of changing a coil or filling a tank.

ADV = all day vape. Used to refer to an ejuice that is great to vape all day and the enjoyment of that vape does not diminish through the use of using that same flavor all day long. Tastes are subjective, so you might not think someone elses ADV is your own.

MTL = Mouth to Lung inhalation technique
DL = Direct to lung inhalation technique

Drip tips = the mouth piece portion of your atty.

Mech Mods = mods that are not regulated nor do they contain any electronic board.

Vape pen = a vaporizer that are small and shaped like a pen.

RTA = Rebuildable Tank Atomizer, attys for people who build their own coils

RDA = Rebuildable Dripping Atomizer, attys for people who build their own coils and dont use a tank, they literally drip eliquid onto their coil and wicking every so often.

Drop-in tanks = attys that take factory made coils

Squonker = a mod that is set up to dispense ejuice from a squeeze bottle located underneath the rda. Its a means of dripping the easy way, by giving a bottle a small squeeze whenever more juice needs to be fed to the wicking and coil.

Squonker = a person who likes bottom feeding mods.


I cannot think of any more right now...

 

[NealBJr]

Thanks, but, down the rabbit hole I go...

What (exactly) makes a vaporizer 'advanced'? Are there public vaporizers?!?

What does 'draw tight / loose' mean?

I have no idea what 'underpowered' means in this context.

I would say that link to the glossary should be in the new members stickie, but it's from 2011. LOTS has changed since then!

HipG.

I know others have already replied, but I wanted to put my ::2c in.

Welcome to the rabbit hole... Alice turned left, the rabbit turned right, but you now have to decide which pill to take.. the blue or the red since big pharma took over wonderland.

Advanced Vaporizer is simply one that is more advanced than those earlier ones you find at the gas stations, or the ones bigger than a cigarette.
APV= Advanced Personal Vaporizer
ADV= All Day Vape (instead of changing flavors throughout the day)

Underpowered... Means your mod doesn't supply enough power to heat the coil right. The coil is used to "boil" the eliquid into a mist.... So, if it's underpowered, you won't get much vapor.

Tight/loose draw... imagine sucking through a straw. A loose one would be like sucking through a straw bigger than the ones you get out of McDonalds, a tight one would be like sucking through those plastic coffee stirrers as if it were a straw (yes, I've done that before). Some people, and especially those ex smokers like to suck into their mouth first, then inhale to mimic a cigarette (AKA tight draw, or MTL(MouthToLung))

And yes, if you go down the rabbit hole all the way, you'll be building coils and mixing juices. I personally think it's a great hobby to have for a motorcyclist... Much easier to take a few puffs from an ecig at a red light than to get out a lighter and cigarette, light it, and take a few puffs then put it out. I've seen several motorcyclists pull one out of their jacket take a puff, and put it right back in.

@AzPlumber I got that... cracked up... @Baditude Yes, I got the reference like a True Detective.

 

[Letitia]

Welcome back to ECF. Normally wouldn't say this to a newb, but watch some youtube videos about coil building. Start out with a beginner kit, but explore coil building, creating exotic wires/builds, and rdas. Will keep your hands and your brain busy for a relatively small start up cost.

 

[bombastinator]

This is why there are snowmobiles and atvs

 

[bombastinator]

I wonder how many people get that joke?

This could explain why my mod has a vibrate feature

 

[Letitia]

This could explain why my mod has a vibrate feature

I'd like to know what mod that is please