Tried vaping four years ago with no luck....ready to give it another shot. Need advice please.

[Rushfan2112]

Hi All,
Not a total newbie, but it's been about two years since I've been here last, and things have changed quite a bit in the vaping world since then. In a nutshell, I tried vaping to quit analogs a few years ago. I had a basic 510 kit (like a Blu from the gas station) with a couple of batteries, charger, attys, and a couple of drip tips that I got to give a better throat hit. It lasted about two weeks until I gave up and was back on analogs. The main reason I stopped vaping was the bad sore throat that vaping gave me, as well as the short battery life, messy filling, etc. After just a few puffs, my throat would get very scratchy and dry and painful. And yes, I drank a ton of water. I tried many different PG/VG mixes and straight PG or VG, with the same results. All juice that I tried was from freedomsmokeusa. I realize that I may be one of the few that is allergic to the juice, but I doubt it. I have no other known allergies. I thought it may have been the filler material burning on the atty that hurt my throat, but I always made sure that it never ran dry. I just gave up.

Fast-forward a couple of years. I'm ready to quit analogs! I now have two small children and a wife that I want to live long for. I'm tired of the expense and health issues that come with analogs. I currently smoke a pack and a half a day. I've been reading to bring myself back up to speed and am thinking that these new "tank' systems and such may be worth trying. The technology has definitely changed a lot since I tried a few years ago, which is where you come in. I read all of these posts saying, "if I knew then what I know now, and the money that I spent on inferior products." That being said, I want to do it right and not be trashing/upgrading my setup in a month if it works out for me this time around. Money is a small factor, but like I said....I want to do it right and get a solid product. After reading, I'm leaning towards maybe an Ego Twist type of setup with an Aspire or Kanger tank, but am open to any and all options. I just want something that I don't have to fill all the time and that's built to last - and lots of vapor....with proper maintenance on my end. Knowing what you know now about vaping, what would you buy today for yourself if just starting out? Thanks in advance for your time and replies. It's good to be back!

PS...Does juice go bad? I have many 10ml and 30ml bottles of juice that have been in a cool, dark tackle box in my bedroom for about four years. I remember people saying that the longer the juice steeped, the better the flavors....but four years old?

Thanks!

 

[Baditude]

I read all of these posts saying, "if I knew then what I know now, and the money that I spent on inferior products." That being said, I want to do it right and not be trashing/upgrading my setup in a month if it works out for me this time around. Money is a small factor, but like I said....I want to do it right and get a solid product. After reading, I'm leaning towards maybe an Ego Twist type of setup with an Aspire or Kanger tank, but am open to any and all options. I just want something that I don't have to fill all the time and that's built to last - and lots of vapor....with proper maintenance on my end. Knowing what you know now about vaping, what would you buy today for yourself if just starting out?

OK, you asked. And my sincerest recommendation would be a Provari. Why Provari?

Yeah, at first glance it appears pricey, but compared to other high end mods it is considered inexpensive. I bet you spent over $200 a month on cigarettes. You can get a Provari for less than that. Read the stories of satisfied Provari owners in the links that I provided in the Why Provari blog to see if its worth the price to you.

A Provari is for the simple long-term vaper who desires the most reliable, dependable, and durable variable voltage device available. It is nearly indestructable. It is USA-made quality, from a company who will stand by their product for life. That's nearly impossible to find from anything made in China. Many of those mods become an expensive paperweight after a matter of months with no options for repair.

Standard Provari and Mini Provari's.




The options on what juice attachment to put on top of the Provari is vast. I'd suggest a Kanger Aerotank or Aspire Nautilus for a plug & play device; for the best flavor and a higher learning curve a Kayfun style RBA works best. Kayfun Lite Review

Proper Terminology: Is it a carto, a tank, or what?

Does juice go bad? I have many 10ml and 30ml bottles of juice that have been in a cool, dark tackle box in my bedroom for about four years. I remember people saying that the longer the juice steeped, the better the flavors....but four years old?

E-liquid is considered to be old after one year. Most if not all e-liquids have a 1 year expiration date.

 

[issy]

I don't know how much this will help you, since I am only two weeks in on my second attempt, but hopefully it will. I tried to quit the first time with a VC kit, that I didn't keep ordering cartridges for because even a pack of am spirits is cheaper than an online cartridge order when you are living paycheck to paycheck.

Two weeks ago I bought myself an itaste vv with a stock 1.6 mL clearo. I also bought a couple white rhino juices because that's what they sold. I haven't had the desire to even buy a pack...the puff I bummed was icky. I've really tried to focus on how much better I feel already to scare myself into not going back. I also got a kanger evod clearo about 4 days ago...love it.

The itaste vv won't roll away!

Throat burn...once my voltage is set correctly (there are good charts), and I make sure I'm not chain vaping too quickly, I don't get it anymore. Or try lowering your nic. I got it a lot with my VCs, but that was a couple years ago...not sure why that happened, could've been user error (lol).

 

[pressman57]

Just my two cents:

I'm really happy with my rig - an MVP2 with an Aspire Nautalis tank on it. I think I payed 70 bucks for both of them. I would have gotten a Provari had the funds been available, but the MVP is a viable alternative.

 

[jstjoehere]

I started with a kanger t3s I hated it so I got an aerotank because I was missing the tighter draw of an analog. I use single coils in my aerotank it seems to give me a cooler vape with good taste and good vapor. I use 80/20 pg/vg mix for good throat hit. I run my aerotank on a box mod usually between 8 to 10 watts pending on what Im vaping. It it also works well on a vision spinner 2. I do build my own coils to 1.6 ohm and wick with cotton. I also bought a fogger v4 for the stressful days or first thing in the morning needless to say its a little rough on batteries lol. Kanger also makes the mega and giant aerotanks that simply hold more juice. I would definitely recommend an air flow controlled tank. It could help with your throat issues as well. As far as storing your juice that long I cant answer that.

 

[DingerCPA]

I can't really expand upon anyone else's comments because they're all great. Just a "Reader's Digest" version of my story to give you some hope.

Started with cig-a-likes in 2010. They sucked. Tried again in 2011 - they still sucked. Mostly because of the lousy cartridges that sat upon the atomizers (which I've now figured that I can use as a poor-(wo)man's dripper

Fast-forward to February, 2014. Tried the cig-a-likes one more time, but with blank cartridges and bottles of juice - eh, getting better. Tried 510 batteries (650 & 900 maH) with a tank. BETTER.... "Graduated" to a Spinner 1300 and EVOD tanks. BETTER STILL. Found a local B&M from which I get about 95% of my juices, and now have VV3s and MVP2s, glass tanks and now a kayfun clone.

Getting great flavor (even from my cheapy EVODs - rebuilding my own coils) and still learning the ropes of the kayfun. Check out my sig - 113 days cigarette free after smoking for over 25 years, and no intentions of turning back

Moral of the story: This old dawg learned enough tricks and found the right gear and flavors - I think you can too.

Not sure what's still causing the sore throat. You never said what nic level you got in your juices, nor what types of flavors. I can tell higher nic will burn on me, so I tend to keep it low (<6mg), and I'm a pretty constant vaper.

Good luck, and keep asking questions - this is a GREAT place to get advice.

 

[v1k1ng1001]

If you're old juices are tearing up your throat, don't go back to them. You might want to pay a bit more to find some smoother juices.

 

[MahdSyentist]

Welcome to the vape world amigo. I am new to this scene, and tried it a few years back with no luck. I'm here to tell you that it is literally just a matter of finding the right flavors, and the right equipment for you. your best bet is going to be to go to a vape shop to get some ideas. My local shops are willing to let me try flavors and different models. Lets be real here, noone opens a business to make a little money; but a good vapor shop will be willing to get you into a set-up, and vapor combo that is right for you. its only the start, but if you keep at it and remain dedicated, you will succeed! I have been successful, no tobacco products for two months now, and the thought of smoking makes me really sick. Good luck!!!

 

[Rushfan2112]

Thanks for the replies! You are all awesome. Batitude - thanks so much for all of the information and links. The Provari looks really awesome, but it is fairly expensive. I'm sure that the quality is worth it though. And yes, a month of smoking analogs would cover the costs of the Provari. The starter kit comes with the iclear or Nautilus tank - which would you roll with? Or should I just get the Provari and a different tank?

V1k1ng - I haven't smoked those juices on a few years. I was just curious if they were still good or not. Thanks for answering though.

Dinger - Thanks for the inspiring words! This old dog is ready to learn some new tricks too.

Any recommendations for a smooth USA-made juice? I had been using freedomsmoke juices a few years ago, but am willing to try anything. Thanks again!

 

[seanpdx]

As far as tanks go... I'd also recommend a kanger aerotank. I use rebuildables and drippers, but I still regularly use an aerotank (in fact, I brought it to work with me today). Treat it well and take care of it, and it's pretty hassle-free. Good draw (for me, but it's also adjustable), good taste, good vapor. I top off the tank once a day, usually either in the morning or at night, but it depends on how much you vape during the day.

Juices... are very subjective. I have some johnson creek, some thunderhead, some nicquid, and some five pawns right now.

 

[XeoNoX]

find a different juice and vape away, might need to adjust your mod if its still doesnt fit to your liking. you local shop should be able to help u acheive your satisfaction level

 

[OtherBarry]

NamberJuice Gourmet E-Liquid makes some tasty stuff that's fairly reasonably priced, I make my own so I really wouldn't be able to help much there. My first regulated APV was actually a Tesla, it was a trooper to say the least and you can pick one up for like 30 bucks from fasttech. As for clearomizers, the last one I ever got was the iClear 30 and it was actually what finally pushed me over the edge and let me quit, the dual coil setup gives a really nice warm vape for a precoiled device. Just find a juice that you can enjoy and remember to chain vape, it helps while you're making the initial transition.

 

[JaccoMacacco]

I second (third? fourth?) the provari recommendation

 

[Feraloxide]

You made it clear that you're not interested in something that needs refilling constantly, but I'll give you my opinion.

If you want something that's variable voltage/wattage like that Provari that's far less expensive but still gives a great quality vape, you'll want to have a look at the iTaste MVP2. While boxes aren't some people's thing, I think it looks pretty slick. It fits comfortably in the hand, doubles as a charger for your other things (cell phone, tablet, etc) and is also an ohm meter. I've dropped it several times and it's yet to even dent or malfunction once.

I've gone down the same road with cigalikes. I started with an eversmoke rechargeable, which honestly wasn't that bad, but I knew it could get better. I progressed into mechanical mods without the knowledge to operate one correctly, which ended up a fail. I bought an epipe, the K1000, and an MVP 2. Both were very frequent vapes. Sometime after I bought an EVOD kit, both because I like the colour purple and because I like the cylindrical look of it.

I recently got into dripping. After seeing so many posts about how the flavour and vapour is so much better, I got hyped up and purchased a new mechanical mod and an IGO-M from fasttech. The shipping took nearly 3 weeks, and I got impatient, so I bought an IGO-W from a member of this forum. I have to say I can't go back to the tank systems I was so used to. There's just something so satisfying about building and wicking your own coils and having them work every time like a charm.

The fasttech package finally arrived today and I've been loving it even more than my IGO-W. The new dripper is so much easier to build on, has a TON of airflow, and with the coil build I have on it it hits like a train. I'm only further captivated by it as I continue doing it. While it may not be something you're interested in now, if in the future you have the urge to give up and go back to cigarettes or just want to try something new, I urge you greatly to try it.

 

[WaynesWorld]

+++ and +1 on the MVP 2.0 and the Kanger Aero Tank. I've also have a Nautilus tank, but with the coil problems everyone has been having with the Nautilus, (including myself ... even after re-building the coils), I would go with the Aero Tank. Great Taste, with the MVP plenty of Vapor and little if any coil problems. The MVP battery last me 2 days before re-charging and I vape about 5ml a day.

You can get the MVP 2.0 for $35.99 and the Areo Tank for $19.99 from Vapor Foundry (BOTH Authentic) See Pic below




Vapor Foundry

As for e-juices I purchase all my e-juice from Mt Baker Vapor here in the US. They have over 150 flavors ... just about ANYTHING you can imagine. Also the Price for e-juice is the lowest I've found on the internet, ($4.99 for 15ml, $7.49 for 30ml), plus when you spend $15 or more excluding the shipping or discounts, they will send you a FREE 15ml e-juice of your choice ... just tell them what you want in the comments box when you order. And speaking of discounts, if you use the coupon code: vaporfrombaker you will get an additional 10% discount on your order. Best thing to do is to look at what you think you might like and then read some of the reviews.

I've gotten about 45 flavors from them and like all but 2. Some Mellow ones that I've gotten are Vanilla Butternut, Bananas gone Nuts (taste just like eating Banana Nut Bread) & Caramel Coffee.

E Cigarette | Buy Electronic Cigarettes | E Juice - Mt Baker Vapor

Welcome back and good vaping