Want to upgrade, have questions

[x-23]

So I've been using a eGo-T upgrade with a natilus for a while now and I'm not as satisfied as I once was. I want to upgrade to something better. I've been looking around and think I know what I'd like but... I'm honestly really overwhelmed with everything that's available. I have shops here in town but they all sell so much fake stuff it's ridiculous. So I've moved the search online.

I'm thinking of maybe getting a vamo v5 and a eleaf lemo or drop. I know they have come out with a few new vamos but I think I'd like to try and get acquainted with VV/VW. I've never messed around with anything customisable and really want too. I like the cylindrical mods immensely more then box mods. As far as the lemo goes I'd like to start making my own coils. I imagine I'd save a lot more then having to go and buy coils all the time. Plus it's 5 coils for 20$ that adds up quickly

So will this set up work properly? If not what do you recommend? What batteries should I use? Do I need any accessories? What websites should I shop on?

I've been looking around this site a little (I just joined today) and I am trying to get better understanding of everything. I may find some answers to my own questions I just figured I would get everything out of the way. Your help is greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!

 

[Sir2fyablyNutz]

hi x-23 and welcome to the forum. Making your own coils is pretty easy (Subtank Mini owner here) and it does save money. I have no experience with the tanks you are suggesting but I do have these links for you to possibly browse:

FORUM SUPPLIERS - ECF Forum Suppliers | E-Cigarette Forum
COUPONS - Stores - ECF E-Cigarette Coupons

DEALS and STEALS - Deals and Steals | E-Cigarette Forum (go to last couple pages)


I'd suggest reading this blog concerning batteries and other stuff:
Baditudes Blogs Baditude's blog | E-Cigarette Forum


Good luck in your vape journey.

 

[caferacer]

Welcome to ECF, x-23!

If I'm not mistaken, the Vamo 5 is a 15W device. Since you want to start building your own coils, I would recommend going with a more powerful device so that you have more wattage to play with once you inevitably start experimenting with different coil builds. Some suggestions (in no particular order):

MVP 3 Pro
iStick 30W
IPV Mini 70W
Kanger KBox
Kanger Subbox (which I think comes out next week).

 

[yuseffuhler]

So I've been using a eGo-T upgrade with a natilus for a while now and I'm not as satisfied as I once was. I want to upgrade to something better. I've been looking around and think I know what I'd like but... I'm honestly really overwhelmed with everything that's available. I have shops here in town but they all sell so much fake stuff it's ridiculous. So I've moved the search online.

I'm thinking of maybe getting a vamo v5 and a eleaf lemo or drop. I know they have come out with a few new vamos but I think I'd like to try and get acquainted with VV/VW. I've never messed around with anything customisable and really want too. I like the cylindrical mods immensely more then box mods. As far as the lemo goes I'd like to start making my own coils. I imagine I'd save a lot more then having to go and buy coils all the time. Plus it's 5 coils for 20$ that adds up quickly

So will this set up work properly? If not what do you recommend? What batteries should I use? Do I need any accessories? What websites should I shop on?

I've been looking around this site a little (I just joined today) and I am trying to get better understanding of everything. I may find some answers to my own questions I just figured I would get everything out of the way. Your help is greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!

If you're strictly limiting yourself to tube mods, keep in mind that there really isn't a huge selection compared to the other mods on the market. Box mod makes it sound like it's.... well, boxy. That isn't always the case. A lot of companies are putting out some very sharp, ergonomic little box mods. Anyway, if you're looking into a new tube mod, you can spend a good chunk of change (~$200) and get a new Provari P3 with a Kayfun v4 ($140) and learn to rebuild, or you can spend less for some of the other tube mods on the market. Have you tried any other mods or tanks or drippers on the market? It's hard to recommend with not much info.

 

[yuseffuhler]

Welcome to ECF, x-23!

If I'm not mistaken, the Vamo 5 is a 15W device. Since you want to start building your own coils, I would recommend going with a more powerful device so that you have more wattage to play with once you inevitably start experimenting with different coil builds. Some suggestions (in no particular order):

MVP 3 Pro
iStick 30W
IPV Mini 70W
Kanger KBox
Kanger Subbox (which I think comes out next week).

The black subox is shipping from myvaporstore now, the white later. I'd hesitate to recommend it until we see more reviews on it.

 

[caferacer]

The black subox is shipping from myvaporstore now, the white later. I'd hesitate to recommend it until we see more reviews on it.

Ah yes, I was thinking of the white version.

 

[Susan~S]

I would also add the CoolFire 4 to @caferacer's list.

 

[yuseffuhler]

I would also add the CoolFire 4 to @caferacer's list.

Agreed. OP did state a preference for tube mods, but they're almost all underpowered, expensive or outdated. One man's opinion of course.

 

[DingerCPA]

Welcome x-23!

Sir2 has offered some GREAT resources for your reading pleasure - make especially sure you read Baditude's blogs. He discusses quite a number of topics related to battery safety and ohm's law (something with which you'll want to become infinitely familiar if you wander down the rebuildable path.)

You mentioned you prefer tubes to boxes. There are a couple of updated Vamos (I have a V6, which is 20w - fires coils down to about 0.8ohms.) The V7 and the V9 look to be 40W devices. This would give you a wide range of flexibility in the toppers you might like to use.

ETA - the V7 is a 30W device; the V9 is a 40W device (and it comes with an LED flashlight!!!!)

My heartiest recommendation is to not limit yourself. I never thought I'd want to sub-ohm, and so I spent a lot on lower-powered mods last summer. I finally took the plunge around December and now sport a number of 30-70W devices. Do I run them at 30W? No - I don't like the quality of the vape at super-high levels. However, as I learn more, I may find ways to take advantage of the possibilities

Read as much as you can. Lots of good YouTube videos on rebuilding. I started by rebuilding my ProTank2 heads. Now, I can wrap coils in my sleep.

Good Luck!

 

[x-23]

I haven't tried any other mods or drippers. I just stuck with what I had because I knew it worked and that was good enough until now. For tanks besides the cheap ones they had at the store was a kanger protank, protank mini, aspire ets. Im definitely a beginner in this area but I've been reading as much as I can.

Money isn't really an issue as long as its reliable. I've so much on my ego's anyways since they always find a way to snap in half.
I'm leaning to tubes since box mods are a lot bigger. I have small hands .

Is there any sort of advantage to having both variable voltage and wattage to only having wattage? I was thinking of getting something with both so I could mess around and learn about as much as I can hands on. I tend to learn a lot better having it in front of me.

 

[caferacer]

Not to keep harping on box mods, but the iStick 30Ws are tiny!

 

[DingerCPA]

I think the biggest difference between VV and VW is the level of change you can make. I had Innokin VV3s and MVP2s as some of my earlier gear (after my Spinner 1300s). For whatever reason, setting my levels in Watts "amused" me more, and that's how I set all my mods.

On those devices, the Volts would change by 0.1V whereas the Watts could only change in increments of 0.5W. My iSticks let me change by 0.1W, but I still hover toward even 0.5 increments in Watts (creature of habit....)

Key is start low and work your way up to find *YOUR* sweet spot. Also, different juices may need to be run differently, even though you're using the same resistance on your coil....

 

[DingerCPA]

@caferacer that is FOR SURE! I'm using my Vamo V6 here this evening, and DANG, that thing is heavy. I barely know I have the iStick 30 in my hand Even the iStick 50 isn't bad - rounded edges and killer battery life..... JS

 

[caferacer]

@DingerCPA: Yeah, I love the 50W! I've been holding off on recommending it to people because of all the auto-fire issues I've been reading about, but man it's such a great little device (when it's not blowing up )!

 

[yuseffuhler]

I haven't tried any other mods or drippers. I just stuck with what I had because I knew it worked and that was good enough until now. For tanks besides the cheap ones they had at the store was a kanger protank, protank mini, aspire ets. Im definitely a beginner in this area but I've been reading as much as I can.

Money isn't really an issue as long as its reliable. I've so much on my ego's anyways since they always find a way to snap in half.
I'm leaning to tubes since box mods are a lot bigger. I have small hands .

Is there any sort of advantage to having both variable voltage and wattage to only having wattage? I was thinking of getting something with both so I could mess around and learn about as much as I can hands on. I tend to learn a lot better having it in front of me.

When you say money isn't an issue, do you mean that? Lol I ask because some of the really nice stuff is pretty insanely priced compared to the cheap stuff. If you stick with your current style of vaping (low watts, pretty restricted airflow) then variable voltage won't be too different from variable wattage. If you get into higher power, it's easier to adjust via watts. Almost all of the newer mods will be vw, simply because it detects your ohms and that's what people want. I'd recommend, if you want a new setup, getting a ~50 watt mod and a decent tank that has pre-built coils, with the option of a rebuildable section. As far as the size of the box mod... I got my mom an istick 30, and it fits her hand perfectly. She's barely 5 foot and 120 lbs. Has tiny hands.

 

[DingerCPA]

@DingerCPA: Yeah, I love the 50W! I've been holding off on recommending it to people because of all the auto-fire issues I've been reading about, but man it's such a great little device (when it's not blowing up )!

Knocking on wood, I've not had any issues with mine either

 

[yuseffuhler]

Knocking on wood, I've not had any issues with mine either

It seems like most everyone that got theirs after the first few production runs has had great performance. It's still hard to recommend, because there really isn't a way of confirming old or new stock everywhere you can buy it.

 

[caferacer]

If money is truly no object, then I would suggest a Vaporshark rDNA-40. It's only a tiny bit bigger than the iStick 50W (which is a really small box mod in it's own right), has great build quality, and will give you the option of using temperature control should you ever want to experiment with it.

 

[x-23]

The provari is very nice. I mean I guess I couldnt justify spending more then 250-300 unless it's just something AMAZING. I spend like 30 or so at the store for my ego and have gone through 13 maybe 14 the past year so if I can get something solid that is going to work and not snap so easily I think I'll end up saving money. Plus if I can actually play around with it then I dont mind shelling out the cash for it.

 

[yuseffuhler]

The provari is very nice. I mean I guess I couldnt justify spending more then 250-300 unless it's just something AMAZING. I spend like 30 or so at the store for my ego and have gone through 13 maybe 14 the past year so if I can get something solid that is going to work and not snap so easily I think I'll end up saving money. Plus if I can actually play around with it then I dont mind shelling out the cash for it.

If you're down for spending that kind of money, the provari is one of the nicest lower wattage mods you can find. I know they have a pretty dedicated following here, mostly due to their reliability and their customer service. I would try out some different gear first, but that's just me. I wouldn't drop thay much cash before I tried out different styles of vaping.