Help me pick a vape kit
January 2, 2018 6:41 PM Subscribe
I use disposable and rechargeable nicotine vapes: Vuse and Blu. I’m looking for a good permanent rig but am totally overwhelmed. I don’t care what it looks like but extra points if it comes in purple. I prefer a box, for no good reason, and my budget for rig and juice is $75 to start. Any suggestions? I would def do a pen if someone out there swears by it.
Best answer: https://www.mtbakervapor.com/hardware/innokin-endura-t22-starter-kit/
posted by smashface at 7:07 PM on January 2, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by smashface at 7:07 PM on January 2, 2018 [1 favorite]
I've been through countless variations over the last four years and you'd be doing yourself a favor by going with the Joyetech eGo AIO. It's a pen, it costs $20, and it's top-filling so it never leaks. In fact there's no tricky mess of pouring the liquid around a cylindrical tank with a hole in it, you just pour up to the fill line of the tank and put the top (which holds the coil) straight in.
When the sales guy recommended it to me (when a battery from a more expensive/complicated setup that I had been using died) I was super skeptical and thought it would just tide me over until I found the battery I wanted to originally replace, but it's the least complicated and most reliable of any I've used. I have two that I cycle through so that one is always charged.
Expensive batteries in more complicated setups still need to get replaced as they wear down or liquids leak into them - these last me about 6-7 months and are totally worth the replacement cost. You'll need coils (Joyetech BF Atomizers) and I'd recommend liquids that are 60/40 so they don't burn through the coils too quickly. I get about 4-7 days per coil. Definitely a "swears by it" one for me.
posted by sockless at 7:11 PM on January 2, 2018 [2 favorites]
When the sales guy recommended it to me (when a battery from a more expensive/complicated setup that I had been using died) I was super skeptical and thought it would just tide me over until I found the battery I wanted to originally replace, but it's the least complicated and most reliable of any I've used. I have two that I cycle through so that one is always charged.
Expensive batteries in more complicated setups still need to get replaced as they wear down or liquids leak into them - these last me about 6-7 months and are totally worth the replacement cost. You'll need coils (Joyetech BF Atomizers) and I'd recommend liquids that are 60/40 so they don't burn through the coils too quickly. I get about 4-7 days per coil. Definitely a "swears by it" one for me.
posted by sockless at 7:11 PM on January 2, 2018 [2 favorites]
I've been a customer of Totally Wicked for several years now after starting out with basic kits from truck stops. At the moment, I'm using a V-4 Tornado pen-style with a BCD (which I think is easy to refill) and like it very much. I buy their 20mm bottles of Virginia blend at 11%, down from 18%. A bottle lasts about a week; the rechargeable batteries last for months, and the atomizers last 3-4 weeks, depending on your vaping rate. It's discreet, easy to handle, and suits me very well. The basic kit runs about $60 and from then on it's just parts. TW does have all sorts of kits that suit the maxi-cloud vapers, too, but that's not me. I have two batteries I rotate so one is always charged. The tank is sturdy plastic so unless you drop it, there's no leakage at all. There's a V-5 model, too, but it's usb or something and I don't need something so fancy. Good luck.
posted by MovableBookLady at 7:24 PM on January 2, 2018
posted by MovableBookLady at 7:24 PM on January 2, 2018
Another for Totally Wicked here, been using them for 8 years or so now. The V5 is excellent, and because it charges (disconnected or connected) with USB it's particularly handy and more reliably than the older style charging points. Also, can charge in the car in an emergency. Never leaked, I tend to get through about 3 atomisers a year (at least one of which is because I left it somewhere) and the same again in batteries. In fact, the easiest way to buy them is just to get a few atomisers and a few batteries and you're done.
I used to buy the 30ml bottles of juice (I don't think they do them any more, sadly), at 36mg, and then using Propylene Glycol from the local chemist thin them down 50:50, getting two bottles for the price of one (a milder taste and an effective 18mg strength). A box of a dozen 30ml bottles would last me a couple of years this way.
Now that they don't do refillable bottles nor ones that big I might have a look around for different liquid, but the V5 is a superb reliable vaper at a very low price.
posted by tillsbury at 8:26 PM on January 2, 2018
I used to buy the 30ml bottles of juice (I don't think they do them any more, sadly), at 36mg, and then using Propylene Glycol from the local chemist thin them down 50:50, getting two bottles for the price of one (a milder taste and an effective 18mg strength). A box of a dozen 30ml bottles would last me a couple of years this way.
Now that they don't do refillable bottles nor ones that big I might have a look around for different liquid, but the V5 is a superb reliable vaper at a very low price.
posted by tillsbury at 8:26 PM on January 2, 2018
I'm seconding Sockless in that the pens are simple, and the top-filling makes it easy. My own preference is for the Aspire K2 kit or the newer, very popular Aspire PockeX. The USB recharge is glorious and I just changed my coil for the first time after 60 days.
posted by DarlingBri at 8:29 PM on January 2, 2018
posted by DarlingBri at 8:29 PM on January 2, 2018
Best answer: 1. Nothing is leakproof. You have cotton or other material as the barrier between the liquid and the air. They all have the potential for leaking.
2. The two parts (technically speaking; many sell as all-in-one, or as kits that have both) are the atomizer (on top with the liquid and coil and cotton) and the mod (the battery and button and so on).
Mods
* GET A REGULATED MOD. This is almost certainly not an option to do wrong nowadays, you have to /ask/ for an unregulated mod. But be _damn_ sure you get a regulated one.
* There are very few mods out there that have reliable usb charging ports. It's a real quick google away. To that end - either don't spend a large amount on the mod, or get one that has replaceable/externally chargeable batteries.
* I can recommend from personal experience both of the following mods: LostVape Therion 75 and Seigel 213. Both take two 18650 batteries. I charge the batteries in an external charger. I previously have also used several pen types, and an Aspire Pegasus - where I burnt the USB charger out in it.
* I personally cannot recommend a pen mod just for the physical reasons. They are difficult to stand up straight, and as I said - all atomizers will leak. So while it might work well in your pocket, its a bitch if you use it at your desk or set it down a lot. Get a box mod.
Atomizer
* There are several core "styles" of atomizers. Those with tanks that take plug-in/screw-in coils. Those with tanks that you put your own wrapped coils and cotton into. Those without tanks (own coils).
* You're new. Get a tank that has plug-in/screw-in coils. There are a lot out there. Smok makes a couple that are decent. I have some variant of their CouldBeast. It's neat, but... big. If you're here for flavor or nicotine, get something in a more.. "regular" size. I think they make a TinyBeast variant, thats worth a look.
You can and almost certainly should find a kit - that has both a box mod and tank atomizer with a couple replacement coils. Smok makes some. Aspire does. If you feel like mix & matching, I can personally recommend LostVape's mods as excellent and incredibly well built. I've also read the Smoant Battlestar is a reasonable starter box mod nowadays.
Liquids
* You're going to want to go to a store and try some. Seriously. I know vape shops and vapers will get a bad rap, and some of them deservedly so. But google around your location for some, go in, try some, get 15 or 30ml bottles, and figure out what you like.
* Once you know that, then go try similar stuff ordered online.
Nicotine Level
* Depending on how many Blus you're going through a week, maybe start at 6mg; maybe start at 3. I was doing maybe 2 packs a week and started and have kept at 3mg just fine.
memail if you want other advice, or hell if you want an old mod of mine, happy to ship it over. Has a starry purple wrap on it 8-)
posted by ish__ at 9:59 PM on January 2, 2018
2. The two parts (technically speaking; many sell as all-in-one, or as kits that have both) are the atomizer (on top with the liquid and coil and cotton) and the mod (the battery and button and so on).
Mods
* GET A REGULATED MOD. This is almost certainly not an option to do wrong nowadays, you have to /ask/ for an unregulated mod. But be _damn_ sure you get a regulated one.
* There are very few mods out there that have reliable usb charging ports. It's a real quick google away. To that end - either don't spend a large amount on the mod, or get one that has replaceable/externally chargeable batteries.
* I can recommend from personal experience both of the following mods: LostVape Therion 75 and Seigel 213. Both take two 18650 batteries. I charge the batteries in an external charger. I previously have also used several pen types, and an Aspire Pegasus - where I burnt the USB charger out in it.
* I personally cannot recommend a pen mod just for the physical reasons. They are difficult to stand up straight, and as I said - all atomizers will leak. So while it might work well in your pocket, its a bitch if you use it at your desk or set it down a lot. Get a box mod.
Atomizer
* There are several core "styles" of atomizers. Those with tanks that take plug-in/screw-in coils. Those with tanks that you put your own wrapped coils and cotton into. Those without tanks (own coils).
* You're new. Get a tank that has plug-in/screw-in coils. There are a lot out there. Smok makes a couple that are decent. I have some variant of their CouldBeast. It's neat, but... big. If you're here for flavor or nicotine, get something in a more.. "regular" size. I think they make a TinyBeast variant, thats worth a look.
You can and almost certainly should find a kit - that has both a box mod and tank atomizer with a couple replacement coils. Smok makes some. Aspire does. If you feel like mix & matching, I can personally recommend LostVape's mods as excellent and incredibly well built. I've also read the Smoant Battlestar is a reasonable starter box mod nowadays.
Liquids
* You're going to want to go to a store and try some. Seriously. I know vape shops and vapers will get a bad rap, and some of them deservedly so. But google around your location for some, go in, try some, get 15 or 30ml bottles, and figure out what you like.
* Once you know that, then go try similar stuff ordered online.
Nicotine Level
* Depending on how many Blus you're going through a week, maybe start at 6mg; maybe start at 3. I was doing maybe 2 packs a week and started and have kept at 3mg just fine.
memail if you want other advice, or hell if you want an old mod of mine, happy to ship it over. Has a starry purple wrap on it 8-)
posted by ish__ at 9:59 PM on January 2, 2018
Best answer: Welcome to serious vaping. I tried the subtle stuff. I tried using whatever the vape store guys recommended. I had leaking tanks, irritating chargers, frustrating lack of battery life, annoying coils, etc etc, for a few years. Then I realized I had to spend some money or I would keep getting frustrated and sneaking cigarettes.
Since then, I've tried the Aspire Nautilus atomizers (tanks), which NEVER LEAK they say (they're wrong), and various other foolproof perfect set ups. I used Kangertech tanks for a long time, and those were OK. Kangertech makes a quality mod (the bottom thingy with the batteries). I've made a lot of friends who work at vape shops just because I show up a lot and ask stupid things like, "Find me a liquid that tastes great but doesn't leave a strong smell behind," or "For the love of god, how do I change this coil out again?"
Agree with ish - shop your vape stores liquids. If the first vape shop you go into doesn't click for you, try another. Also figure out what brands you like. Then plop down about 100 bucks for your first tank + mod, some extra coils, and a few liquids you like (yeah, 6 mg is probably plenty). Some vape shops will be like, "Oh, you like fruity flavors? Try this. And this. And this."
I'd also recommend a Smok Cloud Beast. Thing is awesome, I've had it for a few months, but the baby beast I had before (upgraded because I wanted something bigger) never leaked in the almost year I used it. Ever. Neither has this one.
Then there is the mod. I know what worked for me and what didn't. I bought a Smok one (because it was purple) and it held four batteries (18650 2500mAh 3.6v Rechargeable Flat Top Batteries - Samsung or LG seem to be quality). Then I bought four extra batteries and a battery charger. Turned out the size annoyed me, and the bottom clip to pull the batteries out was dodgy, so I switched to a Wismec (Wismec Reuleaux RX GEN3 Mod Kit by Jaybo, ~50 bucks), which holds 3 batteries and has a great clip, easy to open when I swap, and feels sturdy. 3 Batteries last me a day, and at night I swap them out and charge the other 3. I vape heavily (heavily!) and I go through a coil every 3 weeks maybe? You have to open the tank, unscrew the coil, put the new coil in, stick some liquid in there, and bam, done. The tank is super easy to refill - I buy whatever liquid and then transfer it to squeezy plastic bottles with small tips (which are called unicorn bottles, which amuses me).
It is WELL worth spending a little extra and having something you love. Don't try to get by, don't settle. Just find what you love and what works and get it. Even if it does turn out to be a pen vape. I've traveled from a small pen vape to a larger tank to a mod and tank, and I think the last step in this quest is to make my own coils and drip the liquid. But screw that. Ain't nobody got time for that around here. Just feed me the nicotine, man, make it taste nice, and don't make changing a coil into rocket science. Last words of warning - my (yes adult) son used some dodgy batteries and his mod exploded. But then he said, "Yeah well, the plastic casing stuff was coming off, and I'd had them for some years, but I couldn't afford to replace them at the time." I can't remember the brand of them, but since then, I have stuck to LG and Samsung (which they were not).
posted by routergirl at 11:01 PM on January 2, 2018 [2 favorites]
Since then, I've tried the Aspire Nautilus atomizers (tanks), which NEVER LEAK they say (they're wrong), and various other foolproof perfect set ups. I used Kangertech tanks for a long time, and those were OK. Kangertech makes a quality mod (the bottom thingy with the batteries). I've made a lot of friends who work at vape shops just because I show up a lot and ask stupid things like, "Find me a liquid that tastes great but doesn't leave a strong smell behind," or "For the love of god, how do I change this coil out again?"
Agree with ish - shop your vape stores liquids. If the first vape shop you go into doesn't click for you, try another. Also figure out what brands you like. Then plop down about 100 bucks for your first tank + mod, some extra coils, and a few liquids you like (yeah, 6 mg is probably plenty). Some vape shops will be like, "Oh, you like fruity flavors? Try this. And this. And this."
I'd also recommend a Smok Cloud Beast. Thing is awesome, I've had it for a few months, but the baby beast I had before (upgraded because I wanted something bigger) never leaked in the almost year I used it. Ever. Neither has this one.
Then there is the mod. I know what worked for me and what didn't. I bought a Smok one (because it was purple) and it held four batteries (18650 2500mAh 3.6v Rechargeable Flat Top Batteries - Samsung or LG seem to be quality). Then I bought four extra batteries and a battery charger. Turned out the size annoyed me, and the bottom clip to pull the batteries out was dodgy, so I switched to a Wismec (Wismec Reuleaux RX GEN3 Mod Kit by Jaybo, ~50 bucks), which holds 3 batteries and has a great clip, easy to open when I swap, and feels sturdy. 3 Batteries last me a day, and at night I swap them out and charge the other 3. I vape heavily (heavily!) and I go through a coil every 3 weeks maybe? You have to open the tank, unscrew the coil, put the new coil in, stick some liquid in there, and bam, done. The tank is super easy to refill - I buy whatever liquid and then transfer it to squeezy plastic bottles with small tips (which are called unicorn bottles, which amuses me).
It is WELL worth spending a little extra and having something you love. Don't try to get by, don't settle. Just find what you love and what works and get it. Even if it does turn out to be a pen vape. I've traveled from a small pen vape to a larger tank to a mod and tank, and I think the last step in this quest is to make my own coils and drip the liquid. But screw that. Ain't nobody got time for that around here. Just feed me the nicotine, man, make it taste nice, and don't make changing a coil into rocket science. Last words of warning - my (yes adult) son used some dodgy batteries and his mod exploded. But then he said, "Yeah well, the plastic casing stuff was coming off, and I'd had them for some years, but I couldn't afford to replace them at the time." I can't remember the brand of them, but since then, I have stuck to LG and Samsung (which they were not).
posted by routergirl at 11:01 PM on January 2, 2018 [2 favorites]
I'm with sockless on the Joyetech eGo AIO and I'll just drop my previous answer to mostly the same question.
posted by zengargoyle at 1:46 AM on January 3, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by zengargoyle at 1:46 AM on January 3, 2018 [1 favorite]
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