Noobs Looking for Some Advice

[va_cpl757]

My boyfriend and I are fairly new to vapes and using them in general. He is a former heavy smoker, and while I used to smoke, it was all for flavor (less than a pack a month). About a year ago we tried Blu ecigs. They were good for a while and served their purpose. When my boyfriend's e-pack quit charging, I basically gave him mine and he eventually gave up on them. We recently bought some cheap egos and I haven't had any problems with mine, but his has a LOT of problems. First of all, his doesn't give the same flavor mine does. His flavor is much more muted. Second, his battery doesn't work with my battery. It should, we are supposed to have the same battery. Third, his atomizers burn out really fast. I really thought he was just being ridiculous, since I haven't had any problems with mine.

Anyway, we're looking to upgrade to mods. We've been to a few local shops, and we are looking to buy from one. My boyfriend is set on buying one in the store, but I do a lot of online shopping, and am curious if there are any brands you would suggest? We are looking for drippers, since neither of us need the nicotine and we won't be using them 24/7. They've been suggested to us a few times, and the people we know who use them seem to really like them. On top of that, cotton balls seem cheaper than countless atomizers.

I'm looking for an affordable set up, but I want to be able to customize it. My boyfriend wants the same thing, but he wants to buy his from the store because he's worried about pieces not fitting or threading together properly. Is this an issue? Should I follow him on this, or is he being overly cautious about it?

Also, I don't understand any of the electrical stuff. Is that really important for me to know when buying one? If so, what do I really need to know? I'm not intending to be working on this thing a whole lot, just vaping it, so I'm not trying to get a Ph.D. in the subject.

Thank you for any and all help you can give!

Joe & Molly

[fishguy1123]

Welcome to VT! As far as buying from a local shop (B&M) there is nothing wrong with that. You will generaly find the same products cheaper online, and you can search the site for recomendations on reputable ones here. As far as going from a basic setup like you have now to a mech mod and and rda (dripper) as it sounds like you're describeing, definately not a simple thing to do. You will need to do a fair amount of research on building coils, safe battery info, precautions, wicking styles, and also purchase a dedicated ohm reader to start.

I don't want to make it sound overly difficult, but it will take some commitment to do it properly and enjoy it. I would honestly suggest a good vv/vw device and some good tanks (clearomizers) that will likely give you all the enjoyment, and less hassle.

Although you may have your own reasons for vapeing, may I ask what draws you both to it since you don't need the nic to stay off smokeing?

Edited July 14, 2014 by fishguy1123

[va_cpl757]

Thanks fishguy1123!

We aren't really trying to get into all the technical aspect and build our own rda's. The guy at the shop explained it like we just picked parts and assembled it. I know people manufacture and build their own, but that's not really what we're after. I could see Joe getting into all of the mechanics somewhere down the line, but I just want a more reliable vape, and so far it seems like people think we should get rdas based on how we use them. Is getting an rda that much more complicated than we've been led to believe?

We used to be big hookah smokers, even after we both completely quit analogs, until Joe's roommate smashed their hookah into the wall (anger issues). I have a small hookah, but it's just not the same. We love the flavors of shisha, so when we tried vapes, it filled the gap as well as being healthier. For the most part, we use non nic e-juice unless we can't get a flavor we want with 0 nic.

[mvince201]

RDA's require extensive research and understanding. It's not a simple thing to just jump into. If you are looking to step up without getting too far into it, I would suggest trying a variable voltage mod with a tank such as the nautilus or pro-tank.

[mvince201]

If you are looking to get into building coils on RDA's and the like I would suggest watching some tutorial videos and researching online until you basically feel comfortable enough that you could pick up some wire and build a coil. Only then should you actually start buying the things you require. Hope we could help.

[fishguy1123]

Honestly, I'd suggest you focus on quality tanks and a good vv/vw device based on that. If you want more info we can provide it. Don't want to overwhelm you with to many models etc... but know that a good vape experience can be had without takeing the step into rda's. If you choose to go to that level, we can walk you through it. The investment overall will be greater, and the hands on level will be also.

[Earthling789]

I gotta agree with mvince and fishguy... a good vape experience can be had with a good quality tank, good juice, and a VV or VV/VW battery. Move up to dripping and MODs once you have some experience, or are willing to put in the time to learn the in's and out's of it... and be safe doing it...

BTW, Welcome!

[jllbms]

Please look at my thread below, Cigar Smoker, for some great recommendations that I received, and a photo of what I ended up with.

[Tam]

There's a learning curve to vaping in general but it's steeper with a mod and RDA and coil building. If you're interested in just vaping, like the advice you were given above by our knowledgeable members have said, I would also suggest getting something like a Vision Spinner 2 or an MVP 2 for batteries. Add an Aerotank, Aerotank mini, Kanger Pro Tank (2 or 3), some extra coils (the three tanks I mentioned all use the same coils), some juice and you should be ready to go. Fairly simple and much less fuss and expense than having to buy an ohm meter, wire, drill bits, wicking, torch, and other stuff to build a coil for an RDA.

[va_cpl757]

Thank you guys so much. I did some research online and it doesn't look as complicated as I initially thought it was going to be. My ex made it sound like you had to manufacture your own mod and build all the electrical work to do any of this. I was thinking you had to have an engineering degree with an electrician certificate because you'd be building a circuit board or something crazy like that. Obviously you need to understand how it works, but it doesn't seem nearly as complex now that I've done a little research.

Joe and I went into the store again today and the guy really helped us out a lot. He basically gave us a run down on all the information and told us that an rda wouldn't be a bad idea for how we're going to use it. He suggested a vv just like everyone on here, but also said that we're likely to just come back in a few months and get a mod and an rda, so we might as well just figure them out now. He taught us a lot about them and showed us how to make a few different types of coils since we went ahead and bought one of the two set ups we're getting. He told us to look up videos on youtube for coils if we want to try other styles as well as vids for how to use our rda before we start. He made it very clear about battery safety. I'm going back tomorrow to buy the other. I'll probably sit down with whoever is at the shop and ask like every other question known to man. I'm free tomorrow, whereas Joe has work, so I will probably just sit down with someone experienced to help me understand what I need to know. The two guys we talked to at the shop really put my mind at ease about it and were really eager to help us learn. I definitely feel much more confident knowing I can go up there for help, which are basically my only plans for tomorrow. Buy my set up and learn everything the shop boys can teach me about it.

Do you guys have any suggestions about videos we should watch? Any channels on YouTube that you would suggest to us? We were told to check out Grim Green and Rip Trippers. There was another guy who's name started with a P, but I have no clue how to spell it.

[mvince201]

Rip trippers' coil build videos are extremely informative and easy to follow. I highly suggest watching his video's for any coil building. Grim Green does some pretty good reviews but I have not seen any tutorial videos from him. Pbusardo is a very reputable vaper and does excellent and very informative videos as well.

[Mtdobies]

What he said^^^^

[va_cpl757]

Rip trippers' coil build videos are extremely informative and easy to follow. I highly suggest watching his video's for any coil building. Grim Green does some pretty good reviews but I have not seen any tutorial videos from him. Pbusardo is a very reputable vaper and does excellent and very informative videos as well.

Yep. Those are the 3 we were told to watch.

[mvince201]

Sounds like your local shop guys are fairly knowledgeable. Good thing, that's hard to find where I live.

[va_cpl757]

Sounds like your local shop guys are fairly knowledgeable. Good thing, that's hard to find where I live.

There are a few shops that just sell and don't really have the knowledge, but 2/3 of the shops I've visited in our area (there are apparently something like 25 total) are staffed by guys who build and work on vapes all the time. They really know these things inside and out.

[va_cpl757]

Here are some pictures of our vapes. We both got Stingrays, but I got a Stillare and Joe got a TOBH (I think?). Joe also replaced his drip tip to have a skull tip, but I didn't take pix of that.

Joe initially tried a nano build, but when my stovetop build was working better than his, he had me make him some stovetops, too. The picture of the coils without heat was before I finished adjusting them on Joe's atty, so they look a little sloppy. We took our work into the shop and the guy was really impressed with them since they were my first two builds. I apparently also impressed him with my french inhale when I tried my atty out on the Stingray mod I bought there. Lol. I didn't think frenchies were that cool. It's not like I made rings go into rings or anything like that, I just didn't want my throat set on fire.

So what do you guys think?