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The curse of good gear [suggestions wanted]

jae

Silver Contributor
Member For 4 Years
Hey you guys! It's been awhile!

The past couple years i've been using the same setup:
  • RX200 in TC
  • Geekvape Griffin
  • Vaporesso Gemini
  • rayon wick
  • SS316 wire
  • LG HG2 batteries
I have a basic coiling kit and use a guitar pick to space windings - which is a pain in the ass tbh.

I generally vape the best cheap stuff i can find: Broke Dick Overdraft & TMaxx No Frills #32 vanilla bourbon custard. Usually at around 9-12mg, 50/50 or whatever.

Great setup, more or less. And it's lasted forever! I haven't had to do shit really. But it's getting old, and i've always had issues getting the wick just right to avoid leaking/dry hits. My RX200 is starting to fall apart.
  • I like that my RX200 has been so goddamn reliable and solid. The settings on it are a huge plus.
  • i like a decent sized tank i can drip down into if i run dry, with an easy & quick build, good throat & flavor
  • i really love readyXwick but haven't found any good application in years, due to the fairly awful wicking characteristics
  • i'm a TC addict
  • i hate making coils only because spacing them out evenly has been such a hassle
It's been so long since i've been in the circuit, so to speak, that i have no idea what's out there anymore, or who the go-to reliable vendors are. (I used to use vapenw, but not since they changed ownership.)

So i'm asking like some god damn noob: what's good these days? If i generally like what i've already got, but don't like the common drawbacks, what are some really good options to update my gear, preferably without breaking my budget? (I only work part-time for reasons and can't usually spend more than maybe $100 in a month on luxury crap.) And who is your favorite place to buy from online?

Thanks everyone! I can't wait to hear your recommendations!
 

jae

Silver Contributor
Member For 4 Years
How many watts do you vape at typically Jeremy? Do you want a smaller mod or isn't that an issue?
I use temp control, usually set to 35-50w, 400-500F. I don't necessarily want a smaller mod.

Like i said, i like what i've got now... but i need to replace it with updated hardware. So, instead of getting another 2004 Toyota Corolla, i'd like to know what people think of more modern devices within similar range of price, features, etc. I haven't had to shop around or keep up with trends for a couple of years now.

Thanks!
 

Vape Fan

_evil twin_
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I haven't used it but hear nothing but good about http://smoant.com/cylon-218w-color-screen-tc-mod/index.html and it's <$50 at FastTech. If you had 2 months of luxury cap you could go for DNA 75C or 250C for it's Replay with your SS.
I use temp control, usually set to 35-50w, 400-500F. I don't necessarily want a smaller mod.
At that wattage, using TC, with that budget-
HCigar VT75D
Creator 75C if you can find one in a color you like.
or other dual battery 75C mod.
 
Last edited:

zephyr

Dirty Pirate Meg
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Are you using the origial Griffin? I used to love that tank except for wicking - I use an Ijoy Exo now which is similar, but holds more liquid and has wayyy bigger juice ports. Also pretty cheap, like $20 (been using it for over a year now!!!)

IMG_20180511_111824_crop_528x743.jpg

For your mod, there are newer versions of the RX like the 200S, 2/3, and Gen 3 (oldest to newest I think)

For spacing your coils, man after you wind them on your rod, pull the outer wraps apart while it's still on the rod - it's that easy to get perfect spacing

I actually have an RX200 too that I used by itself until I got a school refund this January

You might find some good deals in the Trading Post on the forum, too - I'm thinking about listing a few mods pretty soon, myself, when I get time
 

zephyr

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It looks like the Ijoy is getting harder to find, it's kinda older...maybe a Geekvape Ammit? There are dual and single coil versions, easier wicking than the older Griffins
 

jwill

The Great King of Nothing
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While not a new device the Kooper Primus is a war horse and can be had for cheap. It's very Well built, checks all the boxes and doesn't look bad (if that matters). It is one of only a handful of regulated mods still in the rotation. A Steam Crave Aromamizer plus would check all your boxes as well.

I have never used TC mode but folks that have used the Primus that do havent complained.
 

jae

Silver Contributor
Member For 4 Years
I haven't used it but hear nothing but good about http://smoant.com/cylon-218w-color-screen-tc-mod/index.html and it's <$50 at FastTech. If you had 2 months of luxury cap you could go for DNA 75C or 250C for it's Replay with your SS.

At that wattage, using TC, with that budget-
HCigar VT75D
Creator 75C if you can find one in a color you like.
or other dual battery 75C mod.
Been looking at that Cylon. It looks nice! I haven't shopped at FT in forever though, and got really tired of their six week shipping times. I'm checking some stuff out over at VaporDNA. They seem like maybe the next best thing to classic, pre-takeover vapeNW...?
 

jae

Silver Contributor
Member For 4 Years
Are you using the origial Griffin? I used to love that tank except for wicking - I use an Ijoy Exo now which is similar, but holds more liquid and has wayyy bigger juice ports. Also pretty cheap, like $20 (been using it for over a year now!!!)

View attachment 111379

For your mod, there are newer versions of the RX like the 200S, 2/3, and Gen 3 (oldest to newest I think)

For spacing your coils, man after you wind them on your rod, pull the outer wraps apart while it's still on the rod - it's that easy to get perfect spacing

I actually have an RX200 too that I used by itself until I got a school refund this January

You might find some good deals in the Trading Post on the forum, too - I'm thinking about listing a few mods pretty soon, myself, when I get time
I'm leaning toward the Gen 3 w/ Arctic Fire firmware.

Tried that method last night and it worked well enough, though i did still poke the guitar pick through each gap to space it out a bit more.

I think my Griffin is maybe a 2nd gen? It's about 2 years old.
 

jae

Silver Contributor
Member For 4 Years
While not a new device the Kooper Primus is a war horse and can be had for cheap. It's very Well built, checks all the boxes and doesn't look bad (if that matters). It is one of only a handful of regulated mods still in the rotation. A Steam Crave Aromamizer plus would check all your boxes as well.

I have never used TC mode but folks that have used the Primus that do havent complained.
Definitely looks solid. Not sure if i like the aesthetics as much as the Wismecs and Smoaks but i'll keep it in mind for sure. Thanks!
 

Vape Fan

_evil twin_
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Is this your Griffin? https://www.geekvape.com/project/griffin-2/
Don't know where you are. FT takes 9 days for me here in the states.
I've bought from VapeNW before but quickly moved away due to their pricing.
VaporDNA is good, have ongoing coupons, and ship fast.
 
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inspects

Squonkamaniac
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I haven't used it but hear nothing but good about http://smoant.com/cylon-218w-color-screen-tc-mod/index.html and it's <$50 at FastTech. If you had 2 months of luxury cap you could go for DNA 75C or 250C for it's Replay with your SS.

At that wattage, using TC, with that budget-
HCigar VT75D
Creator 75C if you can find one in a color you like.
or other dual battery 75C mod.
Yep, have had one since their fruition, works nice, temp control works good too.
 
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jae

Silver Contributor
Member For 4 Years
Is this your Griffin? https://www.geekvape.com/project/griffin-2/
Don't know where you are. FT takes 9 days for me here in the states.
I've bought from VapeNW before but quickly moved away due to their pricing.
VaporDNA is good, have ongoing coupons, and ship fast.
Looks like mine, but the juice flow holes on mine are oval, so i'm not sure.

Man that Zeus is turning my head. I like the concept of leak-proof. Anybody had any experience with that? Leaking is the bane of my existence.
 

Vape Fan

_evil twin_
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Footoon Aqua Reboot

Consider AsMODus Zesthia
 
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jae

Silver Contributor
Member For 4 Years
i think i'm gonna go with an RX Gen3 (300 watt) + Blitzen RTA + Kendo Gold (heard good things about that). Mostly through VaporDNA and Vaporbeast, plus some odds and ends from FT incl. a Reload clone
 

jae

Silver Contributor
Member For 4 Years
Got my brand new Gen3 yesterday! Here it is:

https://imgur.com/a/0fvjt5c
X52ZxKn
gh0VMmF
Ymuj4N2


I tripped over a table top while helping my aunt set up a garage sale in the dark late last night. Not even a full 12 hours with my brand new baby!
 

jwill

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Sucks bro.
 
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jae

Silver Contributor
Member For 4 Years
i managed to bend (and, er, break) the battery cover enough to close. It seems pretty iffy so i'm definitely trepidatious about it staying put without my batteries going flying off in every direction. I've written to Wismec to see if i can score a replacement battery door, though i've no illusions they would come through. Still, it beats having a $48 paperweight i only ever got to use for several hours.

Here's my screen:
 

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