Help me quit the cancer sticks

[cjarborite]

Hi All, this looks like a welcoming community and I humbly beg for your advice.

I do see that there is a thread already titled "What is the best for me starting?" But it's 6 years old and I'm sure the market has changed so....

I'm fairly light smoker of about 25 years, I go through about a pack and a half per week, tops. Can often stretch a pack to a full week or more. I know, I know, this is absolutely nothing compared to a lot of people. But it's more
than I want and I just want to be done with it. I'm concerned about my health, both mentally and physically. I don't smoke around my family, friends, co-workers, or anyone I know because I don't need the judgement (I have enough insecurities as it is) and I know it smells fucking horrible. I'm not even a big fan of it myself anymore.

Despite my relatively low intake, I still have problems quitting. About half the time I try to quit, I fall into the "just one more pack and then I'll be done" loop of self-treachery. The other half of the time, I manage to quit
with some degree of success. The whole first week after quitting is absolutely brutal. We're talking anger, depression, insomnia, lack of focus, you get it. In a nutshell, I'm a real bastard to be and be around. My family deserves better. It's possible that even I deserve better. But when I manage to power through that, I'm generally fine for a few weeks until something negative happens in my life and then I'm back to square one. I have two kids, a full-time job, a recently deceased father, and I'm trying to start a side hustle on top of it all and I can't afford to have entire weeks of my life wasted anymore. Even if I never quit cigs completely, I'll cry like a grown-ass man if I manage to find a workable substitute for the other 95% of the time.

So! I think it's time to start investigating. Here is where I could use some advice. Instead of trying to make a boring story out of it, here are the simple facts as they stand:

• I'm a geek who knows electronics fairly well but I don't understand most of the terminology around vaping. WTF is a mod or a squonk even? I dunno! It feels like an area that is a Serious Hobby for most of the people who talk about it online. I have more than enough hobbies and right now I can't afford to spend weeks on researching the field. I just know I need some help to help get my life back on an upward trajectory. Point me in the right direction, and I'll probably figure things out as I go along.
  
  
• I tried a mint-flavored BLU e-cig but the whole experience was extremely underwhelming. It didn't last long, didn't satisfy, didn't seem to do much of anything except irritate the back of my throat which even cigs don't (usually) do. Instead of spending the $8, I should have just taken apart a bic pen and smeared some York Peppermint Patty around the inside and taken a few drags off that instead.
  
  
• Flavor and body-wise, I'm hoping that there's something that approximates a menthol light cig. Legitimately don't know if this is even possible. I do know that there is an insane variety of flavors out there but 99% of them don't sound appealing. I've been eating keto for about 8 years and sweets do nothing for me anymore.
  
  
• Cost is a consideration. Can vaping be less expensive than smoking? The branded products they sell at gas stations seem to be high-priced and given my experience with the BLU, I don't want to blow like $50 on something I'm going to hate.
  
  
• There are a couple of vape shops in town, I think. Are local shops sometimes worthwhile or should I focus my efforts at buying online?
  
  
• Re: buying online. This doesn't seem to be the kind of thing that Amazon carries and I know not to buy this stuff off random ebay listings from China. (Unless it's a really good deal, amirite?!) What are the reputable, trusted Internet retailers in this space? With reviews and honest descriptions? What brands of devices should I be looking at?
  
  
• Not even remotely interested in getting high on any of this, just the nicotine plz.
  
  
• Whatever I buy, I'd like to be discreet to purchase, store, and carry. Don't need my wife seeing a box marked "E-CIG VAPE SUPPLIES INSIDE" nor my kids stumbling across any of this. The one and only nice thing about the BLU is that it was the size, shape, and color of a pen and could be carried or hidden just about anywhere. Most of the vaping devices I see are bloody enormous and definitely would be visible in a pair of jeans, if they would even fit.

So, if you were in my shoes, what device would you buy? Feel free to ask me any follow-up questions, I'll be hanging around.

 

[5150sick]

Welcome to the forum

The Smoant Pasito is a nice tiny device.

 

[f1r3b1rd]

As far as the kids go, your best bet is to educate them on the item. I work from home and my office has a large shelf filled with mods, Atomizers, juice, diy mixing supplies and building supplies. The kids know not to touch any of it.

as per what to buy. I try not to look at pods much. They have their place for sure. Problem for me is with longevity. The political world and vaping are at odds, and come the end of September some hardware may become scarce. For that reason and that reason I alone, I would look into an rta (rebuildable tank atomizer) and learn how to build it. Since you don’t know how, I would also look at a stock coil tank to use while you learn. I would also get both an 18650 regulated mod and a mechanical mod for future use in the event that the regulated mod fails.
for tanks I would look at the ares rebuildable by Innokin for the rebuildable and the Aspire Nautilus GT for the stock coils

for the regulated mod i would look into the aegis series. They are tough, fairly accurate and have proven themselves. It may look bulky but considering they can handle so much punishment, it would be worth it for me.

for the mechanical, I’m not comfortable recommending a tube mod. As I haven’t followed that market very closely in recent times.

online shops I buy from a lot
Element vape
Direct vapor
Evcigarettes
Local vape
My vapor store
Ecigitty
Myvpro

 

[cjarborite]

Thanks for the suggestions so far, I will look them up.

I'm still not up on all the lingo yet. What's a mod? Short for "module"? Pod? I know what an 18650 is, I have a ton of them on my workbench.

 

[Wb80]

Thanks for the suggestions so far, I will look them up.

I'm still not up on all the lingo yet. What's a mod? Short for "module"? Pod? I know what an 18650 is, I have a ton of them on my workbench.

The 18650s need to be flat top not button top and higher amp ratings
Battery safety is a must

 

[Carambrda]

Welcome. A mod is a separate device that delivers the battery power to a so-called atomizer with a 510 connector that screws on top of the mod... they once used to be modded (modified) flashlights, before they got commercialised. The atomizer is what holds the coil(s) to evaporate e-liquid, or "juice". A squonker, or squonk mod has a bottle that you can squeeze to pump juice through a 510 connector the center pin in which is hollow so for that you need a Bottom Feed (BF) atomizer.

Menthol cigarette flavor certainly is possible, try Virginia/BurleyCowboy Menthol from here:

Real Tobacco Extract :: Natural Vape e-liquid

Real Tobacco Extracts has the best natural tobacco flavored e-liquid and vape juice, all 100% USA made. Naturally Extracted Tobacco e-cigarette

real-tobacco-extract.com

 

[f1r3b1rd]

Thanks for the suggestions so far, I will look them up.

I'm still not up on all the lingo yet. What's a mod? Short for "module"? Pod? I know what an 18650 is, I have a ton of them on my workbench.

atomizer is the item that turns the liquid into Vaper
Mod is the item with the battery that fires or applies energy to the atomizer
18650 is the battery
You want flat top 20a batteries usually

here is a good glossary for our jargon

Vaping Glossary of Terms

Here you go fellow Vapers... if like me your were confused by the myriad of terms used in these forums and elsewhere please find the below. courtesy of http://www.bestclearomizer.com/ultimate-vaping-glossary/ # 26650 – These are batteries that have typically been known for good sub-ohming...

vapingunderground.com

Some other good info to help you get started

Awesome Video for Vaping 101 for Beginners

What is Vaping?

vapingunderground.com

 

[Walter Ladd]

I can tell you what worked for me after 40 years of smoking - but it isn't what most people do. The vaping industry is no longer about smoking cessation anymore in my opinion. I love tobacco but not the smoke.
I went through various devices V2, Blu, mechanical mods (battery with a button), and hundreds of vape juice flavors - I almost gave up....
I didn't feel I was getting anywhere and was about to give up when a friend gave me a Kayfun atomizer loaded with a natural tobacco extract. It hit the spot and renewed my faith that something out there would actually work as a smoking alternate for me.
So get yourself something like this I think:

Aspire Lite Kit. It Cheap, light and small. The coils are the original BVC coils that should be available anywhere. It is not my recommendation for the long haul but it works well and once you know what you like and you decide that vaping works for you you can go shopping for a better one at more cost.
Flavor -wise only natural tobacco extract worked for me. More expensive than synthetic flavorings but it hits the target I need it to. I settled on "Real Tobacco Extracts" years ago and they never disappointed me in the last 6 years. They have a Menthol that is excellent real menthol with a Burley/Virginia extract "Cowboy Menthol": The tobacco is mild and the menthol can be light, med or strong if you request it that way.

I hope this helps you. It works for me.

 

[Wb80]

I can tell you what worked for me after 40 years of smoking - but it isn't what most people do. The vaping industry is no longer about smoking cessation anymore in my opinion. I love tobacco but not the smoke.
I went through various devices V2, Blu, mechanical mods (battery with a button), and hundreds of vape juice flavors - I almost gave up....
I didn't feel I was getting anywhere and was about to give up when a friend gave me a Kayfun atomizer loaded with a natural tobacco extract. It hit the spot and renewed my faith that something out there would actually work as a smoking alternate for me.
So get yourself something like this I think:
View attachment 164910
Aspire Lite Kit. It Cheap, light and small. The coils are the original BVC coils that should be available anywhere. It is not my recommendation for the long haul but it works well and once you know what you like and you decide that vaping works for you you can go shopping for a better one at more cost.
Flavor -wise only natural tobacco extract worked for me. More expensive than synthetic flavorings but it hits the target I need it to. I settled on "Real Tobacco Extracts" years ago and they never disappointed me in the last 6 years. They have a Menthol that is excellent real menthol with a Burley/Virginia extract "Cowboy Menthol": The tobacco is mild and the menthol can be light, med or strong if you request it that way.
View attachment 164911
I hope this helps you. It works for me.

Mite try that juice for my wife. She loves the way mine smells but wont swich from her28yr menthol cigg habbit.

 

[MyMagicMist]

WTF is a mod or a squonk even? I dunno! It feels like an area that is a Serious Hobby for most of the people who talk about it online.

A mod is the part of the device pair that holds your battery/ies. A squonk is a type of mod where you have a bottle of juice also where you got battery/ies. Not all mods are squonk mods.

Squonking is "lazy" way to do dripping. That's where you carry extra juice and drip into an RDA (Rebuildable Dripping Atomizer) styled atomizer (atty). An atty is the other part of the device pair making an ENDS/APV (Electronic Nicotine Delivery System & Advanced Personal Vaporizer respectively). The atty is what holds the coil, the coil atomizes the juice into the vapor.

Yes, it can be a serious hobby, or a habit. It's worth the "investing" for a good number of us as we swap the habit of smoking for it. Less risk health wise is a big reason why we do. Also, vaping is relatively clean. No more ash, or butts. No more yellow fingers, or teeth. No more noxious odor. You can make your vape smell like a perfume factory if you so desire.

You actually can find a good mid range kit for $30 to $50 that'll do, without needing to get too "stuck in". I would suggest shopping at FastTech. They sell authentic gear as well as "styled" or clone gear. A lot of the clone gear is 1 to 1 clones meaning it may as well be authentic except for the logos.

 

[bobnat]

• Don't need my wife seeing a box marked "E-CIG VAPE SUPPLIES INSIDE" nor my kids stumbling across any of this.

Maybe I'm interpreting this wrongly, but if your wife isn't 100% behind you vaping to get off cigarettes, then you're starting at a disadvantage. My wife fully supported me and that helped tremendously.

I have two boys who were 8 and 11 when I started vaping. I told them in no uncertain terms, "Keep your curious hands off my shit or you'll be sorry". Never a problem with them at all. I have trained them to fetch them for me as well.

 

[MyMagicMist]

I have trained them to fetch them for me as well.

If only I could get my dog to do that. *chuckles* Damn, I now realize a disadvantage of having only critter children. *lol*

 

[Carambrda]

Maybe I'm interpreting this wrongly, but if your wife isn't 100% behind you vaping to get off cigarettes, then you're starting at a disadvantage.

Yes you are interpreting it wrongly. Because, if your wife isn't 100% behind you vaping to get off cigarettes, then you can sell your wife and use the money to buy vape gear so, you're starting at an advantage.

 

[Carambrda]

I can tell you what worked for me after 40 years of smoking - but it isn't what most people do. The vaping industry is no longer about smoking cessation anymore in my opinion. I love tobacco but not the smoke.
I went through various devices V2, Blu, mechanical mods (battery with a button), and hundreds of vape juice flavors - I almost gave up....
I didn't feel I was getting anywhere and was about to give up when a friend gave me a Kayfun atomizer loaded with a natural tobacco extract. It hit the spot and renewed my faith that something out there would actually work as a smoking alternate for me.
So get yourself something like this I think:
View attachment 164910
Aspire Lite Kit. It Cheap, light and small. The coils are the original BVC coils that should be available anywhere. It is not my recommendation for the long haul but it works well and once you know what you like and you decide that vaping works for you you can go shopping for a better one at more cost.
Flavor -wise only natural tobacco extract worked for me. More expensive than synthetic flavorings but it hits the target I need it to. I settled on "Real Tobacco Extracts" years ago and they never disappointed me in the last 6 years. They have a Menthol that is excellent real menthol with a Burley/Virginia extract "Cowboy Menthol": The tobacco is mild and the menthol can be light, med or strong if you request it that way.
View attachment 164911
I hope this helps you. It works for me.

Personally, I, am on the opposite side of the spectrum. I was late to the party when I stopped smoking 3 years and a half ago by jumping head first into high wattage vaping, at 80 watts on handbuilt coils in an RDA, which caused me to instantly come off 16-17 normal cigarettes per day. Instantly, i.e., entirely skipping the so-called "dual use" phase that constitutes both smoking and vaping interchangeably, and skipping it in such a particular way that I did not experience any cravings. This "skipping of the dual use phase" is something that most people can't. So I guess that makes me living proof that it is nonetheless possible. Contrary to those who systematically try to steer every newcomer toward low wattage vaping, suggesting that if it works for me, it should work for you, I keep a much more open mind because, after all, back at the time when high wattage vaping didn't exist yet, more than 4 out of 5 smokers who tried vaping still also went back to smoking normal cigarettes. I.e., vaping as a smoking cessation tool wasn't any better then. Which is why I will have to disagree with your stance that the vaping industry no longer is about smoking cessation. Steering newcomers systematically away from high wattage, as opposed to encouraging them to find out for theirself whether they prefer low or medium or high wattage, is what isn't about smoking cessation. Instead of blaming the industry, try blaming yourself instead.

 

[Master Rahl]

If I were you what I would be looking for is a high wattage squonk device. That way you can try low/medium/high wattage vaping all with one device to see which appeals to you the most. Squonk keep eliquid in a bottle held in the battery device (mod) and you simply press the bottle to squeeze the ejuice into the atomizer you place on top of the mod. The profile rebuildable dripping atomizer (rda) is a very easy to build atomizer device and would work well on top of any squonk device. As far as your ejuice smoking as little as you do I would start with a 6 or even a 3 mg nicotine ejuice, and if you are looking for more menthol flavor blends any juice labeled with the word ICE in it sounds like what you are looking for. I hope this helps. If you have any direct questions feel free to pm me. I was a heavy smoker for 15 years before I quit. It has been over 2 years since my last cancer stick and I doubt I could smoke one whole one now if I tried.

 

[Carambrda]

If I were you what I would be looking for is a high wattage squonk device. That way you can try low/medium/high wattage vaping all with one device to see which appeals to you the most. Squonk keep eliquid in a bottle held in the battery device (mod) and you simply press the bottle to squeeze the ejuice into the atomizer you place on top of the mod. The profile rebuildable dripping atomizer (rda) is a very easy to build atomizer device and would work well on top of any squonk device. As far as your ejuice smoking as little as you do I would start with a 6 or even a 3 mg nicotine ejuice, and if you are looking for more menthol flavor blends any juice labeled with the word ICE in it sounds like what you are looking for. I hope this helps. If you have any direct questions feel free to pm me. I was a heavy smoker for 15 years before I quit. It has been over 2 years since my last cancer stick and I doubt I could smoke one whole one now if I tried.

The Wotofo Profile RDA isn't suitable for high wattage vaping. At least for what I call high wattage vaping, it most certainly isn't. However, the Profile 1.5 RDA, if using the wider version of mesh strips, is suitable for vaping at 100 watts. No matter still, it isn't really representative of high wattage vaping. You can call it that, because, technically, it is high wattage. But my point is, mesh doesn't come anywhere near close to what is possible to achieve with handbuilt complex coils in an RDA. That is, in terms of the vape experience that is both the flavor and the "feel" of the vapor.

A lot of people pitfall with the classic presumption that vaping should mimic smoking, when the reality is that vaping is that which smoking isn't. Discovering the confines of one's own personal comfort zone comes not from easy prejudice and/or from being dismissive, but from going through the extra effort of venturing into a much, MUCH closer approximation of what many of the more seasoned high wattage vapers tend to use daily. That's just because true high wattage vaping is a lot harder to explore than what almost everyone always recommends to newbies, which, also almost always, is virtually unrelated to true high wattage vaping. The latter option takes more effort, and it costs more money. So choosing the right type of vape isn't just about convenience. Normal cigarettes are more convenient than vaping. Relapsing back to normal cigarettes takes zero effort, as does abandoning vaping due to not getting a satisfying vape experience that is tailored to one's own personal needs. Needs, which vary from person to person a lot. Learning to rebuild an RDA with handbuilt complex coils is not for everyone, which makes it an inconvenience. But suffering constant cravings can turn out to be an even bigger inconvenience. Not neccessarily always of course, it depends like I said, but... I've seen it happen, more than a lot actually, pretty much everywhere around me.

As for squonking, yes it can be a good alternative choice to dripping on an RDA. But squonking limits choices, and, I'm incredibly lazy so, just the thought of cleaning out a squonk bottle and constantly refiling the bottle makes me feel tired. That's right, TRUE high wattage vaping also means I'd have to refill it at least half a dozen times per day, as squeezing the right amount of juice into the atomizer quickly becomes a major PITA each time after the bottle reaches half empty, and, high wattage vaping is normally associated with above-average juice consumption, anyway in the first place so... it all factually depends on personal preferences, and how those preferences can also have a non negligible impact on various many convenience factors.

Let me please elaborate on that. Waiting for the juice to get sucked up into the coils is one of those factors. I just aim some part of the juice that I dump down the middle of my drip tip onto those areas that force juice to reach the top part of the cotton wicks. Each time when I see people pulling off their top cap to "paint" juice onto the coils and wicks, I just silently shake my head. I only squonk whenever I need my vaping setup to be "handsfree". To me, that just almost never happens. The having to refill the squonk bottle kept happening to me at the most inconvenient times. To avoid that, I kept refilling it even more frequently until finally, I was dripping on my squonker more often than I was squonking on my squonker.

 

[Master Rahl]

Although I did recommend the profile I never stated mesh as the option for the build. Yes if you use mesh it is not a high wattage device but mesh is not the only option for the profile... unless I'm doing it wrong.

 

[Carambrda]

Although I did recommend the profile I never stated mesh as the option for the build. Yes if you use mesh it is not a high wattage device but mesh is not the only option for the profile... unless I'm doing it wrong.

I see no real reason to be getting the Profile if not going for mesh. There are countless RDAs out there that lend themselves a whole lot better toward finding out if true high wattage vaping on complex coils is a worthwile improvement with regards to being able to avoid cravings for normal cigarettes while trying to make the switch to vaping.

 

[bobnat]

If only I could get my dog to do that. *chuckles* Damn, I now realize a disadvantage of having only critter children. *lol*

I love my boys, but damn I'm going to be happy when they leave home.

 

[bobnat]

I was listening to a podcast just today about psychology and it's been widely noted that people's happiness levels begin increasing in their late 40's. There's a few reasons but a big one is that is when the kids are on their own. Having them buy me dinner on occasion will also make me happy.

 

[cjarborite]

I didn't expect so many responses and suggestions, thank you all greatly for your input. I'm going to sort through all of this and come back if I have any questions. I really, really appreciate it!

 

[Master Rahl]

I see no real reason to be getting the Profile if not going for mesh. There are countless RDAs out there that lend themselves a whole lot better toward finding out if true high wattage vaping on complex coils is a worthwile improvement with regards to being able to avoid cravings for normal cigarettes while trying to make the switch to vaping.

True the profile wouldnt be best for high wattage it was a suggestion for a cover all. You can literally try all cool types mesh and or otherwise on a single rda that is easy to build on for any beginner.

 

[Carambrda]

True the profile wouldnt be best for high wattage it was a suggestion for a cover all. You can literally try all cool types mesh and or otherwise on a single rda that is easy to build on for any beginner.

The thing with mesh is, in power mode it doesn't really perform that great, and, if going for TC instead, it limits mod choices while still not being able to hold a candle against vaping at around 100 watts on a decent pair of handbuilt alien coils, 28/36 Ni80 at 7 wraps 3mm ID (dual coil = .2 ohms). On he flip side, mesh is easier to rebuild of course, but not a whole lot easier. These alien coils last more than 2 months so, the cost is still relatively low in comparison. The same cannot be said about the performance, though...

 

[Master Rahl]

The thing with mesh is, in power mode it doesn't really perform that great, and, if going for TC instead, it limits mod choices while still not being able to hold a candle against vaping at around 100 watts on a decent pair of handbuilt alien coils, 28/36 Ni80 at 7 wraps 3mm ID (dual coil = .2 ohms). On he flip side, mesh is easier to rebuild of course, but not a whole lot easier. These alien coils last more than 2 months so, the cost is still relatively low in comparison. The same cannot be said about the performance, though...

We will simply have to agree to disagree. Personally I love mesh in power mode. Great flavor, huge clouds, and much easier to rebuild. To each their own.

 

[Carambrda]

We will simply have to agree to disagree. Personally I love mesh in power mode. Great flavor, huge clouds, and much easier to rebuild. To each their own.

People jump to that sort of conclusion simply because they've never actually even tried high wattage vaping on a decent pair of handbuilt alien coils. I've watched it all happen one too many times in the past. Not saying everyone really needs to go for the upper echalon in quality of the vape experience to be able to stop smoking, as in fact there also are those who manage to stop smoking completely without switching to vaping, nor saying there are no personal preferences also at play. But I read through comments like yours as if claiming there are no colors in a rainbow. It merits no reply.

 

[Master Rahl]

People jump to that sort of conclusion simply because they've never actually even tried high wattage vaping on a decent pair of handbuilt alien coils. I've watched it all happen one too many times in the past. Not saying everyone really needs to go for the upper echalon in quality of the vape experience to be able to stop smoking, as in fact there also are those who manage to stop smoking completely without switching to vaping, nor saying there are no personal preferences also at play. But I read through comments like yours as if claiming there are no colors in a rainbow. It merits no reply.

Then why reply..... high wattage wasn't my thing. May work great for others. I was simply offering advice to someone who asked for it. Not sure why this has turned into a back and forth over vaping style. There is no wrong way to do it. Simply finding what works for you is key. By no means am I saying others don't enjoy high wattage vaping or that it doesn't have it's own merit. There are more ways of vaping aside from yours.

 

[Carambrda]

Then why reply..... high wattage wasn't my thing. May work great for others. I was simply offering advice to someone who asked for it. Not sure why this has turned into a back and forth over vaping style. There is no wrong way to do it. Simply finding what works for you is key. By no means am I saying others don't enjoy high wattage vaping or that it doesn't have it's own merit. There are more ways of vaping aside from yours.

The reason why I wrote my reply is because, you're not the only one who is reading this thread. Just because high wattage wasn't your thing, doesn't also mean the OP has a crystal ball that will allow him to predict whether or not high wattage is going to be his thing... which brings me back to my point, that the reason why this has turned into a back and forth over vaping style is just your flagrant trolling about it. Enough said.

 

[Carambrda]

Don't feed the trolls.

 

[Master Rahl]

The reason why I wrote my reply is because, you're not the only one who is reading this thread. Just because high wattage wasn't your thing, doesn't also mean the OP has a crystal ball that will allow him to predict whether or not high wattage is going to be his thing... which brings me back to my point, that the reason why this has turned into a back and forth over vaping style is just your flagrant trolling about it. Enough said.

Did I not say high wattage vaping may work great for others..... duh. Guess you can't read as well as assume you know more than others. All I did was make a recommendation. You then replied with your 2 cents which I simply responded to. The profile can be used for all types of vaping. Different people have different styles. If he does like high wattage vaping I would not recommend keeping the profile for that. It is simply an easy rda to build on and try all vaping styles.

 

[Carambrda]

Did I not say high wattage vaping may work great for others..... duh. Guess you can't read as well as assume you know more than others. All I did was make a recommendation. You then replied with your 2 cents which I simply responded to. The profile can be used for all types of vaping. Different people have different styles. If he does like high wattage vaping I would not recommend keeping the profile for that. It is simply an easy rda to build on and try all vaping styles.

No, the Profile can NOT be used for all types of vaping. That's just because it can't be used for true high wattage vaping in any way, shape or form.

 

[Master Rahl]

I've had mine up to 130 but ok

 

[MyMagicMist]

"*ahem* Gentleman."

Don't make me stop this car! Damn it, I don't drive so why am I here? Oh yes, to hopefully inject some levity to diffuse this. Yes, I admit I'm late. That happens when I get sidetracked with life and other sundry tasks, and the server here goes down.

Have you ever considered buying Fuller Brushes? Well, if so you're not alone. Why is this relevant? It isn't and so I ask anyway. Why? Because I simply can. I love being irrelevant and bringing mirth, it so helps us all to recall we're all human.

 

[cjarborite]

I didn't realize my original post was just about a full month ago, dang!

The thread did get somewhat derailed, but it's all good. I'm new to vaping but _not_ by _any_ stretch am I new to the Internet. A contributor to the argument reached out to me to apologize, which I thought was exceptionally graceful.

So the last month has been insanely busy for me but now that I've had a chance to sit and catch my breath (nyar har), I'm happy to report that the last few weeks switching from cancer sticks to vaping has been a full success. So far, at least. I figured I would come back and update the thread so that hopefully someone else in my situation comes across it and reads about my experience.

My biggest dilemma was whether to try my luck with an online e-tailer or a local shop. Around here, retail shops for _anything_ are hit or miss. Some offer good service, some don't. Some have reasonable pricing, most don't. In particular, most of the vape shops around here have poor reviews online and/or cater to 420 crowd which I'm not interested in. But I decided that even though it would send my social anxiety through the roof, I would stop by one that looked promising.

To wit: it's been one of the better decisions I've ever made in my life. The dude behind the counter was friendly and patient. He answered my questions with aplomb and sold me a Smok Alike kit with a 60ml bottle of liquid that he said got him off the cancer sticks years ago. All in for $55 which didn't seem like a bad deal then and still doesn't now.

The Smok Alike is perfect for me. It's very compact, seems durable as hell, and most importantly doesn't look like a prop from the original series of Star Trek. The only thing I don't like about it is that the tank seems to leak a little bit through the bottom of the coil cartridge. Most of the time it's fine, but sometimes I take a peek and there's a bunch of liquid underneath the tank that I have to clean out before it becomes a sticky mess.

I've been using the 0.8-ohm coil at 16 watts as suggested by the manufacturer. It also comes with a 0.4-ohm coil that I have yet to try.

The juice I bought is somewhat minty but mostly fruity. It's 3mg/ml nic content which is working okay for me. Part of me wishes it was a little stronger so I only have to vape a few times a day instead of several. The other part of me says I don't need it. That part is probably right.

This 60ml bottle of juice is seemingly going to last me for months at the rate I'm going but I've run across some interesting deals online that I'd like to try very soon. I don't know how long the coils for this thing last but tonight I went by the same shop again and bought an extra pack of 5 for $20. I figured they will come in handy when I mail order me some juice.

Thanks for the kind words of advice you all have given me. I still don't think this will be my new hobby but I'll be sure to drop in from time to time, if for no other reason than to try to help out someone like myself.

 

[MyMagicMist]

The only thing I don't like about it is that the tank seems to leak a little bit through the bottom of the coil cartridge. Most of the time it's fine, but sometimes I take a peek and there's a bunch of liquid underneath the tank that I have to clean out before it becomes a sticky mess.

That may be o-ring seating. It may do that from time to time. one slight word of caution, try to not over-tighten the tank into the mod. Fit it snugly but no more than that. Doing so might help get the seating under control.

Worst case you may need to replace o-rings. I'm sure the shop rep will show you how to do that if you feel a need later on. For now though sounds like you're alright.

I hesitate to suggest getting higher nicotine strength juice. I would only suggest 6 mg but with the set you're using 3 mg ought to be okay. I vape 18 mg but not everyone is me, we all find what suits ourselves.

Hope you keep off cigarettes. Know I'm enjoying breathing again.

 

[The Cromwell]

I quit 40 yr smoking habit with vaping using cigalikes.
Might not work for everyone.
However the main thing is that you decide to actually quit smoking.
It was not easy for the first month, but I stuck with it and it kept getting easier.

All former methods had failed, patches, pills, cold turkey, etc.
With all of them I was back smoking within 3 months.

Have been smoke free now for 5 1/2 years. Still vape and have no plans to stop, but my nic level is really low now as I have only vaped DIY juice for over 5 years now.
I have serious problems with some ingredients used in most commercial ejuice so I went to DIY very quickly vs going back to smoking. But that is another story for another time.

 

[Carambrda]

However the main thing is that you decide to actually quit smoking.

I never made that decision. Trying vaping made me stop smoking, instantaneously abruptly, like throwing a light switch, despite I had absolutely no intention to quit smoking... it was as if I simply "forgot" to smoke from that moment on, and so I never smoked again, nor felt an urge to smoke. It was easier than pie. Honestly.

This is why I always try to encourage people to walk that extra mile and do a FAIR comparison between different vaping styles. I was able to FULLY satisfy my own personal preferences by choosing the right type of vape FOR ME, immediately from the get go, and, that in fact was also the REAL reason why I did not have to struggle in any way whatsoever. Sure, there was a learning curve involved, and some getting used to changes. But I never suffered any real cravings. Ever.

 

[The Cromwell]

I never made that decision. Trying vaping made me stop smoking, instantaneously abruptly, like throwing a light switch, despite I had absolutely no intention to quit smoking... it was as if I simply "forgot" to smoke from that moment on, and so I never smoked again, nor felt an urge to smoke. It was easier than pie. Honestly.

This is why I always try to encourage people to walk that extra mile and do a FAIR comparison between different vaping styles. I was able to FULLY satisfy my own personal preferences by choosing the right type of vape FOR ME, immediately from the get go, and, that in fact was also the REAL reason why I did not have to struggle in any way whatsoever. Sure, there was a learning curve involved, and some getting used to changes. But I never suffered any real cravings. Ever.

then you are fortunate.
Even now with several vaping style changes over the years I still get the odd urge to smoke a cig.

for most vaping is not an instantaneous magic bullet to quit smoking.
Quite a few here dual used for some time after starting vaping.
for me I smoked my last cig after 1 week of beginning vaping. Kinda sad at the time too.
But a month or so later I started feeling much better, both physically and attitude wise.

Main thing for me is that it worked.

 

[MyMagicMist]

This is why I always try to encourage people to walk that extra mile and do a FAIR comparison between different vaping styles. I was able to FULLY satisfy my own personal preferences by choosing the right type of vape FOR ME,

Oh really, now? You're repeating what I said the whole time. Each of us decide how we vape for ourselves. Seemed you didn't understand, want to understand that. You kept brow beating. You should apologize for feeling a need to do that, because I realized I don't need to apologize for your feelings.

 

[Vape Fan]

There are a couple of vape shops in town, I think. Are local shops sometimes worthwhile or should I focus my efforts at buying online?
What are the reputable, trusted Internet retailers in this space? With reviews and honest descriptions?
What brands of devices should I be looking at?

You might have a well educated vape shop employee near you, but that's almost never the case.
Online vastly increases choices and saves money. That's not to say that once you decide on a device, that a local shop wouldn't have it at a price that's reasonable to you. But I wouldn't go there to seek advice to buy from them.
There are many stateside e-tailers that are trusted. The decision on where to buy may come once you decide on a device.
You Tube is a good place to get a look at a device and get some preliminary info. But the best reviews and the most honest descriptions and comments will be found here at VU.

Doesn't sound like you want a rebuilable, at least right now. So probably a refillable pod or aio (all in one) with replaceable pods or coils. Something that uses those Aspire BVC coils can be good.
For the device type you want, I'd suggest using [search engine] filtered to the last year and look at YT. Then come back here and post your findings and questions.

 

[Carambrda]

then you are fortunate.

Yes and no. The number one critical success factor in my case was in discovering what's out there, looking at the whole variety of vaping styles as opposed to falling into the all too common trap of letting others decide on how to narrow it down beforehand, i.e. before even looking to try stuff out from a completely unbiased perspective... specifically, also in my case, it was the fact I was able to say no to small and low powered devices that aren't capable to let a person try out true high wattage vaping starting at 80 watts and going up and over the 90 watts mark after my first vaping week. That plus the fact I jumped head first into using a decent 25mm dual coil RDA with a pair of handbuilt Nichrome 80 coils inside, to go with my triple 18650 battery mod. This was a deliberate choice of mine. So it was not about luck. Only the fact I liked it so much better than smoking 16-17 normal cigarettes per day was.

Had I made the wrong decision of going for a device barely capable to push 75 watts, I would still be smoking normal cigarettes. That would have been a big misfortune alright, but the bottom line is I used my brain to eliminate the chance of me running into that misfortune... it's how an insurance policy factually works. You don't need one until your house is on fire. The same thing goes about true high wattage vaping. Nobody ever needs it according to many. But you can rest assured that I'm still happy to have tried it out still nevertheless, and that I did what truly was necessary to make the comparison between different vaping styles a FAIR comparison. The "true" in true high wattage vaping matters, and matters a lot. I've said this before, and will keep saying it. The best way to avoid running shit outta luck is to just take a deep breath, sit back, relax, and then start doing one's research properly. From knowing what's out there comes REAL knowledge of what exactly ARE the confines of one's own personal preferences, or personal comfort zone. Doing anything else would be the equivalent of a disservice to only oneself. Common sense usually works. Persistent presumptuousness for the sake of jumping to all sorts of ridiculous conclusions, not so much. Even, if this all sounds a bit too negative maybe. The trick, then, is to think positive, to say yes to trying out other stuff and apply proper knowledge gained from basically just everywhere, as opposed to listening to the old wives on a forum website. Seriously. That's my only message.

Even now with several vaping style changes over the years I still get the odd urge to smoke a cig.

I used to LOVE smoking a normal cigarette. Now, it's just so incredibly repulsive, just the smell of tobacco smoke is making me run away... run, not walk... like from a burning trash can giving off a massive amount of poisonous fumes that calls for a full-blown evacuation, and, I never had expected such a profound change in how I had been perceiving tobacco smoke until then was at all possible for me to experience, let alone experience it after only 3 days of being entirely smoke-free, like, it's paradoxal, even.

for most vaping is not an instantaneous magic bullet to quit smoking.

I know. But I am living proof that, at least to some, it most definitely can be, and that this is why those who are new to vaping might want to find out for theirself if they fit in the same category as me... sometimes I actually wonder maybe I should start my own forum and call it vapingunder-underground.

Quite a few here dual used for some time after starting vaping.

And quite a few have gone, from being a dual user, back to smoking tobacco. Which is why I encourage new vapers to give that which might help to avoid becoming a dual user a try, and to give that an honest try because, no, sub ohming on a tank with drop in coils at low ohms and high wattage is not in any way representative of true high wattage vaping on a decent performing 24mm or 25mm flavor RDA with a pair of handbuilt complex flavor coils that are built from the ground up with spools of Nichrome 80 wire, a cordless drill, and some fishing swivels. At just about 90 watts or slightly below, you're only getting a small glimpse of what I am referring to here. A prelude of sorts. The same also applies to fused clapton coils... they don't come close to what I like to use for my own personal all day vape, and that is still despite many keep referring to fused claptons as the volkswagens of high wattage vaping. I find that fused claptons can nevertheless be suitable for some of those who are trying to come off cigarettes, but that, usually, high wattage vaping takes some getting used to so, to wet one's feet, or so to speak, starting at only 80 watts or slightly below is what I like to recommend to those wanting to (maybe) try out true high wattage vaping (that is, the "prelude" to it...) as their next logical step after that.

But if you can't take a DTL hit the inhalation stage of which lasts like only about 3 seconds or shorter, then probably you won't like true high wattage vaping. That's just because fast inhalation techniques are not for everyone. But this doesn't also mean I don't get seasick if I have to keep sucking on a vape for 7 whole seconds. I do. One thing that always cracks me up is when people say a heavily restricted DTL hit like that more closely resembles a toke from a normal cig. Who the fuck sucks on a normal cig for 7 whole seconds? I mean, people are free to like whatever it is that they like. But, the old wives... the OLD WIVES! Whew.

for me I smoked my last cig after 1 week of beginning vaping. Kinda sad at the time too.
But a month or so later I started feeling much better, both physically and attitude wise.

Main thing for me is that it worked.

If it works, it works. I guess what I'm trying to say is, you don't know something until you know, and, you don't know if you prefer one thing over another thing until you did yourself the big favor that is doing a fair comparison between both things, i.e., as someone who is new to vaping and who is wanting to stop smoking, I strongly recommend to try to steer clear of those who like to pretend that doing a fair comparison is what they did, as this isn't about them. I know a lot of people who sure WISH it was about them. But regardless, it is not about them.

 

[MyMagicMist]

I know a lot of people who sure WISH it was about them. But regardless, it is not about them.

Reflecting it right back, I know just as many who wish that as well. Again, as I kept repeating, we each choose how we vape for ourselves. That's about vaping and vaping despite your efforts to suggest it being objective, is highly subjective.

 

[MrMeowgi]

Yes and no. The number one critical success factor in my case was in discovering what's out there, looking at the whole variety of vaping styles as opposed to falling into the all too common trap of letting others decide on how to narrow it down beforehand, i.e. before even looking to try stuff out from a completely unbiased perspective... specifically, also in my case, it was the fact I was able to say no to small and low powered devices that aren't capable to let a person try out true high wattage vaping starting at 80 watts and going up and over the 90 watts mark after my first vaping week. That plus the fact I jumped head first into using a decent 25mm dual coil RDA with a pair of handbuilt Nichrome 80 coils inside, to go with my triple 18650 battery mod. This was a deliberate choice of mine. So it was not about luck. Only the fact I liked it so much better than smoking 16-17 normal cigarettes per day was.

Had I made the wrong decision of going for a device barely capable to push 75 watts, I would still be smoking normal cigarettes. That would have been a big misfortune alright, but the bottom line is I used my brain to eliminate the chance of me running into that misfortune... it's how an insurance policy factually works. You don't need one until your house is on fire. The same thing goes about true high wattage vaping. Nobody ever needs it according to many. But you can rest assured that I'm still happy to have tried it out still nevertheless, and that I did what truly was necessary to make the comparison between different vaping styles a FAIR comparison. The "true" in true high wattage vaping matters, and matters a lot. I've said this before, and will keep saying it. The best way to avoid running shit outta luck is to just take a deep breath, sit back, relax, and then start doing one's research properly. From knowing what's out there comes REAL knowledge of what exactly ARE the confines of one's own personal preferences, or personal comfort zone. Doing anything else would be the equivalent of a disservice to only oneself. Common sense usually works. Persistent presumptuousness for the sake of jumping to all sorts of ridiculous conclusions, not so much. Even, if this all sounds a bit too negative maybe. The trick, then, is to think positive, to say yes to trying out other stuff and apply proper knowledge gained from basically just everywhere, as opposed to listening to the old wives on a forum website. Seriously. That's my only message.

I used to LOVE smoking a normal cigarette. Now, it's just so incredibly repulsive, just the smell of tobacco smoke is making me run away... run, not walk... like from a burning trash can giving off a massive amount of poisonous fumes that calls for a full-blown evacuation, and, I never had expected such a profound change in how I had been perceiving tobacco smoke until then was at all possible for me to experience, let alone experience it after only 3 days of being entirely smoke-free, like, it's paradoxal, even.

I know. But I am living proof that, at least to some, it most definitely can be, and that this is why those who are new to vaping might want to find out for theirself if they fit in the same category as me... sometimes I actually wonder maybe I should start my own forum and call it vapingunder-underground.

And quite a few have gone, from being a dual user, back to smoking tobacco. Which is why I encourage new vapers to give that which might help to avoid becoming a dual user a try, and to give that an honest try because, no, sub ohming on a tank with drop in coils at low ohms and high wattage is not in any way representative of true high wattage vaping on a decent performing 24mm or 25mm flavor RDA with a pair of handbuilt complex flavor coils that are built from the ground up with spools of Nichrome 80 wire, a cordless drill, and some fishing swivels. At just about 90 watts or slightly below, you're only getting a small glimpse of what I am referring to here. A prelude of sorts. The same also applies to fused clapton coils... they don't come close to what I like to use for my own personal all day vape, and that is still despite many keep referring to fused claptons as the volkswagens of high wattage vaping. I find that fused claptons can nevertheless be suitable for some of those who are trying to come off cigarettes, but that, usually, high wattage vaping takes some getting used to so, to wet one's feet, or so to speak, starting at only 80 watts or slightly below is what I like to recommend to those wanting to (maybe) try out true high wattage vaping (that is, the "prelude" to it...) as their next logical step after that.

But if you can't take a DTL hit the inhalation stage of which lasts like only about 3 seconds or shorter, then probably you won't like true high wattage vaping. That's just because fast inhalation techniques are not for everyone. But this doesn't also mean I don't get seasick if I have to keep sucking on a vape for 7 whole seconds. I do. One thing that always cracks me up is when people say a heavily restricted DTL hit like that more closely resembles a toke from a normal cig. Who the fuck sucks on a normal cig for 7 whole seconds? I mean, people are free to like whatever it is that they like. But, the old wives... the OLD WIVES! Whew.

If it works, it works. I guess what I'm trying to say is, you don't know something until you know, and, you don't know if you prefer one thing over another thing until you did yourself the big favor that is doing a fair comparison between both things, i.e., as someone who is new to vaping and who is wanting to stop smoking, I strongly recommend to try to steer clear of those who like to pretend that doing a fair comparison is what they did, as this isn't about them. I know a lot of people who sure WISH it was about them. But regardless, it is not about them.

Well I ordered a stacked mod last night and a deathtrap v2 so I'm going to give high wattage a try. My lungs are the only thing I'm not sure about. Gotta get some beefier coils too. Can do staples and alike. So that should work. Would like some aliens though. Have to learn that again I guess.

 

[MyMagicMist]

Well I ordered a stacked mod last night and a deathtrap v2 so I'm going to give high wattage a try. My lungs are the only thing I'm not sure about. Gotta get some beefier coils too. Can do staples and alike. So that should work. Would like some aliens though. Have to learn that again I guess.

In my recent experience I find higher wattage, fifty to sixty to be just okay. Do as well if not better, again in my experience, using a mechanical mod that doesn't push over thirty watts at most. And yes, I know it isn't about me. Only sharing my experience as others share their experience.

Last I checked this a vaping forum open to the public for discussion, sharing experience/s. You as a moderator can correct me if I err.

 

[Carambrda]

Well I ordered a stacked mod last night and a deathtrap v2 so I'm going to give high wattage a try. My lungs are the only thing I'm not sure about. Gotta get some beefier coils too. Can do staples and alike. So that should work. Would like some aliens though. Have to learn that again I guess.

You don't need a stacked mod to enter the true high wattage vaping realm. With alien coils 27/36 Ni80 at 5 wraps 2.5mm ID, dual coil build at 0.11 ohms on a single battery mech you can try exactly that experience.

 

[MrMeowgi]

In my recent experience I find higher wattage, fifty to sixty to be just okay. Do as well if not better, again in my experience, using a mechanical mod that doesn't push over thirty watts at most. And yes, I know it isn't about me. Only sharing my experience as others share their experience.

Last I checked this a vaping forum open to the public for discussion, sharing experience/s. You as a moderator can correct me if I err.

Yea the forum is for our enjoyment and our experiences. But I'm not longer a moderator either.

 

[MyMagicMist]

I'm not longer a moderator either.

Well, "how 'bout that?" *chuckles*

 

[Carambrda]

Oh really, now? You're repeating what I said the whole time. Each of us decide how we vape for ourselves. Seemed you didn't understand, want to understand that. You kept brow beating. You should apologize for feeling a need to do that, because I realized I don't need to apologize for your feelings.

No, you completely missed my point. My argument was aimed toward those who make it their personal hobby to disregard the "fair" part in "fair comparison", as you simply can't judge true high wattage vaping if that which you were using to make the comparison was not in any way representative of this vaping style in question... there are limitations to how far you can keep upping the wattage before you need to start to take other factors also adequately into account, like, the coil dimensions and total surface area of the coil, the wire thicknesses and the metal types, the high adsorption rate that is responsible for keeping juice flowing fast enough through the numerous tiny cavities and crevasses between the wires that are interlinked in complex ways, and also all the various airflow characteristics. It's always easy to claim you have tried it enough to know what it is like in reasonable detail, when the evidence clearly suggests you do not know.

 

[Carambrda]

Reflecting it right back, I know just as many who wish that as well. Again, as I kept repeating, we each choose how we vape for ourselves. That's about vaping and vaping despite your efforts to suggest it being objective, is highly subjective.

This isn't about whether we each are free to choose how we vape. We are. My point was that you're judging a vaping style before having tried to vape in such a way that can be called, to some reasonable extent at least, representative of what tends to characterize this vaping style aside from just turning the wattage up another notch.

 

[MyMagicMist]

My point was that you're judging a vaping style before having tried to vape in such a way that can be called, to some reasonable extent at least, representative of what tends to characterize this vaping style aside from just turning the wattage up another notch.

And my point was you judged as well, that all I had done was bump up wattage. I had tried several ways at several various times. Who are you, or even I to judge? And then who are you to call someone a liar? Sorry, that was my point ultimately and you kept haranguing on and on. So yes, I got a bit angry. I was angry you were so hypocritical and judgemental. And you now talk about "fairness"? Yeah, go have a nice swim or something.

 

[Carambrda]

And my point was you judged as well, that all I had done was bump up wattage. I had tried several ways at several various times. Who are you, or even I to judge? And then who are you to call someone a liar? Sorry, that was my point ultimately and you kept haranguing on and on. So yes, I got a bit angry. I was angry you were so hypocritical and judgemental. And you now talk about "fairness"? Yeah, go have a nice swim or something.

The simple truth is, you were still unable to accurately describe what exactly it was that you had tried. Anyone familiar with just the very basics of what is or isn't representative of the true high wattage vaping style can see from a distance the fact you never really gave it much of a fair shot........