Hey folks i'm a newb here looking for a starter kit/ starter combo that can help me enter cigarette free vape heaven. Hope you can suffer through my extensive doubts and questions and perhaps point a direction i should take. While I am new to this, i am a quick study and have jotted down an extensive set of requirements and device options. With your assistance, i hope other newbies will also be able to use this to make their choices.
A bit about me:
I have been scouring the web for the past week and thanks to this forum and many like it, i have certainly learnt a lot about how to get into vaping.
First up, screw those sold out youtube reviewers. Can't trust any reviews now
I'v done a lot of my own research but thanks to all that info swirling around like a vape cloud in my head, i am completely lost as to what to start off with. On one hand i love the idea of simple mech mods like karma kit and and the amazing array of designs they come in, and on the other hand i also want the ability to regulate it, since it's my first mod and i want the safely experiment with different coils and builds.
Where i live, i don't have access to full-scale Vape shops and hence the added confusion because of not getting to know exactly how a mod will look and feel and will it be portable enough.
I'm a 10-12 lights a day smoker and looking to replace my pack of cigarettes with one of these.
But i think as a new vaper trying to move out of analogs, the most important thing would be to find something that allows me to adhere to my smoking ritual. And to me, that will probably end up being the deciding factor.
Im a computer programmer by trade, so if there are firmwares we can tweak on our own i'd be very interested. Also this means that a mod that lets me safely charge through a laptop usb cable is preferable.
Will be ordering through FT or some chinese site. <Deals/ offers/ links appreciated>
My requirements in order of weightage i give to them:
(higher weightage requirements supercede any lower weightage drawbacks)
0: Should produce vapor slightly more than a cigarette, and great flavor, slight throat hit, and consistent vapor that can be rolled around a bit in the mouth.
1. Portable - Durable : [This mod will be my daily driver,(i intend to replace my cig pack with this) it needs to sit in my jeans pocket, where it can get pretty tight, get pressed on when i am walking / running and survive....
A mod that looks sleek and good also helps a lot. (my aesthetic sense leans towards the noisy cricket II)
- With box mods, i'm afraid the pressures might wear out the threads or even tear the tank right off the box while in my pocket.
- But with thick pen mods, i don't want it to look like my pocket is excited to meet you, also the fear that they might snap in half. ]
- So, AIOs are the only ones that seem monolithic enough to survive so far. [Open to suggestions on mod form factor]
2. A fantastic MTL out of the box - requiring a change of coils/RBA is no issue. [I want something that will serve the purpose of getting me off cigarettes and at the same time, pull me in closer by offering exploration of building decks(to replace the activity of rolling cigarettes) and DL vaping]
3. Easy to refill
4. RBAs available : since i want this experience to be fun, and economical to boot. (preferably packaged in the kit)
5. Ideally a 3+ ml Tank, with no leak issues. [again, since it's gonna be my daily pocket vape. Can a < 3ml last a full day on an mtl build based on my smoking habits? ]
6. Modern : New mods have improved feature sets, that i'd like to have. : TC (Ni200, SS ..) , VW / VV , puff counter, upgradeable firmware etc.
7. If possible, allows me to explore a variety of tanks through a threaded 510, and good RDTA connectivity.
Here are the top options i have in mind so far
and my gripes with them. [fair warning im picky and difficult to shop for, but if anyone can help me, i know it's going to be you guys.]
Will edit this list based on the feedback.
AIOs
eGrip VT : Low powered box with temp (Ni, Ti [no SS]) + RBA head
Good: 1, 2 (with right coils), 3 [separate hatch for liquid filling.], 4 [RBA available], 5 [ 3.6 ml tank]
Bad: 6[pretty old, launched Dec 2015, airflow control is a tiny screw, tank opens both ends and other older issues],7, 5[can leak, because well, the tank is open on both ends]
Eleaf Aster Total : My current front runner, despite the obvious shortcomings.
Good : 1 [Big ass 1, looks to have the perfect simplicity and robustness, for carrying in the pocket everyday]. 2 [reviews have said it's great for MTL]. 3 [Easy peesy, does not require plunger action for refilling, but still needed when inserting coil.], and CHEAP $$$
Bad: 4 [still looking for RBAs for this], 5 [just a 2 ml tank], 6,7 [customization looks like a distant dream with the limited wattage, only automatic TC mode, no adjustments.]
joyeTech eGrip 2 : Was a front runner thanks to loads of features and a decent internal battery, till i read about all the horrendous spitback issues. 1 mil+ results on "egrip 2 spitback"
Good: 1,3,4,5,6,7 : Mtl is also fine since it comes with a +Ohm coil too but nothing compared to Tritons i guess.
Bad: Spitback because of the silly deep plunger design. Yes i can use other tanks on it with the adapter, but that defeats the purpose of it being AIO, and there are better options in that.
Aspire Plato : Main gripe: fiddly seeming tank.
Good : 1[great form factor for the pocket],2 (with triton 1.8 coils) , 4 [not sure about RBA availability], 5[ample capacity in tank]
Bad: 3, remove case, open fiddly stopper, pour liquid w/dropper -> hassle! 6 [pretty old device now], 7 [no 510 thread for attaching tanks (but i can live with that)], The tank and plunger coil system seems too fiddly. The tank just pops out when you remove the coil head.5[ have my doubts about the tank's durability]
Cupti : Awesome reviews about it. Main gripe: plunger system coil(read: spitback chances) + kinda old now + no TC wattage control
Good: 1,3,4 [CLRBA] , 5
bad: 2 [not sure about it's MTL performance] , 6 [no wattage control on TC mode], 7 [no 510 thread for attaching tanks (but i can live with that)]
Box mod + Tank combos: Only issue i have is that it may break in the pocket since the structure isn't monolithic, weakest failing point would be the threading between the box and the atty. Not to mention, if we come to this format, there are just a huge array of options available.
Nautilus mini/nautilus X/triton mini(tank) with eleaf pico (box mod) : Highly reputed combo, Nautilus tanks are awesome for MTL. Main issue is the fear of how it'll be when in my pocket.
Good: 2,3,4[not sure],7
Bad: 1[separate tank and box, fear of breaking in the pocket]
---Similar options ---
Aspire Odyssey mini kit, (comes with triton mini tank, no RBAs for it :\ )
SMOK Knight Kit, with koopor mini 2.
Kanger Subbox Mini kit, comes with pre-built coils and an RBA coil.
SMOK AL85 : Little brother of the SMOK alien : Looks beautiful! but only comes with the TFV8 baby beast tank which is essentially a sub-ohm tank. There is an RBA deck available for it though.
--- ---
Tesla Stealth Mod (Box mod) with side-by-side tank (Nautilus mini/triton/aerotank): The only off putting thing about this was that some tanks would have air flow issues. Also, bigger tanks wont fit. And looks like something that'll be difficult to hold and use.
Good: 1 [looks sturdy and compact. But a bit odd looking to be vaping on, in public, tbh.],2,3,4,5,6[well, modern-ish],7
Bad: just the yet unknown possibility of it being uncomfortable to hold and use.
Reuleaux RX75, Semi side-by-side box. Same issue, still not monolithic. but also, this box seems a lot larger than the others. Add to that the basic design problem with side-by-side setups, many tanks would have their airflow restricted by it.
Next steps:
- If you own one of these devices, please rate them based on your experience on the criterion i have mentioned. [1 to 7]
- If you can recommend options not listed here which fulfill the requirements, please comment about them and how they match up to the criterion listed and i'll add them in the list.
TIA
A bit about me:
I have been scouring the web for the past week and thanks to this forum and many like it, i have certainly learnt a lot about how to get into vaping.
First up, screw those sold out youtube reviewers. Can't trust any reviews now
I'v done a lot of my own research but thanks to all that info swirling around like a vape cloud in my head, i am completely lost as to what to start off with. On one hand i love the idea of simple mech mods like karma kit and and the amazing array of designs they come in, and on the other hand i also want the ability to regulate it, since it's my first mod and i want the safely experiment with different coils and builds.
Where i live, i don't have access to full-scale Vape shops and hence the added confusion because of not getting to know exactly how a mod will look and feel and will it be portable enough.
I'm a 10-12 lights a day smoker and looking to replace my pack of cigarettes with one of these.
But i think as a new vaper trying to move out of analogs, the most important thing would be to find something that allows me to adhere to my smoking ritual. And to me, that will probably end up being the deciding factor.
Im a computer programmer by trade, so if there are firmwares we can tweak on our own i'd be very interested. Also this means that a mod that lets me safely charge through a laptop usb cable is preferable.
Will be ordering through FT or some chinese site. <Deals/ offers/ links appreciated>
My requirements in order of weightage i give to them:
(higher weightage requirements supercede any lower weightage drawbacks)
0: Should produce vapor slightly more than a cigarette, and great flavor, slight throat hit, and consistent vapor that can be rolled around a bit in the mouth.
1. Portable - Durable : [This mod will be my daily driver,(i intend to replace my cig pack with this) it needs to sit in my jeans pocket, where it can get pretty tight, get pressed on when i am walking / running and survive....
A mod that looks sleek and good also helps a lot. (my aesthetic sense leans towards the noisy cricket II)
- With box mods, i'm afraid the pressures might wear out the threads or even tear the tank right off the box while in my pocket.
- But with thick pen mods, i don't want it to look like my pocket is excited to meet you, also the fear that they might snap in half. ]
- So, AIOs are the only ones that seem monolithic enough to survive so far. [Open to suggestions on mod form factor]
2. A fantastic MTL out of the box - requiring a change of coils/RBA is no issue. [I want something that will serve the purpose of getting me off cigarettes and at the same time, pull me in closer by offering exploration of building decks(to replace the activity of rolling cigarettes) and DL vaping]
3. Easy to refill
4. RBAs available : since i want this experience to be fun, and economical to boot. (preferably packaged in the kit)
5. Ideally a 3+ ml Tank, with no leak issues. [again, since it's gonna be my daily pocket vape. Can a < 3ml last a full day on an mtl build based on my smoking habits? ]
6. Modern : New mods have improved feature sets, that i'd like to have. : TC (Ni200, SS ..) , VW / VV , puff counter, upgradeable firmware etc.
7. If possible, allows me to explore a variety of tanks through a threaded 510, and good RDTA connectivity.
Here are the top options i have in mind so far
and my gripes with them. [fair warning im picky and difficult to shop for, but if anyone can help me, i know it's going to be you guys.]
Will edit this list based on the feedback.
AIOs
eGrip VT : Low powered box with temp (Ni, Ti [no SS]) + RBA head
Good: 1, 2 (with right coils), 3 [separate hatch for liquid filling.], 4 [RBA available], 5 [ 3.6 ml tank]
Bad: 6[pretty old, launched Dec 2015, airflow control is a tiny screw, tank opens both ends and other older issues],7, 5[can leak, because well, the tank is open on both ends]
Eleaf Aster Total : My current front runner, despite the obvious shortcomings.
Good : 1 [Big ass 1, looks to have the perfect simplicity and robustness, for carrying in the pocket everyday]. 2 [reviews have said it's great for MTL]. 3 [Easy peesy, does not require plunger action for refilling, but still needed when inserting coil.], and CHEAP $$$
Bad: 4 [still looking for RBAs for this], 5 [just a 2 ml tank], 6,7 [customization looks like a distant dream with the limited wattage, only automatic TC mode, no adjustments.]
joyeTech eGrip 2 : Was a front runner thanks to loads of features and a decent internal battery, till i read about all the horrendous spitback issues. 1 mil+ results on "egrip 2 spitback"
Good: 1,3,4,5,6,7 : Mtl is also fine since it comes with a +Ohm coil too but nothing compared to Tritons i guess.
Bad: Spitback because of the silly deep plunger design. Yes i can use other tanks on it with the adapter, but that defeats the purpose of it being AIO, and there are better options in that.
Aspire Plato : Main gripe: fiddly seeming tank.
Good : 1[great form factor for the pocket],2 (with triton 1.8 coils) , 4 [not sure about RBA availability], 5[ample capacity in tank]
Bad: 3, remove case, open fiddly stopper, pour liquid w/dropper -> hassle! 6 [pretty old device now], 7 [no 510 thread for attaching tanks (but i can live with that)], The tank and plunger coil system seems too fiddly. The tank just pops out when you remove the coil head.5[ have my doubts about the tank's durability]
Cupti : Awesome reviews about it. Main gripe: plunger system coil(read: spitback chances) + kinda old now + no TC wattage control
Good: 1,3,4 [CLRBA] , 5
bad: 2 [not sure about it's MTL performance] , 6 [no wattage control on TC mode], 7 [no 510 thread for attaching tanks (but i can live with that)]
Box mod + Tank combos: Only issue i have is that it may break in the pocket since the structure isn't monolithic, weakest failing point would be the threading between the box and the atty. Not to mention, if we come to this format, there are just a huge array of options available.
Nautilus mini/nautilus X/triton mini(tank) with eleaf pico (box mod) : Highly reputed combo, Nautilus tanks are awesome for MTL. Main issue is the fear of how it'll be when in my pocket.
Good: 2,3,4[not sure],7
Bad: 1[separate tank and box, fear of breaking in the pocket]
---Similar options ---
Aspire Odyssey mini kit, (comes with triton mini tank, no RBAs for it :\ )
SMOK Knight Kit, with koopor mini 2.
Kanger Subbox Mini kit, comes with pre-built coils and an RBA coil.
SMOK AL85 : Little brother of the SMOK alien : Looks beautiful! but only comes with the TFV8 baby beast tank which is essentially a sub-ohm tank. There is an RBA deck available for it though.
--- ---
Tesla Stealth Mod (Box mod) with side-by-side tank (Nautilus mini/triton/aerotank): The only off putting thing about this was that some tanks would have air flow issues. Also, bigger tanks wont fit. And looks like something that'll be difficult to hold and use.
Good: 1 [looks sturdy and compact. But a bit odd looking to be vaping on, in public, tbh.],2,3,4,5,6[well, modern-ish],7
Bad: just the yet unknown possibility of it being uncomfortable to hold and use.
Reuleaux RX75, Semi side-by-side box. Same issue, still not monolithic. but also, this box seems a lot larger than the others. Add to that the basic design problem with side-by-side setups, many tanks would have their airflow restricted by it.
Next steps:
- If you own one of these devices, please rate them based on your experience on the criterion i have mentioned. [1 to 7]
- If you can recommend options not listed here which fulfill the requirements, please comment about them and how they match up to the criterion listed and i'll add them in the list.
TIA
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