Rollup smoker, never vaped

Lissavane

I smoke about 75g of rollie tobacco per week and am thinking of changing to vaping. I've never tried it.

I thought these looked good:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/LiquiPal-Cloud-Cigarette-Starter-High-strength/dp/B00M9FN3GW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1444756137&sr=8-1&keywords=e+cigarette
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vapoursson-Electronic-Cigarette-Starter-Rechargeable/dp/B00RN9KLNW
But then I spent a few hours looking at the General Discussion stickie above and other threads and am very confused. It looks like I should go for something a bit more advanced than I was looking at but can't get my head around the wattages of coils, choice of tanks etc..
I smoke mainly in the evening at home but need something that I can use on a night out or when travelling too.

Any advice, please?

nkav86

For a little over €50 you could get an istick 30w and a gs air tank, thebestshop has them both at €45 and a little over €10 respectively. The istick is the battery part, think of the watts as the power it can give you, its small enough and has great reviews, gs air would be the part that holds the juice, cheap and a great little starter tank. I'd also recommend going into a store and testing juice flavours and strengths, you'd probably be suited to 18-24mg and you can work your way down. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong on these points, but that's my suggestion

Edit: € would be euro, apparently the symbol doesn't work haha

Wibbs

FWIW and this is coming from an ex smoker of rollies, pipes, ciggies and cigars, all inhaled. Jesus, when I think… Anyhoo Nkav pretty much nails it with their recommendations.

I'd avoid the usual "starter kits" that look like oversized ciggies. They last pissing time in my experience. If I was starting again I'd go for what Nk said above, or the Kanger Subox mini. But be advised you need to buy a battery and charger, so again Nk's is the better bet there cost wise. These kind of setups will give you plenty of smoke and that hit in the back of the throat you get as a tobacco smoker.

As for the juice/liquid? Depends on the individual of course, but if you actually like the taste of tobacco - and contrary to Alan Carr books and "accepted wisdom" many do. When I smoked, if someone had offered me a menthol ciggie I'd have kicked them in the goolies - I've tried a lot and the ones I found the best were the House of Liquids El Toro range. They're made from steeped actual tobacco leaves which I think makes a difference as you get some of the other chemicals and flavours missing from the more synthetic "tobacco" mixes. I reckon it's not just the nicotine that gives that "buzz". *aside* I'd bet the carbon monoxide in tobacco smoke is a lot of it, deadly as it is.

You never get quite the same "hit" from vaping as you do from burning tobacco LV, so you will have a few days or so of a crossover thing as you get used to it, but IMH those liquids come close. Closer than any other "tobacco" type liquid anyway. They are strong in taste and come in stupid little fecky bottles, but I can live with that. Now you may want to go the mint direction I dunno, maybe even want to inhale custard and xmas pudding or whatever suits your taste, but if it's the demon weed you want they're pretty good. Others may have better alternatives?


*EDIT* as a new vaper I'd be aware that it's easy enough to "over vape", or I found that anyway. A ciggie/cigar is a finite experience. You light it and you smoke and you finish it, sit back and then wait a while until the next. With vaping it's always "on", so it can be easy to keep chugging away and get dizzy on the nicotine. I reckon pipe and cigar smokers may fare better as they often take breaks. Just something to be aware of.

nkav86

Subox has come highly recommended by people, I just can't take to the subtank but that's just me I like nautilus minis myself, very simple!

Wibbs

Maybe I'm ok with the sub tanks as like me they work pretty well, but are prone to some leakage.

nkav86

Wibbs wrote:

Maybe I'm ok with the sub tanks as like me they work pretty well, but are prone to some leakage.

Pmsl!!

Wibbs

As have I… :pac:

Xaracatz

Wibbs wrote: »

When I smoked, if someone had offered me a menthol ciggie I'd have kicked them in the goolies

Ah - as a (former) menthol smoker - I'm glad I don't have goolies. In fact, when people would come up to me and ask me for a smoke, I learned to say to them - ÿep, I do, but they're menthol. I'd say 60% of people said no after that! Don't know why - sure they're the vegetables of smoking. :P

Wibbs wrote: »

*EDIT* as a new vaper I'd be aware that it's easy enough to "over vape", or I found that anyway. A ciggie/cigar is a finite experience. You light it and you smoke and you finish it, sit back and then wait a while until the next. With vaping it's always "on", so it can be easy to keep chugging away and get dizzy on the nicotine. I reckon pipe and cigar smokers may fare better as they often take breaks. Just something to be aware of.

Really good point. I've tried quitting on vapes a few times - and I generally failed when I found myself out and about and the thing stopped working. I'm back in the game now though (almost two days..), and carrying three (admittedly probably crap starter-versions). But it is so easy to sit in a bar (monocle firmly in place), and pity the poor smokers who have to go out in the cold for a smoke, while vaping seriously on your device. It's probably good to use the same attitude as you had from smoking from the start - only vape in designated smoking areas. Otherwise, you will find yourself with a cup of tea on your desk, feet tucked under you as you work, and vaping away during a Monday morning in the office (I swear it only happened a few times - very enjoyable though.)

Lissavane wrote: »

But then I spent a few hours looking at the General Discussion stickie above and other threads and am very confused. It looks like I should go for something a bit more advanced than I was looking at but can't get my head around the wattages of coils, choice of tanks etc..
I smoke mainly in the evening at home but need something that I can use on a night out or when travelling too.

I'm also confused. I have been reading the flaunt your setup thread - and I have no idea what's going on. I'd like to know more though and must do some research. For the moment, I'm just happy to have got over the first night and I'm now onto my third. It's not the difficulty of it for me (I don't enjoy it - but it's never as bad as I think it will be), but the actual decision to do it and stick with it!

Lissavane

Thank you all. You're very helpful! I haven't quite made up my mind yet but will let you know.

sangsung

Whatever you do, don't buy anything called "Sub"-something. This is for a more advanced vaper.

I would go with nkav86 post, if you can translate the crazy fonts (is anybody else having that problem?)

An iStick 30w is a great device. GS Air tank is also ok, but I would recommend the GS14. It has a tighter air draw, more akin to a rolly. Other people really recommend the Nautilus Mini for beginners. I never tried it but I would recommend it based on the million reviews I've read by beginner vapers.

I was an amber leaf man myself by the way. Now I'm vaping 3 years.

Somebody mentioned a Subox. Don't buy it. Too much hassle with batteries and it looks like a brick. You want the easiest possible transition from rollies to vaping.

Basically don't buy anything with "sub" in the title. This will cost you a lot of money in juice, as "sub" devices generally burn juice quicker than normal devices. It might even cost you more than fags.

Regarding juice, you will NEVER find a juice that tastes like black soot, ash and burned leaves (tobacco). Never. Just give up trying to find a burned leaf flavour. But I would start with tasting the samples in vape shops around the town, then make your choice.

nkav86

sangsung wrote:

I would go with nkav86 post, if you can translate the crazy fonts (is anybody else having that problem?)

Could be cause I'm posting from my phone? Subtank was way too finicky for me

sangsung

nkav86 wrote: »

Could be cause I'm posting from my phone? Subtank was way too finicky for me

€50

€45

€45

These are a few words from your post. Looks strange to me.

Could it be the euro symbol? They're all followed by a number.

Wibbs

I'd reckon the odd font is an Emoji that VBulletin can't translate? And that folks, is about as techie as I get.

nkav86

Ah I see, ye that would be Euro

Lissavane

sangsung wrote: »

Whatever you do, don't buy anything called "Sub"-something. This is for a more advanced vaper.

I would go with nkav86 post, if you can translate the crazy fonts (is anybody else having that problem?)

An iStick 30w is a great device. GS Air tank is also ok, but I would recommend the GS14. It has a tighter air draw, more akin to a rolly. Other people really recommend the Nautilus Mini for beginners. I never tried it but I would recommend it based on the million reviews I've read by beginner vapers.

I was an amber leaf man myself by the way. Now I'm vaping 3 years.

Somebody mentioned a Subox. Don't buy it. Too much hassle with batteries and it looks like a brick. You want the easiest possible transition from rollies to vaping.

Basically don't buy anything with "sub" in the title. This will cost you a lot of money in juice, as "sub" devices generally burn juice quicker than normal devices. It might even cost you more than fags.

Regarding juice, you will NEVER find a juice that tastes like black soot, ash and burned leaves (tobacco). Never. Just give up trying to find a burned leaf flavour. But I would start with tasting the samples in vape shops around the town, then make your choice.

Just saw your post now, having bought this lot earlier in the evening from e-cigaretteshop.eu

Eleaf I smoka GS- Air 20 W 1 7,90 €
Eleaf iStick 30W Sub Ohm express kit - Colour : black 1 43,90 €
Liqua Liqua Virginia - Sizing : 10ml, Strength : 18mg 1 3,80 €

The tank didn't break the bank so I might consider replacing for the GS14 or Nautilus Mini sometime.
Was going to get replacement coils but they didn't seem to have genuine GS air ones in stock. The coil thing is a bit confusing but I'm sure it'll start to make sense.
Am on the old amberleaf myself too until this new kit arrives!
Thanks for your help.

nkav86

Lissavane wrote:

Eleaf I smoka GS- Air 20 W 1 7,90 € Eleaf iStick 30W Sub Ohm express kit - Colour : black 1 43,90 € Liqua Liqua Virginia - Sizing : 10ml, Strength : 18mg 1 3,80 €

Nice set up, the istick you got is good, it'll do great with the gs air, if you want to advance to mouth to lung or sub ohm its capable and will save you buying another kit just for that

youdipstick

Lissavane wrote: »

Just saw your post now, having bought this lot earlier in the evening from e-cigaretteshop.eu

Eleaf I smoka GS- Air 20 W 1 7,90 €
Eleaf iStick 30W Sub Ohm express kit - Colour : black 1 43,90 €
Liqua Liqua Virginia - Sizing : 10ml, Strength : 18mg 1 3,80 €

The tank didn't break the bank so I might consider replacing for the GS14 or Nautilus Mini sometime.
Was going to get replacement coils but they didn't seem to have genuine GS air ones in stock. The coil thing is a bit confusing but I'm sure it'll start to make sense.
Am on the old amberleaf myself too until this new kit arrives!
Thanks for your help.

Being an ex rollie smoker myself,you will find the GS Air very airy,there is a small screw on the side,screw it in as far as you can,it will then feel like a tight draw,if the draw is too tight,just screw it out a very small bit at a time to try & find your sweet spot.
I think a little screwdriver comes with it,if not,get yourself a set of those cheap precision screwdrivers from the pound shop,I'm sure you will need them in the future for advanced vaping,When I started vaping over 6 years now,I still remember how my nerves were jumping all over the place & sweating like a pig but excited at the same time that I was going to give up smokes after 40 years,it did feel like an impossible thing to do but I couldn't believe how easy it was to replace smoking with vaping,my lungs were clear after 2 weeks vaping.
You have more of a chance to give up with all this new vaping hardware & thousands of different liquids out there.
Only way to learn more about vaping is to ask here & watch Youtube videos,check out the GS Air on youtube to see how to fill it & swap out coils,we all look at these videos to help us get an idea about new & old vaping gear.
Wish you all the Luck with giving up those stinkies...

I went straight for the tobacco flavours to replace the smokes,but it tasted schit to me but good for others,we all have different tastes,many a bottle have I thrown in the bin,but don't get disheartened,there is a ton of juice out there to try,I love custards & pudding flavours now & fruits which I didn't like years ago,your taste buds will change.

nkav86

Excellent points made there

JH_raheny

Be prepared to waste a bit of money in the beginning on buying liquids that sounds nice but then you don't like after vaping the first tank of it, takes a while to figure out a few all day vapes you like, for me the best way is to have 2 or 3 different tank on the go with different flavour

sangsung

Lissavane wrote: »

Just saw your post now, having bought this lot earlier in the evening from e-cigaretteshop.eu

Eleaf I smoka GS- Air 20 W 1 7,90 €
Eleaf iStick 30W Sub Ohm express kit - Colour : black 1 43,90 €
Liqua Liqua Virginia - Sizing : 10ml, Strength : 18mg 1 3,80 €

The tank didn't break the bank so I might consider replacing for the GS14 or Nautilus Mini sometime.
Was going to get replacement coils but they didn't seem to have genuine GS air ones in stock. The coil thing is a bit confusing but I'm sure it'll start to make sense.
Am on the old amberleaf myself too until this new kit arrives!
Thanks for your help.

The iStick 30w is a great little device, even though it says "Sub Ohm".

It's actually the sub ohm "tanks" you want to avoid for the time being. They are very airy, and absolutely drink up the e-juice. The one you have, GS Air, is fine. But I do prefer the GS14 or GS16. I bought my GS14 in Vapourpal.

If you're looking for coils for the GS Air/ GS14, thebestshop or vapourpal has them. Try and go for 1.5ohm and above. It feels the most like a cigarette/rolly.

Coils might seem a bit confusing, but basically, when your vapour starts tasting like burnt arse hair, it's time to pop the coil out and put in a new one. Another sign of a bad coil is when your juice gets very dark very quickly. That means the coil is gunked up, and is seeping into the rest of the juice in the tank.

When you put a new coil in, leave it for 5 mins to soak up the juice. Otherwise you might burn it. Once the coil is burned, there's no going back, you'll have to replace it.

Be careful not to set the wattage/voltage of the iStick battery too high, as this can burn the coil too. When you have your kit set up, set it to 5watts. If that produces enough vapour, fine. If it doesn't, go up in small increments until you find a satisfying feel. I generally stay around 6/7 watts. Once you find your sweet spot, lock it by holding the up and down buttons together for a few seconds. NOw it won't accidentally change in your pocket.

Although when I'm drinking a few cans or pints, I might put it up to 10watts.

Wibbs

Jeebus :eek: 6 or 7 watts? Maybe I'm revving my setup too hard? My preference is either 11 watts for a "daytime" vape or 17 watts/4.7 volts of an evening if a glass of vino is involved, both on Kanger OOC 1.2 ohm coils(El Toro 20mg liquid). I'd inhale maybe 1 in 3 drags. I did try a "sub ohm" 0.5 coil I had, just to see what the fuss was about, but that was way too harsh for me and drank the liquid like nobody's business(though had much more heat to the vapour so was more like a cigar).

sangsung

I just prefer 6/7 watts as I don't like blasting clouds around the place. I like to vape in work, and have gotten away with it for years because I only make little girl clouds (I'm a fully grown man). I'm just used to it. Also as I mentioned earlier, the bigger the wattage, the more expensive your habit becomes as you can go through a lot of juice on high wattage. And I don't want to be inhaling too much juice even though it is much is safer than smoking. I tried the 11 watt range like yourself or a while, but found myself going through 6ml or more of juice per day, which I think is too much. I remember 2ml per day being fine for me back in the day. I try to keep it around that. Battery life is extended to over a day too.

8mm

I think it's all kinda relative. When I vaped a year ago it was low airflow at 7 to 9 watts with long drags. These days it's 13 to 25 watts with more airflow and a lot shorter drags. I find myself tuning it to the juice and tank and whether I'm indoors or out. Really got to love the fine tuning that can be done to personal taste with these devices.