Are Capella and LorAnn's flavors tastes that much better than the competitors? I see that most of the DIYers here using their flavors.
I believe you're way off with this assumption. It would make a good poll. I believe new diy'ers probably go with TFA/TPA and maybe some LorAnn's...I don't see much love for LorAnn flavors, especially from folks who've been at it for a while.
My uncalculated guess in terms of popularity ranking (popular opinion, not which flavors are safer, better) would be in this order...
TFA/TPA - and they may be on the decline for those concerned with trace amount of chemicals ( acetyl pyrazine, diacetyl, acetoine )
FlavourArt - Very good reputation and flavors selection tested and geared towards vapers as opposed to the food industry exclusively...
Capella - Lots of folks like their flavors
Hangsen - Fourth because...well I think there's just some sort of stigma many folks associate with the company. I love most all their tobacco's
Inawera - Last because most folks simply haven't tried their flavors and tend to stick with better known ones. I wouldn't be surprised to see this one move up in rankings very fast.
My choices would be in this order...Hangsen - ( FlavourArt - Inawera - toss up here) Capella. Bout the only thing I use from TFA is their Vanilla Swirl and nothing from LorAnn!