Thinking of switching to a pod system

[landlocked]

I've been using an iStick Pico for several years. I vape either 1.5 or 3mg nic but the problem is, I go through an absurd amount of liquid because I chain vape. I probably go through a 60 ml bottle in a little over a week, which gets expensive. I was thinking that a pod system with salts might be a better option for me. I don't really like the big clouds that the mod produces, I want something more discreet, and I would like to limit my vaping without losing the satisfaction (meaning getting the same result from fewer puffs, if possible) to avoid chain vaping. I have tried higher nic levels but it is more irritating to my lungs and from what I've read, the salts are smoother and less irritating.

I'm just looking for some input from you seasoned pod users. Is nic salt supposedly as "safe" as regular liquid? I mean, as safe as can be reasonably claimed since all of this is relatively new? I know that no liquid or vaping can guarantee safety, so I'm not delusional about that. I guess I'm just asking is if there is any reason to believe that it is less safe? I will add that I am a seasoned vaper. I switched to vaping from cigs in 2010 and never looked back. I started with the small cig looking batteries with refillable "carts" and then gradually stepped up to the larger aspire pen style, and now the Pico. When I first started vaping I was vaping 24mg and then dropped to 12. Once I got a mod, I dropped significantly due to the increased volume. I would really like to try a low maintenance system and dial back the amount I vape. Thoughts?

 

[Izan]

Hi,
If you double your nicotine strength using salts, you may find you only vape half as often. (okay a third less, but it's a start.)
If the throat hit from salts is not satisfying, you can mix salt and freebase liquids together as need or desired.
Do you have a vape shop in your town you could visit?
What is your budget for the new "set up".
Would you prefer a pod that is draw operated or that requires a button push to fire?

Cheers
I

 

[r77r7r]

Might work fine but it sounds like those games we used to play when smoking to cut back or quit. Salts were around about when you joined and many vaped them. I'd go with diy.

 

[landlocked]

I do, but I live in a small town and I'm not even sure they deal with pod systems. I don't go in often because their liquid is awful and I have always just ordered everything online. I only go in for liquid as a last resort if what I ordered won't get here in time. I was seriously looking at the Smok Nord system, but since I only began researching this last night I'm still undecided. I'm willing to spend a bit but prefer to keep it under $100 to get a complete set up since I may not like it. I'm a seasoned vaper, but there is a lot of the lingo that I'm still not familiar with. Is freebase liquid what I'm using now?

 

[landlocked]

I'm a fill and go kind of girl. The less maintenance the better. I would really prefer to not have to mix anything myself, if possible. I know what you are saying r77r7r, but when I first started I vaped way less and as I stepped down the mg I just vape more. I vaped way less before switching to the mod and would like to head back in the other direction now.

 

[Brewdawg1181]

I don't think nic salt poses any health issues that freebase doesn't. I got some nic salt because, like you, I wanted to see if I could cut my volume a little. I go thru far less than you - a little less than 2ml a day. And the only time I chain vape, if you'd call it that, is mid afternoon, an hour or so after lunch.

You probably know this, but the big differences between freebase and salts is that the salt based gets into your bloodstream much more quickly and efficiently- very close to what a cigarette does. So if you were one that had any nic sensitivity, it would show up more, since more of it hits your bloodstream more quickly, and achieves a higher level in the blood than a corresponding strength freebase. But I'm one who believes that nic is no more harmful than caffiene (if it's harmful at all), and maybe less so.

I haven't been doing it too long, but I'm surprised to find that I don't think it's really stopping me from hitting the vape as often. I know that's odd - it does provide more nic satisfaction. But it may, for me, just be a psychological thing of needing to inhale it just as often. It probably does help others that rely on the feeling of the nic more than the inhale than I do.

In theory, it should help - and it may help you more than me. It's worth a try. And you can use a combination of freebase with the salts. The salt nic (even though I have "hit" version), don't give the throat hit anywhere near what freebase does. And if you're not overly sensitive to pg, you can gradually increase that- it'll not only reduce the clouds, but likely make you take smaller hits.

 

[landlocked]

Thanks for the input, Brewdawg. I don't believe I have any sensitivities because I started vaping at 24mg years ago. It's just evolved into me vaping way more than I ever smoked and for me, it got more so with using the Pico mod. I just want to dial it back and reduce the amount of liquid I go through. I'm probably spending as much on liquid as I did on cigarettes. Of course, I feel better than I ever did smoking but the economic benefits have long gone out the window.

 

[landlocked]

That, and I'm not a fan of the big clouds produced from the mod. The main reason for going with the mod was battery life, but at this point, I'd rather just have to recharge more often.

 

[Opinionated]

I'm a fill and go kind of girl. The less maintenance the better. I would really prefer to not have to mix anything myself, if possible. I know what you are saying r77r7r, but when I first started I vaped way less and as I stepped down the mg I just vape more. I vaped way less before switching to the mod and would like to head back in the other direction now.

Hey.. all salts are, are PH balanced freebase. That's what makes it less harsh when you vape..

So, it's not any more harmful, it's still just nicotine.. I'm sure there are different processes which use different means to achieve the PH balance depending on manufacturer, but all in all, it's just nicotine.

I've not heard of anyone having any issues with salts, and I've been DIYing with them for a couple years now.

As far as pod systems, there are several good ones on the market. You might try and enjoy the Smok Nord.. it's an AIO rather than a pod system, but it's the same size/shape/look of a pod.

You have to change coils, but the coils are inexpensive, just about 10 dollars for 5. And of course you fill using your own eliquid, so you can choose whatever strength and flavor you prefer.

The flavor isn't good in a pod system, so you want to go with e juices that are strongly flavored to begin with.. just be prepared for that difference.

Overall, you should be happy, and I believe it to be equally safe, if not safer since you have a lower consumption level overall.

 

[landlocked]

Thank you for the info. I'm still watching videos of reviews and trying to decide. I'm leaning toward the Smok Nord or the Suorin Drop. I like the fact that you can use salts and reg liquid in the Nord, though. Decisions, decisions.

 

[Vicman]

Not really sure about salts, I only use them sparingly. That said, I was using about 20 mils of liquid a day when I was vaping with mods with 6mg nic. I switched to using pods and increased my nic level to 18mg and now vape between 2-4 mils a day.

With the pods, I don't really notice the increased nic in terms of burning throat or anything like that. Most are producing the same output as the old ego batteries supplied to the higher ohm stuff back in the day back when higher nic was normal.

As for the Nord, it's an nice device. I use the 1.4ohm coil and it is a decent MTL type device. The .6 coil is a cloud producer and have not tried the 1.4 mesh coil as it is never in stock whenever I order something. The flavor is actually pretty good in the Nord, better than most pods out there.

 

[landlocked]

Awesome, thank you. Another question though... I started off vaping mouth to lung and then when I got the mod I started direct lung. I've read a lot about the salts being mouth to lung. I'm assuming it's because if the high levels of nicotine being ingested. Is that right? I mean, with mouth to lung, you are not inhaling as much as direct lung. I would definitely have to retrain myself.

 

[tailland]

I go through an absurd amount of liquid because I chain vape. I probably go through a 60 ml bottle in a little over a week, which gets expensive.

I go through 120mls a week. Easy.

Here's how I keep my costs low:
- 1000ml VG/PG base 9€
- 5 x 10ml concentrated flavor 12,50€
- 5 x 10ml 20mg nic shots 5€
mix it, put it in the fridge, forget about it for the next 4 weeks...
---
26,50€ for 1000ml flavored nic liquid = 2.65/100ml ... lasts me for roughly 5 days. That's very ok. If I'd wanted more nic, I'dd shots for another 5€... still a very cheap liquid... and I vape twice as much as you do.

If you spend lots of $ for liquids, it's your deliberate choice.

 

[landlocked]

Mods are such liquid hogs and I just can't justify what I'm spending and I know the DIY would be a more economical option, but I would really rather not have to do that. I'm really hoping switching systems works for me. Plus, I'm not a fan of the big clouds of smoke.. neither are my husband and 12-year-old son.

 

[Vicman]

Awesome, thank you. Another question though... I started off vaping mouth to lung and then when I got the mod I started direct lung. I've read a lot about the salts being mouth to lung. I'm assuming it's because if the high levels of nicotine being ingested. Is that right? I mean, with mouth to lung, you are not inhaling as much as direct lung. I would definitely have to retrain myself.

I do believe that is correct. Much like with regular nic, as the push for more power increased, nic levels decreased.

 

[landlocked]

Ok, so I pulled the trigger on a Smok Nord kit. I ordered an extra pod so I will be able to have a salts pod/coil and a regular pod/coil. I also got extra coils for each pod and a 30mg nic salt to try. I'm a little nervous about that high mg, but I figured I would try it out and if nothing else, I can dilute it a little. Thank you all so much for chiming in with your thoughts. You have all been a huge help! That's why I love this place. I may not get on here often, but I know where to come for information. Thanks again!

 

[charlie1465]

Mods are such liquid hogs and I just can't justify what I'm spending and I know the DIY would be a more economical option, but I would really rather not have to do that. I'm really hoping switching systems works for me. Plus, I'm not a fan of the big clouds of smoke.. neither are my husband and 12-year-old son.

Hi there...I recently started using a couple of different pods (I won them) and I find that it definitely works for slowing me down on the vapor intake.

I make my own nic salts with benzoic acid and I vape them at 36mg/ml so pretty high strength. This is what you will need IMO keeping in mind what you're are doing now. I vape 18mg/ml normally in my RDA's so I doubled the strength for the pods. Don't worry about it too much though as you don't take in much vapor compared to a tank. What I mean is that if you're vaping say 6mg/ml at the moment I don't think you'll make yourself sick my moving to 36mg in pods....but you will vape less Job done.

First thing in the morning the salts really give you that aaah moment....very relaxing.

Regarding your pod I would go for the Nord as it really has a proven track record and lots of people like it a lot. I hope this has made sense and good luck to you

 

[ArminF]

my biggest issue with pods are their lack of flavour. Some are good as they do use mesh coils and i think this is the future for flavourful MTL vaping with drop in coils. Nord is one of them so you made a good choice. More will come. i do use the Artery PAL 2.

Just raise your nicotine level and you will start using the device less. Or maybe get a nicotine flash and your body will tell you when it's enough satisfied. 60 ML a week means around 8 a day. 8x3MG Nic = 24. So with a pod you might come down to 6 ML a day. Just raise the Nicotine to 5 then. Should be enough to keep your body running . You can lower it anytime. Just do not push yourself as the switch from Device to Pod will keep you busy for a while. New methods of filling, new coils, new charging etc... And remember that it is not the nicotine which would have killed you while smoking. It was the rest inside the cigarettes..

And maybe think about DIY. It is easier than you think. Especially when you use ready concentrates of several flavours in one. Compositions so to say. Just mix yourself one or two liter of your base and put the flavours in.
For PODs you might need to increase the flavour amount. I had to raise to 20%.

good luck and enjoy your "podlife"

 

[landlocked]

Thanks, ArminF! I hope I like it. DIY just sounds so intimidating because like I said, I'm a fill and go. The closest I came to DIY was buying 0mg and 48mg to make 24mg loooong ago. It might be something I look into eventually but although I've been vaping for almost 10 years, my knowledge is very limited. I usually find something that works for the time being and then I stick with it until it stops meeting my needs. I'm a creature of habit so much so that I don't even change up my liquids. I've been vaping Mother's Milk religiously for several years and it kills me to have to use a replacement when I'm late reordering. I do believe that the bad stuff isn't the nicotine, 100%. As you say, the nicotine isn't what kills you. Going cold turkey to vaping was the best decision I could have made and my lungs have been thanking me ever since.

 

[Jazzman]

Thanks, ArminF! I hope I like it. DIY just sounds so intimidating because like I said, I'm a fill and go. The closest I came to DIY was buying 0mg and 48mg to make 24mg loooong ago. It might be something I look into eventually but although I've been vaping for almost 10 years, my knowledge is very limited. I usually find something that works for the time being and then I stick with it until it stops meeting my needs. I'm a creature of habit so much so that I don't even change up my liquids. I've been vaping Mother's Milk religiously for several years and it kills me to have to use a replacement when I'm late reordering. I do believe that the bad stuff isn't the nicotine, 100%. As you say, the nicotine isn't what kills you. Going cold turkey to vaping was the best decision I could have made and my lungs have been thanking me ever since.

I'm glad you took the plunge with the Nord. There are quite a few really good pod systems available now and the Nord is definitely one of them. The biggest challenge I've faced with pod systems is the small tanks for juice. I have wasted a few coils not realizing I was out of juice and slightly burning the wick so the flavor is off forever with that coil. I'm a flavor junky with vaping and that is probably my most important criteria for a vaping device. I find the Nord has really excellent flavor so you either have very strong Google-Fu, got lucky with your choice, or listened to some great advise given by other here! Just watch your juice levels until you have a good understanding of how long the 3ml of juice will last to save on coils. I also find the flavor is equally good with both of the supplied coils with the 0.6 mesh coil providing a bit more vapor at the expense of using juice quicker and the 1.4 coil a bit less vapor and using less juice, but both have a great, clean taste.

At your current nic levels I think you will do very well with 24~35mg/ml of nic salt juice. With the reduced volume of vapor it will seem very close to what you are using now and you will naturally tailor your vaping frequency with the Nord to satisfy your nic need without having to think about it. During your honeymoon period when you first get the Nord you will naturally overdo it a bit, but you will know it and adjust without issue or getting sick.. it won't be a big deal.

Let us know how it goes when you get your new device and give it a try.