Upgrade from EVOD?

[Gary Ernwald]

Hi everyone! Newbie here.


A few years ago I bought a KangerTech EVOD starter kit and disliked it. I was vaping 0 nic flavors, but I felt they tasted muted.

I've never been a regular smoker, so I didn't need the nicotine. Just want to vape from time to time.

My budget is about $200. Been searching around for a mid- to low- maintenance vape that is top-notch with flavor. Honestly I can hardly understand a lot of the lingo that gets thrown around , lol! Would really appreciate any help! Thank you all so much

 

[bombastinator]

My first question to someone who’s never been a smoker and wants to vape is why fergodsake? Your business I suppose. Evods produce a pretty pod like experience so if you don’t like the evod it’s likely you won’t like pods or other mtl stuff either. I’m also assuming you want something as small as possible since it’s for social occasions. The smallest DL device I know of is the target nano. I normally don’t recommend LiPo mods but you likely won’t be vaping very often so it’s going to be less of a bother. Be very careful with the microUSB2 port on it they’re fragile. A magnetic cable may even be a good idea. As for the tank, perhaps a crown 1?

To recap:

-Target nano
-Crown 1 tank or whatever comes with the target nano if you get a kit
-Magnetic usb cable for port safety

 

[gandymarsh]

Welcome to ECF!

There are lots of systems available currently. I'll just put a couple out to get things started.

Eleaf Pico starter kit. Uses 1 18650 battery so you can have one in the mod and one charging or charged ready to go.

Aspire Zelos starter kit. Has a built in battery that is charged with USB.

 

[Gary Ernwald]

Thanks for the warm welcome! And thank you for your recommendations, I will check them out!

By the way, I'm not necessarily looking for something too beginner-ish. I know those might often sacrifice quality. I don't mind a learning curve, as long as it doesn't get so complicated like making my own coils or wicks or all the difficult stuff I see on enthusiast forums. I just want to get the absolute most flavor, some nice relaxing clouds, and hopefully within a budget of $200.

My first question to someone who’s never been a smoker and wants to vape is why fergodsake?

I appreciate your concern, and I agree with you! I was never a regular smoker but I don't mind having a smoke on occasion, like once a week or even every 2 weeks. I miss it sometimes but I don't want to resort to a cigarette or hookah.

 

[stols001]

You shouldn't need to spend that much on a setup you use occasionally, with drop in coils, and etc. I have a Vapresso Tarot Mini (I think that was being discussed) and it's an internal battery mod but it should have enough power for your usefulness, and the kit with attached tank is not bad either, if you want to get a little bit cloudier than your current setup. I use it with a 0.5 coil. It was a win but I was impressed enough with it to get another.

Sure, you could buy a big box mod with two removable batteries, but if you only vape "occasionally" and 0 nic, that just may be something you don't need.

I'm kind of unclear on whether you want to blow big clouds (in which case you may need something with a bit more power, depending on how much you vape) and lots of fog, or something more stealthy and just a bit different from what you have, etc. If you can say a little more than your budget, but more about the type of vaping you'd enjoy (and how much you plan to be vaping) it would be a little easier to recommend something.

As to why you are vaping, well, that's really up to you so I'm not going to query it. Etc.

Anna

 

[Gary Ernwald]

If you can say a little more than your budget, but more about the type of vaping you'd enjoy (and how much you plan to be vaping) it would be a little easier to recommend something.

Thank you for your reply, Anna.

The size of the EVOD's clouds was fine by me, so I don't mind if the next setup produces similar.

My main gripe with it was I felt the taste was 'muted.' It felt more like I was smelling it. I was hoping there are other setups out there that produce better flavor.

 

[Baditude]

I like the suggestions already offered above for you.

The original Uwell Crown (not the 2, 3, or Valarian) is my favorite and every day juice attachment. Excellent flavor and vapor. Easy to fill and minimal maintanance. Choice of 4 drop-in coils of different ohm ranges. My review is the second one in this thread: Tanks & RDA's Ratings & Explanations

The choice of the battery device depends upon how much you want to spend. The choices already offered above are inexpensive good ones. Since it is still within your budget, I'll recommend what I use daily. The JAC Vapour series B DNA75. It's a compact and well-built device that should last you a very long time. Will require a couple of good 18650 batteries and a Li-ion battery charger. The JAC and the Crown is the best combo I've used in the six years I've been vaping. There's an entire thread devoted to this mod: JAC Vapour Series-B DNA 75w

 

[mcclintock]

I've always been very picky about flavor since I started with EVODs. They produce a lot of flavor for how little vapor they put out, and they produce the right flavor with some tobacco flavors. However they have their own very slightly burny cottony taste which makes contrary flavors to its nature taste more the same as each other. That's even true rewicked with cotton, although it's far better (however I had poor results with the one set of cotton wicked heads I bought). But I've tried things that put out 5 times the vapor that have 1/5 the taste. I do prefer my RDA at 16 watts for a more pure type of taste and plenty of sensitivity (most commercial juices are too strong in it). But only the EVOD and Atomic RDA built for 7W and tightest air are really good with NET tobaccos, to me. I also like the Mini Protank 2 which uses the same coils and is glass/metal, but it is only good with sweeter flavors, somehow it tastes a lot different and often much less. The coils take a while to break in and get good flavor with both.

Looking for something better to carry in my pocket, I do like the Vaporesso Drizzle (Avail ExpressX) but I wish they made a bigger version (their larger devices are all higher power). The Aspire Nautilus is is highly reputed and I like it OK, but the Vaporesso is better. Every other tank I've tried I've had mixed results at best.

While not wanting big clouds, a lot more power might be the answer for more flavor. I don't see the appeal, but those who vape fruity flavors exclusively seem to love them.

 

[BrotherBob]

Welcome and glad you joined.

 

[Gary Ernwald]

Thanks for all the advice. I did some research and I might give the
Vaporesso Tarot Mini a try. I have two questions:

Can I switch out the tank with an Aspire Nautilus 2? Seems to be rated for flavor and clouds.

Also what do you guys think of the Smok X-priv kit? It's a big larger than I'm interested in, but it really looks lovely with its screen, plus it allows for a lot more wattage. I understand I'll have to buy batteries separately though. Will it be complicated for me?

Any thoughts? Thanks!

 

[stols001]

Your nautilus should be fine on either mod, you just need the 510 connection to work, and to turn your wattage down. You may want to check the manufacturer's specs, some mods only fire to a certain low resistance, like 7 or 10. I think the Vaperesso mod starts at 1 watt, but the Gpriv, I'm not sure.

Nothing wrong with buying a large box mod if you want, Smok has had some QC issues in the past I would make sure your vendor has a decent warranty period (and I, honesty might chose a different manufacturer) but if it's calling to you, and you love it, you should get it and that is a reasonable price. I find removable batteries easier to deal with than charging via USB port, but yes, it's extra steps and etc.

Best of luck deciding.

Anna

 

[Baditude]

Also what do you guys think of the Smok X-priv kit? It's a big larger than I'm interested in, but it really looks lovely with its screen, plus it allows for a lot more wattage. I understand I'll have to buy batteries separately though. Will it be complicated for me?

I'm definitely not a fan of SMOK mods. As Anna alluded to, the company has quality control and customer support issues.

External battery mods are a wiser choice than an internal battery mod:

• All batteries have a 250 - 300 charge cycle life, at which point the battery will stop holding an adequate charge.
• A mod that uses an internal battery (which can't be replaced) will eventually become a paperweight.
• You generally can't use an internal battery mod if the battery needs to be charged; you may need to wait 2 - 4 hours for the battery to charge back up before you can vape again.
• A mod that used replacable external batteries can continue to be used if the battery dies. You simply replace the old battery with a $5 - $8 replacement.
• Using a mod that uses external batteries, you should have spare charged batteries to use while the first set is charging, and can continue to vape while it is charging.

Everyone who vapes should have a basic knowledge of batteries. We depend upon batteries to vape. They are the most important item in our vaping setup.

Battery Basics for Mods: The Definative Battery Guide for Vaping
Guide to Choosing a Li-ion Battery Charger

​

 

[Gary Ernwald]

Thanks everyone! I ended up getting a Revenger X kit, but I ran into a major problem immediately.

The kit comes with the Vaporesso NRG Tank which is 0.15 ohm. I'm having real trouble with it because it leaks a ton and spits juice into my mouth! I read online that you have to increase wattage for sub-ohm coils, and close the air vents, so I went to 80 watts and closed vent, but it makes the tank really hot and the inhale is unpleasantly hot.

Did I mess up? I wanted a much cooler vape than this, and I can't figure out how to stop this massive leaking.

 

[Fidola13]

It’s not the tank it’s the coil you must be using. Purchase the GT coils that work in the range you like to vape at.

 

[Gary Ernwald]

Thank you so much Fidola! It came with the GT 8 coil. I don't know how people vape with this thing? It requires that I close the airflow completely, and it gets extremely hot. I'm sure I'm missing something, because this can't be standard procedure, right?

I'm about to place an order for the GT CCELL coil, because I want the lowest wattage so I can take long drags and not worry about leaking and very hot vapor. Am I understanding this correctly?


Sorry for all the questions, I'm usually tech savvy but this is confusing! Thanks a ton!

 

[Fidola13]

I’m not a fan of the watt levels needed for the GT8. I can’t imagine vaping at such hot levels all the time but to each his own.

Good on you for ordering the ccells. That’s my favorite then the GT4. I hope you like it. I often will rinse or soak it in hot water then let air dry over night when it gets gunned up. It’s easier to get more use from it than a cotton wick. I vape a lot of sugary fruits so it can gunk up pretty quickly. So if u find the flavor starting to fade then give that a try before throwing them out. Just a thought anyways.

Enjoy!!

 

[Fidola13]

Please don’t apologize. It feels good to e able to share what I know about vaping as so many have done for me!

And yes you’ll be able to get some nice long inhales from the cCell coils at a low wattage.

 

[mcclintock]

Thank you so much Fidola! It came with the GT 8 coil. I don't know how people vape with this thing? It requires that I close the airflow completely, and it gets extremely hot. I'm sure I'm missing something, because this can't be standard procedure, right?

I'm about to place an order for the GT CCELL coil, because I want the lowest wattage so I can take long drags and not worry about leaking and very hot vapor. Am I understanding this correctly?


Sorry for all the questions, I'm usually tech savvy but this is confusing! Thanks a ton!

Closing the airflow lowers the usable power but more air tends to be cooler even with a bit more power... and you have to actually use that wider airflow setting, pull through more air, for it to help (yes, the big sucking sound!). Also closing the air so you can get more vacuum is good if the coil isn't getting enough juice, but that's unlikely if you're getting spitting and leaking. Bottom line is you can't really run a coil completely different than intended, but that probably isn't the best compromise with that coil.

A lower power coil is worth a try, unless the whole tank is clearly contrary to your vaping style.

 

[Gary Ernwald]

Thank you once again Fidola! And thanks mcclintock, appreciate it.

A lower power coil is worth a try, unless the whole tank is clearly contrary to your vaping style.

Yea that's what I was thinking. Maybe I'm better off getting another tank that's more suitable to my intended style, which is long inhales and the coolest vapor possible. I'm trying to replicate a hookah as much as possible.

 

[mcclintock]

Large atomizer, low power, matching small coil is the coolest, but if not done right loses a lot of flavor (consider a tighter drip tip). If you are trying to mimic a large amount of smoke you can only take it down so far. So those different coils might work for you, but don't expect them to go below 25W (you can try and a lot of coils do seem overrated to me).