Preferred Vaping Equipment for Hobbyists/Non-Smokers

If smokers should use vaporizers that are conducive for the mouth-to-lung methodology, then it stands to reason that hobbyists and non-smokers should seek an avenue designed for direct-to-lung vaping. Since their end goal is flavor and vapor production, the sentiment is opposite of mouth-to-lung vaping, which is less-pronounced wattage for better throat hits. For hobbyist vapers, in contrast, it's all about the power!

There's an easy, and scientifically undeniable reason for this. Vaporizers operate under the principle of "heat of vaporization," which is the energy needed for one gram of a liquid to vaporize without a change in pressure. For a vaper, more e-liquid means more intense flavors. However, this will require an increase in energy to compensate. Thus, it's unavoidable that from a hobbyist's perspective, a vaporizer must not come short in the output department.

Technically, we are talking about a platform that is the opposite of what a mouth-to-lunger would draw from. Instead of a high resistance, low wattage configuration, direct-lungers require a low resistance, high wattage combo. This translates to a steady stream of electrical current from the battery to the sub-ohm atomizer, resulting in substantial heat energy as compared to high resistance atomizers.

Vapers who employ the direct-to-lung methodology also have a significant industry-based advantage. Do a quick Google search on vaping or vaporizers, and one recurring theme becomes all too evident. The sector is geared towards direct-to-lung-vaping. Do another search on vaping mods. More often than not, sub-ohm tanks and atomizers are advertised, not high resistance platforms.

This isn't to suggest that mouth-to-lung specialty vaporizers are going to become obsolete. I look at it this way: in years past, it was not at all uncommon for cars to be equipped with manual transmissions as standard equipment. Now, not only is the automatic transmission standard, but advanced ATs such as seven- or eight- speed sequential gearboxes are the norm for high-end luxury vehicles.

Very few auto makers are incorporating technologies to forward the progress of the manual stick shift. Only two companies come to mind: BMW, for its "brake-hold" feature when a car is on an incline, and Nissan, for its automated "rev-matching" function. Other than those two rather obscure examples, most companies are focused on making the AT system quicker and more efficient.

The same thing can be said about vaporizers. As we mentioned before, one of the key advantages of the mouth-to-lung methodology is that it was more efficient and less intensive on the battery. Similarly, a manual transmission-equipped car is typically more fuel-efficient and puts less stress on important components such as brake pads and rotors.

However, if we're being honest, most of the demand is generated by e-devices that make the most of the straight-to-lung process. That shouldn't be surprising given another advantage enjoyed by the hobbyist and non-smoker crowd -- the cultural edge.

Watch any vaping demonstration video and it will likely zero in on one key factor -- vapor production. For both cloud chasers and cloud gazers, there's nothing more awe-inspiring than watching a mere mortal emit a plume that is the length of the vaper doing the emissions. Although I don't believe there are any statistics on this issue, I would bet that many hobbyists got turned onto vaping after watching a cloud demo.

Beyond that, there are unique, mind-dazzling tricks that can only be accomplished through the direct-lunging process. These vaping tricks go well beyond the ability of a cigar smoker puffing out some rudimentary O-rings. On multiple social media networks, we are inundated with footage of vape clouds that seemingly have an intelligence of their own. Just the “cool factor” of vaping tricks would probably seal the deal for any passersby.

But an even more intriguing aspect is the diversity of the vaping community. This isn't a male-centric pursuit that so many hobbies tend to be. Rather, there's an incredible amount of female participation -- and they're not just making up the ranks! The elite women of vaping are kicking butt and taking names. Many of their tricks and performances easily rival that of their male counterparts.

And, if we're being completely blunt and non-politically correct, women vapers are much more marketable than male vapers. Seeing a guy vape is a dime a dozen. Seeing a woman vape -- and vape well -- is a whole new ballgame. That too attracts outsiders to the industry, and guess what? These new "recruits" aren't likely to ask for high-resistance atomizers!

Having talked up vaporizers that specialize in the straight-to-lung methodology, they do have a very obvious drawback. The need for increased heat energy to produce superior flavor and vapor production means that direct-lungers can expect a significantly shorter session life on one battery. To get around this problem, hobbyists and non-smokers will need to adequate batteries, and lots of them.

And it's not just about the batteries. Vaporizer components don't operate in a vacuum. The functionality and reliability of one component can seriously impact other systems.

Excessive modding of a vaporizer platform is akin to steroid usage. Under controlled dosages, anabolic steroids can be an accelerator of a weightlifter's true potential. But this, of course, is a very delicate and risky dynamic. Push slightly too much, and the user can experience addiction symptoms. More critically, organ functions may become compromised, which then cascades into other problems.

Over-experimentation is a common issue with newcomers to vaping. A common misconception is that the linear trend between power and an end result (such as vapor production or magnified flavor) will continue indefinitely -- ie. more power, more clouds. That's true up to a certain point. But beyond a critical mass threshold, one risks component failure, or worse.

We see a similar dynamic with the outdoorsman and hunting community. Due to the expense of hunting rifle-caliber ammunition, many ardent hunters will "reload" -- or recycle -- their ammo. This is a process whereby old shell casings are collected from once-fired cartridges, and new primers and gun powders are installed.

In the U.S., guidelines for ammo specifications are provided by the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute. Not all bullets of the same caliber are loaded in identical fashion -- there are normal loads, and "hot" loads for every caliber. Many avid hunters and shooters love to push the limits of their firearms by bringing the load to the very edge of SAAMI specs.

Doing so can be great fun, and that certainly has an appeal. But go beyond the threshold, and bang! Excess pressure can rip apart a firearm like it was a tinfoil can, exploding shrapnel like a wild shotgun blast. While that may sound like a risk only crazed shooters will take, you'll be shocked as to how many vapers take similarly unnecessary risks.

Thankfully, catastrophic failures are extremely rare; however, technical failures are very much common, particularly for newbies. Vaping using the direct-to-lung methodology requires power, but a more accurate term would be "balanced power." Yes, output increases flavor and vapor production, but only to a point. Beyond recommended levels, high output can permanently damage one or more components in the vaporizer. If you happen to vape with an internally integrated battery, you may be on the hook for another e-device.

So when it comes to hobbyist vaping, the vaper can be his or her own worst enemy. Avoid temptation and stay within the written guidelines. They are there for a reason!