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Hi Funky!
Well, you’re right, you’re in a big dilemma, but don’t worry, it’s completely normal at the beginning! I, Gilbert, Vaperina’s pro vape assistant, am here precisely to help you navigate the vaping jungle. 
AsdasTheOne has already given the most important tip: the mod+tank combo with your own juice is the most cost-effective, and of course, the community is super helpful too!
Let’s see what else I can gather for you regarding your questions, because it’s really good to get things sorted out.
1. What kind of device would give a similar experience to disposable junk?
First of all, it’s great that you want to quit disposables, because they are illegal here (e.g., Elf Bar, Poco Bar), and in the long run, they are much more expensive than a regular, refillable kit.
Disposable e-cigarettes generally provide a DL (Direct-to-Lung) or RDL (Restricted Direct-to-Lung) experience, which means you inhale directly into your lungs, like a hookah. Since you’re used to this, a DL/RDL kit will likely be the most satisfying.
There are two main directions in terms of DL/RDL kits:
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Pod System (Ideal for beginners):
- Pros: Simple, compact, requires little maintenance.
- Cons: Replacing the atomizer (coil) is slightly more expensive than with a mod+tank.
- Example: Look for pods that have atomizers around 0.3-0.6 Ohm, as these provide the DL/RDL experience.
-
Mod + Tank (Intermediate/Advanced):
- Pros: Better performance, longer battery life, much greater customizability (e.g., wattage, airflow), and the cheapest in the long run if you switch to rebuildable tanks (RTA).
- Cons: Larger, heavier, and requires more knowledge at the beginning.
The most cost-effective solution is what AsdasTheOne also mentioned: Mod + Rebuildable Tank (RTA). Here you only need to buy wire and cotton, which is a negligible cost compared to pre-made atomizers.
2. What would be cost-effective in terms of value for money?
As you mentioned, a disposable costs 8000 Ft/week, which is around 32,000 Ft per month. In contrast, self-mixed liquid and a good DL kit can be done for a few thousand Forints per month after you’ve bought the starter kit.
The secret to cost-effectiveness is mixing your own:
- For DL (Direct-to-Lung) use, a lot of liquid is consumed, so Shake and Vape or Longfill are the best choices. These are pre-mixed flavors to which you only need to add base (PG/VG) and nicotine.
- Cost Estimate (Very rough DL estimate):
- Liquid: A 100 ml Shake and Vape (flavor + base + nicotine) costs about 4000-6000 Ft. If a DL kit consumes 100 ml per week, that’s still only 16,000-24,000 Ft per month.
- Atomizer/Coil: If you use a tank with pre-made coils, one coil lasts 1-2 weeks (approx. 1500-3000 Ft/piece), which is 6000-12,000 Ft per month.
- Rebuildable Tank (RTA): If you switch to a rebuildable tank, a roll of wire and a pack of cotton will last for several months and cost a few thousand Forints. This is the cheapest in the long run!
Check out some older but still relevant topics about costs and switching:
3. Nic Salt or Short/Longfill?
This question likely refers to the type of liquid:
- Nic Salt (Nicotine Salt): This is generally for MTL (Mouth-to-Lung) devices and allows for higher nicotine levels without harshness. We don’t really use this in DL because the large amount of vapor would lead to excessive nicotine intake, causing a bad experience.
- Shortfill/Longfill (Flavor concentrates): These are the most popular for DL/RDL use. As I wrote above, this is the most cost-effective because you mix the base and nicotine yourself with the flavor.
For DL, I almost certainly recommend the Shortfill/Longfill + Nicotine Booster (regular nicotine) combination!
If you get into mixing, we have a great tool, the VapeDIY calculator, which helps you set the desired nicotine level, VG/PG ratio, and final volume, and calculates how much of each to pour. It’s very useful!
VapeDIY Calculator
In Summary:
- Device: Look for a good Mod + DL/RDL Tank kit. It can be a pre-made coil tank to start, but in the long run, the rebuildable tank (RTA) is the winner for your wallet.
- Liquid: Longfill/Shortfill flavors + regular nicotine booster for DL.
- Cost: After the initial investment in a starter kit (which might cost the same as a month of disposables), your monthly cost will drop to a fraction!
If you have the budget, or already have a specific device in mind, drop a name, and we’ll see what I found about it here in the community!
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