Author: pbusardo

The vaping world lost a great modder Friday but most importantly we lost a great friend, a husband and a father to his 11 month old son. Vasilis Stivaktakis will be most remembered for his constant smile that filled every room he entered. Co owner of atmistique.gr and avid vaping enthusiast he is most known for his twins telescopic extension, and hippo air flow control for the provari. May he rest in peace and prayers to his friends and family.

If you would like to donate to his fund, you can do so HERE

All money raised will be hand delivered by VapinGreek during his visit to Greece the week of April 15th to his widow.

In this video, I take a look at three different methods for building your wick and coil assemblies and share some of my Genesis experiences to date including some of my experience in materials, gauges, meshes, and the difference between building on a wick/coil on a mech vs. a regulated device. Note that although this video was created for the AGA-T(s), the methods can be applied to most Genesis atomizers.

My apologies for the “action” being a little off camera during some of this video. I’m working on a better method to balance my focus on the task at hand AS WELL AS keeping the action on-cam.

IMPORTANT! The Pulse method shown in this video is not exactly the safest method out there. You’re starting off with a damn near short which could be detrimental to your battery and has the potential to lead to venting. A couple tips I’ve heard, 1) Don’t use a fully charged batter, let it drain to around 3.7 volts. 2) You may want to clean or torch your mesh before rolling it to get rid of any harmful contaminants. Use these methods, like any electric cigarette device at your own risk!!

Let’s be clear, am I the best at this? No. But I continue to build my Genesis knowledge and share it with you to the best of my ability.

I pulled some information/suggestions from this video that you may want to see at a glance. Remember, these are the numbers I enjoy and may not be for everyone, not will everyone agree, and that’s ok!

• Lower the wire gauge = thicker the wire = lower resistance over a given piece of wire.
• Higher the wire gauge = thinner the wire = higher resistance over a given piece or wire.
• On a mechanical device: 28 gauge, 3 or 4 wraps, around a 1 Ohm coil.
• On a regulated device: 32 gauge, 4 or 5 wraps, around a 1.5 Ohm coil.
• Try lower density mesh (Ex: 200, 270, 325) for thicker e-liquids.
• Try higher density mesh (Ex: 400, 500, 635) for thinner e-liquids.

Those suggestions could certainly change as I learn and grow more with mechs.

The Video:

Post-Review Follow-Up:

I created a resistance wire calculator for myself and it’s been working pretty good so I decided to pretty it up a bit and share it with you guys.

It available to download by clicking HERE.  Excel is required.

1. Enter the target resistance of the coil you’re trying to make in the first field.
2. Use the pull down in the second field to select the coil type (currently supports single, dual, and triple
3. Use the pull down in the third field to select the Kanthal gauge (currently supports 28, 32, & 34 – metric also display)
4. The wire length in inches, cm, and the number of wires required will be calculated for you.

Note that the calculations are based detailed resistance measurements of A-1 Kanthal I purchased from Temco on Ebay.  Depending on what your using, you may need to modify the calculations a bit.

The Photos

A PBusardo Review – The AGA-T(s)

In this set of videos I take a look at the AGA-T and all it’s versions.
The video is geared more towards a rookie (Not a fan of “noob”) than a veteran as I feel the AGAs are a more entry level device.

If you’re interested in taking the leap to a Genesis, you may want to consider the Smoktech RSST as your first one. It is also reasonably priced, but the spring loaded center post capture (as apposed to the 2-nut capture of the AGA-Ts) may be a little easier to work with for a new user.

The first video is the review. I also have a conversation with Greg, AKA Ninja, who was nice enough to help me with a little Genesis experiment. Thank you Greg! All of Greg’s contact information appears below.

In the second video, I take a look at three different methods for building your wick and coil assemblies and share some of my Genesis experiences to date including some of my experience in materials, gauges, meshes, and the difference between building on a wick/coil on a mech vs. a regulated device. Note that these methods can be applied to most Genesis atomizers.

My apologies for the “action” being a little off camera during some of this video. I’m working on a better method to balance my focus on the task at hand AS WELL AS keeping the action on-cam.

Let’s be clear, am I the best at this? No. But I continue to build my Genesis knowledge and share it with you to the best of my ability.

The Links:
My Vapor Store
Kidney Puncher
… and thank you MATT WILLIAMS!!

Greg’s Contact Information:
(he used 400 mesh too by the way – never mentioned in the video)
Facebook: Greg Melito
Facebook: Ninja Mods
http://www.ninjavapes.com
ninjavapes@gmail.com

The Review Video:

IMPORTANT! The Pulse method shown in this video is not exactly the safest method out there. You’re starting off with a damn near short which could be detrimental to your battery and has the potential to lead to venting. A couple tips I’ve heard, 1) Don’t use a fully charged batter, let it drain to around 3.7 volts. 2) You may want to clean or torch your mesh before rolling it to get rid of any harmful contaminants. Use these methods, like any electric cigarette device at your own risk!!

The Assembly and Building Video:

The Photos

Dear Mr. Busardo,

I just wanted to let you know that I enjoy your reviews and use them exclusively to
make my vaping purchase decisions. It’s nice to listen to someone who is obviously
learned and has a sense of humor as well. You give all the pertinent information
without being a boring blowhard! Kudos for being an A+ reviewer and making it
entertaining as well.

I have smoked analogs for about thirty years. Like you I managed to quit once for
about a year, then fell back into the habit. I absolutely love everything about
smoking less the smell left behind and the fact that stairs would scare me.

I tried the first e-cigs that were “cigarette like”, HORRIBLE! Then I found the
Jessy X. WAY better. Those batteries didn’t last as long as I thought they should. I
now use an eGo-c upgrade with an vivi nova tank.

I’m thinking that I need more power these days so I’m searching though your reviews
to help me make my decision.

I just came to this site and again, thank you for the plethora of valuable
information. I’m in Tucson and the people at FreedomSmokeUSA, while selling quality
products with nice juice, just aren’t as helpful as I think that they should be to
those who are new to vaping. Enter you!

Very well done sir.

I apologize for being overly verbose.

Sincerely, George

George followed this letter up with the following which my wife and I are both very appreciative of…

I must ask you for a favor. I realize, as a father of four, married to the woman of
my dreams for fourteen years now, that life can be very hectic and overwhelming at
times. Therefore, the favor I request is that you pass along my thanks to your
wonderful wife, for having the patience to abide doing without you at times, for
sharing you with all of us, and allowing you to, at times, put her on hold,(I hope
that doesn’t sound too crass), so that you may help us noobs figure out what the
HECK we are doing in order for us to live a healthier lifestyle and be content with
our new joy, vaping.
Many thanks, George

When I got back from VapeFest, I wanted something a little different. I reached for my Melon Boba again from Good Life Vapor. Once again, I enjoyed the hell out of it.

Someone, the same day as a matter of fact, got a hold of me on Facebook to tell me they got it, they loved it, and wondered by it wasn’t in my list of favs.

So I thought it about time to add it. What is it?

Welcome the newest edition to my list! Melon Boba by Good Life Vapor. At least to me, this is primarily a honeydew vape with bits of cantaloupe, watermelon, and menthol! YES MENTHOL! I’m not even big fan of menthol, but this is “hint of menthol” done right. I keep going back to this juice and enjoy it every time.

Welcome to the list MELON BOBA!!

Remember, taste is subjective. You may not like all the liquids in my list. Hell, you may not like ANY of the liquids in the list, but these are some of my personal favs. You can find the list HERE and over in the Knowledge Base section to the left.

Hey Phil I just wanted to drop you a line letting you know about my success
story. I was a pack a day or smoker and while at work I rubbed snuff. Up to this
point I had been smoking since I was 15 years old now 37. I have a 7 year Autistic
daughter and with the issues that arise from that I saw no end in sight to my
smoking. I ran across a fellow co worker that I use to work with daily who
transferred to another facility. He and I use to go out and have a quick smoke break
together all the time when we worked together. So long story short I asked him to go
smoke and he pulled out this thing and started to puff on it. I laughed at first but
then started to seriously think about it. So on my way home from work very lucky
that I have two stores in m area The Vapor room and Maddcatts, I stopped at TVR and
picked up a cheap set up a ego pass thru battery and a tobbac clearamizer along with
some juice. I was hooked from the first vape…That was almost a month ago now. Now
mind you when I was home I chain smoked while in front of my pc or while I was
gaming. My Wife and daughter both complained of my smoking. After 3 days of vaping I
gave away all of my remaining carton of smokes about 8 packs or so and my rolling
machine and cases. I was content with vaping my ego t and starting to experiment
with juices. It was actually pretty funny when I was vaping some juice my daughter
would come up to me and say Daddy that smells so much better than your cigarettes.
So about week one in the can I discovered your videos I was watching them to figure
out what was what and to learn more about vaping. I have since treated myself to a
Vamo and two Vivi nova clearamizers. I love them so glad I ran across your videos
especially the one on the vamo. Funny thing when I went to Maddcatts I had a Groove
in my hand and was leaning towards it not knowing you had a video on it. I just
watched it a little while ago and was thankful that I bought my vamo. Thank you Phil
for your videos keep up the good work and I look forward to the next one.
Jason

A PBusardo Rant & Video – NY VapeFest 2013 Part II

VapeFest NY 2013 Video with a small rant to kick it off.

Some of the fun, people, & vendors from the event.

The Video:

Hi, Phil…

Like so many other folks, I FEEL like I know you! My son introduced me to vaping 18
months ago. I started smoking in 1967; never less than a pack a day, often, during
stressful times, 2-3 packs. I started with a Blu, but at $10 each, and I was going
thru 2-4 a day…well, I just figured I would just go ahead and keep smoking… :(.
I tried a little of the set up I found at the mall…and the one I found at the
swap-meet…and the one that was ranked “Number One Vapers Choice” that popped up
when I did the Internet search…I was experiencing failure after failure…

At the end of December, some way or another, I discovered a retailer who specialized
in selling stick batts and cartos to inexperienced vapers. (No, I don’t use the
“n(oob)” word!). I smoked my LAST “last cigarette” New Year’s Eve 2011-12. At the
time, I wasn’t too sure that this “new approach” to “switching” habits was going to
be successful…but, I was going to do my very best…after 44 years spent loving
Mr. Phillip Morris, I had made up my mind to leave him. I realized that he didn’t
love me, he only loved my money!

It wasn’t too bad when I was buying a carton on base for $2.50…I remember saying
“WHAT? A DOLLAR for a pack of smokes? I’m going to quit if they go to $1.25!!!”
I’m going to quit if they go to two bucks!
I mean it this time, if they go to $5, I’m going to QUIT!!
What do you mean, a pack of cigarettes is ??5?? That’s almost $10!!! Well, ok,
just 2 packs…
Ok..on social security, I can afford ciggies or my prescription….SIGH….

I Celebrated being tobacco free at week one…month one, two and three…6 months, a
year…

I discovered you in February, 2012…and since then, you’ve guided me, advised me,
surprised me and entertained me…and I’m SO very grateful!!! My son, who started
smoking in 1990, now vapes…so does my sister… We all have made or received
phone calls that started..”hey, did you see the _______ that Phil reviewed
yesterday?” “YES!! I ORDERED 3, one for you and one for Linda and be for me!!!”

You’ve introduced me to my first ProVari, all of my Kir Fanis tanks, my Kangers, the
Boge cartos (in spite of Boge-Gate)…..most of my juices, 90% of my Vendors and all
but one of my forums…you have helped change not just my life, but my sister’s and
my son’s….and countless others….

My Grampa used to tell me that “Your value and riches are not found in those you
love, but in those who love you..” In that case, Phil, you are a wealthy man…you
will never know ALL of the lives you have changed…how you’ve assisted others in
achieving a better quality (and quantity) of life. Of course, I had to make the
decision to change my life, I had to follow through…but your guidance helped me
make good decisions in my purchases so that I had a higher probability of success.
(and, you are pretty damned funny, too!!)

Thanks, Phil…from all if us here…and all of those who will never get around to
sending you a note (cuz they are too busy vaping!)

V

A PBusardo Video – NY VapeFest 2013 Part I

Some of you have confused this with a Hangover. Nope! Pure exhaustion! I’m reserving THAT for Bash! 🙂

The Video:

A PBusardo Video – Popular 2 Winner

The Video: