For those at the start of their vaping journey, the various shapes and designs of e cigarettes on the market can be a little off-putting. To make things simple to begin with, it's easiest to think of e-cigs falling into one of two broad categories - open and closed systems. For those unaware of the difference, an easy way to illustrate the concept is to draw a parallel to another area of tech - mobile phones.
ur e cigarettes are all designed and developed in the UK
When Apple launched its iPhone, it jump-started the era of the smartphone. It offered a smooth, simple interface which was incredibly appealing to its millions of users. As time wore on, however, so did the industry. Google's Android operating system very quickly began to gain traction for one major reason - as an open system, the options and level of customisation available were far greater than Apple had to offer.
In the world of vaping, similar closed systems exist and have traditionally been popular among new users. Typically these take the form of cheap, or disposable 'cigalike', which for many are their first step into vaping. These closed systems do serve a purpose - they are the easiest, and often cheapest, route into e-cigs. This does not, however, mean that they are the best.
Many users, after their initial experiments with cheap or disposable models, begin to look for other options, or greater levels of customisation; something not available to them within their existing closed system.
This is where the appeal of a more open system lies. After using the standard flavours supplied with a 'cig-a-like', most users will begin to look for other flavours they can try. With a closed system, you are constrained by the range of flavours and strengths available. Usually this range will be small and limited to pre-filled cartomizers which cannot be opened and filled again. While this may offer simplicity and ease of use, it also means a system which is more expensive, and often, of a lower quality.
With an open system, however, you are free to experiment. With cartomizers which can be easily opened and refilled, rebuildable tanks which allow the user to swap out coils when they expire, and large range of e-liquids, the user is able to customise their vaping experience to a far greater level.
This opens the door to weird and wonderful flavour combinations, or trying your tank with a dual-coil atomiser, or cranking up the voltage on a variable voltage battery. Everything that can be altered within a kit can also have an impact on flavour and performance.
Fancy a bit more airflow (which can improve flavour, or increase vapour production)? Try a tank with adjustable airflow. Struggling with PG based e-liquids? Try the same flavour and strength, but with a VG base. Want to go longer on a single charge, or tank of e-liquid? Larger tanks or batteries can easily be rolled into your kit, expanding its flexibility and your range of options.
This modular, open system is one which evolves with you. As your vaping journey moves on, so can your kit - you are not stuck with the same limited options offered when you first started.