I thought I'd write a blog entry since so many new ECF members ask about a starter set. I wish I had this kind of advice when I first switched from cigarettes to ecigs. My first, like many here, was a cigarette-sized ecig that left me disappointed with not only the battery life, but also with the cartomizers' dry hits and the company's abysmal customer service.
I learned along the way, and so here I share my knowledge. You don't need to buy a starter "kit." Those kits will probably force you to purchase at least one item you don't want or need.
I have kept my recommendations simple and limited to a few favorite vendors. There are many respected and trusted vendors here on ECF, but you don't need to go all over the internet for your first setup. You can get everything you need by sticking with the hardware and ejuice vendors I have linked to here. They ship fast, they are reliable, and their prices are reasonable. And, as you get more comfortable you can go exploring on your own to make new discoveries! There is a whole new world that is going to open up for you as a vaper. Welcome!
Batteries: $25-$30 for 1, $50-$60 for 2
You will need to budget at least $75, however, to get everything you need. That includes 2 batteries, a solid clearomizer, a charger, and ejuice. You could get by with one battery, but I strongly recommend purchasing two so you never have a dead battery when you have a nic craving.
For the batteries, I recommend the eGo Twist by Joyetech, or the Spinner by Vision. A variable voltage device will allow you to change the voltage, which in turn affects the wattage. It is the wattage that brings out the different notes in the ejuice. Chocolates and tobaccos taste better when vaped at a higher wattage. Fruits are optimal at a lower wattage. Here is a chart demonstrating how voltage affects wattage, without you having to do physics calculations! (Ohm's law): http://www.statewidelegal.com/VapingPowerChart.png
As far as battery sizes, a larger mAh battery will give you a longer life between charges. You may be used to a small cigarette size, but toss that familiarity out of your mind. That size does not lend itself to a long battery life. I recommend a 900-1100 mAh battery; as a rule of thumb, you will get a max one hour out of 100mAh. So, one of those batteries could last you all day while at work. Your mileage may vary of course, in how you are vaping. The more current you are using, the more drain you will be putting on your battery.
Get the batteries in two different colors, so you know which is which while you are charging!
View attachment 189199
Search Results : GotVapes.com, E-cigarette Supplies - Atomizers Cartomizers Mods Juice and more
Now, some insist on a "cig-a-like." I dismissed them earlier as having short battery lives. However, many when they start out are more comfortable with an ecig that looks like a cigarette. Or, and this is true even in my case, you have purchased a larger ecig like an eGo, but want a smaller option for a night out when you don't have much pocket space, or need to be discreet.
In those cases, I recommend Joyetech's new eRoll. You can buy them separately but you might as well get the kit with this. The batteries won't last you long so you need two, but here's the thing: the charger is a backup battery with over 1000 mAh charge. So you use one eRoll, while the other is charging. I do suggest purchasing an extra cone with the kit as you need a fully assembled eRoll in order to charge it and the kit only comes with one. Qorax here on ECF has a great post all about the eRoll, and the eRoll can be purchased on LiteCigUSA.net among other vendors.
Clearomizer: $5-$15
As for a clearomizer, there are also a myriad of choices.
View attachment 208614
Kanger has come out with a new PYREX BCC (bottom coil clearomizer). What's great is since it's Pyrex, the glass won't leach or crack from citrus or cinnamon juice. It's a nice looking chromed brass. It has replaceable heads that screw in, and a 510 connection too. It comes with an eGo adapter too so it looks seamless on your eGo. It's my new favorite and highly recommended. You won't be able to use your own drip tip with it, but if you're on a budget an included tip is a good thing! The draw is nice and easy, with NO leaks. I do prefer the bottom coil for better taste and an easier vape.
Kangertech ProTank
Pbusardo's video review on the ProTank.
And here is the extremely popular top coil Vivi Nova, by Vision. Make sure you buy VISION branded, not a knock off. Vision only makes up to Version 2.5 currently (as of March 2013); anything else is not authentic. The quality makes a world of difference. Vision makes both a Mini 2.5ml and 3.5ml standard. The kits come with 2 extra heads in different resistances (more on Ohm's law in another blog). With regular cleaning, the heads should last you a few weeks each and are easy to replace by unscrewing. You can buy replacements for under $3 each.
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Charger: $5-$7
In addition to the battery and clearo, you will need a charger.
And a wall adapter (use your own if you have one or buy one on the site) for faster charging
View attachment 189202
Sign up for Gotvapes' newsletter and you get a discount! They have reasonable prices and fast shipping.
Ejuice: $5-$15 for 1 bottle, make sure you buy a few!
You're going to vape anywhere between 3ml and 8ml a day, depending on the frequency of your vaping, and how much juice your equipment vaporizes as you use it. Taste is also subjective. You may have smoked a certain brand that you might be looking for in an ejuice, but it isn't so easy to replicate that flavor in an ejuice. But the flavor of a cigarette also includes ash and tar. Do you really want to taste that in your ecig? You may find you don't even like menthol in your ejuice even if you smoked it. I was a menthol smoker, but I don't care for it in my ejuice for the most part. There are a myriad of other flavors available, however, because ejuices use food grade flavorings.
So, at minimum you're going to vape 30ml a month. I vape at least 3ml a day, for closer to 100ml a month and at any time I have probably 15 bottles on hand because I get so excited about new flavors I want to try! I recommend ordering a few flavors you think you'd be interested in, in smaller sizes. See if you like them. If you do, you can order larger sizes the next time around. Bottles generally come in 10 or 15ml bottles as the smallest size, so make your first order for at least 4 bottles. Read other vapers' reviews on the liquids here on ECF and on the vendor's site.
Order enough and well in advance, so you aren't in danger of running out. When your supply is running low, get your next order ready because it may take a week before it is at your doorstep. I can't underscore enough always staying a step ahead of your nic cravings.
Furthermore, many ejuices are made fresh and require steeping. I will make ejuices the subject of another blog to elaborate, but suffice to say you should always have plenty on hand, and enough of a selection to keep your taste buds excited.
For juices, here are two vendors that are my go-to:
Mt. Baker Vapor has 15 ml juices for $4.99, the cheapest around and highly recommended on ECF.
10% discount with code vaporfrombaker and you get a free surprise 15ml bottle with your order of $15 and up or something like that. James ships SUPER fast.
View attachment 189203
This is what I am vaping right now in my Vapeonly BCC, a little more for 30 ml at $15 but absolutely incredible flavor, Nite Lite Vapor.
View attachment 189204
Happy vaping!
I learned along the way, and so here I share my knowledge. You don't need to buy a starter "kit." Those kits will probably force you to purchase at least one item you don't want or need.
I have kept my recommendations simple and limited to a few favorite vendors. There are many respected and trusted vendors here on ECF, but you don't need to go all over the internet for your first setup. You can get everything you need by sticking with the hardware and ejuice vendors I have linked to here. They ship fast, they are reliable, and their prices are reasonable. And, as you get more comfortable you can go exploring on your own to make new discoveries! There is a whole new world that is going to open up for you as a vaper. Welcome!
Batteries: $25-$30 for 1, $50-$60 for 2
You will need to budget at least $75, however, to get everything you need. That includes 2 batteries, a solid clearomizer, a charger, and ejuice. You could get by with one battery, but I strongly recommend purchasing two so you never have a dead battery when you have a nic craving.
For the batteries, I recommend the eGo Twist by Joyetech, or the Spinner by Vision. A variable voltage device will allow you to change the voltage, which in turn affects the wattage. It is the wattage that brings out the different notes in the ejuice. Chocolates and tobaccos taste better when vaped at a higher wattage. Fruits are optimal at a lower wattage. Here is a chart demonstrating how voltage affects wattage, without you having to do physics calculations! (Ohm's law): http://www.statewidelegal.com/VapingPowerChart.png
As far as battery sizes, a larger mAh battery will give you a longer life between charges. You may be used to a small cigarette size, but toss that familiarity out of your mind. That size does not lend itself to a long battery life. I recommend a 900-1100 mAh battery; as a rule of thumb, you will get a max one hour out of 100mAh. So, one of those batteries could last you all day while at work. Your mileage may vary of course, in how you are vaping. The more current you are using, the more drain you will be putting on your battery.
Get the batteries in two different colors, so you know which is which while you are charging!
View attachment 189199
Search Results : GotVapes.com, E-cigarette Supplies - Atomizers Cartomizers Mods Juice and more
Now, some insist on a "cig-a-like." I dismissed them earlier as having short battery lives. However, many when they start out are more comfortable with an ecig that looks like a cigarette. Or, and this is true even in my case, you have purchased a larger ecig like an eGo, but want a smaller option for a night out when you don't have much pocket space, or need to be discreet.
In those cases, I recommend Joyetech's new eRoll. You can buy them separately but you might as well get the kit with this. The batteries won't last you long so you need two, but here's the thing: the charger is a backup battery with over 1000 mAh charge. So you use one eRoll, while the other is charging. I do suggest purchasing an extra cone with the kit as you need a fully assembled eRoll in order to charge it and the kit only comes with one. Qorax here on ECF has a great post all about the eRoll, and the eRoll can be purchased on LiteCigUSA.net among other vendors.
Clearomizer: $5-$15
As for a clearomizer, there are also a myriad of choices.
View attachment 208614
Kanger has come out with a new PYREX BCC (bottom coil clearomizer). What's great is since it's Pyrex, the glass won't leach or crack from citrus or cinnamon juice. It's a nice looking chromed brass. It has replaceable heads that screw in, and a 510 connection too. It comes with an eGo adapter too so it looks seamless on your eGo. It's my new favorite and highly recommended. You won't be able to use your own drip tip with it, but if you're on a budget an included tip is a good thing! The draw is nice and easy, with NO leaks. I do prefer the bottom coil for better taste and an easier vape.
Kangertech ProTank
Pbusardo's video review on the ProTank.
And here is the extremely popular top coil Vivi Nova, by Vision. Make sure you buy VISION branded, not a knock off. Vision only makes up to Version 2.5 currently (as of March 2013); anything else is not authentic. The quality makes a world of difference. Vision makes both a Mini 2.5ml and 3.5ml standard. The kits come with 2 extra heads in different resistances (more on Ohm's law in another blog). With regular cleaning, the heads should last you a few weeks each and are easy to replace by unscrewing. You can buy replacements for under $3 each.
[/FONT]
Charger: $5-$7
In addition to the battery and clearo, you will need a charger.
And a wall adapter (use your own if you have one or buy one on the site) for faster charging
View attachment 189202
Sign up for Gotvapes' newsletter and you get a discount! They have reasonable prices and fast shipping.
Ejuice: $5-$15 for 1 bottle, make sure you buy a few!
You're going to vape anywhere between 3ml and 8ml a day, depending on the frequency of your vaping, and how much juice your equipment vaporizes as you use it. Taste is also subjective. You may have smoked a certain brand that you might be looking for in an ejuice, but it isn't so easy to replicate that flavor in an ejuice. But the flavor of a cigarette also includes ash and tar. Do you really want to taste that in your ecig? You may find you don't even like menthol in your ejuice even if you smoked it. I was a menthol smoker, but I don't care for it in my ejuice for the most part. There are a myriad of other flavors available, however, because ejuices use food grade flavorings.
So, at minimum you're going to vape 30ml a month. I vape at least 3ml a day, for closer to 100ml a month and at any time I have probably 15 bottles on hand because I get so excited about new flavors I want to try! I recommend ordering a few flavors you think you'd be interested in, in smaller sizes. See if you like them. If you do, you can order larger sizes the next time around. Bottles generally come in 10 or 15ml bottles as the smallest size, so make your first order for at least 4 bottles. Read other vapers' reviews on the liquids here on ECF and on the vendor's site.
Order enough and well in advance, so you aren't in danger of running out. When your supply is running low, get your next order ready because it may take a week before it is at your doorstep. I can't underscore enough always staying a step ahead of your nic cravings.
Furthermore, many ejuices are made fresh and require steeping. I will make ejuices the subject of another blog to elaborate, but suffice to say you should always have plenty on hand, and enough of a selection to keep your taste buds excited.
For juices, here are two vendors that are my go-to:
Mt. Baker Vapor has 15 ml juices for $4.99, the cheapest around and highly recommended on ECF.
10% discount with code vaporfrombaker and you get a free surprise 15ml bottle with your order of $15 and up or something like that. James ships SUPER fast.
View attachment 189203
This is what I am vaping right now in my Vapeonly BCC, a little more for 30 ml at $15 but absolutely incredible flavor, Nite Lite Vapor.
View attachment 189204
Happy vaping!
