I have been asked by a few friends my suggestions/opinions for someone getting started with vaping to quit smoking. I find myself repeating my research and explanations over and over. This time I'm collecting everything here so I can just reference this. I'm no expert, this is a collection of my opinions based on the best advice I have collected from personal experience, friends with personal experience, asking lots of questions in ECF, and hours and hours of reading and watching videos online.
First thing I suggest, as was suggested to me, become familiar with the ECF website:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/
If you have a question it WILL get answered here and likely was already asked and answered many times over. This is a good start if you are new to everything:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...ed-questions-about-electronic-cigarettes.html
and...
ECF InfoZone - The is the E-cigarette Forum Information Zone, for all your ecig needs
By far my favorite links:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/pay-forward-pif/418767-deals-steals.html
and...
ECF E-Cigarette Coupons - ECF E-cigarette Forum Coupon Codes Directory
These are the first places I go when I need to purchase anything ecig related. There are always so many sales and coupons available for USA based suppliers. These are the reason, as I type this, I have 6 different vape mails headed my way with another just delivered the other day. Hahaha yeah I'm addicted to all the new gadgets and trying new juices.
That out of the way, let me talk about startup gear. I feel I got the best advice from my buddy Jim because this initial setup gave me, what I feel, is the best chance to stick with this process to quit smoking. Also, everyone I know that tried to quit smoking using ecigs that look the same as the real deal have failed. The couple reasons that became apparent is small batteries (and therefore battery life) and small ejuice cartridges and maybe limited flavors. This is why I loved starting with EGO Twists and EVODs.
The EGO-C Twist or EGO Twist is an awesome little battery with punch. My first ones were the 1100mah, the biggest ones offered. Of course this means the longest you can buy at about 4.5 in. long. But I've never killed one and been left without a battery. From what I read, even the heavier vapers can get away with only needing to charge these once a day. Of course you can also get the smaller ones, but I would buy a few of them in case one dies you have a backup. I found 2 1100mah twists work well for me, but recently I ordered 2 more of the smaller ones for travelling and to check them out.
Outside of the battery life, there is the “twist” factor which I love. Absolutely love. For someone with no clue what juice was like, what flavors I'd enjoy, and concerned on trying to get the same throat hit etc as actual smoking, the twist feature was priceless. This feature allows you to control the voltage the battery applies to the atomizer (atty) in the tank. It allows you to control how hot it burns and changes the aspects of the juice to your liking. I find myself adjusting this all the time based on what flavor I'm vaping and whether or not I'm drinking. As reference, this is what would be considered as a variable voltage or VV device.
If you wanted to go cheaper, you can get one of the other EGO batteries without the VV functionality. There are some with battery indicators which might be a good idea if you want smaller battery mah/sizes and willing to accept the voltage as is.
Next you need something to hold and vaporize your juice. My favorites are the Kanger family of products including EVOD, Protank II, and mini Protank II 'clearomizer' tanks. The beautiful thing about these is they all use the same atty and are all different sizes and functionalities. This way you can buy a couple packs of replacement attys and they can be used on all 3. More on attys later.
EVODs are my favorite as a starter. They are the same diameter as the EGO batteries. They screw on using the EGO threads on the EGO battery. This makes it look sleek. They are also pretty cheap running between $5-$8 a piece. They also come in different colors which I find useful to remember what juice I have in which tank. They have clear plastic 'windows' which allows you to see how much juice is left and they are very easy to clean and refill.
The Protank 2 is a larger tank if you plan to be a heavy user and don't want to deal with the mess of refilling all the time. I like the Protank 2 over the original Protank because you can change the tip (aka drip tip) in the '2'. I found I'm not a big fan of the stainless steel one it comes with (taste preference) so I swapped mine out with an acrylic substitute. This one is made of glass unlike the EVOD which is plastic, something to keep in mind if you are clumsy. This is also much more expensive than the EVOD at around $17-$22.
The Protank 2 mini is also made with a glass tank. It is the same diameter as the EGO battery. This would be an option if you plan to vape caustic juices which can destroy plastic tanks like the EVOD. Examples are cinnamon and citrus. One other note on this is there are 2 versions of this out there. The newer one has a removable drip tip and if you do want this tank I'd get the newer as it gives you more flexibility. I didn't do that so I'm stuck with the stainless steel tip which as I mentioned I am not a big fan of. Also more expensive than the EVOD at around $12-$18.
Atomizers or attys are what vaporizes your juice. You will need extras because they will burn out. With the 3 tanks I mentioned you can buy 5-10 as a healthy starter backup in case one burns out or is a dud. You can usually find them in packs of 5. In this setup they are called “Coil head replacements”. I would suggest the 2.2 ohm version, but 2.5 is also OK if you buy the twist (2.5 is usually what the factory ships with the tanks) Jim and I both agree at lower voltage the 2.5 ohm doesn't perform as well as it does as when you can crank the volts up to around 4. I would at least start with 5 (when I started I went with 15 or 20, but that was a bit overkill as I have found out). The Kanger protanks aslo ship with 1 or 2 extras, the EVODs I got did not.
One thing I wish I bought in the beginning is the EGO lanyard. This baby is sweet so you don't have to worry about your setup in you pocket or laying around. I suggest you buy one unless you are weird about having your ecig around you neck. I would also find a pencil holder, it is a cheap way to hold your batteries so they aren't laying on their sides, esp when the tank is attached, so you don't have to worry about leaking.
Juice is important. I found going to websites with some reputation and made in the USA with sales and 'sample pack' deals are good to find what your tastebuds will enjoy. My suggestion is to stay clear of anything trying to taste like the real deal. All the ones I tried are horrible. This is not to be confused with 'tobacco flavors' which usually seem to mostly be caramel based. Example is RY4 which was my first favorite juice. I tried a few that were supposed to taste like Camel, Marlboro etc and those are the ones I did not care for (although the Camel one was strangely close to the real flavor, so if this is your thing FB or text me). Mom and Pop Vapor Shop has an excellent 'Tobacco' sampler if you need a suggestion to get started. I also got their fan favs sampler which has some different flavors. It's a decent price and they have good rep.
Flavor Shots
If you are a menthol smoker, I'm not sure what to say. I have noticed there are mint and menthol flavors available, so don't confuse them. Mint I call 'toothpasty' while menthol has the cool icy hit you might be used to. Just read the reviews of juice before you buy and it should help.
Also a quick bit of “safety” advice on juice. If the description specifically states 'contains something-chemical-sounding' I would stay clear. There are chemicals in certain flavors (like butter) which might not be good for you. So if it looks weird, just move on. That's what I've been doing. Other than the PG and VG which is the base of all juices (what are they? Read the help links above. What they are is very important for a first timer).
One thing I will say while finding you favorite juices and the PG/VG... I stuck with 50/50 blends until I find a flavor I like when I have the option. This way I can compare the juice on flavor alone without the mixture being a factor. Once you find a juice you like then you can play with the mixtures of that flavor until you get what you enjoy.
Continue to Part 2:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...5518-my-opinions-ecig-beginners-part-2-2.html
First thing I suggest, as was suggested to me, become familiar with the ECF website:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/
If you have a question it WILL get answered here and likely was already asked and answered many times over. This is a good start if you are new to everything:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...ed-questions-about-electronic-cigarettes.html
and...
ECF InfoZone - The is the E-cigarette Forum Information Zone, for all your ecig needs
By far my favorite links:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/pay-forward-pif/418767-deals-steals.html
and...
ECF E-Cigarette Coupons - ECF E-cigarette Forum Coupon Codes Directory
These are the first places I go when I need to purchase anything ecig related. There are always so many sales and coupons available for USA based suppliers. These are the reason, as I type this, I have 6 different vape mails headed my way with another just delivered the other day. Hahaha yeah I'm addicted to all the new gadgets and trying new juices.
That out of the way, let me talk about startup gear. I feel I got the best advice from my buddy Jim because this initial setup gave me, what I feel, is the best chance to stick with this process to quit smoking. Also, everyone I know that tried to quit smoking using ecigs that look the same as the real deal have failed. The couple reasons that became apparent is small batteries (and therefore battery life) and small ejuice cartridges and maybe limited flavors. This is why I loved starting with EGO Twists and EVODs.
The EGO-C Twist or EGO Twist is an awesome little battery with punch. My first ones were the 1100mah, the biggest ones offered. Of course this means the longest you can buy at about 4.5 in. long. But I've never killed one and been left without a battery. From what I read, even the heavier vapers can get away with only needing to charge these once a day. Of course you can also get the smaller ones, but I would buy a few of them in case one dies you have a backup. I found 2 1100mah twists work well for me, but recently I ordered 2 more of the smaller ones for travelling and to check them out.
Outside of the battery life, there is the “twist” factor which I love. Absolutely love. For someone with no clue what juice was like, what flavors I'd enjoy, and concerned on trying to get the same throat hit etc as actual smoking, the twist feature was priceless. This feature allows you to control the voltage the battery applies to the atomizer (atty) in the tank. It allows you to control how hot it burns and changes the aspects of the juice to your liking. I find myself adjusting this all the time based on what flavor I'm vaping and whether or not I'm drinking. As reference, this is what would be considered as a variable voltage or VV device.
If you wanted to go cheaper, you can get one of the other EGO batteries without the VV functionality. There are some with battery indicators which might be a good idea if you want smaller battery mah/sizes and willing to accept the voltage as is.
Next you need something to hold and vaporize your juice. My favorites are the Kanger family of products including EVOD, Protank II, and mini Protank II 'clearomizer' tanks. The beautiful thing about these is they all use the same atty and are all different sizes and functionalities. This way you can buy a couple packs of replacement attys and they can be used on all 3. More on attys later.
EVODs are my favorite as a starter. They are the same diameter as the EGO batteries. They screw on using the EGO threads on the EGO battery. This makes it look sleek. They are also pretty cheap running between $5-$8 a piece. They also come in different colors which I find useful to remember what juice I have in which tank. They have clear plastic 'windows' which allows you to see how much juice is left and they are very easy to clean and refill.
The Protank 2 is a larger tank if you plan to be a heavy user and don't want to deal with the mess of refilling all the time. I like the Protank 2 over the original Protank because you can change the tip (aka drip tip) in the '2'. I found I'm not a big fan of the stainless steel one it comes with (taste preference) so I swapped mine out with an acrylic substitute. This one is made of glass unlike the EVOD which is plastic, something to keep in mind if you are clumsy. This is also much more expensive than the EVOD at around $17-$22.
The Protank 2 mini is also made with a glass tank. It is the same diameter as the EGO battery. This would be an option if you plan to vape caustic juices which can destroy plastic tanks like the EVOD. Examples are cinnamon and citrus. One other note on this is there are 2 versions of this out there. The newer one has a removable drip tip and if you do want this tank I'd get the newer as it gives you more flexibility. I didn't do that so I'm stuck with the stainless steel tip which as I mentioned I am not a big fan of. Also more expensive than the EVOD at around $12-$18.
Atomizers or attys are what vaporizes your juice. You will need extras because they will burn out. With the 3 tanks I mentioned you can buy 5-10 as a healthy starter backup in case one burns out or is a dud. You can usually find them in packs of 5. In this setup they are called “Coil head replacements”. I would suggest the 2.2 ohm version, but 2.5 is also OK if you buy the twist (2.5 is usually what the factory ships with the tanks) Jim and I both agree at lower voltage the 2.5 ohm doesn't perform as well as it does as when you can crank the volts up to around 4. I would at least start with 5 (when I started I went with 15 or 20, but that was a bit overkill as I have found out). The Kanger protanks aslo ship with 1 or 2 extras, the EVODs I got did not.
One thing I wish I bought in the beginning is the EGO lanyard. This baby is sweet so you don't have to worry about your setup in you pocket or laying around. I suggest you buy one unless you are weird about having your ecig around you neck. I would also find a pencil holder, it is a cheap way to hold your batteries so they aren't laying on their sides, esp when the tank is attached, so you don't have to worry about leaking.
Juice is important. I found going to websites with some reputation and made in the USA with sales and 'sample pack' deals are good to find what your tastebuds will enjoy. My suggestion is to stay clear of anything trying to taste like the real deal. All the ones I tried are horrible. This is not to be confused with 'tobacco flavors' which usually seem to mostly be caramel based. Example is RY4 which was my first favorite juice. I tried a few that were supposed to taste like Camel, Marlboro etc and those are the ones I did not care for (although the Camel one was strangely close to the real flavor, so if this is your thing FB or text me). Mom and Pop Vapor Shop has an excellent 'Tobacco' sampler if you need a suggestion to get started. I also got their fan favs sampler which has some different flavors. It's a decent price and they have good rep.
Flavor Shots
If you are a menthol smoker, I'm not sure what to say. I have noticed there are mint and menthol flavors available, so don't confuse them. Mint I call 'toothpasty' while menthol has the cool icy hit you might be used to. Just read the reviews of juice before you buy and it should help.
Also a quick bit of “safety” advice on juice. If the description specifically states 'contains something-chemical-sounding' I would stay clear. There are chemicals in certain flavors (like butter) which might not be good for you. So if it looks weird, just move on. That's what I've been doing. Other than the PG and VG which is the base of all juices (what are they? Read the help links above. What they are is very important for a first timer).
One thing I will say while finding you favorite juices and the PG/VG... I stuck with 50/50 blends until I find a flavor I like when I have the option. This way I can compare the juice on flavor alone without the mixture being a factor. Once you find a juice you like then you can play with the mixtures of that flavor until you get what you enjoy.
Continue to Part 2:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...5518-my-opinions-ecig-beginners-part-2-2.html
