Yes, the kiosk vendors in the mall are notorious for misrepresenting how their products compare to an analog (cigarette). Accept it as part of the learning process...at least you got your foot in the door by learning about e-cigarettes.
Most people start out with the
cigalikes (cigarette-size batteries) and that may get them off of the smokes. But people soon learn that the entire cigalike exerience is lacking in battery time, juice attachment options, and performance in general. They start advancing up the vaping ladder with bigger and better gear.
Vision Spinner ego battery with Kanger Protank clearomizer
The intermediate step would be an
ego battery setup like above. That's a Vision Spinner ego battery with a Kanger Protank clearomizer. This gives 6 - 12 hours use per battery charge and larger e-liquid capacity, and a much more satisfying vaping experience. Some models, like the Spinner or Twist, have variable voltage.
iTaste MVP with an iClear 30 clearomizer
The next step is
APVs (advanced personal vaporizers), or
mods. These offer even more options with replaceable rechargeable batteries or large-capacity built-in batteries, like the above Innokin iTaste MVP which can go up to 3 days on a charge. This is an affordable mod for entry level or advanced vapors alike. It has variable voltage to adjust the vapor to your preference, and to adjust to each flavor you use.
Provari with an RBA juice attachment
Above is a tube-form mod that uses replaceable rechargeable batteries, called a Provari from Provape. It is a high end APV which also has variable voltage, a built-in battery and ohm meter, and is known for its ability to precisely sustain the set voltage from the beginning of a new battery until it needs to be replaced.
Reo bottom feeding box mods
Another form factor for mods are the
box mods, many of which are
bottom feeders. These have both the battery and the juice contained inside the mod; there is a little window in the body where you press the juice bottle to feed the liquid up to the atomizer attachment. This is a self-contained unit preferred by many. The Reo is the most popular name brand. These are usually mechanical mods that have no variable power options.
high-end Caravella and Otto Carver mechanical mods
Mechanical mods are un-regulated, meaning they contain no computer to regulate voltage, they depend solely on the battery's voltage output. They also contain no built-in safety features like a regulated mod has. Some of these are high end, very expensive, and very beautiful due to the quality of materials and workmanship used to create them.
There's a variety of toppers, or
juice attachments that can be used on the battery devices -
Proper Terminology: Is it a carto, a tank, or what?