3 Months Later - my advice to new-newbies

[Schizoid]

So I've been vaping for three months and here is what I would say to someone just starting...

1.) Convenience is important factor when purchasing your first pv. Go with at least a 650mah battery. Even though it seems to big and bulky changing batteries throughout the day is a pain. At least get a pcc if you go with a smaller battery e-cig.

2.) Don't follow the latest trends when it comes to hardware. I spent tons of money in three months on the latest carts, cartos, atomizers, tanks, clearomizers, etc. because of rave reviews and ended up going with what I started with. Sometimes "good" is good enough. All hardware has pluses and minuses. Pic something and stick with it.

3.) Don't try to go on the cheap when it comes to e-liquid. After trying over and over to get the quality e-liquid that is cheap, I'm convinced it doesn't exist. Pay a little extra at one of the famous e-liquid sites, try a few flavors and then stick with the ones you like. It seems you get what you pay for. My advice, try the places that specialize in juice only. This is not a fail-safe idea, but odds are those places don't sell ton of hardware for a reason.

4.) Don't get obsessed with your new found habit. When you spend all day thinking about what flavor you should try next, what new piece of hardware you should buy, or this one..."you know I should start selling these things myself"....JUST MOVE ON! Analogs were just something we did while we were doing life. vaping is a much more complicated and engrossing habit.

Bottom line, don't do what I did and spend, spend, and spend some more.
These points are just my opinion so you can take them or leave them.

 

[JWebb]

Good advice schizoid, wish you posted this before I spent $1,000 on 5 PV's!

 

[player30]

Ditto...thousands of dollars later!

 

[CdnBison]

Good points. I've only been vaping for 8 days (solo, a few days previous with some analogs) and here's my two bits:
1. Spot on - get what works for you. I'm pretty happy with my RN 4081. It's not a "cool" or even new model, but it does what I need it to do. That, and I have two spare batteries plus a USB and car charger. ;-)

2. See #1. If you get something that works - stick with it!

3. I just got a batch of liquid in, as I'm still hunting around for "good". Solid advice, though, as you usually get what you pay for...

4. Seeing as there are no retail dealers out my way... ;-) And I have only tried two flavors beyond "USA Mix". One being USA Mix + a couple drops of whisky (very tasty!) and Apple (meh). I tend to worry about which flavors to *order* not try...

 

[JD1]

Juices are very subjective though. I can usually get my favorites fairly inexpensively, thank goodness.

 

[katydid]

All good points schizoid...thanks for posting

 

[irahuff]

great points, good things to keep in mind while trolling the forums and various sites.

 

[stillalive]

I would add: don't write off manual OR automatic batteries. I personally like alternating between the two. When my hands get tired of pushing buttons it's nice to give them a rest until my mouth gets tired. AND if you have 2 batteries the same color, you can keep them straight more easily if you've got one of each, hehe.

 

[Iffy]

Very astute observations! I keep looking at bottom feeders and even the VVs. But right now I'm attuned to my eGo Mega. It only disappoints me when I fail to follow what I've learned about it's temperament.

As I type this and occasionally take a full pull, creating cumulus clouds of vaper, I'm very pleased with my decision based upon info garnered here.

TBH, I'm gonna live with my decision for the time being and continue to monitor the rapid e-cig advancements and plethora of new models. I will not chase the 'latest' innovation or fad. I'm soooo content with where I am. I WILL continue to explore the kaleidoscopic world of flavors. It's kinda like searching for that ultimate satisfying smoked ribs recipe or the 'just right' pillow.

I did buy a 510T kit for those that are curious to test. I also ordered the ECF cards and continue to print out the CASAA pamphlet to 'Johnny Vaporseed' my local community.

OK, gotta go order some more atties and batts to insure I don't go into panic mode if any of my components happen to fail. Gotta love equipment that takes my 'abuse'.

Vape on...

 

[Schizoid]

My advice, try the places that specialize in juice only.

Contradicting myself, I do like Vaperite's organic juices.

 

[Schizoid]

$1000 JWebb?? Wow, I don't feel so bad now. I hope you found a keeper?

 

[my4jewels]

So I've been vaping for three months and here is what I would say to someone just starting...

1.) Convenience is important factor when purchasing your first pv. Go with at least a 650mah battery. Even though it seems to big and bulky changing batteries throughout the day is a pain. At least get a pcc if you go with a smaller battery e-cig.

2.) Don't follow the latest trends when it comes to hardware. I spent tons of money in three months on the latest carts, cartos, atomizers, tanks, clearomizers, etc. because of rave reviews and ended up going with what I started with. Sometimes "good" is good enough. All hardware has pluses and minuses. Pic something and stick with it.

3.) Don't try to go on the cheap when it comes to e-liquid. After trying over and over to get the quality e-liquid that is cheap, I'm convinced it doesn't exist. Pay a little extra at one of the famous e-liquid sites, try a few flavors and then stick with the ones you like. It seems you get what you pay for. My advice, try the places that specialize in juice only. This is not a fail-safe idea, but odds are those places don't sell ton of hardware for a reason.

4.) Don't get obsessed with your new found habit. When you spend all day thinking about what flavor you should try next, what new piece of hardware you should buy, or this one..."you know I should start selling these things myself"....JUST MOVE ON! Analogs were just something we did while we were doing life. Vaping is a much more complicated and engrossing habit.

Bottom line, don't do what I did and spend, spend, and spend some more.
These points are just my opinion so you can take them or leave them.

So true! I find that vaping has been obsessive for me so far, and I'm almost a month into it. I'm hoping that it's the novelty of being off ciggies and being turned onto something so much more pleasurable and safer. Not to mention it's very tasty.

I've probably spent too much money on trying different juices, but, for me, I can't put a price on quitting my cancer sticks! It's all been moolah well spent, and I don't feel guilty about a penny of it. I've trying to discriminate more about my purchases lately, and get more focused on the rest of my life! Vape on, brutha!!

 

[rnderson]

Thanks a lot schizoid for the points you made. Going to keep those on mind when I will order another one. Cheers.

 

[hairball]

1.) Most newbies want a cigarette type battery...don't waste your money on proprietary batteries. I suggest getting a cheap box mod or a higher end all mechanical mod like the Prodigy V3.1 or Icon from Puresmoker.com or a variable voltage unit from notcigs.com. You'll be alot happier in the end.

2.) Great point here. I've spent thousands of dollars on all types of new gadgets just coming out only to find that I go back to my Boge or Ikenvape.com's cartomizers. If you find an item you like, stick to it and don't change (you didn't constantly change brands of cigarettes did you?). China uses us as lab rats to see how we like a new and exciting product being released. Please let others buy first and then read the reviews. Wait another month before buying to see if they are going to release a revision of said product. You'll save money by doing this.

3.) I agree with the juice sites. If they specialize in juices, then they will probably be better quality. I like vaperite, freedomsmokeusa, vermillionriver, mister-e-liquid, want2vape, and V4L (not all of them but some are really good).

4.) OOOOpppssss! I'm totally obsessed with mods...LOL.

 

[dzlady]

I bought a cheapie convenience store pv when I first started and now use a 510. Been looking at all the different pvs out there, but thinking like you are. Basically, if its not broke, dont fix it. But I love trying new flavors

 

[kriskant]

Great info for newbie like me. Thanks a ton mate. Going to place an order next week and your tips will be handy for me.

 

[Mister Hyde]

Took me long time to find my sweet spot, the right combination and that took some trial and error, in over a year my vaping style changed greatly. even if I did find my sweet spot, I am still looking for that perfect vape, and that involves trying new things here and there, and I'll say this, because of how quick this industry is evolving, I am sure, one day soon, I will have that effortless no worries no messing around, perfect vaping experience that i am looking for.

 

[samuraijill]

Good advice, this forum saved me a TON of money, I took a long time to decide and so far I'm out exactly $77 and except for finding that right juice I'm set for a while.

 

[thepiercefamily2001]

Great advice. I purchased two starter kits then settled on the gg mod. It's expensive but it has been the last piece of hardware that I bought minus adapters to use the carts and tanks from previous kits. Contemplated on some Of the newer mods but decided against them. I work in the oil field and the gg is a tank that holds up to the Nd extremes and the oil field abuse. As far as juices go I started mixing my own. It's less expensive though more work. In the long run though after several failed attempts you find the right mixes that work for you. Plus if you want to try a new flavor and don't like it your only out a few bucks with a small batch. Vape on and vape strong!

 

[je2424]

Wow, I've been vaping for 6 months now, and I've spent close to.... $400. I love it, how are you guys spending thousands of dollars? I just bought a SB, an even with its $100+ price tag I didn't mind. I am falling into the trap however of always looking at the next new e-cig contraption. Lol we've all been there I guess.