A few questions before I get going.

[itslikeCody]

Okay, here's the deal.
I'm 18, just graduated in June.
I've been smoking about 5-6 cigarettes a day, but seeing as I don't have any set income coming in, I can't go buy a back every few days.

So I've been looking in to these electronic cigarettes for the past few days, and I am definitely going to purchase one of these in the next few weeks.

I just have a few questions:

1. I've heard GREAT things about the 510, however it is known that the battery life is horrible. Would it be best to save up that extra $10 and just get the eGo?

2. It seems like at the start up of this habit it's rather expensive to get going, but does it eventually even itself out?

3. For my first, I'm looking for something cheap and durable. I heard too many negative things about automatics, so it needs to be manual. So should I just go with the 510? Also, what websites have the cheapest starter kits?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Automaton]

1. The battery life on the 510 isn't great, but with your smoking habits, it may be enough. For the same price, you could try the Kr808D-1 for more battery life (same size, different system, also well-loved), or for a bit more money, try the eGo.

2. Yes, it does even out. If you get a good kit and take care of your stuff, you won't have to buy anything but juice regularly, and spare parts on occassion (some people have better luck than others - I've never killed an atomizer, but some people kill a lot of them).

3. Pretty much any decent e-cig comes in manual these days. 510, Kr808D-1, eGo, etc. You shouldn't have any trouble finding manual batteries.

ElectroNicStix has the Kr808D-1 for $35, and CigNot has the 510 for $35. For juice, I would highly recommend FreedomSmokeUSA.

I did some videos for newbies about the models above, juice, and the basics of how they work. You can either click the link in my signature to go to my YouTube, or look at the Stickies at the top of the New Members forum - they are embedded in the post.

 

[Luvs5rugrats]

I can't comment on what type of unit you should buy because I'm still pretty darn new myself. My husband (yay) bought a 510 kit last night, so we'll see about that in a couple days.

I suggest reading through the ejuice area of the forum and MistressNomad's video sticky about vaping for broke people. Great videos! With all my research and calculator handy, I can buy supplies to satisfy myself and my husband's 2 pack habits for around $40 a month. You really can't get much cheaper than that! I would say you can save considerably over buying packs of tobacco cigarettes right from the start. Absolutely worth the investment, for your wallet and your health. Good luck!

 

[cskent]

Hi and welcome to ECF. The 510 is a good little unit. If you're smoking 5 to 6 cig's a day I would say a 510 could easily keep up with that. The problem is, most people vape more than they smoked because it's more convenient and the nic in vapor takes longer to get into your system. So, take that into account when making a decision. Vaping can be an expensive habit at first. Most people buy a smaller unit to start and upgrade shortly. If you think that may happen to you, just buy a unit with a bigger battery to start with. The eGo will cost more in the short term but will save in the long run if you intend to get something larger eventually. But I've got my 510's as a backup if I need it. If you're looking for cheap and durable buy a 510 with manual batt's. If you think you want the longer battery duration, go with an eGo or something similar. If you don't mind a 510 clone try Joye 510 Vaporizer. If you want a Joye try Joye 510 NO BOX. For an eGo try Genuine Joyetech EGO in Stainless Steel. I'm sure someone will know a place that has eGo's cheaper than that, but litecigusa does have great service. One thing to keep in mind is to order some juice at the same time. I'd suggest at least 3 bottles in different flavors and strengths. Good luck and let us know what you decide.

 

[itslikeCody]

@MistressNomad, I'm not gonna lie, it was your videos that really turned me on to the whole idea of an electronic cigarette. Like I was thinking about it before, but you made me definitely wanna get one. Your videos are very appreciated. I was gonna mention you in my original post, but I couldn't remember your name :X

 

[alnjessie]

i myself love the eGo...long battery life..great vaping MOchine. It's the next step up from the 510 and comes highly recommended by most users on here

 

[DC2]

I've been smoking about 5-6 cigarettes a day, but seeing as I don't have any set income coming in, I can't go buy a back every few days.

You smoke the same number of cigarettes that I smoked, before I converted.

1. I've heard GREAT things about the 510, however it is known that the battery life is horrible. Would it be best to save up that extra $10 and just get the eGo?

If you are a poor college student with not a lot of extra money to spend...
And if you don't mind something the size of a cigar instead of the size of a cigarette...

Then YES, but all means just go straight to the eGo.

2. It seems like at the start up of this habit it's rather expensive to get going, but does it eventually even itself out?

It can easily even itself out, and start saving you money, if you follow these guidelines...

--Don't treat this as a hobby.
--Be satisfied with what works instead of what is perfect.

3. For my first, I'm looking for something cheap and durable. I heard too many negative things about automatics, so it needs to be manual.

Yeah, don't get an automatic battery, because there is an 85% chance you'll want a manual battery sooner rather than later.

 

[rjp1983]

Yeah, don't get an automatic battery, because there is an 85% chance you'll want a manual battery sooner rather than later.

I am going to second that. With the automatic battery you get a crappy cut-off time. Go with the manual so you dont have to revert to buying them later.

 

[lostinthemist]

There is so much information here it leaves you scratching your head sometimes. I have never been a heaavy smoker usually but if there's something crazy going on I can find myself with an empty pak real fast. Thats what I find hard to work out of

 

[banjo]

If I was you, was only 18 and smoked only 5-6 cigarettes a day, I'd just quit cold turkey, especially in this economy, but, if you are rather set on using eCigs, I would spend just a bit more money and go with the eGO - longer battery life, and larger capacity cartridges..... Good luck to you, and welcome to ECF!

 

[cskent]

If I was you, was only 18 and smoked only 5-6 cigarettes a day, I'd just quit cold turkey, especially in this economy.....

I thought about saying the same thing but I didn't feel it was my place, but I wholeheartedly agree. It shouldn't be too hard to break the nic habit before it's completely embedded in your life. I smoked for 30+ years and I know what I'm talking about.

 

[alnjessie]

Originally Posted by banjo
If I was you, was only 18 and smoked only 5-6 cigarettes a day, I'd just quit cold turkey, especially in this economy.....


I thought about saying the same thing but I didn't feel it was my place, but I wholeheartedly agree. It shouldn't be too hard to break the nic habit before it's completely embedded in your life. I smoked for 30+ years and I know what I'm talking about.


I second that

 

[itslikeCody]

I do agree just quitting any nicotine product would be more beneficial in the long run, but this has been a 5 year thing, it's pretty much a part of my life now, you know? When I wasn't smoking I'd have a lip in, or be using nasal snuff.

 

[Automaton]

Excuse me, guys...

Young vaper here. Tried everything to quit smoking. Became totally dysfunctional, every time, no matter what I tried. And I only smoked regularly for 2-3 years.

I know a smoker who never smokes more than 10 a day, and he also can't quit. Tried and failed, over and over.

You don't have to be a 30-year smoker blowing through 2 packs a day to be seriously addicted. I'm not saying he is or he isn't, but it's possible.

Cody - Thank you, I'm glad you found the vids helpful.

I'm with the others - if you can swing it financially and you can get over the shape of it, go for the eGo. If not, get the 510, and start saving for some extra's (like a pass-thru or a PCC).

If it works... just keep at it. You don't have to wind up buying everything. I didn't. I found what works, and I stayed there, because I'm on a tight budget, and if it works, no point in trying to fix it.

 

[DC2]

I thought about saying the same thing but I didn't feel it was my place, but I wholeheartedly agree. It shouldn't be too hard to break the nic habit before it's completely embedded in your life. I smoked for 30+ years and I know what I'm talking about.

I have to disagree, since I am the one who posted earlier that I smoked the same amount as the orignal poster.

I didn't smoke for nicotine, and I still don't really need it, but there are other things that kept me smoking.
In fact, there are other things that made me adamant that I was never going to stop smoking, no matter what.

Because I used cigarettes to get away...
--Get away from social situations I didn't want to be in anymore
--Get away from my wife when she ...... me off and I thought it was best to cool off instead of fight about whatever it was
--Take a break from life in 10 or 15 minute increments
--Get alone with my thoughts without distraction to figure out solutions to problems that faced me

I smoked an average of 5 cigarettes per day for 25 years.
And I was not ever going to quit, no matter what anyone said to me about it.

Don't ever assume what you get out of smoking is what others get out of smoking.
That's all I'm trying to say.

 

[Automaton]

DC2 - Such a good point. Cigarette addiction is very multi-faceted.

We all know some of us become very addicted to the MAOI's in cigs, and these are the people who tend to take a long time to switch completely to vaping, right?

We also know that not all of us are addicted to the MAOI's to a great extent. Like me, for example.

And thirdly we know that for some personality types, the habitual addiction can be VERY powerful. Habitual addiction is chemical, just like substance addiction. The only difference is that your own brain is providing the chemicals.

It is entirely possible for a smoker to be more habitually/compulsively addicted than anything else.

If some people can be very addicted to MAOI's, others not, some very addicted to nic, others not, than why can't some be more habitually addicted than anything else?

And we also don't know he isn't also chemically addicted. From the sounds of things (switching to chew and snuff), he probably is.

There are so many way and reasons why people become, and stay, smokers.

Age and amount smoked has nothing to do with it.

 

[mutt4a]

I'd tell anybody who could / wants to quit to just quit. If you need help doing so get it. If you cant or dont want to quit THEN try the e-cig.

Addiction is a very personal thing. And I would not want to judge anybody's choices alongst that line.

I AM bothered by the occasional non-smoker posts that they want to try these out. That i think is a BAD idea.

 

[itslikeCody]

Cody - Thank you, I'm glad you found the vids helpful.

I'm with the others - if you can swing it financially and you can get over the shape of it, go for the eGo. If not, get the 510, and start saving for some extra's (like a pass-thru or a PCC).

If it works... just keep at it. You don't have to wind up buying everything. I didn't. I found what works, and I stayed there, because I'm on a tight budget, and if it works, no point in trying to fix it.

Well I'm pretty much unemployed.
I don't know if you've ever heard of ChaCha, but it's a phone number you can text for answers that real people (ie. me) research, answer and send back.

The pay is only $0.10-$0.20 per question, but I did the math and it comes out to be about $360 a month.

I figure that is more than enough to keep up with the habit in the beginning, no?

 

[Automaton]

Well I'm pretty much unemployed.
I don't know if you've ever heard of ChaCha, but it's a phone number you can text for answers that real people (ie. me) research, answer and send back.

The pay is only $0.10-$0.20 per question, but I did the math and it comes out to be about $360 a month.

I figure that is more than enough to keep up with the habit in the beginning, no?

I know the feeling. Starving artist, over here.

I have been vaping for 2.5 months, and I have spent a grand total of $170. Yes, you read that right. And most of that was at the start. Since my first month, I have spent... maybe $50? Probably less.

I got a good kit, right off the bat. I got spare parts, right off the bat. I got a DIY mixing kit, right off the bat. I take REALLY good care of my stuff. And I also do a lot of swaps.

So, vaping on the cheap is definitely possible. For $360? Hell, that would keep me going for a year.

 

[itslikeCody]

I know the feeling. Starving artist, over here.

I have been vaping for 2.5 months, and I have spent a grand total of $170. Yes, you read that right. And most of that was at the start. Since my first month, I have spent... maybe $50? Probably less.

I got a good kit, right off the bat. I got spare parts, right off the bat. I got a DIY mixing kit, right off the bat. I take REALLY good care of my stuff. And I also do a lot of swaps.

So, vaping on the cheap is definitely possible. For $360? Hell, that would keep me going for a year.

So you make your own juices? Does that work out well or is it a pain in the ....?