A Suggestion for Noobs from a Noob

[Bluprints]

First, I'd like to say hello.

I have been vaping since April on and off from analogues during equipment failures and user errors. This forum has been a plethora of valuable information before I made my first purchase which was a Riva kit from LF, and I have lurked ever since. I can honestly say the e-cig works! Even when I forget to order juice and run out, go back to analogues I can pick my pv back up and quit analogues immediately.

My biggest frustration has been the poor quality of the gear I have purchased. My two Riva batteries died at the same time due to user error (used dual-coils on them and I guess you aren't supposed to), I purchased an ego-T that worked great until the button fell off and finally a Mega-T Rex kit and they were terrible to be honest. The T-Rex battery cases were falling apart and had no kick to them like the ego-T.

So my biggest advice for anyone is if you really enjoy the e-cigs and you are confident you can quit or get close to quitting analogues, buy a Provari. Admittedly, I was intimidated with a lot of the lingo, VV, mods, tanks, ect ect... but this is the last ecig you will buy and its leaps and bounds past the other crap I wasted a lot of money on. The build quality is incredible. It was tough to drop the coin on it but it was worth every cent if it keeps me from buying tons of things that don't last very long. If you don't know what it is there is plenty on these forums about it.

Not to say the other pieces I have owned were terrible, and there are a lot of posts of people with some of the same gear lasting them MUCH longer than me. I've been pretty good at taking care of my equipment so I dunno why it wasn't lasting. But one of the main reasons I quit smoking was to save some money. Waiting for replacements and buying analogues has sucked.

I am not a mod savvy person and don't use a lot of the functions this pv has but even at default out of the box my vaping experience is awesome and the pv is built like a tank.

Just for clarification, I don't work for any ecig vendor, I paid in full for my pv, I'd recommend it to a new user because I'm confident it would work for them but it does look intimidating and might be easier to use a lesser cost pv to start but if you get into this ecig thing like I have its definitely worth it.

Just figured I would share what a great pv this is and help some noobs like myself from spending an arm and leg on less quality pieces that are sometimes unreliable.

 

[BardicDruid]

Until you learn how e-cigs work it's best to stay away from mods, especially variable voltage. If you try to start with an advanced mod you'll have no idea of where to start if you have problems, start with a simple kit and work your way up.

 

[wv2win]

Until you learn how e-cigs work it's best to stay away from mods, especially variable voltage. If you try to start with an advanced mod you'll have no idea of where to start if you have problems, start with a simple kit and work your way up.

I guess that depends on what you mean by "work your way up". I too would not suggest a Provari or better yet, IMO, a variable volt Darwin, to someone who has never vaped before. They may not take to vaping. But I also don't think a "newer" person needs to buy 5-6 different models before they buy one of the better models such as the Provari or Darwin. If they buy a Riva or E-Power and like vaping based on that experience, I don't see a problem with their 2nd purchase being a good variable volt model.

 

[Bluprints]

Out of the box, and not having a whole lot of experience... I plugged in a carto and just started vaping with it. Not much more than knowing how to put a battery in it, (carto, cart or whatever) and vape. If you have used one I can't see how its any more complicated than the riva kit I purchased. You don't have to change anything on it if you don't want. But its a rock solid dependable (so far) pv.

 

[SharonCC]

I'm actually considering a Provari. I started with a Hello 016, and a Riva 510. I'd like a more consistent warmer vape and a better flavour. I hate to fiddle with things, and don't really enjoy gadgets. The Provari seems relatively simple to use,including adjusting voltage. It's nice to see a noobie like me, have a good experience with it....

 

[bsb111]

From a noob as of August 29th,

Got some good direction an began with an eGo 650 mHa battery & 2 different atty's; direct dipped for two weeks and really liked the vaping experience. Then purchased and eGo tank so I could safely vape & drive.

Kept researching equipment on this forum and found the Provari tube mod. Bought this with a number of empty cartos and several different atty's and have not looked back.

Have tried over 40 different juices from different vendors and have not found my all day vape. Have begun to DIY my own juice (like really strong flavors).

The Provai is definitely a well made PV and is very easy to use. I really like the ability to change voltages and see how this affects juice flavor. Also is nice to be able to check on the battery voltage and atty resistance using the PV readouts. Do not have any connection with Provape so this info is definitely my own opinion.

Have not had an analogue since the day I first vaped.

Here is one noob very happy with a VV mod.

 

[Bluprints]

I might have over stepped the "New Members Forum" bounds on my first post but I just got one and it was absolutely amazing. SharonCC, you aren't going to be disappointed if you get one and forget all of the jargon you might have read (ie. VV, mod), it's simple to use as any other pv just more expensive, better built and more convenient. I guess my mentality was if I want this to work just go for one of the best ones out there and it was worth every penny. I was going to buy one as my first pv but was afraid vaping wouldn't work and I would have wasted money.

The only drawback is everyone at work is laughing because of the size and shape, telling me I am putting my mouth on a sex toy... lol!

I don't get many "toys" but I sprung for this one on an impulsive buy, disgusted with the quality of product I was getting and disappointed in the lifespan.

I got so excited about vaping with this pv I wanted to rave to ECF as my girlfriend shrugs her shoulders and rolls her eyes when I talk about it. So hello everyone from a newish vaper!

 

[Huffelpuff]

Team Reo!!

 

[swedishfish]

I might have over stepped the "New Members Forum" bounds on my first post but I just got one and it was absolutely amazing. SharonCC, you aren't going to be disappointed if you get one and forget all of the jargon you might have read (ie. VV, mod), it's simple to use as any other pv just more expensive, better built and more convenient. I guess my mentality was if I want this to work just go for one of the best ones out there and it was worth every penny. I was going to buy one as my first pv but was afraid vaping wouldn't work and I would have wasted money.

The only drawback is everyone at work is laughing because of the size and shape, telling me I am putting my mouth on a sex toy... lol!

I don't get many "toys" but I sprung for this one on an impulsive buy, disgusted with the quality of product I was getting and disappointed in the lifespan.

I got so excited about vaping with this pv I wanted to rave to ECF as my girlfriend shrugs her shoulders and rolls her eyes when I talk about it. So hello everyone from a newish vaper!

I love hearing about new pvs that people like. Especially mods because I don't know a lot about them. Thanks for the info!

 

[Dark Jester]

The only drawback is everyone at work is laughing because of the size and shape, telling me I am putting my mouth on a sex toy... lol!

It's not a sex toy. It's a lightsaber. Should have mine in a week or so...

 

[4mehealth]

I wouldn't recommend a mod as a first step. Price being the reason.

Starter kits are great for an introduction. Relatively easy to use. And if it works, then by all means, step to a mod. At that point, the user has an inkling of what they're looking for in a vape. I think the investment into a Provari is quite a high price of admission. I'm not knocking the Provari. It just seems like such a leap for somebody to go into blind.

 

[Dark Jester]

I don't know. To put it in perspective, my ultimate kit from V2, plus a 10-pack flavor sampler was $170. The brushed silver ProVari is $159. Granted by the time I bought accessories and stuff from Provape, my ticket was near $300, but not all of that extra stuff is necessary. You can get a ProVari, 2 batteries, and a charger for $200. Not much more than my 'Starter Kit'.

It really all depends on your budget. I look at it as I'm not smoking analogs anymore starting tomorrow when my V2 starter kit gets here. That's nearly $200 per month extra in my pocket to do with as I please. Even having dumped around $500 into this hobby overall in the last week, I'm still looking at coming out ahead within 3 months.

Also setting myself up to DIY liquid, so I'm looking at 75% or more of my current cigarette budget coming back to me as plain profit after 3 months. That's around $2000/year saved.

 

[wv2win]

Out of the box, and not having a whole lot of experience... I plugged in a carto and just started vaping with it. Not much more than knowing how to put a battery in it, (carto, cart or whatever) and vape. If you have used one I can't see how its any more complicated than the riva kit I purchased. You don't have to change anything on it if you don't want. But its a rock solid dependable (so far) pv.

You are right. It really isn't more complicated. It does cost a good bit more. That's the only reason I would wait until I knew vaping was for me.

But if you even suggest a 5 volt box mod that costs $40 to a new person, you will get the tiny 3.7 volt battery lovers jumping all over you stating that you are nuts. Yet they have never used one themselves or have a clue about the difference in performance between a 3.7 volt, 5 volt and variable volt PV.

 

[mlinky]

Most new kits don't cost $200. I think a $30 Riva with $8 of Boge 2ohm cartos is a good place to start. Then they have the opportunity to decide what type of mod will suit them best before they drop $150+. As in everything, there are trade-offs in size, battery life, performance, and ease of use.

 

[Dark Jester]

I have to over-do everything though. If someone didn't tip me off to the ProVari I'm sure I would have picked up a Riva or eGo instead. But when I know there is a monster truck out there with my name on it, I don't want to settle for a little lawn mower powered pickup and step up to it.

I'm just saying that Compared to the Mall kits and the other 'high profile' vendors a lot of newbies get sucked in by (V2, GS, etc), a $200 initial investment isn't that far above what they are already paying. And at least with the ProVari they can rest assured they are getting a very high quality product. Not something that might wear out after a month or two.

 

[Bluprints]

I have to over-do everything though. If someone didn't tip me off to the ProVari I'm sure I would have picked up a Riva or eGo instead. But when I know there is a monster truck out there with my name on it, I don't want to settle for a little lawn mower powered pickup and step up to it. .

Exactly the way I look at it too. You figure if a battery goes bad on this thing you buy another for 14-15 bucks vs a new kit altogether. A one year warranty, plus it vapes better than any of the stuff I have bought. I would have had a much easier time quitting smokes with this than I did with my Riva.

Thats just me thought. I was going to get another cheap kit and decided I'm not wasting any more money on stuff that lasted 2-4 months because when it broke I went back to smoking until I got something new. I think this mod pv whatever is it for quite awhile.

I think I would suggest something cheap as a first try but definitely a mod or just something well built as a second. Those who have mods and spent a little coin can tell their piece is quality and will last awhile. When the button fell off my ego-T I almost gave up vaping. Luckily this forum pointed me into one of the better built pieces.

After the tens of thousands I've spent on smokes.. $230 for a provari, 2 long batts, a charger /w car charger and cartos was well worth it.

And for the lightsaber comment, its funny, my son asked what it was and I said a lightsaber. His eyes widened and said "Can I see it?". Shame he was disappointed when he discovered it was just Dad's e-cig.

 

[joc3721]

I also started as a noob about 2 months ago, with a provari. I think it's a great place for people to start. Easy to use, reliable, well made and lots room to "grow" into it. There's not much it can't do if you want to experiment with tanks, cartos, atty's, etc. I have few other mods on order, as back-ups and also to see what other types of systems do better/differently, e.g. bottom feeders. I have a feeling they will be gathering dust not long after they get here.

 

[tj99959]

The first thing a person needs to do is find out if they are even going to like vaping. Laying out $200-300 for advanced stuff before you even know if you can stand vaping is just plain stupid, and ranks right along with buying yet another carton of analogs.
There is a thread on another forum right now where a young lady bought a DON if you would like to see why we say learn to walk before you try running.

So you bought a little cheapo, and it isn't very satisfying. Have you bounced it around all the different ways it can be used yet?
Right now I am using a little box mod that I made myself. ($5.07) Nothing in it but a battery, a switch, and a 510 connector, and I can make it do anything I want because I took the time to learn what atties, cartos, and batteries can and can't do and how they do it.

So what I'm saying is that it is less important what you do or don't get, and more important that you learn to use whatever it is that you do get.

I don't have enough fingers & toes to count the number of people that just have an eGo or little 510 bat that have know idea of what they are capable of, let alone what a ProVari can do.

 

[joc3721]

I had a different experience. About a year ago I tried one of the crappy cigarette look-alike products heavily marketed on the net. Didn't work, completely unsatisfying. Back to analogs I went, my conclusion being e cigarettes are not an effective smoking cessation strategy. Had I known then about mods and the far superior products available even then, I would have saved a year of smoking.

The first thing a person needs to do is find out if they are even going to like vaping. Laying out $200-300 for advanced stuff before you even know if you can stand vaping is just plain stupid, and ranks right along with buying yet another carton of analogs.
There is a thread on another forum right now where a young lady bought a DON if you would like to see why we say learn to walk before you try running.

So you bought a little cheapo, and it isn't very satisfying. Have you bounced it around all the different ways it can be used yet?
Right now I am using a little box mod that I made myself. ($5.07) Nothing in it but a battery, a switch, and a 510 connector, and I can make it do anything I want because I took the time to learn what atties, cartos, and batteries can and can't do and how they do it.

So what I'm saying is that it is less important what you do or don't get, and more important that you learn to use whatever it is that you do get.

I don't have enough fingers & toes to count the number of people that just have an eGo or little 510 bat that have know idea of what they are capable of, let alone what a ProVari can do.

 

[juicejunky]

I have to over-do everything though. If someone didn't tip me off to the ProVari I'm sure I would have picked up a Riva or eGo instead. But when I know there is a monster truck out there with my name on it, I don't want to settle for a little lawn mower powered pickup and step up to it.

I'm just saying that Compared to the Mall kits and the other 'high profile' vendors a lot of newbies get sucked in by (V2, GS, etc), a $200 initial investment isn't that far above what they are already paying. And at least with the ProVari they can rest assured they are getting a very high quality product. Not something that might wear out after a month or two.

I often wonder about this when recommending things to new vapers. You are probably somewhat unique in appreciating a ProVari from the get go.

For me I think having a cigarette look-a-like was a necessary part of the process--my current REO would have been too different than cigarettes initially. Getting new PVs was also part of the reward system of vaping and moving on up to the good stuff.

I wish I would have found ECF and V4L first rather than the ripoff V2cigs because I wasted a lot of money, but the good part was I did find ecigs and gave up cigarettes completely.