advice for 1st time e-cigarette user (buyer)

[Puck]

first post, first visit
I'm tired of smoking, yet I enjoy the activity.

I've been looking for information, and reading through a few threads
I'd like advice on a FIRST purchase of an e-cig , please
I would probably just go back to tobacco cigarettes if I stumbled through a couple of $50 starter kits
I will admit , I know very little about these devices, except for they're made up of an atomizer, a cart, a battery, and an indicator

a few of the products I have researched
Smokeless Delight
Pilot "Hybrid"
DSE901
NJOY
Smoking Everywhere E-Cigarette
E-Cigar from Pure Smoker

merchants
PureSmoker
TrueVapor
Smokeless Delight
eSmokeyTreats
Smoking Everywhere

fwiw, I normally smoke Light 100's, so longer 'pen' style units probably won't bother me. my goal is to have a few minute session smoking about 10 times a day, just as if smoking a 100-length cigarette
I do not mind the Cigar device either, if I read right, you can get more life out of both the cartridge and the battery ... sound right ?


what I'd like advice on is which device should I start with (hopefully stay with) (the device can be one I haven't listed ) and from which merchant (reputable, "in-stock" supply) ie, I've read of good business with Pure Smoker, but they seem to be "Out-of-Stock" for just about every product I'd purchase


I'd appreciate any advice

 

[e-pipeman]

If you're an armchair smoker and don't mind being hooked up to your computer or usb battery with a wire then you will undoubtedly enjoy a Classic Penstyle with a USB passthrough. The carts hold huge amounts of liquid and deliver massive clouds of vapour. For something more like a cigarette then I'd go for the intellicig Evo. I can't advise on suppliers as you're stateside other than to suggest that, if you fancy an Evo, you use the UK site to order from. There are "problems" with the US site at present (and they're more expensive!).

 

[Spikey]

PureSmoker.com.

DSE901 or Pilot401.

DSE901 is prob better for a 1st e-cig. It is in stock (except not in white) in vblack and platinum. Good luck and watch some videos... I have one up comparing the 2 I just suggested to tell some of the differences.

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/video-reviews/6390-dse901-vs-pilot-m401.html

 

[Puck]

If you're an armchair smoker and don't mind being hooked up to your computer or usb battery with a wire then you will undoubtedly enjoy a Classic Penstyle with a USB passthrough..

I do smoke while at the computer .... ALOT!, but I also work where I wouldn't always able to be connected to USB

PureSmoker.com.

DSE901 or Pilot401.

thank you
exactly what I'm looking for
clear ,precise advice
merchant / device ftw
one of the things i have is that the 901's are generally acceptable for new users ... but then where did you go from there ?

 

[JustJulie]

I have many models, one of which is a pen style. I've got to say that I do love my pen style, but I don't know how much I would have loved it for a first e-cig. The vapor is cool (temperature), and when I first quit tobacco, a cool vapor wasn't very satisfying at all for me. Also, the draw was super easy, and I preferred more of a pull at first.

Generally, I recommend folks start with the DSE901. It feels kind of cigarette-like, and the vapor tends to be warmer. It's been around for awhile, so it doesn't tend to have the bugs that plague some of the newer models. I bought a 901 as my backup, and I keep going back to it when my others have "issues."

Honestly, when I first quit tobacco, I wanted something that gave a real punch, a harshness to it. I could get that with the DSE901, especially if I drip vaped. I just don't get that same harshness with the pen style. (Now that I've been away from tobacco cigarettes for awhile, though, I don't seem to crave the harshness as much as I did, and I'm enjoying the better flavor and smoothness I get with my pen style.)

If you decide you like e-smoking, you can always branch out and try other models. But even if you move on to something else, you'll find the DSE901 is an awesome backup.

Ditto the suggestion about the USB passthrough battery (not to be confused with a USB charger). It's great, and it's also available for the DSE901.

In terms of the sellers you mention in your email, I've only dealt with PureSmoker, so I can't comment on the others. I can say, though, that I've had very good dealing with PureSmoker, and the one little problem I had was addressed quickly and competently. Can't ask for much more than that.

 

[Puck]

thanks for the info

 

[Puck]

what makes the Pilot "HYbrid" different from the m401 ?

 

[snf]

what makes the Pilot "HYbrid" different from the m401 ?

length of battery

 

[Puck]

in some brief video review research, I think I'm liking the Pilot
looks like they produce good vapor, not sure if the mild hit is a concern
too bad they're not in stock

 

[jamie]

For ease of purchase and parts with your first one, I'd say a 901 or a penstyle. I agree the penstyle runs a little cooler... a bit more vapor usually but not quite as much of a throat hit. I use both. My inlaws are happy with their 901.

Seller - for 901, besides Puresmoker, I don't think you could go wrong with thesmokelessshop, e-smokeytreats, vaporguys, cigtechs, altsmoke, litecigusa, totallywicked-eliquid, vapornine. For a penstyle, same except not cigtechs right now due to cartridge compatibility issues.

I agree a USB passthrough helps.

I didn't recommend the Pilot because a) I haven't tried it and b) several folks on another forum did a head-to-head and all preferred the 901.

 

[JustJulie]

I have a Pilot, and while I like it okay, it's definitely not my favorite. I drip vape with it because the cart goes WAAAAAAY fast, and I don't have any easy time refilling the cart without overdoing it (and winding up with a mouthful of nicliquid).

But, like I said, some love it. For me, I can take it or leave it. If I had to pick between the 901 and the Pilot, the 901 would win hands down, no contest.

 

[ApOsTle51]

PureSmoker.com.

DSE901 or Pilot401.

DSE901 is prob better for a 1st e-cig. It is in stock (except not in white) in vblack and platinum. Good luck and watch some videos... I have one up comparing the 2 I just suggested to tell some of the differences.

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/video-reviews/6390-dse901-vs-pilot-m401.html

+1 for the DSE 901 and puresmoker. You won't go wrong with either

 

[Rorschach]

Just to chime in I would also recommend the DSE 901. It has no frills and gimmicks which you may want to branch into later (e.g. manual switch on Janty Kissbox etc.)

It's tried and tested and I also fall back on it when something else breaks or gets moody. It really is the reliable workhorse that you can always fall back to. There's no issue with dripping, super easy to maintain, easily obtainable spare parts.

Deserted Island Scenario would prompt many to take the trusty 901.

 

[wv2win]

I do smoke while at the computer .... ALOT!, but I also work where I wouldn't always able to be connected to USB


If you use a penstyle with a usb passthrough you can get a Duracell usb battery pack (Wal-Mart - $29) that will give you something like 10-20 hours of battery power but with the same consistency and power as if you were plugged into your computer. To me this is the way to go.

 

[jamie]

Wv2win is right, a good USB battery pack is nice too. I use this one, which comes with an adaptor to recharge it in the car. I recharge it every 3 days or so for a couple hours.
iPhone 1G 3G USB Battery Charger Transmitter - iPod too - eBay (item 260353021509 end time Feb-25-09 16:57:05 PST)

Also there are cheap adaptors to plug your USB passthrough battery itself into a car cigarette lighter, power your ecig directly, like this
Walmart.com: ZIP-LINQ USB to Car Power Adapter, iPhone Compatible: Computers

 

[Puck]

ok, so cartridges need to be replaced
what about the atomizers ? i see most kits with only 1, another comes with 2

what extras (assuming the 901kit from puresmoker) should I include in the order?
extra atomizer (why?)
riskee yuice?
what about the Pure eJuice ?
should I go ahead and get more cartridges ?
what about 2 kits (1 901 / 1 Pilot) (better just to get 2 of the same)
looks like a $99 order to get the Free shipping is in order, so I kinda need a grocery list

thanks

 

[Kate]

Get two kits of the same model, ten cartridges, and a couple of bottles of eliquid or a sample pack.

 

[Puck]

could I assume that the The Ultimate DSE901 Black Starter Kit from The Smokeless Shop as being one of the better values ? looks like you get more value than if I ordered from PureSmoker and had to add an extra atomizer / battery / cartridge set / juice set

 

[Kate]

TheSmokelessShop ultimate kit is a great deal.

 

[sMuCk_fOg]

Hey Puck, I'm a e-cig newb as well...today's only My second day of vaping.
I got two DSE901 kits...1 platinum and 1 white. The fact that it's a realitively new industry I was worried about reliability
( of all makes and models)So I also ordered several extra batteries and extra atomizers. I smoke Marlboro reds,and lite 100's so I bought a bottle of "marlboro" juice to refill carts as they empty.
So far I gotta say that nothing has arived DOA. and the batteries seem to last several hours ( I charge them ALL for twelve hours before initial use) I have been pleasantly supprised by the amount of vapor and the "throat hit" deliverd by the 901 WITHOUT DRIPPING,and the closeness in taste to ...somewhere between a RED and A marlboro lite. But when I drop a few on the atomizer with a full cart...this thing puts out like one of the fog machines that I use on stage haha. So overall I've been real happy with the 901's ...so far,and I hope they hold up...I was a three pack a day smoker , and I'm using the usb passthrough as I type,I also ordered the Duracell usb battery pack fromTigerdirect,but haven't received it yet. Best of luck choosing your first Vape-machine