After reading the stickies,

[dopeh]

I've decided to quit smoking! My wife is joining me, and with all the great help we've gotten today, decided on the eGo instead of the 510. I have revised our shopping list as follows:

1x Happy eGo Starter Kit
2x Happy 510/eGo Atomizer
1x Happy eGo Atomizer Cover
2x Happy eGo USB Passthrough Battery
1x USB Wall Plug Adapter
1x Happy eGo Fast USB Charger
1x Happy 510 E-Cigarette Cartomizers (5 pack)

We each get a wall charger, USB charger, a USB passthrough, 2 atty, and 2 batteries. Plus a couple of cartomizers each to try out.

We will likely be dripping (still looking at which tips to get), and some cartos on the go if they don't suck. If we like them I'll order more, there are a couple of suppliers within a day's shipping

I'll probably add a LR atty to try out, since these are fat batts, plus a car USB charger (look at all the new acronyms I've learned this week lol).

Thanks for all the input, really helped a ton! Any feedback still welcome and appreciated, particularly where to get sample packs from Canadian suppliers, though I'm off to the Canada Section now to browse..

Cheers

PS The REOs look awesome! I hope I like vaping, I could see myself holding that thing all day

 

[webbcm127]

looks like a good start up kit to me, if u both are gunna use cartos though i would suggest getting more then 5 because 5 is about right for one person who is starting out, when your purchasing liquid i suggest going with either 70%pg/30%vg or 80/20 if your looking for TH best of luck

 

[dopeh]

Thanks for the reply, going to add another 5 pack of cartos

 

[markfm]

Which product depends on how much you smoke. If either or both of you are pushing into the pack a day zone, instead of the standard 510 you might want to go to the Riva510 or eGo, much longer battery life between recharges although they look less like a cig.
Really good current Riva 510 prices at liberty-flights.com, $30 after the 20% discount listed on their site, and pretty low cost shipping. Depending on where you have looked, picking up two full kits for $60 is really a pretty good price.
LF also sells Boge 2 ohm 510 cartos, which will fit the Riva fine.
For juice, typical new person, pack a day, can expect to use 3 ml per day or so. Juice strength varies (as you've probably seen reading) -- it's really good to get a couple of strengths, to dial-in what works. I use a 24 mg, with a lower strength for chain-vaping, having smoked regular strength cigs in the past.
Good luck!

 

[banjo]

That is a good start on your hardware. The next hurdle you face is finding a juice that you enjoy. I would suggest going to one of the suppliers here on ECF and buying several sample size bottles (3ml to 5ML) of various flavors that appeal to you, and give them all a try. The suppliers I use are:

Gourmet Vapor
PureVape
VapeRite
FreedomSmokeUSA

They have excellent juices & great service.

 

[Sainted_S]

A skinny battery that resembles an analog is important for many people. If that's why you are considering the 510, I'd say go for it.

The reason alot of us recommend the Riva/eGo is because we found the skinny batteries just too much maintanence. There have been alot of changes in the vaping world even since I started in August. The 510 used to be the most affordable and effective kit out there for newbies, but with the introduction of $30 rivas and $40 dollar eGo kits it has changed alot of recommendations. They are good, solid models that are very affordable.

I know when I first began researching I thought I HAD to have something that would resemble my analogs because it wouldn't work otherwise. That reasoning went out the window in about a week for me after having my 510 Mega which has a larger battery capacity than a standard 510. Vaping is an alternative to smoking, it is not the same thing. Don't get scared away by that, it is different, but it is very effective. For most people the size of the battery doesn't matter half as much as the flavor of the juice and it is hard to find a favorite juice because everyone's tastes are different.

 

[greymattergirl]

Try a low resistance atty, I love them!

 

[dopeh]

Great replies, thanks guys. We were torn between the eGo and 510 for the very reasons mentioned here: Batt life vs size. Money is not nearly as much of an issue as success, so we thought it wise to start with a 510 and move to the eGo/Riva.

As epuff only carries 16mg juice, I guess we will shrink that juice order and get some samplers from other suppliers in different strengths. We do smoke about 20 analogues/day each presently.

Thanks so much this is helping a lot!

edit: @ greymattergirl, I really did want to but I'm almost certain we will be using cartos, do they come in LR as well? One of our worries about e-cigs is having to suck like it's a golf ball through a garden hose! A nice easy draw with good TH would be ideal.

 

[player30]

It is all personal; I do prefer the skinny batteries and I much prefer cartomizers to atty/cart. Simple is what I am looking for. Being at the computer alot, I do have a passthrough, but I purchased it later.

Good luck & best wishes!!

 

[Chainmail]

Thats pretty much exactly what i picked up. I found having a large number of different flavored e-juices in small quantities (6 5ml bottles to be exact) has helped a ton.

 

[Stosh]

Great start on your hardware collection, an extra charger may be an idea and if you decide to move
up to another PV it will always be useful as a backup.
Having a backup is good as right now we can't go to a brick and mortar to pick up an atty or
charger replacement like a pack of analogs.

 

[trouble2k]

I'm almost certain we will be using cartos, do they come in LR as well?

I've never tried using the LR attys or 2 ohm cartos on the 510, but I've heard it's not worth it with the short battery life. It just speeds up the pace. So, research that a bit before you try it.

 

[markfm]

You might consider the 510 mega batteries if you haven't ordered quite yet. At 280 mAh they have the same mAh rating as 808 standard batteries (although at lower operating voltage). You'll still be getting cig form factor, not too large.

I see them running about $40 for a starter kit with two batteries, charger, 10 blank cartomizers (though likely not the 2 ohm cartos). Prices might well be even better elsewhere.

If you really like the standard 510 form factor better, they make PCC (personal charging case) for them, which lets you rotate batteries while out and about. I used an 808 version when I first started out, made it practical to be away from a power supply for the day.

Small ziploc bags from Walmart can be handy for keeping juice bottles and cartos sorted. Both 2x3 and 3x4 are available. My little drawstring vape bag has a half dozen juices/cartos in it, so I can switch around during the day.

 

[dopeh]

Good advice, thanks all. We're discussing our options still. Any Canadians have customs issues with American suppliers? Prices seem much cheaper in the states.

 

[markfm]

Just noticed you're from up North -- at 5 posts I think you can post in the Canadian forum area, get some inputs on that.

See: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/canada-forum/
And:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/canada-suppliers/

 

[Jonner]

I agree with Mark on the Mega 510 recommendation. The only thing that beat it, for me, was a mod. Good luck!

 

[dormouse]

I would actually buy a at least a 3rd atty. That way you will have an atty when you are cleaning the one you used (assuming you and your wife don't both clean at the same time). I swap and clean at least once a week. I switch to a clean dry atty (after priming well w/ ejuice) and put the used one in a jar of vodka (should be grain alcohol which is purer) and I make sure air bubbles are out of it and swish it a bit. Next day I swish and scoop alcohol through the atty then shake out well and lay to dry (or if rushed could use blow dryer or blow in it a lot).

Also, by having 3 attys you will have a spare in case an atty burns out or gets damaged.

 

[dopeh]

Thanks so much guys! I've updated the OP after having considered what we've learned.

 

[mlinky]

Congratulations on making this step and doing such great research. Be sure to let us know when your kits come in. Welcome!

 

[Rosco]

Welcome and congratulations. You both have made a seriously sound decision to quit smoking. It's amazing how soon your body will start to respond to not getting attack by a gillion toxins and poisons. Everything starts to taste better and smell better. Even you two will smell better without smoke in your hair and clothes 24/7. Many of us coughed junk for a bit, but that ends soon and then life gets better. Your body will thank you forever. Once you've tried some flavors and find a couple that really grabbed you, watch out. That's when the vaping can turn serious.
Best wishes and good luck to you both.