Am I at the best online E-cig forum or what?

[VaporHead512]

Hello good people. I was referred here by a friend. I was hoping she posted here but she's just a reader. I on the other hand plan to post and post.

I'm completely new to this, so new in fact that I'm quite embarrassed that I just heard about e-cigs a few days ago. The idea sounds fantastic, and I want to throw myself in and get started right away. I've been waiting for a quit smoking idea that sounds good for years (12 year smoker, over 1 pack/day). I literally have money saved up for a quit smoking plan, and this is where it's at.

I've been doing research for about 24 hours. Non stop. I took the day off. Put several bundles into just as many shopping carts, only to back out at the last minute in fear of a poor purchase. I shan't get carried away, extensive research needs to be done, and what better place to hear about it than from the word of the customers. Which is why I'm here.

There is a sandwich in my refrigerator. With salsalido turkey. I'm going to go eat that, and while doing so I'll figure out what I need to ask y'all, but until then I just want to say hello, thanks for having this site here for everyone, and I hope to get to know y'all as I begin my journey to a cigarette free life.

 

[IQuitSG]

From a newbie to another , welcome!!!

 

[18SixFifty]

It's great that you found your way here. Lot's of helpful people. I am a new member to the site, but I have been vaping for 3 years. Feel free to ask any questions and good luck.

I know if I had it to do over I would have skipped all the beginner stuff and all the fads and gimmicky things as well. It's a marking ploy that gets people started, but these products are ultimately frustrating.

First things first are batteries, honestly you can't go wrong with anything that uses an 18650. That is an all day and night battery. Every other battery will need to be swapped out during the day. The Ego's etc all need to be charged and they lose power fast compared to a big battery.

juice; buy a bunch of samples first. What you think you will like isn't going to be what you like, you can count on that. Also nobody is going to be able to tell you what you like, but they can point you in the direction of good suppliers. Also more expensive doesn't always mean better.

Third, the delivery system. Atties, carotomizers, clearomizers, tanks etc. Again there is no telling what will work for you, but you don't want to run out. It's not enough to have a handful of them. This is most often the weakest link, and the biggest foil. People think they can get by on a couple because they are supposed to last. That is simply not always true. You can lose three in a day and be left with two that only work half right and then you are frustrated because you just cant get a decent hit to save your life.

You end up pulling out your hair, and running down the street and end up in a ditch being beaten up by a gang of little people. Don't get beaten up by a gang of little people. Always keep extra atomizers and cartomizers.

Keep your stick on the ice and your batteries charged, we are all in this together.

 

[VaporHead512]

Thanks for the welcome.

Is it alright if I ask a few general questions here? I hope so. The front page is a little overwhelming.

The main thing for me right now. I want to buy from an honest, safe, customer-friendly company. Not China. I heard negative reviews on China products. I think they sell e-cigs in town in a few places, that's where my friend got hers. But I get the feeling if I want the best I'm gonna need to get it online. Are there any main companies that I should stick to?

Also, as of now I'm loving the idea of the silver/chrome/titanium look, with a blue light. But I want to get serious about this, so if what works for me doesn't have those materialistic options available I'll pass on them. Would be great to find what I need and have it look good too, though.

I'm a Kool smoker, so I'm gonna need menthol. I'm gonna start off at full strength then maybe? move down in strength. I work from my home computer, occasionally taking cross country trips, so I am almost always going to have a way to stay charged if perhaps my purchase doesn't come with the best of the best battery life. My fiance on the other hand works all over the place and she'll definitely need long battery life. We're going at this together.

 

[NanW]

Hello and welcome to ECF! I am pretty new here myself and read the forum til my eyes hurt before placing my first order!! There was one thread that pushed me off the fence though and I was so excited I wanted to shout from a mountain top that I was going to stop smoking, and that was right after I placed my order lol!!

This is the thread http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/new-members-forum/302827-newbie-here-looking-suggestions.html I realize this may or may not be for you however based on your listed wants the vender is awesome, the kit does have a great long lasting batt, it is avail in chrome/silver color w/blue button and his juices are great (imo)! Also there is a discount code somewhere.

So even if this one isn't for you, the thread is so informative that I highly recommend reading it.
Oh yeah, my husband and I started this together so I ordered double on everything!!
Wishing you and your fiance all the best!

 

[kiwivap]

Welcome aboard. Researching what you want is great. After spending money on something way overpriced I took time to look into things and am happy now.

 

[NanW]

And yes you are on "the best e-cig forum" on the planet!!! I could not have done this without the wonderful caring and giving people who make this site all that it is!! In more than a month I have lit one stinkie and put it right out, wow, never thought I would see the day!!!

 

[Trilly]

First of all, welcome.

Vaping is great and it's good your enthusiastic, vaping is a learning curve but can be a fun journey along the way.

You mention you smoke over a pack a day so I would suggest not bothering with the cigalike models. Going a little larger your looking at the eGo, again though while these are great when you have somewhere to charge them if you are away from power points for a great length (your post isn't clear if when you are away you are in the back of beyond or what not) then you need to be looking at something where you can change batteries (and have a stash of them).

I would suggest having a good look around and question those that catch your eye.

Things to think about are mainly do you want something that is easy to use, do you mind having to do a little tinkering, bare in mind that unless you go with prefilled cartridges youu will have to fill what ever method you decide. Have a check on you tube too and try and see if there is a physical shop nearby (always good if they have juice for you to try).

And most importantly, ask as many questions as you like, someone somewhere will have experianced the same things.

 

[Stormlark]

What kind of e-cig are you looking for? Does it need to be around the same size as a cigarette, or would you (or your fiance) be OK with something a little larger? It'll help narrow down the options if you can decide on what general size you're comfortable with. Larger typically means longer battery life. It could also mean skipping the usual beginner step of a cig-sized model.

If you really want something small, the Volt from Smokeless Image is a common recommendation (I use their products myself and I'm pretty happy). There are other smaller battery options from other companies and I'd love to list them, but I'm not very knowledgeable in that area (I hear the word "ego" tossed around a lot). The Volt has two small battery options, one 65mm and a 78mm which costs a dollar more. The 78mm will last about 2-3 hours depending on use (not sure on the 65mm, as I've never used one). They also offer portable chargers for when you're away from a power source. Most companies offer something like this. Even so, it's highly recommended that you buy at least two batteries so you can use one while the other is charging.

The next step up is about the size of a sharpie marker and comes in several lengths which determine how long the battery lasts. The KGO line is where you want to start if these sound tempting to you. Smokeless Image also offers larger batteries that are basically the KGO but with a threading size that works with their other products. I believe the KGOs are cheaper, and I know they use 510 threading which is more universal than the 808 threading from Smokeless Image. The sizes of these batteries vary from 650mAh to 1300mAh. The general rule of thumb is 100mAh = 1 hour of use before you need to recharge. So the 650 would last about 6 and a half hours, the 1300 would be 13 hours, etc.

More advanced than these two options are variable voltage devices (VV). The Ego Twist is a cheap way to experiment with this type of device. Basically you can change the voltage to find the temperature you prefer. I haven't used these yet and am by no means an expert, though I have one ordered that should arrive next week. More expensive VV models are the lavatube and the provari. Battery life is hard to gauge with these devices because higher voltages will drain them faster.

There are also mods, some which are box shaped and I've seen ones that look like a wooden tobacco pipe. I know NOTHING about mods.

Another thing to think about is the difference between an e-cig that uses batteries, and one that IS a battery. Cheaper models are the latter and are basically trash when the lithium ion battery can no longer hold a charge. That's not to say they're bad, it's just something to consider. I personally use the cheaper ones. The lavatube and the provari (the VV devices I talked about earlier) are the only ones I listed that use batteries. There are many more like these, especially mods, but they are a bit more expensive.

And then there's the whole other world of e-cigs; choosing what liquid delivery system you want. The beginner stage is usually cartomizers. You can buy these prefilled and toss them when they run dry, or you can choose the cheaper route by buying refill liquid and refilling them yourself. One of the downsides to cartomizers is that they have a poly-fil material that soaks up the liquid and delivers it to the atomizer. This filling can mute the flavor of juice and can also give a slight aftertaste.

Another option is clearomizers like the stardust. These are larger and don't work so well on small batteries. They're easy to clean and fill, but in my experience, they tend to have leaking issues. There's no poly-fil in these.

The CE3 is a combination of the previous two. It's about the size of a cartomizer, so it will work on small batteries, but it's clear and there's no poly-fill material. I've only seen ones that require a syringe to fill, but it's not as bad as it sounds. I use these almost exclusively now. They're my favorite.

The other options in this field are dripping (considered by many to bring out the best flavor), which requires you to drip a few drops straight into an atomizer, and using tanks. Tanks can be quite large and will either use a wicking system like the clearomizers and CE3's, or have a full cartomizer inside that can be replaced. Tanks are typically rebuildable, meaning you can replace the wicks/atomizer/cartomizer etc.

Aaaaaand I hope all this information didn't make your head spin. The post ended up much longer than planned. I'm still a little new to all this myself, so if I said anything wrong, I hope a veteran can correct me.

 

[Fiamma]

Welcome to ECF and I'm glad you and your fiancee are going to start vaping

If you're at a computer most of the time you can use a battery powered by a pass thru. Your fiancee is going to need something else unless she travels with a laptop capable of charging a passthru. You could use a 1000 mah Ego passthru battery with something on top. I would buy a couple batteries just in case something goes amiss with one. Same with whatever goes on top. The day you don't have a spare or several spares is the day they start dieing.

She might be better off with the upgraded 18650 Ego and some sort of clearo tank for running about. The 18650 battery is rechargeable and lasts quite awhile and you can swap in a fresh one at any time. No recharging the whole unit. She would need only the one Ego and several batteries. She should have multiple tanks or whatever to go on it, and perhaps an extra head for the unit. The case cannot fail, the head can.

If you go that route, be sure to get her battery boxes that will hold the batteries and keep them from getting together, and a good battery charger for them. Read up on battery chargers Read up on the proper care of the batteries. ie you let them rest an hour before charging after they have been used, you let them rest an hour after they come off the charger before use.

I'd get my first juices in sample packs or sample sizes until you have an idea of what you might like, wastes less money that way. What you like to eat might not be what you like to vape and vice versa. I can't speak to tobacco flavors I avoid them like the plague, want nothing to even hint of that flavor still after all this time.

Buy from reputable vendors and do a little price comparison. Cheapest is sometimes not wonderful and very expensive is sometimes not the best available.

Re clearomizers or tanks, you might want to read this: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...ices-flavors-crack-tanks-ce2s-clearos-27.html

YMMV

 

[Stormlark]

There are a few topics I didn't cover in the novel that I posted earlier. Some of these topics include choosing between a manual battery and an automatic, and choosing the right liquid. Liquids come in various nicotine strengths, as you already know, and it's hard to know which strength you'll need. They also offer liquids in different PG/VG ratios, which is a topic I'll leave for others to explain if you have questions. I'd rather not bombard you with another long post.

 

[gthompson]

I'm a Kool smoker, so I'm gonna need menthol.

From one menthol smoker to another (almost 40 years a menthol smoker), I thought the same thing. "I need menthol". Don't be surprised if you can't find a menthol juice you like and find yourself drawn to flavors far from menthol. I've yet to find a menthol I really like. I've seen other menthol smokers on here saying the same thing. I've noticed a lot of people that do like menthol juice weren't menthol analog smokers.

Don't limit yourself in the beginning. There's no telling what you might decide you'll like.

Good luck and happy vaping!

 

[Harplayr]

As Stormlark suggested one of the first steps is to determine your comfort level size-wise.
Some people are comfortable with a system that is about the size of a large cigar while others really want something more similar to a cigarette.

My rule of thumb is that if it’s not comfortable to carry around, then no matter what features it has---how long it lasts between charges---it’s just not going to work for me. Others don’t mind large devices and are comfortable with lanyards or pouches (or purses) to carry around their e-cigs.

For me the largest size that fits comfortably in my jeans front pocket is a 650 mah size Kgo. The 1100 mah size will also fit, but feels bulky.

I found it easier to quit with a cigarette sized device. It more closely mimicked the feel and ritual of smoking. For something in that size range I’ve found the Smokeless Image Volt to be the best.

So tell us your size limit, and budget and we can help steer you in the right direction. You’ve found the right place to learn. There are some excellent and knowledgeable people here that LOVE to share their knowledge and experience, and give you the straight scoop.

 

[Swampey65]

Welcome from another newb.

1 month in, and I can say it's a great feeling to be an ex-smoker. Can't tell you what to buy nor would I try. I can tell you what I did and the motives behind it.

First, I came here and asked some questions and got a lot of advise = Big Help!

Someone will correct me if I'm wrong but, I believe you will find that most e-cig products are ChiCom made...just the way it is. They invented it and have been at it/making them the longest(I know some custom big batt mods are being made in the U.S. but most usually get into that later). Starting out, my main concern was getting something that would work right off the bat and avoid cheap knockoff's! I wanted off cigarettes asap.

I started w/ a Torpedo Mini variable voltage device which is also called by other brand names depending on who's selling it. It's other alias's are LavaTube(2.0?)/ The Lambo and I am sure there are a few other names I haven't been around long enough to know about or have heard them called. So far so good! only had one cig on the 3rd or fourth day and it tasted like $h!t and I never went back.

The eGo T's & C's are fine products and I have both of those as well but, I view them as what I use when out & about and can't tote the Torpedo due to size constraints. For me, I believe as many do that Var. Voltage is the way to go and played a huge part in keeping me off the analogs initially as you can adjust them voltage-wise to get a good vape cloud and a decent throat hit - that helped me get over my psychological hurdles about needing to see a big cloud of vapor and throat hit mimicing taking a drag off a smoke etc.

Looking back, I think I would've done things pretty much the same/bought all the same stuff except, my first var. voltage unit probably would've been the eGo "Twist" as it is easier to tote around and is roughly the same size as the other eGo ("T" & "C" models) batteries but it's a little longer w/ more milliAmpHours and has the var. voltage "Twist" knob on the bottom. It is initially a very inexpensive option/way to enter VV land.

These items are what I settled in with and am happy for now. What you end up with will be up to your own personal preference. If it works for you then I believe there is no wrong.

As far as Atomizer's, cartomizers and clearomizers it feels like I have one or two of all of them and some I'll buy again in perpetuity while other's I never wanna see again. Once again, personal preference and experimentation rules the day.

Congrats on taking the leap into Vaping! Imho it's sooo much better for you than smoking & it's great to be tasting, smelling and breathing better...and it's only been a little over a month! I can't wait to compare how I feel now to how I feel in 6 months!

Good luck on your journey!

ETA: "VV" = Variable Voltage

 

[JakeTheV&pe]

ECF is an amazing place and I am very VERY greatful for its existance that only has to be thanked to the many great people that make up this comunity. So many people with all the same mission to quit the stinkies and the level of support to each other is something very special here. Atleast that is what I have found

All the best!

 

[Renolizzie]

Hi Newbie here, too. And yes, this is the best e cig forum in the Universe

 

[Harplayr]

Hi Newbie here, too. And yes, this is the best e cig forum in the Universe

Not sure about that.
Romulus is said to have quite the forum, but I can't get internet service from outside the galaxy.

 

[Homedude]

All About Vapor has a brick and mortar store in Round Rock. I don't have any personal experience with them but I've heard that they are a decent retailer. Brick and mortar shops can be a little more expensive than online stores but you can get personalized service and you can see each device and ask questions as they come up. It may be worth the short drive and a few extra dollars.

I'm going to be candid and probably piss some people off but here it goes... The biggest e-cig forum ? Yes ! The best ? maybe, maybe not. There are a lot of people on this forum that seem to be obsessed with promoting very specific device configurations that may not be appropriate for you. People have a tendency to spout off recommendations without actually reading and thinking about what information is actually being requested of them. The fact of the matter is that everyone has different needs, desires and expectations for their e-cig. Talk to someone who will actually listen to you and recommend something based on your needs, not their status symbol or flavor of the month.

 

[JingletheJuiceMan]

Hello good people. I was referred here by a friend. I was hoping she posted here but she's just a reader. I on the other hand plan to post and post.

I'm completely new to this, so new in fact that I'm quite embarrassed that I just heard about e-cigs a few days ago. The idea sounds fantastic, and I want to throw myself in and get started right away. I've been waiting for a quit smoking idea that sounds good for years (12 year smoker, over 1 pack/day). I literally have money saved up for a quit smoking plan, and this is where it's at.

I've been doing research for about 24 hours. Non stop. I took the day off. Put several bundles into just as many shopping carts, only to back out at the last minute in fear of a poor purchase. I shan't get carried away, extensive research needs to be done, and what better place to hear about it than from the word of the customers. Which is why I'm here.

There is a sandwich in my refrigerator. With salsalido turkey. I'm going to go eat that, and while doing so I'll figure out what I need to ask y'all, but until then I just want to say hello, thanks for having this site here for everyone, and I hope to get to know y'all as I begin my journey to a cigarette free life.

Welcome from one newbie to another. These threads will teach you a lot. There is a ton of useful information from a lot of very helpful people. I started vaping about a week and a half ago knowing very little. Thanks to ECF I now know a lot!

 

[Harplayr]

All About Vapor has a brick and mortar store in Round Rock. I don't have any personal experience with them but I've heard that they are a decent retailer. Brick and mortar shops can be a little more expensive than online stores but you can get personalized service and you can see each device and ask questions as they come up. It may be worth the short drive and a few extra dollars.

I'm going to be candid and probably piss some people off but here it goes... The biggest e-cig forum ? Yes ! The best ? maybe, maybe not. There are a lot of people on this forum that seem to be obsessed with promoting very specific device configurations that may not be appropriate for you. People have a tendency to spout off recommendations without actually reading and thinking about what information is actually being requested of them. The fact of the matter is that everyone has different needs, desires and expectations for their e-cig. Talk to someone who will actually listen to you and recommend something based on your needs, not their status symbol or flavor of the month.

Thank you for bring that up.
What works for ME may be entirely wrong for another person. That is why in my post I asked for more information on what he feels comfortable with both size and feature wise and budget.

While we can wax poetically about the virtues of a Provari or mod, I know that I wouldn’t have succeeded using such devices from the get-go. Some like me needed the familiar form factor and simplicity of a cigarette form factor device, while others are just fine jumping into something larger and more complex. Some have trouble affording $50-$75 for a starter kit; others can easily afford to spend hundreds. Some will stick with Volts or eGo’s others will go for more expensive and advanced systems. Some will take to dripping like a fish to water; others won’t be bothered with having to carry around a bottle of juice wherever they go.

We’re all different, and it IS important to probe and LISTEN to what people actually want before suggesting a solution.