Another newbie looking for HELP! :)

[JoannaP]

First off, I'll introduce myself. My name is Joanna, I'm a married mom of two and I smoke 1/2 - 1 pack a day, prefer camel lights, occasionally Camel Crush and often Pall Mall, as they are cheaper. I've been smoking since I was sixteen. I LOVE smoking but I don't love what its doing to my body and all the other junk that people complain about.

I stumbled onto this forum after seeing an ad for Blu. I'm a skeptical person and have to force myself to live by the "if it sounds too good to be true..." adage because I'm also incredibly gullible. The whole e-cig thing sounded too good to be true so I decided to do some digging and after spending literally ALL DAY in this forum (except, of course for smoke breaks when I was tempted to read posts on my iPhone) I think I've narrowed it down. I decided to post and see if I could get any opinions and maybe a clearer understanding of what to expect.

I have pretty much decided on a 510 or 901. Here's my list of wants and maybe someone can tell me if I've got the right idea.

1. I want good flavor. This is probably tops on my list. I've read a few posts that have said that the 510 often tastes burned or doesn't have very good flavor. Is that true of ALL 510s or is it liquid dependent?
2. I don't care about size, color, it looking like a cigarette, etc. It doesn't matter to me what it looks like or how big it is. Likewise, I don't really care if its manual or auto, although I'm thinking I'd actually prefer manual.
3. I don't care about huge billows of smoke. That being said I don't want 'wimpy wisps' either. A decent amount of smoke is fine.
4. I want a pretty good throat hit, but not too harsh. Maybe something milder that I can use the level of nic with to 'fine tune' if that is a reasonable expectation?
5. Second only to flavor for me is price. I need something with a good starter kit that is pretty inexpensive to get me going.
6. Battery life - not as important as I spend most of my time in front of my computer and will more than likely get a usb PT, although there are days when I am out and about for a few hours that I'd like what I get to go with me. So either more batts or a pcc would probably suffice.

I'm a gadget freak, so I'm sure I'll wind up with a collection of several different types and I'm also sure it won't be long before I get into hybrids (the janty stick is super cool looking). For now though, I need something inexpensive, relatively easy to use and that could potentially last a while, or at least until I can afford something else. I don't really want to do an SD because I really want to be able to use different flavors as well as refill my own carts for cost sake and it seems like the cartomizers would get expensive. Feel free to correct me if my assumptions are doing what assumptions tend to do.

Am I asking for the impossible? Surely the fact that, even though I'll probably be switching from analogs, I don't care how closely it matches in size and 'feeling' helps?

Any advice or ideas are greatly appreciated. TIA to anyone who replies.

Blessed be,
Joanna

 

[jlcanary]

Hi Joanna and welcome to ECF! I have a 901 and I can tell you what I get out of mine. I get awesome flavor and a pretty decent amount of vapor. I got tired of messing with the cartridges, so I opted for direct drip, which is just dripping the liquid directly on the atomizer bridge. My battery life is not great at about one battery lasting for about an hour, but I usually am vaping pretty hard. I do not have a pcc, but you can get one for the 901. When I am at home I use a manual usb passthrough and it is freaking awesome. I also use my PT in my car with a usb to cigarette lighter thingy (so technical) because my commute to work is about an hour. I usually carry 4 batteries on me at all times, especially when I am at work, and I carry all my stuff in a usb case. I got my 901 kit from Rob at Vapor Kings - DSE801, RN4072, DSE901 and RN4075 e-Cigarette supplies, and I am extremely happy. The prices were good and the service is excellent. It came with a wall charger, two batteries, two atomizers, and some cartridges. Most kits only come with one atomizer, and you will need more than one because they don't last forever. Anyway, I'm sure I am forgetting a bunch of stuff, but I hope that this helps! Good Luck!

 

[JoannaP]

About the direct drip thing...is there a tutorial somewhere on how to do it? Do you do it with a blank cart or something? Where do you put your mouth?

 

[jlcanary]

About the direct drip thing...is there a tutorial somewhere on how to do it? Do you do it with a blank cart or something? Where do you put your mouth?

What I do is drip two to three drops, not any more, directly on the atomizer bridge, replace the plastic mouth piece (I have a whistle tipped cartridge as my mouth piece), and vape away. When I get a burnt taste, I just drip a couple more drops. I would say 2-3 drops last a good 10-15 puffs for me. I also blow the extra juice out of my atty when the draw feels hard and at the end of the night. I just place a papertowel on the open end of the atty and blow into the part that connects to the battery.

 

[Kurt]

Hey Joanna! Welcome to the world of vapers! Here are my thoughts, being about a week into this world.

I would recommend a 510 starter kit with extra battery and atomizer, a USB PT, and a PCC charging case. This is what I got to start with, and I too am a gadget freak. The 510 looks good, like a short pilot V5 pen, and works great. I got mine from Phil at E-smokeytreats.com. Fast delivery and everything was in excellent working order. I also got a few liquids and also prefilled carts of varying strengths, since I really didn't know what level of nic I would want.

Flavor is key for me too, and with the 510 completely under your control if you make your own juices from high nic unflavored and flavoring from Lorann, but I would recommend getting premade flavors and juices to get you going while you learn about making your own, if you choose to do that. I am a chemist, so I love mixing cool flavors myself. My current fave is carmel apple or bavarian creme. I like higher nic levels in the AM, and then lower in the evening. What levels you gravitate to will depend a lot on your smoking habits...do you have a smoke at regular intervals throughout the day or do you have 3 or 4 at once while on the phone (my issue).

One thing is that if you are intending to stop smoking via vaping, then it is good to have some higher nic juice around to really stop the craving for an analog, as we call them.

(Comes from the idea that the e-cig is electronic, therefore "digital", and so a tobacco cigarette is thus "analog". I don't agree with this 100%, but it is just the term. Also, we do not refer to the vapor as "smoke", in general...once you get away from or greatly control your actual smoke intact, you will also not think of this as smoke...its BETTER! )

Glad you have done so much reading! You will do more, I'm sure. Lots of tips and tricks batted around here to make the vaping experience even better than the awesome right out of the box.

I personally tried every possible smoke-cessation gimick/product/snake oil under the sun. Nothing has worked as well, as painlessly, or as quickly as my 510. In fact, almost immediately I simply preferred vaping to actual smoking, and analogs tasted yucky...right away! There are subtle aspects to a cigarette addiction however that are not just from nicotine addiction, but it is best to experience these first hand. There are many things put into cigarettes that are addictive, besides nicotine. But I immediately went from 1+ packs a day to 2 or 3 analogs a day without batting an eye...I just forgot to smoke!! And that is huge.

I have not used a 901, but I have 901 carts, since they fit a 510 perfectly. They are more like a pipe mouthpiece, and are great for the PT, which turns your computer into a hookah.

The one downside of the 510 is that you are more in contact with the actual juice (as compared to say a Greensmoke which uses "cartomizers"). The juice is glycerin mostly and very sticky. You must have paper towels around and be ready for sticky fingers when changing carts or making juice). this will also be the case with the 901, which is very similar in design and function to the 510.

So in summary, flavors and nic levels with the 510 or 901 are entirely up to you! Make sure you have a save place away from the kids to store and take care of your equipment...nicotine is nicotine, you are just now going to be far more aware and in contact with it.

I am only about a week or so in, and already my lungs feel twice as big as before. I find I think much better too without all those other 400 chemicals coursing through my veins.

This is a great place to hang. Everyone here is really nice and smart. Good luck with your purchase and first vape!

Kurt

 

[Crankyfuzz]

If you decide to go with the 510 cignot.com has starter kits for 35.00 and a differant kit with a PCC included you might want to check them out.

 

[happily]

get the manual switch in either......510 more throat hit.......901 more flavor

that would be the differences

 

[nebraskapuffer]

JoannaP, I wish I had 1/100th the knowledge you have when I 1st started. Both jlcanary and Kurt give you super advise. Myself I have a 901 and a 510 and for something different once in a while I also have a 401. It seems to me the 901 actually tastes more like the liquid is supposed to taste but the 510 has a better throat hit. I like flavor but also like to know I'm vaping something in my throat. I just heard about SE on the radio one day and went home got online and ordered a kit for $150 because I thought SE is the only e-cig place at the time. If I had your knowledge at the time I could have saved a lot of money. Actually I didn't buy it to stop smoking.....that just kinda happened along the way. Anyway I sure hope the best for you and if there's ever any question you might have the answer is in this forum and if it isn't someone will find out for you. Take care!

 

[Snarkyone]

Take a look here: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...discussion/39777-noob-e-cig-buying-guide.html that covers the top 3 that people recommend and a few other little tips to help out the new person. I myself own both the 510 and the m401 a Dragon from Truesmoker.com and I have to say I prefer my Dragon over the 510. The battery last way longer, and I think it taste a lot better and the vapor is just fine. The 510 is a good one as well, I just prefer my Dragon. It could be that the Dragon was the first one I got and once I used it I have not touched a tobacco cigarette since. Glad to see that you did the research and had a good idea of what you were asking about and what model you were leaning towards. Good luck in your quest to quit smoking.

 

[JoannaP]

Thank you to everyone for your wonderful words of wisdom. I still can't decide which one I want...the 901 or 510. I'm sure I'll wind up with both eventually. I'm going to read a little more and then, hopefully in the next few days, place an order.

 

[kristin]

The KR808 on nhaler.com (or Vapor King on vapor4life.com) are also highly recommended (They are basically the same thing, different vendors & look.)

 

[Kent C]

1. I want good flavor. This is probably tops on my list. I've read a few posts that have said that the 510 often tastes burned or doesn't have very good flavor. Is that true of ALL 510s or is it liquid dependent?

Not true of any really. Tobacco based flavors and stronger juices - cappuccino, some other coffee, licorice, etc. do just fine on the 510. Some of the fruity tastes are better on my Janty Stick which is a cooler vape.

2. I don't care about size, color, it looking like a cigarette, etc. It doesn't matter to me what it looks like or how big it is. Likewise, I don't really care if its manual or auto, although I'm thinking I'd actually prefer manual.

This is major. If you have no consideration on looks, then a Janty Stick is in your future. ;-)

3. I don't care about huge billows of smoke. That being said I don't want 'wimpy wisps' either. A decent amount of smoke is fine.

Stay away from autos and especially any atty that starts with a 4. 4081 for example.

4. I want a pretty good throat hit, but not too harsh. Maybe something milder that I can use the level of nic with to 'fine tune' if that is a reasonable expectation?

Throat hit is heat (voltage) and nicotine and some juices - menthol, pepper, etc. The 510 can get you a good throat hit with a combination of those, or not as harsh at lower levels of nicotine

5. Second only to flavor for me is price. I need something with a good starter kit that is pretty inexpensive to get me going.

510 when in stock at cignot is $35. Janty Stick is $80 but it's a bargain compared to other 'mod types'.

Joye 510 with PCC out of stock....

But see - copy/paste from recent post:
... although with the juice thrown in this is a great deal as well from an excellent ecf supplier:

Joye Tech 510 Starter KIT

Or if you were going to spend $100, then get this kit:

510 Elite Kit

... which includes a PCC which allows you to charge batteries on the go - 5 battery charges will last you all day (depending on use of course) and you get 1 bottle of juice. Then with what's left of the C note, get the passthrough which is good for saving batteries when you are at the computer or with the wall plug and car plug - also sold there, you can vape while watching TV or reading and while driving and texting ;-)

510 Manul Passthrough

chargers at bottom:
Joye Tech 510 Kits

and get some juice:

Liquids - Nhale/Xhale - NHaler

Janty Stick:

Janty Stick V2 - dietSMOKES.com

6. Battery life - not as important as I spend most of my time in front of my computer and will more than likely get a usb PT, although there are days when I am out and about for a few hours that I'd like what I get to go with me. So either more batts or a pcc would probably suffice.

Janty Stick's charging cord acts as a PT.

I'm a gadget freak, so I'm sure I'll wind up with a collection of several different types and I'm also sure it won't be long before I get into hybrids (the janty stick is super cool looking).

It is and it is great to vape in your palm in public. But if you can't reach that now, you'd never regret getting a 510 for your first piece of gear. And because it's been around and has been a best seller, there will be parts available for years to come.

 

[JoannaP]

I decided to go with the 901! I ordered it tonight. I'm so excited. I can't wait till it gets here. Thanks everyone for all your help and insight!!

Joanna

 

[Liscab]

I do and I love 510 as a heavy smoker, but a 901 for a light smoker could be better

 

[krkraum]

From what I've read the throat hit on a 510 is better than the 901 and that was the main deciding factor for me, as I wanted it to feel like I was still smoking. And in a way it does but if the 901 doesn't do it for you try the 510!

 

[Liscab]

The KR808 on nhaler.com (or Vapor King on vapor4life.com) are also highly recommended (They are basically the same thing, different vendors & look.)

out of topic_Pretty and bright and it comes from the bottom of my heart (I would like to se a bigger pict of you.)

 

[superace007]

Good advice everyone, hopefully this answers your questions joannap, especially listen to Kent C, i've been reading a ton of his posts (and other prominents in this forum) to help me thru the newb stage... i'm interested to hear about your voyage into ejuice flavors!

 

[JoannaP]

Yeah, I am excited about juice too!! I want to try ALL OF THEM..LoL. I might even start making my own. Like I need something else to do besides work, crochet, take care of kiddo, clean house, and hang out on this forum. Thanks again everyone!!