Hi Betrock,
I've only been
vaping for 2 weeks and know what you are going through. I had taken 2 weeks of reading to finally decide on the Joye 510 when the company I called to order juice ( 40% off!) told me to check out Liberty Flights and use the 20% discount to get a Riva 510 set instead. I think it came to $32 for two ecigs, fast usb charger, wall adapter, and 5 EMPTY cartridges. I mention empty because I had been comparing so many kits from different vendors that when I got mine, I forgot they were empty and just started trying to vape- I couldn't understand why it was so horrible LOL.
You mentioned wanting a pass through: If you get the Riva kit, you probably won't need it. These batteries are larger(thicker) than the regular 510s and last me all day. The battery is not overly big, about the diameter of a chapstick and a bit longer. The shipping with LF is not very expensive so you can also add a few cartomizers ( one uses these instead of the separate atomizer and cartridge.) The most popular seems to be the one called Boge but those were sold out when I checked today but they do have others available.
As to differences between various models, although there may be technical details, for beginners such as us, think of the numbers like Garanimal clothes that you mixed tops and bottoms by making sure they had the same animal on the tag. Anything that says 510 should be interchangeable with anything else, even different brands,that says 510. It mostly has to do with the size and type of the connectors. Plus there are adapters if you want to use a 510 style battery with non 510 atomizers or cartomizers. Just do be careful with the chargers as the one for the larger batteries may not work with the smaller batteries. Keep in mind that most of the additional supplies and accessories are not very expensive so if you can't find a kit that includes everything you want, you can add the extras for minimal costs.
From everything I have read and seen on the vendor sites, the 510 will allow you to grow and try new things such as direct dripping. The Riva 510 has a sealed battery so you don't get juice into it from dripping.
Vixen vapors offers sample packs. I ordered 15 mini 3ml juices from them. If you go on their forum, they may still have the 40% discount. I will suggest that you buy a wide variety of flavors as it is true you may not like the "cigarette/tobacco" flavors. I would also suggest getting some mint, cinnamon and other stronger flavors. Your deadened taste buds may not be able to taste many of the flavors. I had this problem. The stronger flavors were able to cut through the fogginess of my tongue where some lighter flavors just didn't register as much of anything. Someone told me on the chat to brush my tongue with baking soda and it actually does help. Buy a higher nic level as I don't think you get as much nic as you do from a cigarette. Later after you have broken the cig habit, you can start to lower your nic levels.
Don't push yourself to automatically quit smoking. I started by buying one pack a day in the morning instead of two and just made myself reach for the ecig for every other time I wanted a cigarette. Then I began only taking 15 cigs to work with me and will slowly try to bring fewer cigs with me. To be honest, I still need to have a regular cig in the morning and after meals.
At some point you just have to take a leap of faith and buy something. As none of the pieces ( batteries, atomizers, cartomizers) last for more than a few months or so, it won't cost that much to change out to another type once you get into
vaping.
Check to see if there are any
vaping clubs in Florida ( check social forums) where you can meet other vapers, try different juices and vaporizers.
Glad to have you with us.
Aftter the initial investment, you really will save money over cigs. I have an envelope in which I have been putting $10 every day ( the amount I usually spent on 2pks of cigs) and each time I buy a pack of cigs or more vaping products, I take from this envelope. Already, I have recuperated the initial outlay and have money left over.
! .
