Brand New and Confused

[jsears]

I have been smoking for more than 40 years. My health is seriously suffering. I need to do something about it. I've tried the medical type things like patches and pills, but nothing has worked for me.

I started looking into electronic cigs and found a world of information. However, there are so many makes, models, types, etc., (not to mention all the terms associated with the e-cig), and so much information, that I am now totally confused.

I see where most people have started with this or that model, and moved on to another model for various reasons. Or have several units that they use. Is this something that happens with everyone? I would like to get something that will help me with my addiction to nicotine, but don't want to have to throw good money after bad to figure out what's what, or what is best.

How does one glean the good info from the bad? The more I read, the more confused I get. It's frustrating and almost seems like it's not worth the hassles.

Suggestions?

Thanks..

Jim

 

[NGIB]

Welcome. Many folks are just addicted to the "hobby" and have to get every new gadget that comes along. Since the day I quit smoking, I've used basically the same device every day at work - a KGO. While I have variable voltage and other mods, the KGO is reliable and works. Here's a decent kit that comes with everything you need, including juice, to get you going. Many of these kits come with crappy atomizers/cartridges - this one comes with quality cartomizers. Make sure you start with a juice with at least 24mg nicotine - you can always go lower later.

Elite Vaporworks KGO Starter Kit with Boge LR Cartomizers - KGO

This one doesn't include the USB wall adapter, but you may already have one for a cell phone or such. If not, add it in...

Elite Vaporworks USB Wall Charger - KGO

 

[babemomlover]

I think a long time smoker first switching would do best on a cigarette shaped e-cig.
This way you get the holding a cigarette thing out of your mind.
Something like the V2 from smokeless image or the volt or something.
Get some juices that you'd like to try and refill those cartos.

if you don't think the cigarette shaped size is an issue, and want another PV (and not ready for VV) then I'd get an ego-C or ego-T and some 510 atomizers/cartomizers.

 

[Yves]

I would also advise you to try the KGO. Here is another supplier link.

KGO kit1100mAh by SLB

The level of your nicotine would depend on what you currently smoke it can vary. Some do need 24mg nicotine to start others are ok on 18mg.

The kit we are advising you to get, is I think, one of the most cost affective ways to go and will help you for many months.

Please ask all your questions we will try to help you.

 

[ChipHead]

Jsears, it is confusing as heck. I've been vaping for a year and a half and still aren't familiar with all the stuff out there.

I currently vape and EGO 1000 mah battery with dual coil cartomizers. As a rule, the smaller the battery the more often you need to charge it. The cigarette type products use a small battery that may last you only and hour or so before you have to charge it, so if you go that route you'll need at least two batteries so you can vape while one is charging. I started with one of those but moved up in physical size so I could get a longer battery life. My 1000 mah batteries last me about 4-5 hours and I'm a heavy vapor.

Once you decide which form factor you want then you need to find a juice that you like. IMHO, this is worse than deciding on what ecig type you should buy. There are lots of vendors and lots of supporters of those vendors and their flavors. I can't tell you how many times I bought a juice that folks here raved about and when I vaped it, it just plain sucked. Everyone's tastes is different. My current favorite is Bob's Krave Cutter from AltCig. They run a lot of sales so if you find one from them you like you can stock up at sale time.

Good luck and don't lose faith. An don't beat yourself up if you vape and smoke analogues as needed. It will come once you find the right juice and eventually you'll find that your favorite analogue ciggy tastes like ....

Whatever you get, make sure you have at least two batteries.

 

[Kay1959]

It's enough to make you want to pull your hair out, isn't it?8-o

For a starter, I'd suggest either the Volt (manual battery) if you HAVE to have a cig look alike. If you don't have to have a cig look alike, I'd suggest the KGO (suggested above) It looks big, but it's really about the size of a sharpe. While you may later want to upgrade, like alot of us here, you can always keep the KGO as a backup.

Trust me, it IS worth the hassle of figuring out what works best for you! I smoked for about 30+ years. I was a 2 1/2 PAD smoker. I tried the patch and the gum. They worked fine while I was using them, but then I'd always slip afterwards. I really never thought the ecig could/would get me off of cigarettes, but they have. And they have for LOTS of people. Hang in there! Your health is SO worth any startup hassles!

 

[DaveP]

Yours is a common issue. You want to switch over to ecigs and the choices are so broad that it is confusing.

Most of us started with a Joyetech 510 or eGo and moved on to something larger after a period. Battery life and capacity quickly becomes the important issue once you've started vaping. The smaller ecigs are going to require a battery charge about every hour and a half and the vaping time you get is about that, also. So, you end up switching batteries in and out of the charger.

Larger batteries, like the eGo class give you longer battery life and they are still pocket portable. The Kgo is a good ecig with longer battery life and so is the E-power, which uses a replaceable 18650 battery.

There's also the KR808 family and many have used that for long periods of time. The Volt is in the KR808 family.

Just remember that the most popular thread compatibility will be found in the 510 and KR808 design. Past that, look for an ecig with over 500mah battery capacity. 900mah and higher is even better. You can get somewhere around an hour of vaping on a charge for every 100mah of battery capacity in the battery you choose.

There's also the voltage level of ecig output. eGo regulates the voltage to 3.4v. Coupled with a 2 ohm cartomizer, you get a good vape. Unregulated batteries give you 3.7v vaping. A regulated battery provides the most consistent vape because the voltage is virtually the same from charge to cutoff. The warmth, taste, and vapor level come from matching a voltage with a certain resistance atomizer coil. 3.4v to 3.7v with a 2 ohm atomizer is a good place to be. Most of the starter kits come with 2.5 ohm atomizers. That may not be the sweet spot for a really good vape at 3.4v, but it will be nice at 3.7v.

I'd recommend an eGo, Kgo, or E-power to start with. If you want a smaller ecig that more closely matches the size of a cigarette, choose the Volt and get the longer batteries for more life. You can get a starter kit for around $50 or less that includes two batteries and a charger, along with a couple of atomizers or several cartomizers. I'd go with the cartomizer kit.

Whatever you choose, it will be a good backup when you move up to something better and more expensive. We all need a backup in case something happens to out primary vape. You don't want to be caught short and end up buying a pack of smokes in a hardware emergency!

For a quick education, go here: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/ecf-library/

 

[yummy1984]

Second that..am so frustrated when my only battery dies.

Whatever you get, make sure you have at least two batteries.

 

[wv2win]

I will also recommend the KGO as a good model for a beginner. If you were a fairly heavy smoker, another good option is the EVO because it lets you choose between 3 power settings. The more voltage power in your PV (personal vaporizer), the warmer the vapor, the closer it duplicates the "inhaled feel" of the real thing.

I would also recommend starting out with 18mg - 24mg nicotine strength in your eliquid. Most need that level to make the transition to vaping. You can always lower the nicotine level but you can't make it stronger.

If you must start out with a cig sized model, then I would agree with the recommendation of the Volt.

EVO: http://www.sweet-vapes.com/shop?page=shop.browse&category_id=34

 

[lilac7779]

Jim, I smoked for over 40 years. My Dr. said I HAD to stop, so I took his advice and with my first disposable e-cig I realized they were the answer for me.

I tried the KGO and ended up donating it to a charity that works with the homeless. Many people love the KGO. It might be right for you, but it wasn't for me.

I use Volts from Smokeless Image. They have the cig sized batteries, but also have the X2 in 650, 900 and 1300 mAh in autos and manuals. I don't like manuals, some people do. SI also has the clearos that are easy to fill and I have 8 of those. This is what works for me. I haven't touched a cigarette in over 7 months.

It really comes down to personal preference. We were all confused at first and it will become apparent to you what works for you and what doesn't. I can tell you that SI customer service is fantastic. I'm sure other vendors have good CS, too. They better with all the competition.

Best of luck to you. Keep vaping and learning. It WILL become easier, just don't give up.

 

[yummy1984]

Actually, I think the first 2 to 3 weeks as you started vaping will be the worst day of your life...you start getting ulcer and stuffs...really sickening.

 

[tj99959]

To be honest it isn't a bit more confusing than sorting through all the different brands of cigarettes out there, and you will find that people suggest different types of devices for the same reasons as they would have suggested different brands. There simply isn't a one shoe fits all.
IMO the eGo/Kgo class of device is a logical starting point even tho' you might out grow it in a few months. A carton of cigarettes costs almost as much here where I live ($50-60ish), and how long does a carton last? There are plenty of good choices, and if you don't like one ... try another.

OH and my first 2 to 3 weeks of vaping were great! My coughing and hacking had all but gone away, no ulcers and stuff!

 

[NGIB]

Actually, I think the first 2 to 3 weeks as you started vaping will be the worst day of your life...you start getting ulcer and stuffs...really sickening.

Maybe you did - I and many others didn't. What's your motivation for saying this complete BS?

 

[pms5]

Hi Jim,
I was in exactly the same position you are a few months ago. I can totally sympathise because you're right - this lark is totally bewildering at first.
You are getting some sound advice here though.
The KGO/EGO style of battery is simple and versatile, and you don't even need to go any further than this style of e-cig if you don't want.

My advice for now - forget about the mods, VV and tanks and stick to this kind of battery and cartomizer set-up. The kits are a decent way to begin.

All you need to know at first is how to fill the cartomizer and when to recognise when it needs topping-up.
You probably will come across a few teething problems in learning to do this, but they're easily mastered.

Get some sample-size juices to find a few good ones. Chances are you'll be dissapointed with tobacco flavours, but many people like stuff like RY4, which is tobacco flavour with extras like caramel and vanilla.

Stick to these basics and you'll be enjoying vaping in no time.

Just remember though - and I wish someone had emphasised this to me in the beginning - you won't be able to replicate smoking a cigarette with an e-cig. It's different. However, coming to vaping after smoking for 30-odd years, I was pleasantly surprised to find that I genuinely prefer it to smoking. And I haven't had a cigarette since day one of vaping.

Good luck mate.

 

[yummy1984]

So TS will not give up on Vaping should he have a bad reaction to vaping..because, after the 2nd weeks, it is pure heaven...you started having more energy and you smell better and you get laid more often

Seem like most think the bad reaction I have is due to my body cleansing itself..take note, I have NOT a SINGLE analog since the day I have my ecig.

Maybe you did - I and many others didn't. What's your motivation for saying this complete BS?

 

[Pappy]

. . . IMO the eGo/Kgo class of device is a logical starting point even tho' you might out grow it in a few months. A carton of cigarettes costs almost as much here where I live ($50-60ish), and how long does a carton last? There are plenty of good choices, and if you don't like one ... try another. . . .

+1. Almost everyone starting out is concerned about wasting money on the "wrong" kit. How much money have we all wasted on cigarettes for years? My advice is to quit worrying about wasting money (since you're already wasting it on cigarettes) and buy something. Buying a KGO kit or Volt kit will NOT be a waste of money. It may not be the kit that you take to your grave, but it WON'T be a waste of money.

 

[jsears]

Wow..So many replies in such a short time. You guys have given me more understandable info in just a few replies than I have been able to get in reading page after page of stuff on the net.

I am not so concerned about the shape of the unit. I really don't care how it looks, or how big it is. Unless it's the size of a suitcase I am retired and don't do a lot of hob-knobbing. I spend most of my days in my woodworking shop or around the house. But we do go out to eat from time to time, or go to non-smoking friends houses, so a smaller unit might be nice at times too. I just want something that will take the edge off of NOT smoking. Which brings me to another question or two.

If I get into the E-cig thing, am I trading one bad habit for another? Granted, the E-cig would be a "better" bad habit than smoking. But is it going to be something that I will become addicted to as well? My ultimate goal is to get off of all of the smoking thing all together.

When you talk about "power settings", does more power give you a better, stronger hit? I like the feeling I get in the back of my throat (throat hit?) when I smoke a real cigarette. Will the higher powered units do this, or does that come with the flavors that you add?

Also, like many others, I like a cigarette after eating or while drinking a beer or three. Will the E-cig satisfy those cravings as well?

So many questions....Looking forward to your replies.

Jim

 

[NGIB]

There a lot of variables that make for a good "vape". It's a match between battery voltage, carto resistance, nicotine level, and the juice flavor. No vape will actually reproduce the sensation of smoking as there is no combustion but it can be satisfying nonetheless. I smoked 2 PAD for over 35 years and I converted instantly. The PV (more accurate term than e-cig) will deliver the nicotine your body wants and it took care of the issue for me. Some folks have a tougher time of it - hard to predict how you will react.

As far as trading one bad habit, there is no medical evidence that I can find that says nicotine is really bad for you. I do know that nicotine therapy is used to help pre-Alzheimer's patients so it can be a benefit. What I do know is when you vape you get nicotine but you do not get the 4000 other things in cigarette smoke...

 

[NancyR]

hi and welcome to ECF,

The throat hit is more the juice and the delivery than the battery. The higher the nic the more th. where veritable voltage comes into play is some juices taste better at different volts.

 

[cdunn96]

I have been vaping for almost 3 weeks and I was a pack and a half a day smoker of newport. I have not had an analog for about almost the same amount of time. I got what is called the inferno from volcano cigs, I got the tank and drip tip setups and it has worked great for me. I new the cig size would not be a good fit for me that is why I got the inferno, the size of a small cigar or sharpie. The info on this site is what really helped me, best of luck!