Buying an E-Cig...

[nitsuj]

Ok, I know I'm running the risk of being accusedof not searching when I should, or reading the FAQ's, but I really did search, read, and reread everything I could find. It's not that the information isn't out there, it's that theres too much of it! I'm hoping that while many of my questions are common questions, by providing information about me, I'll get answers that will be more accurate to me.

Ok, so about me, I smoke usually a little more than a pack a day. So I'd say I'm a moderate to heavy smoker. Been smoking since highschool. I generally smoke full flavor king size, non-menthol cigarettes. I want to make the switch to e-cigs for several reasons. I don't want to start the debate about the safety or effectiveness of e-cigs to stop smoking. So lets just say I want to smoke them. And I want them to replace regualr "analog" cigs.

So heres what I want:
I want an e-cig that sized similar to a analog cig. I don't care about the look or the image. It can be green with purple polka dots, appearance doesn't matter. But I'm "used" to smoking cigs. An e-cig has to at least feel a little like an analog cig or I won't use it, simple as that. It can be longer or any color, whatever. But it has to "feel" as much like as an analog cig as possible,

I want it to taste as much like an analog cig as possible. I won't be using fruitty flavors, or sweet flavors or anything other than tobacco flavor. I know it won't taste exact. But as close as possible in taste and "feel" would be great.

I need to know what strength of nicotene to get. I want to order everything I'll need to get started. I want it ordered and shipped and here quickly. When it gets here, I want to make sure I have everything and I don't need to put in another order until it's time to replace the consumables. Say 2 weeks worth of supplies would be great.

Cost isn't a huge issue. Don't get me wrong, I'm not rich. But with what I'm spending on analog cigs, no matter what I have to spend to go e-cig, will be affordable and I'm willing to spend it.

Judging from the reading I've done, the 510 seems to be the crowd favorite for smoking pleasure. If I were to go this route, can I get some reccomendations on what I should include in my first order to get me up and running? And where to order from that can ship quickly, preferably next day shipping?

Thanks all.

 

[Brother Monkey]

I had many of the same requirements, just got my Joye 510 in a few hours ago and I am loving it. Been puffing on it almost since I got it. It is similar enough to a analog cig for me, nice small and slender. You do have to keep in mind when buying that it has a short battery life, but if you buy it expecting that it should be fine, just get a PCC to go with it and a extra battery or two. I am not sure of next day shipping, but I got mine in 3 days from e-smokey treats. I am sure the other vendors have a similar shipping time. You might be able to contact a vendor directly and see if he/she could do next day shipping for you for a extra charge.

You can easily buy a month or two worth of e-juice and not have to worry about it for a while. If you mix yourself and buy a bulk amount of high MG nic and mix it with PG/VG you could easily supply yourself for a lot longer.

 

[doots]

try 510 kit from cignot.com or madvapes.com

 

[Belletrist]

the two most popular cigarette-like models are the Kr808D-1 (i use vapor4life.com as my supplier) and the 510. they have different strengths/weaknesses; i think the Kr8 is a little less fiddly, but that's just me.

as far as liquid, buy a selection of strengths and flavors on your first order. you'll have to experiment a bit to find out what's right for you. i know how much info is here--it's overwhelming... if you click my blog link in my sig tho, there are a couple posts on the front page (esp the one about flavor) that might help you some.

there's no way to tell right now, before trying, what nic strength will work for ya. but if you get a high mg juice and lower one in the same flavor you can mix 'em to get it to even out.

if you're just starting, don't trust your taste buds, either... again, take a look at the flavor post from the link in my cig.

and don't worry about posting to ask questions! we're here to help each other.

 

[dawgcrazy]

Ok, so about me, I smoke usually a little more than a pack a day. So I'd say I'm a moderate to heavy smoker. Been smoking since highschool. I generally smoke full flavor king size, non-menthol cigarettes.

So heres what I want:
I want an e-cig that sized similar to a analog cig.

I want it to taste as much like an analog cig as possible. I won't be using fruitty flavors, or sweet flavors or anything other than tobacco flavor. I know it won't taste exact. But as close as possible in taste and "feel" would be great.

I need to know what strength of nicotene to get. I want to order everything I'll need to get started. I want it ordered and shipped and here quickly. When it gets here, I want to make sure I have everything and I don't need to put in another order until it's time to replace the consumables. Say 2 weeks worth of supplies would be great.

Judging from the reading I've done, the 510 seems to be the crowd favorite for smoking pleasure. If I were to go this route, can I get some reccomendations on what I should include in my first order to get me up and running? And where to order from that can ship quickly, preferably next day shipping?

Thanks all.

Definitely go with the 510. From what I hear (can't remember, you'll have to look it up) it's either Cignot or Altsmoke...have the starter kit without the box (you don't need the box anyway) for I think $35.

Also, get a couple of extra atomizers, extra battery or two...you might want an automatic battery if you REALLY want it to be like an analog, but I wouldn't recommend them just because of how easy it is for beginners to leak juice out of the bottom of the atty. (a month in and I'm still doing it LOL!) Manual batteries are sealed, so you can't get juice in them and ruin them. They do have a button on them, and I do find that I hold mine differently than an analog.

I would highly recommend a passthrough also. You will find very quickly, that the battery life of these things SUCK! If not a passthrough, then look into battery mods. These are longer lasting batteries, but bigger...which will not give you the feel of a real cig...so for starters, you might want to stick with the passthrough.

I would suggest you start with nic around 18-24 mg. Anything higher than that, seems to not taste right. (at least to me, and several others I've read here) I would get a few 10 ml bottles of different tobacco flavors and see which one you like the best. Some like the Marl flavors...Camel..Winston...RY4...555...Turkish... etc etc. You may find that you like to mix a few of them to get the flavor just right. I personally like the Turkish mixed with some menthol.

You may also want to try some liquids from different suppliers. Some sell USA liquids and most others carry China liquids (Dekang). Some people like Dekang, some don't. Every liquid is different.

Other than that, the only other supplies you might need are tweezers...maybe a few empty bottles if you want to try mixing your liquids...some droppers..and you'll definitely want to start looking into cart mods. I'm using the spring mod with mine and it works quite well. For that, all you need are some springs out of the "clicky" ink pens and a pair of scissors to cut the foam (which comes in the carts, even if you order some empty ones).

 

[vaporviking]

Thanks for all that great info.

Helped me a lot.

Cheers,
Walt

 

[nitsuj]

Excellent! Thanks for all the info gents! I was just watching a Janty Dura video review. It looks like a nice unit as well.

So I gather tha with all these units, batter life is a problem? Other than the Dura, which has a charging case available, how are you guys dealing with battery life? Just keeping it on a charge when you're not using it? Keeping lots of extra batteries around? I haven't even started reading up on "mods" yet just because there is so much info on the e-cigs themselves, moving into modding them is above my head yet. ;-)

 

[Brother Monkey]

I have a PCC for my Joye 510 which so far has kept me with a charged battery the whole time, and as of right now I only have to batteries to work with. I plan on gett more spares soon.

 

[dawgcrazy]

Excellent! Thanks for all the info gents! I was just watching a Janty Dura video review. It looks like a nice unit as well.

So I gather tha with all these units, batter life is a problem? Other than the Dura, which has a charging case available, how are you guys dealing with battery life? Just keeping it on a charge when you're not using it? Keeping lots of extra batteries around? I haven't even started reading up on "mods" yet just because there is so much info on the e-cigs themselves, moving into modding them is above my head yet. ;-)

I do believe that ALL available ecigs have a charging case that you can buy. As for battery life, most of us use mods. In the beginning, we all thought we NEEDED something that was mostly like a real cig. I don't think it took any of us too long before we realized that's not what we WANTED LOL!

You get real tired, real fast of topping off the liquid...changing out the batteries....charging up the batteries...bleh bleh! So, that's where the battery mods come in. Yes, they are bigger, but they last longer. Topping off juice is a big thing for me personally too. I ordered the Juice Box. It looks nothing like a real cig, it feels nothing like a real cig. However, it will give me what I want.

I will say that without at least trying my 510 first, I would've had NO idea what I really wanted. Good to dip your toes in and give it a try...then find out what you really want. You may be one of those who are happy with the 510 just the way it is forever.

 

[dawgcrazy]

Before I started vaping, I too said I want it to taste like my analog...I will NEVER be able to "smoke" something that tastes like food! And now...I type this as I vape a tasty little blueberry cheesecake that I DYI'd myself a little bit ago. YUMMY!

errr...DIY'd

I think I've had a little too much LOL!

 

[Katattack]

I'd like to add that a pass-through (PT) is a good upfront investment. I couldn't imagine having to wait for batteries to charge when I got my PV. Of course that's only if you're going to be near a computer for a good portion of the time.

 

[Gottabefree]

Info on the 510 model (I’ve done a lot of research and gotten 4 different models and the 510 using the MANUAL BATTERIES is definitely the BEST)-

There’s a website offering a great deal right now - $35.00 per kit (2 complete e-cigs, charger and cartridges)

Go to this site to order the 510 kits with no box (no box because the postage is less):
The ladies at Cignot are great (I think they must live next door to the post office, cause their stuff gets to you in about 2 days (and they are in Chicago )!!

http://www.cignot.com/product_p/kit-510-nbx.htm

choose the MANUAL batteries when choosing the led color….

– also in the comments, specify “whistle tip cartridges” instead of round tips – the whistle tip cartridges are much better

more 510 accessories:
you can purchase mega batteries for the 510 - they are longer than regular 510 batts and last at least 2X as long.. (I have the platinum color and they look TOO COOL!) I am also looking at the Tornado - looks like it would last me all day...
there are places on this forum to find discount codes (at least 7.5% or more) for Totally Wicked--
http://www.totallywicked-eliquid.com...-products.html

Then get some e-liquid for refilling your cartridges: A few places to get the e-juice….

RY4 is great, so is apple and cappuccino, coffee, etc… but tobacco flavor is fine if you must…

Here is a good site for prices and flavors of e-liquid (free shipping for orders over $10.00, too…
http://strictlyejuice.com

Tasty Vapor - this site has the Café Macchiatto and Blueberry Cheesecake (I have both of these and they’re both GREAT – and lots of others…. (you can get 30ml (1 oz) bottle of a flavor in the highest nicotine strength (I think 48mg), and get a large (4 oz) bottle of flavor doubler to mix with it (0 nicotene) (you can mix it down to any nicotine strength without losing any flavor – very economical, too - $30.00 total for 5 ounces (or equivalent of 5 30ml bottles (you just have to decide on what flavor you want a lot of…..)
Tasty Vapor


This one has the 3 ml samples (10 for $10.00 + shipping) (and it’s nice to have the small 3ml bottles to refill and carry around with you…)
http://shop.besteciggy.com


Here’s a link to the forum: (obviously - you already have this

TONS of info on this forum: www.ecigaretteforum.com


About the filler material:

See ecigaretteforum for the blue foam plug information – you can get it at pet stores that sell aquarium stuff…
The blue foam i'm using is called Bonded Foam Sleeve Rite Size U. Made for HOT Magnum Canister Filters.

NOTE – when using the blue foam plug, fill the empty cartridge with e-juice first, then be sure to put the plug in before putting the cartridge on the atomizer J (also, try not to twist the cartridge when it’s on the atomizer, just push it straight on or pull it straight off – minimizes the chances of messing up the metal bridge in the atomizer…)

If you should get juice down inside the ports on either side of the cartridge, just take a napkin and hold around the top of the cartridge while blowing through the bottom hole to clear the juice.

Let me know if you need more info – it’s definitely the best thing I’ve done for myself!!!


Gottabefree

 

[Tiger]

Excellent! Thanks for all the info gents! I was just watching a Janty Dura video review. It looks like a nice unit as well.

So I gather tha with all these units, batter life is a problem? Other than the Dura, which has a charging case available, how are you guys dealing with battery life? Just keeping it on a charge when you're not using it? Keeping lots of extra batteries around? I haven't even started reading up on "mods" yet just because there is so much info on the e-cigs themselves, moving into modding them is above my head yet. ;-)

The Janty Dura is a 510. All 510's you can get a charging case or PCC for. I would check out myPVshop.com. They have great prices and you can customize you kit. I have never had any problems with them, and they have great customer service. If you have any questions, they will help you all the way.

Hope this helps and welcome to ECF.

 

[Belletrist]

Kr808D-1 batteries, especially the XL have relatively good battery life (for most people, minimum of several hours to all day) and you can get a charging case for them too... and you can also get an adapter to the 510 atty/carts if that's what you wanna try first.

 

[magus7091]

My $0.02 that I'd like to add is this... When I first started, I was really disappointed with the tobacco flavors. I was wanting a cig taste... But what I can tell you is this... Tobacco ecig flavors taste (roughly) like what cigarettes smell like. There's an adjustment, but you may find you like it. For me it was frustrating enough that I decided to switch to something that wasn't tobacco flavors. I've been experimenting with some of the flavourart flavors to get tobacco tastes, and now that I'm more experienced with ecigs, I find that I'm liking some of the tobacco flavors. But if you're disappointed at first.. Play around, you might find flavors that you never expected to like. Just don't give up...
Ok so maybe it was about $0.05....

 

[rugrat1965]

Kr808D-1 batteries, especially the XL have relatively good battery life (for most people, minimum of several hours to all day) and you can get a charging case for them too... and you can also get an adapter to the 510 atty/carts if that's what you wanna try first.

Aren't the kr808 more expensive to use than the 510? I thought the cartomizers didn't last long.

 

[vaporviking]

Dawgcrasy,

Love the picture of your dawg!

 

[vaporviking]

dawgcrazy,

Sorry, I mispelled your name.

 

[nitsuj]

Thanks for all the info guys. Great forum, very helpful. So the Janty Dura is a 510, I'm getting the impression that many of these models are the same, just sold under different names. So, is there an advantage to one branded 510 over another?

So let me see if I got this straight...

You buy the e-cig, and you get some extra cartridges. But instead of buying more cartridges, you can buy some foam and get liquid then refill your own cartridges? Where does the nicotene come in? Is it in the liquid, or added to the foam as well? What else is "consumable"? Aside from cartrdiges or liquid, there is also an atomizer and it needs replaced from time to time? I just want to make sure I get everything I'll need when I make my purchase.

Thanks agan all!

 

[BradSmith]

The nic comes from the liquid and you can choose how much or how little. I like the 24 but I smoked a lot. The 510 from Cignot is hard to beat. buy two of the $35 no box kits and a bunch of liquid. Get a PCC if your going to be out and about a lot and the passthough if your mostly going to be sitting at your computor.

I would get a bunuch of different flavors. I know most people when they start think they will only enjoy a flavor close to what they smoke. That really isn't the case. I was a Kool smoker for over 20 years and I will use a menthol once in a while but I actually prefer others.

I have heard that for conveinence the 808 is the easiest so if you don't like to fiddle around and don't care about price that might be the ticket.

As for me I would suggest starting with the 510 you can always buy adapters later and battery mods as well.

One of the reasons I suggest CigNot is not only do they have the best price but their shipping is supper fast. You won't be left waiting.

Just my two cents.