Choices, choices.

[Jormugandr]

So, I am new to the whole e-cig/vaping scene. I was looking up information on the flavored cigarette ban, since I occasionally enjoy a Djarum. Sad times. I stumbled onto a discussion where someone mentioned e-cigs and I had no clue what they were talking about, so I did a little research, and found a whole new world.

I've been thinking about quitting smoking for health reasons even though I still enjoy it. I'm a light smoker: less than 1/2 a pack per day. But with the new taxes making smokes almost $7 a pack and the whole death thing, vaping really interested me.

I've looked around and I want a mini or super-mini with a charging pack. Automatic, black battery and mouthpiece, blue LED.

I've placed and order with BLU, but to be honest I don't want to wait 4-6 weeks. I'm excited about all of this and waiting until almost Christmas will kill me (not to mention all the analogs I'll be smoking in that time.) Also, I have heard some bad things about them.

The Revolver Elite (m702) looks promising. Love the automatic PCC. But it only comes with a white battery. I've heard that they might be coming out with a black battery for the 702, but I've also noticed that Revolver is out of stock on almost all their carts and their starter kit doesn't include a direct USB charger like the BLU.

The 510 isn't what I'm looking for. I've read all about it and it just doesn't seem like it's for me.

Since I'm just starting, I would like to stick with a very well established and reputable dealer. I don't want to get into refilling carts and dripping or dipping, etc. right away. Just a simple starter kit with disposable pre-filled carts and a hassle free store with good distribution.

Any advice? Please keep your comments constructive. I don't want a 510 so, "Get a 510." doesn't help me. Please don't bash companies you have no experience with. BLU seems to get a lot of crap here from people who have never used their product and are totally ignorant about them but say they suck because "That's what everyone says." I'm not looking for hearsay and conjecture, but real honest feedback from those who know what they're talking about.

So, do you think I would prefer a BLU (or whatever their model is.) a 401, 402, 306, 702 etc etc etc? And who should I get it from?

 

[Jormugandr]

Oh while I'm here... Eventually I plan to start filling my own blank carts. I smoke Camel Turkish Golds and used to smoke the occasional Djarum Black. Does anyone know of any juice that comes close to either of those or would I have to mix my own?

 

[Jormugandr]

Also, I don't need huge throat hit or giant clouds of vapor. I smoke the Turkish Golds because they have the mildest throat hit I've had in a cigarette. I'm not a huge fan of harsh smokes. Vapor, I would just like to be about equal to a light hit on a regular cigarette.

 

[Kent C]

BLU seems to get a lot of crap here from people who have never used their product and are totally ignorant about them but say they suck because "That's what everyone says." I'm not looking for hearsay and conjecture, but real honest feedback from those who know what they're talking about.

I haven't had a blu - a similar model - but I'd point out that when some people here say 'that's what everyone says about blu's' that while 'everyone' might be an overstatement, there have been multiple threads from blu owners that actually back up that statement. You could do a search and find them - except some the threads that were deleted because of vulgarity, etc. and a special forum was set up to take that off of general discussion. Now there's a Blu forum in 'suppliers' here:

Blu Electronic Cigarettes - e-cigarette-forum.com • The place for electronic cigarette reviews, news and chat

and if that's what you're interested in, you'll have more blu customers over there that could help you.

 

[keyzygirl]

I use a 2 piece unit called a vapor king from Vapor4life.They are a wonderful company with great customer service.Check them out and it may help.

 

[Jormugandr]

I haven't had a blu - a similar model - but I'd point out that when some people here say 'that's what everyone says about blu's' that while 'everyone' might be an overstatement, there have been multiple threads from blu owners that actually back up that statement. You could do a search and find them - except some the threads that were deleted because of vulgarity, etc. and a special forum was set up to take that off of general discussion. Now there's a Blu forum in 'suppliers' here:

and if that's what you're interested in, you'll have more blu customers over there that could help you.

I've read a lot of that. I do realize there are legitimate gripes about the Blu. Foil getting on the atty, long delivery times, CS concerns, etc. It just annoys me when people without firsthand knowledge call something crap without anything to back it up.

Usually what I see is, "Blu sucks, get a 510." That isn't helpful, it doesn't explain anything. Why does Blu suck? Why is a 501 good? I know because I've done some reasearch, but others that haven't might just follow the advice and end up with something they don't want. If they want lower vapor, long battery life, long cartride life. In that case, a 501 isn't the right product for them.

Anyway, I'm done ranting, lol. Thanks for the response.

 

[Jormugandr]

I use a 2 piece unit called a vapor king from Vapor4life.They are a wonderful company with great customer service.Check them out and it may help.

I thought about going with a 2 piece, but I think I'd prefer a 3 piece. Thanks, though. The cartomizers are just a little expensive for my taste compared to 3 piece cartridges.

I also don't really like the PCC it has. I'm more and more thinking that the m702 PCC is what I want.

The m702 is relatively new, though, so it seems that it might be harder to get accessories for it. It will fit m4XX carts, but with the reverse threaded battery/atty, you're a little limited.

Anyone know some good m702 dealers with things like USB chargers or whatever?

 

[Sad Society]

You say that a 510 is not what you are looking for and that it seems like it's not for you. Then you say not to bash on companies or "name brand" PV's that you have never tried such as the BLU, and comments like 'go get a 510' is not going to help you.

Well I have the BLU and the 510 and all I can say is the 510 is better. But it doesn't matter because thats not what you want.

I won't bash on PV's that I have never tried and I won't say that a certain PV seems like it's not for me especially one I've never tried.

 

[cracktheblack]

Revolver has black batteries on the way, also stainless steel. They also have dijarum and camel gold flavors for juices at the best prices I've seen. And kits are now in stock again. I got my kit from them and this little guy is just like a regular cig. Very impressive. And the revolver guys are very nice and have awesome customer service!!!

 

[cracktheblack]

I also asked them about a USB charger and they said they have one on the way!!

 

[Kent C]

I've read a lot of that. I do realize there are legitimate gripes about the Blu. Foil getting on the atty, long delivery times, CS concerns, etc. It just annoys me when people without firsthand knowledge call something crap without anything to back it up.

Understood, but I noted but didn't mention in my first post that you said this yourself:
" Also, I have heard some bad things about them."

... which just furthers what you seem to be upset about. I didn't want to go there and directed you to where I think the best source of info is here. And it is generally not in the new member forum or even general discussion where you get a lot of what you point out.

Usually what I see is, "Blu sucks, get a 510." That isn't helpful, it doesn't explain anything. Why does Blu suck? Why is a 501 good? I know because I've done some reasearch, but others that haven't might just follow the advice and end up with something they don't want. If they want lower vapor, long battery life, long cartride life. In that case, a 501 isn't the right product for them.

Anyway, I'm done ranting, lol. Thanks for the response.

You're welcome and I do understand what you're saying but that's going to happen in forums. I spent 8 years at dpreview (camera review forum) and you get the same type of 'Ford/Chevy' stuff in the Nikon/Canon/Sony forums. Canon people going to the Nikon forum with one purpose in mind. And it always ends up in the moderator's lap. ;-)

And I'd also point out that there are scenarios where 'buy a 510' is sometimes pretty good advice - someone isn't concerned about money but can't make a decision and actually needs a physical object in their hands to get the reality of what an ecig is. If you get the 510 kit for cignot at $35 - that's a good down payment for some people (not all) on their ecig education. The same could be said if there was a 901, 801 or VK kit with the same set - 2batts, 2attys, charger, carts or cartomizers and some juice - at a good price.

 

[crand]

You might want to consider a 401. It's a three piece that is about the same size as a regular cigarette. They are available from a variety of suppliers and come in a range of colors so that you can make it look as close to or as different from an analog as you would like.
Personally I like the flavor and throat hit it delivers better than my 510's... downside is relatively poor battery life so, order extras if you go this route. I purchased mine from electronic-cigz.com and rockeymountain vapor, both suppliers gave me great service.
I will caution you that as you get into this hobby if you are like most, the features you think you want in the beginning tend to change rapidly as you experience the various models. Best bet, grab your credit card and get to experimenting.

 

[Jormugandr]

You might want to consider a 401. It's a three piece that is about the same size as a regular cigarette. They are available from a variety of suppliers and come in a range of colors so that you can make it look as close to or as different from an analog as you would like.
Personally I like the flavor and throat hit it delivers better than my 510's... downside is relatively poor battery life so, order extras if you go this route. I purchased mine from electronic-cigz.com and rockeymountain vapor, both suppliers gave me great service.
I will caution you that as you get into this hobby if you are like most, the features you think you want in the beginning tend to change rapidly as you experience the various models. Best bet, grab your credit card and get to experimenting.

I thought about a 401, but they didn't have the PCC solution I wanted. Went with Revolver's 702. Hope it gets here soon!