Hmm, Slash Beast. I've been a heavy smoker all my adult life. 2-3 packs full flavor 100mm analogs a day. Been buying from a Palm Springs Indian reservation (Native Made Tobacco) since prices got taxed beyond my tolerance. So I've been paying $2.20 / pack or $22 / carton. That's $5-$6 a day.
Based on a friend's personal demo, and info here on the forum, I bought the Vapor 4 Life Ultimate Ultimatuum kit (and Steve, per his reputation, threw in some extras like bottles of juice).
These use cartomizers rather than separate atomizers. They're disposable, if you like, or refillable, if you prefer.
Everybody's different. But from the day my e-cigs arrived I haven't had a single analog and don't want one. These COMPLETELY satisfy me on every level. A single cart lasts me a day to day-and-a-half.
I spend a lot of time at the computer and online. The "passthrough" (basically an e-cig with a USB cable) is GREAT! Gets its power from the computer instead of a battery.
I figured out my rough costs per day with e-cigs, since that's what everybody asks. About $0.87 a day (refilling).
Let me repeat. $0.87 a day to fully satisfy my former 2-3 pack daily analog habit.
You say you're spending $15 a month or month-and-a-half on tobacco and cig papers / filters. That's $0.50 or less per day, according to your stated smoking habits. You're NOT going to beat that with e-cigs.
As far as your looking for "unbiased" but negative reviews here -- and thinking forum members' experiences are "too good to be true" -- there are indeed some minor quibbles about
vaping if you read thoroughly.
But the unbiased truth, for most everybody here, including me, is that e-cigs are everything they're touted to be, and more.
Good luck!