Dazed and Confused

[shinygirl68]

My husband and I have decided to try vaping but I've read so much information here that I think I'm overloaded. Just don't know what to do. Although I've read thread after thread I'm still confused. What's the best starter kit? Can you use flavored cartridges and also fillable cartridges with the same unit? Or should you use separate unit for each. Also how much liquid should I buy? Which is the best company to get fast service? Don't wanna run out of liquid after I decide I like it and have to wait forever to replace it. I've been reading on this site for over a week, you'd think I'd be pro at it by now.

I bought a "Randy's Electric Cigarette" at my local tobacco store and I can't say that I like it. Seems hard to drag and makes my throat burn. I bought the med. cartridges which are suppose to be like a light cigarette. Maybe it's just me but I'm not thrilled with this model. Looks like a regular analog cigarette.

Also can't decide on 510, 901 or Ego T. Really want a smooth experience that doesn't make my throat burn. I can't afford to spend hundreds of dollars trying to figure this all out.

Please help.....I'm not ready to give up yet.

 

[dwend]

Hi,
I am about to go to bed but saw your post and will share my experience. I have taken some good info off of this forum and want to "pay back."

E-cigs are the way to go. I have been using them since 1/1/11 and quit analogs after a 33 year habit. (quit 3 times before). Anyway, I bought some Smoking Everywhere ecigs last year (total joke and returned them) and experimented with some other useless brands and was pretty disillusioned. Late last year I tried the 901's and was much happier with them. But I was tired of filling the cartidges every 8 or 10 drags and did not want to "drip" liquid all of the time so I took the plunge into a Joye Ego XL with 900 mA batt starter kit at ESMOKER Online and have thoroughly enjoyed that decision. I got the mega cartridges that hold about 1.5 ml of liquid and can go for more than a day on 1 fill. The 900 mA batts last for days on 1 charge. Much better than the 901's. You will have to go onto u-Tube to see videos on how to fill them. Works best with a syringe (feel like a drug addict but it works). I found that the atomizers that came with the Joye kit were hard to prime and wound up using my 901 atomizers before I upgraded to the Mega cartomizers. Now realize that the Ego XL batts and the mega cartomizers will make your PV more like a cigar but I love the manual push button method as opposed to automatic batteries where you have to draw on them to make them work.

You will want to have a means to sample liquids so a 901 atomizer with an adapter ring will work on the EGO batts. You can get some empty 901 cartridges to use for sampling liquids. When you are done, you can rinse the atty's in hot water just off of a boil and blow out and try a new liquid. Always rinse in between samples.

As to liquids, I am batting about .300 here, meaning at least 2 out of 3 liquids I have sampled wind up in the trash. This is a very difficult situation and you will have to experiment. I am using:

Kick Liquid Tobacco and 555 from ECS (nice tobacco)
NHaler French Vanilla Cofee (a bit sweet but huge vapor and quite tasty, especially after food)
Dekang VG USA Mix and Menthol (greta vapor, smooth)
BWB Maple, (great flavored tobacco)
BWB Cherry (great flavored tobacco)


Do searched on these liquids for confirmations.

ESMOKER on line is great seller
VaporKings is good too. I got the 901 to 510 adapter from them.

Good luck!

This is it for me. between these 8 flavors I have what I want. I have 8 mega cartomizers I swap back and forth on 2 batts which makes it fun. I will fill these up every 2 weeks or so and it is all pretty nice but I dropped 400+ to get her. If you go with my recommendations you coud be up and running for 150 or less. be caraeful on liquids. You can spend quite a bit of money here.

 

[cskent]

The best starter kit depends on several factors. If it's over 1/2 pack a day I'd suggest something with a bigger battery than a 510 or KR808. Look at an eGo or Riva at least. The atomizers, cartridges, or cartomizers are all useable on the same unit. It's just a battery that you attach them to. It good to have several atomizers or cartomizers so you can change flavors easily, but not necessary in the short term.

I'd start with around 50 ml of juice at least since there's two of you. Get different strengths and flavors so you'll have a better chance of finding both the correct nic level for both of you and a flavor you each like.

It's not surprising that Randy's e-cig wasn't great, that type of unit isn't known for being good. There's a world of difference when you get your first decent unit. Juice makes a difference too.

It sounds like you're trying to keep costs down so I'd suggest a Riva from Liberty Flights. It's a good inexpensive rig that's going to give you decent performance. It's also upgradable in the future if you want to go with one of the newer tank units. If you use their discount code it comes in around $40 plus shipping. Add some juice in sample sizes and you can be set up and ready to vape for way under $100.

 

[shinygirl68]

Thank you so much for answering. Really helps me out.

 

[dwend]

Just to follow up to some of your questions:

A few rules on liquids:

Buy just a small sample from a few different suppliers. Avoid sampler assortments. i made this mistake twice and wound up tossing 50.00 of junk because it was ALL bad. Some brands are better than others. No brand has all good flavors. The VG creates more vapor. Understand your nicotine requirements. It takes time to understand all of this. You will have to trust me on this but I strongly suggest checking out the choices I mentioned above. I smoked Camel lights before quitting. Realize that you will not find an adequate substitute to an analog so don't go broke trying. You will probably have to spend at leat 50 to 75 or more sampling liquids but the ones I suggested provide a good start.

 

[dwend]

OK, I forget to mention I am using Ms T's snickerdoodle....very sweet but tasty. Simila to the NHaler French vanilla Cofee i mentioned. I am tempted to sample other flavors but have decided that I have wasted enough money on this and am satisfied with my 8 choices. At some point you have to make peace with your decisions. If you watch the forum you realize that there are some fanatics out here who are looking for a holy grail that does not exist. Loads of confusing choices I know. But the EGO XL 900 mA is da bomb as far as I am concerned. the Mega cartomizers hod enough liquid to keep you going.

 

[Brandy14502]

I've been using the Vapor4Life set up. I smoked for 30+ years was up to 2 packs at one point and tried to quit many times. I started using the e-cig almost a year ago since they've banned smoking on the property at work. Didn't have much of a choice so I needed to come up with something that could get me through the work day. Well here it is almost a year later ... and I'm now down to one analog cig - first thing in the morning w/ coffee (my husband still smokes so I can't get completely free of them yet ... poor excuse - I know). But I've discovered that when I'm not home (sometimes have to travel for work) I can go for days without a cig. The V4L gets me through and I love that my clothes and hands don't smell and I feel so much better.

In the long run the e-cigs are so much cheaper too. My personal favorite flavor is butterscotch, but there's so many choices out there. V4L usually sends sample cartridges with any orders you place so you get a chance to try different juices. The have a number of starter kits to satisfy most budgets and needs. There are auto batteries and manual. I tried both and prefer the manual because seem to have more control over the vapor.

I wish both you and your husband much luck in your efforts. I'm sure in the long run you'll be glad you did.

 

[shinygirl68]

My only concern is the threads I've read about others having problems with leaks on the tanks. Has this been an issue for you at all?

 

[RubenX]

I would recommend an EGO-ish kit to any new vaper because of the battery life. The 650MaH will last a full day to many, and the 900-1000MaH ones will last one full day to most. With Pass-through batteries is even better, I never have to carry a charger with me.

The atomizer/cartridge/tank is a different story. I've tried most and I've found I like the Ego Mega Cylinder atties the most. I would recommend that if you get a "tank" kit, also order at least one 510 atty/cart and one mega atty/cart to try.

Don't be afraid of buying something that you might probably not like. $10 bucks on an atty you don't like is not $10 bucks lost... is a $10 bucks spare atty that could get you through if your main equipment breaks.

Finally, the juices. It is a never ending search for most of us. Full PG or VG or a mix, flavor, nic % content... you will change a few times before you will find that perfect all-day vape. And even when you do, juices will taste/feel different when vaped on different equipment. It's a process. But I guarantee you, once you find that vaping sweet spot, you will love it.

 

[rolandpibb]

Don't forget that dragging on an e-cig is much different than an analog. Caused me throat burn the first few times.

Suck it in, then inhale. Carts, cartos, and eGo-Ts all have their eccentricities. My girlfriend still can't get the method down.

 

[JWebb]

Vicki from Cignot has a video on the leak issue with eGo tanks on You Tube. I hear the new models have fixed that and was somehting to do about the wick in the atomizer. Most people I know have not had that problem, just earlier versions and certain supplers perhaps, IMO.

 

[RubenX]

My only concern is the threads I've read about others having problems with leaks on the tanks. Has this been an issue for you at all?

I bought a tank... worked great for 5 days, then it develop a lot of issues (including leaks). A lot of people love them, many hate them. Since it seems to be a hit or miss, I would not recommend it to a new vaper. If you like to try it, by all means go ahead. But don't get it as your only vaping equipment, get something else as a spare. Or get a different Ego kit and a tank atty with some blank tanks to try.

 

[shinygirl68]

Thanks so much for the replies. I've decided to go with the Riva 510 with some extra atty's and cartomizers and batteries. I so hope I'm making the right choice. If I keep waiting I'll never make the plunge. Time to get myself in gear. Please let me know if I should order any other accessories.

 

[achtungbaby]

geeeshhh. I had all my 2 cents typed out for you and lost it. Probably for the better. From my experience (which isn't long but I'm through at least 3 or 4 of the learning curve phases) I'd say go with the ego set up and then order the tank atomizer and refill tanks. That way you have 2 atomizers/2 carts to try and also the tanks. I did it that way (not exactly on purpose) or the other way like Ruben said (which ever is least expensive) I love the tanks way better than the carts. I had even tried the cartomizers (atty/cart combination) and it was a bit hit or miss for me. I had some burnt taste and didn't like the carrying a bottle of juice with me.
Juices are hard. I still don't get the pg/vg and can't really tell the difference, I ordered a variety to test. I tried Gourmet vapor which were pretty good, here you'll here about them, Backwoods brew, tasty vapor, and Kick bass vapor alot. (others too)
Kick bass site is down for a few days but you can find the order thread herehttp://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/e-cigarette-suppliers-forum/144355-kick-bass-vapor-season-open-come-wet-carto-atty-ordering-thread.html
I had started with 24mg (thinking it would help get off reg cigs) but the quality/taste of the stuff I bought from Liberty Flights was yucky. Then I went to 12mg which might be too weak...so definitely get a variety. You can mix them a little til you figure out your "sweet spot"
Good luck and congratulations! Everyone here is sooo nice.
oh I also wanted to say that the ego does not look like a cig...if you're ok with that. I went with it for battery life, I was looking for the least maintenance. (I'm pre-testing all this stuff too for my old mom working out the bumps before I switch her over) - and I have seen a lot of people that love vapor4life and they're very cool looking and seem to be reliable. Just fyi.

 

[JWebb]

Since you are getting the riva/Ego/510, you can also buy atomizers and cartridges that fit, or cartomizers that fit, if you don't like the tank system, or if you have troubles. They are a back up system so you can keep vaping, and like Rosa said, don't forget to try some samples of juice. Good luck!

 

[shinygirl68]

Thanks atchungbaby. I think I've changed my mind. What you said makes sense. This way i can try both. However I think I'll also order some liquid from Mrs T's. They seem to get pretty good reviews from what I've seen. I will also order some from Liberty Flights. I've decided to order my starter kit form there just wanna make sure I have juice and unit at the same time.

 

[shinygirl68]

Sorry but one more question. Do I have to order Ego T to try the tanks or is just the Ego sufficient? Not sure from the way the describe it on their website.

 

[achtungbaby]

Sorry it took me forever to get it in. Sounds like you're happy with your choice, which is MOST important. 1 thing - blow the primer out of the atty's. It's SOO gross and believe it or not most of us newbies don't know or remember to do it - LOL

 

[achtungbaby]

If you're at Liberty Flights it looks like the ego T is 71.99 then down below is the regular ego 39.99 that comes with 2 attys/carts - if you do that you'll have to order the ego tank atomizer (which they're out of in black) and the tanks sep.
If you order the ego-t you'd have to order the attys/carts sep.
Maybe just go with the ego 510 and juice, then you can get the tank set up to try later?

 

[achtungbaby]

Make sure you click on the 20% off link at the top left corner. Looks like it'll be about $45 to get a 3 pack of tank atomizer and 5 refillable tanks when they're in stock, but other places sell them too.
I got mine here Shopping Cart Empty and they're in stock for $46.50 plus shipping...