Do your research newbies

[seandavid27]

Hi all, after close to 20 years of one or two packs a day, I decided on a whim to pick up my first e-cig from 7-11 about a year and a half ago. They were selling xhale 02 kits for about twenty dollars and I thought it could help me quit since nothing else ever helped much. Neither did they-nasty flavor, totally unreliable, and I kept smoking.
I also found Square disposables at a tobacco shop, and was actually quite fond of those, but at $6 bucks a pop, it was hardly a cost effective solution, since I could easily kill two a day. Kept smoking.
That's when I wish I had found this site, done my research, and really made an informed decision. I bought the V2 ultimate starter kit, used it in addition to cigarettes for several months until 11/11/11 when I smoked my last cigarette. Over the next 6 months I must have gone through 8 of their batteries, a thousand of their pre-filled carts and a dozen bottles of their e-juice. Not smoking-but this is getting expensive!
I finally tried switching brands because I was sick of replacing batteries and got the volt from smokeless image-basically the same thing as v2, and consequently, same problems. Time to upgrade, and finally I found this site to help guide me a bit.
I've tried about a dozen different juice suppliers based off of recommendations from this site (still looking for a perfect menthol), all of which cost like a 3rd of v2, and got a lava tube.
Thanks for the advice-lava tube was fantastic for a couple months, but in the battle of lava tube vs gravity, gravity is going to win. My lt now works only occasionally and is held together with solder, super glue and tape.
Finally ordered the provari a couple days ago, and hope it's as sturdy as everyoisne days it is BC I'm hard on my gear.
Moral of the story is that this site has really helped me make good decisions, but I wish I had read through it back in the beginning. I have spent so much money on gear and juice that the provari doesn't even seem all that expensive, and if I had started with one, I would have saved a lot over the last year. Welcome new vapers, enjoy your new hobby, but remember, do your research-the cheapest option is exactly that-cheap. Make informed decisions, and remember that this"hobby" is an investment in your health and future. This may literally be a matter of life and death for many of us. Don't be afraid to spend a few extra dollars on life-it will be well worth it in the long run.

 

[OR-DMBFAN]

I agree wholeheartedly....been doing tons of research and am thinking that I will buy the Provari. Reading bad things about customer service from some companies...no instructions included with equipment. Thanks for the tip and hope you like the Provari.

 

[SpicyMcHaggis]

You'll be able to use that ProVari as a weapon if you find yourself jammed up.

 

[ericoahu]

Not sure what your overall point is. I do agree that research is good when you are beginning anything, but then why else would someone come here?

I certainly wouldn't expect someone to go with a provari. I know that when I bought my first kit I wasn't ready to spend $225 on a device plus another $50 or so for consumables on the gamble that I might like vaping. I don't think that was your point. I hope not anyway.

I'm pretty happy with the way my introduction to vaping has gone. I skipped all the analog look-alikes and went directly to an eGo starter kit. I wish I'd have went with something like a twist instead but hindsight is 20/20 and at the time I had no clue what variable voltage meant for vaping. Plus I still get plenty of use out of my eGos even now that I have a Lava Tube and kGo.

The best way to help newcomers is give direct information without abbreviations, acronyms, and bluster. I remember being utterly confused about the difference between a eGo connection and a 510 connection. I didn't know what people meant by mod.

Terms and names like "carto" "clearo" "stardust" "vivi" "pc" "pcc" were Greek to me so when people made suggestions I didn't know what they were suggesting.

Anyway - I'm not disagreeing with you Sean. I do think its good to learn from other's mistakes and if a newcomer is to give vaping an honest try the very cheapest, most convenient, or fastest option is likely to not be the best place to start.

 

[crxess]

I guess it is always going to be try and learn. Even with research I blew through $500 in the last 45 days. Still waiting on 2 orders to arrive. I can say, while high for someone new to vaping(45 years smoking), I'm glad I haven't given up.

Like you, I started with M401 type mini Ecigs. In 3 days I moved to the 510's with cartridges. In another week I had ordered an Ego style kit and all manor of hardware along with over 40 Flavors of liquids. (Nearly 500ml)

I am already looking into DIY as Id like to get a few flavors in a strength/taste that really suits me.

Oh, much of the money I spent was with a China wholesale co. and would be around $1200. US so I feel a bit better with the investment.

 

[seandavid27]

Thank you- I was not real clear there. The point I wanted to make was simply that I'd hate to see anyone who's interested in switching from cigarettes to electronics get discouraged and discount all electronic cigarettes because they had a bad experience with a cheap, easy or "uncomplicated" device. There is a lot of junk out there and I definitely had some moments in the beginning where I thought that that lack of quality was representative of the industry as a whole. I am extremely happy, however, that I stuck with it and have found some very high quality products. If I knew how great they were back in the beginning I probably wouldn't have bought a provari either, but after all the money i've wasted over the last two years, I really wish I had.

 

[Suthrnbuckhunter]

For the most part,most beginers will spend money on the lesser expensive equipment because they are not quite sure if this will work for them.Most that decide that this is a worth while avenue to take in order to get away from tobacco products,will upgrade and move through stages into variable voltage devices and some to the more exspensive models.At some point they will justify the spending on these products based on the money they saved from not buying tobacco products.And rightfully so I'd say.They will look back in time and realize the costs in the long run is far cheaper than the cost of tabacco products,and the health benefits simply cant be measured in dollars.At some point along thier journey they will,realize that this has become a (hobby)habit,and that the feeling of self impovement is far better than the worrysome feeling they got from thier previous self destructive habit.Wondering if and when that treaded statement will come from the doctor.The money spent on different methods along the way is nothing compared to the cost of treating all the known illnesses of using tobacco products.So I would say,speaking for myself of course,and from my own personal experience,SPEND IT,enjoy it,its a journey.You will someday be able to share this journey with a new comer and lead them along to a better,healthier way to feed thier nicotine addtion.Plus all the things you try and put away,you will be able to pass along to others,maybe bring another into the fold.I have spent a lot of money on things that I tried and wasnt completely happy with,but I will never regret one single cent that I have spent to get where I am today.Good luck along the way and I hope you enjoy the jouney as much as I have.

Bucky

 

[mikele408]

been doing some research and i looked up ivc and ecf and got a lot of good feed. i was able to meet "pizza2me" and he pretty much is setting up with my first real pv. sweet right. n to top it off im getting a lavatankwith my BB. nnnnnnnnniiiiiiiiiiccccccccccccccccccceeeeee!!

 

[Lbox88]

Good to hear you have something that works for you know. You mentioned you are still looking for a menthol, have you tried Mister-E Liquid? That's where I get my stuff from and have been happy with the juices I have had so far, don't have one to complain about unless I'm running out LOL.

 

[base234]

You'll be able to use that ProVari as a weapon if you find yourself jammed up.

Yep. I mounted a laser sight on mine and I'll vape the heck out of anyone jams me up.

 

[bigsushi]

I was pretty lucky and found this place before I made any serious vaping purchases but I agree with you, most of what people know about vaping is what they see behind the counter at their local corner store which in general consists of sub-par products.

Glad you eventually found this place and are rocking a setup that suits you though!

 

[zuzette]

well - I think the value of trying stuff you dont stick with is finding out exactly what you need and want.

for the first time vaper - you dont even know what questions to ask and jumping on this site is only marginally helpful. but if you just jump in and try something you can begin to get a picture of what vaping should be and what you want it to be.

Honestly - it does not matter with what you start with - you are probably going to be wanting something different from what you have once you know what you want.

but you might not know what you want until you know what you dont want!

frankly though - if someone had told me they were hard on their gear I would have suggested a sheath for their belt instead of a provari!