First Post...Couple of Quick Questions

[nooter99]

My wife and I are both ready to try and quit the real ones. Both of us have been smoking 30+ yrs.
We have not purchased anything yet and are at a loss as to where to start. So here we are!
I smoke Marlboro Mediums (now called Red Label). She smokes Marlboro Ultra Light 100's.
Are there products out there that closely mimic those brands?
Since cigarettes are so expensive anyway, we've decided that cost will not be a factor in choosing a brand and/or product. We are much more interested in starting with a high quality product that is as close to those brands as possible, which will hopefully make the initial transition easier.
So....any and all advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[Feraloxide]

There are lots of things you can start with. If you're looking for something as close to the real thing as possible, there are numerous cigalike brands with tobacco flavoured cartomizers and eliquids. Halo, MigCigs, etc.

If you wanted something easy to go with, cheap and of decent quality, you could try EVOD starter kits. Lots of sites have them for ~$35 and they come with 2 EVOD batteries (650 mah), 2 EVOD clearomizers and 5 replacement coils. Of course you'll have to find your eliquid separately, they're pretty much fill up and go. I've been using mine a lot lately and they're brilliant, come in a wide range of colours.

Something a little more advanced like variable voltage/variable wattage, I'm sure a lot of people would direct you towards an MVP 2, myself included. It fits pretty much any clearomizer tank system you could imagine. MVP 2 starter kits frequently come with some variant of the iClear tanks and sometimes include a bottle of eliquid depending on which vendor you order from. I hope you find what you're looking for if none of these appeal to you.

 

[Lurch]

I would recommend a "starter set" like Feraloxide suggested, the Kanger EVOD kit is what a lot of us started with, and still use.

If you have the opportunity, look through the site and get an idea of the various components and what they do. Baditude, a member on this site has some excellent information within his blogs. This link will take you there:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...-10-advancing-up-vaping-ladder-egos-mods.html

Also, if possible, go the B&M (bricks and mortar) store in your area and check out some of the equipment. It is often very helpful to have someone walk through the process of putting the stuff together, filling, etc. Additionally it would give you an opportunity to try some juice flavors. While many of us started with the so-called tobacco flavors, we typically move on to flavors that we like much more! I have yet to find a flavor that really tastes like a cigarette, and now, wouldn't use it if I found one. I read a statement in a blog that stuck with me, "if I can have my nicotine in any flavor I want, why would I choose burning tobacco flavor?"

Deciding to make the move is the first, and most important, step in this journey. From my perspective, it is one of the best decisions I have ever made.

I hope you find the type of equipment and set-up that works best for you!

 

[Ace90]

Congrats on deciding to quit !!! For starting off in my opinion I would recommend an basic ego battery or variable voltage/wattage battery something not too complicated but effective to start you off. As far as tasting like a Marlboro you can vape flavors like Cowboy, Blend 5, Ry4, these I feel closely resemble the taste of the actual cigg. I would also recommend going with a bigger size ego or vv/vw like an 1100 or a 1300 something that will last you most or the whole day to keep your battery from dieing in the middle of needing a nic hit and then you end up back on the real cigg train. There are a lot of places where you can get a good kit for a decent price. The place I shop at for all of my vaping needs is Smoktek they have a few different kits, this is where I purchased my first kit. Hope this helped

 

[e-pipeman]

Egos are a great way to start. You'll be fine. If you want to spend a little more then the MVP v2 will give you more options. But please don't think that e-liquid tastes like tobacco (even if it claims that it does). Try a good strong fruit flavour like apple or blackcurrant. Tastes great - and you get your nicotine too! The biggest mental block to break is the one that says you can only get nicotine from tobacco. You may well find that the fruit liquids taste better and keep you happy. Good luck!

 

[Rodeorat]

I can't improve on any advice given thus far, an EVOD starter kit and some decent juice are perfect. A visit to the local vape shop will be illuminating.
I would just encourage you to give vaping a chance with a wide berth. No juice or delivery system will exactly mimic the real cigarettes. How could it? It doesn't have the plethora of toxic chemicals you're body has grown accustomed to. You wont find a 1 to 1 imitation for a Marlboro. Instead, have fun with it. You might find one similar to Marlboro, but with just a touch of nuttiness, butter, or caramel. It wont be long before you wont be able to stand the smell or taste of those ole stinkies.

Finally, keep researching here on ECF and engage with us. You'll quickly learn as much as you want.

 

[amolson]

I happen to note you're in Michigan. If you are anywhere within oh, an hour of Swartz Creek, may I recommend Ahlusions. I am still waiting on my order from them (although it shipped far faster than they promised) but I have heard nothing but extraordinary things about them. They also have some of the most highly regarded tobacco flavors in the industry.

However, I would also recommend trying something that is totally non-tobacco flavored. Something off the wall you love, like cherry limeade (what I'm vaping right now. It's not a great version, but it's sure tastier than analogs) or banana creme pie. Because one of the things I've seen here is if you find something that tastes really good to you, analog cigarettes become really disgusting tasting fast. I mean who would want to lick an ashtray when they can lick an orange creamsicle stick?

But this does take some gear. If you're not too worried about price, I'd recommend Innokin iTaste MVP V2.0 - 101 Vape with Kanger Aerotank - 101 Vape

And the MVP can be used to charge your cell phone as well. How cool is that? All for about the price of a carton of cigarettes.

 

[djsvapour]

I can't speak that well for the US, but certainly in the UK, almost nobody (on the forums) who has smoked for a long time and more than just a few a day has been able to fully quit using e-cigs that look like cigarettes.

An eGo type is kind of the minimum for many/most.

 

[nooter99]

Wow! Some great responses, and fast too! Thanks guys/girls. I never really thought much about the whole flavor thing, but it makes sense now that I'm reading it. One of my initial concerns was not being able to find something that "tastes" like a cigarette, but like you all said, I'll start thinking out of the box a little bit and not worry so much about mimicking the taste I'm used to.
Looks like a trip to the smoke shop is in order. Thanks again everyone. I'm a little bit obsessive when it comes to learning about something new, so count on seeing a lot of newbie posts from this soon to be ex-smoker.

 

[smittytoo]

Another vote for kanger evod starter kit. Try virginia tobacco e-liquid from myfreedomsmokes.
You will probably want to go with 24mg nic, and your wife maybe 12mg-18mg nic. Just
my suggestion.

 

[SleeZy]

Wow! Some great responses, and fast too! Thanks guys/girls. I never really thought much about the whole flavor thing, but it makes sense now that I'm reading it. One of my initial concerns was not being able to find something that "tastes" like a cigarette, but like you all said, I'll start thinking out of the box a little bit and not worry so much about mimicking the taste I'm used to.
Looks like a trip to the smoke shop is in order. Thanks again everyone. I'm a little bit obsessive when it comes to learning about something new, so count on seeing a lot of newbie posts from this soon to be ex-smoker.

Just a fair warning, it's realy hard to find a "tobacco" flavour. But you'll notice after like 1-2 weeks in, that you realy don't want tobacco flavours anyway... Most of us starting to prefer bakery / fruity vapes. And it tastes sooo much better than tobacco ever could.

I'm agreeing with an EVOD kit, they're excellent and good looking. And the kit includes everything you'll need for awhile, except the juices.

Welcome to ECF!

 

[Saru]

Congrats on soon being an ex-smoker. Going on 7 months myself

 

[Mindless]

Yes I would suggest the evod starterkit as well ...
Some of my colleagues started with it since I had recommended it ...
And now they stick to it ... they like the ease of use and that the kit has almost everything you need with it (liquid excluded)

For the strength of the liquid ...
I smoked Lucky Strike (the red label stuff) and 18mg was a bit to high
So perhaps you should check if it is ok for you ... and get 12mg too

For your wife formerly smoking ultras ... take 6mg/3mg just in case 12mg is to much for her

For the problem with the flavour ... virginia would be a good starter ... I agree with that
In Germany we have something called Gold Ducat (not sure what it would be in the US ) it is a bit similar to virginia but not that sweet therefore I liked it ... until I found out that grean tea and lquid amber flavour is my preference for vaping

Hopefully you stick with vaping and enjoy the journey (it's quite a ride! )

Happy vaping

 

[Cool-breeze]

Welcome to the forum! My 2 cents on getting you set up: If you are not to worried about price SKIP the ego/evod starter kits. They work for some but I hate them. They break way to easy IMO and have really short battery life. The mvp was mentioned. That is an excellent device to start with. Great features and outstanding battery life. For a small tank mini pro tank 2, for a larger one I've heard many good things about the nautilus. Liquid is tough as every one is different. You will not find a liquid that mimics burning paper. Tobacco itself tastes very different than burning tobacco. For me a tobacco flavor at first made me want the real thing more. So I recommend avoiding anything tobacco at first. When you find a liquid you like, I wouldn't order a bunch of it. Your taste buds will change a good bit over the first few weeks. The amount of nicotine in liquid is done in mg. What strength depends on how much you smoked before AND how much time you'll have to vape now. Assuming you were a pack a day smoker most people will suggest 16-18mg liquid. If you have smoke breaks at work then I agree. If you can vape all day I suggest 12mg. Me for example I never smoked in my house but I vape constantly here. So the 16mg I was suggested to start at quickly led to me getting headaches because I puffed at home so much more. My final thought on the matter is to you and your wife do NOT throw away your smokes when you get your equipment. At some point there will be a battery not charged, your vape tasting burnt or something leaking and you will most likely be frustrated all while learning and not getting your nic. Take a moment, burn one, and approach the problem clear headed. Then after a couple weeks and you know your equipment + basic problem solving you can toss the smokes with confidence. Good luck!

 

[jaxgator]

Welcome to the ECF!

As Lurch mentioned above, forum member Baditude has some great blogs on vaping. For a beginner such as yourself, I would suggest you read the following two entries.

A Good Starter's Setup for a Beginning Vapor

Advancing Up the Vaping Ladder with Egos and Mods

 

[DingerCPA]

I can't improve upon everyone else's advice, but I do want to welcome you and your wife

I smoked menthols for years, and I can't stand any tobacco-flavored juices. My arsenal is filled with fruits and desserts (peach, melon, strawberry, blueberry, cinnamon roll, coffee cake, brownie sundae, vanilla, etc.) I do have some straight-up menthol that I'll drop into the fruit flavors for the cooling sensation. I've tried a couple of the tobaccos, and personally they weren't for me.

Hopefully you have a storefront where you can sample the flavors - that's 1/2 my fun! As you get away from cigarettes, your palate will change, and how you taste things will change. A flavor you may start with isn't as yummy down the road, and vice versa. Start with smaller bottles until you dial into what you like. And you may very well enjoy the tobacco flavors - it's your tastebuds - make 'em happy!

If it hasn't been iterated, make sure you EACH have at least two devices - backups! If one runs out or fails, you limit the temptation to buy a pack of smokes because another vape stick is at hand.

Best wishes to you both - ask, ask, ask, ask, ask....

 

[peraspera]

If you want to load the odds in your favor for success I would very much suggest getting a battery that allows you to adjust the power to your personal taste such as the Innokin iTaste MVP 2 and/or its baby brother the Innokin iTaste VV (V3) Express kit - 101 Vape. Not only do people prefer different power levels for the same juice but different flavors of juices definitely have different power sweet spots where one gets an optimum balance of flavor and vapor production.

Both of the Innokins are more than easy enough for a beginner to use but have more advanced features like a screen and an oHm reader. These features are helpful for troubleshooting as well as for rebuilding your coils should you ever wish to do so in the future to save money or customize your vape.

For a topper for the battery I would suggest the Kanger Aerotank Mega for the MVP 2 and the Kanger Aerotank Mini for the VV 3.0. (15% off upon code for Vapor Beast thru 6/25 is SAVE). They produce good flavor and vapor product, allow you to adjust the air flow to your personal taste and come with glass as well as metal tanks that are safe for the juice flavors that will etch, melt and crack plastic tanks.

There is no way to replicate the taste of burning tobacco and paper in a vape which burns nothing. Some people are quite fond of their tobacco vapes, others avoid them like the plague while some are fans of both tobacco and non-tobacco flavors. There is no rhyme nor reason why someone ends up landing in any of those camps so spread your wings when trying flavors.

These are both reputable vendors in Michigan where you will be able to sample juices. That will save you a lot of aggravation and money os opposed to purchasing online. Both have good quality juices but Ahlusion is in a class by itself as the owner was an experienced flavorist before becoming a juice vendor and uses his own recipes for most all of his flavor bases.
Ahlusion - Swartz Creek
Mister-E's - Kentwood and Grand Rapids

 

[sheishreviews]

Starter kit reccomendation : Ego Twist and Aspire or naturevape tank. I can't recommend a flavour though as i have never really vaped tobacco flavours.

 

[Paulbigslick]

My advice would be do what you’re doing ask, ask and ask again. Find a local vape shop in your area, I live in Macomb, if you are anywhere near me I can give you the names and locations of a few, even so tell me where you are and I will find a shop near you if you can’t.

Secondly do not chase something that “closely mimic those brands” in my opinion run away, far away from anything that looks and or tastes like a cigarette. Your trying to stop that habit, don’t feed it. Besides once you find there are thousands of new and exciting flavors to try why would won’t want to taste that taste anymore.

Try some more. The strawberries taste like strawberries, and the snozzberries taste like snozzberries.

 

[CabinetGuyScott]

Wow! Some great responses, and fast too! Thanks guys/girls. I never really thought much about the whole flavor thing, but it makes sense now that I'm reading it. One of my initial concerns was not being able to find something that "tastes" like a cigarette, but like you all said, I'll start thinking out of the box a little bit and not worry so much about mimicking the taste I'm used to.
Looks like a trip to the smoke shop is in order. Thanks again everyone. I'm a little bit obsessive when it comes to learning about something new, so count on seeing a lot of newbie posts from this soon to be ex-smoker.

And not all local shops are good!

My experience is that most smoke shops are adding pre-packaged products and know nothing about vaping.

Some, like Wild Bills, are adding better quality products (juices & now some name-brand hardware), but, the depth of knowledge is going to be the challenge, store-by-store.

Some vape shops are there just to take advantage of the growing popularity - and make a quick profit. Over-priced, junk hardware, etc.

And then there's the vape shops who are typically owned by people who are likely to be ex-smokers and are motivated by the opportunity to offer the opportunity for others to quit smoking with vaping.

Depth of knowledge, reasonable pricing, emphasis on educating the customer & supporting those looking to learn and hoping to quit smoking.

There's a few of those here on the west-side of the Detroit metro area, and lots across the state.

Check out the Michigan group for many first-hand reviews & recommendations (I'll look for a link in a minute...) Found it! Michigan Vapors Forum

In the meantime, I'll add my agreement to much of the advice you've already received here:

• Innokin MVP 2 and VV 3! You're going to want to upgrade soon enough - just spend the extra $10 now...
• Flavor is almost everything! - Yes, you, me and many starting out want the "marlboro" taste, but I strongly recommend hitting the local shop & test-taste everything that sounds interesting. Don't be like me and automatically rule out anything but the cigarette taste
• Don't over emphasize getting to the moment you have your last cigarette. I was an accidental quitter, I was just looking to save money & satisfy my curiosity. And one day (10 days after buying my starter kit), I found my desire for a cigarette had fallen to point where I just stopped reaching for the lighter.
  When you find the Goldilocks "just-right" combination of equipment & flavor, you'll then reach a point where you'll say that it's okay to call yourself an ex-smoker

Welcome to the growing crowds of vaping, and as a reminder: keep an eye on Lansing! I don't trust Snyder & his head of the Michigan health department to do the right thing!

And one last thing: join CASAA! Visit the site and be aware of the war to protect smoking and how we can work together to fight back.