Getting started. Your advice would be appreciated.

[blkhwk07]

Smoked for 35yrs,quit after first vape. I started with a cig style,but battery life was low. I use a KGO so would recommend that or a E-Power.

 

[stilljd]

Thank you for the encouragment and sharing your experience. I take both to heart and will keep reading.

I will dive in somewhere after a little more research to understand the landscape. (I read all the FAQ's and am still a little overwhelmed by all the choices). I can afford the top of the line. After all, I'm spending $3,000+/yr on the stupid habit. vaping is bound to be cheaper. But, I also like to chase smart value as much as the next person.

I don't mean to be presumptious or smarmy, but in the responses I sense a common thread of (or maybe sympathy for) rooting for others get off of analogs. It kind of surprised me. Often, people that have quit are a little condescending towards those who haven't been able to.

Thanks again, & Best Regards
Jim S.

 

[stilljd]

"It kind of surprised me. Often, people that have quit are a little condescending towards those who haven't been able to."

I meant that as a compliment. The responses were not judgemental as you often get elsewhere.

Jim S.

 

[rhinohide]

I'm pretty new to vaping, just started back in February but for me the big hurdle after smoking a pack a day for 42 years was making the decision. So (as I said in another thread), I just didn't decide to quit. I just started vaping. Pretty soon I just preferred it. That happened very quickly for me. But I still want a real cigarette occasionally, so I will have one. For me, I wasn't quitting so much for the health benefits, but because it was becoming so outrageously expensive. So the cost of the eCigs wasn't that big of a hurdle.

I got a joye Ego starter kit from The Vapor Room.net | Vaporize Nicotine | E Cig Atomizers for $69.99. It came with two batteries, two cartomizers, a wall charger, a car charger and the little connector that will charge to the computer. I had to play around with different cartomizers. But I think I've finally settled on the low resistance. I think I'm as locked into the habit as I am the nicotine addiction because I've tapered off from 30mg nicotine to 12 pretty quickly without much aggravation.

But I think just taking it as it comes and allowing yourself to adjust at your own pace may eliminate a lot of your angst. It's scary to make this decision. It seems so HUGE and overwhelming. It doesn't have to be. I had a full carton of cigarettes when I started vaping and eventually gave them away. I still keep a pack around and if I want a cigarette I have one, but usually a couple of puffs and I don't want anymore. It tastes really bad too. LOL. I guess my point is, I have never made the decision to quit smoking. I just started vaping and I enjoy it more.

 

[dlsw]

Thank you for the encouragment and sharing your experience. I take both to heart and will keep reading.

I will dive in somewhere after a little more research to understand the landscape. (I read all the FAQ's and am still a little overwhelmed by all the choices). I can afford the top of the line. After all, I'm spending $3,000+/yr on the stupid habit. Vaping is bound to be cheaper. But, I also like to chase smart value as much as the next person.

I don't mean to be presumptious or smarmy, but in the responses I sense a common thread of (or maybe sympathy for) rooting for others get off of analogs. It kind of surprised me. Often, people that have quit are a little condescending towards those who haven't been able to.

Thanks again, & Best Regards

Jim S.

All of us have suffered from the addiction to tobacco, and there are many here who still smoke, but have reduced. It is almost an unspoken rule that we support each other the desire to move toward healthiness without judging. We can't judge as we've all been there. Let us know what you choose, and we'll support you in that, too. Basically, once you post on this forum, you are a friend regardless of smoking/vaping choices. WELCOME to the forum.

 

[sailorman]

"It kind of surprised me. Often, people that have quit are a little condescending towards those who haven't been able to."

I meant that as a compliment. The responses were not judgemental as you often get elsewhere.

Jim S.

I understood completely what you meant. I think the difference springs largely from the fact that people who quit the hard way want to share their pain. People who quit the easy way (us) want to share our joy. Vapers don't carry that "If I can do it and you can't, there's something wrong with you" attitude that a lot of ex-smokers have when they've gone through the real trauma of quitting cold turkey. A lot of ex-smokers resent us because they think we're cheating. We did it the "easy way" and they suffered. It's human nature. Like the people who lose weight the hard way resent people who get liposuction. A lot of people believe in "no pain, no gain" and it irritates them when they see someone break that rule.

BTW, about your choice of devices. Regardless of what you can afford, the real value will lie in what works best for you. You won't be in a good position to assess that until you've gotten a little experience and can figure out what you like. So, you'd be wise to get something along the lines of a kgo/e-Power to start with, even though you can afford something better. The difference in quality, in terms of how it will help you quit smoking, is not that drastic and you'll need a backup anyway. You just might find that you really don't want anything else for a very long time. If so, you wouldn't be the first. But, unlike a cigarette looking e-cig, a kit like that will give you the flexibility to be able to try different juice delivery methods. That will result in your being able to make a better decision when, and if, you decide to upgrade to a really premium unit. There are many very top-shelf PVs out there and the one that will provide you the most value is the one you choose when you have the most experience and education under your belt, not the one that's right for someone else. Just my approach. Hope it helps. Good luck.

 

[fuzzione]

Welcome stilljd. I was where you are 2 weeks ago. I'm copying and pasting my post from another thread today as it may bear some relevance. I'm just another noob here but have thus far enjoyed tremendous success with my choices. Good luck!

post 392 of this thread:


http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...-new-variable-voltage-device-smoktech-40.html

Originally posted by MickeyRat:
"Someone new has two main problems. They don't even know whether vaping is what they want and it's not for everybody. In addition, they don't know how to vape. What they need is the simplest way to get an acceptable vape at the lowest cost. If they say cigarette sized, all you can do is recommend a Volt and let them know there's an alternative with more battery life. If they are willing to go up to an ego style, that's where they need to be. As far as simple goes, it's some cartos, some atomizers for sampling and a drip tip. No VV. No mega/CE/fluxo/clearo stuff. No bottom feeders either. All of that is for people that want something more. There are probably many more people out there satisfied with 808s and egos than there are using VV."

My response:
I concur. Having vaped for 11 days now and despite considering myself a little more technically adept than the average noob, I could not be happier with my 1st uncomplicated hardware purchase selection. I've remained analog free since day one (40 yr PAD addict). I opted for the new Smokeless Image X2 batteries and X2 clearomizers, essentially 808 threaded Stardusts. I made the mistake of also ordering and initially using XL cartomizers, also from SI. Well let me tell you, between my carto-filling/maintaining learning curve and the fact that I received what turned out to be some faulty cartos, I almost gave up the 1st day. Had vv variables been added to this mix I don't honestly know if I would have stuck with this. I endured vape after vape of bad, burnt, horrid tastes trying to figure out what was wrong or if in fact this was 'normal.' Thankfully I threw out the cartos, used the clearomizers instead and never looked back.

Another point is that is that you MUST have a decent backup in case of equipment failure. One of 2 batteries I ordered was faulty (SI immediately replaced it no fuss) and I would have been back on analogs during this early and sensitive period, had it been the only battery at hand. I'm not sure if someone starting out would want to spend the money for 2 vv devices off the bat to ensure a reliable backup. I know I wouldn't, before understanding if vaping was something I'd even take to. Going the volt/ego route provides for decent back-up cost options.

I'm already planning my next mod and indeed it will be a vv device. Do I consider the money already spent as 'thrown away?' Not in the least. The X2's will always serve as very decent/backup devices. I've essentially lived on ECF during the last 2 weeks in my quest to acquire more knowledge and I feel I'm pretty well versed now given the time I've spent researching. I would not have done anything differently had I known then what I know now, in respect to my initial purchases.

One more thing....I was fortunate enough to have attended a local vape meet recently where I got to sample some pretty fine mods and flavors. Where some that I tried 'better' than my setup? Yes. Were they THAT much better as to render my setup something less than a 'good vape?' Nope. In fact, I was surprised to see how well my lil' X2/clearomizer setup compared to the more expensive mods out there. Yes, I'm now at a point that I can appreciate the 'extra' that VV can provide an already good vape; I just don't think this difference is very significant to someone first starting out and can in fact complicate matters as the individual struggles to adapt, particularly if there's a problem with their vape.

 

[kia2]

It is time to quit smoking and electronic cigarettes seem like they might give me a better shot at it. Patches and gum didn't work for me. I've read through most of the threads for newb's, but thought I would ask directly for advice. Someone may have an experience similar to mine.

I've smoked a pack and a half to two packs a day for 46 years of my 60. Camel filters, then Camel Lights. Smoking is not social or fashion for me. It is addiction and nervious habit. Nicotine and CO rush.

Flavor doesn't appear to matter at this point.

No sense just dipping your toe in. What would you recommend as a good "industrial" starter kit for a heavy, long time smoker?

Jim S.

Well, as many have pointed out, there are as many ways to jump in without dipping the toes as there are people in the pool.

I would like to offer only my opinion, then after maybe a little advice.

I smoked for 39 years, sometimes heavily, sometimes not. Sometimes 2 packs a day, sometimes 1/2. Mostly I smoked 1 pack a day pretty steadily. I was addicted and used the habit to cut stress, I also used it for other excuses but those aren't relevant here.

I chose the electronic cigarette because even though I'd tried patches and gums and even cold turkey, there was an element missing that I found I needed to have almost more than the nicotine, and that was the ritual. The hand to mouth, the holding of a cigarette while reading the morning paper and drinking coffee, the after meal satisfaction of a deep inhale, the once socially acceptable chain smoking in a bar with that cigarette in hand. It was familiar habit and I needed it. And, I needed the inhale. I needed to "feel" the inhale. I couldn't scratch enough nicotine out of patches, and I chewed the gum like it was going out of style. I got too little and too much nicotine, respectively, without being able to quit. Neither satisfied the rituals of almost 40 years of smoking.

I saw all the recommendations for mods and big batteries and liquids and DIY and even electronic pipes. Yes, longer battery life would be nice, but the 808 style battery (2-piece battery that emulates the look of a tobacco cigarette) was what I chose, simply because it still included the ritual that had been lacking for all my other attempts at quitting smoking. I started with an expensive, though not necessarily better, brand. The disposable I picked up while waiting for my kit to arrive was 24mg. It was way too much for me. What I'd ordered was 12mg, which is what I felt was closest to my then current nicotine intake. The kit arrived, and I never smoked another cigarette. It was easier for me, because I still had the nicotine and I still had the ritual. The ritual was important to me. It still is to quite an extent. When I'm ready to give up the ritual, I suspect I'll be ready to give up nicotine, too, and may even give up vaping.

I switched from my overly expensive brand, to Smokeless Image Volts on the recommendation of another vaper who knew I wanted something different - like a nice deep red colored battery. I started longing for a little bling and not just the standard white/black/stainless electronic cigarette look. Yes, I'm a woman, and yeah, I wanted something that didn't look exactly like a tobacco cigarette, but I still wanted to keep the ritual. Smokeless Image satisfied the fun side of vaping for me. And, I was and am still using the 808 style Volt battery and still enjoying my ritual. The Volt delivers enough vapor to more than satisfy the average smoker. However, Smokeless Image just came out with their first "big battery," the X2 and I bought one. I like it. Battery lasts me 2 to 3 days, instead of 3 to 4 hours (based on my personal vaping habits). Their X2 not only took the new cleaormizers which hold a good amount of liquid, but they also are able to be used with their cartomizers. I like cartomizers and clearomizers both, but I use the cartomizers when I'm out and about with my regular Volts, and I use the clearomizer and X2 when I'm going to be in one place for a long time. The X2 stays at my computer or next to my chair at home, the Volts travel happily everywhere else. I'm not sure what most people really want out of bigger batteries and mods, except the ability to produce bigger clouds of vapor and look cool. The Volts and X2 give me what I need, delivery it effectively, and satisfy the ritual. I get a little bling too, hey, can't hurt.

So. Industrial starter kit for a heavy, long time smoker? If you don't care what it looks like, don't need any ritual fulfillment, and you don't mind taking a big battery (about the length of a good cigar but not the girth) out on the town everywhere you go, a battery like the X2 might be for you. I certainly wouldn't jump into real expensive systems right away, expense doesn't necessarily make the experience.

If you want ritual or to see if this is even something you want to go with beyond a fast experiement, go with the 808 style, like the Volt, or a 510 (3 piece) or some such. Yeah, looks like a cigarette. Neither of the batteries I chose, the Volt or the X2, is going to break the bank and if tried and not liked, isn't going to be a deal breaker. There are many other models and mods out there. I preferred to stay with what I knew, but added a little color and fun.

That is the extent of my knowledge of the "power" side of e-cigarettes. I don't know all about amps and voltages and modding and I'm not an engineer to know how all that works. I'm doing ok. I quit with the first vape. I started with an 808 that satisfied ritual and simplicity, moved to a blingy-er 808 that works great and has a big battery brother for more long-term vaping, and I have the nicotine levels I crave.

That was all my opinion. Take it for what it is.

Now, advice.

Keep reading ECF and then go with your gut feelings. Whatever you choose, it's your choice and should be meant to satisfy whatever criteria you've set.

No matter what you get, get two batteries, and preferably three. One to use, one to charge, and a backup for the unexpected.

Get the proprietary charger, if there is one. Not all chargers are created equal, get the one that was made for your system.

You said flavor doesn't matter, but it will. Especially once you make it to about the 3-week point when all those deadened taste buds start coming back to life. Start with sampler packs of cartomizers or small samples of liquids. Most folks seem to actually move away from the tobacco flavors they thought they would want, though I keep one or two around for my highest nic hit when I've worked myself into a state of anxiety.

If you're getting a lot of cravings still, up your nicotine level before heading back to tobacco cigarettes. If you're getting woozy or sick, lower the level until you find your level. Then keep the next higher level on hand only for really stressful times, and stick with your chosen level. If you want to quit nicotine, too, you can, by either tapering down the strength or all at once while vaping.

Drink a lot of water. Vaping will dehydrate you. Drink water. Even water tastes better after giving up tobacco smoking.

 

[36tinybells]

Thank you for the encouragment and sharing your experience. I take both to heart and will keep reading.

I will dive in somewhere after a little more research to understand the landscape. (I read all the FAQ's and am still a little overwhelmed by all the choices). I can afford the top of the line. After all, I'm spending $3,000+/yr on the stupid habit. Vaping is bound to be cheaper. But, I also like to chase smart value as much as the next person.

I don't mean to be presumptious or smarmy, but in the responses I sense a common thread of (or maybe sympathy for) rooting for others get off of analogs. It kind of surprised me. Often, people that have quit are a little condescending towards those who haven't been able to.

Thanks again, & Best Regards
Jim S.

Good luck to you. You seem like a really nice guy and I don't think anyone took that wrong!
You have gotten many opinions here and everyone of them is valid. I would just like to add that you just need to jump in. If you don't want to get an expensive device to start get an 808 if you want a ciggie size or and ego/kgo/epower if cigar size will be okay. These may always be all you want or one day be "back up". You will want some back up, anyway. When you decide what you want, go here http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/pay-forward-pif/111547-pif-where-can-i-get.html and say that this is your first kit and what's the best deal right now. You'll get help finding the best deals too!

 

[nansc]

Hi Stilljd ,I was a heavy smoker too.I would really reccomend an EGO Type too.I started with the smaller 510 but the batts don't last long enough.Best of luck to you.

 

[johnnyfive]

Just my 2 cents if you consider spending more money than what you would typically put into say an ego kit:

Consider your needs and form factor. Several of the mods that people have listed here are probably fantastic. Darwin (this device is likely the bees knees if you like to drip.) Dripping info is probably in the infopages or faqs you've read. Both the darwin and provari are great if you have interest in Variable Voltage. I don't. 3.7 volts with a LR atomizer or cartomizer satisfies me and keeps me from smoking cigarettes. VV could be a rabbit hole you want to jump down into now or later. It's up to you.

Tube mods, like the provari or silver bullet tend to be a little less pocket friendly if you intend to use a tank on top of the device. I just recently got a silver bullet w/ a 6ml tank and it stays at home. I love the device, it's slick, it works great and I can't say enough good things about it but I don't think I'll be on the go with it very much. I don't drip and I don't like to fool around with filling cartos too often.

The right bottom feeder could be another option and although there tends to be a little bit of a learning curve with using them, the form factor for me is great. REO grand or mini is fantastic. The grand will carry 6ml of juice inside of a bottle that sits inside of the device and feeds up through the bottom via a small tube. Squeeze the bottle a bit juice goes up in your atty or carto. Grand uses an 18650 imr battery. Both designs are pocketable and have an on/off switch.

That's what works for me, I like it. It may not be the best for you but there's a lot of good advice in this thread.

 

[MickeyRat]

This is the easiest way I know of to quit smoking but, it's not effortless. There are a lot of things you have to learn. It's nice that you are willing to spend what it takes but, I'm going to say that I don't think jumping off into high priced mods is the best way to start even if your funds are unlimited. You have a lot to learn before you can judge what you want. Here's a list of things that you need to know before you start spending hundreds on mods.

• The nic level that works for you. Some people hit this right off. It took me about six weeks to get it to work. It kept changing as I learned to vape.
• The juice flavor and PG/VG ratio that works for you.
• What a carto, atomizer, and drip tip are and when/how to use them.
• How important size is to you.
• How important battery life is to you.

While you are learning all of the above, you don't need to be learning the effects of varying the voltage too. You have no basis to evaluate that anyway. Unless size is really important to you, I'll say skip the cigarette sized devices. They have gotten better but, the battery life is still a problem. An ego class device would be a good choice. However since money's less of an issue for you than some, you might consider an 18650 mod. Something like a maxi roughstack V2 or a bolt with an extension tube from madvapes would be a good choice but, there are plenty of others. Use AW IMR batteries, if you go this route.

To start, just get a couple atomizers, several cartos, and a drip tip. The mega/fluxo/CE/clearo stuff can wait till you know more and you have a basis from which to judge.

After you've gotten the hang of vaping, then it's time to look at higher priced mods. Before you do, try two more things. First, try varying the resistance of your atomizer. VV provides something similar but, more tunable. Second learn to drip an atomizer. Many people consider this the best way to vape. If you find you're one of them, a bottom feeder might be more to your liking.

I'm certain that more people are out there satisfied vaping egos and 808s than are using VVs and bottom feeders. Just find something that works for you and stay there. You might find you don't have to spend much at all.

 

[fuzzione]

As far as mitigating analog cravings during the first few days, this is what really worked for me. Having vaped for the 1st 4 days I often found myself craving a cigarette and I know this was mostly psychological, particularly when experiencing situations during which I'd normally smoke. Coffee in the morning, toiled visits, after a meal, walking into certain rooms, etc. Despite the fact by day 4 I had fine tuned my vaping to produce a very satisfying experience, I still found myself 'wondering' (as opposed to bona fide craving) about analogs. So on day 4 I actually lit an analog, mostly out of curiousity. Turns out it was the best thing I ever did during this process. You see, it tasted so crappy that I literally gagged, and was thankful I had my vape handy to clear out the horrible taste. Furthermore, the throat hit I got off the analog actually felt weaker than vaping. I have not craved or 'wondered' about an analog since.

Although I hesitate to recommend this as it may not work for everyone, it sure worked for me. I think the key here is to light one up only after you've found a very satisfying vape after several days, just so you have something worthwhile to compare it to. The next day I returned an unopened carton of cigarettes back to Costco for a refund, realizing they would no longer be needed.

 

[DDRHAR]

I smoked 3 packs of Vantage a day.Then when I quit I started with a 808 then to a EGO from Vapor for Life for 50 buck's and have been very happy with that set-up. Good Luck to you and Welcome to ECF.

 

[orlan johnson]

Thing is if you smoke 1 1/2 packs a day camel 8$ a pack 45 packs a month =380$ I have gotten 4 different setups first setup was (premium blend) from a smoke shop was 70$ was smoking cigs the very same day. Was a waste of money.... Second set different smoke shop ego knockoff 89.00$ was better but tank wic system sucked. But was a 510 connection. Did not smoke for a week the had failed. So went online and hot a joytec egot set up 44$ great set up with lr 510 attys and tank setups. Then got a lava tube 100$ works great have not had any cravings in 45 days. Now me and the wife both have provaris and it is perfect I wish.ae would have got it to start with. In my experince vv is gonna give higher success as you control what you get. I would start with 24 Mg strength dont get 36 wow its strong lol. get a couple carts and attys and see what you like. With attys you trade convenience for flavor. Carts loose flavor but work better while driving. Hope this helps

 

[MickeyRat]

I planned how I would get to switching completely. I had 4 cigarettes a day but, I had specific times that I could have them and they weren't my usual crave times. When I had those cigarettes, I didn't do anything else. No sitting at the computer, no watching TV, no chatting with the ppl in the smoking area, etc. I really noticed how they tasted and made me feel. In between I vaped whenever I wanted. After about 3 weeks, I really wasn't looking forward to those cigarettes anymore. Then it wasn't hard to leave them behind.

Another thing I found helped was to have some higher nic juice and a means to drip with me. At the time, I was using an ego-t but, when I felt strong cravings or noticed I was hitting it like a fiend, I'd switch over to the atomizer and drip three or four drops. Then I'd switch back. Within 10 or 15 minutes it would subside. It takes a little longer for the nic to reach you with vaping. So, you'll overdo it, if you stay on the higher nic too long. I still do that now and then but, it's maybe once or twice a month. When I started, it was 4 or 5 times a day.

 

[gtbb]

You'll need to assess some things. How much money are you willing to invest initially? Does the size of the device matter to you? (In general, larger devices perform better). How much time are you willing to invest in a learning curve? Do you enjoy tinkering, or are you more a "set it and forget it" kind of person.

The one thing that I would say as a blanket statement is, unless there is an overwhelming need to look like you're smoking, avoid anything that looks like a cigarette. Batteries with a capacity of less than about 650mah, have severe limitations imposed by physics that no manufacturer or fancy looking package can overcome. Fortunately, there is a large selection of devices with larger batteries, both sealed within the device, and separate (like a flashlight). When you hear someone refer to a "mod", they're talking about the latter, i.e., an e-cig that takes one or more separate rechargeable batteries.

The "mod" class of e-cigs are the best performing and most versatile types. Most come with a "510" connector, which refers to the threading pattern, so that any 510 cartomizer (cartridge) or other device will fit an e-cig with a 510 connector.

Beyond that, it's mostly a matter of your budget. Allocate funds for consumable extras like atomizers, cartomizers, batteries and e-juice. Once you have a device, your biggest expense will probably be the e-juice, unless you like to experiment with all the latest and greatest cartomizers and tanks, etc.

If you want an "Industrial" duty starter kit, you need something capable of putting out at least 3.7V for a sustained length of time. That means a battery with a min. of about 900-1100mah. Once you have that, it's a matter of what cartomizer, or other device, you put on the end of it.

If your budget for a device, including a charger, batteries and a couple months worth of supplies, is less than $100, look into something like a kGo or e-Power or Lavatube (sold under many different names). The Lavatube is a variable voltage device that will allow you to tailor your vapor more to your own tastes without having to use cartomizers of differing resistances.

For $100-200, the field opens up and includes some very high quality fixed voltage devices and a couple decent variable voltage ones. Contenders would include the Silver Bullet, GPV, GG for fixed voltage and the Vmax and BuzzPro for variable voltage.

Over $200, you're into the range of the Provari, Darwin and the best of the best fixed voltage devices like the Reo.

Every one of these devices would be more than adequate to put out some industrial grade vapor. The differences are in build quality, versatility and aesthetics.

Most excellent post sir

 

[Mdemon]

Before I made the switch to vaping I did a LOT of reading & research first. As my knowledge increased I was better able to get an idea of what would suit ME best as my initial step into the world of vaping. Glad to see you're doing the same.

Personally I went with an ego-c cuz it met everything I knew I'd need starting out. Way easy to refill & the 1000mah batt lasts a couple days before needing a charge. I ordered a wide assortment of juices to figure out what i liked & the ego-c atomizer heads are better IMO for changing flavours on the fly since they don't seem to hold on to flavours. A couple vapes & you're good to go. They come in 5 packs so you'll always have extras on hand. Got both SR & LR heads as well to see which i liked better (hotter or cooler vapour). Maintenance is super easy & minimal and even now its still my go to PV.
That's what worked for me & I've been smoke free since the first day I started vaping.

Every PV has its own pros & cons & quirks. The main thing is do your research & based on what YOUR needs are & what appeals to YOU & will fit YOU best, then go with that. Once you do that, guess what........whatever PV you end up with will be the right one! For you. & that's ALL that matters.

You've already found the best support system around, here in ECF, so the support will ALWAYS be there.

Most importantly, have the mindset!
Just KNOW this vaping thing WILL WORK & you are going to SUCCEED!

Best of Luck in your vaping journey!

 

[bodrell]

Welcome stilljd!

I smoked about 50 RYO smokes per day for 37 years, very addicted smoker and tried everything to quit but never could. About six weeks ago I got a KGO, a collection of about 20 different types of 24mg juices and a couple different styles of cartos. Without every trying, I cut down to 3-5 smokes a day right off the bat and it's been five or six days since I had a smoke now. It's awesome!

I've only tried the one PV so far so can't add to all the excellenrt advice you've had so far...I liked mine so much I bought a second kit, though. I really love that the battery lasts a full day of pretty heavy use, and I just have to remember to have a back-up charging.

Have fun with this and welcome to one of the most helpful forums around!

 

[Baditude]

40 yrs of smoking 1/2 to 1 ppd. Tried the patches, gum, lozenges, and even hypnosis twice. As some have pointed out here before, I missed both the ritual of smoking and actually inhaling something. About a month ago my mother died of cancer; about the same time I began seeing info about e-cigs. Decided to research, found e-cig forum and educated myself the best I could.

I went with Smokeless Image's Volt starter kit. Company has great reputation of quality full-line of products, fast service, and customer service. They use the 8008 cigarette-sized models; at the time I didn't want to use anything larger out in public. I got 4 batteries, a couple of packets of cartomizers, a couple of chargers, and a bottle of the flavor of juice I figured I'd use most. This setup worked great. I vaped whenever I wanted, and used analogs 3-4 a day for the first week or two. Eventually, I found I didn't want the analogs anymore, and stopped buying them.

When I got my starter kit from SI, they had recently came out with the larger X2 batteries and larger capacity clearomizers. I got one of each (1300 mah) and really enjoyed the longer battery/larger juice capacity--each lasting me at least 2 days. About the size of a long cigar, I found that I wouldn't feel self-conscious using something a little larger than the 8008's in public, and it became my all day device.

The X2 battery did give out (? stuck switch on an automatic) after 3 weeks in, but I contacted SI customer service and I am awaiting delivery of a free new battery after sending them the original). In the meantime, it's been good to have the 8008's as backup.

Another issue to be aware of when using the new clearomizers. I've begun exploring other flavors and juice vendors. I tried some Strawberry Lemonade in a new clearomizer and within 5 minutes of vaping the juice had destroyed the clearo, leaking sticky juice all over my hand. Word is certain juices are incompatible with some of the clearomizers' plastic...particularly citrus and cinnamon...either from the oils or alcohol used in some vendor's juices.