Hello from Orange County CA

[galechicago]

I have been reading the newbie forums here, and I have no idea what most of you are talking about. coils, juice, set-ups, what the...?!? Whenever I've seen people sucking on chrome things while driving, I just assumed they were doing whippets or smoking a pipeful of dope. Surely I am a new category of clueless: a sub-newbie!

Anyway, I wanted to say hello and introduce myself. I am a California cigarette smoker. Really, really enjoy it. Been smoking Marlboros since college in the 70s. Cut back to 15 cigs a day from 30 for the past 8 months... Successfully and on my own! My dear doctor told me to try e-cigs. He said that BLU is the best brand, made in USA and no bad chemicals.

What do you all think? Should I invest in a disposable BLU and give it a try? Will this BLU be a good introduction? Or will BLU be such a dud that I will lose interest? I want this to work.

 

[Megabyt]

Anything is better than the old analogs (cigarettes)... BLU will get you into the e-cig world, but you probably won't stay with them for long. Those cig-a-likes usually do 1 of 2 things... 1. turn a smoker into a vaper... OR, 2., turn a smoker away from vaping because, well, they kind of suck.

All in all, they aren't that bad, but when you try them, just don't think that all of vaping is like the BLU. It gets MUCH better!

I suggest visiting a vape store around your area and just talk to them and try a few starter kits. Take is slow and work your way up from there.

Oh, and welcome to ECF!!! You certainly found the right place!


Cheers!

 

[AaronY]

There are alot of ecig stores in Orange county that allow testing for ejuice. The testers that they let people use a big step up from a blu. You should find a local shop and give it a try. Just remember hardware is usual 2 to 3 times less expensive online. If you like the guys support them by buying a small bottle of juice. You can get a good set up online if you like it for around 30. Good luck in getting off analogs.

 

[DonMac]

Congrats on the decision to quit or cut down on analogs. This decision will change your life (for the better). I lived most of my life in Orange County and was born and bred in So Cal. now living in Arizona.
Blu is the first e-cig I tried and it allowed me to quit tobacco entirely, however looking back at how much money I wasted, a much better decision is to buy a basic ego setup with a nice inexpensive clearomizer. Produces enough vapor to keep you off the analog tobacco stuff.
When you get into it a little more, you'll learn and understand the lingo, and will love vaping even more than you did smoking tobacco. It's simply a great hobby where you get to smoke (vape) as much as you want without the negative health consequences. I wish you the best.

 

[NineToez]

LBC vaper here and I'm just over six weeks from kicking tobacco altogether. I started about a year ago with a Halo Triton starter kit however I continued smoking cigarettes until I bought my first mechanical mod along with a dripping atomizer. That there made the choice an easy one as the flavor from them is incredible and I soon realized I wasn't as hooked on nicotine as I had thought.

Today, I consider vaping a lifestyle and hobby. I smoked for around 20 years and I liked smoking so giving it up completely may not be easy. Ask questions, read as much as you can, watch YouTube videos, and make the switch.

 

[GPC2012]

I'm goiing out on a limb and guess that we are about the same age, and started smoking about the same time. Jusy before Christmsa last year my oldest son mentioned that he and his wife had started vaping and quit smoking. He sent me some links and i looked, and something caught my interest. We talked some more, and he voiced his intent of possibly giving us a starter kit. He said the thought it would be great to have us around for a while longer. It's kinda nice to hear something like that from your kids. We love it, didn't quit right away that kinda just came naturally. Now I'm waiting on my second MOD to arrive.
Welcome Vape on.

we started with an EGO C setup each.

 

[Harlen]

Hello and welcome
Blue's suck
Go to a vape store
Didn't think there where smokers in Ca any more , didn't they ban it from you home too?

 

[galechicago]

Oh, you guys are all so NICE. (Of course... because smokers are always the nicest people.) Thank you for the warm welcome and encouragement! I was afraid all the vaping enthusiasts would be young hipsters who aren't hooked on tobacco as seriously as I am. I especially appreciate meeting other folks "of a certain age" who can relate to this nicotine habit.

Today I bought a Blu and a couple of NJOYs. Love the lightweight and paper feel of the NJOY, but the flavor? Kinda chemically. Disappointed. Just tried the Blu, the flavor is okay, but dang that's a big heavy thing to hold in your hand. I will stick with it for a few days, and as Megabyt, AaronY, DonMac, Ninetoez, GPC2012 and Harlen (Actually ALL of you!) have suggested, I will muster up the courage to visit a vape store next week. I am very shy, so this is a big step!

DonMac--I am greatly encouraged to hear that Blu allowed you to quit tobacco entirely! I will stick with them and try not to be tempted by the Marlboros.

NineToez--Not sure what a mechanical mod along with a dripping atomizer is, but when you said "the flavor is incredible," I am motivated to find out! Thank you.

GPC--I am a little old lady! Born in 1955. Your story of your son wanting you around a little longer made me feel so happy. What a wonderful expression of love. I never had children, but 3 years ago I returned to college to study photography, and my young talented friends at OCC are a constant source of joy in my life. The future's in good hands with the young people I've met!

Harlen--Funny you mention banning smoking in our home in California. No, it hasn't happened yet in the legislature. But we just moved to a new apartment, met our new neighbors who are the SWEETEST PEOPLE, and learned that our smoking on the balcony bothers them. The last thing I want to do is inflict my stinky habit on non-smokers, especially such nice people.

 

[HoseGarden]

there's a store called "e-cig gallery" in laguna hills. it's right off the I-5/Alicia exit behind the Wendy's

they have gear to get you vaping and also a nice selection of juices to sample...this is NOT a smoke shop. it's a place specifically for e-cigs

edit:
E-Cig Gallery
(949) 380-1188 • 24781 Alicia Parkway Suite D • Laguna Hills, CA 92653

 

[Dj tank]

There are a ton of vape shops around you. I've been to VaporCraze in Costa Mesa quite a few times . It's on Newport Blvd...kinda tucked into shops and a bit hard to find...but if you look them up and call they'll explain best way to park and find. Very nice friendly shop and they have beginner to advanced set ups and juice testing. I think they might have changed names to Coils and Clouds though...

Vaporlabs has some good stores in Irvine as well.

I might suggest you you look at something like a ego twist... It's an inexpensive first step device that when paired with a nice carto or pro tank (I love them...easy for beginners)...will give you a good idea of what's what.

Ecig gallery as mentioned above is a great place too!

 

[Simply Red]

Anything is better than the old analogs (cigarettes)... BLU will get you into the e-cig world, but you probably won't stay with them for long. Those cig-a-likes usually do 1 of 2 things... 1. turn a smoker into a vaper... OR, 2., turn a smoker away from vaping because, well, they kind of suck.

All in all, they aren't that bad, but when you try them, just don't think that all of vaping is like the BLU. It gets MUCH better!

I suggest visiting a vape store around your area and just talk to them and try a few starter kits. Take is slow and work your way up from there.

Oh, and welcome to ECF!!! You certainly found the right place!


Cheers!

Well that's about the best advice write up for a noob I've seen yet! Good job, Megabyt!!

galechicago - Listen to this guy! He's got it!! (that is a guy under that bucket isn't it? ) and Welcome to the forum!

Happy Vaping!!

 

[Jugband]

Hi! Welcome! When I was new to vapeing I invested in the Blu start up kit. It was a huge disappointment. But I found what worked for me, and you will also! If your happy with Blu and it keeps you off ciggrettes, then great! If you find you don't like it, please don't quit! Just follow the advice you just got from these great people. They are the best! And vape on! Best of luck to you, don't give up!

 

[Jessdog]

Welcome to the forum!

 

[WVstuckinNC]

welcome to the board! I started smoking in the 70s too, worked up to two PPD, full strength, and hopelessly addicted, but yes, you can get off smokes - If I can, anyone can, and that's the truth. I spent 8 months doing rechargeable cig-a-likes (V2) and actually cut back smoking about 75 percent, but you will never fully quit using these things, and they are close to as expensive as smokes (at least in No. Carolina they are) Now use Evod and eGo C twist batteries and Evod and MT3 Clearos (tanks) and I havent smoked a single cig in a month and a half, and only 2 packs since New Years. You will like e-Cigs, and you can quit smokes, IF you get the right equipment and right e-liquid for you. Smokes are $3.50 a pack here - probably double that, at least, in Calif. e-Cig start up equip will run you about $120 bucks to get several batteries/clearos, and then about $40 per month from then on for juice (until you need new batteries/tanks) but still a ton cheaper than smokes, not to mention the health benfits.

 

[Listo]

Do a little research on youtube the best way to start Vaping for me was with a variable voltage device because I had Control of the power and I learned from there...

 

[laloin]

nice to see someone else here in the OC. Lots of vape shops to goto in the south county area. Two that I frequent alittle too often would be Vintage Vapour in Lake Forrest, and the E-cig gallary off the 5 freeway exist Alicia.
I would suggest Vintage Vapour they have a great crew and get you started. You may catch me there as well. They have ego, mods galaro, as well as RDA.
Bring your cash, or CC and you will walk out with a couple bottles of juice and a nice set up.
laloin

 

[derichio02]

Los Angeles here. I just started vaping about a week and a half ago. I was a pack and a half smoker for the last 10 years. I have not smoked an analog in 5 days now! The feeling is indescribable. My car smells better, no butts on my driveway lol. I am also beginning to be able to smell what analogs actually smell like. They smell like crap and now I can smell them from very far distances. I started with an ego c twist and a protank 3. Good luck

 

[galechicago]

HoseGarden, and DJ tank-- Thank you for your store recommendations! I'm in Costa Mesa a lot, so will probably check out VaporCraze (now Coils & Clouds.) Right by Second Spin, a favorite.

Simply Red-- Yes! Megabyt's encouragement is just what I needed to hear.

Jugband, and JessDog-- Thank you for making me feel welcome here!

WVstuckinNC-- There are worse places to be stuck in than North Carolina! Beautiful state. I lived in Virginia for 4 years; when I left in 2007, a carton was $22. I think NC and VA are the 2 toughest states to try to quit smoking in, because the habit is still so inexpensive in tobacco country.

Your testimony about quitting successfully makes me very happy. I believe you when you say "If I can do it, anyone can." I was 2 packs a day for many years due to youthful foolishness, a career in advertising, and lots of nightclubbing. For me, the smoke bone's connected to the drink bone! Thank you for your inspiration.

Listo-- Ah, control of the power is the key to so many things in life, isn't it? Thanks for the tip!

laloin, derichio, and Listo-- Nice to meet so many SoCalifornians this evening! E-Cig Gallery has gotten so many good recommendations, they must have the nicest people there.

derichio-- You've made a great accomplishment! The first 5 days are the hardest, and they are behind you now. Thank you for your good wishes, and I wish you good luck, too!

 

[NineToez]

Since you're in Costa a lot, check out VaP Vaporizers. Very knowledgeable staff there.

 

[Katya]

Since you're in Costa a lot, check out VaP Vaporizers. Very knowledgeable staff there.

Hah! I've never been there! Thanks for the tip!

Hello Gale and welcome! Nice to see another OC vaper here.

Like others said, there are many great vape stores in SoCal, and most are very nice and friendly. I don't go to B&M stores to shop because I order most of my vaping supplies online; there were no B&Ms anywhere when I started. But I love to visit and look around, check out the new toys, chat with fellow vapers. I always end up buying something, though--I like to support our local vaping establishments and, frankly, I often just can't resist.

And it really is the best way to start vaping--you can touch everything, see if you like it, get help and recommendations from the staff.

There is a store in Laguna Beach that I like, but I haven't been there in a long time. You may run into a few ECF members there. It's called E-Cig City: 1970 S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 (949) 715-5100. They have a long chat thread here: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...174797-new-southern-ca-store.html#post2921460

Here's a handy dandy e-cig store finder--look for stores that are marked B&M.

California E-Cigarette Vendors