Hello - Total noob here.

[CrazyIvan]

Hello all,

I've been smoking for 20 years and currently smoking half a pack to a pack a day. Cigarette taxes here are going up a dollar here in January and I decided I was sick of paying these outrageous prices. So, about two weeks ago, I stopped at a drug store and was about to pick up a "starter kit" by a popular brand, but last minute I decided to check the web - "Surely there must be a forum out there where I can check whether this is a recommended brand". I found this forum, and needless to say, I came out empty handed and overwhelmed . I continued research for the next week and finally ended up ordering a Vision spinner, eGo mini, and a few Vision v2 clearomizers, along with three different flavors of e-juice (DK-TAB, 555, and some other one I can't remember the name of). The package arrives tomorrow and I plan on quitting smoking right then and there. I'm hoping my quitting will also be a great Christmas present to my wife and two young kids.

After reading all the success stories here, I'm hoping this will be an easy transition, and I'm really excited. Let me know if you have any additional advice for a total noob. Additional essential equipment, first day vaping tips, pitfalls to avoid, etc...

 

[Firestorm]

In order to make the transition from smoking to vaping I think that it's important to find juices that you like and enjoy. You might consider ordering a bunch or small sample bottles to try to determine what you like and do not like. Hopefully you can find an "all day vaping" juice that you like (although I think that you still need other flavors to avoid monotony).

Make sure that you have plenty of cartomizers (or tanks) so you don't run out and risk reverting to cigarettes until you can restock.

Once you believe that vaping is for you, I think that a small investment in a cheap multimeter to measure the voltage of your batteries and resistance of your cartomizers and tanks is worthwhile.

 

[Hillbillie]

Wonderful to hear, Ivan, and welcome!

Yes, it can be quite overwhelming at first....a lot of brands, gadgets, juices, and....opinions about what works best. The spinner will be great (what mAH did you get...and did you get more than one?)....the mini is good in a pinch, but the battery life is not intended for solid, all-day vaping. Other than that, it sounds like you're set!

Good luck to you and you'll find that you have a great community/resource right here ready to help!

 

[Thrasher]

Welcome dude! and good luck just remember it's not easy for everyone, and if you do have tough times not to feel bad if you smoke a few here and there while you work out what works for you. there are amany here who will happily help you on your journey so feel free to ask all the questions you need too.

and above all else if you can't just stop....focus on the cigs that you dont smoke not the few that you still do............

 

[Dovahkiin]

Welcome to ECF. Your definitely on the right path. Firestrom is right, get samples until you find the flavor you like. You might want to consider extra battery. One on charge while using the other.
Good luck

 

[myyrkezaan]

Great present for you and your family.

I quit one day after getting my ego batts. I vaped and then would do a cig a bit after and noticed it didn't give me the feeling it usually does and it didn't taste as good. Only 8 that day instead of the usual ~35 and was done. I think doing a cig after vaping really helped me to quit the next day, I've seen some people just stop cold and then still do a few a day. If it takes a bit of time to get totally off the cigs thats good too.

If you get that feeling like needing a cig, talk a walk and vape a few more times than you usually do.

Watch out for the things you usually did while smoking, that will trigger a craving, do something and vape extra .

First couple of weeks for me wasn't easy, but it wasn't difficult either; I'm up to 5 weeks now and hardly any cravings/feelings for cigs.

Like Firestorm said, get extra supplies ahead of time; most people fall of the wagon because they can't vape. Find out how much juice you do a day and then order bigger batches of liquid to have on hand when needed, get extra coils for those clearomizers and good choice on getting at least 2 batteries.

Instead of getting a multimeter I would step up to an inexpensive VV mod that includes that; this is en route to me now: eGo Variable Volt/Watt APV V2 (Only Body) [D-B4 APV] - $39.00 : Healthcabin Electronic Cigarettes - Wholesale and Retail

The bonus of the bigger mods is the longer battery life, more charges and cheaper in the long run.

I would also find something like a dripping atomizer or the ego-c tanks for tasting new liquids. I didn't like the dripping and the ego-c tanks work for me.

I'm still searching for about 4-5 all day vapes so I can switch up when needed, you get used to the taste and it starts tasting less flavor, switch it up and it goes back.

Search the forums, gobs and gobs of info and reviews.

Enjoy your ride .

 

[X P3 Flight Engineer]

Greetings from Canada! Welcome to ECF!

I use the Twist battery (same idea as the Spinner) and a Mini Vivi Nova for most of my vaping. I take along a Mini eGo as a backup, always. I usually have a CE2 (Fluxomizer from GotVapes) loaded with 24 mg 100% PG because it can be used as a Stealth vape without producing much vapor. If I hold the vapor in for a few seconds there is NO vapor.

So, you have a Good start on the gear, although it can sometimes take a while to get used to vaping. Don't rush it if you get cravings. Just work away at them steadily and you will get to vaping full time at your own pace.

Relax, Enjoy!

 

[CrazyIvan]

Thanks everyone for your encouragement and tips!!! It's really nice to know I can turn to such a great community (WHO HAVE ALL BEEN THERE!) for help!

Backup equipment is definitely something I have not thought of, but it makes total sense. If something malfunctions, I'm sunk for a week or more. I will be ordering a backup spinner (Hillbilie, mine is 1300Mah btw), a backup charger (only ordered one), backup cartos/clearos, as well as dripping atomizers for tasting new liquids. All great ideas, thanks!!! As far as getting high-end gear, I think I'll need to prove myself to my wife before she'll be ok with me dropping those sums of money. I do have a multimeter.

The flavor is something I've been the most worried about. I'm hoping I'll like the flavors I purchased, but if I don't, it might be a major set-back. I've read some controversial reviews on the TAB, 555, and other "tobacco-type" flavors, but I really wanted to stay with tobacco flavors for now while trying to quit smoking. I'm hoping my lack of experience will give me better tolerance for "ickyness". A sample pack is a great idea!! If you have ideas on good vendors offering samples, please let me know (I'm assuming flavors are vendor-specific).

 

[xdmanalo]

In order to make the transition from smoking to vaping I think that it's important to find juices that you like and enjoy. You might consider ordering a bunch or small sample bottles to try to determine what you like and do not like. Hopefully you can find an "all day vaping" juice that you like (although I think that you still need other flavors to avoid monotony).

Make sure that you have plenty of cartomizers (or tanks) so you don't run out and risk reverting to cigarettes until you can restock.

+1

Halo offers a sample pack of juices which I am using (and liking) now. Also note, they are currently offering 25% off for the holidays.

 

[scorch]

I wouldn't worry too much about quitting immediately. It took me a month to stop analogs completely, during which time I got used to vaping. I also used that time to get some sample packs and back up gear.

 

[myyrkezaan]

You should look at the Vision V3s or another replaceable coil clearomizer, cheaper to replace the coil and you can wash them too.

 

[pilotman]

As I posted in my own thread...and this may not apply to you, but....

Don't go in looking for the perfect tobacco taste. I did, was disappointed, then found other flavors, now I'm happy. Honestly not worried about the tobacco taste anymore.

 

[anderman79]

Your initial cost will be about 1 months worth of analog money. This will buy your batteries, cartos, atomizers, and many juices. If there are flavors you really like, I would start there. Some tobaccos are very complex in taste, and other tobaccos are just down right disgusting. Remember everyone's taste buds are different. Your taste will be totally different than mine. It will take about a month of no analogs before your full taste comes back. Then you will really appreciate the juices!

 

[anderman79]

Once you go through the fruit and drink stage, you will start searching for the tobaccos again. Just cover all the reviews before purchasing. Many will post if they really like a juice!

 

[myyrkezaan]

+1

Halo offers a sample pack of juices which I am using (and liking) now. Also note, they are currently offering 25% off for the holidays.

Can't reach their site, not loading.

FIrst time customers receive a free 15ml bottle of juice and a 3ml bottle with any purchase and they have 2 sampler packs 5 & 10 where you pick what you want.

5 Pack 6ML Sampler
10 Pack 3ml E Juice Sample Pack!

Giant sampler pack of 20

200ml Sample Pack e Liquid | Electronic Cigarette / eCig Liquid - Get the best eLiquid / Smoke Juice from Aqua Vapor Cig

 

[Hillbillie]

The flavor is something I've been the most worried about. I'm hoping I'll like the flavors I purchased, but if I don't, it might be a major set-back. I've read some controversial reviews on the TAB, 555, and other "tobacco-type" flavors, but I really wanted to stay with tobacco flavors for now while trying to quit smoking. I'm hoping my lack of experience will give me better tolerance for "ickyness". A sample pack is a great idea!! If you have ideas on good vendors offering samples, please let me know (I'm assuming flavors are vendor-specific).

Ooooo....I've become overly obsessed with juice...but tobacco blends have never appealed to me so I can't recommend anything firsthand nor a vendor that might have good tobacco samplers. But I can offer this:

1) Hubs only vapes tobacco blends and his absolute cannot live without juice is Casablanca by Backwoods Brew.
2) This link will take you to contests that are going on here...many of the wins are juices, gear, store credit...and is a FANTASTIC way to learn and try out new things as you get more familiar with what works best for you: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/pay-forward-pif/105214-contests.html (may want to go directly to the last page and work your way to earlier posts).
3) This link will take you to sales and specials members come across and post for others: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/pay-forward-pif/85781-deals-steals.html The last few pages are of Black Friday, weekend, and Cyber Monday deals....it's a perfect time to save money.

 

[SteamDaddy]

buy whatever makes you happy

 

[Slots]

Ditto on the Casablanca by Backwoods Brew.
I swap off on 4 Ego's a day .. one fruit, one bakery/sweet, but I'm NEVER without a tobacco flavor one, and a tobacco one with a drop or two of some kind of mint or menthol.
I could give up the other two, but never the tobacco and tobacco/menthol.
If I stick with one flavor all day, the flavor gets like "white noise" to my brain or taste buds, and the taste goes away.
So try to keep a variety.
Remember, you will never imitate the flavor of burning tobacco and paper with a vapor, but there are several good flavors out there.
Samples are your best answer. That how I found Casablanca by Backwoods Brew. I just ordered a 120ml bottle this morning.
Once you get your samples, you can play with them too. One to mild ?? add a few drops of one that's to strong to the clearomizer along with it.
I've added some "cuban cigar" flavor (to strong) to some tobaccos that were too mild, and it made a good vape.
I didn't re-order either one, but I didn't have to toss them either.
Also ... don't try to take fast or hard "draws". It doesn't work that way when you vape.
Slow down and stretch the inhales out. Fill your mouth with vapor before inhaling.
The nicotine is absorbed through your mouth and nose tissue instead of your lungs, so learn to blow smoke rings again
and use your nose on exhales.
Some can pick up one flavor on the inhale, and a second on a nose exhale. It becomes "fun" again.
Kick back, and enjoy your new "hobby"
I haven't saved a lot of money yet, as I was only paying $2.50 a pack ... but I can breath again.
Congrat's on saving your life.

 

[Katya]

Ahem... zombie thread alert.

OP hasn't posted since November 27th.

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/new-members-forum/354288-works-post7879318.html#post7879318

 

[SteamDaddy]

snickering