Help! I am so confused!

[crazyjanie]

I have smoked cigarettes for the past 35 years and was so elated to learn about E-cigs. I thought this could finally be my way out of this nasty habit! Unfortunately, I have reserched my way into total confusion! I am so afraid of falling prey to the "scammers" out there and I also thought that I would be saving money by not having to buy cigarettes. E-cigs seem to be a very expensive habit! What do I need to buy? Do I need an E-cig, battery charger, atomizers and cartridges? I think 1 cartridge is equal to 1 pack of cigs, but how long is an atomizer good for? And how many E-cigs do I need? How long is a charge good for? Also, any ideas on brands or companies I should buy from (and not buy from!)? I would really apreciate any advice you guys could give me! Maybe someday I'll be experienced enough to be able to pay forward the help to the next newbie! Thanks a million!

 

[squirrel64]

welcome , glad you found us !! you will see a lot of references like 510 or 808 or 306. These refer to the thread styles on different batteries, atomizers and cartomizers. So don't let the numbers confuse you too much. Just remember that if you have a 510 battery, you will need 510 atomizers or cartomizers. But you can buy adapters to interchange different styles. Many people start with a simple kit such as these. (note I think they will be back in stock Monday)

Smokeless Image | Only The Best Electronic Cigarette | Starter Kits

or

Bloog Starter Kits - The Best Way To Start Blooging Now!

Start simple but with a well known product such as these and move to the more advanced stuuf when you get comfortable. Read as much as you can and ask a lot of questions !

Edit: yes this can get expensive but it consider part of a new life without cigs and it's a great hobby. A very healthy hobby !

 

[Ralikar]

You should read the six articles in the ECF library on the different types of e-cigs to start.

 

[WVvet]

I feel your pain janie. I am seven weeks in and can tell you - go for it! If I had known at the beginning what I know now I would have gone straight to cignot.com got a Joye EGO kit (actually get 2 complete setups) - about 60 bucks. Then off to Liberty Flights for Boge cartomizers (about $10 for five). Get 6-10 sample juices (about $40? or you might find a sale) (oh, there are so many - I'm still trying to find perfection!) from one of those or one of the other ECF recommended juice suppliers. Get 24 and 18 mg strenghts to start. If I had had this "shopping list" I would have spent about $125 and be set for months except for juice, instead of the almost $500 I have spent in search of vaping nirvana.
That said, just start with something, get a feel for it and work from the there. You won't be sorry.

 

[keyzygirl]

Vapor4Life is an easy place to start.They only sell 808s so everything is compatible.They have a subforum here with a lot of helpful people who can answer your questions.Its an easy way to try ecigs.

 

[bruiser]

Check the vendors list at the bottom of the main page. They're all tried and trusted.

The smaller the battery, the less the charge lasts. E-cig batteries that look like a cigarette might last two hours. The larger fat batteries can last 4 hours and more. Yes, a charger is needed, and they come with the kit. You need at least two batteries, and most kits come with two. One cartridge or one cartomizer is not equal to a pack of cigs. Maybe three cigs at most. Do not believe the sites that say that. An atomizer is the part that screws onto the battery. It heats up, and in turn evaporates the liquid in the cartridge. The cartridge has to be filled with juice/liquid. The cartomizer combines the atomizer and cartridge into one unit. Regarding expense, a good kit can be had for around $30. For instance, in the vendor listings on the main page, you'll see a vendor named Liberty-Flights. They have good kits for under $35. They sell what is probably the most popular E-cigs, the Joye 510, the Joye eGo (big fat battery), and the eGo clone, the Riva 510 (big fat battery). The 510 refers mostly to the battery, atty, and carto threading. There is lots of stuff made for the 510, probably more than any other model. When I say big fat battery, I don't mean they are exceptionally large, but they are larger than the cigarette size batteries, but the charge lasts much longer so you don't have to be constantly charging and changing batteries. As for juice/liquid, everyone's taste is different, and it will take some sampling on your part to find what you like.

 

[jj2]

Welcome crazyjane and sorry about your expensive start WVvet. Don't feel bad, plenty have done that--me included!!!

 

[illillillillilli]

Check out the "Forum Suppliers" button between "blog" and "support ecf" Keep reading The New Members Forum some of your questions may ave already been answered.

It's a lot of trial and error. My choice was actually made before I even knew about ECF. I had a friend let me try his pv and trusted his judgement on what seems the best for me. I got lucky, because I love my bloog.

Some of your questions could be answered by a choice in model, then go from there. Different models and brand have different results. Don't get discouraged if your first vaping buy isn't what you thought. Like I said, it's all trial and error.

If you're not sure what to buy look at what you should buy, look at some starter kit contents then when you order one buy an extra battery.

Battery life and charge duration depends on the battery and how much you vape. Also, 1 cartridge doesn't equal one pack of cigarettes. If that's true then I vape several packs a day, lol. I can't say much on the 3 piece because I've never owned one. I use the two piece where the atty and carto are one, but I hear the three pieces are better. Now this is just from a newbie perspective. There are several people on this forum that can guide you in the right direction. I feel like a confident vaper now thanks to these folks. Hopefully they can guide you in the right direction too!

 

[WVvet]

sorry about your expensive start WVvet. Don't feel bad, plenty have done that--me included!!!

Oh, I have no regrets (well maybe for some juices and bad cartos. I would have stayed happy with my original setup if it wasn't for this #$#%#^ forum. Now waiting for my new Liquinator! Then I swear I'm going to stop shopping!

 

[Amraann]

I am a newbie too.
But over the last week I got a big education in E-cigs.. I am still confused a bit. I placed my first order today.
Everyone here has been totally helpful! (as well as some of my other friends)
So here is what I learned from one newb to another.
You do not want to buy e-cigs from the local 7/11. Do not go with some "free" deal. And do not go with something that you can only buy from one source.
E's come in three parts.. A battery, an atomizer and a cartridge.
From what I have learned a lot of people do not use the cartridge or have differing methods... But for newbies (like you and I) it may be prudent to start with easy basic.

So you buy a kit.. comes with all you need to start except the liquid. (Although some online merchants I think throw in some free liquid)
It was recommended to me to buy a couple of extra atomizers and extra carts.
Some carts come pre-filled. but it seems that very few people like those.
Most people start with a tobacco flavored liquid. Choosing one that suits their current analog habit. So if you smoke a lot 36 mg. Alot being several packs a day. However, my friend said she did and 36 was icky for her so I went with 24.

Now for your choice on the kit.. It seems that many like to start with something that looks or at least feels like a real cig.
It also seems that quickly many upgrade for the better battery power.
It was recommended to me to avoid that expense and just go right to the better battery. I suppose that depends upon how much you need to get a vape.
Batteries come in either manual or auto... manual is one that you push a button to take a puff.. auto you just puff.
I guess sometimes with auto the liquid could drip into the battery and cause problems. From what I have read most suggest manual.

Then of course as newbies we ask... How much liquid? Apparently that depends on the smoker.
I have two friends who smoked the same amount of analog cigs (same brand etc) One has used 30ml of liquid since Feb and the other uses the same 30ml about every two weeks.
I am thinking somewhere in the middle is probably what most people do.

A lot of people told me that it would take me sometime to figure out what works for me.
Out of paranoia I did order extra things.

As I said above I am a newbie too. So this advice is just from what I have learned in the past week before I ordered and in no way "expert"
When you order you things I would be thrilled to have an e-cig buddy for support!

 

[salemgold]

Well don't swear too hard WV It does seem like it will be never ending in the beginning but I swear after about 6 months you really will slow down with the buying lol Too many good flavors and new things to try out there

 

[MTV]

good thing there are hundreds of ecig buddies here on ECF

 

[Stosh]

@ OP, question for you would how much do you smoke and how strong of cigs?

This can make all the difference in what type of system would be the most likely successful for you.
I was a heavy smoker, strong cigs, and I needed a hefty e-cig to satisfy my craves.

Cost wise, you should be able to come in way under what cigs cost in NY, I'm in Jersey and spend
about 1/2 what I used to spend on smokes.

 

[WVvet]

Great summary Amraan! Good advice all around.

I am a newbie too.
But over the last week I got a big education in E-cigs.. I am still confused a bit. I placed my first order today.
Everyone here has been totally helpful! (as well as some of my other friends)
So here is what I learned from one newb to another.
You do not want to buy e-cigs from the local 7/11. Do not go with some "free" deal. And do not go with something that you can only buy from one source.
E's come in three parts.. A battery, an atomizer and a cartridge.
From what I have learned a lot of people do not use the cartridge or have differing methods... But for newbies (like you and I) it may be prudent to start with easy basic.

So you buy a kit.. comes with all you need to start except the liquid. (Although some online merchants I think throw in some free liquid)
It was recommended to me to buy a couple of extra atomizers and extra carts.
Some carts come pre-filled. but it seems that very few people like those.
Most people start with a tobacco flavored liquid. Choosing one that suits their current analog habit. So if you smoke a lot 36 mg. Alot being several packs a day. However, my friend said she did and 36 was icky for her so I went with 24.

Now for your choice on the kit.. It seems that many like to start with something that looks or at least feels like a real cig.
It also seems that quickly many upgrade for the better battery power.
It was recommended to me to avoid that expense and just go right to the better battery. I suppose that depends upon how much you need to get a vape.
Batteries come in either manual or auto... manual is one that you push a button to take a puff.. auto you just puff.
I guess sometimes with auto the liquid could drip into the battery and cause problems. From what I have read most suggest manual.

Then of course as newbies we ask... How much liquid? Apparently that depends on the smoker.
I have two friends who smoked the same amount of analog cigs (same brand etc) One has used 30ml of liquid since Feb and the other uses the same 30ml about every two weeks.
I am thinking somewhere in the middle is probably what most people do.

A lot of people told me that it would take me sometime to figure out what works for me.
Out of paranoia I did order extra things.

As I said above I am a newbie too. So this advice is just from what I have learned in the past week before I ordered and in no way "expert"
When you order you things I would be thrilled to have an e-cig buddy for support!

 

[metalmomma]

Greetings from another newbie. I liked your post. I could relate so much to coming on ECF in the beginning and thinking...HOW AM I GOING TO MAKE A DECISION NOW???? I have trouble with making decisions as it is. I jumped in and purchased an ego-t type A tank and have not smoked an analog in almost 3 weeks, except puffing once on my sister's and saying...ewwwww after about a week of vaping. I started with 24mg and just got in my new juice with 18 and 12 mg. I just went with 50pg/50vg for a lack of knowing any better and that is fine with me so far. 24mg was just too much for in the evening when i wanted to vape more cause these flavors taste so good to me. Yes, i can taste better already. I actually enjoyed eating raw carrots today..OMG what is happening to me? I was a 25 analogs or so a day smoker. Smoked more in the morning and the evening and about 3-4 a day at work. Going outside cuts down on smoking at work. I vape now outside with my smoking friends still. One friend at work just purchased a Jessy S type and she really likes it. She has been analog free for almost a week now. I want you to know...i did not purchase this E-Cig thinking, "oh I will quit smoking". It just happened and I still ride by the stores thinking,..."do i need cigarettes?" It amazes me because the answer is NO. I wish you all the best in your pursuit of the vape that is right for you.

 

[dragonladee]

I started out with Volt hardware and haven't regretted it. Quit the day it came in the mail.

The hard part has been finding a juice I love-there are SO many different ones to try! If you aren't into experimenting with flavors, then buying a couple of batteries and cartomizers to start out is cheaper than one carton of cigarettes. It's only if you want or feel the need to keep expermenting beyond that the cost becomes an issue for awhile. Atleast until you find your sweet spot. Once that happens you can expect juice and cartos to run you about 1/4 to 1/3 of what your smoking habit was costing ya. It just sounds more complicated than necessary when you first start looking into this because there are so many varying opinions about hardware and how long it lasts.

I have now tried quite a few juice flavors and still keep going back to one-and even with all my trials I have still only spent about as much as I would have on analogs in the last month. If I choose to DIY in the future I can get the cost down to pennies per ML (one ML is equal to about a pack of analogs). As of now I can get 30 mls for about $10 with shipping. How can it NOT save a ton of money? The Volt cartos I'm using having quit yet after multiple refills and cleaning, and replacing the occasional battery-even if the savings weren't so great our health is worth the switch!

 

[Amraann]

Great summary Amraan! Good advice all around.

Thanks!
You all have been so helpful to me on this new adventure that I wanted to pass it on.

 

[bobsyeruncle]

I would suggest one of two models, and it depends on whether you need something that looks like a cigarette or whether you might be willing to try something bigger that has better battery life.

The Smokeless Image Volt is a KR808D-1. It's a reasonably priced model that looks like a cigarette. Depending on how much you smoke, however, you may find yourself charging it a couple of times a day. You have your choice of manual or automatic batteries. With a manual battery, you have to push a button and hold it down while you inhale. The draw is slightly easier than an automatic. You also don't have to worry about keeping juice or water out of the auto battery hole that will kill a battery. The automatic works when you inhale. Consider getting at least 1 manual battery with your kit even if you prefer the automatics.

The Riva 510 from Liberty-Flights is a reasonably-priced bigger-sized model. It's about the size of a Sharpie marker. It has much better battery life (650mAh or better) than a smaller model. With the bigger battery, you can try low-resistance cartomizers that will give you much more flavor than a standard atomizer or cartomizer. The SmokTech Dual Coil or Boge LR cartomizers are nice. The batteries on the Riva are the manual type.

 

[illillillillilli]

Another newb hint. If you plan on filling your own, buy a manual when you can. I bought two automatic batts and I accidently fried one when I became overzealous refilling. My shoulda, coulda, woulda is that I should of bought two manual batteries from the beginning.

 

[illillillillilli]

eCigology - Successfully Switch To E-Cigs