Help with choosing

[m1273c]

Hello all... I've read practically everything I can find on here (including stickys) on which model/brand to purchase. Here is my situation:
1. Local smoke shop (where I usually buy cigs & have somewhat good relationship with store personnel) carries 2 models. They do not carry juice though.
a. DSE901 for 99.99 (comes with 2 batts, usb charger, ac adapter/charger, 5 cartomizers various flavors) *they don't carry carts for this model though.
b. unknown/nonmodeled for 59.99 (looks like m401 -kind of-, has cig pack power unit w/places for carts and atomizer, 1 batt, usb charger) *they do carry carts for this model
So... I know that the prices are a little over what is available online (have looked), but they are local. Now, I've read and seen many videos. Seems a consensus (sp?) that the 510 is the model that everyone should probably get as a beginner (which I am - not bought yet). But to be honest, the gadgetry of filling/dripping/dipping/topping etc kind of sounds tedious but cost saving. What I'm trying to get at, I guess, is would it be totally wrong to start out with a cartomizered unit and then eventually do the whole round of filling/dripping/dipping/topping etc? If so, then should I get the DSE901 locally (with return policy known)? Or the VaporKing? Or the KR808D-1? Ugh! I'm one of those people that like to get the best/user friendliest unit the 1st time and NOT have to change models frequently or at all most times. Not an extreme gadget girl I guess. Please help. Thx to all.

 

[hittman]

After starting with two 510 kits and graduating to three self made mods, I would suggest getting something like the janty stick or the protege. They will provide alot longer battery life and will hit alot better with the same 510,901,or 801 parts. The biggest issue I have had with the standard e-cigs is that it seems like all you do is switch batteries. Also, the batteries for the two I mentioned can be bought from many online battery suppliers for a very cheap price compared to the standard batteries and they will last much longer. There are other e-cigs out there that use the longer lasting batteries, you can usually tell by the way they look. The 14500 batteries that I use in my two box mods are 900mah compared to the 180mah of the standard 510 battery. I also recently built a flashlight mod that uses a 18500 battery that is 1600mah. I guess what I am saying is the 510 is good but it is better with a big battery behind it.

 

[Dilutetrips]

I have had a 401,901 and a Janty Kissbox. The Kiss box is or was great until I got the Protege. Nothing is better the Protege is the best 3.7 I have used. The price, even the new price, it is worth it. Get a Protege you will be happy.

 

[Hellen A. Handbasket]

I agree with Hitman. Batteries bite. Ha. I purchased a Little Chuck and have a Chuck (an earlier model called Fog Log, same battery though). The 3.7 volt units don't blow atomizers (and belt out vapor at 4.2v when first charged up) so I'd suggest not getting a 6v mod until you have a few months under your belt. You can't beat the price of a Chuck (2 + days on a battery) or Little Chuck (all day on a battery) at $80 shipped (and your own custom graphics).

If you don't want to go that route yet, look into the Mega Power batteries for the 510 from Totally Wicked. I use these when I need to be a bit more low key (and not have my skull/crossbones pink metal flake Little Chuck hanging out!!). They run for 3 or 4 hours vs. the 1 to 1-1/2 hours of a regular 510 battery.

 

[prpljett]

Im no expert but I am very happy with the Joye510. I started vaping in June and my first was an 84mm supermini auto. It was ok but I wanted something better so I moved on to the 510. Filling and dripping and all that can be tedious but its well worth it. Ive had the 510 for 3 1/2 weeks now and I think its great. I cant tell you anything about the other models but you are in the right place to find out.
Good luck with whatever you choose!

 

[m1273c]

LOL! Hadn't even looked at protege. More research - yeah and/or argh! Onward and upward though. Thx

 

[DonDaBoomVape]

Hello all... I've read practically everything I can find on here (including stickys) on which model/brand to purchase. Here is my situation:
1. Local smoke shop (where I usually buy cigs & have somewhat good relationship with store personnel) carries 2 models. They do not carry juice though.
a. DSE901 for 99.99 (comes with 2 batts, usb charger, ac adapter/charger, 5 cartomizers various flavors) *they don't carry carts for this model though.
b. unknown/nonmodeled for 59.99 (looks like m401 -kind of-, has cig pack power unit w/places for carts and atomizer, 1 batt, usb charger) *they do carry carts for this model
So... I know that the prices are a little over what is available online (have looked), but they are local. Now, I've read and seen many videos. Seems a consensus (sp?) that the 510 is the model that everyone should probably get as a beginner (which I am - not bought yet). But to be honest, the gadgetry of filling/dripping/dipping/topping etc kind of sounds tedious but cost saving. What I'm trying to get at, I guess, is would it be totally wrong to start out with a cartomizered unit and then eventually do the whole round of filling/dripping/dipping/topping etc? If so, then should I get the DSE901 locally (with return policy known)? Or the VaporKing? Or the KR808D-1? Ugh! I'm one of those people that like to get the best/user friendliest unit the 1st time and NOT have to change models frequently or at all most times. Not an extreme gadget girl I guess. Please help. Thx to all.

m (if I can call you by your first initial),

First: Please don't buy anything from a local smoke shop, certainly not a DSE901 for 99.99. You can get a 901 for less than half that price online from suppliers who have a track record among ECF members, e.g., Good Prophets for 45 bucks (with free shipping ... and who also has inexpensive e-liquid). That's just one example of the good guys here.

Now that I've gotten that urgent warning off my chest, I can relax a little with the following.

If indeed you "read practically everything I can find on here (including stickys)", you probably read my WWV illustrated guide. If so, I hope that I (or the army of 510 enthusiasts) didn't mislead you. The 510 is not "the model that everyone should probably get as a beginner"! There is no such model. [I think I did make that point pretty clearly in my guide.]

The 510 happens to be more popular than any other specific model ... among ECF members ... at the moment. [But you could interpret the polls the other way: Most ECF members do not use the 510.] The Smoking Everywhere Gold (same as Njoy Npro or RN4081) is, I believe, the most popular model outside of our little (but growing) ECF world. And the 510 wasn't always the most popular here nor is it likely to remain the most popular. Things change ... especially in this rapidly evolving infant industry.

But all that is irrelevant. The proper question is: what is the most appropriate model for you? Based on your comments, a cartomizer-based e-cig seems like a good initial choice. It would not "be totally wrong to start out with a cartomizered unit and then eventually do the whole round of filling/dripping/dipping/topping etc." Why would it?

I happen to think it's the obvious choice for a first-time user ... because it is so simple. No messing with "filling/dripping/dipping/topping" required* (and it can be somewhat messy). [BTW, I like your way of summing up how juice insertion must seem to a not-yet vaper.] And no button pressing needed either.

* At some point, to save money, you probably will want to buy some juice and do some dripping. And for the cartomizer, that can be done in a complicated way (which many users do, for some reason) or a very simple way. [Guess which method I prefer.]

Not saying it's the universal best choice for all new vapers, but it may be for you. The predominant model using the cartomizer is the KR808D-1 (Vapor King is just one of the brand names for it). Two-battery starter kits go for $40 + $6 shipping, $45 + $6 shipping, or $40 + $10 shipping, all prices prior to discount code (usually 10% off) ... and all very reputable suppliers with a major presence here on ECF.

Coming up from behind, but growing in popularity, is the more expensive (but increasingly less so) GreenCig (G220), the two-battery starter kit for which can be had for $60 + $6 shipping (shorter batteries) or $75 + $10 shipping (longer batteries).

From what I've read (and heard described in Leaford's New Five Favorites video), the KR808D-1 packs more flavor and throat hit, but the GreenCig generates more vapor (and a milder taste/throat hit).

A couple people in this thread have urged you to consider the hybrids: Chuck and Protege. I've read very good things about these models (and I happen to own and love Protege's big brother, Prodigy). I also talk about these models in Part 5 of my WWV. If their greater size and price tag (and the fact that they have a manual switch) don't put you off, either is an excellent choice. However, neither is what would occur to me to recommend to a first-time vaper (for the reasons stated in my ifs).

BTW, if the extended time between battery charging of these models appeals to you, but you otherwise like the KR808D-1 (or GreenCig), take a look at this brand new extra long manual KR808D-1 battery from Vapor4Life. [Personal note (that should not influence your decision): I just ordered one today.]

As usual, I've been excessively verbose ... and my suggestion of choices other than those mentioned by previous posters in this thread may have added to your confusion.

In a nutshell: To thine own self be true. [As you may know, I borrowed that from some obscure playwright.]

 

[Brachinus]

If you get a cartomizer-type unit (or a 3-piece unit with plans to use pre-filled carts for convenience), get more carts/cartomizers than you think you'll need. They'll run dry faster than you think, and you don't want to be hanging fire waiting for your next shipment to arrive.

 

[hittman]

I understand and agree with what Don had to say. I was just speaking from personal experience. I think that if I had known then what I do now, I would not have ordered the two 510 starter kits and went ahead and gotten something with a longer lasting battery like the prodigy,protege,janty stick, or something. Also, I have no experience with the kr808 but I know there are many who use it and one of my favorite sellers has it on their site. I am not sure how long the cartomizers last but the regular prefilled carts don't last that long on the 510 so in my opinion it is much cheaper to fill your own. Also, the janty stick kit is $80 and the protege is $115 for the kit. That is about what I spent on my initial purchase when I started vaping. I use the same batteries on my mods that I made as the ones that are used for the protege. I get them online for about $2.50 each compared to the 510 batteries at $10-15 depending on who you buy from. My 14500 batteries have lasted longer than any 510 battery that I have had and stay charged 4-5 times as long. I did not mean to ramble on but if I could go back I would have bought a mod out of the gate. Also, the silver bullet is a nice unit and you can run either 3.7v or 6v.

 

[danarmstrong]

I have a BLU which is my first and only unit. I drip it all day straight from the bottle no carts. I really dont like it because of the battery life like has been talked about here.
I thought I had my mind made up on a Janty Stick (DSE901) but after reading this post I may rethink this and keep reading on this site.
BTW I have been vaping for about 2 weeks now and got some juice this past Monday. I was a pack and a half a day smoker and have only had 8-12 anologs a day since.
My wife can already tell a difference in my morning cough which is almost non-existent now.
I will be off of anologs as soon as I make a decision on a more dependable unit.
And I had no intention of quitting smoking when a friend gave me my BLU cuz it gave him a headache.

Dan

 

[arkangel]

As a 2-week vaper, I was in your shoes not long ago and went with the KR808D-1 for all the reasons Don mentioned: as a beginner, I was drawn to ease of use. The "filling/dripping/dipping/topping" would make this a good hobby, but I just wanted an analog replacement that was clean, portable and easy to use.

Don't know how much you smoke, but I've yet to run down a battery in a day's worth of use (used to be a 6 or 7 analog/day Marl. Light smoker), so I vape on one while one battery is charging overnight and then carry both to batteries work. I swap back and forth between flavored cartomizers depending on what I feel like tasting at any given time and so I carry a couple of cartomizers with me to work as well.

I'm very happy with this model--it's been very easy to get into, easy to use (screw on cartomizer and vape away with the automatic battery) and it was pretty inexpensive (I paid $40 + $5 shipping for starter kit of 2 batts, 6 cartomizers, and AC charger from electronic-ash.com, a supplier I found on this site). I've also bought additional cartomizers from Vapor4Life and they work great on my starter kit batteries.

 

[DonDaBoomVape]

Brachinus - Excellent advice about buying plenty of carts! I also suggest that one should get at least 2 atomizers (not applicable for a KR808D-1, of course). Most 510 kits include 2 attys; most others don't - not sure why.

arkangel - Thanks for pointing us to electronic-ash.com. Their pricing is strange: very good price for the KR808D-1 starter kit; not very good prices for replacement parts.

 

[TYBOH]

I started 2 weeks ago and have been off analogs since last friday......I smoked for 32 years at 2 packs a day I went with the Vapor King for the ease of use and all the great reviews All the rest had similar reviews but I didnt want to mess with the dripping and and things that went with the 501

The Vapor King has by far exceeded my expectations and I have done very well with it ...Before I ordered I sent Steve a e-mail at Vapor4 Life and told him my smoking background He advised me on what to order ...When I recieved my order I was stunned at all the extras that he threw in ... Steve went way beyond what I expected in customer service ...I am looking forward to my next order just to see what kind of surprises are in there Good Luck with what ever model you choose

Tom

 

[afihigh019]

love my 510

 

[144man]

I went with a 510 and I'm very happy with it. But I got a VaporKing for my wife, due to its comparative ease of use. She's pleased with it. And as mentioned, cutomer service from Vapor4Life is wothy of the praise it receives here.

 

[m1273c]

Hello all - thank you SO much for all the info and advice. Even though some have stated that they wished they would have started with a mod - or that you eventually "graduated" to a mod.... I didn't choose the (lol) easy way - I ordered a cartomizer unit. I got a kit - came with what I think is all the accessories I'll need, added to that extra carts, and a small bottle of liquid. I haven't received it yet and can't wait till it arrives - I mean I'll have to - but anxious. Don: you're Illustrated Guide is now making the rounds of my local smoke shop in analog form (printed out) - hope you don't mind. Many of the people there are older and don't have computers. btw: I hadn't found your guide before original post so hadn't read "practically everything." My bad. It helped me (and my boyfriend who wanted to know what the heck I was spending so much time on the computer about - I'm usually a reader not a 'puter). Anyway, thanks again for all you beautifully helpful and generous (with your wisdom/time) people. Vape on America!

 

[m1273c]

TYBOH: how did you get Steve's email address?
All: I am a pack to 2 pack a day smoker. I will be getting 20 carts of (5 of 11mg), (10 of 18mg), & (5 of 24mg) strengths. Also, getting a small bottle of 18mg strenght liquid. Does this sound like enough to last for a while? If so - about how long do you guys think, don't want to run out? tanks!

 

[arkangel]

TYBOH: how did you get Steve's email address?
All: I am a pack to 2 pack a day smoker. I will be getting 20 carts of (5 of 11mg), (10 of 18mg), & (5 of 24mg) strengths. Also, getting a small bottle of 18mg strenght liquid. Does this sound like enough to last for a while? If so - about how long do you guys think, don't want to run out? tanks!

Couple of ways to reach Vapor4Life: their web site > Contact Us or customer_service@vapor4life.com

I don't know if this is a direct line to Steve, but he's the one who's answered every time I've used it!

 

[DonDaBoomVape]

Hello all - thank you SO much for all the info and advice. Even though some have stated that they wished they would have started with a mod - or that you eventually "graduated" to a mod.... I didn't choose the (lol) easy way - I ordered a cartomizer unit. I got a kit - came with what I think is all the accessories I'll need, added to that extra carts, and a small bottle of liquid. I haven't received it yet and can't wait till it arrives - I mean I'll have to - but anxious. Don: you're Illustrated Guide is now making the rounds of my local smoke shop in analog form (printed out) - hope you don't mind. Many of the people there are older and don't have computers. btw: I hadn't found your guide before original post so hadn't read "practically everything." My bad. It helped me (and my boyfriend who wanted to know what the heck I was spending so much time on the computer about - I'm usually a reader not a 'puter). Anyway, thanks again for all you beautifully helpful and generous (with your wisdom/time) people. Vape on America!

[Bold highlighting of above text is mine.] I do not mind; that's what it's for. In fact, I'm flattered.

Hope you provided attribution (not to my silly screen name, but to ECF: the source of most of what's contained therein).

 

[m1273c]

Couple of ways to reach Vapor4Life: their web site > Contact Us or customer_service@vapor4life.com

---Thanks and booya! to arkangel

"Hope you provided attribution (not to my silly screen name, but to ECF: the source of most of what's contained therein)."

--- the link to the website and it's name are prominantly displayed on the 1st page...had to modify a bit for manual/paper form (not information contained within just format). I'm sure some of the people have computers too, though. The ones that I talked to appreciated your humble/humorous (meaning not fanatical nor sanctimonious) tone, as did I.