Here I go! Need some equip help/advice please.

[Ready2Stop]

Hello all. I've browsed the heck out of this forum over the last few days as I am ready to jump into vaping.

Here's my short story;
Heavy smoker for about 10 years now, 42 yrs old. Smoked for a few years in my early twenties and quit cold turkey, never looked back. Years later I would have a cig at a party that became my current downfall.

So, about 12* months ago I listened a few folks here and there tell me how their gas station e-cigs had them quitting analogs for anywhere from weeks to years. Okay, I bought one. I'm sure it was the bottom of the line, but it was there in front of me, and I had good intentions. I believe it was a "21st Century" disposable. Well hell if that thing didn't work. I started using it and I went from +-2 packs per day to NONE. Tasted like hell, but I wanted to quit analogs and it was giving me my nic-fix, so it worked I guess. The problem came a few days later when I had a rash all over my hands. My guess, allergic to PG. I stopped the e-Cig immediately and went back to my analogs (not like I wasn't missing them a bit by then anyway).

Now here I am, almost a year later, wanting to make a real go of it this time as opposed to an uneducated impulse. After researching as much as I could before my brain explodes (there is just wayyy too much to all this for a newb), and asking my self what I wanted from my equipment, I came up with this. Hopefully you knowledgeable folks can steer my in the right direction.

Looking for a 'cig-alike'. Really needs to appear like a cig for multiple reasons.
Has to use VG.
Possible strength choices as well.
Would prefer choice of flavors (nothing crazy, but if tobacco flavs don't work, I'd like to try coffee or something).
After that, the sky is the limit with batteries, chargers, and all the other crazy stuff I don't know about yet. What else would I care about after finding the piece detailed above?

Thank you all in advance, I'm not the type that reaches out much.

 

[DHumberson]

I started vaping about a year ago and once I found ECF my brain exploded with all the mods ect. I started on an ego t from thevaporroom.net Its not entirely cig-alike but it worked for me. Several flavors and decent customer service.

Joye eGo Kit in'a Case

Thats the link to the kit I started on. Hope this helps ya

 

[*deleon517*]

i applaud you for making a second go at it. but to be honest with you as a former heavy smoker(2pad) those cig like batteries are a waste and will cause more fustration and headaches. l88b's(closest to cig like) die after 30 minutes or so of usage, and 510(more like a 100 cig) usually last just under a hour of usage.

what i always recommend to a heavy smoker is an ego type battery at least 650mah( every 100mah is said to be about an hour of battery life, but it will still vary based on vaping style). as far as pure vg compatibility i usually recommend dripping as wicking can be rough on carto's and clearo's but can still be done. sadly most 100%vg user wont be able to use a bulk of the tank systems out there with out some modification to them.

now flavor choices and strengths will vary based on a vendor you select, not sure which is gonna be the best for 100%vg as i use a 80%pg/20vg juice and 90% of what i vape is mixed myself

 

[Huffelpuff]

There will be a lot of advice here but want to recommend that you look into using cartomizers (=atomizer + cartridge in one) that you can refill with your own juice. Buy some 100%VG juices in different strengths and flavors so that you can see what will work best. The ecigs that come with prefilled cartriges are pricy and leave you with fewer options. I will also suggest that you look for an ecig with a 510 connection, as you progress in your vaping you'll find that the 510 is versatile, and will leave you able to buy atomizers/cartomizers from pretty much any vendor. For vendors, look at the ECF Approved Vendor list - they have pretty strict guidelines for products and customer service so will keep you out of the hands of the hack vendor suppliers out there.

Congrats on your decision to quit. If you really want it - you can do it!! Just jump in - you'll find your way in no time.

 

[18SixFifty]

If it's an absolute must then I have heard good things about the volt. Personally I would go with something bigger.

 

[Baditude]

Well, I'd like to know why the device needs to look like a cigarette.

Many of us who began vaping thought exactly like you. I admit that I did, too. It only took me a couple of weeks to grow real tired of changing out batteries every 2-3 hours, or carrying enough batteries to last my day. Just know this going in, the more a device looks like a cigarette, the worse that it will perform.

I can sort of understand the ease of carrying the smaller format device, such as carrying a few in a shirt pocket or purse. However, most of us who stick it out with this vaping long enough eventually move on to better devices that provide longer battery life and are able to carry larger amounts of juice.

Most new vapors are fearful that people will stare or point at them if they are seen vaping any device larger than a cigarette in public. Please, nothing could be further from the truth. People are just too busy with whatever they are doing to pay attention to what you are holding in your hand and blowing "smoke" from your mouth. I vape everywhere I go. Supermarket, the mall, concerts, festivals, sporting events. Never had an issue, and most people don't even take notice. It's all in your mind that people will think you are smoking drugs.

Just bringing this up to save you from dropping a load of money on a cigalike starter kit that you will outgrow within a month.

 

[player30]

I quit easily with a cig alike. I believe mental desire is much more important than the size of the battery. My suggestion is a Halo G-6

G6 Basic Starter Kit - G6 E-Cig.

They have prefilled cartos. Get some of those and try a couple of different samples of juices.

Best wishes!!

 

[greyv]

ten characters

 

[Baditude]

If you must have a cigalike, about the best one to get is the Volt from Smokeless Image. They are who I started with. http://smokelessimage.com/

View attachment 135698

They sell both pre-filled cartomizers and blanks to fill from bottled juice (a far cheaper way to go). However, their juice is a pg/vg mix. In fact, you likely will need to get your juice from independent juice vendors to get all-vg. I'm not aware of any kit vendors that sell pre-filled all-vg juices, so you will likely need to learn how to fill a blank cartomizer from a juice bottle.

All the equipment that they sell from a full line of vaping devices are compatible with each other, great customer service, fast delivery, and a vendor sub-forum here on ECF where you can ask questions from other Smokeless Image customers. http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/smokeless-image/

100% VG JUICE SUPPLIERS:

Once you get your device, there are several juice suppliers that sell 100% vg juice, or provide the option to order 100% vg.

Virgin Vapors sells mostly all-organic flavors, most in 100% vg. Most popular juice is probably the Organic Kona Velvet Milkshake, a complex coffee flavor.
Virgin Vapor | Electronic Cigarette Organic e-Liquid | Electronic Cigarettes

VapeRite http://www.vaperite.com/vr-vape-juice offers organic and all-vg options with their juices. I love their Organic Kona Cream and Double Espresso (both coffee flavors).

Copper Creek sells popular juices available in 100% vg. Popular flavors are House Blend (cookie or cake batter), Voo's Brew (tobacco flavor with tones of cream and caramel, and an apple cider. The make one of the best plain black coffee flavors, too. Welcome to Copper Creek - Online Store

Alien Vision E-liquids is famous for their Boba's Bounty, a tobacco flavor VG Liquids

I'm certain that there are others. Go to You Tube and find a video on how to fill a cartomizer, and then order a couple of packs of blank cartomizers or clearomizers that will fit your devices' threading (510, ego, 8008).

 

[*deleon517*]

I quit easily with a cig alike. I believe mental desire is much more important than the size of the battery. My suggestion is a Halo G-6

G6 Basic Starter Kit - G6 E-Cig.

They have prefilled cartos. Get some of those and try a couple of different samples of juices.

Best wishes!!

I too quit using a mini style batt setup but it was annoying as hell, but 2 years ago before the ego and everything else there really wasnt a option. so i pressed on vaping and angry, my cousin made his switch and followed suit, now we both have used mini's, 510's, and found our comfort zone with the ego type batteries. but im a tech geek dressed as a normal person and quickly went to the mod's and diy, he just started getting into mods last month and still wont try diy.

so i know everyone has there own pace and their own comfort level, but honestly a heavy smoker can only be wowed by the performance of a cig like battery set up for so long. However i will admit i was drawn to them cause they are concealable, and i was shy about vaping at first. never did i think i would be using a big style pv, or even openly vape everywhere i could. but the taught process of how to vape is ever changing, and i seem to keep pace pretty well.

 

[kuklaki]

I am very new as well, so am *NOT* the best resource for what to purchase. for what you are describing you could get a 510, I believe...and I am sure someone will correct me pretty darn quick if I am wrong....here is a link to one, see if this is what you are trying to describe: Joye 510 Kit in'a Case

You say you are a heavy smoker. The reason most people here are trying to steer you towards at least an e-go is the battery life...if you are sucking out your battery after only a short time, you will be more likely to revert back to analogs and that defeats your goal.

If you are absolutely set on getting one that looks more cigarette like then I guess the best thing to do is provide you with some examples of what you are wanting to at least get you off those darn analogs. I hope you will want to reconsider one of the recommended models later if what you get is not cutting it for you.

I'm sure you can get 100% VG at many vendors but here is a vendor who sells it that I have seen many people here recommend
Custom E-Liquids : Heathers Heavenly Vapes, Top Quality Custom E-Liquids

Best of luck to you, and sorry in advance for my own lack of knowledge.

 

[Ready2Stop]

Wow! You guys are fast. Thank you.

As long as I can carry an extra batt or two, I am unconcerned with batt life. That said, I haven't charged that cheapo gas station one in at least 4 months, and I just got a few pulls off it today before reconfirming that the carto tasted as bad as I remembered.

I will definitely look into the Halo and Volt. Again, CigAlike is important. Do they make a 510 CigAlike?

Two quick points about me:
I am an obsessive 'mod'er'. Any and all of my other hobbies have turned into addictions or obsessions. I DO NOT want this to happen with my eCigs.
Also, I do not believe I will be hotboxing this thing enough to drain batts within an hour or two. I only ever hit the cheapo one once every half hour or so. I've seen youtube vids of folks just huffing away on these things. I will NEVER do that. Aside from that, I live near lots of electrical outlets It is my intention to simply use the eCig as a means of quitting. Saving my lungs is step one, kicking the nic is next. Hopefully, it is a short bridge...

Thank you all very much for the feedback, and keep 'em coming.

Again, looking for CigAlike with VG choices ( i think ).

 

[sgenn99]

I wanted a cig style one when I got started, but a buddy of mine (thbanks, Mitch!) passed me an ego c with a stardust clearomizer. A bit bigger, but the cool gadget factor mad me say "screw it", and I got myself one. You can get a kit, but I don't think you'll save too much if you just buy the parts individually. Go to altsmoke.com and order a couple of ego-c small bats (or any reputable vendor), a few clearomizers (I like the t2 models), a charger and some liquid that sounds good (trial and error-taste is so subjective), and you're good to go. You won't even think about the size difference after a few days.
Or if you're hell bent on cig size, try the Blu disposable, which you can get at Walgreen's. I hit those things hard before I got my ego. They get expensive-they go for about 10 bucks a pop and one lasts about as long as a pack or so. They aren't bad. They sell kits, too. But they aren't as versatile as an ego or other "next step from disposable" type e-cig.
Good luck.

 

[Baditude]

I will definitely look into the Halo and Volt. Again, CigAlike is important. Do they make a 510 CigAlike?

Smokeless Image has a 65mm battery just a little longer than a analog 100, although you'll really want to get the 78mm for more battery time.

Two quick points about me:
I am an obsessive 'mod'er'. Any and all of my other hobbies have turned into addictions or obsessions. I DO NOT want this to happen with my eCigs.

Good luck with this one. Well, I guess that could happen...

Also, I do not believe I will be hotboxing this thing enough to drain batts within an hour or two. I only ever hit the cheapo one once every half hour or so. I've seen youtube vids of folks just huffing away on these things. I will NEVER do that. Aside from that, I live near lots of electrical outlets It is my intention to simply use the eCig as a means of quitting. Saving my lungs is step one, kicking the nic is next. Hopefully, it is a short bridge...

Thank you all very much for the feedback, and keep 'em coming.

Again, looking for CigAlike with VG choices ( i think ).

Good luck. This can happen. This place is a wealth of information and support.

 

[r77r7r]

Did you know that there is a suppliers tab up top there^^^, and you can shop at your convenience.

 

[gentlemancole]

If you must have a cigalike, about the best one to get is the Volt from Smokeless Image. They are who I started with. Smokeless Image | Only The Best Electronic Cigarette | Electronic Cigarettes | Wholesale Electronic Cigarettes | E-Cigarette | Best Electronic Cigarette | Electronic Cigarette

View attachment 135698

They sell both pre-filled cartomizers and blanks to fill from bottled juice (a far cheaper way to go). However, their juice is a pg/vg mix. In fact, you likely will need to get your juice from independent juice vendors to get all-vg. I'm not aware of any kit vendors that sell pre-filled all-vg juices, so you will likely need to learn how to fill a blank cartomizer from a juice bottle.

All the equipment that they sell from a full line of vaping devices are compatible with each other, great customer service, fast delivery, and a vendor sub-forum here on ECF where you can ask questions from other Smokeless Image customers. Smokeless Image

100% VG JUICE SUPPLIERS:

Once you get your device, there are several juice suppliers that sell 100% vg juice, or provide the option to order 100% vg.

Virgin Vapors sells mostly all-organic flavors, most in 100% vg. Most popular juice is probably the Organic Kona Velvet Milkshake, a complex coffee flavor.
Virgin Vapor | Electronic Cigarette Organic e-Liquid | Electronic Cigarettes

VapeRite VR Vape Juice | Vaperite E-Juices | Vaperite.com offers organic and all-vg options with their juices. I love their Organic Kona Cream and Double Espresso (both coffee flavors).

Copper Creek sells popular juices available in 100% vg. Popular flavors are House Blend (cookie or cake batter), Voo's Brew (tobacco flavor with tones of cream and caramel, and an apple cider. The make one of the best plain black coffee flavors, too. Welcome to Copper Creek - Online Store

Alien Vision E-liquids is famous for their Boba's Bounty, a tobacco flavor VG Liquids

I'm certain that there are others. Go to You Tube and find a video on how to fill a cartomizer, and then order a couple of packs of blank cartomizers or clearomizers that will fit your devices' threading (510, ego, 8008).

I gotta second the Volt and Virgin Vapors recommendation. I'm using the 1300mAh Volt X2 at home and the 650mAh X2 at work. It's durable and the battery power is great, which more than makes up for the size. Get some clearomizers and some good liquid (Virgin Vapors Snake Bite is one of my faves), and you'll be in serious business!

 

[iquittedithink]

I gotta add my 2 cents in here, as I am in pretty much the same situation: Smoked several years, quit about 12 years ago, then made the STUPID mistake of having a cigarette while out drinking w/new friends who smoke...& after a few times, bought my own pack (as I didn't want to keep "mooching" off friends every weekend)....and pretty soon I found I'd become a daily smoker again : /. I tried a disposable ecig (Blu, then 21st Century, which was much better than the Blu, IMO), liked it enough to not crave analogs much at all, so I decided to look into getting a kit w/a charger...Then came here looking for info...and was basically overwhelmed with all the advice/options/models/etc(!). (I'm terrible with making decisions in the first place, so I spent hours and hours reading the boards here, paralyzed by all the different stuff and differing advice/opinions.) I FINALLY decided on the VOLT (though the Halo g6 was a close second- it was almost a coin-toss, really).
Just about everyone who's been vaping more than a few weeks will tell you that a cig look-alike is a really lame choice, that you'll eventually want to move to something bigger/better, etc.-but I can totally relate to wanting something closer in size to a cigarette -NOT because I want to look like I'm smoking analogs, though (as evidenced by the bright blue & green batteries I chose w/my kit, lol). I want something small, simply because I know I would feel very self-conscious taking out & using a larger model out in public. Some people are able to get around that, but much as I'd like to be, I am not one of them. So I knew if I ended up with a model I wasn't 100% comfortable with taking somewhere, I wouldn't end up using it much (except at home)-Then I'd be back to buying analogs! So, as others have said, I highly recommend the VOLT (The model size is KR808d-1, fyi). Their Mint flavor is really good- a lot of people here really like their RY4, too.
The Pro starter kit comes with a portable charger- you'll definitely want that. I'd also add 2 extra batteries, so you'll always have a couple of spares ready to go.. The batteries last much longer than I'd expected, btw. Smoker's Image customer service is awesome (which is why I decided to go with them vs. Halo, based on posts in the forums here)!
Anyway, good luck! & try not to get too caught up in the details (easier to say then to do, I'm afraid, lol). ; )

 

[klynnn]

Everyone wants a cig alike to begin with. Usually within a month they are back and ready for an upgrade. Charging batts all day every couple hours is a pita whether with a pcc or reg charger. The ego size really is not that much bigger than a sharpie marker. If you do go with the cig alike get several chargers. As a heavy smoker I used to have several different chargers because batt life is pretty bad. I finally went with a kgo and now the twist and I worry about a charge once a day if that.

 

[sgenn99]

It's actually not a bad idea to have something like a Volt for those times you want to vape without calling too much attention to yourself. Normally, I'm more than happy to pull out my rig and answer the inevitable questions and demonstrate it, sharing the discovery and whatnot. But there are times when your fiending, and you don't want to call attention to yourself. For those times alone, it's worth having something like that handy. I went to a funeral last weekend, and it sure might have been better to have a little Njoy or Blu in my pocket instead of my Ego Twist. I don't usually care about people looking twice and asking about my gear, but the time and place was not right to extol the virtues of vaping. True, they aren't the greatest performers on the market, but the form factor is perfect for a smoker making the transition, and it also comers in handy for situations where you find yourself in a mood to just blend in and have a nicotine moment.

 

[MrGypsy]

I started out with v4l cig but the vape production was too weak for me i was back on analogs in less then a month. I tried the ego-C and the vapor production was great. Ever since its been nothing but e-cig for me. the good thing about the ego-c is it has a tank so you can refill easily or buy a drip tip and drip.

As far as flavors and having it be VG id go with Lots Of Vapor they let you go up to 95% VG i think. They have a lot of flavors specially tobacco and coffee. They usually have a sale going on check the site.