Hi all! Another totally overwhelmed new member's first post.

[DocNukem]

I started using e-cigs 5 days ago (2-3 pack a day smoker since 1966). I'm switching between Cig2O's, blu's, Choice 7's disposables and Marlboro's.
At first I thought that e-cigarettes were just a cigarette substitute - a sort of imitation cigarette. Then I started reading about them on various web sites and in this forum. Now I'm bewildered by the endless array of vaping equipment.
Are these sophisicated devices really a big improvement over the "standard" e-cigs I'm using? What's a "throat hit"? Are bottled e-juices better than pre-filled cartomizers?
I'm still going back and forth between tobacco cigs and e-cigs to satisfy my nicotine needs. The Cig2O's are supposed to have 24 mg/ml nicotine ("high"). Can I get pre-filled cartomizers or e-juices with more nicotine?
I can certainly see the many benefits of vaping over smoking tobacco cigarettes. So far it hasn't been an entirely satisfactory experience for me, though.
To the dismay of the anti-smoking crowd, I don't have any health issues to report (smoking related or otherwise). Even so, I figure I've pushed my luck far enough for one lifetime. For this reason and out of common courtesy for my fellow man (and women) it's time I cleaned up my act. However, from hard experience I know I'm not going to quit "smoking". E-cigs (or vaping) is my last best hope.
Any advice you may have for this newbie would be warmly appreciated.


Doc

 

[brooke2775]

congratulations on moving to e-cigs. I still smoke the stinkies myself, but Have only been smoking 5 sticks compared to the 2+ packs a day for 30 years, its quite an accomplishment. IMHO, there are much better devices than what you are using. I have an eGo C, and I love it. Throat hit is the feeling you get like when your smoking a cigarette only better. Its the feeling in the back of the throat. I've heard Provari is about the best you can get, but i cant afford one of those. Check out the forum suppliers section on here. Cignot is my favorite.

 

[theCP]

Congrats on choosing to make a healthier life for yourself!

I was a half-pack/day smoker myself, for only 6 years. I chose to give up cigarettes with encouragement from my girlfriend, whose father passed away 4 years ago from smoking-related causes.

I too was overwhelmed at first. I switched back and forth from cigs to e-cigs for a while until I was able to learn a bit more. These forums were a great help, but I also dabbled in some trial-and-error. The vendor section and the reviews contained therein will be a great help. My personal favorite vendor (for hardware, at least) is smokelessimage.com.

 

[Sikko]

I've never used a disposable myself. That being said the only one that I have seen on the forums that gets much good press is the NJOY king. I believe it's like 45 or 47 mg/ml so yeah it's pretty strong.

I would suggest you look toward getting a rechargable kit, you will save a lot in the long run. What factors are important to you size wise? Battery capacity wise? Juice capacity wise?

There are literally a TON of different kits available. Give us some information to go on and we can help steer you in the right direction.

Welcome to the forum!

 

[nyplayful1]

Hey Doc

First I want to say that I hear your anxiety and extend a congrats on stepping (how ever slowly) away from the real cigs.

I smoked a pack a day (minor leagues compared to others) and started using blu's at first - like Brooke I found myself decreasing the "analogs" (real cigs) down to about half. But I felt a loosing battle with using the blu's in they always lost their charge quick, ans was not compatible with other pre-filled cartridges that are out there.

I wanted success not another battle 0 nicotine is a monster for me to let go of. So I switched to the V2's, they seemed better than the blu's, but still an issue of sorts. And the $$ for the pre-filleds was racking up --

Then I found this forum (so you are already ahead of the game than I was) and that helped change a lot. I find the people here pretty awesome.

There is a lot of info scattered throughout this board, and I found myself pretty overwhelmed by it all.

There are so many, many options out there. Some of it will be trial and error, but I hope you stay in the game.

I settled on an evic with an Ibtanked tank and cartomizer set up for my home use, and have just purchased a bunch of blank carts for my V2 when I am out and about (until the Billet Box becomes available in april). The evic doesn't travel well for me.

I started with 18mg of nic, and thought that wasn't enough, so when i started buying ejuice first from RAWR I moved up to 24mg and found that to be way too much for me.

There are a few places that I have read about that will do higher than 24mg (I think it's 36?) but not too many and you might find that the 36 is really too high for you as well.

With my set up, I have been completely off real cigs for almost 4 months.

Good luck. Always reach out to the board. people here really do want to help.

 

[AdamJ]

Welcome!!
I was in your position not long ago. It can be overwhelming to get started.

Couple quick answers. TH or throat hit is the feeling in the back of your throat you get while vaping that resembles that of smoking tobacco cigs. I would get bottles of ejuice rather than anything pre filled because it will be needed for any non-starter level equipment. If you have smoked as heavily as you say, I would start with 24mg juice.

Now for a quick reccomendation. I would invest in an ego tank starter kit. They are in stock and well priced from cignot.com.

Good luck!!

 

[DocNukem]

Thanks for the quick replies. So far I've been carrying a couple of e-cigs in my shirt pocket. I use them in much the same way that I smoke. I'm not real keen on fooling around with gadgets, but I saw a video on the eGo Clearomizer and it seemed pretty straight-forward. Would a device like the Clearomizer fit in a shirt pocket. I would also probably carry a charged-up backup.
Does an atomizer/e-juice combination like this offer an significantly improved experience over pre-filled cartomizers?
Doc

 

[Mudfinger]

I was a pack-a-day+ smoker for over 20 years, plus cigars for the past decade or so. Blu disposables convinced me to invest, so I got an eGo starter kit from Envy, and once I worked through the startup issues, I prefer it to tobacco.

I'm currently using an eGo 650mah battery (got two of these with my starter kit), and a Kanger T3 clearomizer. The rig is about the size of a robusto (slightly longer, slightly smaller diameter), and lasts me all day. I would suggest 24mg nicotine juice to keep up with your usual habit.

EDIT: I carry my eGo in a waistcoat pocket, about the same size as a dress shirt breast pocket, so you're good to go there. Never tried the pre-filled cartomizers with my eGo, it came with two CE4 clearomizers, which were easy to deal with, if not ultimately perfect for my situation.

 

[Sikko]

There are a number of different clearomizers you could use with your ego. I would take a look at the Kanger T3 or EVOD, the Vivi Novas probably a mini would suit the ego best. I prefer the kangers but have used the Vivi's quite a lot as well.

 

[AdamJ]

I would also reccomend the Kanger T3 with the ego. The nice thing about it vs other tanks is that it mounts flush to the ego battery and is the same diameter so it's the same diameter. Less to get get snagged and stuff.

 

[Ralf B.]

Congrats Doc, I smoked cigarettes for over 30 years and stopped with it and started vaping the same day. I didn't touched a pyro since this day for now over one year and also started with 18 mg nic.

 

[DemonCow]

I've tried njoy disposables and blu disposables over a year ago and also the blu premium starter kit. I didn't like any of those very much and went back to smoking. Not too long ago I tried an ego or something similar (with a fruity flavor! didn't even know there were cool flavors back then) and I loved it so I bought a provari (cuz I figure I go all out I had spare money, yay overtime) and been smoke free over a month.

The disposables / blu kit turned me off from vaping way back then. The prefilled ecigs just aren't very tasty in my experience and I didn't like how hard I had to suck on the blu (can't even remmber the draw on the njoy). I'm sure others find the taste and draw fine but for me, no. Also those things keep firing for like a full second or more after you stop sucking so not to keen on that either.

EDIT: Yay 20 posts! Time to get verified!

 

[DocNukem]

Thanks for the responses. I'm getting a crash course on vaping and, boy, has it been an eye-opener!
The input I've received and the internet research I've been doing has convinced me that my best course of action would be to transition away from "traditional" e-cigarettes and move towards the more sophisticated vaping devices and liquids that are now available.
Thanks again for all your comments
Doc.

 

[yherwees]

id go for something better. I forced my friend to go all in on a 100 dollar mod + accessories, and i think being more heavily invested in it helped him increase his determination. Also better mods can help you find a better, more satisfiying vape. thats just my opinion though, others would argue the opposite (go small then work your way up)

 

[indianajames]

Thanks for the responses. I'm getting a crash course on vaping and, boy, has it been an eye-opener!
The input I've received and the internet research I've been doing has convinced me that my best course of action would be to transition away from "traditional" e-cigarettes and move towards the more sophisticated vaping devices and liquids that are now available.
Thanks again for all your comments
Doc.

Yeah, there is a lot of info to digest, that's for sure. I think you're making a wise move to go into something a bit less "traditional". As mentioned previously, and eGo set-up is a good place to start, especially considering its modest pricing and versatility.

Congrats on moving to make the switch. You won't regret it. I did it the same way you have been, transitioning from analogs to vaping instead of all-at-once. That makes it easier for some of us. By the time I'd finally ran out of cigarettes I was bored with them and only wanted to vape. Good move on numerous levels.

Also, welcome to ECF! You'll learn more than you imagined and the people here are awesome.

 

[Mariss716]

Yes there have been a few generations of ecigs since the cig look a likes came out. The new technology is magnitudes better than what you have been using. When I say magnitudes, I mean in order of battery life - you can get several hours if not all day out of some of the larger ecigs and mods now, instead of a couple hours at BEST out of a little cig look a like. And the power output on these things is no comparison. That results in MUCH larger clouds of vapor, and more efficient conversion of the ejuice into flavor you can taste, and nicotine you can feel (throat hit).

And freshly filled ejuice (of YOUR choosing!) in a clearomizer is so much better than a pre-filled carto. You're going to get way less dry hits (that yucky, burnt taste).

 

[Skeeps72]

Not sure where your located at in Cincinnati but their is a store near Dayton called Vaporcast. People that work there are great help for a person just getting started and they have what you would need to get started. The store is south of Dayton off of 675..