Hi i totally new to this...yikes

[bananaping]

Hiya everyone, this is totally new to me and I find myself being a bit overwhelmed with all the info thats available. I'm hoping that some of the more experienced vapor users can guide myself and my wife a little sthat we can make a good choice thats also affordable for us. Heres a bit of background on what we smoke and how much it costs us every month.
we roll our own cigarettes using a tobacco called drum, I buy one pouch between the two of us every three days, including cigarette papers it ends up costing around $135.00 per month for us both to smoke. I don't count how many we smoke each day but its somewhere between 10 - 15 each per day. Sometimes we'll buy regular smokes and she like malboro menthol and i prefer parlaments or pretty much anything with a virginia blend. We're not looking for an extensive setup at the moment, just something satisfying, easy to use, similar looking to regular cigarettes ( although i would like the blue led at the end) and costing the same or less as what we are currently paying. Sorry if this is a bit too specific or unrealistic but i have no clue as to where to start as there are so many options. Thanks in advance to all who help

 

[JudeD]

Hi! I'm new to this, too (started vaping two and a half weeks ago and haven't had an analog in two weeks), so I can't advise you on which setup to buy, but I wanted to say welcome and tell you not to panic. It's all very overwhelming, but if you just get started with what you need, you can do more research and learn more about it every day. That's what I'm doing. Even though I am happily vaping full-time, I come here every day to read a little more, ask a few more questions, watch a couple more video tutorials, and it's all starting to make sense.

Good luck to you and your wife and I hope you'll enjoy vaping as much as I am.

 

[bodrell]

Welcome fellow RYO'er! I've been doing Golden Virginia/Drum/Jester/Bali Shag for 37 years, about 50 smokes per day. ie, about one pouch per day just for me. Which lately has translated to about $8.00 per day.

So....welcome to the forum and spend a couple of days reading here (check the stickies), watching e-cig-related videos (on YouTube), and generally getting a sense of what various terms mean. Otherwise peoples' recommendations will just be baffling. You really do need to put in a bit of leg-work to get up to speed.

Most e-cigs that look like "real" cigarettes have lousy battery life, poor vapor/taste production, and many require you to purchase dedicated, expensive atomizers/cartridges....making them both expensive in the long run, and not very satisfying.

I'm not that experienced in terms of trying different kits and mods. What I did:
Tried some disposable e-cigs. OK for an hour or so, but yuck and not nearly enough to get me to cut down significantly. Also expensive, even though "$6.99 equals 500 puffs" or whatever sort of sounds like a good deal. But it's not.
Started doing tome serious reading and asking questions here.
Settled on a KGO kit - which has TWO batteries (each lasting a day or more, roughly) and everything one needs to vape right out of the box. A little over $40.00.
Bought some extra cartomizers for $7.50.
Bought a small "starter" collection of different types of juices. I chose 24 mg strength juice; choices range from 0 mg to a little over 30mg. My entire first order, shipping included, came to about $80.00.

The first week I had it, it took me a whole week, instead of one day, to go through a pouch of Bali Shag. I simply didn't want to smoke that much; vaping was so much tastier. You can do the math.

It's been about 9-10 weeks now. I've since gone a bit nuts and bought a second KGO kit in a different color, and a neighbor chipped in so he has his own battery, charger and cartos. Also have spent <cough> about $300 on juice...because there are SO MANY tasty-looking juices out there! And, I wanted to figure out what worked for me. I have found I like some tobacco/complex flavors, coffee flavor, and bakery-candy flavors. I do not like drink, minty, or anything with even a hint of menthol. For me, I had to try all categories to get a sense of what tasted good; so initial cost is higher. And anyway, what I don't care for my neighbor buys off me.

So in less that three months, I have spent just shy of $400.00. Minus about $50 my neighbor chipped in - so really, $350.00. I have two kits, a drawer full of juices and a bunch of extra cartomizers in different types. And, my next orders will be for things and juices I've decided I really like and will use. Basically, I have spent just a little bit more than I would have smoking - but my morning cough is gone, I've replaced stinky cigarettes with really tasty juices, my sense of smell is back, I'm having a lot of fun trying flavours...oh and if you RYO, faffing about with dripping and playing with flavors replaces some of that "hands-on" aspect that tailor-made smoking folks miss out on.

Edit: Holy cow, I wrote an essay!

 

[trepalium]

My advice is not to get roped into an expensive e-cig kit. Blu, V2, GreenSmoke, etc.

Starting out on a cigarette like device is usually a good first step. I would suggest looking into Bloog or volts.

Bloog starter kits (starts at $39.99)
http://bloogplanet.com/starter-kits.html

Volt starter kits (starts at $29.99)
http://smokelessimage.com/starter-kits.html

These two brands are typically accepted as two of the better products when it comes to cigarette styles for beginners.

If you like things, you will probably move on to larger batteries, DIY juice, filling your own cartos, etc.

Again my only suggestion is not to spend a fortune the first time out. Don't consider the generic disposables you find in gas stations as these are almost always typically poor quality.

If you want an opinion on a device before ordering or have more questions, do not hesitate to ask everyone here on ECF. All of us have made the journey and a lot of us started out on those types of devices.

You can also check out reviews.

Welcome to ECF!

 

[classwife]

Welcome !

Click on the ECF InfoZone link in my sig.

Go to the Best E-Cigarette for a New User and Beginners E-Cig Tutorial...there is fantastic starting info that will really help you become familiar with e-cigs.

 

[Tezcatlipoca]

Personally, I use a Joye eGo-C, but it's probably a bigger device that what you're looking for. I would consider a Joye 510 or 510-T kit (the 510-T would be my personal preference because I prefer tanks over cartos for ease of use) from Cignot. Their products and service are top-knotch. Good luck making the transition!

 

[ctourtelot]

I second the Smokeless Image Volt


btw... Hi and welcome to the forum!!

 

[JudeD]

Personally, I use a Joye eGo-C, but it's probably a bigger device that what you're looking for. I would consider a Joye 510 or 510-T kit (the 510-T would be my personal preference because I prefer tanks over cartos for ease of use) from Cignot. Their products and service are top-knotch. Good luck making the transition!

I have an eGo-C and I love it, but I also have a 510-T, which is very much the size of an analog, and I like that, too, for those times when I need something that feels like an analog in my hand, usually while writing. The 510-T now comes with a 340mah manual battery. If the OP wants to start with something that resembles an analog, I would also recommend the 510-T. Reasonable price, decent vapor, and not a bad place to start.

 

[nansc]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

 

[bananaping]

Thanks to everyone advice... I am thinking i may get the volt to start with then maybe move onto the e power if the volt is'nt economical enough for us, it looks a bit big but i like the idea of cheap replacable batteries also the seem like they give a good hit to the throat which is sonething i enjoy with analogs. So i think i'll order the volt starter pack and extra batteries and carts. I have one more question, how longdoes a volt battery ladt before i need to buy a new one to replace it? thanks again

 

[kookycole]

They are supposed to last about a year, and I think they come with a 3 month warranty (also a 30 day satisfaction guarantee on the starter kits). Although the automatic ones are sealed, juice could still get in them and ruin the battery life, so you might want to go with the manuals for longer life. Don't forget to use a coupon code, I think the 16% off voltsave is the best one right now.

 

[priorities]

Good luck to you and Congrats for the 'switch'! It take a bit of time..but you'll find that 'right ' one and be very happy..the both of you...* Take good care and take advantage of all the great info and people on ECF!

 

[bananaping]

Wow thanks for all the great info and help. Im gonnna take the plunge and order later today

 

[kia2]

Welcome, bananaping!

The Volt automatic batteries are sealed, Smokeless Image was the first to come out with sealed automatic batteries, I believe. Mine work well enough.

I recommend getting the standard kit to start, for about $45. This gives you two batteries, one to vape while the other charges. I actually recommend adding a third battery as the "just in case" backup.

For me, it typically takes about 2 hours of steady vaping to run one of my 65mm batteries down, a little be longer for the 78mm. It really depends upon individual vaping habits. They will last around a year, or approximately 300 charges (give or take). I have had a couple of duds, but I haven't run any of my batteries to the ground yet, though.

At some point in time, if you like the Volt but want to move up a step in battery size, try the Volt X2. It is a very nice "mid" size battery, and my 1300 X2s will last me from 2 to 3 days, depending upon my vaping mood. As much as I like the X2, however, the regular Volt batteries are my favorites. If you do try the X2, but sure to pick up the 1.5amp wall adapter, too, for charging.

By the way, the Smokeless Image customer service is second to none, they are really great to work with when needed.

Drop down to the Smokeless Image sub forum and say hi when you hit 5 posts.

16% off coupon code is VoltSave.

 

[bananaping]

Thanks again everyone for helping us and welcoming us into the community.... we did it!!!! we ordered 2 standard volt starter packs we each got one auto batt and one manual. Thanks for the coupon codes it worked and the order went from $91 down to $77 and we now have 22 volt points for use on a discount total off of our next order....woohoo I thank God i found this forum before buying. I can't wait for the order to come so i can give vaping a go and hopfully we will kick the smoking habit for good.

 

[mmrock]

i spent 70 bucks on a V2 starter kit. it worked to get me into vaping and off cigarettes, but i could have bought a higher end PV for that money. .. so this is good advice.

My advice is not to get roped into an expensive e-cig kit. Blu, V2, GreenSmoke, etc.

Starting out on a cigarette like device is usually a good first step. I would suggest looking into Bloog or volts.

Bloog starter kits (starts at $39.99)
http://bloogplanet.com/starter-kits.html

Volt starter kits (starts at $29.99)
Smokeless Image | Only The Best Electronic Cigarette | Starter Kits

These two brands are typically accepted as two of the better products when it comes to cigarette styles for beginners.

If you like things, you will probably move on to larger batteries, DIY juice, filling your own cartos, etc.

Again my only suggestion is not to spend a fortune the first time out. Don't consider the generic disposables you find in gas stations as these are almost always typically poor quality.

If you want an opinion on a device before ordering or have more questions, do not hesitate to ask everyone here on ECF. All of us have made the journey and a lot of us started out on those types of devices.

You can also check out reviews.

Welcome to ECF!

 

[kookycole]

i spent 70 bucks on a V2 starter kit. it worked to get me into vaping and off cigarettes, but i could have bought a higher end PV for that money. .. so this is good advice.

If you're still within your 30 day warranty, it's pretty easy to get a refund (no questions asked). That's what I did, they refunded me fully except for the return shipping charges.

 

[morri]

Thanks again everyone for helping us and welcoming us into the community.... we did it!!!! we ordered 2 standard volt starter packs we each got one auto batt and one manual. Thanks for the coupon codes it worked and the order went from $91 down to $77 and we now have 75 volt points for use on a discount total of $15 off of our next order....woohoo I thank God i found this forum before buying. I can't wait for the order to come so i can give vaping a go and hopfully we will kick the smoking habit for good.

You did great! I would have suggested the same thing had I been in time. LOL
Welcome to our community. You are going to love it here. I love the people here and they all have helped me so much!

Happy Vaping
Morri