Hoping to Quit Smoking!

[Drumsbreathe]

Hello! Thanks in advance for any help you can offer. I am brand new to the vaporizing world!

I am in Canada and have been smoking regularly for over 10 years. I intend to request the Canadian suppliers list (American suppliers willing to try and ship to Canada), once my forum status allows me to do so.

In the meantime I have been reading and am fairly confused. It seems there are many different methods and types to consider and I'm having difficulty deciphering them.

I'm hoping to entirely replace my cigarette smoking with vapor. I am ok spending more money initially, to give myself the best chance of acquiring a product that will be reliable and most likely to help me quit smoking. Ideally, the long run costs would be cheaper than my current smoking costs of 120$-175$ per month.

That said, please reply with any and all information you think a newbie should know. And help me find the right setup to help me quit smoking!

Thanks again!!!

 

[Jfish]

I would recommend a reo! That's what I got when I started and have been cig free for 400 plus days! It was a little weird taking a drag off of a wooden box ay first so I bought an ego... When I realized how much easier it was to fill up the reo with liquid and a fresh battery and be good for a day and a half! Unlike the ego and other smaller mods that would require extra batts and carrying liquid! Also the vape from my reo us way better!
But if not a reo I would recommend having backups! Extra battery, liquid, cartos, attys,.... When your quitting there's nothing that will make light up faster then running out of vaping supplies! GOOD LUCK!

 

[Drumsbreathe]

Thanks for your suggestion. Looks pretty cool. At this stage, I'm looking for more information, so that I know exactly what cartomizers, atomizers, etc. are. I don't yet know enough to know what I don't know...you know?

 

[Pappy]

The two best things you can do (besides making this initial post) are to read these forums until your eyes bleed and also watch as many YouTube videos as you can stand. (I wonder why so many YouTube reviewers for vaping gear are so long-winded. Some videos that could be 5 minutes are 20 - 30 minutes.)

Also, go here: ECF Forum and read it all.

I'd also suggest buying a kit of some sort, such as a Volt kit from Smokeless Image (if you really believe you need a small cigarette look-alike), or something more powerful like a KGO kit (which is what I started with) or an E-Power kit. There's nothing like hands-on experience to learn from. Look at it this way: A KGO kit, plus an extra 5-pack of cartomizers, a drip tip and some juice is about the same cost as a carton of cigarettes.

But it sounds like you need to do some research to understand the basics. Just don't get paralysis by analysis and put off buying SOMETHING. Whatever you buy most likely won't be the last vaping equipment you buy, so I think it's important to do the basic research and buy something to get started vaping.

 

[Drumsbreathe]

Excellent. Thank you for the motivation and suggestions. I was already feeling overwhelmed and your guidance is appreciated.

 

[zerominusone]

it doesn't really matter what kind you get to begin with, you'll get something better later. You just need an e-cig, (egos are popular and I tried one and it was pretty good), some cartomizers (Boge are the best but there are A LOT of others), and some e-liquid; then you'll be on you way to becoming smoke-free!

When I started, I got a KR808D-1; mostly because it was kinda small like a regular cigarette. And it was pretty cheap (less than $45 w/ shipping). I got it from My Vapor Store, and the cartomizers came with the starter kit. So after I used all the ones in the kit, I just went back to MVS and got more cartomizers, batteries and some e-juice. Almost a year later, I got a Provari. Best purchase I ever made. Good luck quitting cigarettes (it only took me 2 days)!

 

[supergerbil]

First off congrats on making the switch and welcome to ECF!

Personally I use a 1100 mah kgo w/ either a V2 Vision or a 3.5 ml tank when out and about. That way i can go all day w/o refilling my juice or changing a battery.

You can get set up for around $50.00 USD.

There are TONS of different options so the best thing to do is read read read and ask ask ask.

 

[DirtieJoe]

i concur with what Pappy said.
intially read as many reviews as you can. this forum is the best depository of information on vitually everything vaping i came across in the 2 months i researched before purchasing. also if you want more information on an item type up the item or the like in youtube and watch reviews for it to get an actual understnading of what it is and how it works.

i personally was glad a lot of reviewers make 20 minutes reviews as they usually tend to go over every aspect of an item by doing em that long and as a new person to all that they end up answer a question you didnt even know you had about the item.
when you do decide to finally purchase its a good idea to also understand your initial gear/ hardware purchase likely wont be your last.

i myself started on a volt pro starter kit then upgraded to the volt x2 two weeks later then a provari mini 2 weeks after that. the starter kit was good...almost enough to get me off real cigs; the x2 was a good step above the starter kit; but the provari actually provided the performance i needed to keep me off real cigs permanently. if i woulda known then what i know now i woulda skipped straight to the provari; but in a sense the learning curve is also some what needed.

in the end the best thing to do for each person is unique, so the best advice i can give is research; then research what you just researched. and watch reviews on youtube. it'll all start to make sense after awhile.

 

[Drumsbreathe]

Thank you all! I've definitely got my work cut out for me in terms of research.

It sounds as though most of you have gone the trial and error route. I figure I will try and buy the best I can find, so that I can't blame any failures to quit smoking, on an inferior pv.

With that in mind, I really hope to have decided on something so that I can make a purchase tonight or tomorrow. Even if it does not end up being the last setup I buy, I want to get started, (or stopped) soon!

As I progress, I am learning more and more, and am coming up with more and more questions. That said, most of my questions have already been answered here or on YouTube, so I just have to find them!

In the meantime, any and all insight remains greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

 

[Taniger1]

Ok Drum, this is where someone needs to toss a bit of water on the fire. First!! Be prepared for SOME withdrawls. You may be one of the lucky few who never gets them, you may even be one of the lucky few that picks up a PV and never picks up another analog again, but if your like most of us norm's, you'll do both for awhile, be prepared!! Analogs DO have approx 80 addictive chemicals, you'll only be replacing one of them, nicotine. So ya, watch for those withdrawls symptoms.

Second, WATER WATER WATER I can NOT stress this enough. Vapeing pulls water out of your system. Get yourself a bottle of water and then refill it and pack it with you drink drink drink (are you sensing a pattern here? LOL).

Third, get thee to the ECF LIBRARY and do a bit of reading and watching of videos. This will help out with all the unfamiliar terminogly, or you can also jsut ASK us here, nobody here believes ANY question is stupid, we WILL answer and we WILL help.

FOURTH, DIVE IN, even if it's a cheap POS to get ya started. Just dive in.

I would NOT reccommend any of the fancy PV's to start with (Sorry Jfish but I personally would NOT reccommend a Reo even though I'm a bottom feeder JUNKY they are NOT newb friendly). Honestly the learning curve for vaping can be atrocious. An Ego, a Kgo, a cig like looking even (though the analog looking device is a pta in the long run, low battery run times etc.)

Now the MOST important thing, and the one comment I have NOT seen is, HAVE FUN!! PLAY with it, try juices you would never DREAM of trying. Chat with us, share with us, this is one BIG, twisted, helpful family and if you keep us in the loop, we'll help with the bad days and celebrate the good days with you and who knows someday, maybe YOU'LL be the one sitting here typeing out this message to a new Vapor, and maybe.....making a difference in someones LIFE!

 

[Got-Ta-Go]

You'll get plenty of opinions and advice, that's for sure.

From a day 3 "newbie", I'd have to say:
1) I'm having a nice experience with the KGO 1100mHA battery type of starter kit available from sites such as KGO kit1100mAh by SLB and SLB KGO Starter Kit

2) Don't order big bottles of eLiguid "juice" yet. Try multiple sample packs to find a flavor that you like

3) When you think about what flavor of juice to try, pick some that are not in tobacco taste-like category. My first shipment of juices I had ordered all tobacco type of flavors; I couldn't stand any of them on day 1. Luckily, the vendor had included a free sample of a cappuccino flavor that did taste good.

4) Echo the above...drinks lots of water

 

[Drumsbreathe]

Water...got it! Lol! Seriously though, I was just reading the infozone pages and came across the first mention of this issue, so I appreciate you bringing it's importance to my attention. I will invest in some water bottles as well!

Also, thanks for pointing out the fact that I will be retaining only one of the chemicals my body is used to. This is quite logical, but not something I had really reflected on.

I look forward to trying different juices. From what I have read, I will not find a juice that tastes like my favorite brand of cigarette, so may as well find a completely different taste that I enjoy! Maybe one that those who are very near me might enjoy as well!

Although I definitely hope to contribute to this community some day soon, I am very much in the 'take' stage of this give and take relationship. I expect that I will have some specific questions to ask here shortly, but I will continue to research, in the hopes of developing a greater understanding, and ultimately asking more pertinent, relevant questions when the time comes. Likely later today ;-)

For now, it's off to the library for me!


Oh, and...Happy Fathers Day to all fathers out there!

 

[stew5150]

Good luck and Congrats on making the jump to a better, more healthy life! Lot's of helpful people here, take advantage of that and ask away!

 

[RiverNut]

Excellent. Thank you for the motivation and suggestions. I was already feeling overwhelmed and your guidance is appreciated.

These sites are a blessing and a curse. It's very easy to become overwhelmed. I quit smoking 7 months ago and would like to try and simplify things for you. It's not anywhere near as complicated as seems at first.
Start off with an ego type battery (skip the little cigarette looking things...the battery life is a joke). Buy 1 pass through battery because you can charge it from your PC with any mini USB cable. Buy ( in the smallest quantities available) boge cartomizers and ce2 clearomizers. These are the 2 main types of atomizing devices (I'll probably be reminded of the atty by the drippers). Make sure you get them in 2.4 ohms or so. Anything higher than that will not be satisfying on an ego type battery. Buy sample size quantities of eliquid until you know that you like the flavor. Virgin Vapor is an excellent eliquid supplier. This will be a good place to start so you can determine if ecigs are for you.
I personal have never had any luck with poly fill cartomizers so I use ce2 type. The flavor is way cleaner in my opinion and they are easy to clean and reuse.
Once you've determine that this satisfies( or is close to) your habit/cravings, move on directly to a Provari by Provape , or some other Variable Voltage Mod. Some people think $200 is a lot for an ecig but if you're at least a pack a day smoker, that ecig pays for itself in a month and a half or less.
What I'm telling you is what I wish I had done looking back on the last 7 months. I hope this helps a little.

 

[Vapoor eyes er]

Hi Drumsbreathe and welcome to ECF. Someone mentioned the Kgo- Here's the Kgo but it's renamed the Riva- true 3.7 volts and about the size of a sharpie from a highly regarded ECF listed Cdn vendor-$39.95
eGo Riva 650 or 1100mAh Black w/gold band or Stainless
It's a 510 connection so parts will be cheap and easy to get. Note there are 2 sizes for the same price- 650 or 1100 mah- 100 mah= 1 hr normal vaping before needing recharge.
I would also buy these- great price and I use them on my Kgo:
eGo Vision Star Dust SR or LR - Long Wick
Good Luck.

 

[Stormlark]

Hi Drumsbreathe and welcome to ECF. Someone mentioned the Kgo- Here's the Kgo but it's renamed the Riva- true 3.7 volts and about the size of a sharpie from a highly regarded ECF listed Cdn vendor-$39.95
eGo Riva 650 or 1100mAh Black w/gold band or Stainless
It's a 510 connection so parts will be cheap and easy to get. Note there are 2 sizes for the same price- 650 or 1100 mah- 100 mah= 1 hr normal vaping before needing recharge.
I would also buy these- great price and I use them on my Kgo:
eGo Vision Star Dust SR or LR - Long Wick
Good Luck.

I second this opinion. I started out with a Volt starter kit from Smokeless Image. It was great for a beginner, no real issues with anything, but I did quickly tire of recharging batteries and refilling cartomizers. After two weeks or so, I upgraded to a 650 battery from the same company, which is identical to the KGO that was linked. A few days ago, I upgraded again to a 1300 and finally got into the clearomizers (identical to the Star Dust item that was also linked).

The size is kinda crazy compared to a real cigarette, but I'm loving the 1300 battery with clearomizers. The charge lasts for several days, it can be used as a passthrough (meaning you can use it while it's charging. I usually plug it in whenever I'm vaping at my computer), the clearomizers are easy to fill, easy to clean, and I don't constantly have to top them off like I did with cartomizers.

I'm not upset that I started out small, but it would have saved me some money if I had gotten a larger battery (650mAh or higher), and some clearomizers from day one.

As others have said - drink plenty of water, don't buy bottles of juice larger than 10ml until you've tried them (3-5ml would be even better), feel free to ask questions, and have fun!


*Edited to Add*

If you're looking at the KGO, you may also want to check out the X2 batteries at Smokelessimage.com. As I said, they're basically the same battery, though they do have different threading (meaning you'll need to buy cartomizers/clearomizers that fit KR808D-1 rather than 510). Smokeless Image also sells clearomizers that fit their X2 batteries, but they seem to be more expensive than the Star Dusts.

 

[Vapoor eyes er]

Here's a review on the Kgo/ Riva to give you an idea of the size. If you are looking for a cig sized PV the Volt is best but battery life is a concern

 

[Australis]

Welcome and good luck

 

[Drumsbreathe]

Excellent. Thanks to all for your continued support!

Here's my latest...I definitely still have a lot to learn, but it looks as though $60 or so can get me a decent starter setup. I understand I may wish to upgrade shortly thereafter. I have 3.5 packs left in my carton and hope to have something purchased and delivered before they are through! If I can buy a setup for 60$ that gets me through 2 weeks, I'm already ahead of the game financially.

If it works out, and I can completely replace cigarettes with vapor, and need a more expensive setup to do it, I will be happy to make that investment in myself. In fact, I recently acquired an Arizer Solo to take care of the smoke in another habit I have. In this case, I started closer to the high end, and it is working out great from me. I can't wait to be smoke free!

I'm hoping to place an order today. From what I understand, (readlease correct me), the ego, or kgo types are of the 510 variety, for which interchangeable parts are most available. 650 or 1100 batts would last for roughly 6.6 or 11hrs of continuous vaping? (seems like good battery life!) The kit mentioned does not have a pass through, but with two batteries, and regular charging, I should be ok, right?

Where I remain most confused is with regards to all remaining components, battery aside. Again, correct me, please. Atomizer heats and vapes liquid provided from cartridge, cartomizer does both? Both are refillable? How? And what is a clearomizer?!?

I like the kit proposed above, but as I expected, being a Canadian supplier, they do not sell nicotine juices. It would be ideal if I could find a supplier for both the kit and juice. I'm watching the review right now and it looks like it ships with pre-filled cartridges, so maybe that will buy me the few extra days needed to ship juice from U.S.A. supplier.

Lastly, for now, thanks again for all the help. Also, my apologies for being a relatively incompetent forum user. This is my first!

 

[Stormlark]

Two batteries, especially if you're looking at 650mAh and higher, should be fine. A passthrough is just a convenience some vapers enjoy. I wish I could help you with the international issue, but I know very little about which vendors ship to Canada.

As for atomizers, cartomizers, and clearomizers:

An atomizer heats up the nicotine liquid. Some people use an atomizer with a "drip tip", and they drip the liquid directly onto the atomizer. From what I've heard, the flavors really come out nicely with this method. The downside is keeping the atomizer wet requires frequent dripping.

A cartridge is a reservoir for liquid, and is attached to an atomizer to create vapor. This is used in a three-piece system and has become fairly rare. It is refillable.

A cartomizer is a cartridge and an atomizer together in a single unit. It is filled with a material which soaks up nicotine liquid, much like a zippo lighter. It is refillable, though it's not a good idea to refill it with a different flavor than what was in it previously, since you will get a mixture of the two. It is also a bit difficult to tell when it needs to be refilled or topped off. Judgements have to be made depending on the dryness of the filling material, the amount of vapor being produced, and the existence of any burnt flavor. Cartomizers are cheap, however, and can last several weeks if taken care of properly.

A clearomizer is similar to a cartomizer, but is usually a bit larger and has no filling material. Depending on the design, these are easier to clean out and refill with a different flavor. They are also see-through (hence the name), so the liquid level can be monitored. Because of the lack of filling material, flavored liquids can have a cleaner taste. The downsides of clearomizers is that they are more expensive, they can have leaking issues, and certain flavored liquids can cause them to crack or even melt (there's a list of liquids which are known to cause these issues).