I Need a Svengali of Vaping, Please

[T-Dawg]

First, hi! I'm new here -- likely not the type to be around much or for long, but mostly here to learn enough to get started vaping. So, begging pardon, I'll be one of those "eat and run" forum users most likely LOL

Where I'm at: I have a new grandson and his Mamma doesn't want smoking around the lad. Doh! There goes my pleasure at hanging out with the wee one while feeling like myself -- a smoker! SO, I need to look into vaping. But looking around the forum, I am CONFUSED as all get out! All these strange phrases -- Joye510, pensytyles, minis, RN4081s -- say what? Holy mackerel! I just want to have something in my hand that:

• looks, tastes, "hits," and feels (between the fingers and on the lips) as much like a cigarette as possible;
• is easily and dependably attainable;
• isn't "too" expensive (I'm "poor" by American standards);
• would satisfy the incessant cravings of a 3-pack-a-day, totally neurotic tobacco hedonist like me; and
• doesn't require a degree in rocket surgery to "make so."

I want to benefit from y'all's experience and cut to the chase without having to learn a lot of jargon 'cause I'm just way, way busy lately (seriously, it's ridiculous).

SO, I need someone to tell me what to do. Please, if you would, tell me where do I go and what do I buy to get a satisfying vaping experience that feels and tastes as much like the real thing as possible and is dependable? (and just think, in answering, the life you're saving could be mine! LOL)

Truly, I thank you in advance for any information that can help a sister out. Grazie!

 

[HyperRealist]

the more it looks like a real cigarette the less it will perform. I've kicked a 3 PAD habit with an eGo kit. They look like this.

 

[Beretta]

If you want to be happy with your purchase, save yourself some money in the long run and buy a ProVari, and be done with it. Yes, it's a bit expensive up front, but you'll be paying it forward. You won't be happy with the poor battery life of anything else after you start adjusting the voltage upwards to achieve that smoking like effect of big vapor clouds and good throat hits.

The Provari is American made, built solid, won't likely break if you drop it, and "you get what you set" in regards to the voltage settings. It also has a 1 year warranty, with an optional 2 year warranty. I don't know of any other chinese model that offers that kind of warranty. Customer service is great!

My advice

1x Provari V2 from provape.com ; this will allow you to control your voltage output easily by the menus. The general rule of thumb for setting the VOLTAGE is to take the ohm rating of the unit that sets on top of your Provari, and add 2. So if you have a 2.5ohm Kanger T3 (see below), that's 4.5 volts. A good starting place. Adjust voltage in small increments up or down depending on taste and throat hit. If you taste a burnt taste, lower the voltage a bit till you don't. This is a good setting for that liquid. Get at least two or three batteries, and always have one fully charged and with you, because you don't want to be without your vape.

OR

IF the Provari is just too expensive for you, then I recommend getting 2 or 3 genuine Joyetech 1000mah TWIST batteries. They are reliable, and work well, but don't last as long as the Provari will at higher voltages. You won't be happy with the battery life of the eGo twists at higher voltages. If you use the lowest setting at 3.2 volts, you won't get optimal vapor and throat hit, which is unfavorable. My advice, go for the Provari!

2x or 3x GENUINE Joyetech eGo-C Twists from 1 Joyetech eGo-C Twist 1000mAh V V Battery

1x eGo charger: http://vaporcrave.com/Cases-Accessories/Joyetech-eGo-Fast-USB-Charger-p52.html
1x eGo USB to wall adapter: http://vaporcrave.com/Cases-Accessories/Joyetech-USB-to-Wall-adapter-p134.html

Next, that which goes on top of your Provari or eGo twists that holds the liquid. If you get the Provari, you'll need a 510 > eGo converter for either of these options available from Provape (high quality converter, so it will last. Don't buy the cheap chinese converters! They will break!)

1x 510 > eGo converter from Ego-T Adapter

3x Kanger T3 bottom coil units @ 2.5 ohms ; Start with some Kanger T3 bottom coil units 2.5ohms @ http://vaporcrave.com/CARTOMIZERS-KITS/1-Kanger-T3-Bottom-Coil-eGo-CC-Changeable-p194.html : These are relatively cheap, so buy at least 3 to start with to hold three different flavors/nicotine strengths. Some people here don't like them, some swear by them. I swear by them. They don't leak if handled properly. The important thing is to remember NOT to unscrew from the clear plastic tank. Screw off the battery using THE RING that attaches to the battery. If you do unscrew from the plastic tank, it may unscrew the base from the Kanger T3, and cause leaks or flooding. Always check to make sure the base of the T3 is screwed into the TANK tightly. Remember this, and your Kanger T3 should perform well.

1x replaceable Kanger bottom coil units @ 2.5ohms @ Kanger T3 Bottom Coil Units ; Again, backups! Your bottom coil units will eventually wear out. I've heard 2 - 3 weeks. So these are consumables you will need to regularly purchase from time to time. They normally come in a pack of 5. Again, always get the 2.5ohms or higher, and make sure you have BACKUPS on hand!

Next up liquids.

I get most of my liquids from Electronic Cigarettes| Smokeless Cigarettes | Ecigs. Try the HavanaX. It's supposed to taste like a cuban cigar, but I find it's a nice tobacco flavor, and has a great throat hit (at higher nicotine levels). Also try the X1 flavor, it's indescribable, but I like it. Start out with their small 15ml bottles to see if you like it. Then buy the 60ml bottles to save money. When you buy the 60ml bottles you can get their tank filling kits that contain a blunt needle to make filling easier, available from E Cig Accessories - E Cigarette Liquid Refill Bottle - Buy Online

General rule of thumb for liquids is that the base liquid:
- PG (Propylene Glycol) gives less vapor, but more throat hit.
- VG (Vegetable Glycerin) gives more vapor, but less throat hit.

I would start out with a mix of 50% PG and 50% VG, and adjust from there.

Nicotine content. You have to choose your nicotine level at checkout. If you're a 2 pack a day smoker, I would at least START with 24mg, and over time you can lower it if you choose (recommended). If you find that 24mg is not giving you that nicotine "kick" from time to time, you can buy a 36mg/ml nicotine level for those times you need it. This will help you stay away from those analogs (tobacco cigarettes). DO NOT stay at the 36mg/ml level. It's too much, and you need to reduce your nicotine level over time. I've settled around 18mg, 24 when I need a fast vape at work on breaks.

I think that covers about everything, from my perspective. Others may have different opinions, especially on the Kanger T3s. I've had great success with mine.

 

[JazzyTech]

Hard to go wrong with Baditude's recommendations. I have a whole family of vapers and they recommended to me what this ECF member recommends:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blogs/baditude/3247-good-starters-kit-beginning-vapor.html

 

[Fury83]

I'd stay off the T3's as they are a bit inconsistent, not in just my opinion but in a lot of vapors opinions. A vivi nova, boge cartos or even a T2 are probably safer bets. The vivi nova is nice because it comes with three different resistance heads. Once you get a bit deeper or the T3's become more consistent they are a great option.

Ego twists or even something like an ego-v v2 is great start up device. The provari is expensive and a bit complex for some to start. Even if you move on, your ego twist will be a great backup or take along device.

Juice is subjective but ECBlends http://www.ecblendflavors.com/ has 5ml bottles for 2.50 so it's a great way to try out stuff. Code 10020 will take 20% off your juice order.

As for a vendor, I use a bunch but I have found Vapor Alley Welcome to VaporAlley - Your home for the best electronic cigarettes, e-cig supplies and American Made e juice. to be quick shipping and Rick is helpful and an all around nice guy from what I can tell.

Also, check out here http://youtu.be/iVFSk5fW7bo the video goes through a lot of what you will see posted on here.

 

[Trick]

I'd third the eGo Twist recommendation (or its close cousin, the Vision Spinner). If you happen to be near a computer on a fairy regular basis, the shorter battery charge time isn't a big issue at all. Starter kits with everything you need to get going (except maybe juice) can be found for less than the cost of a carton of cigarettes. And yes, they're closer to the size of a cigar than a cigarette, but very few people here are going to recommend a cig-alike to you because, frankly, they suck. You may think that's what you really want, but chances are you really don't. They're a waste of money. You are, of course, welcome to ignore that advice, and go for one of those, but trust us when we tell you they suck, 'cuz they suck.

What I would also not recommend, with all due respect, is taking too much time chasing down Beretta's higher-end recommendations. I have the Provari he's recommending, and it is, indeed, a really nice piece of equipment that performs really well and will probably outlive me. However, it's expensive, and you're poor, which is not an ideal pairing. It's also big compared to the eGos, which you've also said you don't want. No doubt you will also see people recommend things like Vamos and VMaxes or ZMaxes... all big too.

The stuff at JazzyTech's link are damned solid suggestions. I don't know much about the juice listed at the end, so assuming you're looking for a tobacco juice to start, I'd highly recommend Heather's Heavenly Vapes, which has a great line of tobacco juices. They're very high quality, and don't cost an arm and a leg. I recommend their Huntsman juice in particular. It doesn't try to taste like any particular type of cigarette, which is probably a good thing because I have yet to find a juice that succeeds in doing that. Instead, it's good a good, solid, unsweetened tobacco taste that gives you the feel of a cigarette without trying too hard to taste just like one.

Anyway, good luck with your search.

 

[beckyblue]

Hi, T-Dawg. For not THAT much more than the ego twist, you can get a Vamo. Coming from a fellow former chain-smoker, that added oomph is worth another $30, easy! Best of luck!

 

[beckyblue]

By the way, don't think your gonna escape the nuttiness that accompanies this new addiction!

(ooh, just read the post above me...really, bub, that's what you want your first post on this super friendly forum to be??)

 

[Beretta]

What I would also not recommend, with all due respect, is taking too much time chasing down Beretta's higher-end recommendations. I have the Provari he's recommending, and it is, indeed, a really nice piece of equipment that performs really well and will probably outlive me. However, it's expensive, and you're poor, which is not an ideal pairing.

I had to at least recommend it. He will save money upgrading over the long run, and if he goes with just the eGo twists at a higher voltage setting, he'll have to switch out batteries 2 or 3 times a day. That is my current complaint with the 1000mah eGo twists. I run them at 4.2 volts on a Kanger T3, and they don't last all day at that voltage, and I don't want to turn it down to 3.2 volts. Also, as the batteries drain, the eGos don't seem to maintain the output over the life of the drain.

 

[HyperRealist]

she not he

 

[Trick]

I had to at least recommend it. He will save money upgrading over the long run, and if he goes with just the eGo twists at a higher voltage setting, he'll have to switch out batteries 2 or 3 times a day. That is my current complaint with the 1000mah eGo twists. I run them at 4.2 volts on a Kanger T3, and they don't last all day at that voltage, and I don't want to turn it down to 3.2 volts. Also, as the batteries drain, the eGos don't seem to maintain the output over the life of the drain.

Yeah, I'm sure you're right. And hell, my first PV was a Provari based on a recommendation much like yours, and I'm glad I got one. It performs like a champ, it's easy to use, and even someone as clumsy as I am probably can't break it. But it cost me literally 10 times what the eGo starter kit I got my fiancee cost me.

 

[JazzyTech]

I started out with a Joye Ego/510 passthrough, then, after reading all those "I wish I had saved my money and just bought a Provari" I got one. Best single vape investment I've made to date. I still have those passthroughs and they still serve me well.

 

[ElectraClyde]

Welcome,

Beretta is correct, you will probably end up with something like the Provari. I started out with an eGo C kit with the 650 batteries, and I'm glad I did. Then I picked up the bigger 1000 eGo twist battery, and found I really like the higher power. They sell kits with these batteries. If you go with a unit with the eGo tank tips, be sure to go with the bigger type B tips. This will get you going with a reasonable initial investment, and is really all you need to happily vape for quite some time. If you decide you you want more capacity, the Viva Novi has worked well for me. If you decide down the road to get a big boy rig like the Provari, your starter eGo stuff will still come in handy.

Good luck,

Clyde

 

[beckyblue]

Beretta, only curious, have you tried the Vamo? And ditto Clyde.

 

[mycro]

Hoosier ecig, get a Kgo 1100mah kit (under ecig kits), one big bottle of dekang eliquid 24mg(under Dekang E-liquid

 

[kiwivap]

• looks, tastes, "hits," and feels (between the fingers and on the lips) as much like a cigarette as possible;
• is easily and dependably attainable;
• isn't "too" expensive (I'm "poor" by American standards);
• would satisfy the incessant cravings of a 3-pack-a-day, totally neurotic tobacco hedonist like me; and
• doesn't require a degree in rocket surgery to "make so."

Hi T-Dawg,
I'd recommend you get a bit of both worlds - some ciggish size ones and a larger one (sharpie pen size). Some people are recommending APV's (advanced personal vapourizers) - they are much bigger, and some are quite heavy - about as far from a cig size as you can get.

The picture below shows some Smokeless Image e-cigs:


The two on the left, next to the cig, are the Volt e-cigs, and the three on the right are the larger Volt X2s.
The issue for some-one who smokes 3 packs a day is that you will find yourself continually recharging batteries - unless you get a PCC case (portable charging case).

You can see some starter kits here:
Smokeless Image | The Best Electronic Cigarette

You can choose automatic or manual batteries - you may prefer automatics, or get one of each. Automatics work better in the portable charging cases. I'd recommend a starter kit with at least two Volt batteries. The 75mm ones will last about 2.5 hours of actual use.

I'd recommend getting one of the larger X2s as well - they aren't really that big. These are ego size.
Smokeless Image | The Best Electronic Cigarette

Another option is to go with an ego size battery to start with - like the ones Hyper-realist posted. Lots of places sell Ego batteries.
They will last longer between charges.
Discount Vapers has a kit:
http://www.discountvapers.com/starter-kit-1100mah-dv/
If you don't buy a kit You'll also need an Ego charger, and I'd recommend 2.0 ohm cartomizers for the Egos.

You can also buy e-juice and fill empty cartomizers yourself (the cartomizer is the piece that screws onto the battery).
Filling cartomizers is easy peasy, as this video shows:
VOLT - Cartomizer FILL & REFILL demonstration - Smokeless Image - YouTube

Just drip about 20 drops in.

 

[Beretta]

Beretta, only curious, have you tried the Vamo? And ditto Clyde.

What's a vamo? lol

 

[JazzyTech]

Vamo is similar in type to the Provari. It's less expensive.

 

[rvh414]

I'd say start off small and work your way up. If your budget is small start off with what you can afford. After awhile if you think this is for you and you have the extra cash then upgrade.

 

[Beretta]

Yeah. Just make sure to upgrade to a Provari. That way you can skip the cheap Chinese models in between upgrades, although I have no experience with those mods, and no offense to those who own them. I just don't like the Chinese stuff much.