info overload...

[Smoochies]

Hi all I've been lurking around here for a few hours now, trying desperately to absorb this completely foreign language and terminology as it relates to the e-cigs, and I gotta say, I'm completely lost... I'm hoping some of you can point me in the right direction.

a bit about me: I'm a long term smoker, as much as I have tried over the years not to be. I've managed to quit a few times over the years but inevitably, a few months or even a year or two later, something happens and I've fallen off the wagon. but I'm finding lately, that I'm not feeling well, and really would like to make a change. I currently smoke Marlboro extra-lights, or ultra lights, whichever ones are in the white box with the silver markings. I'm originally from Canada and smoked DuMaurier extra-light there.

What I am looking for, is a cost-effective device, that is relatively simple to use. from what I have read so far, most newbs start with something "auto" and eventually turn to "manual", seems to be about pushing a button. So pushing a button doesnt matter to me. What kinda scares me, is seeing little bottles of fluid that look like eye-drops, it conjures up images of me assembling this thing like a mad scientist every few hours .

I read about most newbies wanting something that resembles a traditional cigarette, and I admit thats what I was looking for too, but from what I saw, most people switch after a while because these unconventional-looking e-cigs perform better, so the appearance isnt a must for me (although it'd be nice lol)

my absolute end-goal is to quit smoking all together, once and for all, so I am not wanting to be spending $100s of dollars on a collection of different e-cigs, and I am hoping with enough info and direction, I'll make the right choice the first time around.

also, do you guys typically keep your supplies coming through online orders, or are you able to find your supplies in stores, locally?

thanks everyone in advance, for putting up with yet another noob

 

[mooreted]

For a cigarette-like kit, the Volt might be a way to start:

Smokeless Image | Only The Best Electronic Cigarette | Starter Kits

Otherwise, I use an eGo with a really big battery so I only have to charge it once a day. You can get by fine on the small e-ciggs if you keep one charging while you're vaping.

Another thing is: a lot of kits come with cartridges and atomizers. From what I've read these things are more hassle than they're worth. Get some Boge cartomizers to go with your kit and some good juice to fill them with. You can get pre-filled cartomizers, but they are way more expensive than filling your own.

Once you get used to it, filling cartomizers with juice is actually pretty easy. We get a little lost in details around here because a lot of us are kind of techo-geeky.

 

[HeadLikeOrange]

The conventional advice is to get yourself an eGo or Riva 510 starter kit. Probably the best prices are at liberty-flights.com, and be sure to click their "20% off" button in the upper-left. If you can get a starter kit that already includes cartomizers, do it. IF you can't, get a 5-pack of cartomizers separately. Boge 3.0 ohm are perfect to start with.

You will need juice, and you will need to learn how to use it. Start by getting a variety of flavors in the smallest amounts you can as you never know what you are going to like. Start with 18mg of nicotine, though you may find you want less (better to start too strong than too weak) The juice is not hard to work with. Total maintenance for me for a full day of vaping is about 5 minutes each night.

This all makes a lot more sense when you are holding that e-cig in your hand. Soon you'll have specific questions about things like filling cartos, selecting juices, and so on, and this is the place to come with those questions.

And, finally, you do not need to spend a lot. I started with an eGo starter kit, then got some Riva 510's (eGo clones with slightly higher voltage) which I wound up preferring. In 6 weeks of vaping, I've spent about $200 (not counting all the money I wasted on a crap gas station model -- a common pitfall you've avoided by coming here first). In that same time, I'd have spent $350 on analogs (traditional cigarettes). And, most of that money was upfront on hardware. Nowadays, it costs me about 80 cents a day to vape. You can spend a lot by buying lots and lots of gear, but it's not necessary.

 

[MMoon]

I read here for a week before pulling the trigger a month ago 1.5 -2 packs a day for 40 years. My bottom line
1100 Riva kit from Vapor Junction(use coupon code "fall10")
2.0 boge cartomizers
a juice in a flavor you think you might like
a few drip tips to replace the smoking end of the cartomizer with

 

[dotma]

Good advice above. I would suggest you skip the auto thing altogether. Get a good kit like they say above, an Ego or riva or something like that, get a manual. You have to push a button when you vape but its no biggie. If you have an auto battery and you get liquid in it, it will die. Manual batteries are sealed. I got my ego at liberty flights, although Majic Vapor is having a sale right now that when you buy one kit you get one free until Thanksgiving (I believe you have to put in the comment box or email them that you want one free). I think this is a really good deal but not necessary. If you go with a kit from most places, they come with two batteries and two atomizers anyway. (you would 4 of each then with the deal at Majic Vapor). I would recommend the Boge cartomizers too -- and well, everything else headlikeorange said lol.

 

[dankie]

Hi and congratulations on making the decision to quit!

Everyone has pointed you in a very good direction so far, but none have answered the question of a store. I guess I am one of the lucky ones that has an e cig store very close by. They did charge a bit more for my eGo T kit than online but someone was able to show me how to fill it and the like. Depending where you are in TX there is a chain of stores in the DFW area and San Antonio called Vaporesence. They carry beginner kits mods and tons of flavors but all in 18mg strength (amount of nicotine in juice). You can look them up online and everyone in the store I go to has been helpful and kind even with dumb questions.

If you have any questions or if your in DFW and want to try some juices after you get a kit let me know!

 

[dormouse]

I agree

Best AND easiest slim choice is a KR808D-1 MANUAL (manuals are harder to kill with juice leaks, easier to get a good hit) - either SmokelessImage (rubberized, a bit more charge, better sealed end on the manuals) or Vapor4Life aka V4L (allows much longer drags, not as well sealed end on the manuals - still has a hole but looks somewhat sealed inside) and whichever, try both of their cartos and Bloogplanet is the same as SmokelessImage but has more carto colors..For testing juices (don't dirty a cartomizer to test a juice) - for a manual you can get a drip tip (510/901/KR808D-1 from LiteCigUSA) and a DSE901 standard resistance atomizer (from the same shop) for the manual battery and use those to test new juices). If you choose the plain clear colored drip tips (not the swirled ones - too tight) or the rounded black delrin then it should also fit the cartomizers as a cool easy-to-remove mouthpiece for checking the stuffing and adding juice.

And my recommendation for large choice and it's not as easy - few prefilled cartos that are decent - Riva 510 from Liberty-Flights.com because their Riva 510's are 3.7v - press the 20% off upper left front page first, then shop at the lowered prices. Add to that a drip tip and Boge blank cartomizers - try 1 pack each of 3 ohm (easier to learn on) and 2 ohm (hotter).


Both need eliquid too and to start out I recommend 80PG/20VG or 90PG/10VG juices (SmokelessImage, Vapor4Life WOW juices are about the same thickness as 90PG/10VG, any other 80PG/20VG juices or lower VG). That thickness works very easily in cartomizers. Buy at least 30ml to start out and a bit higher and a bit lower. Most people start on 24mg or 18mg, maybe 10-12mg if an ultralights smoker but get a range so you can find your level you are comfortable with (TH and nicotine). And then order MORE juice. New vapers are the ones who run out of juice and the mail can run slow these days.

I can get 7 days use out of a cartomizer (and double that if I am alternating 2 cartomizers). You may get less use out of each in the beginning as you learn to keep them damp and not singe them. I also avoid juices that seem to drop flavoring sediment (ruins drag, shortens life of cartos) and these are usually dark or cloudy juices.

 

[potholerepairman]

welcome, congrats.For me it was a mindset that I had to overcome with the switch from smoking that was the hard part.Loved the e-cig off the bat but felt odd not doing all the smoking activities that became second nature.Was an ultralight smoker and for me 6/12 mg juice worked quite well and felt like it was almost too strong but everyone is very different so you may think to get a lot of samples in different strengths to find out what may work for you.

 

[Smoochies]

Thank you all for your input so far, its greatly appreciated! I need to pop out to the store for the blasted cigarettes here in a minute, but I will be back to re-read everyone's answers and ask a ton more questions... I really feel like I need to do something, because I am so damn tired of smoking, but quitting is just miserable and anything I can do to be a smidge more healthy and try to get off this crap once and for all would be awesome...

I'll bbiab

 

[rwnielsen]

All good advice. I use an (old) eGo battery with a Boge 2.0 carto(mizer) on it all day every day. I smoked for 45 years
Liberty Flights is a good place to start for a kit (Riva of eGo)
Boge cartos can be found here They sell them 15 for $20, free shipping, drip tip and syringe. *ECF5* will get you a buck off
This will get you on your way
Good luck and Welcome to the forum

The Riva lite bundle @ Liberty Flights for $29.99 is a really good deal and will last you a long time. Get some sample size juices at first, you'll, more than likely, be surprised by what tastes good to you. The carts and atomizers that come with it are usable but you'll probably want to change to something better, most of us did. The Boge cartos come in standard and low resistance. Either will work while the LR have a stronger, more plentiful vapor.

 

[DaveP]

I second the eGo or Riva kit, simply for large number of options available. The KR-808 that Dormouse suggested it also a good idea. Cartos and 380mah? batteries are large enough and simple.

You can't beat Boge cartos and an eGo batt, though.

 

[mynameisrob]

If you dont want to go thru the progression of buying a bunch of different PVs like you were talking about than I would get a 3.7V PV like a Riva, kGo or an E-Power. EGos are great PVs, but the only thing I dont like is that the are 3.4V. The 3.7V will allow you to use a wider range or atty/cartos. The low restistance cartomizers, like 1.5ohm or so, work really well on a Riva. kGo, or E-Power. They are all well under $100 and I think will be able to give you just what you need.
Personally I have the E-Power and really love it. The main difference that make me lean toward the E-Power is because its the only one out of the three that uses non-proprietary batteries. Everything on the E-Power is relaceable so it really keeps costs down. E-Power batteries cost $4 compared to Riva/kGo/eGo batteries that cost $14-20. With the Riva/kGo/eGos the tube,battery, and switch are all one piece so if something breaks or you need a new battery, you have to replace the whole piece. With the E-Power, the tube battery and switch are all seperate pieces and can be replaced individually. If you needa new battery you can just buy the battery and continue to keep using your existing tube and switch.

Read this about the E-Power : http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...ne-considering-buying-e-power-14650-read.html

This wil give you some info about why you might like it more.

If you get it from CCV, youll get a FREE 5 pack of Ressurector cartos, a FREE 30ml juice of yuor choice, and FREE shipping.
Plus put in "ecf5off" and get 5% off your order.

I think this would suit your needs great and the Ressurector cartomizers are awesome. You get 2 batteries with the kit and for me one battery lasts a day to a day and a half.
Everyone has their preference. I like the E-Power and i know plent of people that like their Rivas, kGos, and eGos.
Anyone of these I think will be able to provide you with what your looking for.

Goodluck!

 

[icefogg]

This is what happened to me... First purchase 75 bucks for a look-alike no.7 ecig. Great for aboit two days, I needed more as I was a 2pack a day puffer. Second purchase at a flea market was a ego-t for 120 later that week. It was great, until I found this forum and discovered I could get that same kit from hoosier ecig for 44 BUCKS!! Yep I was a sucker but its been now 8 months since my last analog. Still using ego type battery but now with cartomizers at work, with atomizer while at home. If u are just starting out this is where u enter. Hoosier ecig kits are the best bang for your buck. Order some joose and its on! I think u will be a happy camper.

 

[denali_41]

check liberty flights first,,their service is the best ..like others said ,,get a ego or riva

as far as juices go ??? get one that mild and very common that is sure to taste like what you would expect,,,i suggest a vanilla
and other flavors you might like,,
if you don't like them you can trade or PIF them for other flavors..

go west,,your learning curve has begun

 

[dormouse]

For another point of view - I actually enjoy upgrading my experience along the way (shopaholic). I've been smoke-free a year and still do most of my vaping on KR808D-1 and one other slim model (just because I have the two and enjoy having 2 contrasting flavors ready to pick up at whim).

Also - to be fair - I have seen a number of new vapers buy Ego/Riva first and then want to buy a slim ones for when they are with other people because they don't want to carry the big battery or are not comfortable attracting attention and just want to fit in.

The big batteries - LONG charge (650mah+) plus ability to use the hotter LR (low resistance) atomizer and cartomizers. MY big battery is Riva 510 from Liberty-Flights.com where they are 3.7v (a bit hotter than Ego and as much voltage as a KR808D-1). The fat battery models are great for people who cannot charge batteries at work or who are hot hard draggers or chain smokers or anyone who wants long charge and the option of harder hits. You will own one eventually anyway.

A couple of notes about slim ecigs - all decent slim ecigs are fatter than a cigarette and are about 9.2 to 9.4mm diameter. That includes KR808D-1. And I always started on the shortest battery size and then had to replace all of my batteries with the next size up. So I do recommend the 78mm/standard size KR808D-1 manual batteries which make 120mm ecig with a cartomizer on. 100mah of charge is about 1 hour of moderate vaping with a standard resistance atomizer or cartomizer (slim ecigs can only use standard resistance, not the hotter LR low resistance stuff). The small V4L battery is 180mah and the small SmokelessImage Volt battery is 220mah (they are the same size, Volt being a being a bit less voltage to get extra charge time). The standard/78mm V4L battery is 280mah and the Volt's is 320mah. You could start with the short ones but you may end up upgrading.

Some new vapers really want something that looks more like a cig - if you are like that then I recommend Joye aka Joyetech brand 510 manual and if you get a white 510 and blank Boge tan or white cartomizers (NiteLiteVapor.us has those colors) then it will look more like a cigarette and have 180mah charge (short charge) and not as much voltage/heat as KR808D-1, and you will filling blank cartomizers since there are few decent prefilled cartos for 510. The 510 comes with atomizer and cartridges which is a clumsier way to vape, can dump the juice in your mouth, etc. so most use cartomizers (standard resistance like 2.5 to 3 ohms are what slim ecigs use). And get a drip tip for testing juices on the atomizer. It's better than what I started on.

 

[Macleod]

Here is my novice two cents...

i lurked on the forums for several days, disregarded the advice and bought a KR808D-1. Within a few days, I bought a Volcano Inferno 510. I still use the 808 and will continue to, but I love the Inferno for dripping and the Tankomizer. I read all the forum posts and thought "dripping seems like a pain in the ..., why do they do it?" No I know that it is a fun and easy way to try different juices...

There are so many PVs, gadgets and juice out there that it is hard to choose. Just get started and experiment as much as your budget allows.

 

[dormouse]

The OP asked for simple. And I think you would agree the simplest way to begin is with a 2-piece with prefilled cartomizers i.e. KR808D-1. Yes they are not enough for everyone but they are the strongest and simplest slim ecig.

 

[JQside]

My suggestion is go straight for devices that are for long term use. It's a waste of money buying small, thin, cigarette look-alikes, in my humble opinion. You'll find yourself getting frustrated for having to charge, recharge, fill, refill, in just an hour of vaping. But each case is different. Some say they're enough to do the job, but most eventually go for something that lasts and lets you experience the same satisfaction you do when smoking real cigarettes.

;-)

 

[Balthezar]

This is what I have, and it works great for me, but everyone has different preferences and likes, dislikes. I have a Joye 510 that came with a PCC, cost about $20 with atomizer and 2 empty carts. Close to cig size, good for out and about for a few hours (or I use it when watching the Bears or Nascar, easy to hold and take a drag now and then). I also have an eGo passthru, which you can use at the computer or anywhere you have access to a USB, or unplug and go for a bit longer than the 510, which you can get for about $20 also. It's about the size of a sharpie marker, or small cigar, so still not too big. I use smoktech 1.5 dual coil cartos on both (I know, some say don't use on 510, but I haven't had any problems). I usually keep the stronger nic, 18mg, on the 510, so when I have a nic fit, I can take a few vapes off of it and I'm good, then back to my fav low nic on my eGo. Just my way of vaping, not everyone's cup of tea. Good luck with whatever way you choose, and if it works for you, then all is good in VapeTown

Balth

 

[swedishfish]

Big battery pv's with LR cartos/atty will get you off the cigs. Once you do that, wait a month and get a mini for when your out and about. Really depends on your smoking history (how long, how much).