Intro

[SandySu]

I just heard about e-cigarettes for the first time twice in the last week, so I decided to do some research on them and found this forum. I did a lot of reading yesterday, and now I have some questions. I'd like to give e-cigs a try, but there are so many choices! I don't want to waste my money getting one I won't be happy with. I've narrowed down to 2 choices what I think would be right for me: the Blu starter pack or the DSE901. It seems more people recommend the DSE901, but with the minis, it seems battery life is a problem, so I really like the portable recharger that comes with the Blu. I like the idea of a black e-cig with a blue tip because it will feel like a cigarette but look less like one so I don't get complaints of smoking in a nonsmoking spot. I'd really appreciate any advice people can offer for a newbie. I want to start out simple, with cartridges, not drip, until I get the hang of it. Later, I can get into all the variations I read about, but now, I want the experience to be as simple as possible. Thanks.

 

[robert shohet]

well if you get a riva (google joye riva) u have a quality highly recomended e cig that is a great starter u can pick up some boge cartomizers and its easy as pie ive heard mixed things about blu ask around ad u will get a million answers so id say go to the top of the page where it says forum suppliers and look at some of the products available then ask around if you seem something you like and btw WELCOME TO ECF

 

[trouble2k]

Welcome SandySu!!

My best suggestion at this point is to research this forum for reviews of these two choices. They're not great starter kits. Blu is overpriced and both will have poor battery life. It can be hard also to find easily compatible parts for a 901 at times.

Picking up something like a 510 or kr808d-1 model to start with is usually recommended. You can get a PCC (portable charger) for either one of these models also.

If you go with a bigger battery like an eGo or Riva, you shouldn't even need a PCC If you check out liberty-flights.com or litecigUSA.net, you can look at some decent priced starter kits.

 

[SandySu]

Thanks for the suggestions, and so quick, too! I was also thinking about the 510, and noticed a disposable one (starter kit) on mad vapes for $9.99. I wonder if that would give me an idea w/o spending a lot. But then I really liked the looks of Totally Wicked's DSE901 kit with an automatic battery. Somehow, I think the pushbutton is just another complication to learn. Any comments?

 

[Pamdane]

Push button is better. Especially if your new. Push botton does not let cigarette juice into the battery to short it. Auto does, and will.

If you take to vaping, I would go with a battery size no less than 650 ohm. Its not about what it looks like, its about taste. And your going to have a whole new world of that opening up to you.

 

[swedishfish]

Thanks for the suggestions, and so quick, too! I was also thinking about the 510, and noticed a disposable one (starter kit) on Mad Vapes for $9.99. I wonder if that would give me an idea w/o spending a lot. But then I really liked the looks of Totally Wicked's DSE901 kit with an automatic battery. Somehow, I think the pushbutton is just another complication to learn. Any comments?

The problem with disposables is that performance is sometimes lacking so it doesn't really give you a good indication regarding what you can expect with the proper ecig and liquid. That makes a world of difference, believe me. The juice is the absolute key for me, then would be the ecig you select. If it tastes like jungle rot it doesn't matter how big the battery is. If it tastes OK but the battery dies or it has a strong draw you might consider it with different equipment.

I'm not familiar with Mad Vapes disposables. But a disposable is what got me interested in vaping. I tried the Apollo disposable and realized 'I could do this". Granted it wasn't anything that I could vape all day (I vape menthol and this was full flavor) but it gave me the sensation of smoking.

I went on to order the inexpensive Joye Ego from Liberty Flight. With cartomizers, drip tips and a 30 ml bottle I juice I spent approx $70. A carton of cigarettes.

If you're doing this to quit smoking, this will do the trick. The way it looks, the button, all that doesn't matter after the first day and you realize that this is what's going to work to get you to quit smoking. If that's your goal, forget the other stuff.

 

[madmary]

SandySu I bought one after a policeman I met went on and on about them (they can't smoke in uniform). I got it from a garage and it looked like a cigarette. The first couple of days I couldn't get the hang of it, then found this forum and discovered some tips on inhaling.

The cost to me was less than I would normally spend on cigarettes for a week and as a result I didn't buy any cigarettes the next weekend. I still had some left but my intake went down and down. I have now purchased a better model DSE901 which I like but it's not perfect. That cost about the same but I can refill with eliquids so will be cheaper in the long run.

I would say don't worry too much about investing some money in ecigs. They will still cost you less than cigarettes even if you continue to smoke (because you won't smoke anywhere near as much as you did). If you are lucky and are able to quit straightaway you will be even better off.

Mary

 

[swedishfish]

Here is the Apollo disposable I posted about

Apollo Disposable Ecig - 500 puffs

My Mother also started vaping when I did. She's in her 70's, maybe more difficult to adapt to new things. She started with a cigarette look alike (Smoke Tip) She liked it but needed a little more 'oomph', so I got her a V4L KR808. in manual and auto.
After doing it awhile she liked mine so I got her a Riva. That's her main vape but she still uses the KR808 occasionally. She smoked 60 years and quit. But it took her three kits to find her comfort zone.

If you have the funds, go that route. I'd get the least expensive mini, then if (when) you move on you can do that.

Good luck!

 

[SandySu]

Here's another concern when choosing an e-cig. They say not to put the battery near electrical stuff, including car keys, like I have, that you beep to unlock the car doors. How do you carry it around with you if it'll be damaged going in your bag with the car keys? Are there shielded cases I could look at to protect the e-cig? Here's my situation. I smoke about a pack a day (Camel filters) and would love to quit but have given that idea up after many tries. I thought maybe the e-cig would be an adjunct, to smoke in places where smoking is unwelcome. Like when I visit my family and have to go outside, no matter what the weather. Also, the other day, a nonsmoker got into my car for a lift and said, "Eeew! You smoke. Can I open a window?" I realize it's an unhealthy, disgusting, dirty habit, and the e-cigs would make it cleaner and more tolerable to nonsmokers. Maybe they would help me quit, too, but I'm taking it one step at a time. First, I want to try it and see if it satisfies me, if I can deal with the fuss of cleaning, recharging, etc. I'd like to choose one that looks and feels like a cigarette because if it's going to replace a cigarette, that just makes sense to me. Maybe it doesn't matter, but I think it might, at least to start. I don't know where this will go at this point, but I'd like to give it a try and see. Obviously, if it can replace even some of my cigarettes, I'd be willing to spend some money, but when I don't even know if this will work with me, I'm leery of investing a lot. So what I want is some sort of inexpensive starter kit that isn't so low-quality that I will be discouraged, but not state-of-the art, either. I want to keep it simple till I find out if e-cigs are for me or not. I want to thank everyone for all the advice. I'm older, like sweedishfish's mom, and maybe after years of smoking, I won't get used to it so easily, but I like to think I'm still adaptable. I'm still curious about trying new things, but new technology is definitely scarier than it is for younger folks. Now off to look at the models you all have suggested. Thanks so much!

 

[madmary]

SandySu you are in the same place as i was a couple of weeks ago. I had cut down cigarettes to eight a day from 20+ a day over two to three months, but I was starting to creep up. And for all that time all I could think of was when I could have my next ciggie. I have far to many more important things to think about than when to smoke so when someone told me about ecigs I bought one almost immediately. It was a lookalike. I love it. I know it probably won't last long.

What I wasn't expecting was to cut right down to anything between nil smokes to about 2 or 3 a day. I use it in my car (to stop the smell) I use it in my home so it doesn't make it smell bad, and I use it at work because it's easier that sneaking out. And what I couldn't get over was how easy it was to move from using it to suppiment my smoking to my smoking supplimenting my vaping.

I thought I'd give it a try and I'm almost off the smokes after many years. Give it a try. You have nothing to loose but your money and or your life.

Mary

 

[SandySu]

Thanks, Mary. Your story is inspiring. I just ordered a few disposables in different flavors from Apollo, as sweedishfish suggested. When I smoke them up, I'll have a much better idea. Now to exercise patience till they arrive! I figured I need to sample a few flavors that might be appealing more than the tobacco flavor, so I also got vanilla (which I've read good things about as a flavor) and coffee. I veered away from cherry because so often cherry flavor tastes so artificial, nothing like actual cherries but more like those Luden's cough drops.

Thanks to everyone who responded helping me out. I'm sure this is just the beginning of all the questions I'll have.

 

[swedishfish]

Here's another concern when choosing an e-cig. They say not to put the battery near electrical stuff, including car keys, like I have, that you beep to unlock the car doors. How do you carry it around with you if it'll be damaged going in your bag with the car keys? Are there shielded cases I could look at to protect the e-cig? Here's my situation. I smoke about a pack a day (Camel filters) and would love to quit but have given that idea up after many tries. I thought maybe the e-cig would be an adjunct, to smoke in places where smoking is unwelcome. Like when I visit my family and have to go outside, no matter what the weather. Also, the other day, a nonsmoker got into my car for a lift and said, "Eeew! You smoke. Can I open a window?" I realize it's an unhealthy, disgusting, dirty habit, and the e-cigs would make it cleaner and more tolerable to nonsmokers. Maybe they would help me quit, too, but I'm taking it one step at a time. First, I want to try it and see if it satisfies me, if I can deal with the fuss of cleaning, recharging, etc. I'd like to choose one that looks and feels like a cigarette because if it's going to replace a cigarette, that just makes sense to me. Maybe it doesn't matter, but I think it might, at least to start. I don't know where this will go at this point, but I'd like to give it a try and see. Obviously, if it can replace even some of my cigarettes, I'd be willing to spend some money, but when I don't even know if this will work with me, I'm leery of investing a lot. So what I want is some sort of inexpensive starter kit that isn't so low-quality that I will be discouraged, but not state-of-the art, either. I want to keep it simple till I find out if e-cigs are for me or not. I want to thank everyone for all the advice. I'm older, like sweedishfish's mom, and maybe after years of smoking, I won't get used to it so easily, but I like to think I'm still adaptable. I'm still curious about trying new things, but new technology is definitely scarier than it is for younger folks. Now off to look at the models you all have suggested. Thanks so much!

I never intended to stop smoking. Sure, a girl can dream but I tried pills, patches, gum the works and for me, I didn't think it was possible. I take care of my mother who has COPD and she had to quit so I got the disposable and ordered the kits. I thought it would be a plus if I didn't smoke around her.

I was as shocked as anyone that I loved vaping and stopped the cigs. My mother stopped as well. It wasn't overnight but I didn't care about that and neither did she. We didn't put any pressure on ourselves. The vaping police weren't knocking on our door. But we both got to the point where we liked vaping more than smoking. It tastes better! Then you notice all the other positives. No more stink! No more smelly clothes or smelly car. No more buying the cigs (ugh!). My mother is off two of her medications and can breath again.

Vaping is amazing!

 

[trouble2k]

Well, SandySu, if you want to give it a *decent* try without spending tons of money...then I would say to try a kr808d-1 kit. I haven't tried a lot of starter kits lately, but I do know they have a much better battery life and (if I remember correctly) most carry a better "hit" than others. Some of the vendors that come to mind are: Vapor4Life.com, LiteCigUSA.net, MyFreedomSmokes.com...There are several out there with decent prices and good shipping.

Sometimes, all you can do is try it out (My guess is that you will do more than try)

^^^listen to swedishfish--they're saying it best!^^

 

[Rar]

Hi Sandy....I was in your position 4 months ago and my first choice was the Blu, for the same reasons you listed. I didn't understand anything about cartos, attys, dripping, foam, etc. The Blu seemed the most hassle free. Since I smoked menthol analogs exclusively, also having limited flavors available with the Blu didn't bother me. I purchased extra batteries and and cartridges when they were on sale. Needless to say, before I was done with the Blu, I had invested over $200. in that product. After reading about those folks who were experiencing great "throat hit" (TH) and having "plumes of vapor", I decided to look for a product that would give me those experiences, which in my opinion, the Blu didn't have. Plus---there were many other flavor/juice options. After browsing the forums, I took others advice and ended up with the Riva 510 lite bundle from Liberty Flights. I believe that was about $39.00. I took baby steps and am still learning. I agree with the others here in that you will find more satisfaction in a Joye, Riva or Ego.

I might add that the Blu was satisfactory enough to want to stay on the vaping path, and for that, I'm grateful.

 

[SandySu]

I've researched the kr808d-1 as trouble2k suggested, and discovered the Volt from SmokelessImage. Apparently it's very similar to Bloog's Maxx Fusion but cheaper. And it comes with a PCC, which I've learned is the abbreviation for a portable charger. If I want a mini e-cig and the battery life will be short, it makes sense to have a charger with a spare battery, doesn't it? The Volt seems to get good reviews from what I've seen, and the medium-priced kit is $29.95. They offer the kit with either pushbutton batteries or the automatic ones, so I wonder if these batteries might be interchangeable. I could start with an automatic battery and maybe when it needs to be replaced, get a pushbutton. Maybe by then I'll be into mixing drip concoctions. Would this all work with the Volt? The only downside is that I'd have to choose white, which would look more like a conventional cigarette. I'm not a pink person, so that option is out. Why don't they offer black? I really thought that'd be my color of choice.

So, thinking about making liquid mixes, there must be reviews of them, too, and I think some people mix flavors for their own custom flavor. Are there recipes? Did anyone ever do a blind taste test of the flavors like they do with wine tasting? I've read some comments on flavors, but not really a comparison, just recommendations based on what that person likes. Also, how much does a particular e-cig affect the taste of the flavor used?

I still wonder how everyone carries these e-cigs around. If not near your car keys, where? What else should they stay away from? My computer? How far away is safe? I was hoping to smoke e-cigs while on my computer, since I have to leave to smoke now, having heard cigarette smoke isn't good for computers.

 

[Archetype]

I've researched the kr808d-1 as trouble2k suggested, and discovered the Volt from SmokelessImage. Apparently it's very similar to Bloog's Maxx Fusion but cheaper.

I went with the Bloog and I'm really pleased with it. That being said, when it comes to recommendations to friends and family I say go with the Volt because it's as good as the Bloog and less expensive.

 

[swedishfish]

That's a popular option and the price is right. The volt is a KR808 (that refers to the battery) so any KR808 device should work with it. Try both, see which you prefer, manual or auto. With auto you have to be very careful not to drip juice into the battery or you can short the battery. Manual, you control the inhale, not the timer.

Brand new, the battery probably lasts maybe 3 hours. I don't know how long it takes to charge so I'd definitely want a charge case and/or extra batteries. (My 1 battery lasts a whole day). Plus your cartomizers.

I carry mine in a sunglass case but they do make some pretty nice cases.

I thought they offered black for $1 more? No?

As far as mixing juice, I just started but my DIY isn't too good. I'd figure out the kind of juice I liked as well as the ratio of pg/vg and nicotine level first. Then you can fool around with DIY. It is sort of fun!

 

[swedishfish]

This is the first I've heard you can't vape by your computer.

 

[DC2]

I'd like to choose one that looks and feels like a cigarette because if it's going to replace a cigarette, that just makes sense to me. Maybe it doesn't matter, but I think it might, at least to start.

If you feel strongly about this, then the only models I can suggest are the Bloog MaxxFusion or the Volt.

 

[DC2]

I've researched the kr808d-1 as trouble2k suggested, and discovered the Volt from SmokelessImage. Apparently it's very similar to Bloog's Maxx Fusion but cheaper. And it comes with a PCC, which I've learned is the abbreviation for a portable charger. If I want a mini e-cig and the battery life will be short, it makes sense to have a charger with a spare battery, doesn't it?

Yes, definitely, a PCC is almost a requirement with the mini-sized electronic cigarettes.

The Volt seems to get good reviews from what I've seen, and the medium-priced kit is $29.95. They offer the kit with either pushbutton batteries or the automatic ones, so I wonder if these batteries might be interchangeable. I could start with an automatic battery and maybe when it needs to be replaced, get a pushbutton.

I would call them and see if you can get one of each in your starter kit.
Most electronic cigarette vendors are very willing to please.