I've read & read...

[RobynS]

Hello everyone!
I've spent hours reading the forum, trying to decide what is the best way to start. I do know that most recommend the eGo, KR808, LR510, etc. Then I read where people eventually upgrade to such-and-such. Is there 'an upgrade model' that would be suited for a newbie? I ask this for monetary reasons. If I spend x amount on the recommended starters, then I would want or need to spend more money on an upgrade. Can I successfully start with the upgraded models or would that lower my chances of success?

Thanks!

 

[WyattDerp]

I would say bang for your buck, I'd go with an Ego model. Longer battery life and compatible with 510 threads. Most people switch to the ego after awhile. It's a great starter kit.

 

[Michael Curry]

An eGo for many is an upgrade, but it's also a great start. I think the chances of success are actually enhanced by starting out a bit farther up the food chain - lower grade equipment increases frustration and makes it more likely that someone will not be satisfied, and so on.

 

[wv2win]

An upgraded model could actually increase your chances for success because most come much closer to providing the "inhaled feel" of a cigarette and have much longer battery life so their is less hassle and frustration. They are just as easy to use. You just have to be OK with them not looking like a cigarette.

There are many to choose from and many that are well made. My two favorite better models are the 5 volt GLV 2 or 3 and the power regulated, variable wattage Darwin. Both come with longer than normal warranties (lifetime with the GLV and 2 years with the Darwin). Both provide long battery life, much warmer vapor and much more consistency. They both do cost a good bit more.

If you don't want to spend that much to start out with, I would suggest you look at the E-Power 510 or the Riva UNC. Both are very good "beginner" models and the E-Power will save you money in the long run over the eGo or Riva because the batteries only cost around $4 each and last 4 - 5 times longer but are in the same category/size as the eGo.

Electronic Cigarettes and E-Liquid - Great Lakes Vapor

Nhaler

e-Power

Electronic Cigarette - Starter Kits - Riva UNC

 

[Tersur]

The Ego Variable voltage Kits would give you all the stability and compatability of an Ego system with the ability to try out variable voltage off the bat.

 

[brianishiwa]

An upgraded model could actually increase your chances for success because most come much closer to providing the "inhaled feel" of a cigarette and have much longer battery life so their is less hassle and frustration. They are just as easy to use. You just have to be OK with them not looking like a cigarette.

There are many to choose from and many that are well made. My two favorite better models are the 5 volt GLV 2 or 3 and the power regulated, variable wattage Darwin. Both come with longer than normal warranties (lifetime with the GLV and 2 years with the Darwin). Both provide long battery life, much warmer vapor and much more consistency. They both do cost a good bit more.

If you don't want to spend that much to start out with, I would suggest you look at the E-Power 510 or the Riva UNC. Both are very good "beginner" models and the E-Power will save you money in the long run over the eGo or Riva because the batteries only cost around $4 each and last 4 - 5 times longer but are in the same category/size as the eGo.

Electronic Cigarettes and E-Liquid - Great Lakes Vapor

Nhaler

e-Power

Electronic Cigarette - Starter Kits - Riva UNC

Perfect response. A lot of people "end up" with these after trying some less expensive options.

 

[Maximillian]

Heyas RobynS,

Welcome to the ecf! And woot on the decision to give vaping a try!


I wouldn't think that buying a higher end pv would decrease your chances of success at all. It's just a matter of how much coin you're willing to shell out. The Darwin and Provari seem to be considered the two best performing PV's around here, although I haven't tried either. But, both are gonna set you back ~$250, plus the cost of atties/cartos/carts/driptips/etc. and the cost of juice.

That being said, I started off with a joye ego (well, after buying some cheap-but-not-inexpensive crap that was available locally) and I'm still using it a month later, and love it! I do have a $100+ mod in the mail, but just because I want to expand my vaping horizon, not because I don't care for the ego.

If others experience as related here is anything to go by, whatever your first purchase is, it won't be your last. Not by a long shot

So, if coin is no object, shoot for the sky!

If you want to start a bit smaller, there are lots of less expensive pv's that are fantastic. I'll let others chime in on the kr8 or other options, but if you're looking for a joye ego or riva, you could do worse than to check out E-Liquid and Electronic Cigarette Shop - Category Listings and click the 20% off button in the upper left corner. Riva kits start at ~$30, and ego kits start at ~$40. And liberty flights shipping and service are fantastic.

The world is yours to vape!


Happy hunting,
Maximillian the Vaguely Disreputable

 

[my4jewels]

Is it important to you that it looks like a cigarette or an ego? If that's not an issue for you, there are lots more options, and everyone will give you their personal favorite pv. I stayed with an ego for quite a while, it definitely got me off the ciggies. If you go with an ego, make sure it's a genuine ego from Joye, not an ego type. And I'd suggest some low resistance Boge cartomizers to go with it.

If you want to go with something more upscale or more advanced than an ego, you've got a world of pv's and mods to consider.
Personally, I think the ultimate in vaping is with a variable voltage mod, but I would not have been ready for that early on. I needed to follow my learning curve.

Hello everyone!
I've spent hours reading the forum, trying to decide what is the best way to start. I do know that most recommend the eGo, KR808, LR510, etc. Then I read where people eventually upgrade to such-and-such. Is there 'an upgrade model' that would be suited for a newbie? I ask this for monetary reasons. If I spend x amount on the recommended starters, then I would want or need to spend more money on an upgrade. Can I successfully start with the upgraded models or would that lower my chances of success?

Thanks!

 

[Boodle]

Welcome Robyn. It's not as hard as it seems. You'll attach a juice-filled cartomizer to a charged battery and start vaping. Easy peasy. I suspect you're like most of us. You want a low fiddle-factor, high-performance and reliable product. Darwins and Provaris are very nice. My 2 cents is reward yourself with a high-end mod on a vaping anniversary. You can get a mod-like experience on a Fat Batt type model (eGo, Riva, KGO). eGos and Rivas are very good. KGOs are my favorite because the battery life is longer and it's higher voltage (stronger, cigarette-like hit). They look the same. Kits are $42 to $50. You'll need cartomizers and juice and you're set.

KGO Vid: K-GO : DUAL COIL CARTOMIZERS - YouTube

KGO vendors:
BreezEsmokes
Hoosier E Cig Supply

Whatever you decide, enjoy the journey. Let us know how it's going will ya? You'll get lots of fabulous help and info on ECF. Glad you're here.

 

[SaraBee]

My 2 cents is reward yourself with a high-end mod on a vaping anniversary.

I'm stealing this idea! This will keep my gadget lust under control and give me a goal to work toward. Sometimes the simplest ideas are the most brilliant!

 

[5cardstud]

Although the Ego is a great product if I had it to do over and knew what I know now it would be a Buzz Pro or an Infinity Pro from notcig. Why? Because it gives me hassle free vaping from one day to the next without changing batteries every few hrs. It gives me the option to change my voltage level because of the variable voltage which they brought to the ecig market I might add. and in the long run it's cheaper. The Ego uses Ego batteries. The Buzz Pro uses any 3.7 volt 16340 battery and they last longer plus cost less. I gave my ego. my 510 and my Kr808D1 away and my other mods collect dust since I got the Buzz Pro. It also gives me the option to adjust every thing I put on it to it's ultimate performance. I use 808, 510, 801 and 4081 cartos on it with adapters so I guess you could say it's all ecigs rolled into one.
BTW I fill my tank and put batteries in it in the morning then I am good to go until tomorrow morning. So people get more time than that.

 

[JQside]

An Ego kit comes with two batteries. It also comes with standard 510 attys and disappointing small carts, or 510-T, which will eventually become useless over time like mine. I'll be ordering cartomizers, preferably with bigger tank capacity. I may try the LRs or dual coils, but I'm not a huge vapor enthusiast. I find that fair amount of vapor is already produced in standard attys (standard resistance). Throat hit and vapor production for me don't necessarily go together. I'm satisfied with either one present. To each his own, I guess.

So going for Ego-T for a start plus cartos is a safe bet, in my opinion, instead of the cheap attys that go with an Ego kit. They're (cartomizers) disposable, don't flood, burnt taste is unlikely. If one does, throw it and put a new one.
;-)

 

[kendartra]

I absolutly agree with wv2win. I quit in June on a Ego tank and the darn thing kept leaking. I bought another cheap PV and was still not satisified with the vap quantity and quality. Two months later I purchased an E-Power 18650 and was very pleased. I eventually purchased a Megledon and found my vaping heaven. As an early Christmas present I bought both of my sisters the E-Power 14650 for their beginner PV's. Neither sis has tried them yet they are both die-hard analog smokers and are afraid to part with their best friends. I commend RobynS for taking the leap and I wish her good luck.

 

[alanselo]

The upgrade is to a bigger battery to minimize charging frequency, and allow varying voltage in pursuit of flavor/TH/etc.

I started with a DSE-801, probably because it resembled a cigarette. I was given a Firefly, e-go type pv, along with a charger and a couple of carts and cartos. The E-go quickly became my primary pv. Seems there is more variety in the juice delivery gear, i.e., carts, cartos, tanks, etc., for the 510 connection "most"-gos have, and also because of the bigger battery.

Two tanks and a spare battery in a cigarette case and I am good for the 9 hour workday with plenty to spare. Not too big, has a little style, hits well, and is versatile. You can find kits for about 50 bucks or so.

Upgrades also involve aesthetics, quality, materials, design, etc.., I am desperately trying to avoid this particular type of upgrade by substituting DIY mods.....for now....it ain't working.... help... my budget....

The "best way to start" step you have taken already taken. Welcome and you'll be fine.

 

[J-Bryce]

i started with an ego and i had no complaints

 

[Huffelpuff]

I spent a lot of money chasing the perfect vape. If I had to do it over again I'd get 1 bottom feed mod at 3.7v and 6v and 1 Variable Voltage. It's nice to have the option for HV vaping - I find it very sastisfying but everyone has their own taste. Have ProVari and would recommend to anyone.

 

[Vapoor eyes er]

Before purchasing I spent 200 hrs + researching- PVs, delivery systems, juices, etc. I decided to purchase a Mod and it has surpassed my expectations. The only change I have made is to switch to Dual Coil cartos and DIY juice. I'm in my sweet spot right and know all that research was well worth it. Still researching and now up to about 400 hrs.

 

[rx7andrx7]

Will never go wrong with 510

 

[RobynS]

Thanks everyone for the great advice and input! I later realized that I should have given more info initially. Head-spinning from all the reading!!! I don't care about the looks of the unit, but I do have to watch the investment because I'll be buying for myself and hubby. Hubby drives a lot during the day but I'm home-bound. So I could see where one model may be suited better for him and a different one for me?? Arghh - decisions, decisions! You guys are great!

 

[my4jewels]

Same here. Hubby's a letter carrier, and I work at home. We both have basically the same gear, though. Every time I get something new and pretty, I get him one, too. I wouldn't want him to get jealous. LOL.

There's a lot of info on ecf, and soon you'll just be absorbing it all like a sponge. I practically lived on here for my first month or so of vaping. Heck, I still do.