Just bought a Crown 7 ... help!

[Baditude]

Excuse me dropping in late on the discussion. Welcome to ECF, and grats on your decision to stop smoking!

I'll agree that if you MUST get a cig-alike battery, the Smokeless Image line is probably the best to go with. A 2 battery (78mm) kit with a charger and some carts are a minimum. I strongly recommend also getting one of the larger e-Go sized X2 passthru batteries for use at home until you are more comfortable with using a larger battery in public. All of their gear is intercompatable, which makes it easier for beginners. They also have a large selection of juice flavors from two different manufacturers.



Going with a cigalike size battery severely limits your options in juice delivery devices. You will be limited to only cartomizers and ce3's.

If you decide to go with the larger size eGo batteries, you options for delivery devices nearly triple. For a crash course on the more common, follow this link to the picture dictionary I made:

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/cartomizers/343294-proper-terminology-carto-tank-what-lol.html#post7562212

The following is an ideal setup that I recommend that has the highly recommended eGo variable voltage batteries and two of the most popular and easy-to-use juice delivery devices:

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/new-members-forum/369128-what-kit-start-3.html#post8309522

Edit: It was brought to my attention that a couple of the devices linked to in the above link are out of stock or the webpage has been changed. Below are the appropriate corrections:
Mini Vivi Nova tank - http://www.discountvapers.com/dv-mini-vivi-nova-v10-2-0ml-ego-threaded/
USB/wall unit - http://www.discountvapers.com/usb-mega-2a-wall-socket/

I realize you just possibly wasted some money on your first kit, but don't make the same mistake twice. The above setup uses well-known brand-name products that are current, latest generation devices, not a knock-off no-name brand that is inferior. They also are from well known vendors approved by ECF.

For e-liquids, I'll only say don't waste your time looking for a flavor that will taste like a cigarette. It ain't gonna happen. Focus on finding a couple of flavors that you don't mind using all day. They may not even be a tobacco flavor; in fact, I'd try something else as most vapors want to stay away from anything that reminds them of cigarettes once they have quit.

The best way to find flavors is to find vendors that offer sample packs to try their flavors in hopes that you will be a repeat customer should you find some winners. That way you don't waste money on larger bottles of juices that you'll try just once and never use again.

Vaping is hard work. It takes planning ahead of time, making sure your batteries are charged and you don't run out of e-liquid. Not as easy as just lighting up a cigarette. But vaping can allow you to quit cigarettes if you are motivated. If you have more questions, there are many people here willing to offer support and experience. Good luck. --Baditude

 

[Janusxvii]

Hi newb1. As far as the fluid (liquid, eliquid, juice, ejuice) goes, I would say that as long as you buy something that's made in the U.S. you should be fine from a safety standpoint. The China juice certainly isn't a deathwish or anything (i'm using some right now) but there is a little bit more peace of mind with the American companies. Halo is a very reputable brand www.halocigs.com though a little bit on the pricey side. As far as your question about cig-a-likes vs eGos and the matter of throat hit I can say that when I got my first eGo and took a drag off of it I did a double take and involuntarily got a huge grin on my face. I think you will notice a significant difference even if you don't start with a twist. At the risk of throwing all sorts of hardware suggestions at you I am inclined to suggest a plain-jane eGo kit like this one:
AltSmoke.com | Personal Vaporizers | Electronic Cigarette | Ecigs | Joye eGo Starter Kit
Alt-Smoke is a pretty good company. I buy most of my supplies from them. Now the reason I would suggest a kit like that is twofold. First, it isn't terribly expensive and has everything you need (minus the liquid). Second, with so many options for how you want to vape I think it's best to start simple and then try new things from there. That kit I linked to uses atomizers and cartridges which are kind of "old school" but are a decent starting point. From there you can experiment with clearomizers, cartomizers, and all sorts of other things that I'm sure would make your head spin at this point. If you haven't seen this yet you might want to check out:
New e-cigarette users Archives - ECF InfoZone
also YouTube has some decent videos posted.
Lastly, I see you are in the Tucson area. I'm getting this information from another part of the forum that you don't have access to yet but i guess there is a walk-in ecig shop down there called Freedom Smoke USA located at the following two addresses:
3805 W. River Rd. Suite 101
Tucson, AZ 85741
(520) 572-9254

4570 E. Broadway
Tucson, AZ 85711
(520) 396-3990

I live up around Phoenix and can't vouch for how accurate those addresses are or the business itself but you might want to check them out.

So yeah... welcome.

 

[Trick]

When I mentioned a good starter kit link I couldn't find earlier, it was that second link in Baditude's post. Very solid recommendations there.

 

[chrisvapo]

coulda been worse....coulda been a blu kit.....i got jacked on a cigalike kit too....took about a week to find the ego and kanger setup....love it been on it since last january...i am curious about mods but too cheap...plus my ego works great for me so why leave it

 

[Janusxvii]

I just saw that baditude posted while I was writing my post. His setup suggestion is better so if you can afford it I would go with that instead. It cuts out a lot of the learning through trial and error that my suggested setup has.

 

[NewB1]

Today is a new day, and I'm looking forward to checking out the eGo options today, assuming the local shop has some. While asleep, my paranoid brain got to work, and I came up with one other question.

Regarding the larger devices that don't resemble a traditional cigarette ... has anyone every had any trouble with authorities using these in public? I just envisioned myself puffing on something shaped like a large pipe started to worry everyone will think I must be smoking something illegal in plain site. Any thoughts?

I know they're not illegal, but I'd just love having to explain that to a cop who is convinced it's more than an "e-cigarette"...

 

[Leatherneck]

1. I'm sure it varies, but in general, is this something many stores carry locally or would I need to purchase online?

It's not my site, so I can't vouch for how accurate it is, but check here: VaporSearchUSA

 

[DavidOck]

Freedom Smoke is listed as an ECF Supplier, so if the walk in store is the same company, it's likely ok. Being able to go in some place and try things out is a good entry to this wonderful world. And they probably have a lot of different flavors you can try out in the store so you can get something you like right out of the gate - then shop around online later for other flavors and flavor vendors (cheaper on line, but of course you have no idea of what they really taste like until after you've bought them!)

If you do want to stay with the cig-a-likes, you might want to get "LR" cartomizers with it. The lower resistance of them will give a bigger throat hit, more vapor. And run the battery low sooner Yup, high capacity batts are the way to go, with either cig-a-likes or better.

Only thing worse than running out of juice is running out of battery "juice."

A Twist (or a Spinner, different manufacturer, similar product and price point) with some version of clearo / tank would definitely be a good upgrade path.

In any event, make sure everything you get uses the same thread. 510 is the most common, and standardizing means you will have more options to "mix and match."

While there are lots of more expensive options, you might want to go with something like Baditude lists, for starters. Just in case vaping doesn't work out for you.

 

[NewB1]

Just finished up at Old Pueblo Vapor Loungue. I was extremely impressed with their customer service. Allen, the store manager, took about an hour discussing all of my options with me, and agreed that the eGo Twist setup you all mentioned is a good one. I'm very impressed with the product, and also with Allen and Old Pueblo. I would highly recommend both to anyone. Thank you all for your help!

 

[Baditude]

Today is a new day, and I'm looking forward to checking out the eGo options today, assuming the local shop has some. While asleep, my paranoid brain got to work, and I came up with one other question.

Regarding the larger devices that don't resemble a traditional cigarette ... has anyone every had any trouble with authorities using these in public? I just envisioned myself puffing on something shaped like a large pipe started to worry everyone will think I must be smoking something illegal in plain site. Any thoughts?

I know they're not illegal, but I'd just love having to explain that to a cop who is convinced it's more than an "e-cigarette"...

This topic was very recently discussed in this thread: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/general-e-smoking-discussion/377651-pulled-over-suspicious-activity.html

If you click on the link below in my sig, you can easily tell that my mods look nothing like a cigarette. In 10 months of vaping, I've never been questioned by any authorities about what I am using in full view in public. I openly vape everywhere: at festivals, fairs, sporting events, and outdoor concerts. I've passed through security check lines openly displaying my gear and the staff nod their approval.

I don't hide what I'm doing, its not illegal; its not smoke, its water vapor, it's not even tobacco. Its an alternative nicotine delivery device, a simple vaporizer.

So vape strong, and vape proud.

_____


I'm so pleased that you took our suggestions. Having a local brick-and-mortar shop is a huge advantage, especially for finding new juice flavors if they allow on the spot testing. Good luck, you already skipped a step to a better setup by going with the larger batteries.

 

[bernard516]

This topic was very recently discussed in this thread: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/general-e-smoking-discussion/377651-pulled-over-suspicious-activity.html

If you click on the link below in my sig, you can easily tell that my mods look nothing like a cigarette. In 10 months of vaping, I've never been questioned by any authorities about what I am using in full view in public. I openly vape everywhere: at festivals, fairs, sporting events, and outdoor concerts. I've passed through security check lines openly displaying my gear and the staff nod their approval.

I don't hide what I'm doing, its not illegal; its not smoke, its water vapor, it's not even tobacco. Its an alternative nicotine delivery device, a simple vaporizer.

So vape strong, and vape proud.

_____


I'm so pleased that you took our suggestions. Having a local brick-and-mortar shop is a huge advantage, especially for finding new juice flavors if they allow on the spot testing. Good luck, you already skipped a step to a better setup by going with the larger batteries.

======

It's hard to find a good brand at first. It's simply trial and error.

I first tried buying from the one of the many national drug stores like: CVS, Rite Aid or Walgreen.

Then there are reputable brands on-line. And that's also trial and error.

There are several review sites out there.

I found this one helpful: http://bestelectroniccigarette101.com/

It might be the one for you but there's so much out there right now.

Good luck in finding something for you!

 

[Crazyinariz]

I know there's at least 2 vape shops in tucson. One of my favorite vendors is in san tan valley, desertvapes.com. there's a list of az vendrs n the 'vaping in phoenix' page here on the ecf.

 

[Crazyinariz]

I know they're not illegal, but I'd just love having to explain that to a cop who is convinced it's more than an "e-cigarette"...

I'm at work right now but i got stopped by a cop on my way in today. Sitting at a red light hitting my lavatube w/a t3 full of gandalf and the cop in the car next to me hit hi bubblegums and signaled me to pull over. I got really defensive about the whole thing until he pulled out his little v2 his wife bought him last week and said he was just pulling me over to ask what my pv was. He's looking to upgrade and i was the 1st 'lucky' person he saw vaping in the wild. Hehe. Scared the bejeezus out of me at 1st but i gave him some basic info and steered him here to the ECF.

 

[GimmieMore]

I have been recommending the eGo-C or eGo-T kits to new vapers personally. Not to huge, but good battery life and production. The body is solid and easy to work with.

I have an eGo-T and a fancy eGo-K that I love. The eGo-C is a tad smaller I believe.

(Tried to post a pic of the K in my hand, but photobucket is being a .......)

myfreedomsmokes has eGo-C kits for $45 currently. Just add juice.