Yep, definitely a noob thread. The lt is a fantastic device for noobs, but appropriate batts and a good 'smart' charger are kind of essential because the device does (heck, I don't even know how to explain it) but the needs of the device work much better with IMR batteries.
Just to break down what I personally think are "
essentials" for an LT owner.... other people might disagree. lol And clearly you don't need all this stuff the very first second you have your LT, BUT this stuff will let you do pretty much everything within spec on any version of lavatube, and gives you loads of options, and gives you a satisfying, safety conscious vape at any voltage.
*
Boge 3.0 XL or reg size Standard Resistance cartos (for high voltages) $8 max for 5pack, $21 for 15 pack at CCV. Stainless ones are best if you might use them in a tank.
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Smoktech 1.7ohm single coil 'resurrectors' in their normal 'xl' size, junior size, or Jumbo size OR
boge 2.0 Low resistance cartos in reg 'short' or XL size (for low to mid range voltages) $8 or so 5 pack, $21 and change for 15 pack w free drip tip of choice (slightly more for larger than norm sizes) Stainless ones are best if you might use them in a tank.
*an
atty or two in range of high (example 3ohms) and low ohms (example 1.5ohm) these are for 'direct dripping' method of vaping with only an atty and a drip tip, and for tasting flavors using direct dripping, $5-$9 ea
*couple of
drip tips for 510. The rare really large cartos, like the Jumbo resurrectors, call for a different size dirp tip. That will usually be mentioned in the description of the carto. (lots of places have some, but litecigs usa has a nice selection) $1-$35 depending on how artsy and wild you want it like blown glass, etc. Most are in the $2-$12 range.
*Some variety of
Carto Tank, either a Dual coil tank (fits regular sized resurrectors, or XL sized boge) or a shortie tank (fits the short cartos like boge, 'junior' sized resurrector). Easiest/cheapest I've seen for a newbie is the Sub or Mini-sub at
ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE / E CIGARETTES STARTER KITS AND E LIQUID NICOTINE FROM MOM AND POP $12 or less, with a handy refilling port). Smoktech tanks are also great and inexpensive, but filling is a little more complex, and involves a syringe.
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Carto Punch or a '1/4 inch self piercing
saddle valve' purchased form a hardware store/amazon (punch is $15-$30, valve is under $8) To 'punch' your own cartos that go into DC tanks. You can purchase them pre-punched, but its a little more $
*A few
IMR High Drain batteries, 18650 for reg size LT, 18350 for mini. The best I've heard of are either Panasonic brand, or AW brand. Cost ranges from about $5 to about $10 (orbtronic sells the panasonics, a guy here on ecf (can't find the link, hoping someone else has it) sells the AW brand IMRs
*Good quality
'smart' charger, suitable for IMR batteries. I've heard great things about 'pila' brand chargers ($50) and Xtar WP2 chargers. Both STOP charging your batt when it reaches 4.2v (unlike most cheap chargers, so batts can overheat to a dangerous degree) and have multiple safety features built in.
DiscountVapers - Your source for savings on electronic cigarettes and accessories, Go-go eGo, vGo sells Xtar WP2 chargers for 2 batts ($18) or for 6 batts ($33). Link to review is a few posts above this.
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Multimeter or at very least a
volt meter. Multimeter allows you to test your batts right off the charger to make sure they're at max of 4.2v, and allows you to test the resistance/ohms of your attys/cartos. Voltmeter screws into your 510 connection between PV and carto, and tells you what volt you're actually vaping at. Both can be found at many vapeshops, from about $8-$20
*For the ALL metal Lavatubes/vtubes, like Stainless, Chrome, and Copper, a 'short cone' aka 'thread cover', or a 'shortie 510 to 510 adapter'... these will make the draw with some cartos a little less 'airy' on the new metal lavatubes. The shortie 510 to 510 adapter also allows you to use some vision clearo tanks, and Ego CE4 aka 'ego stardust' cartos that do not screw on device without the adapter.
*For the 'original' powdercoat w plastic caps v1 lavatubes, or the new v1.5 lavatubes, you may need an adapter to use certain types of carto tank/DCT, and you definitely need a '510 to ego' adapter to use certain types of ego cartos. If you're unsure, ask the vendor you're buying the tank or ego cartos from. Tell them you have the original flat top 510 connection type on your lavatube/vtube.
And then of course you need your juices, and a few syringes for when carto or tank calls for a syringe fill. I prefer 'slant edge' syringes, but any will work for just about all your needs, provided they don't have a huge diameter needle.
K...lol That's all I can think of off the top of my head. But LarryK... I will tell you that I have been sorta assuming the people with lavatubes have some experience vaping. I'm guessing the others answering questions have been making that assumption as well. I personally think the lava tube is a great 'starter' pv, but not many people buy it as their first. But if you're BRAND new to vaping, and acronyms and phrases like DCT and ohms and volts have you scratching your head, that's ok, too. Just speak up if you need an answer simplified, or mention that you're brand new to vaping when you ask your question. I promise, we were all scratching our heads once, too. lol I wrote a 'beginners guide to vaping' a while back, and that goes over the VERY basics. Its not geared for a VV device, it kinda assumes people are starting with an ego kit, since so many do. But it goes into step by step instructions on how to care for your cartos and attys, cleaning them, different methods of filling different kinds of cartos, basics of DIY, all sorts of stuff that might come in handy if you're new. I promise I'll update it soon with basics of vv. But here's the link for that if you or anyone else wants to download it. It has tons of links to helpful youtube vidoes on how to do the very basics, and even links to helpful places around ecf. Its just a .doc word file.
Beginner's Guide to Vaping Free download
Beginners Guide to Vaping_FinalG_orachel.doc - 4shared.com - document sharing - download
My head is spinning. 
