Looking for specific suggestions

[Kabooma]

Hi Folks, I've been lurking here for a couple of weeks now, trying to figure out what I want, and even though I've read dozens of help requests and suggestions, none seem to completely apply to what I'm looking for, so I figured I would ask!

I smoked all my life, quit a few years ago, then started back up-
For the last nine months, I've smoked about 8-10 a day on average. A few weeks ago I tried the Krave disposable (menthol), it was surprisingly good (at the time), and I could see myself vaping instead of smoking in the near future. It only lasted about a day and a half, and I bought another, thinking that maybe I just got a bad one, and the next one only lasted about the same.. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that at $10 a pop, it triples my costs.. just not going to work. I then went to the local smoke shop to see more options.. and the only thing they stocked was the Blu starter kit and refill cartridges. I spent the $70 (ouch!) and got it and a 5-pack of refills. It's better than the krave, more TH and more "smoke", but still only marginally better than the krave.

I've done a lot of homework on the systems, juices, mixes and figured out what I want, and even followed a few suggested links on where to buy the kits- but always end up getting confused before I can order- I thought I wanted the eGo, but I found 5 different sites that carry 5 totally different lines, and the price points are all over the place. I still don't quite understand atomizer vs. cartomizer, and other options, and what works with what- So what I'm asking is for someone knowlegable to just help me out by telling me exactly what to buy and where to buy it- I'm not financially independent and don't want to keep making costly mistakes.

I'm looking for:

Something where I can control the TH
Something that uses the liquids, not pre-fillied carts
Something that doesn't require a ton of maintenance (constant replacement parts and/or cleaning)
Obviously something that is cost-effective in the end

From what I've read, I can buy separates -in another post, someone said all you really need is a charger, batter(ies), clearomizer, and liquids.. but then I read some battery threads don't match other clearomizers, and just got confused and frustrated again.. Nothing would be worse to me than getting everything shipped and not being able to use it and needing more parts. I live out in the sticks, so there's nowhere to go to buy/try, and the only vaping group is in MD, over 100 miles from me

So anyways, sorry for the long post.. I appreciate your help!

 

[KerryK]

I was an 8 to 10 a day with American Spirits, I moved to vaping on my birthday 2010. I switched (as many do) to a cig looking e-cig mine was from Smokeless Image, from there I went to a larger battery, the ego.

Smokeless Image was a great starting point for me, they offer both stick and ego style batteries, they have blank and pre-filled cardos and sell 2 lines of juice.

While I have moved on and explored the industry, different vendors and different mods etc my wife still just uses her Smokeless image sticks and loves them.

Smokeless Image | Only The Best Electronic Cigarette | Smokeless Image Electronic Cigarettes - The Future is in your hands

 

[mogium]

Cartomizers are long atomizers with polyfil they work well in tanks. I would recommend them I would suggest a spinner or ego twist from smoktek.com myvaporstore.com. Those are the 2 venders I use for hardware

 

[mogium]

I personally use an evic and carto tank

 

[Kabooma]

I guess I really want the eGo twist. seems everyone is out of stock

 

[wv2win]

The VAMO is the most cost effective, best featured model on the market. It provides the most consistency and most flexibility of any model in it's price range of $40. Unlike other models in it's price range it is variable wattage and has a 5 amp switch instead of the weaker 2.5 amp switch's in most of the VV models in that price range. Plus the batteries cost 2 -3 times less than eGo models. You can also make the size of the Vamo smaller with the option of using one battery instead of two. Here is a site that sells them and a review by an ECF vet:

VAMO Variable Volt/Watt APV V2

A PBusardo Review - The Vamo - YouTube

Good Luck

 

[Kabooma]

Hmm. I found this:
1100 Ego C Twist kit

Don't understand the cartomizers, thought the ego twist came with a clearomizer (?) This is what I meant by everyone selling something different under the same name. Anyone have clarifications?

Also found these:
Ego Twist E-cig Starter Kit - Mac Daddy VapesMac Daddy Vapes
earth eGo Twist 1100 mAh Starter Kit
https://secure.cighub.com/content/ego-c-twist-ce4-starter-kit-black

That last one looks like what I want.. but I just can't seem to commit until someone here says 'yeah'.. is the 650mah battery sufficient for all day use? Should I order a backup battery, and backup clearomizer, orther parts?

 

[mogium]

I would get the mac daddy 1100 twist kit it comes with 2 bats where as the other one comes with 1. Then get a cartomizer tank and some spare catomizers .that should set you for a while

 

[Kabooma]

The VAMO is the most cost effective, best featured model on the market. It provides the most consistency and most flexibility of any model in it's price range of $40. Unlike other models in it's price range it is variable wattage and has a 5 amp switch instead of the weaker 2.5 amp switch's in most of the VV models in that price range. Plus the batteries cost 2 -3 times less than eGo models. You can also make the size of the Vamo smaller with the option of using one battery instead of two. Here is a site that sells them and a review by an ECF vet:

VAMO Variable Volt/Watt APV V2

A PBusardo Review - The Vamo - YouTube

Good Luck

I checked out the video and link - and I'm sorry, but it's extremely confusing. Both the website and the video make it a point to say it's the "tube only", aren't clear on what else I need to buy to make it complete (which is why I asked in the OP to be specific about exactly what I need to buy).. in the video, the guy starts screwing on all kinds of different mods/accessories, leaving me feeling confused and frustrated, as it's clearly done for those with knowledge and experience in vaping, something I have neither of.

Can you be a bit more specific in what all is needed to make a complete kit?

 

[Kabooma]

I would get the mac daddy 1100 twist kit it comes with 2 bats where as the other one comes with 1. Then get a cartomizer tank and some spare catomizers .that should set you for a while

Thanks for that suggestion, I went back to macdaddy and yes it looks like the best launching point. I think I'm going to go for it!

 

[mogium]

When they say tube only it means you need to buy a battery and something to vape the juice . A cartomizer/atomizer/clearomizer etc

 

[KerryK]

The Genuine Joyetech Twists are great, that is a knock off. That having been said I have bought Twist knockoffs and they are working fine. I can't speak to the quality of the clearomizer they are offering, the juice is Dekang from China, not my fav.

Better Price, better vendor:

eGo 650mAh w/ CE4 Clearomizer Blister Pack Starter Kit - MyFreedomSmokes.com

 

[KerryK]

Remember the Vamo has issues, be sure you know what model you are getting. The heat springs were a recall and the center pin can get pushed down with certain 510/ego adapters.

 

[wv2win]

I checked out the video and link - and I'm sorry, but it's extremely confusing. Both the website and the video make it a point to say it's the "tube only", aren't clear on what else I need to buy to make it complete (which is why I asked in the OP to be specific about exactly what I need to buy).. in the video, the guy starts screwing on all kinds of different mods/accessories, leaving me feeling confused and frustrated, as it's clearly done for those with knowledge and experience in vaping, something I have neither of.

Can you be a bit more specific in what all is needed to make a complete kit?

The video review is simply screwing on different vaping heads (attomizer or cartomizer or tank). You will need these regardless of what tube/body you choose. The only other thing you will need are the batteries and the charger which is another $20 or so. And the Vamo batteries are 2 - 4 times less expensive than any ego type batteries, as you will have to replace all batteries over time. Here is a good place for the batteries for the Vamo and the shipping is free (and you can get the charger here too):

Efest IMR 18350 800mAh 3.7V LiMn Battery Flat Top or Nipple Tops (2PCS)

 

[Lowlife]

If I was starting today this is what I would get.

Kanger EVOD Starter Kit with BBC(Bottom Coil Changeable) Clearomizer $42.00

Kanger EVOD Starter Kit with BBC $42.98

They are out of stock but you might be able to find it somewhere else.

 

[Offday]

Almost everyone that I know that started on an Ego or Kgo type set up only used it in transition and ended up buying a mod instead and tanks etc. Now you have to remember a "mod" is simply a container holding your battery.......with that said, yes there are variable voltage and variable wattage devices a plenty. And yes when they say "tube only" that simply means the device itself. No battery's, charger or a tank to screw onto it. So next question is simply, what's your budget, once you figure that out it really narrows down your options. I recommend the iTaste MVP the kit comes with everything you need for around $70.
Now mountain vapor has mod tubes starting at $17, or you can get the tube with the batteries and a tank for I think $33 (I'm not a fan of tje tank it cokes with. And you can add the charger for I think another $10 so a complete kit for under $50.
I personally found a good telescoping mod, strictly mechanical. Meaning no.electronics is a good start. There IA nothing to break. Ans although you will have the option to run several different batteries in it. Which means in it's smallest configuration it's small and very pocket friendly.
I highly suggest going to tje "taste your juice" site and watch all pbusardo's reviews. He will show you a good selection of what's out there. I really appreciated his knowledge and helped me get a really good idea of what might be good for me. Heck watch all tje reviews you can find out there. But Phil really covers a lot. And he always gives prices at the time of review and links to buy.
I can't say enough. Reviews really help steer me in the right direction. And of course, you can always search for the beat prices
Hope this info was useful. Of course everyone's taste is subjective and it all boils down to personal prefferacne. (And budget)

 

[grillmaster21]

I have been vaping for 7-8 months and am still learning all of the different technical jargon and whatnot. I started with a V2 ecig and pre-filled cartridges. As far as my experience goes, it was a great transition brand. Getting more and more intrigued by all of the different battery sizes, delivery systems and most of all, all of the different flavors, I went to my local vape store, and bought a 1000mah eGo-CTwist with a Vision Ego Clearomizer. The clearomizer had the option of single use(eGo V2) or option to replace the atomizer(eGo V3). Don't let the changing of the atomizer on this one scare you. It's as simple as unscrewing the old and screwing in the new. I tried both and preferred the single use. Lasted about a month or longer and was just as cheap to replace. Both are easy to refill. Just fill with whatever juice you like, wait 5 minutes for the wick to absorb the juice, and you are ready to go. The whole set up, battery, 2-3 clearomizers, charger and a couple bottles of juice ran me around $50-60 bucks. After the initial purchase, juice is cheap. I purchased the eGo CTwist battery about 3 months ago and am very pleased with it. Lasts me all day, sometimes a day and a half. Just depends on your usage.

So to answer your "what is cheapest and easiest to maintain" question, my opinion is this battery and clearomizer. I have turned multiple smokers into vapers with this exact set up.

Hope this helps.