I prefer the autos and like others have said, with the Volt batteries you don't need primer puffs, they work fine right away. Some folks like manual batteries, and I used to prefer them with other brands, but for SmokelessImage batteries, I prefer the automatic Volt. I don't like dripping, especially when I'm out and about, so I grab my SI SmartPCC, 2 charged batteries, and a pack of prefilled (or refilled by me) cartomizers. I don't want to be fiddling with eliquids when I'm busy.
Yes, the SmartPCC charges all of the Volt batteries. I keep mine plugged into my USB hub to stay charged up fully until I'm ready to go out. I go ahead and charge my Volt batteries in it while at my computer, handy system.
I'm not a fan of the MegaPCC, SI started carrying them because folks in these forums begged them to, but those were designed for old-style generic 808 batteries that had very little power, so they don't charge Volt batteries adequately... glad to see SI is discontinuing them.
I'm anxiously awaiting the new PCC that's supposed to be coming out soon. Going to have a huge battery in it, able to charge two Volt batteries multiple times and hold several cartomizers. The rep has been teasing us with snippets of photos on it here in the forums throughout the design of it. Can't wait!
To start vaping, you need at least 2 batteries, I recommend 3 so you always have one to vape even if you are charging up two, a charger, then at least one pack of cartomizers and a 30ml bottle of eliquid in the same flavor. For me, I've found if I keep eliquid in the cartomizers and never vape them all the way dry, I can keep one cartomizer going for a couple of weeks with no degradation in taste. At that point I can clean them, dry them, and use them longer, or replace them. I used to clean them, but now I replace them, feeling I've gotten my money's worth by that point, lol.
Oh, and it's good to have a drip tip, not necessarily because you plan to drip eliquid into the cartomizer (I don't drip, lol) but to hold the ecig in your mouth hands-free easier and to keep the heat from your lips. The cartomizers can get too hot for me, but maybe I'm just sensitive.
Happy Vaping!