Mind is jumbled from what to buy, and what to look for.. Help?

[deejay]

New user, and soon-to-be new vapor(er?)

I've been a smoker for two years. Started out on KOOLs, moved on to Newports for quite awhile, on to Marlboro Reds, to Winston Reds, to Marlboro Menthol and finally settled with Camel Menthol.
At my current state as a smoker, I'm at 6-8 cigs a day(varies), and about 3-4 packs a week.
I've been reading this website for a good portion of today, for general information on e-cigs, what brands are good, and what I should buy. (I've known about them for a long time, now deciding to get one.)

All I have to say is: Tmi. (Literally)

I've been looking into different brands (the ones that I've heard the best reviews about seem to be are Volcano[what's the difference between V-kit, M-kit, Magma and Inferno?], Green Cig, and 510), cartridge flavors and strengths, and the basics(?) of dripping. However, even though I've read all of this, I'm still quite blind as to what brand I should buy first.
510 seems to be a favorite of everyone here, could I get some first hand general information on these? Volcano's had a disposable one I could try, so I may start with that one, just to see how I like it. Green Smoke just had.. A lot of reviews, and many people online seemed to swear by them.

If I could sum up my mass, horrifying wall of text, I guess is where should I start, where should I look, and what brands should I be considering? There seems to be too many to choose from, and I'm worried about buying one that I won't like, then hating it and having to buy more and more and more until I'm satisfied.

 

[Cindra]

I have to agree, there is sooo much info it becomes mind boggling. I have spent about 3 days researching and ended up going with a 510 kit. Didn't cost as much as a carton of cigs would have cost me. I have noticed that it seems to be somewhat interchangeable, with other products, if I am understanding that correct. I haven't gotten it yet but am trying to be patient in waiting.

 

[Vaporblind]

I got my feet wet with the Joye 510 and am very happy with it my wife has a 901 also a good unit.

 

[SuZamme]

I started with a basic 510 kit from cignot.com for $35.00 and I added in some extra juice.
That will get you started. You're spending about that in a week on the stinkies.

From there you will join the rest of us and enjoy trying a zillion different flavors of juice, adding an eGo or two or three (they come in different colors), trying a mod or two, mixing your own juice. Whatever!!!

Everyone has similar but different experiences, preferences, likes, dislikes, and opinions. You will form your own ONCE YOU GET STARTED. Sorry to shout AND there is no definitive "right" answer no matter how much you read or how many people you hear from.

You have obviously done a lot of ECF reading...now take it to the next level. You can do this!!!!!!

Welcome to ECF and the Wonderful World of Vaping.

 

[cskent]

Hi and welcom to ECF. Yeah, this place can seem overwhelming at first. From what I've read, more people swear at Green than by them. A disposable is a cheap way to find out if vaping is for you, but it's not going to give great results. They don't give a very good hit. I've tried them and wasn't satisfied at all. The flavor they put in the prefilled cartridges is often horrible, the batteries are weak, and you are going to be in a learning curve. My advice is to go with something that will give good results. You don't list your needs, such as the size, battery life, how often you want to top off. Here's a good place to get a bunch of info that might help http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/new-members-forum/120044-i-made-videos-newbies-particular-broke-newbies.html, if you haven't already watched them you should. The videos give info on the KR808 and 510 models. They're both good starter units, the only drawback being battery life. If you want something that'll last a lot longer consider an eGo or Riva. I'm sure others will have more to say so stay tuned.

 

[JC Okie]

I'm with the majority....you can't go wrong with a Joye 510....Cignot is a great place to get one. Basic kit...maybe an extra battery. Everybody has to start somewhere....that's a good, solid kit. It's what I started with....then I upgraded the battery to an eGo for longer times between charges. Once you get a kit (get the 510, really) then you'll begin to figure out what you like/don't like...and everything (really, it will!) will start making sense. I swear. The girls at Cignot know what you're going through, and what they're doing. They can have a kit and some juice in your hands in about 2-3 days. Go for it.

 

[rogerdugans]

Welcome to Vaping and congrats on doing research and asking questions before buying.... I didn't.

I've only been at this vaping thing a short while, and having been a 30+ year heavy smoker I seem to have heavier than many vaping needs, but my research may be able to help you.

I don't have one, but a 510/compatible device is probably a great choice:
many folks stick with them, and if you do decide you need "more" than a 510 can give, many of the Mods are 510-based so many of your parts can still be used (atomizers, cartridges in particular.)

As for brands- well, I don't think that is really too critical most of the time: compatible is almost always compatible, with a few rare exceptions. I'm sure you can find fans of virtually any given brand.

The main advice I seem to have developed since I started is this-
*don't go nuts buying to start with
*2 batteries are a must (charge one while vaping the other)
*get lots of juice in different flavors- you won't like some, but you won't know until you try
*Atomizers vary so get a few- you MAY end up with some that don't work when you get them, and it sucks to have no working attys!

It takes some time to figure out how things work and what YOU really need-
you may be fine with a 510 but want manual batteries instead of auto, or one of the "fat batt" mods. Batteries don't last for ever anyway so they WILL need to be replaced eventually but a pair is enough to get started with.

Atomizers are... well, cheaply made at this point. Some work well, others don't; and this can be from the same shipment.
Some places tend to have more reliable attys but generally these cost a bit more. (ALl the places I have heard of will replace doa attys.)

Cartomizers are available for a LOT of models now and many folks prefer them to atomizer/cartridge combos- only way to know if YOU do is to try them.

I started with a mini e-cig than went to a DSE801 (a bit bugger than a 510) and still needed more. Ended up with a GGTS/AVS unit which finally does the trick for me.

 

[TxMagic]

What cskent said . . . and check out the vendors on ECF. A 510 will get you started, but you'll end up with an ego-style eventually, whichever model that may be . . . . and welcome!

 

[jcleaver]

It is hard to say which is better for you. Only trial will tell.

I started with the Blu, which is very similar to the base volcano. Although it is small, the batteries never lasted as long as I wanted. So eventually, I bought a mega-510 kit from Madvapes for about $35.00 which came with two manual mega 510 batteries, 5 blank cartomizers, a charger, and 10 ml of juice. I have been happy with this combo. I wasn't sure i would like the manual batteries, but find I now prefer them as they don't turn on by themselves when it is in my pocket.

I have heard good things about the Magma from Volcano, but don't have any experience with it.

Good luck, and welcome!

 

[proudlion]

deejay

Welcome! Plunge in, immerse yourself deeply and enjoy this wonderful world of vaping.


Just want to get my plug in for the KR8008D-1 ! I started with a mini auto and pre-filled carts - never resumed cigarettes from day one. At your low volume of smoking, 6 to 8 cigarettes a day, you can't go wrong with either the 510 or the KR808D-1.

PS: I'm with you on being a vapor(er) - we've created all types of protologisms

 

[Mnemerah]

Another point, a lot of these guys will wow you with their stories of being off smokes a day or two after getting their first ecig. Don't be hard on yourself if this isn't the case for you. Many people do get their starter kit, jump in with both feet, and leave the cigarettes behind without a second thought. This was not the case for me. I got my first ecig almost a year ago, and although I was down to 3-5 smokes a day almost immediately, I just couldn't get past that point. I hovered around there for about a month, then was back on the cigarettes, due to both convenience and financial concerns. I am a student, with limited funds, and it is so much easier for me to run to the store to grab a pack of smokes than it is come up with the scratch to make a decent order. It's even harder to come up with the scratch to make that order when you're running to the store for a pack of smokes each day!

I finally met success just over a month ago after getting in my ego kit. I dug up my previous kit one day I was low on smokes and not feeling like running to the store. After puffing on it all evening I decided maybe to give this ecig thing a try again, and hopped back on to ECF to find out that there had been all kinds of exciting developments in the world of ecigs since I had ordered my first. I asked for an ego kit for my birthday, got it, and now have not had a cigarette since Oct 13th.

Basically, the switch from cigarettes is not easy. Even these wonderful devices are not a magic bullet. They don't make it easy to quit. They just make it possible to quit. That's how I see it, as I had pretty much consigned myself to the fact that I was a smoker for life until I discovered ECF.

ETA: I reread my post and I wanted to point out that I'm not doubting those who dropped the cigarettes immediately, I'm just saying that there are so many that have had that kind of success that those of us who don't can get a little discouraged.

 

[dormouse]

I'm a noob but just some general recommendations I've seen mentioned here a lot...

1. read the sticky threads at the top of the New Members forum. There are some videos there too. And the Library section has some great beginners guides.

2. unless there is some overwhelming reason you need to vape hands free, get a unit with manual batteries. Automatic batteries can turn on by accident. You also have to suck a bit more on a manual to get it on and warmed up and then get your drag, or double-suck it to do the same. With a manual you can press, start sucking 1/2 to 1 second later, let up on the button, and continue to suck another second to get the remaining vapor. So you have more control over your drag and less unproductive sucking.

3. Two batteries, a charger, juice, and either spare cartomizers or an atty + spare carts are enough to get started, but if you like the unit plan to get more attys (I keep 3 - one in use, one being washed in alcohol and dried, and one emergency spare) and maybe a spare emergency battery in case a battery dies.

4. Expect to wash things to keep getting best flavor and extend their life. You can't just keep refilling one carto or cart, or keep using the same atty without periodic cleaning.

5. Look for a model with a nice PCC available so you can wirelessly recharge a battery on the go. The PCC usually also can hold one of more spare carts or cartos.

 

[charmed412]

Try some juices that you don't think you would like. You might surprise yourself. I don't like red bull but I love to vape it. I thought I would love cream, but by itself it tastes like sour milk. Your choice in juice may also change from week to week and day to day. Some of the juice I loved at first, I hardly touch.

 

[deback]

Might as well go with an eGo, which many people end up buying after they're dissatisfied with their 510 starter kit and either return it or retire it to some drawer.

Here's a suggestion of a great eGo 510 kit that you'd most likely be very happy with:

Joye eGo 510 - Standard Bundle (8 choices of colors - all in stock now):
Electronic Cigarette - Starter Kits - Joye eGo

Use the coupon code of ECF to buy this kit for $51.96.

 

[froginblender]

Forget the magma, volcano..i almost bought that junk too...as a noobie once myself...then i got lucky on youtube and found the video that set me str8t..
Some dude complainging about sending back like 3 different kinds of e-cigs...then he finally got a
Joye Ego...and he was so happy, blowing big azz smoke rings....
Do yoruself a favor..get an ego..or riva, you'll be in heaven son....don't mess around with batteries that have 2 hr's at the most before dying on you...
The joye ego with the mega battery will last over 9 hr's of heavy vaping....no carrying around that stupid metal cigarette case to charge your little battery in....
Go to youtube check out the Joye Ego.....and get on now! 2 battereis 2 atomizers for like 55 bucks...c'mon now...
Then get your cheap juices at vaporrenu......they have 30 ml bottles for 6.90 brah...!
Now go n kick them rocket sticks....and vape it baby!

 

[grandmato5]

Great info so far given to you on your thread. Always remember that we are all a bit different. Best for me, isn't always best for you. Doesn't matter how much you read here, until you try an e-cig for yourself and start using one lots of stuff you're reading isn't going to make a lot of sense. Trust us that it will once you're vaping.

I don't know much about the Volcano products but have read some good reviews. The difference between the different ones you named is mostly within the battery size. Larger MAH longer time between charges and larger batteries. Based on reviews here I wouldn't buy a Green Cig. Joye 510 is a decent product. I started with it and still use my 510 batteries I have. MUCH prefer the 510 mega batts (280 mah) to the smaller regular 510 batts (180mah?). Size difference is the the megas are a bit longer. Way too short a time between charges on the regular ones for my liking but the mega(280 mah) while still short I find acceptable as long as I have a charger nearby. Not sure who else, but I think madvapes.com sells a 510 mega kit for about $42.00. I did add the Ego batts to my collection and I do like the longer time between charges when I'm away from home. I can use my 510 atties on both my mega batts and my Ego batts so I wasted no money in starting with the 510.

Mostly because of battery life and what some think is a more consistant vape the models with 650 mah battery or a bit higher are what gets most commonly recommended these days. Some people stay happy with the smaller batt, more cigarette looking 510 models (or something very similar) but pretty common for folks to decided they want to "tryout" the Ego or Riva (someone will correct me if I'm wrong but I think its the Volcano Magna that fits this size batt?) a few weeks after getting their 510's so you will see a common recommendation now-a-days to just go straight to that size kit and bypass the smaller size battery. What you decide really is a personal choice.

Good Luck !!