I have no issue with egos - that's why the vision spinner is on the list.

I don't think I can go with an actual ego-C, just because the numbers are harder to see than on the vision spinner and the dial is a little harder to turn... turning motions are hardest on my hands thanks to rheumatoid arthritis. I've had an opportunity to handle both, and the vision spinner was much easier for me to manipulate... and it's basically an ego under a different name. I was planning on just getting a vision spinner kit for a long while, but then I started looking into variable wattage and realizing that I'd really prefer one that does VV/VW/reads ohms, and is a little easier for me to adjust, since that twisting motion is difficult for me period. So that's why they itaste mvp 2 and the itaste 3.0 are on the list.
As far as cigalikes, Halo g6s really are amazing quality and quite cheap. I'm planning on picking up a few more batteries and a few more mini tanks for mom, and I'm not remotely bothered by that idea (vs. pushing her toward VV)... they really do work well for a "grab and go" system.
(edited to add): Regarding why egos would have turned me off at the very beginning - the same reason I think they turn a lot of people off who are just getting started... I wanted something that felt as much like a cigarette as possible, so that it didn't feel like I was picking up a *different* habit instead of replacing an old habit. Vaping isn't smoking, of course, and I knew that, but I needed that psychological crutch of having it feel and look the same in my hand for the first two weeks or so. I knew that if I had the choice between picking up an ego and grabbing a smoke, I'd go for the smoke, whereas if it was a choice between a cigalike and a smoke, yeah, why not the cigalike, cause I can puff on that inside.
I think that's why veterans need to be a little careful about recommending newbies jump straight to egos... I'm not saying they *shouldn't* be recommended, but I think they should be recommended with the caveat that some people really do need to "waste" a little money starting on a cig-a-like to get their sea legs before they jump to the equipment that truly is better suited for vaping. Even on my very limited income, I don't at all regret starting with the G6. It's what I needed at the time, and it's still useful when I need to stick something in my pocket and go.