Need general advice on stockpiling hardware ...

[peakcomm]

We are two full-time RVers and brand-new vapers -- we're talking days of vaping here, not weeks. But we are both VERY enthusiastically preparing to get off analogs permanently. For the next month, we'll be in one place, able to order from on-line sources and receive packages. Then we'll be back on the road for at least six months, staying no more than 6 days in any one location. Shipping will no longer be an option and a quick check at VaporSearchUSA.com suggests that finding bricks-and-mortar stores along our way won't be likely, either.

I'm confident we have time to judge our e-liquid usage; we already have more than a dozen samples on the way so we can choose some favorites to buy in quantity. I'm less confident that we will have enough time to judge how long our hardware (batts, attys, carts) will last. Can you help us make sure we buy enough "stuff" now, while we're stationary, so we don't run short before we reach our next shippable destination?

Basic supplies we have are:

• A 510 kit, with two auto batts, two attys, five reloadable carts, with charger -- this is the start-up kit that convinced us both this is doable, though trying to share the devices and short battery life made us quickly decide to also order:
• An eGo-C kit, with two 1000 batts, five Vision clearomizers, and charger
• An eGo 1000 pass-through

We also expect to order/try other variations of carts/attys/cartomizers (still researching options and recommendations are appreciated). We aren't likely to be DIYers or rebuild anything, and as newbs, there's definitely a good chance we'll make mistakes and unwittingly abuse things. Between us, we have smoked 2-3 packs of analogs daily.

So ... what do you think? Do we have enough batteries to last six months, assuming the eGos are our primary at-home/in-vehicle units and we carry the 510s for short outings? How many atomizer-type units should we stockpile, once we decide on a preferred configuration? Are we overlooking anything?

Yes, we understand usage is absolutely method-and-user-dependent, but since we don't yet have enough experience to judge for ourselves, we turn to you vets to help us guess-timate. We don't have unlimited resources and want to buy smart, but would rather overstock a bit than be tempted to buy cigarettes just because we run out of something on the road. Thanks for any help you can offer!

 

[rolygate]

OK, to last out 6 months on the road will probably take about double that amount of hardware. In fact it would not really work out enough even if in one place, although if you are static then at least you can add to it easily.

The problem is that if you use the minis and mis-size units you mention, the reality is you need more than is realised at first. You can get around that by going to APVs that use generic batteries, that way if you have a box of 5 or 6 batts then it's sorted. Plus a back up device, because nothing works for ever unless you are very lucky. In your position you'd be looking at the most reliable mechanical devices such as the Reo grand, a boxmod with integral liquid feed; or a basic electrical tubemod like the Silver Bullet. Both use the AW 18650 Li-Mn cell, which is the benchmark for APV batteries.

However you are probably a few months away from being convinced that this is the way to go. In that case you'll need more eGo type units to be well covered. What people often do in your situation is to have family collect your packages and then forward them to you when you ask. I'm a cruising sailboater who goes away for months or years at a time when I get a chance, so basically I do what you do but on water. The issues are basically the same. You need to aim for reliability and hassle-free usage above all else. It can be a bit difficult to get that in anything other than basic APV bodies because everything else is disposable, although you don't really appreciate that until later. The eGo style batteries are sometimes very good, sometimes quick to die, and you won't know which is which until trial and error tells you.

One tip that is worth knowing is that the refill liquid might be even more important, because the right liquid in the wrong device is at least usable, but the wrong liquid (for you) in the right device is a real pain. You will also probably use a lot more liquid than you think.

As a get-out for this I'd always advise that some basic research into DIY is essential for long-term travellers, because you can save the day by simple mixing that is dead easy once you've done it a couple of times. Example: get some 60mg or 100mg nic base (100ml or 250ml to start with), some PG and VG for mixing, together with some simple flavours like caramel and coffee, along with a bunch of small 5ml and 10ml bottles and a pipette and syringe.

Then you always have a get out of jail free card

Somewhere along the way you'll find you are out of something important like batteries or liquid. Try to plan so that isn't going to force you back on the stinkies, it's mega annoying if that happens. The start-up cost is basically a lot more than people estimate at first; of course it's peanuts when you compare it to the cost of cigarettes over the same period of time, but people don't like shelling out $200 or more to start out, and that's just going to get you a seat at the table, not keep you going for months. If you're travelling then this needs to be recognised.

1. Get more stuff.
2. Or, arrange with the family that you'll order your supplies to be shipped to them, if they can send them on to you when you are static somewhere.
3. Get more liquid than you think necessary. If you are smoking 3 packs a day that could be as much as 9ml of liquid right there, per day. I bet you haven't got enough liquid to cover that kind of usage for months
4. Seriously look into simple DIY of e-liquid, for back-up purposes at this time. Later you might embrace it fully when you see the savings (massive).
5. A simple APV or two in the spares drawer, with a couple of 18650 cells and a charger, will save your bacon one day. You might even get to like it. Lots of us finish with the smaller units and move 100% to APVs (mods) because there are huge cost savings, three times the performance, and far better reliability if you stick with simple devices.

You'll have noticed that 'simple' comes into it a lot. There is a reason for that.

Viva RVs and boats!