I went the "cheap AND local" route. I am using the Mistic e cig, (pv), that I physically purchased at a local Pilot gas station to quit analogs. I have not smoked an analog in over 3 weeks.
For under $40 I have 3 batteries, a usb charger, and 9 pre-filled cartos. Great th and tons of vapor... I used to smoke a pack and a half a day and "they" say each carto is a pack yet I'm getting almost 3 days on each carto. Also, each battery seems to be lasting the same length. lol...I know that sounds crazy but it's the truth. I have like $37 dollars invested in this thing and it's been 3 weeks..lol..thats almost a $100 in 3 weeks that I've saved!!! I swear it's true! You can check this thing out if you want a SOLID and DEPENDABLE entry-level pv Mistic eCigs, Electronic Cigarettes]
That can be a fabulous way to start, for sure. And LOVE your mod! I started on something very similar called a 'firelight'. My only caution would be that for me and a bunch of others I've seen around here, a unit with an automatic battery (ie: little opening between your carto and the battery, so it doesn't require you to touch a button when you 'hit' the unit) can tend to be very expensive over the long haul, though they are often cheaper to buy initially. The reason is exactly what you mentioned, that the batteries die in a few days or a week. Its inevitable, tiny bits of juice work their way into battery and it fries eventually. For me, my firelight batteries cost about $10 each to replace, and I was replacing about 3 a month. I used that for a year, so you can imagine how much an extra $30 a month adds up. NOT at all trying to disparage your system... it looks cool as heck and its working for you, and that's the important thing! Just wanted to toss out a warning so if you realize you're replacing batteries left and right, you might want to consider another unit with a closed battery. To give comparison, I've had my joye eGo for over a year and a half, and I'm still using the 2 batteries that came with the kit, and the passthrough battery (plugs into usb so you can vape while charging) that I bought at the same time. I've not had to replace a single battery. That's because there is no hole from where the carto/atty screws into the battery, so its impossible for juice to get in there. I'm only mentioning it because i wish someone had explained the difference to me before I spent $400 on replacement batteries for an automatic battery unit. I could have bought two of the highest caliber pv's for that same money, and I've been kicking myself since i realized I didn't have to replace batteries constantly with a manual.
