There's lots of good advice on different posts and threads. I'll share my experience very shortly.
In the picture above you can see how my vaping has evolved. Going from right to left (oldest to more recent):
1) first is the copper hex which is ok but looks like a pipe bomb (gave me trouble in airport security) and does not accept 18650 batteries. Also it doesn't have a button, you push the tip in to tape which is not convenient for carrying in a pocket.
2)then the roughstack: better in that there;s a button on top so you can carry in your pants pocket without much risk of it activating in your pocket. Also is the smallest pv that you can fit an 18650 battery in
3) lavatube: also fits a 18650, is longer because it has a led display and you can adjust the voltage. Also has some security features: if it detects a short circuit ( has too high amps due to a bad carto), or if the battery doesn't have enough charge for the desired voltage, or if the vaping button is pressed longer then X seconds (I forgot what X is) then the pv will shut itself off.
Lessons learned:
-with heavy vamping (continuous use throughout the day, ~5mls) a 18650 battery will last you a day before the voltage falls (but it is still usable for maybe even 2 days). so the big plus is, you don't have to recharge or change batteries during the day. The downside is, they're big and not discreet.
-variable voltage is a must have, not simply because you will keep changing it throughout the day, but more because it allows you to set a constant voltage, so it gives consistent hits and improves battery life (by preventing too strong hits when battery is initially charged), and the variable voltage circuits usually (maybe always?) come with the security features I described above.
-cartomizers are best starting point: they are portable, easily fillable. the regular sized (not XL) 1.7ohm is ideal for 3.7 volt batteries (18650 batteries are 3.7V). I use it by setting the pv between 3.0-3.3 volts which is just under 2 amps and decent wattage.
-I stopped putting on the plastic caps of cartos, I always leave them off, after 10 minutes of heavy vaping, I just drip 2-3 drops. So I refill throughout the day. This is the most hassle free way. you can look into XL cartos, tanks and clearomizers later on. I did, and went back to cartos. I don't recommend XL because they take in more fluid but if the carto fails you lose more fluid and it is harder to fill towards the bottom, thus easier to burn.
So (if you have already decided that vaping is right for you!), my recommended starting point/kit is:
-A starter kit such as lava tube for around ~100-120$. Which should include 2 18650 batteries, charger, the variable volt pv, a few cartos.
-15 or so 1.7 ohm smoktech regular size cartos (smoktech is the only one that manufactures 1.7ohms)
-60ml of a decent RY4 liquid (look for reviews on ecf). RY4 is a probably the most common eliquid recipe, its somewhat neutrally flavored and easy to vape with the least risk (the risk of hating the taste).
This should be somewhat low cost, and also enough supplies to last you until you decide whether to restock, or try different cartos & eliquids.
happy vapes.
