New & a Smoker But Would Like to Try Ecigs

[sbucciarel]

Hi

I'm a smoker but have been reading about ecigarettes. There's too much info I think. Don't know where to start. For instance ... what about flavors? Are there any that just taste like a good cigarette? Not sure I would care for all the fancy flavors. I like the taste of a cigarette.

Found a site I can order from - bestecig.com - saw it recommended in this forum. Anyone have any other outlets?

What about strength? I'm a pretty heavy smoker. What strength do you recommend?

Thanks
Suzanne

 

[Snarkyone]

Well the Flue Cured is often called very tobacco like and among the favorites of the tobacco lovers crowd, so is the 555. As for strength you can always start high and cut it lower. I would recommend getting a couple of strengths to start with to see what you like. What model E-Cig are you looking at getting? There a lot of factors to consider when purchasing one, you want to get the right one for your smoking habit and for your personality. The 3pc models are usually more labor intensive than the 2pc cartomizers. Everyone has an opinion on the best. Tons will shout out the 510 is the best, others the 901, some will want you to go straight to a mod which is kind of ridiculous since you may only need a standard E-Cig of good quality like my favorite the GreenCig which is a cartomizer style that I mentioned. The KR808D-1 is another favorite not just of mine but of many loyal users here.

Take the time to learn what you can and don't be afraid to ask questions. We are all more than willing to help you. I am always around taking PM's if sent or offering to help feel free to send a PM and I will help as best I can. I try to look at the whole picture and then present a couple of options and a few different places to get it so there is no bias. Good luck and don't be intimidated it may seem like a lot of info but it's really not too complicated once you understand the subtle differences in the models and what to expect and not expect from a model or E-Cig.

 

[Arizona Dad]

Suzanne,
You might try cignot.com if you want a 510. They have the kits at the cheapest prices around. As to nicotine level...I smoked a little over a pack of Marlboro mediums a day and found the 18mg at Totally Wicked more than adequate. You can always get a stronger level and thin it out, if you wish. I too, like a cigarette flavor and found their Marlboro liquid pretty good. Another good tobacco flavor is found at Wet Your Stick. Some liquids seem to go overboard on the carmel flavor in tobacco juice - just too sweet for me.

 

[oldtechno]

Yep, Cignot carries both tobacco and Marlboro, and he's right about the 510--I've got five of those kits in the mail right now.

Finally, if you ever had a taste for coffee, try their cappuccino--that's the next thing I'm ordering from them.------welcome aboard!

 

[Kurt]

Welcome, sbucciarel! As long as you don't just say screw it and go to a mall and get a mall brand, like Smoking Everywhere, or heaven forbid a freebee from the radio, you will probably get something that will get you started out well. 2-piece systems are easy, low maintenance, just buy the carts and use them up. 3-piece is more hands on, which I didn't think I wanted initially, but I prefer it now. With these you can get prefilled carts (not recommended for anything other than testing flavors and strengths, IMHO), or you can get bottles of juices and fill your own carts.

But all things in time. No matter what you get, you will learn more than just reading stuff here...although I wish I had known about ECF before I purchased my first ecig (Greensmoke. Not bad. 510 is way better). Only with hands on experience will you even understand much of what we talk about here. And no matter which you choose, you'll be vaping, and for now anyway delivery from most vendors is fast...other than some from China, very slow, but cheap.

Warning: you may find after you start vaping that tobacco flavor does not excite like it used to! You may find that other flavors give a pleasure that is simply not possible with a cigarette.

But again, all things in time. Best to read a bunch (510), and really try to make a wise choice (510) based on your particular needs (510), so that for a while anyway (510) you will be happy with your choice (510), and start to get rid of analogs (510). **Would someone please turn off the subliminal advertising machine?? Thank you!!**

Good luck and ask lots of questions (510). Oops.

 

[DC2]

I strongly suggest you read the thread linked in my signature below.
It discusses most of the topics you've raised.

 

[Brachinus]

Bestecig is a good site (I've ordered from them several times), but their version of the 510 isn't that great, and I'd suggest a 510 as your best entree into vaping.

Cignot has a cheap, good 510 starter kit, and faster shipping than you'll get from Bestecig (which in turn is faster than most other places in China, which can take 2-3 weeks while Bestecig is more like 1 week).

I started with 24mg juice and I think that's what works best for me (former pack-and-a-half unfiltered Camel smoker), but you might think about getting some that's a bit milder (or maybe some a bit stronger, like a little unflavored 36mg for if you find yourself needing an extra nicotine boost).

 

[treelvr]

Kurt that was hilarious! (510)

I just took the plunge (402) and am, so far, very pleased with it. I was a 2-pack/day smoker and altho I haven't completely given up the analogs since I got my 402 on Friday (not loving the juice I got with the kit, am waiting for samples to arrive), I've gone from 2-pack/day to about a half a pack, and it's been completely painless. I kinda think the ones I am still smoking, it's less actually wanting them than out of some kind of psychological pull. The 402 is satisfying in a lot of the same ways, and in some ways, much more so!

 

[WarrLordd]

Smoked a analog yestaday it tasted like crap the more i go a week w/o a analog the less i crave for it..Yes i been vaping for almost a month now but i do tedn to try a analog every sunday after that big lunch .. Right now am using Johnson Creek.. TC which taste great.. I would recommend switching to e-cig and give up the bad habits of the harmful analogs.

 

[Snarkyone]

Sure get a 510 if you want to spend your time topping and filling carts, searching for the perfect filler material, getting juice all over you hands and carts when filling them, searching for and buying mods to compensate for the crappy battery life between charges, just to name a few flaws of the 510.

If you want to spend your time actually vaping your E-Cig, with long time between cart changes, easy refilling, nice battery life, great taste, good vapor, and nice throat hit you will not monkey around and get a cartomizer. At first they are more expensive to buy the kit a lot of times but in the long run it evens out and it is still tons cheaper than tobacco cigarettes.

Each group has it's advocates and they both love their choice for their own reasons. These are a very personal choice much like the brand of cigarette you smoked. It was your brand and the hell with the rest of them you didn't like them. I know that's how I pretty much viewed it. Everybody has different taste buds and senses as well, what's a nice throat hit for one person is too much for another sending them coughing or not enough for a third person, there is just no telling what you will prefer. I started with the m401 then I got a 510 when everyone and their dog barked it up and I was really disappointed in case you didn't notice, I got a 6v mod for the 510 which is nice but was yet another expense either in parts to build it or to buy one. I then purchased a KR808D-1 and tried it out and due to battery issues ended up getting the GreenCig kit that I had eyeballed real hard back on day one when I first started looking into these. I didn't believe the claims the cartomizers made back then but now I can honestly say that in my opinion they are far superior for vaping enjoyment than the 3pc units.

Now if you like to play and mod and play then the 3pc is a lot of fun to own. I do like to and that is the one saving grace of the 510 is that its easily modded and adapted since it has grown so popular. I do enjoy it with the Magnum mod, then it is much better than out of the box, and I would really like to try it 5v which I think is the perfect or close top perfect for the juices to bring out the taste without easily burning it.

It's often a matter of what you do and where you work to take into consideration of what model to get. If you don't get a lot of free time to refill your carts or drip then the 510 is not going to be a good choice neither will the other 3pc units. If you work at a desk or do have the opportunity to sit and take a few minutes to get your carts straight then yeah it's can be a good choice for you. If you don't have that luxury then a cartomizer might be better suited to you. That brings me to my last point and that is many of us end up with more than one kit anyway. We search for the perfect one for our taste unless we get lucky the first time. Even buying a kit a month your still not spending what you did on tobacco cigarettes so it is not so bad really. You will find a solution that works for you.

Good for you Treelvr I started out with a Dragon which is a m401 and I am still rather fond of it. I loved the taste of it, it was much nicer than the 510 nowhere near as harsh. The m402 is the same thing but with a different battery. I was able to quit smoking tobacco cigarettes with the m401 and it set me on my way to freedom, or at the very least a healthier addiction, lol!

 

[gooney0]

Welcome to the ECF!

As you can see the 510 vs. cartomiser debate rages on.

I have a 510 which I like. I haven't tried a KR808D-1 or the like yet so I'll bow out of that debate. There are valid points for either device.

If it helps here is a link to my first post which details my first month of using an E-cigarette. It has a lot of good advice from the more experienced users in addition to the tidbits I learned first hand.

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/new-members-forum/39555-skeptical-smoker-trying.html

Don't worry too much about which model you get. If you can find several users recommending it on this forum it is a good one.

I find it helps to decide what to buy THEN find a vendor. Once you have your shopping list you can compare apples to apples.

For your first order you may want to order from a fairly local vendor that offers refunds. This way should you have a problem they can fix it for you. You'll also want to know a place where you can get stuff quickly. Shipping from China could add complexity and save you very little or no money.

Good luck with whatever you choose,

-Gooney0

 

[sbucciarel]

Wow ... thanks for all the answers. So I can see there is a debate going on over models. I will probably try more than one in the long run.

The cartomizer that some of you speak of ... 2 piece, I think ... what is the best place to purchase this? And the 510? Best place for that.

Another thing I wanted to ask ... are most of you using a cigarette that looks like a cigarette or are you using what I think is probably being called pen style?

I sort of like the looks of one that actually looks more real, but I can probably get over that. So basically, what local options do I have for purchasing (I'm East Coast, US) without going to the malls for one, mail order I presume .... and what exactly to order for the 2-piece model.

Also, this doesn't matter much to me, but I'd be interested in knowing .... do you smoke these in restaurants and other places that don't allow smoking and how do people react?

 

[sbucciarel]

Yep, Cignot carries both tobacco and Marlboro, and he's right about the 510--I've got five of those kits in the mail right now.

Finally, if you ever had a taste for coffee, try their cappuccino--that's the next thing I'm ordering from them.------welcome aboard!

I'm a coffee addict too so I may be tempted to try that out at some time. I'm looking at the

Joye 510 with PCC - Special Our Price: $75.00
Sale Price: $65.00
at cignot .... These 510s ... do you refill these with liquid or do you just replace cartridges when needed? I'm on dialup, so I can't watch the video on that site.

The 2-piece models that some have suggested. What is the best place to get them?

 

[Michelle M]

I'm a coffee addict too so I may be tempted to try that out at some time. I'm looking at the

Joye 510 with PCC - Special Our Price: $75.00
Sale Price: $65.00
at cignot .... These 510s ... do you refill these with liquid or do you just replace cartridges when needed? I'm on dialup, so I can't watch the video on that site.

The 2-piece models that some have suggested. What is the best place to get them?

You refill the 510 cartridges with the liquid of your choice. In fact, you will be refilling them WAY more than you could possibly believe. They're a great little smoke-machine but the topping-off process will drive you nuts.

As for the two-piece models, you mean the KR808. I went from the 510 to the KR808 and haven't looked back!! The improvement in battery life is unbelievable. 45 minutes (the 510) vs. several HOURS!! (the KR808)

Both units can be had at NHaler.com -- which, by the way, is a premier juice place you should bookmark anyway! Simply the most amazing juices, and samples of most of them for $4 each; shipping so fast it's on your doorstep shortly after you've thought of it. They have a subforum here at ECF which stays pretty busy.

"Cartomizers" seem pricier to start with; however, they can be easily refilled many times.

 

[sbucciarel]

You refill the 510 cartridges with the liquid of your choice. In fact, you will be refilling them WAY more than you could possibly believe. They're a great little smoke-machine but the topping-off process will drive you nuts.

As for the two-piece models, you mean the KR808. I went from the 510 to the KR808 and haven't looked back!! The improvement in battery life is unbelievable. 45 minutes (the 510) vs. several HOURS!! (the KR808)

Both units can be had at NHaler.com -- which, by the way, is a premier juice place you should bookmark anyway! Simply the most amazing juices, and samples of most of them for $4 each; shipping so fast it's on your doorstep shortly after you've thought of it. They have a subforum here at ECF which stays pretty busy.

"Cartomizers" seem pricier to start with; however, they can be easily refilled many times.

Thanks ... I'll check out that site. Appreciate the info. Good to hear about the shipping. I've heard rumblings about FDA stopping shipments at the borders and maybe some supplies and kits not being available.

I wouldn't want to order only to find that I've backordered. I'd like to get started trying it out. I smoke way too many cigarettes.

 

[gooney0]

As for looks...

There are some models that look more realistic. The problem is they are smaller and automatic. Being smaller means they hold less fluid and have smaller batteries for the most part. As far as I can tell they are all too heavy to hold with just your lips.

I haven't tried using my 510 in a non-smoking area. If I were to I'd be glad it didn't look like a cigarette. I don't think realistic is a very helpful feature.

On the east coast you'd get fast shipping from either Cignot your Midwest Electronic Cigarette store. or eCigarettes and eLiquid from Awesome Vapor I can recommend both of those. Both sell 510s.

As for size, the 510 is considered a "Mini." It is 112mm long which is 2mm longer than a 100's cigarette. A "Super Mini" is smaller at 85 - 90mm (approx.) Penstyles are larger and don't try to look like cigarettes. See the "801" or "302" for an idea.

The KR808D-1 can be found at Vapor4Life:: Because it's your life :: Electronic Cigarettes & Alternatives to Smoking

What they are saying about the 510 is true. If I sit at the computer and vape away I will be topping off and changing batteries every hour or so. This isn't a big deal to me. It only takes a second to add a few drops and screw on a battery. If i'm not using it heavily the battery and fluid lasts much longer.

My concerns with the KR808D-1 are: (Warning these are assumptions)

- I would be burning through disposable cartomisers all day long at $ 2.50 each. Disposable items make me feel like I'm wasting money.

- They are often in strange colors. I prefer more traditional colors like black, white, or a metal finish.

- On my 510 the cart will last a good long time but the vapor gets weaker as it dries out. I like to top it off so I get a nice strong hit. I don't know how long a cartomiser remains "powerful" vs. how long it lasts total.

- Refilling a cartomiser doesn't look difficult, but topping off a 510 cart is very simple. As long as you have both hands free you just pull off, drop in a few drops and push it back on. Naturally you can't do this while driving.

- They are available from fewer vendors and cost a little more.

Please correct my assumptions as needed.

-Gooney0

 

[sbucciarel]

Thanks ... all the replys have been helpful. I just ordered both the 510 from cignot and the KR808D-1 - Ultimate Starter Kit from nhaler. lol.

Now I can try out both methods, plus I ordered some of the cappuccino liquid to satisfy my caffeine addiction too.

Seems like if you're driving, the 2-piece might be easier to use. As for working, I work at home so can use the 510 without interfering with my schedule.

Looking forward to receiving them and giving it a try.

 

[sbucciarel]

Thanks ... all the replys have been helpful. I just ordered both the 510 from cignot and the KR808D-1 - Ultimate Starter Kit from nhaler. lol.

Now I can try out both methods, plus I ordered some of the cappuccino liquid to satisfy my caffeine addiction too.

Seems like if you're driving, the 2-piece might be easier to use. As for working, I work at home so can use the 510 without interfering with my schedule.

Looking forward to receiving them and giving it a try.

 

[Scottbee]

I'm a 510 fan. It's my daily vape and I have it performing in such a way that I know a KR808D-1 can never compete (yes, I have a KR....).

But that being said.... I will NEVER recommend a 3-piece to a new vaper. I've done it, I've tried it, and I'm not going to do it again. Recommend a unit to somebody and you then own all of their learning curve and technical issues for the rest of your life! ;-) And when/if they fail.. it's your fault!

I only recommend 2-piece units now (KR808D-1 or badged equivalents). If they have a bad battery.. they get a new battery. If they have a bad cartomizer.. they change cartomizers. They don't tweak, mod, fluff,fold.. nothing. It works... or it don't.

If they come back to me later and say that they want more vapor or flavor or performance.... then I can explain to them that they need to take it to the next level.. and that next level usually involves some tinkering and patience. They can then personally decide if it is worth it to them. They own that decision.. not me.

 

[wdave]

For my experience, look here:

Considerations for choosing an ecig

HTH,
Dave