New from MN. Trying to switch before our looming tax hike on July 1st.

[VikingQueen]

Hello!
I've been lurking for about a week or so, trying to do my research on switching from cigarettes to a nicotine alternative.
My background: I currently smoke a pack to a pack and a half a day. I've been addicted since May 1, 1988. I can go about 3 hours max before I become homicidal. Anything longer and I become suicidal. I think it was 1998 that I tried the Great American Smoke Out. I lasted 24 hours before a co-worker found me bawling in the bathroom (had I not been a germ-a-phobe, I would have been in the fetal position), begging for permission to smoke.

Here in Minnesota, the cigarette tax is going up again. This time $1.60 per pack; that will bring us to 6th highest in the country. It has finally kicked me in the ... to stop cigarettes. While doing more research tonight, I found this: e-Cigarettes Interesting (okay, admittedly perhaps only to me; I'm an accountant and geek-out to tax) that a tobacco tax would include e-cigarettes since there is no tobacco. For a time I smoked Eclipse while at school or around non-smokers so that I wouldn't reek. I can see those having the tax since they actually have tobacco in them, but anyway, I digress!

I've been reading all the other newbies' posts (along with deciphering all the terminology). I am thinking of getting Green Smart Living, just because it is at the local tobacco store and will be the intro/back-up ( I am a true addict, buying 3-10 cartons at a time so that I never run out. I would use the GSL as my emergency unit). Beyond that, I've seen a bunch of stuff recommended in previous posts but it is making my head spin a bit (a lot!).

The one thing I'm looking for is ease of use. So any recommendations on easy using apparatus would be appreciated. This means I don't want to be, um, changing wicks/coils or whatever.

A question about the liquids: I see VG vs PG. PG = Propylene Glycol. What is VG?

Also, I am timid about the online vendors, so recommendations of online vendors would be awesome (i.e. who do you use?).

Thanks for reading my long post!

 

[Myrany]

Hi and welcome!

Going to give you some basics but realize it is all suggestions. You will have to find what works for YOU.

First off you need to remember backs for everything. You don't need your only battery/charger/juice device to die mid nic fit. SO at least 2 of everything. Don't have to be identical but you need spares.

Next what to use. I like to suggest Ego Twist batterys or the Vision Spinners. They are variable voltage in a limited way. What does that mean. When you attach your juice delivery device to them you can CHANGE how much power the battery applies to the device to produce the amount of Throat Hit (TH) and Vapor that you personally prefer. It is just a bit more flexible. Start at the lowest setting and gradually dial it up until you get a hint of burnt taste then back it down a smidge. Are they the best VV (Variable Volt) device out there? No but they are solid workhorses and simple with a low learning curve. Also not terribly expensive.

Juice delivery Devices. There are a TON of perfectly good solutions out there. If you go with the twist/spinner you have both ego and 510 threadings so you have MORE options of what you can put on them. If you start with something like greensmoke cigalike then you will already be familiar with cartomizers. With a 510 battery (I DO NOT KNOW WHAT THREADING GREENSMOKE HAS) you can easily buy empty cartos and refill them with any juice you like. Another option is the clearomizer it is sort of a tank with juice in it and wicks (the strings). I personally have had good results with CE5's, CE6's (both ego threaded), the protank and the vivi nova (both 510 threaded). Which is best depends on YOU. Try a few different ones. All 4 I just listed have the advantage of replaceable heads so the maintenance is cheaper long run than cartos which you throw out when they fail. In any case mix and match and grab at LEAST 2.

Juice. Order sample packs from many different vendors and be sure to order a few flavors you never in a million years think you want. This gets you a bunch of tiny bottles of many flavors to try out and you can reorder a bigger bottle of what you find you like. Realize strawberry of brand x is not the same as strawberry of brand y. For me personally I thought I would want tobacco flavors and in the end it turned out FRUIT is what works for me. Go figure hehehehehe.

2 chargers + the usb to wall plug if the chargers are usb. Yes chargers do break. Never get caught without a way to recharge.

More on the juice
PG = Propeleyne glycol
VG = Vegetable glycerine

PG gives you more throat hit but less vapor
VG gives you more vapor

For most it is a balancing act to find what ratio you like. I didn't like harsh TH (throat hit) as a smoker so I gravitated to more VG as a vaper 60PG/40VG or even 50PG/50VG. Many people find their happy spot around 70/30. You will just have to try a variety and find yours.

Nic level. It sort of depends on what you smoked and how much. I was a pack a day Ultra light smoker. I grabbed 12 MG juice to start and I was getting the classic over nicced headrush. SO I backed down to 8 mg. Others who smoked lights I am seeing like 12 MG. And the full deal smokes or roll your own crowd 16 mg - 24 mg. Be aware 24 is REALLY strong.

Also vaping dehydrates you. Serious drink TONS of water.

ANyway I hope this novel helps a little bit.

 

[Lucky1127]

Myrany pretty much summed it up beautifully . Remember the water it's key.

 

[Smokachino]

Welcome to ECF, and I enjoyed reading your post I can certainly relate to a lot of what you said, and one of the worst things about being a smoker is not being able to smoke! Plus, I got tired of feeling a serial killer or terrorist lurking around parking garages or any out of the way place I could light up without being seen (but then I still stunk afterward). But, hey, with vaping all is good and you've made a wise decision to join us here!

I love my Ego Twist and Kanger T3 setup. It's simple and it works! Using the Green Smart Living kit as a backup is a great idea, but I would also get backups for my backups. It's always wise to have extra batteries, tanks, and juices on hand!

VG is vegetable glycerin and is the stuff in juice that produces the vapor. PG is propylene glycol and is what carries the flavor and provides the throat hit. Most juice vendors I've used mix at a 80/20 or 70/30 PG/VG ratio, but will mix at different ratios as well. Some folks are sensitive to PG so need more VG.

For vendors, ECF has a list of approved suppliers and I would start here first: Forum Suppliers

I hope all this helps, and don't hesitate to post any questions you may have. We're here to help!

 

[Myrany]

One more thing on the clearomizers. Changing the heads is no big deal. It is a simple matter of unscrewing the old one and screwing in a new one.

I think what might be putting you off is all the people talking about rebuilding stuff. Wrapping new coils around wicks and stuff. YOU CAN rebuild the heads for the 4 clearomizers I listed but you certainly do not have to. Just pick up a pack of extra heads and swap em out.

 

[PeteyZ]

Minnesota vaper here. I too switched because of the increasing price of cigarettes, if you're located around the Twin Cities, you should look into Ecig Crib in Uptown minneapolis or in .... Rapids. It's a good store to get you started, and you can test their juices in the store which is a big help.

 

[VikingQueen]

Awe, thanks guys!
Someone on another thread had posted this link: http://www.myvaporstore.com/Vision_Spinner_Joye_Ego_C_Twist_Combo_p/vvs-c.htm

That shows the Noah's Ark type set up (back up).

A question about battery: the higher mAh would be longer vape time on a single charge? Or does mAh have to do with strength?

 

[Smokachino]

Hi and welcome!

Going to give you some basics but realize it is all suggestions. You will have to find what works for YOU.

First off you need to remember backs for everything. You don't need your only battery/charger/juice device to die mid nic fit. SO at least 2 of everything. Don't have to be identical but you need spares.

Next what to use. I like to suggest Ego Twist batterys or the Vision Spinners. They are variable voltage in a limited way. What does that mean. When you attach your juice delivery device to them you can CHANGE how much power the battery applies to the device to produce the amount of Throat Hit (TH) and Vapor that you personally prefer. It is just a bit more flexible. Start at the lowest setting and gradually dial it up until you get a hint of burnt taste then back it down a smidge. Are they the best VV (Variable Volt) device out there? No but they are solid workhorses and simple with a low learning curve. Also not terribly expensive.

Juice delivery Devices. There are a TON of perfectly good solutions out there. If you go with the twist/spinner you have both ego and 510 threadings so you have MORE options of what you can put on them. If you start with something like greensmoke cigalike then you will already be familiar with cartomizers. With a 510 battery (I DO NOT KNOW WHAT THREADING GREENSMOKE HAS) you can easily buy empty cartos and refill them with any juice you like. Another option is the clearomizer it is sort of a tank with juice in it and wicks (the strings). I personally have had good results with CE5's, CE6's (both ego threaded), the protank and the vivi nova (both 510 threaded). Which is best depends on YOU. Try a few different ones. All 4 I just listed have the advantage of replaceable heads so the maintenance is cheaper long run than cartos which you throw out when they fail. In any case mix and match and grab at LEAST 2.

Juice. Order sample packs from many different vendors and be sure to order a few flavors you never in a million years think you want. This gets you a bunch of tiny bottles of many flavors to try out and you can reorder a bigger bottle of what you find you like. Realize strawberry of brand x is not the same as strawberry of brand y. For me personally I thought I would want tobacco flavors and in the end it turned out FRUIT is what works for me. Go figure hehehehehe.

2 chargers + the usb to wall plug if the chargers are usb. Yes chargers do break. Never get caught without a way to recharge.

More on the juice
PG = Propeleyne glycol
VG = Vegetable glycerine

PG gives you more throat hit but less vapor
VG gives you more vapor

For most it is a balancing act to find what ratio you like. I didn't like harsh TH (throat hit) as a smoker so I gravitated to more VG as a vaper 60PG/40VG or even 50PG/50VG. Many people find their happy spot around 70/30. You will just have to try a variety and find yours.

Nic level. It sort of depends on what you smoked and how much. I was a pack a day Ultra light smoker. I grabbed 12 MG juice to start and I was getting the classic over nicced headrush. SO I backed down to 8 mg. Others who smoked lights I am seeing like 12 MG. And the full deal smokes or roll your own crowd 16 mg - 24 mg. Be aware 24 is REALLY strong.

Also vaping dehydrates you. Serious drink TONS of water.

ANyway I hope this novel helps a little bit.

OK, Myrany, admit it . . . you had all that already typed and then cut and paste it as soon as you saw VikingQueen's post

 

[Myrany]

OK, Myrany, admit it . . . you had all that already typed and then cut and paste it as soon as you saw VikingQueen's post

I wish LMAO. Nope typed it on the spot as the typo's attest.

 

[Myrany]

Awe, thanks guys!
Someone on another thread had posted this link: http://www.myvaporstore.com/Vision_Spinner_Joye_Ego_C_Twist_Combo_p/vvs-c.htm

That shows the Noah's Ark type set up (back up).

A question about battery: the higher mAh would be longer vape time on a single charge? Or does mAh have to do with strength?

You are right the Mah is how long between charges. Just realize it is sort of a loose estimate 650 mah being a bit over 6 hours. 900 mah being about 9 hours etc.

Yep that is a nice kit that was suggested to you. It is nice to be able to pick your options.

 

[Smokachino]

I wish LMAO. Nope typed it on the spot as the typo's attest.

You type 200 wpm? Just joshing you . . . it is an excellent post!

 

[moondragon]

I slso would suggest the ego twist or vision spinner and the CE5 clearomizers for a very easy hassle free setup. The replaceable heads for the clearomizers generally come is sets of 5 - I would suggest getting 1 or 2 sets of those. The other clearomizers/tanks mentioned above in other posts are also very popular so would be good choices too - i just haven't personally tried them.

If you have a local store close enough to visit, that is a good way to taste sample some juices so that you will have at least one flavor that you will know you will like.

Good luck!

 

[Maggiemw]

Everyone so far has given you really good technical advice. I'm going to add a bit of psychological stuff.

Money - the cost of cigarettes - is a very, very, very strong motivation for switching to e-cigs. That's why I came over. Our cigarettes suddenly went up 33% overnight, just in taxes, and the price crossed a powerful red line in me that I hadn't been aware of. I got mad. Really furious. The "NO! I will not be a tax-patsy" got me off 45 years of PAD to 2 PADs and into vaping. So, in my opinion, anger is your friend in the motivation field. Not anger at yourself, but anger at the fact that you are being impoverished and made sick and exploited. It still infuriates me.

Get your stuff and back-ups together, including pretty strong nic liquid. Then, simply favour vaping over smoking for a while. Use both for a while, and don't knock yourself around when you smoke a normal cig. Keep a journal or record - I did. Let the transition period take the time it will. Keep up the anger motivation - I kept saying to myself: "No way am I going to be a patsy. No way!"

Vaping as a means of rebelling against the powers that be, after years of humiliations, being banned, made to feel like an outlaw, and yet financially exploited at the same time like some sort of sitting duck, made me feel really good about it and myself. I used to go outside and cross the street proudly, head held high. Now I vape where ever and when ever I feel like it...

A month later, I feel like some sort of miracle has happened in my existence. Vaping is fun. It tastes great. I feel great. I'm having my cake and eating it, too. I can get all the nicotine I want and nobody can do a da** thing about it. I'm thumbing my nose at the whole lot of them. [I should also say that I'm 60 and a nice little old lady, generally...]

You can do it and you will. It is so worth it, on every single level. Good luck to you!

 

[Myrany]

You type 200 wpm? Just joshing you . . . it is an excellent post!

No idea how fast I type. Being a MMO player and in a tank role I have to give instructions quickly before a dps gets impatient and gets us all killed. I guess I have gotten to be a fair quick typist.

 

[DavidOck]

All good advice above.

Clearos of any style are simple to use and to maintain. Whatever type you get, get some spare heads (coils) for them from the same vendor, especially if you go with the CE5 style, as there are variations that may cause problems - or not! - due to different manufacturers.

I smoked about the same level as you when I switched, and found 18 on the nicotine level wasn't enough, but 24 did the trick. Keep in mind that that was just me, not you! Some report having to start even higher, but you don't want to go too far overboard all at once.

The kit from MyVaporStore is a solid option. You can get a bottom coil and a top coil (i.e. a Kanger T3 or Evod and an Iclear 16) and see which you prefer. Bottom coils tend to vape a little cooler.

Other reputable online vendors are, in no particular order, MadVapes, Discount Vapor, AltSmoke... see the tab at the top for Forum Suppliers for lots more.

And check Electric Cigarette|Eliquid|Supplies|Electronic Cigarette|Ejuice|Smokeless|Vapor Search USA to see if there are any stores near you. Going into one to taste test juices is a great way to narrow down what kinds of flavors you might like.

 

[bnrkwest]

Welcome! For easy and fool proof try some prefilled cartos to start, no learning curve, just draw on them slowly and steadily to get best flavor. Then get some juice to add juice to your prefilled, it makes them last longer. This gets your feet wet Once you get ecigs you can upgrade to more detailed. But just try some easy set up to start. We all upgrade form our first ones, but cig alikes (shaped like a cigarette) give you the most smoke like experience. Most of them are 808's. Volt and Halo G6 are good starters and they both take 808 cartos. I have used both and they work for a close to cig experience. The bigger batts like egos are great too but they are not cig shaped more like a cigar in size. Have fun! bnrk

 

[DeeDee1234]

A couple of places that I trust

DiscountVapers - Your source for savings on electronic cigarettes and accessories, Go-go eGo, vGo Hardware

Mt Baker Vapor - Electronic Cigarettes, USA made E Juice, and Accessories Juice

Forum Glossary - ECF InfoZone
Terminalogy

Bad's blog on what's what
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...k-what-primer-juice-delivery-attachments.html


You CAN stop smoking with the right e cig and juice!

Good Luck

D

 

[gutter22]

Awe, thanks guys!
Someone on another thread had posted this link: http://www.myvaporstore.com/Vision_Spinner_Joye_Ego_C_Twist_Combo_p/vvs-c.htm

That shows the Noah's Ark type set up (back up).

A question about battery: the higher mAh would be longer vape time on a single charge? Or does mAh have to do with strength?

That's the same combo I got back in Feb when I switched to ecigs and it's been great! Get a spare charger too!

Mtbakervapor.com is great for beginners. I started with 24mg and smoked 3/4 a pack a day (full flavor menthols).

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 4 Beta

 

[iceman68]

Money - the cost of cigarettes - is a very, very, very strong motivation for switching to e-cigs. That's why I came over. Our cigarettes suddenly went up 33% overnight, just in taxes, and the price crossed a powerful red line in me that I hadn't been aware of. I got mad. Really furious. The "NO! I will not be a tax-patsy" got me off 45 years of PAD to 2 PADs and into vaping. So, in my opinion, anger is your friend in the motivation field. Not anger at yourself, but anger at the fact that you are being impoverished and made sick and exploited. It still infuriates me.

Well said. "Exploited" says it exactly. Whenever "they" wanted more money where would they look? Cigarettes. Just disgusting. Like you, I keep telling myself, "No way, they're not gettin' it from me anymore."

 

[Myrany]

One more tiny bit of advice for a new vaper

You are just going to have days where everything goes wrong. I had one today where basically Nothing was working without fiddling and anything that could go wrong did. That doesn't mean your gear is bad or that you can't do it. It just means you had a day where gear got temperamental and so did you hehehe. Took me a little while of cleaning and sorting out the problems but I got it all going again (well a few hours of beating my head on a wall + creative language use). At the end I felt great because I DID get it going.

A few hours later I realized something. 77 days into being a non smoker I went through a ridiculous day of obscene stress levels trying to sort out all the problems and I NEVER ONCE EVEN THOUGHT ABOUT SMOKING A STINKIE! Vaping works, it really works.

That said, if I had had a day like today on say week 2. I probably would have smoked. If that happens don't beat yourself up about it. Think of the ones you didn't smoke and get back to vaping.