New here and very overwhelmed!!

[violetdream]

Hello everyone! I decided it was time to quit smoking (yet again) and read so much about e-cigs, that it would be the best option for me. I'm a heavy smoker (at least two packs a day) and I'm so overwhelmed about all the info on e-cigs! I'm scared that I'm going to start, and not purchase enough for my needs...and end up running out of what I need before another order comes in!

I currently roll my own and order everything online once a month. This system has worked well for my budget and smoking.

I'm also concerned about the PG or VG issue. I much rather use VG...but I read the TH isn't as strong, and I do need the e-cig to be as close as possible to a cig.

Anyways, so far, I'm looking for a VG based, long battery life, that's not too complicated to start out with that works well for heavy smokers. And easy on the pocketbook, if possible. Reading around this site I found some models that could work, but, I'm going to be ordering soon, so any tips on good places to buy would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks and it's great to be here...even though my head is about to explode with all the info, lol!

 

[The Ocelot]

Hi and welcome! I wouldn't recommend 100% vg right off of the bat, unless you have a known sensitivity. You are correct that it has less TH and it also is quite viscous and can potentially gunk up your devices.

What is your budget? And then what size would you be comfortable using at first? You will get lots of very good suggestions, but if you're uncomfortable with something that looks nothing like a cigarette it might not be wise to start there.

 

[Thompson]

I'm guessing you want the form to be as similar to a cigarette as possible?

Then a Volt setup is probably your best bet. These are 808 threaded batteries in roughly the same shape and dimensions as a cigarette. They don't have the longest battery life, so if you do go this route buying multiples is a good idea. Don't want to be vape-less while one is charging.

Volt Battery

You'll also need a charger (maybe two if your feeling spry, backups for backups is a motto around here):

Volt USB Charger

Last but definitely not least would be the delivery system. There are a few varieties but the Volt platform mostly uses cartomizers (metal tube filled with a sponge-like material to hold the liquid) & clearomizers (a tank system that uses wicks).

Cartomizers

Nano Clearomizer

For convenience you can order liquid from Smokeless Image, or you can try any of the numerous US vendors. Mt Baker Vapor, Heather's Heavenly Vapes (HHV), Alien Visions (AVE) & ECBlend are just a few.

Hope this helps, congrats on your decision and welcome to ECF !

 

[Phaidra]

Hello and welcome!

I am not sure I feel comfortable giving advice to someone else who is new as I still feel new myself. I have only been at this 10 months. But I will say this, I started with an 808D. From there I went to a standard eGO. Then to an eGo Twist. The eGo Twist served me well for a long time, but rotating through three to four batteries a day became tiresome. Couple days ago I finally broke down and purchased a Provari. If I had to do it all over again, I would have invested right off the start into a VV device that takes a rechargeable battery.

Which PG/VG issue are you referencing?

Give it a few moments and I am sure some of the veterans will reply with helpful information as well.

 

[ClippinWings]

1. An "eCig" will never be just like a Cigarette

2. The sooner you realize #1, the better off you will be.

STOP thinking of yourself as "a heavy smoker trying to quit" and start thinking of yourself as "a new Vaper, just starting out".

Seriously, this isn't a Ra Ra speech, this is just the simple fact... Vaping is Vaping... it's not "eSmoking" or any of the other silly terms I see around here... it's not like smoking... THANK GOD.

It's better.

Better for your health
Better for your friends and family
Better tasting
Better on your wallet

Stop worrying about duplicating the inferior experience and enjoy everything that Vaping offers....

Stop Feeling Overwhelmed... Take the plunge

Keep
Calm
and
Vape
On​

 

[FrogHat]

I would suggest the EGO twist variable voltage it's more versatile. Cost a bit more but your satisfaction over the volt will be worth the money.

 

[violetdream]

Thanks guys! Well, as far as budget goes, I would spend approximately $70.00 a month for my RYO cigs. If I were to use patches, gum, snacks, etc to start I know the cost would far exceed that! Besides, I hate the patches, and I'm very excited about the e-cigs option since I do enjoy my cigs!

I'm not too concerned about start up costs, although I don't want it to be more than $100...it's the monthly cost once I'm established with e-cigs that concern me...if it's more than $100, I may have issues with my ball and chain (har har).

Honestly, it doesn't have to be the same size as an analog...I was thinking the minis might not be for me due to my heavy smoking...as long as I'm getting that TH, enough nicotine to match what I'm getting now, enough battery life so as not to frustrate me when I need a hit...(or two or three) and the cost plus ease for a beginner...am I asking for too much? I'll do the PG for now...heck, it's better than all the other garbage with my analogs now. Start simple I guess, as long as I don't go into serious withdrawals and start breaking things in my house...I'm half kidding, but, really, I'm so addicted it's scary!!

Still...a lot to process here, and I thought I was prepared to order today! Yikes!!

Again, thanks so much for the warm welcome and help....and reading my nervous babbling!

ETA:

ClippinWings...love your post! Thanks!!

 

[ClippinWings]

ClippinWings...love your post! Thanks!!

Glad you took it the right way... I just read it again and worried you may have thought it was attacking.
lot of time thinking I had to have a cigarette sized PV, thought I wanted tabacco juices... etc... Just trying to figure out how to replace my cigarettes.

I struggled for a couple months and gave up...

Then I realized I was sick of smoking and wanted to try Vaping... not "eSmoking"... I didn't try to replace my cigarettes, i simply bought something good for Vaping... and I haven't even had the desire to smoke a cigarette since...

It is SO easy to do this right... but for some reason, we repeatedly see people who do it the hard way and try to directly replicate smoking...

 

[r77r7r]

Go up top^^^^ click on Supplier's tab. Go to a webstore-pick a Beginners kit. Come back and post the link and we'll make further suggestions to make sure you have everything needed.

Even more reading-
http://guidetovaping.com/vaping-guide/

 

[akatina]

Congrats on the decision to change! The decision is the hardest part; all the new gear and juices maybe overwhelming but eventually it'll be fun

I'm still very new but the things I've learned/wished I'd done are pretty straight forward:

• Vaping will not taste like smoking. After a few days, you'll be thankful for that!
• Tobacco juice does not taste like smoking. Ever. They're more like the smell of a freshly opened pack of smokes, or possibly a new cigar. Smoking actually tastes like an ashtray (something you'll realize at about day 3 of vaping!) and isn't something you will want as ejuice.
• No one knows what nic level you need, not even you. No one knows what flavors you'll like, not even you.
• My first order I got 5 flavors all the same nic strength. I wish I'd gotten 2 flavors, and gotten 3 nic strengths in each of them. This would have helped me more quickly figure out the nic strength I needed to maintain without risking not having something high enough. Once the pressing issue of "NO NIC FITS!!!" is addressed figuring out flavor and even throat hit is secondary.
• Lots of things impact throat hit. Nic level, menthol, PG ratio, and even the flavorings of the juice. Even if you never smoked menthol cigs be open to buying at least a sample of menthol/minty juice. The TH and lung hit they give is very satisfying without burning.

Most importantly: if you want a smoke, have it. Don't beat yourself up over it. You're transitioning from one delivery system to another, it's normal to want to ease into it.

On the flip side: if you never want another smoke, that's normal too. You'll find there's an even mix of both types in here.

 

[The Ocelot]

As I already posted, you'll get lots of good suggestions. We all have preferences and don't want to spend a lot of money on the learning curve (although that tends to be unavoidable, since it takes some trial and error to find what you like best).

A kit it a very good plan. It should come with everything you need (although most don't come with juice, so you have to add that).

Minimum:

Two batteries
A charger
More than one delivery system. Some kits come with 1 vivi nova or 1 or 2 clearos, but you need the flexibility to experiment; you don't want to start out filling up 1 nova only to find you don't like the juice.

 

[violetdream]

• Lots of things impact throat hit. Nic level, menthol, PG ratio, and even the flavorings of the juice. Even if you never smoked menthol cigs be open to buying at least a sample of menthol/minty juice. The TH and lung hit they give is very satisfying without burning.

Most importantly: if you want a smoke, have it. Don't beat yourself up over it. You're transitioning from one delivery system to another, it's normal to want to ease into it.

On the flip side: if you never want another smoke, that's normal too. You'll find there's an even mix of both types in here.

Funny, I was just talking to my Mom about all of this, and I mentioned how I hate menthols...I had a few in my time, and they always made me so sick to my stomach...

I'm afraid it has to be this or RYO...I can't have both hanging around. My willpower sucks. Once I quit analogs...it has to be gone from my home completely. Along with ashtrays, lighters, etc. It's the best way for me. I have quit before. It's quite an effort but I learned a lot about myself in those times! I really hope I can make this a much better alternative, but I also don't want to delude myself as well.

Thanks again everyone!!

 

[lfdm]

Just a note from where you said "you hate patches." I found that using the patch and the ecig for the first week or so made it my easiest quit ever -- and I am a serial quitter. I've tried countless times in the past 5 years, and each and every time I would get the quitter's rage for the first few days. This time I cut my patch down, and then used the ecig (I went straight to the provari) to mitigate cravings. And no rage whatsoever. My wife and daughter hardly noticed. Tapered off on the patch and voila, straight vaping no patch, no cigs...

 

[r77r7r]

Funny, I was just talking to my Mom about all of this, and I mentioned how I hate menthols...I had a few in my time, and they always made me so sick to my stomach...

I'm afraid it has to be this or RYO...I can't have both hanging around. My willpower sucks. Once I quit analogs...it has to be gone from my home completely. Along with ashtrays, lighters, etc. It's the best way for me. I have quit before. It's quite an effort but I learned a lot about myself in those times! I really hope I can make this a much better alternative, but I also don't want to delude myself as well.

Thanks again everyone!!

Vaping is much easier than cold turkey or drugs and such. You have everything with vaping that resembles smoking Except the combustion. YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Grimwald]

My thoughts for what it's worth. First I was a very heavy smoker for over 40 years.

#1. Remember everything is disposable. Whatever you start with will wear out and be replaced at some point, so don't worry about ordering the wrong thing. It's more important, IMHO, to just get started. You learn by doing.

#2. You will likely spend more than $100 to start. Yes, you can get a starter kit and some juice for less than that, but if you are like most of us, you will start trying new juices and equipment. As a heavy smoker, you will need at least 3-4 30mil bottles of juice per month.

#3. For me, the real challenge was finding the right juice (both flavor and nic level)...equipment was not a big issue.

#4. The savings start when you have settled on equipment and flavors...once you're in the groove.

Good luck.

 

[bucsfan]

I have a vast 3 days experience. Alll I did was come on the board here and read for several hours so I would be competent enough to ask questions ( which I am not certain is still the case). I then found a local store and talked to them in person. I bout an ego C twist starter kit I switched out the tank the coil and the clearomizer. I bought enough replacements to last about 6 weeks. I bought 6 bottles of nicotine that were different flavors. The cost was about $112. If I don't make mods, the cost should be fairly inexpensive.

I would go in and actually try some of the different flavors and have them explain throat hit and why certain blends may work bets for you. Just remember I just started Monday myself.

 

[violetdream]

My head is still spinning but I think this would be a decent starter kit?

https://www.cignot.com/product_p/kit-ego-all.htm

Still not understanding how much nic to buy for this thing so I don't run out. This has prefilled carts...so, yet again, I'm confused. UGH!! Why I can't get my brain wrapped around all the technicalities is beyond me!

Oh, and I noticed how it said to order liquids to begin. Cripe, then what do these carts come filled with? And how much of this liquid https://www.cignot.com/product_p/joy-a18-20m.htmshould I buy?

And why don't these sellers make it a little more easier for us beginners...sheesh! I'm scared to take the leap. OK...deep breath. Maybe I'm over thinking. LOL.

 

[Army_Wife]

There is a lot to absorb here. I am blessed to have my mom well versed and connected here, she makes her own juice, and when I use what we've got to vape with well I seem to do well. I wish you luck in your endeavor.

 

[ClippinWings]

My head is still spinning but I think this would be a decent starter kit?

https://www.cignot.com/product_p/kit-ego-all.htm
.

Short answer: yes

Longer answer:

In THAT kit, I'd actually get the optional battery as well... and buy 3 different ones. 1. 650mAh, 1. 1000mAh, 1 Passthrough.

That will give you options: portable, longer life... backup when at home or when a battery dies. And get all in Manual.

Oh, and I noticed how it said to order liquids to begin. Cripe, then what do these carts come filled with? And how much of this liquid https://www.cignot.com/product_p/joy-a18-20m.htmshould I buy?

MOST carts don't come pre-filled... the ones in the kit do... but most don't.

I would HIGHLY recommend a clearomizer like the Stardust or T3, or maybe a Viv nova mini... they are super easy to fill... and reliable.

I personally just buy 510 LR atomizers a drip...

But Dripping is it's own special rabbit-hole to go down... and is certainly NOT for everyone... I think of it like RYO... there is a patience and a process to it... but it's certainly not the easiest way to vape.

OK... digging around more... for absolute simplicity.. this kit would maybe suits what I'm describing:

510 Redux eGo Clearomizer Kit

 

[miketreeguy]

Read Baditude's post. It is a great starting point

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/new-members-forum/375636-new-all-help-opinions-needed.html