As a 30+ year smoker I've decided I'd like to try e-cigarettes. At my local gas station they offer the "starter kit" and I almost bought it but instead thought I'd do some internet research first. A Google search lead me here and I cannot believe what a wealth of information ECF is. As I move around here reading all the advice possible I'm finding I am more confused then ever. Any suggestions for someone who knows nothing about anything when it comes to the world of e-cigarettes? Riva, Tornado, E-Go, auto, manual, 510? Oh my, HELP!
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Welcome to ECF!
Def don't get a gas station kit. If your okay with it not looking like a real cig, then you can def get a quality PV that works great and are very affordable. The Riva, kGo, eGo, and Epower are all nice. They have a lot better battery life than a slim ecig and allow you to use a variety of attys and cartos. Slim ecigs have short battery life and need to be charged frequently and also can only use standard resistance attys and cartos. Alot of people start with a slim ecig bc they want it to look like a cig, but then realize the slim ecig doesn't satisfy them and move up to a bigger battery PV. I have the Epower and absolutely love it. It's 3.7V and gives a great vape. I prefer 3.7V PVs like the Epower, kGo, riva but the eGo is also nice. The eGo is 3.3-3.4V though, but many people still really like them. I like the 3.7V better though bc I prefer low resistance cartos and the 3.7V PVs handle them better and provide more oomph than an eGo.
I def recommend getting a manual battery over an auto. Auto batteries can be killed with juice leaks while manual batteries are sealed. Also manual batteries allow you to control your vape alot better
Def don't get a gas station kit. If your okay with it not looking like a real cig, then you can def get a quality PV that works great and are very affordable. The Riva, kGo, eGo, and Epower are all nice. They have a lot better battery life than a slim ecig and allow you to use a variety of attys and cartos. Slim ecigs have short battery life and need to be charged frequently and also can only use standard resistance attys and cartos. Alot of people start with a slim ecig bc they want it to look like a cig, but then realize the slim ecig doesn't satisfy them and move up to a bigger battery PV. I have the Epower and absolutely love it. It's 3.7V and gives a great vape. I prefer 3.7V PVs like the Epower, kGo, riva but the eGo is also nice. The eGo is 3.3-3.4V though, but many people still really like them. I like the 3.7V better though bc I prefer low resistance cartos and the 3.7V PVs handle them better and provide more oomph than an eGo.
I def recommend getting a manual battery over an auto. Auto batteries can be killed with juice leaks while manual batteries are sealed. Also manual batteries allow you to control your vape alot better
Welcome aboard.... It is confusing at first.
If the starter kit is a Blu stay away from it! If it's the $15 Mistic it is an OK setup. You can equate a Mistic to a $200 beater car. It makes a good first set up..... but it is limited and a few weeks later you'll want a better one.
If you've smoked for 30 years (I was smoking for 27 or so) I take it you're at least a pack a day smoker. If you want to blow $30 just to give it a try a Misitc might be a good start.... But sine you found your way here you might want to skip that step and start out with an eGo. Average median price for an eGo starter kit is around $50.
510 is the thread set up.... There are other thread set ups (808, 901). Sort of like having a Mac or a PC, it's basically what parts will fit on your set up.
Besides the thread the other main thing when it comes to a PV is the mAh (how a battery is rated). It's miliamp hours. For the most part the higher the number the long you can go before recharging it. A pack a day smoker should get at a minimum a 650mAh battery.
Most people starting out in vaping want something that will look like a cigarette, size wise. The main problem there is that the smaller battery will not last you all day. A Blu didn't even last me an hour or two, it is about the size of a cigarette. An eGo is about the size of a Sharpie, and lasts me almost the whole day.... and I can chain vape.
Another thing people first starting want is juice that tastes like their brand of analog cigarette. You will not find any juice that mimics a burning tobacco cigarette. I was hesitant to try anything that wasn't tobacco flavored. Now I don't really like any tobacco flavors except a RY4. I really enjoy a good cinnamon flavor more than a tobacco flavor.
If you order juice get sample packs till you find something you like. Samples are 3ml, 5ml, or 6ml bottles. If the flavor sucks than you aren't stuck with a huge bottle that tastes like monkey sweat & yak barf.
All the above is my opinion. Everyone has different tastes and styles of vaping. Best advice is to look at what a few people have to say. See if their styles are close to your own and narrow down your choices that way.
Also once you have 5 posts (easy to do responding to the thread you started here) and wait an hour you'll have access to the rest of the forums. You can look through the supplier reviews. Granted even the best vendor will have a hick-up of a bad review. While most vendors are reputable if you see one with a lot of people complaining than you know to stay away from them..... The Forum Suppliers have to follow a certain code of conduct to be forum suppliers.
If the starter kit is a Blu stay away from it! If it's the $15 Mistic it is an OK setup. You can equate a Mistic to a $200 beater car. It makes a good first set up..... but it is limited and a few weeks later you'll want a better one.
If you've smoked for 30 years (I was smoking for 27 or so) I take it you're at least a pack a day smoker. If you want to blow $30 just to give it a try a Misitc might be a good start.... But sine you found your way here you might want to skip that step and start out with an eGo. Average median price for an eGo starter kit is around $50.
510 is the thread set up.... There are other thread set ups (808, 901). Sort of like having a Mac or a PC, it's basically what parts will fit on your set up.
Besides the thread the other main thing when it comes to a PV is the mAh (how a battery is rated). It's miliamp hours. For the most part the higher the number the long you can go before recharging it. A pack a day smoker should get at a minimum a 650mAh battery.
Most people starting out in vaping want something that will look like a cigarette, size wise. The main problem there is that the smaller battery will not last you all day. A Blu didn't even last me an hour or two, it is about the size of a cigarette. An eGo is about the size of a Sharpie, and lasts me almost the whole day.... and I can chain vape.
Another thing people first starting want is juice that tastes like their brand of analog cigarette. You will not find any juice that mimics a burning tobacco cigarette. I was hesitant to try anything that wasn't tobacco flavored. Now I don't really like any tobacco flavors except a RY4. I really enjoy a good cinnamon flavor more than a tobacco flavor.
If you order juice get sample packs till you find something you like. Samples are 3ml, 5ml, or 6ml bottles. If the flavor sucks than you aren't stuck with a huge bottle that tastes like monkey sweat & yak barf.
All the above is my opinion. Everyone has different tastes and styles of vaping. Best advice is to look at what a few people have to say. See if their styles are close to your own and narrow down your choices that way.
Also once you have 5 posts (easy to do responding to the thread you started here) and wait an hour you'll have access to the rest of the forums. You can look through the supplier reviews. Granted even the best vendor will have a hick-up of a bad review. While most vendors are reputable if you see one with a lot of people complaining than you know to stay away from them..... The Forum Suppliers have to follow a certain code of conduct to be forum suppliers.
Welcome to ECF! What part of the Lone Star State? We have vape meet ups here in Nacogdoches if you are in driving distance. (great way to try several different set ups and flavors!)
Hi there. Running Wolf offered some really good suggestions for you. The only thing I would add is to read up on the stickies at the top of the New Member Forum to get yourself familiarized with ecigs a bit more. It is overwhelming at first, we all go through that stage, but hang in there it will be the best decision of your life.
If you make a mistake or 2 you won't be alone it is also part of the learning process so don't put yourself down for it just use it as a learning experience.
Welcome and happy hunting....
If you make a mistake or 2 you won't be alone it is also part of the learning process so don't put yourself down for it just use it as a learning experience.
Welcome and happy hunting....
I'm just trying to give something back. Everyone here was a great help to me when I was just starting out.... Was it only really a month or so ago?
Well one more thing about the Misitic, since they only really come in 'regular' and 'menthol' flavor they might be lacking in the flavor department. The other thing is the threads on them are not compatible with stuff that you would buy from a normal vendor.
Forgot the OP also asked about manual batteries. Manual batteries are the way to go. You have to press a button to fire them up when you are taking a drag. The larger size and button may seem daunting at first but it's so easy to get used to. By the end of the first day it will be used to it. By the third or fourth day you won't even be thinking about it.
I would compare both (size difference and pressing the button) to a store being out of your normal cigarette and having to buy either 100s or king size (which ever you are not used to). The first few cigs you notice that it is different, but by teh end of the pack you're used to it.
I would say you are on the right path thinking of eGo, Riva, manual and 510 thread. Ego and Riva are both solid starting points, with manual batteries and the ever versatile 510 thread. After looking at recommended Mistic...I would move away from that one.
I will follow up on some of the other posts and make it short.
Manual batteries only, minimum 650 mAh battery, eliquid in the 24mg nicotine strength range and some blank cartomizers.
I would look at the E-Power 510, Kgo or Riva 510 over the ego because they have more volts. The E-Power would be my first suggestion because the batteries last lifetime 4 times longer than the ego type and cost $4 instead of on average $15 for the eGo. Plus the E-Power comes with a 1050 mAh battery.
Rule of Thumb: the more it looks like the real thing, the worse the performance.
Crystal Clear Vaping
Good Luck
Manual batteries only, minimum 650 mAh battery, eliquid in the 24mg nicotine strength range and some blank cartomizers.
I would look at the E-Power 510, Kgo or Riva 510 over the ego because they have more volts. The E-Power would be my first suggestion because the batteries last lifetime 4 times longer than the ego type and cost $4 instead of on average $15 for the eGo. Plus the E-Power comes with a 1050 mAh battery.
Rule of Thumb: the more it looks like the real thing, the worse the performance.
Crystal Clear Vaping
Good Luck
Wow thank you for the "welcomes" and for the guidance.
Running Wolf thanks for your input. Knowing that you are relatively new to this (1 month) I value your opinion. I'm off to do more research on the e-go as I'm sure that is the way I want to go. How was the learning curve as far as cleaning and maintaining your e-cig? My hubby is sitting here as I'm reading this all to him (he is a non-smoker) and his advice is to just "buy one" and go from there. Maybe I should heed his advice.
Thanks again everyone. I think I'm really going to like this group.
Running Wolf thanks for your input. Knowing that you are relatively new to this (1 month) I value your opinion. I'm off to do more research on the e-go as I'm sure that is the way I want to go. How was the learning curve as far as cleaning and maintaining your e-cig? My hubby is sitting here as I'm reading this all to him (he is a non-smoker) and his advice is to just "buy one" and go from there. Maybe I should heed his advice.
Thanks again everyone. I think I'm really going to like this group.
Hi there and welcome to ECF! I too was a 30+yr smoker who made the transition almost a year ago ~ I haven't looked back!
Running Wolf gave some excellent advice above. I too suggest that you skip the slim style ecig type and opt for the mid range. As was mentioned above, there are different threaded devices (510, 808, 901, etc). I think the most common threads would be the 510, meaning, most parts/add-ons are designed to fit a 510 threaded device.
When choosing a starter kit, opt for one that offers at least 2 batteries (you'll need one to use while the other charges). Good starter kits should include a charger (ubc & wall adaptor), 2 batteries, and either cartomizers OR atomizers with cartridges. Some starter kits will come with pre-filled cartomizers or cartridges while others include blanks that will need to be filled with eliquid prior to use.
When buying eliquids you will need choose a flavour (any flavour you can possibly imagine is probably available, somewhere) and a nicotine strength. Nicotine is offered in terms of mg per mil and typically comes premixed in 0, 6, 12, 18, 24 and 36mg. Most folks start off trying the mid-range (18mg/ml) and from there, determine whether or not they may need to go higher or lower. To give you an idea, I was a pad smoker who used a 'light' cigarette brand. I found that 18mg was a bit too harsh for me and quickly settled in to using 12mg/ml. Heavy, 'full flavour', smokers find that 24mg/ml is more their speed.
If you have any questions, please ask away. We're all here to help!
Running Wolf gave some excellent advice above. I too suggest that you skip the slim style ecig type and opt for the mid range. As was mentioned above, there are different threaded devices (510, 808, 901, etc). I think the most common threads would be the 510, meaning, most parts/add-ons are designed to fit a 510 threaded device.
When choosing a starter kit, opt for one that offers at least 2 batteries (you'll need one to use while the other charges). Good starter kits should include a charger (ubc & wall adaptor), 2 batteries, and either cartomizers OR atomizers with cartridges. Some starter kits will come with pre-filled cartomizers or cartridges while others include blanks that will need to be filled with eliquid prior to use.
When buying eliquids you will need choose a flavour (any flavour you can possibly imagine is probably available, somewhere) and a nicotine strength. Nicotine is offered in terms of mg per mil and typically comes premixed in 0, 6, 12, 18, 24 and 36mg. Most folks start off trying the mid-range (18mg/ml) and from there, determine whether or not they may need to go higher or lower. To give you an idea, I was a pad smoker who used a 'light' cigarette brand. I found that 18mg was a bit too harsh for me and quickly settled in to using 12mg/ml. Heavy, 'full flavour', smokers find that 24mg/ml is more their speed.
If you have any questions, please ask away. We're all here to help!
The eGo is a solid choice, and offers the most bang for the buck.
Got a good group of people here. There is no such thing as a stupid question. It's better to ask a question than go itno something blindly.
Also read some of the article on quitting smoking. Switching from smoking to vaping is not a quick & clean easy thing for some people. Some people are able to stop smoking right from the get go, others it take a bit of time. Took me about a month of going back and forth before I finally put down the cancer sticks.
There are other things in cigarettes besides nicotine that we get addicted to. I think I was still smoking for the first month that I was vaping but I had cut back. Was maybe a week or two of just vaping when I ran out of juice and picked up a pack of analogs. Oh the taste alone nearly made me puke. Good thing about the eGo (or any 510 thread) is that if worse comes to worse you can use the Blu cartridges (actually cartos) from a Walgreen (or other retailer) if you run out of juice and are in a pinch.
Message there was to not get discouraged if you don't put down the cigs right away. If you go a day or two with just vaping and pick up a cig it will not taste as good as you remember. After a week goes by and you pick up a cig it will taste pretty bad and you will wonder what you saw in them.
If you do take up vaping and fall off the wagon focus on the good. "I went x amount of days without a cig" instead of feeling like a failure. How long was the last time you went without having a cig? If you focus on the failure it will eat at you. If you look at it as a good thing it will help reinforce the idea of going longer the next time.
PG = more of a throat hit (like you would get with a cig) and holds flavor better..... but some people are sensitive to it
VG = more vapor
PGA = pure grain alcohol or 151 proof vodka. This can be used to thin down VG juices and also gives a bit of a throat hit
Got a good group of people here. There is no such thing as a stupid question. It's better to ask a question than go itno something blindly.
Also read some of the article on quitting smoking. Switching from smoking to vaping is not a quick & clean easy thing for some people. Some people are able to stop smoking right from the get go, others it take a bit of time. Took me about a month of going back and forth before I finally put down the cancer sticks.
There are other things in cigarettes besides nicotine that we get addicted to. I think I was still smoking for the first month that I was vaping but I had cut back. Was maybe a week or two of just vaping when I ran out of juice and picked up a pack of analogs. Oh the taste alone nearly made me puke. Good thing about the eGo (or any 510 thread) is that if worse comes to worse you can use the Blu cartridges (actually cartos) from a Walgreen (or other retailer) if you run out of juice and are in a pinch.
Message there was to not get discouraged if you don't put down the cigs right away. If you go a day or two with just vaping and pick up a cig it will not taste as good as you remember. After a week goes by and you pick up a cig it will taste pretty bad and you will wonder what you saw in them.
If you do take up vaping and fall off the wagon focus on the good. "I went x amount of days without a cig" instead of feeling like a failure. How long was the last time you went without having a cig? If you focus on the failure it will eat at you. If you look at it as a good thing it will help reinforce the idea of going longer the next time.
PG = more of a throat hit (like you would get with a cig) and holds flavor better..... but some people are sensitive to it
VG = more vapor
PGA = pure grain alcohol or 151 proof vodka. This can be used to thin down VG juices and also gives a bit of a throat hit
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