New member with a few questions

[Zwilks14]

How's it going everyone? First off, I'll tell you guys my history briefly. I was a pack a day Newport smoker. Decided to quit about a year and a half ago. I bout a blu e cig and went from there. I was still craving so I decided to buy a tin of shoal ( terrible idea by the way ). Now here I am almost a year and a half later, I stopped smoking the blu's, but I have a skoal addiction now. One of my good buddies vapes, and I figured I enjoyed the blu's so I'm going to give it a shot to get off the dip. There is a local vape shop near me in town so I'm thinking of heading over there and making a purchase. After lurking on here for a awhile I decided to finally become a member and introduce myself, and continue to read and learn more and more. I'm going to be walking into the shop with a $150 budget. From reading here I'm debating between the zmax, vamo , and the evic. What nicotine level do you think I should start out with?

 

[wharr]

I am a Newby as well. First off welcome to the Forum. I use a Vamo2 and love it. I was a 3 pack a day somker. When I started vaping I started with 18mg and have stuck with it. It doesnt give me the jitters like the higher nicotine does.

Good Luck and again welcome to the forum

 

[Zwilks14]

Thanks for the quick response! 3 packs a day, wow. That's great that this is working for you

 

[The Tide]

Out of those three options I would recommend the VAMO and starting out with a 12MG juice. Juice is pretty cheap so you can always try out other levels of nicotine. I smoked a pack a day and found that the 12MG was my sweet spot. If it is a good shop you will be able to try out their juice and if the sample isn't enough throat hit for you ask for the next one up. Good luck!

 

[rdix33]

+1 on The Tide's comment. I have two Vamos 3's and love them. Plus they are cheap. The wife and I both and on 18mg juice and it works pretty well for us.

 

[jpwr25]

FWIW, I too went from cigarettes to dip to e-cigs. Be aware that dip (skoal,grizzly,etc) contains FAR more nicotine than a cigarette. For this reason, I found anything less than 18mg to be less than satisfying. 18mg is my happy place now, but I would urge you to at least pick up a small quantity of something higher (24mg perhaps) for when the hard cravings hit.

As to hardware, you are going to want extra batteries and extra atomizers/coil heads/cartos or whatever you're using. You don't ever want to be stuck with no options, so have backups. Welcome to ECF!

 

[dormouse]

I recommend you buy a variety of nicotine levels and use the lowest one that satisfies you. Keep anything higher for emergencies (or you could cut them later with 0mg of the same or similar juice to make a lower level if you want). And always keep spare juice - build up a supply of juice once you figure out the best nic level for you. it would be nice if 12mg or even 6mg would satisfy you since (if I understand correctly) you have not been smoking so low/medium throat hit may be enough for you and it's hard to tell how much nicotine you need.

I was a 2-pack a day smoker of Pall Mall lights (not by choice - I disliked them but my preferred cigs went to over $60 per carton). I started ecigs (total immediate switch) on 16/18mg. Once I found my preferred basic non-"NAME BRAND" models/threading (KR808D-1 and 510) and juices I liked, and I had all the backups and chargers I needed, I was comfortable and stable in vaping. Then I dropped my nicotine to 11/12, then to 8/9. then 4/6 (each time when comfortable with the previous). That's where I am.

 

[jhcali71]

Another plus for Trident's answer. Although I might suggest getting a couple of small bottles of the same liquid at the different NIC levels so you can see really what the difference is (throat hit as well as nicotine strength). I think 18mg will be more than enough though... I was a Cop snuff user in addition to smoking (imagine Krusty the Clown) and while I started at 24 MG, I quickly moved down to 12 since I like to chain vape and 24 MG was just too much...

 

[RaceGun59]

Welcome to the forum.
I was almost back at 2 packs a day when I went to vaping. I went 24 mg first. Had to go back and get 18mg the next day. I've been doing 18 mg and sometimes I get 24mg and mix it with 0mg. If you are lucky enough that your shop carries 0 nic that is. The wife has always been a o nic vapor and since she's been doing it for over a year the local shop is starting to carry more 0 mg. I get her "gee it tasted good in the store" leftovers.

 

[hvac999]

Welcome, I recommend the Vamo V2. I have had one for 6 months and have used and abused it many times and it always comes through.

 

[Tenkie]

Welcome! I've heard good things about the Innokin SVD, eVic, and the Vamo v2. If anything, you can start out with a eGo twist and upgrade later.

 

[Zwilks14]

FWIW, I too went from cigarettes to dip to e-cigs. Be aware that dip (skoal,grizzly,etc) contains FAR more nicotine than a cigarette. For this reason, I found anything less than 18mg to be less than satisfying. 18mg is my happy place now, but I would urge you to at least pick up a small quantity of something higher (24mg perhaps) for when the hard cravings hit.

As to hardware, you are going to want extra batteries and extra atomizers/coil heads/cartos or whatever you're using. You don't ever want to be stuck with no options, so have backups. Welcome to ECF!

I think I'm going to go with the vamo v2, as many users have recommended it, and it receives great reviews. Although i am a little hesitant reading about the threading issues. I almost want to just spend the extra money to but a provari to mot have to deal with the headaches. But if there is a more affordable option that can handle a workload and not crap the bed im all for it !How many extra atomizers/coils/cartons do you suggest I purchase? I agree with your logic, I don't want to have to drive back to the store every week. All advice is welcome as I'm a noob and looking for some help. Also thanks to everyone who responded, much appreciated!

 

[Zwilks14]

Also i have been doing a ton of research on the types of juice (pg vs vg). I can't find concrete answers as to what's better. What do you guys prefer and why?

 

[Zwilks14]

Sorry for all the questions, but I have read more people prefer the v2 over the v3. Doese anyone have experience with both, that could tell me why the v2 is a better mod?

 

[Enoch777]

I don't have any experience with mods except eGO and my newest addition... The SID. As GG put it: "It's like the Zmax guts on an Evic body." You can check out his review here.
Haven't gotten much use out of it yet but it feels really sturdy, the threads are great and it has a REALLY durable clicky button. Performs awesome and is quite affordable. FYI I got the black version which does not have the grindy threads problem of the anodized silver model.

Btw I watched reviews for Provari and Vamo as well. They're both great but SID seemed the most affordable/durable to me at the time.

 

[Sionape]

I just saw this Thread and I'm also new here so from all the suggestions I'm going to buy a Vamo V2.. Can someone recommend a site to buy online from and what about teh juice what would you guys recomment and where to pick that up online from also.. I'm Buying internationally so need an online store for both

Thanks in advance

 

[jpwr25]

I think I'm going to go with the vamo v2, as many users have recommended it, and it receives great reviews. Although i am a little hesitant reading about the threading issues. I almost want to just spend the extra money to but a provari to mot have to deal with the headaches. But if there is a more affordable option that can handle a workload and not crap the bed im all for it !How many extra atomizers/coils/cartons do you suggest I purchase? I agree with your logic, I don't want to have to drive back to the store every week. All advice is welcome as I'm a noob and looking for some help. Also thanks to everyone who responded, much appreciated!

It really depends on what you're going to use, so I'll tell you my story:

I started with cartomizers, I always had 10-15 on hand and I'd reorder when I got to my last 5. Eventually I went to punched cartos in a tank, the numbers stayed the same.
Ultimately I went to EVODs, and for starters I would keep 10 extra heads on hand, again reordering at 5 left. If you go this route(clearomizer with replaceable heads) make sure to learn how to clean your heads so that you get more life out of them. As you advance, you can even consider rebuilding them yourself, but don't be in a hurry to get to that point.

I vape primarily 70/30 PG/VG for tobacco flavors and 50/50 for sweet flavors. Generally, more PG will give a thinner juice and somewhat more flavor. More VG results in a thicker, sweeter juice with more vapor. The thickness of your juice comes into play more when using cartos or top coil clearos, bottom coils (like the EVOD) play well with any ratio I've tried.

 

[Baditude]

Also i have been doing a ton of research on the types of juice (pg vs vg). I can't find concrete answers as to what's better. What do you guys prefer and why?

After being a vapor for 1 1/2 years now, I either accept what the e-liquid manufacturer recommends for their juice, or order a 50/50 pg/vg ratio. Nice combo of flavor and vapor.

 

[Zwilks14]

It really depends on what you're going to use, so I'll tell you my story:

I started with cartomizers, I always had 10-15 on hand and I'd reorder when I got to my last 5. Eventually I went to punched cartos in a tank, the numbers stayed the same.
Ultimately I went to EVODs, and for starters I would keep 10 extra heads on hand, again reordering at 5 left. If you go this route(clearomizer with replaceable heads) make sure to learn how to clean your heads so that you get more life out of them. As you advance, you can even consider rebuilding them yourself, but don't be in a hurry to get to that point.

I vape primarily 70/30 PG/VG for tobacco flavors and 50/50 for sweet flavors. Generally, more PG will give a thinner juice and somewhat more flavor. More VG results in a thicker, sweeter juice with more vapor. The thickness of your juice comes into play more when using cartos or top coil clearos, bottom coils (like the EVOD) play well with any ratio I've tried.

Is there a reason you don't use atomizers? I had my eye on the protank. You have been very help full by the way

 

[buzzkill657]

Welcome to the board. I will be making my first purchase hopefully Friday. I'm gonna start basic equipment wise and move up as I learn more. I smoke a pack a day and I'm gonna try either 16 or 18 on the nicotine

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