New to e-cigs, need help in my searches - assist a newbie!

[EndtheLie]

I used to smoke menthol cigarettes, about half a pack a day (I also rolled my own with short filters) , but I had to quit because it was making me hock up really nasty stuff. I smoked for about 5-6 years. I haven't smoked cigs for a little less than a year but I find myself wanting a smoke a lot, especially around friends who are all smoking.

I tried my friend's blu e-cig and I really didn't like it. It felt even more harsh than my regular Marlboro Menthols.

I've been doing some basic research and it seems like cartomizers are the way to go? Or am I wrong?

There are soooo many products out there it is a bit overwhelming so I'll tell you what I'm looking for:

- something VERY reliable
- something easy to handle when refilling
- something durable and long lasting
- something that has cheap refills
- something with a starter kit with everything I need
- something under $200
- something with a warranty and preferably a 30 day money-back in case I can't stand it
- preferably made in the USA or at least the company is in the USA (I like to support my own) and even better would be if they were in California
- something with the least amount of additives and chemicals as possible.
- it would be great if they offered a sampler pack so I could try out a bunch of different flavors/strengths
- as smooth as possible still with thick vapor

I might think of other things later

 

[Nova Sphere]

Welcome to ECF!
I am sure you will get suggestions from many of the more knowlegeble vapers out here! Your list of requirements seem very reasonable, not unlike most of us! Except the made in USA part unless your looking for a special order mod.
Good Luck to you!!

 

[Katya]

Maybe this thread will help:

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...202253-help-me-choose-please.html#post3568993

 

[nocturn4l3030]

do you care if it looks like a cigarette? that narrows down the choices for you.. the more it doesnt' look like a cigarette, the better your PV will be =)

 

[EndtheLie]

do you care if it looks like a cigarette? that narrows down the choices for you.. the more it doesnt' look like a cigarette, the better your PV will be =)

I couldn't care less, tbh.

Also, I'd like vegetable glycerin if that's possible. I've read some questionable things about PG.

 

[philmein]

might as well go for the provari with that budget

 

[EndtheLie]

might as well go for the provari with that budget

I saw that one but does it meet all of my specs? Does it come with everything I need to get started including liquid and all that?

 

[nocturn4l3030]

That'll let me introduce you to mods then =)

Mods are called that because they use bigger batteries, which leads to a bigger size PV. The mods (batteries) come in 3.7volts, 5 volts, or 6volts. (for the most part anyway). Take note that 3.7volt batteries range from basically 14500-18650. the higher the number (the more "mah") the longer your battery will last.

My personal recommendation (everyone is going to recommend you something different) would be the Prodigy from Puresmoker (The Prodigy V3.1). It's a 3.7volt device (the most common), the 3.7volt battery is a good size, not too big nor small. And I think it's one of the more better looking mods, so it's not too embarrassing if you have to bust it out in public. They also have a starter kit option, just like you're looking for.

What's great about the product too is that if you ever want to go to 6volts, you can do it in the same device, all you have to do is change your batteries. It's also all mechanical, so it won't just "break" on you.

Finding a 30day money-back is going to be hard to find.... The Prodigy has a 7day window. The only other Mod that I've bought was from (AltSmoke.com | Personal Vaporizers | Electronic Cigarette | Ecigs | Happy Holidays!) and they have a 2 week window. They also sell a very popular Silver Bullet & Omega mod, but they're just bigger looking.. which I don't know if that's what you're looking for. They're also made in the USA like you want.

 

[nocturn4l3030]

might as well go for the provari with that budget

that's definitely a top of the line PV which is very nice, but experimentation with what juice will satisfy him/her will cost alot of money.. also the cost of experimenting with atomizers/cartomizers. So i would recommend using the rest of the budget towards those two things

 

[Katya]

Also, I'd like vegetable glycerin if that's possible. I've read some questionable things about PG.

Whatever you read, pls disregard... There is nothing questionable about PG.

Also, are you sure that vaping is for you? Why not start slowly, with a simple and inexpensive starter kit???

 

[nocturn4l3030]

okay so next.. for every PV, there's the Mod/Device itself + atomizer OR cartomizer + juice. i covered the device itself...

now you have to pick an atomizer or cartomizer. Atomizers are for people that "drip". Drop a few drops, puff it a few times, drop some more drops, rinse and repeat. if you go this route... the best by far are from IKV/ikenvape (Customer Login) or Cisco (Avid Vaper : Electronic Cigarettes, E-Liquid and Accessories). If you go this route, the 510 or 306 style will fit your device... 510 are more newb friendly. 310's are more finicky, but they have a shorter draw which resembles a cigarette more.

cartomizers you pretty much fill them up and puff away until it starts tasting burnt. the downside can be that, thicker juices (like mostly vg) can be a little bit tougher to fill, or for it to work properly.. but i think there's techniques to make it work now a days (i don't use carto's). by far the best cartomizers are "dual coil" cartomizers that you can find anywhere (made by the same company) or "boge" cartomizers.

 

[nocturn4l3030]

next is the juice. "as smooth as possible still with thick vapor". well then you probably want mostly VG based juice. but most juice is a mix between PG and VG anyway.

PG = thinner, more flavor, more throat hit, less smoke.

VG = thicker, less flavor, less throat hit, more smoke. please don't discount PG unless you've actually tried it. try a wide variety.

a popular VG based juice company on here is Alien Visions EJuice. Alien Visions E-Juice. By far the most popular juice on there is Boba's Bounty & Gorilla Juice (both tobacco flavors). their fruit flavors from what i found are subtle in taste, but not bad at all.

here's a copy and paste from another post i wrote:

"BWB is adored here on ECF but they take a long time to steep (sit until the flavor tastes good)..

some popular tobacco eliquid vendors are vaperite, vaporstation, bwb, alien visions (bobas bounty), halo

bakery flavors at ms ts bakery and kickbassvapor

flavored juice at vaporbomb, pinkspot

these are the most popular and best reviews on juice.from the top of my head "

your vaping experience will suck until you find juice that you like and can vape often. until then.. you'll have to spend a lot of money finding out which one fits you. taste is subjective, so what tastes good to one person will taste bad to another.

if you have any questions... a good tip is putting this line into google:

site:www.e-cigarette-forum.com <topic here>

for example.. if i'm curious which is better, atomizers or cartomizers.. i might try putting this into google (without quotes):

"site:www.e-cigarette-forum.com atomizers or cartomizers"


okay, well whew that was long.. that was my "help a new potential convert" post of the day. everyone on this forum is really friendly so just ask away if you have any questions.. so many people are willing to help here.

 

[EndtheLie]

Great overview, thank you for that. The dripping sounds like it might be a chore. Which one is easier and cheaper? Which one requires less re-ordering?

Also, I need a store that accepts paypal. I have $85 in there I need to spend.

 

[EndtheLie]

Also, since you're from South Bay, do you know any brick and mortar shops in the so-cal/los angeles area? That would be awesome.

 

[nocturn4l3030]

Great overview, thank you for that. The dripping sounds like it might be a chore. Which one is easier and cheaper? Which one requires less re-ordering?

Also, I need a store that accepts paypal. I have $85 in there I need to spend.

it is kinda a chore, but i would actually recommend dripping until you find a flavor that suits you. i tend to drip because the flavors come out nicely (good cartomizers can to).. then when you find a good flavor then switch to cartomizers

EDIT: mmm may be the cartomizers are cheaper. i'm not too sure.. they'll both need alot of reordering unfortunately

 

[untitledblue]

Whatever you read, pls disregard... There is nothing questionable about PG.

Also, are you sure that vaping is for you? Why not start slowly, with a simple and inexpensive starter kit???

I agree. Best to work your way up. And depending on what supplier you choose they might offer sample size liquids for cheap.

 

[Katya]

Also, since you're from South Bay, do you know any brick and mortar shops in the so-cal/los angeles area? That would be awesome.

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...174797-new-southern-ca-store.html#post2921460

It's a very nice place and Jason has pretty much everything one can possibly want--including hundreds of samples of juices, batteries, mods, cartos, tanks...

 

[nocturn4l3030]

Great overview, thank you for that. The dripping sounds like it might be a chore. Which one is easier and cheaper? Which one requires less re-ordering?

Also, I need a store that accepts paypal. I have $85 in there I need to spend.

no stores i know of accept paypal.. best bet is to just transfer the funds to your checking account and use your debit for purchases.

Also, since you're from South Bay, do you know any brick and mortar shops in the so-cal/los angeles area? That would be awesome.

closest place is in Laguna Beach. here's a thread on it: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/e-cigarette-suppliers-forum/174797-new-southern-ca-store.html

 

[EndtheLie]

So the two types are interchangeable? Or would I have to get a whole new unit?

Unfortunately the only experience I've had is with a Blu and it was really whatever, tbh.

 

[JanuarySun]

it is kinda a chore, but i would actually recommend dripping until you find a flavor that suits you.

I totally disagree. I find dripping to be super easy to deal with. I mean, I pop off the drip tip (yeah, I know it's a drip tip, but the hole is too small, haha!), drop a couple drops, pop it back on, vape. To me it seems MUCH less fussy than filling cartridges. I haven't tried cartomizers or anything like that, but I don't find dripping to be much trouble at all.

And personally, I'd recommend starting with something low-priced and sturdy rather than spending money you don't really have to when you could spend much less and likely be totally satisfied. I know we all cheerlead for what what we love, but I do love my Riva 510 from Liberty Flights. Thirty bucks for the kit, the battery will last you all day (or nearly). And they take PayPal.