New to E-Cigs Need Some Advice

[bmx0964]

Hello ECF Community,

I have tried to quit smoking for quite sometime now, only because of health reasons. I love smoking, I love having a cigarette. I have tried some E-Cigs before but they were the cheap ones you can get at a gas station or smoke shop (I didn't buy any personally but friends of mine did). They did not work at all. I used to smoke anywhere from 1.5 to 3 packs a day and on a night of drinking I could smoke 2 to 3 packs just while drinking. I went to the doctor about 6 months ago and I got Chantix to try to quit. I quit completely on Chantix after only a month (great product for anyone wanting to quit). The problem for me was I didn't want to quit. The issue with Chantix, for me anyways, is it basically makes you nauseous whenever you have cigarette, thus making them no longer desirable. Due to the fact that I enjoy having cigarettes it was only a matter of time before I had one after stopping Chantix. Now I smoke about 3 packs a week and chew (chewing tobacco) I try my hardest to keep my smoking to a minimum.

I have read a lot about the E-Cigs on this site and others. I have read all of the information on the homepage of this site and more information on the forums here. From the research I did before coming to this site I thought I had my mind made up and I thought I was going to get a V2CIGS Ultimate Starter Kit. Upon doing some research here it seems the V4L is basically the same but a lot cheaper.

My main concern is to get something that can replace traditional cigarettes all together. Like stated about I smoke and chew so I need a lot of nicotine from an E-Cig to be able to completely drop traditional cigarettes and chewing tobacco. Also, I have tried the gas station/smoke shop E-Cigs and I realize they are of very poor quality but they did absolutely nothing for me and I basically discarded E-Cigs in all after that experience. I would really really like a KR808 style E-Cig with an auto battery (I would really like it to be the same size as a traditional cigarette). I understand the short life of the KR808 batteries but that does not bother me, I will just get a few batteries. In addition to that I work at a computer all day so most of the time I will use the battery that has the USB cord into the computer.

What is my best option for an E-Cig that will give me significant amount of nicotine and good throat hit? If I have to go with the larger Ego style E-Cigs to achieve enough nicotine input I will but I would rather not.

Thanks in advance,
Jared

 

[madjack]

...for ciggy sized units try smokelessimage.com, bloogplanet.com or vapor4life.com...they all sell basically the same ciggy sized unit and have a wide variety of cartos and flavors available...I would tell you to get a manual batt and empty cartos with liquid to fill them...it's cheaper...if you want an automatic, be aware it is more delicate and can be killed by juice from refills getting into the batt switch and killing them...if using prefilled cartos this is not as much a problem as the taste of prefilleds may be...you may also want to get a fairly high nic content(18-24mg) for throat hit and to quell those cravings....
madjack

 

[Eddie.Willers]

Hi Jared
Welcome to ECF and the wide world of vaping!

Firstly, well done for wanting to get off tobacco - as you can see, the 'conventional' replacement therapies have a high failure rate.

Secondly, you will not be able to exactly reproduce the experience of a regular cigarette by vaping. The 'rush' you get from the 1st cigarette of the day (for example) is as much to do with the carbon monoxide starving your brain of oxygen as anything else.

You say that you are at a computer most of the day. As long as you can smoke and work at the same time then I would suggest that you buy a 510-threaded Passthrough device. This will allow you to run the PV from the computer (no battery required), give you access to a wide range of cartomizer types and sizes and generally allow a wide range of options so you can find the point that satisfies your craving.

From what you said of your habit, I would suggest starting at a 24mg nicotine level juice initially - you will probably find yourself going through 2ml or so a day. If you are looking for a high level of throat hit then you need juices that are high in Propylene Glycol.

Take a look at some of the suppliers listed in this forum - they are all trustworthy - and rethink your approach to the idea of what hardware you would like. Why do you want a PV that looks like (and is the same size as) a regular cigarette? The Joye Ego is a tried and trusted system than is not that much bigger and if tyou look like you are 'smoking' then folk will believe that you are - which may not be desireable.

Read around the forum, do some thinking, don't rush into this, ask lots of questions - and enjoy!

 

[bmx0964]

Thanks so much for the information and fast responses!!!!

I want an E-Cig with the look and feel of a real cigarette to help smooth the transition. I may switch later. As far looking like I actually smoking goes I am not worried about that at all. I live in a small country town and 98% of the people that live here smoke. It is so accepted that most places around here still allow smoking inside (most bars and some restaurants) even though the state outlawed it. So people thinking I am smoking is not a problem. I am not a person that is big on change so I want to get an E-Cig that is as close as possible to the real thing, maybe down the road I will upgrade.

I am stuck between V2 and V4L as of now. Can anyone confirm that these brands will provide enough nicotine for me?

 

[madjack]

...you can order the nic levels you desire, get some 18mg(med-hi) and some 24mg(hi) and see which you like better........
madjack

 

[bmx0964]

Ok thanks.

From looking on V4L's website I see that they have the "WOW" cartomizers and the "CoolCart" cartomizers. The "WOW" cartomizers are supposed to be the low resistance cartomizers that provide better vapor flow, which I would prefer to have. The thing that I don't understand is the "WOW" cartomizers only come with up to an 8mg strength. The "CoolCart" cartomizers come with up to a 36mg strength.

Why would there not be a 36mg strength "WOW" cartomizer?

 

[Jadc]

I totally agree with Madjack as I have the UK version of the VOLT which is this one - Sport Full Starter Kit - Sport PCC starter kits by JAC Vapour Ltd they are truley amazing if you are new to vaping but don't want much hassle and so on they are pretty much on the cheap side but quality made. I have been vaping for over a year now and have had many mods and etc but this tops it all for me to be honest.

 

[Taniger1]

I do 5 to 7 mL's a day on a WORK day when I have to go outside. On my days off I do anywhere from 6 to 15 sitting at my computer. Normal usage I think someone on the ECF figured out at 3 - 7 mL's a day for a moderate vaper. I think these guys have some good ideas if you MUST have a Cig look alike, but I think perhaps the amount of juice you will go through is higher.

Remember that the carto's MAY say, "Equivelent to 1 -2 packs of cig's" They are true in that it has the same amount of NICOTINE, but they won't last you that long. You'll figure out how many you need in the average day as time goes on. Take your time, get a GOOD stash up and have FUN with it.

Also, remember that you are addicted to several chemicals in analog's so you WILL go through SOME withdraw. With any luck you won't notice :0).

Good luck and welcome to the ECF!!!!

PS dont' beat yourself up if you find yourself smoking analogs TOO. Most of us did when we started vapeing. We just kinda woke up one day and realized we hand't smoked an analog in......whenever that was!!!

 

[eyebedam]

BMX hello & welcome.

Here's a link to the Volt. Smokeless Image | Only The Best Electronic Cigarette | Volt - Pro Starter Kit - Starter Kits
It is a fantastic kit, I have 1 myself & I am very pleased with it. You can get the Cartos & liquid in 24 mg. Just browse the site
I'm sure you will find a kit you like. Also they now have sealed batteries. Volt is on the cutting edge of technology in there particular area of this market. Also if you decide to go with them pm me & I have. Little better discount code you can use. They have great cust service & lightening fast shipping.

Jason

 

[madjack]

Ok thanks.

From looking on V4L's website I see that they have the "WOW" cartomizers and the "CoolCart" cartomizers. The "WOW" cartomizers are supposed to be the low resistance cartomizers that provide better vapor flow, which I would prefer to have. The thing that I don't understand is the "WOW" cartomizers only come with up to an 8mg strength. The "CoolCart" cartomizers come with up to a 36mg strength.

Why would there not be a 36mg strength "WOW" cartomizer?

...not sure what you were looking at BUT, I just looked and the WOW cartos came in upto 18-36mg strength depending on the flavor....18 is strong enough for most and 36mg would knock your socks off.........
madjack

 

[dormouse]

The downside of auto batteries is they are easier to damage or kill with a juice leak. We keep cartomizers damp with liquid to get at least several days use out of each. If a carto leaks, it will do so right over the hole in the end of the auto battery. In that hole it the auto battery's necessary drag switch. if liquid gets in it can do anything from maybe the drag switch sticky so it doesn't turn off quickly (or at all) to shorting the battery and killing it. SmokelessImage (same threading as Vapor4Life) is offering some new leak-resistant auto batteries (currently in black only) but I don't think kits are offered with those yet.

But if you get the Vapor4Life autos I recommend also trying the cartomizers from Bloogplanet. I've used Vapor4Life WOW cartos (Coolcarts first then WOW cartos) for 8 months. Recently I tried a Bloogplanet carto and you may prefer one or the other - they are certainly different.

Cartos:

V4L cartos can get a bit hot on the lips (I use a plastic or delrin KR808D-1 drip tip from LiteCigUSA.net instead of the endcap as a comfortable mouthpiece that's easy to remove to add juice - don't drip into it, especially if you have autos!!) because of the heat, these deliver a stronger hit (and believe me or not, you may not be able to vape 36 or even 24mg in a WOW carto on V4L batteries.)

I find the Bloogplanet cartos provide a bigger easier drag (and seem to use liquid up faster because of that) but smooth the hit out a bit because the coil is close to the threaded end instead of close to your lips. So these may not need a drip tip as a cool mouthpiece (though that is still handy and easy to remove when you need to add liquid). I think the Bloogplanet cartos are also more reisstant to leaking vs V4L cartos. The SmokelessImage cartos are supposedly the same now (not sure)

Batteries:

V4L batteries are unregulated 3.7 so they are 4.2v right off the charger and plateau at 3.7 then drop down at the end.

SmokelessImage, Bloogplanet and Halocigs G6 batteries are regulated 3.6v (a more even 3.6v) and provide longer charger. Their autos may also be a bit more resistant to leaks (and SmokelessImage is offering single new leak-resistant autos)

------

Bottom line - you may want a SmokelessImage of Bloogplanet kit and cartos, and get high-nic juices from Vapor4Life. You can still try all of the V4L carto samplers on the other model batteries (and i recommenf the WOW tobacco shop sampler with WOWbacco and WOWboy in it)

 

[eyebedam]

The downside of auto batteries is they are easier to damage or kill with a juice leak. We keep cartomizers damp with liquid to get at least several days use out of each. If a carto leaks, it will do so right over the hole in the end of the auto battery. In that hole it the auto battery's necessary drag switch. if liquid gets in it can do anything from maybe the drag switch sticky so it doesn't turn off quickly (or at all) to shorting the battery and killing it. SmokelessImage (same threading as Vapor4Life) is offering some new leak-resistant auto batteries (currently in black only) but I don't think kits are offered with those yet.

But if you get the Vapor4Life autos I recommend also trying the cartomizers from Bloogplanet. I've used Vapor4Life WOW cartos (Coolcarts first then WOW cartos) for 8 months. Recently I tried a Bloogplanet carto and you may prefer one or the other - they are certainly different.

Cartos:

V4L cartos can get a bit hot on the lips (I use a plastic or delrin KR808D-1 drip tip from LiteCigUSA.net instead of the endcap as a comfortable mouthpiece that's easy to remove to add juice - don't drip into it, especially if you have autos!!) because of the heat, these deliver a stronger hit (and believe me or not, you may not be able to vape 36 or even 24mg in a WOW carto on V4L batteries.)

I find the Bloogplanet cartos provide a bigger easier drag (and seem to use liquid up faster because of that) but smooth the hit out a bit because the coil is close to the threaded end instead of close to your lips. So these may not need a drip tip as a cool mouthpiece (though that is still handy and easy to remove when you need to add liquid). I think the Bloogplanet cartos are also more reisstant to leaking vs V4L cartos. The SmokelessImage cartos are supposedly the same now (not sure)

Batteries:

V4L batteries are unregulated 3.7 so they are 4.2v right off the charger and plateau at 3.7 then drop down at the end.

SmokelessImage, Bloogplanet and Halocigs G6 batteries are regulated 3.6v (a more even 3.6v) and provide longer charger. Their autos may also be a bit more resistant to leaks (and SmokelessImage is offering single new leak-resistant autos)

------

Bottom line - you may want a SmokelessImage of Bloogplanet kit and cartos, and get high-nic juices from Vapor4Life. You can still try all of the V4L carto samplers on the other model batteries (and i recommenf the WOW tobacco shop sampler with WOWbacco and WOWboy in it)

Very true but if you get a Volt they now have sealed batteries. That will making the leaking problem a lot less likely.

 

[Padre]

...18 is strong enough for most and 36mg would knock your socks off.........
madjack

This should say that 36 mg will knock the socks off of madjack. Different people have different needs. One person that feels 36 is too strong and the next is fine with it. I can't go higher than 24 or lower than 18 and I hear a lot of people that max at 12 or 6 and also a lot of people that vape 5 ml of 36 mg a day with no problem.

If you are ordering juice, I reccomend at least one small bottle of 30 or 36 mg just in case that is your need.

 

[DaveP]

It's true that an ecig may not be what you expected in terms of being "just like a cigarette". The taste can be similar once you find the right juice, but you will taste a difference. That difference will come to be much better than the cigarettes you thought that you liked. In fact, after vaping for a while, cigarettes will start to taste nasty. If you are a heavy smoker, as you say, you might want to try continuing smoking along with a good ecig to taper off.

Most people who start vaping either completely quit the first week or find themselves only smoking a few a day. The ecig will do that for you. Some still smoke a half dozen cigs a day for a year or more and then quit one day because the cigs taste bad and the ecig is the preferred nicotine source.

Either way, it's a vehicle for a transition to a healthier lifestyle. The Ego is a good, but slightly larger battery for ecigs that uses the slim 510 atomizer or just about any other atomizer/cartomizer with a 510 thread. You can also use tiny adapters to allow an Ego battery to power other ecigs' atomizers.

The Riva 510 is a good and inexpensive way to try out the Ego style ecig for $29.95. It's a good, solid unit that many new vapers choose to buy. Click the 20% off icon to get the $29.95 price. You get two complete Rivas along with the battery charger, a cone, and a case.
Electronic Cigarette - Starter Kits - Riva 510

The KR808 is also a popular ecig. After a while, though, you will find yourself tired of running back and forth to the battery charger and a heavier battery will start to make good sense with it's longer vape time. A Kr808 will give you about 3 hours between charges and the 750mah Riva will give you 5 or 6 hours. You can also get 1100mah Ego batteries that will last all day a a heavy vape rate.

I also would recommend that you get a manual battery version. Auto batts sometimes trigger from loud noises. I remember one guy talking about having two in his short pocket at a concert. They both turned on and stayed on until he felt a burning on his chest. He had to unscrew the atomizers from the batteries to stop the burn. Not all autos are susceptible to noise though. The hazard is leaking juice ruining the switch, something that doesn't affect sealed manual batteries.

 

[madjack]

This should say that 36 mg will knock the socks off of madjack. Different people have different needs. ...........................................................

...very true indeed, heck, 24mg does it to my socks...I am very happy chain vaping at 16mg...we are all different and THAT makes the world go round...........
madjack

 

[bmx0964]

Thanks again for all of the information guys.

Looks like I have a little research to do. I think I will most likely be going with the V4L or smokeless image kit as of now and starting with the highest concentration of nicotine level I can get and go from there.

Your help has been much appreciated!!!

 

[leftfeild]

+1 on the volt/v4l. I have a volt and use it most days. Decent bit of kit. For its size they put out 3.7v which is more than the 3.2ish volts the ego puts out which is a much bigger battery. I get about 2 hours on my volt and about 10 hours on my ego which is why I still prefer the ego. I'm rambling a little but the main point is that the volt or similar is just as "powerful" as a standard "bigger" ecig.

If you want more power you'd need a pretty big ecig mod or a bigger battery that can handle low resistance gear which is a whole other kettle of fish. I like the volt a lot and for what you're asking for I don't think you'd go wrong with it.

I have the UK version of the VOLT which is this one - Sport Full Starter Kit - Sport PCC starter kits by JAC Vapour Ltd

Did not know they existed. You sir, are my hero. Volt type carts in the uk *nosebleed*