New to ECF and e-cigarettes - seeking advice

[Comrade Woody]

Hi, I'm new to this forum and new to e-cigarettes (I am yet to even try one.)

I don't smoke at the moment, but I'd like to. I smoked cigarettes for around 6 years regularly, quit for a year or so then started smoking cigars for a while before quitting again for 2 or 3 years after which I returned to cigars for a few months, stopped again for about 4 months, then smoked cigarettes infrequently until a couple of weeks ago.

When I smoked regularly I was up to around 20 (superking size) cigarettes a day.

When I quit I simply stop, and I am usually able to do so successfully. When I've started again in the past it's usually through choice as opposed to craving; I'm not looking to move to e-cigs to help me quit, but rather to allow me to do something I like without the health risks.

I've looked around online and have a fair idea of what I want.... I think.

Initially I wanted a small two piece unit with an automatic switch. I preferred this as it seemed less hassle and more akin to the real thing. After further reading I decided a manual switch would be better as it allows for more control (longer activation etc.) and a larger model would be preferable due to the increased battery capacity.

From what I've read I get the impression that the eGo is a good choice but I'm unsure which model is better. I've seen positive reviews of the tank version but elsewhere I've read that they're prone to leaks and their atomisers can be unreliable and lack longevity.

I've heard that the eGo C is good but am unclear as to how exactly this differs from the T and other models and what makes it better (or not, as the case may be.)

What I'd like is some advice regarding models and manufacturers. I would also appreciate recommendations regarding liquids and reputable UK suppliers.

I'm looking for the following:

• Good vapour production
• Good manual battery (>=650mAh)
• Longevity of components
• Good “throat hit” (closest to the real thing, I assume that'd be high?)
• No leaks, or minimal leakage

I don't really care about size, smaller is preferable but function is far more important to me than form.

Are tanks or cartridges better?

With regard to the liquid I want to get as close to tobacco as possible. I'm not interested in exotic flavours. The closer it is to a cigarette or cigar the better; recommendations for both would be greatly appreciated.

Finally as I'm in the UK I'd be grateful if people could recommend reliable suppliers with good products and customer service. I'd prefer to order from the UK to reduce shipping costs and time.

Thanks for reading.


P.S. Apologies if I've missed answers to any of this in stickies. I've read several posts here and numerous articles and promotional materials elsewhere, in addition to watching video reviews on youtube. With such a wealth of information and variety of products and brands it gets overwhelming and I want to get some specific advice to help make sense of what I've already researched.

 

[Malduk]

Well, there's no right answer; I imagine 10 people will give you 15 different replies.

Ego is a good start though, because it's cheap, has decent battery, and still its reliable. I personally use eGo-C for outside vaping, as it looks... normal

Main difference between ego-t and c is that c has divided atomizer cone into 3 parts (cone, base and the actual atty itself), so replacing and cleaning the atty is much cheaper/easier. Both use the same tank system, but ego battery can be used with cartos too, if you decide you don't like tanks.

 

[zenman223]

Hello and welcome. I too was pretty much in your position. I smoked b/c I enjoyed smoking not really b/c I was so addicted I couldnt stop. I chose to switch to E-cigs so I could get the pleasure of smoking with out the negative health asspects and Ive been happy ever since.
Im really new to this so I dont have much in the way of suggestions other than do more research.lol Really this is not the kind of thing where someone will else can tell you whats best for you. You have to just keeping reading and determine what suits your needs/wants. As far as brands I would think you cant go wrong with an Ego. I wouldnt worry too much about which one uses what. I have a 510 type PV and use mainly cartomizers so as long as its a 510 I know it will work. To start out I would look for a basic 510 cartomizer type kit. I too have read mixed reviews on the tanks and clearomizers and such.
I have no idea about any good UK vendors although Im sure plenty people here will be along who do.

 

[MeowMix]

I was in your shoes. Same pattern for me. I'd quit then go back because I just couldn't handle it. I never wanted to stop smoking, I just wanted the positive effects I got from Nicotine in a form that didn't kill me or make me wheeze like an 80 year old man walking up and down the stairs.

This is what I've tried and the results. I to smoked 20 cigarettes a day, sometimes more if I was stressed. I started smoking Camel Non Filters 25 years ago, then I was stuck on Full Flavor for a long time.

My first Mod was NJoy from a local gas station. Horrible taste. I hated it. Was nothing like smoking.

Second was Misty ecig from a different Tobacco shop. Taste, not so bad. Battery was huge and hard to hold and I couldn't get enough Vape out of it unless I smoked it like I was pulling an egg through a straw.

Then I tried Blu. Nice product, good Vapor production, handy PCC. But the battery lasted as long as a real cigarette and the pre-filled cartos were so expensive.

When I first got into e-cigarettes I bought a Lavatube from Volcano and an Inferno Kit. I got all the cartomizers, Atomizers, Clearomizers, Tankomizers. I spent close to $500 my first 2 weeks of Vaping.

Lavatube + Tube Tank - Messy, sometimes I had to fiddle with the carto's to get them to work, wicking was an issue with me (Not anymore) and I didn't care about changing the voltage. Like you, I thought I wanted a good TH as well, to try and stimulate smoking as much as possible. I learned that I prefer Vapor Production and taste more. So I moved on.

Revolution V2 was my next try. It's a Bottom Feeder. Again Messy with refilling the bottles, ect. Carto's were much easier to handle now that I knew how to wick them. But it was the constant tilting the bottle to feed the carto, refilling the carto when I wanted to try new flavors and almost setting my car on fire when I put it in the glove box and forgot to turn it to the off switch and the button got pressed for an hour. Melted the carto and my hand when I went to remove it from the glovebox.

Now I'm trying Vapor4Life's Titan series with 808 Carto's. I got a box of pre-filled Coffee to try their flavors and 2 boxes of blanks to use mine. I bought the XL batteries and if your interested, I'll tell you how those go. I like the fact that you can get different colors and LED's, that's half the fun of Mods. Who wants a boring Mod? And I like that you can use the Condom Method to refill the blank cartos, so easy and virtually mess free. But the most I like about them is that I can fill them with my slightly diluted 100% VG Juice and get a HUGE amount of Vapor production and taste. Which is the end goal here.

I've seen lots of threads where people love the Provari or the Reo. Beautiful Mods, they really are. But there not for me. You just have to find what works for you and what you like the most. Try everything once, sometimes twice. Try all kinds of juice, even ones you think you won't like, try them.

And above all, Have fun with it. Because it dosn't matter how much money you spend in the end, your still saving from using analog cigarettes and the effects of them. And that's why were all here.

 

[Eddie.Willers]

Welcome to ECF, Comrade Woody!

There's lots of helpful folk here only too willing to give advice and support.

The Ego is a great place to start. One of its clones (the Kgo) has even larger capacity batteries than the usual 650mAh - which should give around 6 hours vape time. Manual batteries are best as they are sealed and leaking liquid cannot foul and ruin the electronics.

If you want convenience, without mess, then a large capacity cartomizer is a good bet as they hold up to 3mL of liquid - IMHO, tank systems are a dud but DO NOT confuse them for the highly effective 'cartomizer tank'. If you buy dual-coil cartomizers with a liquid that has a 50/50 PG to VG ratio you will be able to fog a small room in short order!

 

[Damper]

Hi!

After 5 weeks of vaping, I am now wery happy with my Janty eGo 900 PT and Riva (same style) 650 batteries. I love to use the eGo Vision tankomizer/clearomizer, and also happy with the refillable Boge cartomizers. I started with a slim two-piece kit, it got me off the analogs, but are rarely used now. I have also tried a selection of caromizers/ clearomizers, eGo tank, and cartridge/ atomizer.
My best buy so far is the Janty eGo battery that can be charged via USB and vaped at the same time, pass through. And the eGo Vision clearomizer (just remember to invert it from time to time to keep it wicking).
I buy most stuff from UK (not sold in Norway), Good sites: Liberty Flights, UK E-liquid (Free shipping and 15% discount with couponcode 'facebook'!), Cloud9Vaping and VapeEscape.

 

[Chrissie]

Hello & welcome Woody

Some very good UK e-cig suppliers mentioned there by Damper & if you would like to check out a few more here is a list of some others (with known discount codes) -

ALL ABOUT E-CIGARETTES UK - Recommended & new suppliers (e-cig/juice sellers)

 

[Maestro]

If you don't already smoke, you should consider 0 nicotine so you don't get addicted again. Heck, I tried an experiment and bought a 100ml bottle of glycerin for $3 and thinned it a bit with raspberry vodka. Tastes great, good throat hit, but no nic so I don't really use it. I was just playing. But if you don't need the nic it's a really cheap way to go.

 

[Comrade Woody]

Thanks for the responses so far.

@ Malduk

I'm not looking for an absolute answer, I know it's all subjective but that's partly why I'm asking for advice here, subjective opinions based on experience compliment the objective information I've gleaned from reviews and product descriptions.

I'm leaning towards the eGo-C. It seems the consensus is that it's a good starting point.

Thanks for your helpful post.

@ zenman223

Thanks for your post. I've found a few UK retailers myself, two seem to be stocking proper Joyetech products whereas others are less clear and I assume they're different manufacturers.

The smaller 510 cartomizer kits I've seen, while cheaper, are all supplied with smaller batteries too. It may be a case of shopping around a bit more but I think I'll likely buy a tank kit and leave the option open to use cartos with the battery as Malduk suggested.

@ MeowMix

Thanks for the long reply

It's not that I can't get by without smoking, I just tend to enjoy things more with it, like drinking. I like my real ale and it's especially enjoyable accompanied by a good cigar or a few cigarettes.

I had to Google most of the products you mentioned; it seems you've been through quite a few. Have you settled on the KR8 now then?

P.S. Your melted Revolution made me laugh

@ Eddie.Willers

Thanks a lot for your post. As you can probably tell I'm still learning the terminology and trying to differentiate different products and designs to get an idea of where to start.

I take it the eGo-C is a normal tank design then? Could you explain the difference between a normal tank design and a cartomizer tank. Sorry if I'm being stupid here but I thought the difference was simply that cartomizers incorporate the atomiser and liquid in a single unit and tank systems do not.

The dual coil cartomizers sound good.

I did a quick search and found this: Mega Dual Coil Cartomisers - 5ml — UK-Eliquid

@ Damper

Thanks for your advice. The list of sites will be useful.

@ Chrissie

That list is excellent, thank you

 

[jnnfrlsw]

Brent over at hoosier ships anywhere and its not overpriced. Here is a link Welcome to hoosier ecig supply - The Best E-cigs, Juices, and accesories

 

[Comrade Woody]

Thanks a lot jnnfrlsw, the KGO kit seems like a bargain.

I have a friend in PA who's also going to give e-cigs a try now too (he's currently on 2 packs a day and wants to quit for health reasons) so if I order from the US we'll likely order one each of the same kit.

 

[MeowMix]

Yes, I've settled on the KR8 for now. But we'll see. I've had my eyes on a couple other Mods so far, but what I mentioned is what I prefer now.

Although I have to be honest, I'm currently vaping with a drip and some fantastic Frap Cap Coconut Mocha, 100% VG. So tasty!

As far as the nicotine is concerned, I enjoy the effects from it. Helps me focus, keeps me from eating everything in the house and is relaxing. So my concern wasn't to quit smoking, Like I previously said. It was to find a healthy way to get the main ingredient I enjoyed.

Good luck on your journey!

 

[frosting]

You've already gotten such wonderful advice! wow, gotta love this forum.

Congratulations on finding ECF before randomly buying and possibly wasting your money!

Are tanks or cartridges better? Neither I say! I love my cartomizers. Just my opinion.

If you plan to use flavored juices you may want to consider the manual route. You mention you want automatic however automatic doesn't play well with dripping juice.

I stand by the standard original eGo, no tank. Less fuss, easy to get the hang of.

Best of luck with whatever choice you choose

 

[Kozmik Kaos]

I got my Leo Royal kit from E Cig Arsenal. I love it!!! The service is personal, the shipping is fast, and the prices are unbeatable. I did a LOT of research before I decided on the Leo. It has tons of vapor, LONG battery life and has a pass-through battery, with the on/off and 3 color LED to let you know the state of charge.

If you and your mate are going to each get a kit, then you can not beat this deal --- NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION KIT SALE

You also get to choose the colors you want.


Cheers

 

[Comrade Woody]

Just a quick update to say thanks again to everyone who posted with advice.

I've now ordered the KGO kit from Hoosier along with a few other bits to keep me going. Once it arrives I'll experiment with different liquids to see what I like; if anyone has any recommendations they'd be welcome.

Cheers.