New to vaping and I think I have made a mistake...

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I have been an analog smoker for about about 12 years now and want to quit. I've tried quitting with the patch and cold turkey. Both worked but only stuck for about a month at most. I have tried e-cigs in the past but just whatever brand/unit I could find at the gas station. The experience was ok... but just not the same as a real cigarette. So I have decided to go for round 2 with the e-cigs and decided to do it right this time to kick analogs for good.

I decided I would do some research and get the "best" e-cig so I wouldn't relapse back to analogs once I started. Google searching "Best electronic cigarettes" was almost a complete waste of time. Almost every website looked like a scam because they looked exactly the same. Like, EXACTLY the same. The only difference between them was the background and site name, maybe font choice. I did find a review on gizmodo.com which I felt i (note: i don't feel like capitalizing the letter i anymore so i'm not gonna) could trust and continued my research from there. Long story short i found a starter kit and made a purchase (with a 15% off coupon code, i'm at least proud of that bit). Then i found this site and it's wealth of information.

Now, i am having buyers remorse. I bought a mini start up kit (by mini i mean a 2 piece KR808D, manual style) and an extra battery. I still have confidence in the company that i ordered from, that isn't the issue, the problem is that while my order is being processed and shipped i purchased another gas station disposable e-cig (which i can now recognized as an auto mini.. but it is only 1 part) and i don't feel like it is producing enough vapor to squash my craving for an analog.
?
Is it just something that will take some getting accustom to? Is this gas station model an adequate representation of vapor production across the board for most minis? Should i cancel my previous order and bump up to a mid size or will this presumably higher quality rechargeable mini i ordered do the trick?

My head might explode.
 

Dana A

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If you can afford to I would get 2 ego twist batteries and some boge cartomizers to start with. Get the 900 mah size if you can. This will give great vaper and last you all day. Depending on how much you smoked you will need to figure out the nic strength you will need in your liquid. I smoked 2+ packs a day of marlboro lights and I needed 24mg but after nearly a year I am down to 16 mg.
 

graymike

Full Member
Sep 19, 2012
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I tried e-cigs about four years ago . . . The technology was very primative then. I re-started e-cigs about five months ago using an Ego-C. I quickly changed to a Provari with a tank. I have several extra batteries and have stocked-up on juice. The PV is permanently attached to my hand. It was very important to me that I had a super-reliable kit with backups. There are some PV-type units that work very well and are a lot cheaper. Especially in the first few months if I'd had an equipment failure I would have picked up a cigarette. I'd counsel: get a dependable unit, a juice you like, spare battery(s), extra carts, and take your kit with you wherever you go. But that's just me. It takes some time to learn how to fill carts and how to detect when they need to be changed. Stay with it.
 

philly1234

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chemicalcopout...excellent name :)

Gas station disposables are definitely not representative of all mini ecigs...I used a blu and a Krave from the drug store myself and continued to smoke a little bit until I got my first kit from Smokeless Image. Then I just stopped cigs. That's not to say that that is what you will do, everyone is different. I totally understand the buyer's remorse. I don't have a lot of money, and I'm cheap. Just remind yourself that whatever gets you to quit/cut down (whatever your goal is) is worth the money you're spending. And realize that you will probably get something bigger and more expensive in a little while, it's what most people do.

I still have my first mini, even though it really doesn't work all that well anymore, I'm just too cheap to throw it away :)
 
chemicalcopout...excellent name :)

Gas station disposables are definitely not representative of all mini ecigs...I used a blu and a Krave from the drug store myself and continued to smoke a little bit until I got my first kit from Smokeless Image. Then I just stopped cigs. That's not to say that that is what you will do, everyone is different. I totally understand the buyer's remorse. I don't have a lot of money, and I'm cheap. Just remind yourself that whatever gets you to quit/cut down (whatever your goal is) is worth the money you're spending. And realize that you will probably get something bigger and more expensive in a little while, it's what most people do.

I still have my first mini, even though it really doesn't work all that well anymore, I'm just too cheap to throw it away :)


Ok well that makes me fell a little bit better actually, Philly.

Especially considering my once pending order has just become a shipped order just as i was about to change it. HA!

Usually don't get complemented on my username so thanks for that too. Oddly enough this is the only place where it has ever kind of "fit in" i guess.
 

myxomatosis

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The differences between a quality built battery and carto vs a disposable gas station battery is MOMUMENTAL. The vapor, ease-of-drag, and battery life change depending on your setup, but almost anything anyone recommends you here will be FAR SUPERIOR to any disposible you'll find at a gas station. The ego's recommended by another user above are great getting started. I implore you not to let your view of disposable cigarettes (or even the KR808's as most grow out of those fairly quickly as well) cloud your opinion of whether they can help you quit or even cut back - they differ so much. There are A LOT of junk e cigarettes out there. I'm glad you found ECF these people will help you along the way to finding what works for you. Good luck man.

EDIT: Filling carts and all that noise really isn't as complicated as you might think. You're probably pretty overwhelmed at this point so I won't go into a lot of detail, but I was once right where you are - not wanting to mess with any liquids or anything - 2 years later I'm making my own juice, own several mods and rebuild my atties. YMMV - you'll hear that a lot around here. Everyone's journey is different.

Click the Blog Entries "3" over

<-------

And check out the "Words, pictures also." post I saved of Batitudes for noobs to vaping. Clears some confusion up. PBusardo also just released a nooby introduction to vaping that I wish I could have checked out when I first started here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVFSk5fW7bo
 
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MacSabbath

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I didn't like the gas station disposable I tried. It cost $9 only lasted about and hour and a half and I felt like just having an analog instead half the time I was using it. Got a volt kit in the mail and didn't like it at first. Thought the vape wasn't enough. Smoked 3 American Spirits after vaping. Boxed the kit up in disappointment but went back to it a couple hours later. Once I figured out the quirks (take deep but gentle draws instead of quicker hard draws like a cig. Trying different flavors.) I am not craving an analog at all now. I went ahead and ordered something a bit more advanced. A larger battery and clearomizer to make things easier. I'm in the same boat as you and this is working for me but not very friendly on the wallet at the moment since I'm trying to find the right ejuices. Ejuices make a big difference. Some are so smooth and light that you would rather have an analog. They are unsatisfying. I think having the right nic strength and flavor is a very important aspect new people might overlook or give up on when they dismiss e-cigs. The first flavor I tried with my volt wasn't for me and I was ready to dismiss it.

Refilling your own carts isn't a big deal at all. It's really hard to mess up if you are using the sleeve/condom method. I've filled up 8 carts last night trying different e-liquids (I'm also new to this) and I have yet to screw anything up.
 
Yeah, i bought this disposable last night and it is already dead FEH! If that was everyone's experience i'm pretty sure this website would be less helpful people and more rich people bragging about how they can afford to drop 9 bucks a day and not give a shiz.

For the record, I haven't given up. I think it is just a better idea to wait for my starter kit to arrive in the mail than piss away more money on gear i know is trash.

Off to buy some analogs till then.

Oh I almost forgot!

Thanks for all the help everyone! I'm sure i'll post more newbie questions once i get my kit.
 
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Motivbowler

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Jan 4, 2013
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I have been an analog smoker for about about 12 years now and want to quit. I've tried quitting with the patch and cold turkey. Both worked but only stuck for about a month at most. I have tried e-cigs in the past but just whatever brand/unit I could find at the gas station. The experience was ok... but just not the same as a real cigarette. So I have decided to go for round 2 with the e-cigs and decided to do it right this time to kick analogs for good.

I decided I would do some research and get the "best" e-cig so I wouldn't relapse back to analogs once I started. Google searching "Best electronic cigarettes" was almost a complete waste of time. Almost every website looked like a scam because they looked exactly the same. Like, EXACTLY the same. The only difference between them was the background and site name, maybe font choice. I did find a review on gizmodo.com which I felt i (note: i don't feel like capitalizing the letter i anymore so i'm not gonna) could trust and continued my research from there. Long story short i found a starter kit and made a purchase (with a 15% off coupon code, i'm at least proud of that bit). Then i found this site and it's wealth of information.

Now, i am having buyers remorse. I bought a mini start up kit (by mini i mean a 2 piece KR808D, manual style) and an extra battery. I still have confidence in the company that i ordered from, that isn't the issue, the problem is that while my order is being processed and shipped i purchased another gas station disposable e-cig (which i can now recognized as an auto mini.. but it is only 1 part) and i don't feel like it is producing enough vapor to squash my craving for an analog.
?
Is it just something that will take some getting accustom to? Is this gas station model an adequate representation of vapor production across the board for most minis? Should i cancel my previous order and bump up to a mid size or will this presumably higher quality rechargeable mini i ordered do the trick?

My head might explode.


I think to start off with, you should at least go with an ego set up. Ego twists are awesome little batteries. Try an ego twist with a ce5 or vivi nova tank. That should give you a clear idea on whether or not vaping will work for you.
 

fourthrok

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Aug 12, 2012
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chemicalcopout...excellent name :)

Gas station disposables are definitely not representative of all mini ecigs...I used a blu and a Krave from the drug store myself and continued to smoke a little bit until I got my first kit from Smokeless Image. Then I just stopped cigs. That's not to say that that is what you will do, everyone is different. I totally understand the buyer's remorse. I don't have a lot of money, and I'm cheap. Just remind yourself that whatever gets you to quit/cut down (whatever your goal is) is worth the money you're spending. And realize that you will probably get something bigger and more expensive in a little while, it's what most people do.

I still have my first mini, even though it really doesn't work all that well anymore, I'm just too cheap to throw it away :)

What she said!
 

UnFettered_Soul

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Well, the disposables are,
disposable.

They aren't meant to last, and would be an emergency purchase in my opinion.

That said... I did start with one of those mall kiosk kits.
Cost about as much as my first born, but it did get me off analogs.

I very quickly moved up to an eGo battery and pre-filled cartomizers,
filling my own cartomizers,
to tanks/cartos,
bigger batteries
and finally rebuildables where I am now.

I would gladly steer you towards the larger eGo type batteries with clearomizer types, but have been away from them for so long,
I don't know what's out there anymore.

I do know tank/carto systems have greatly improved, just in the time I've been vaping.
You'll find a system that works for you, and I wish you all good luck.
 

opal

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I love your handle too :)

don't beat yourself up for quashing your nic need with analogs until your gear arrives. You'll find many posts in the newbie forum that have started the same way..myself included - gas station / mall crappy e cigs - thank gawd I found this place and got to return my crap kit before my 30 day trial expired.

I'm an 808 user (smokeless image volts) and I love them. To me, they're hassle free - I went with mostly automatic batteries (one manual just to assure myself I prefer autos) lots of folks love the button.. the button has it's perks but for me.. button free is my thing. I also went with SI because of the color selections.. I like pretty.

It took me a couple weeks to completely give up the ciggs - even though after my first vape they actually taste pretty nasty.. I still like the feel in my hand.. yada yada..

The flavors for vaping are what have *done it* for me. 808s are easy.. filling carts is no big deal - like adding a little vanilla extract to a recipe -or grenadine to a tequila sunrise - easy.

most important thing for me is backups.. don't want to run out of anything or have something wear out and be caught back at the checkout with analogs again. I'd go out of my mind if I didn't have a back up battery and charger just in case.

It helps if you live near an actual vapor store.. I don't but did make the trip to one for some hands on real human introductions to things.

good luck and just holler if you get confused - darn helpful place this forum
 

frosting

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In defense to little sister cigarette shaped e-ciggs, some companies do have merit. You left out the vendor in which you purchased.

However if you are heavy smoker it is probably for the best to cancel that order assuming you have about 70$ to play with for your first order. Or less.

I've heard eGo twists, variable wattage devices(where you can change your own intensity of the experience) are extra awesome, but they've also bumped up a beginner's starting bill. From all accounts I've seen here they are worth every penny, so I hope you don't let the price point at times stop you.

You'll get a heck of a lot more bang for your buck listening to the advice, and doing some research here on ECF based on your own needs.

Congrats on giving it a go again! Some tips-

Per 100 MAH= One hour of power

Be open-minded to flavors

This is vaping, not smoking. Remember it's a little different. You can't expect it to be the same as cigarettes, because there is no combustion.

Manual is good. Manual gives more control how strong you want to puff.

See this more as a hobby, less as "quitting smoking" and it's much easier. A lot of people on ECF call it an alternative. It's OKAY and you're not a failure if you can't immediately stop smoking.



Some sites to look at, options to consider:
Electronic Cigarette - Starter Kits - Riva 510-T Liberty Flights has a fantastic battery warranty(2 months), and always has a 20% off coupon code :eek:ctober20 -- This link is for more of a "Riva" These are more affordable, but some claim not quite as long lasting as an eGo.

Crystal Clear Vaping Some have raved this kit is awesome. It's 3.7 volts(standard eGo power), looks an eGo, is said to perform like one but instead of charging the e-cigg, it has a battery inside that you charge. If going this route with batteries, follow all warnings, only use the correct kind of batteries listed. No, do not put double AA batteries in there!!!

E-Cig Starter Kits Some kit's by Stormy's. A very knowledgeable and often I've found helpful vendor.


With most of the above options you'll have juice to think about. There's so many juice vendors, and you'll see plenty of people squealing about their favorite( I squeal about Mister E Liquid). My advice would be 4-5, 6 ml bottles of a variety of flavors you think you'll like. Don't get coconut if you hate coconut. If you love grape, maybe go for a grape menthol.

You may want to consider a pack of cartomizers, maybe a Kanger cleromizer, something of that nature. Check if the starter kit comes with atomizers. It should. Not all do. You'll want at least 2 atomizers to test your flavors, before you put them into a cartomizer or anything else. Once a juice is in something, the flavor can be a pain to get out!


Yup, now it's information overload. We've all been there. Relax. Don't stress yourself out. Things will be easier when they're actually in your hands. Take your time, order only what you're comfortable ordering.
 
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