Twenty different opinions? More like 40, and all have their justifications. I started with a Halo G6 and was very happy with it for six months or so, but if you were a heavy smoker, you would be changing batteries a lot. I now have a Provari Mini, but if someone had insisted that I start with that, let alone a mech mod, I would have thrown up my hands in despair. There IS a learning curve.
THat being said, don't get the very cheapest option; quality varies a lot. And realize that this is a journey, and you will change your perception of what you want along the way. Happy vaping!