New with ProVarii questions!

[wildxcard]

Hi, I'm new to vaping and the forums.
I've been a long time smoker and I feel like it's time for me to finally find a healthier alternative.

I'm getting a ProVari (standard size), but I have yet to order it. I have a lot of questions before I do and I'd really appreciate anyone that could help answer them. A lot of the stuff about voltages on cartomizers confuse me, and when I went to look at IBTanked I realized I should probably learn more about what I'm getting myself into.

So I guess my first set of questions about vaping are basic. I smoke one and a half packs of marlboro red 100s, a day. I'm not sure about e-juices, but what I should order as far as nicotine mgs goes? I was also wondering what flavors taste the most like tobacco. I know none of them really do capture the actual flavor of a ciagrette but I'd like something close (it's gross but I love the taste of cigarette tobacco). Lastly what are PG/VGs? I know more of one percentage makes more flavor and the other throat hit, but what do you personally find best with a ProVari to match the throat hit of a real cigarette.

My next question has to do with tanks and cartomizers. I did a lot of reading on here and people recommended IBTanked. For those of you with a ProVari, what tube length do you prefer and with which cartomizer. Could someone please explain what ohms mean on the cartomizers and which would probably be best? I know that the starter kit comes with everything but I'd like a backup. If any of you have other tanks and cartomizers you'd rather recommend I'm all ears.

Lastly, mini vs. standard. Is there a really a difference? What is the battery life like in terms of how many hours before one needs recharging?

Many thanks to anyone who decides to answer my newbie questions!

 

[CreepyLady]

Hi and welcome fellow MA vapor to be

Check out these blogs E-Cigarette Forum - Baditude - Blogs they cover EVERYTHING you could possibly think of as well as all of your questions Responding to all of them would be rather lengthy. You will see a blog on Provari, on cartotanks (with specifics on IB) Battery information, etc. Baditude compiled a great group of concise information and starter guides all in one spot!

 

[xMATHISx]

I smoked 2 packs a day and got to where throat hit on a real cig wasn't even really felt...
Vg gives you clouds of vapor, pg gives throat hit. I use 24 mg of nicotine and have since I started baling around 6 months ago. Never had much of a craving for a real cig except when drinking. I just got a provari yesterday and I love it. The mini only extents to an 18500 battery (18350 standard) and the extension cap on the regular size extends to an 18650 and holds an 18500 with stock end cap. I vape a lot so a bigger battery is beneficial, especially when I can't get to a charger.

 

[RoseB]

Hello Check out the links CreepyLady posted. Badittude covers a lot of info there. I have a full size Provari and go through about 3 charged batteries a day. That could be due to the fact I was a very heavy chain smoker. When you're starting out you're most likely going to vaporize more than you smoked. Yeah there is nicotine, but it is not the same. If you pick up a mini maybe get a few extra batteries. As a half pack a day person you may calm down on it after the initial start up. Then you'll have extra batteries and that's always nice. About the e liquid: maybe check out some e liquid reviews. I don't do tobacco flavors, but there's a ton of them out there. Unless you have a local store to try flavors, your best bet is going to be doing some reading General E-Liquid Discussion Good luck

 

[Robino1]

I have a Provari standard and use the extension cap. My battery lasts over a day. Whatever size you finally decide on, get at least two. I now have five batteries for the extended size and two batteries that will fit without the extension. I plan on getting two more extended sized to have in my rotation. I want to be prepared in case of power outages.

Definitely check out the blog that was posted!

Tobacco liquids. I vape Heather's Heavenly Vapes. She has awesome NET (Naturally Extracted Tobacco) liquids. Whatever you choose, try samples first. Those will be ready to vape right away. If you go larger sixes, they will need to age a bit before the full goodness shows up. Most vendors mix to your order.

PG is mostly the carrier of the flavor and it thins out the thickness of VG
VG is thicker and makes up most of the vapor

Heather's samples are 70/30 PG/VG. I can't remember what nic strength . I think 12mg?

It's hard to determine what nic you should start at simply because what works for one, doesn't necessarily work for another. I would strongly suggest getting a few different nic mg liquids. I started with 24 and 18mg none of those went to waste. After my initial purchase, I decided the 18mg was the best fit for me. The next order was just 18mg. Soon after I was down to 15mg then 12mg.

Some vendors can mix whatever nic strength you need. HHV (heathers heavenly Vapes) will if you ask in the Notes section when placing your order. They mix mine at 8mg, where I'm at now.

Good luck and welcome to ECF

 

[WillyZee]

yup ... read Bad's reviews on the Provari and IBTanked ... they lay it all out.

a Provari with IBTanked is my perfect vape

 

[wildxcard]

Thanks to those of you who have replied thus far, it's really helpful! I'm currently reading through Bad's blogs and some of the stuff on tanks and carto tanks are pretty confusing, lol.

 

[Robino1]

Thanks to those of you who have replied thus far, it's really helpful! I'm currently reading through Bad's blogs and some of the stuff on tanks and carto tanks are pretty confusing, lol.

Keep reading and when you finally get your gear in your hands, it will click! After a while it does make sense and in less than 6 months, you will be saying all those words and phrases like its second nature.

 

[WillyZee]

Thanks to those of you who have replied thus far, it's really helpful! I'm currently reading through Bad's blogs and some of the stuff on tanks and carto tanks are pretty confusing, lol.

don't be intimidated wildxcard ... an IBTanked carto setup is one of the easiest trouble free juice delivery toppers you will find.

 

[olefolks]

I was a pack and a half smoker and started with 18mg. It worked for me and I had been smoking for 60+ years. Just saying!!

 

[wildxcard]

What are some online stores to check out for good quality e-juice and accessories? I want to make my ProVari pretty haha.

 

[The Ministry]

I smoked a lot and found 24mg of any liquid to be a good starting point. The problem is, no one is the same. You might find 24mg too much, not enough, etc. I'd recommend getting a few "tester" size pots of liquid in varying strengths and flavors before spending a lot on your "go to" vape.

Trust me, avoid the urge to splurge a fortune on liquid early doors. My top shelf is testament to that - I'm slowing giving the impulse purchase away (bought a shed load of liquid that I can't stand to vape now)

Another problem (well, it's not really a -problem-) is your taste will dramatically improve quickly, so the liquid/nic/flavor you initially get off the cigarettes with may taste horrible a few weeks in!

Good luck, let us know how you get on.

The IBTanked gets good reviews, I use iClear30's these days. Kanger Aerotanks also seem to get good reviews. Again, it's down to what you like really - what looks good on paper may not hit the spot you want to hit

 

[r77r7r]

Welcome to the forums. Great getting quality equipment to start.

 

[wildxcard]

Yeah, my family got sick and tired of watching me kill myself with over a pack of cigarettes a day. So I got lucky with their funding for the ProVari. If I had to buy it on my own I wouldn't be able to afford it and personally would have gotten an eGo based on the reviews I've seen.

 

[bosun]

Smoked for more than 40 years. Started with 24mg, then dropped down to 18mg. Right now I start the day at 18mg to get my nic level up then drop to 12mg or less the rest of the day. The idea of vaping is to get off of the coffin nails...let your body tell you what it wants for nicotine and don't sweat the small stuff.

 

[Gixer2000]

Welcome fellow Mass hole
I started a thread a little while ago and most people said Mtbakervapor.com is the place to go. I looked around some and they have fair prices and tons of flavors so you should check them out. Nice to hear your family was behind you and stepped up to make sure you enjoy your vaping experience. Good luck keeping the cigs away

 

[wildxcard]

Welcome fellow Mass hole
I started a thread a little while ago and most people said Mtbakervapor.com is the place to go. I looked around some and they have fair prices and tons of flavors so you should check them out. Nice to hear your family was behind you and stepped up to make sure you enjoy your vaping experience. Good luck keeping the cigs away

Thanks. I checked out the site you suggested and they didn't seem to have much in the way of regular tobacco flavors which is what I'm looking for -- and the ones they did have didn't have great reviews, lol. I've been poking around the site but it seems I'm at a loss!

 

[Mowgli]

Thanks. I checked out the site you suggested and they didn't seem to have much in the way of regular tobacco flavors which is what I'm looking for -- and the ones they did have didn't have great reviews, lol. I've been poking around the site but it seems I'm at a loss!

Congrats on a wise choice to quit butts and a great choice on the Provari.

Mt Baker Vapor East Coast tobacco is very good and their 555 is also very good. Their USA is good.
I make a tasty Hangsen RY1 that tastes like American cigarettes.
I smoked 25-30 Marlboro Medium red 100s/day so we have similar tasty buds.

Join New England Vapers on FB. We have 1-2 meets/month.
Mucho knowledge swirls among the clouds at those

 

[Papajohns]

don't get a provari right off the bat, that's like just getting your drivers license and going for a Ferrari. There are many cheaper, simpler set ups out there for a beginner, like the Ego batteries. Even an Innokin MVP 2 would be better. Just a suggestion, A provari is a pretty heavy investment for someone just starting out. Vape quality, for the most part, is more dependent on the tank you use, not the battery. Start with a simpler set up, and see if you stick with it. I wouldn't recommend getting high end gear until the cigarettes are completely out of the picture.

BTW, don't be surprised if you find tobacco flavors taste terrible. Vaping and smoking are quite different, the tastes do not translate well.

 

[sharkster]

Wish I would of got the ProVari first. The PRO will be your best vapor friend .