Since you smoke so little, your needs are going to be totally different than most on this forum. I guess for you one battery would be sufficient. I personally like an assortment of chargers (usb, electrical, car adaptor) rather than the charging case, but since you only have one battery it would probably be convenient. The
vaping experience for me has been very similar to smoking and was a very easy switch. I use the WOW 24 mg carts from V4L and like them. Carts are lasting me for two full days (former pack a day smoker). I think you might be better off with a higher nicotene since you are not going to vape very often, but I am new to all of this. The nicotene content in a cart is the entire cart so it may take you a week to go through one cart. It may also be that you have no addiction to nicotene, but I am not sure. In any event I would chose one 5 pack or sampler in one strength (probably 8 mg out of the choices you gave) and see how that works for you. If you still crave a regular cig than I would try moving up in nicotene content. My favorite flavor so far is cinnamon roll and I have disliked all the tobacco flavors I have tried.
Don't know about the laws in NY, but it really sucks that government is trying to stop such a good thing, but can you imagine all the taxes their losing from reformed smokers!
Manual batteries you have to push a button while vaping. They produce more vapor because you can push the button for 1 - 2 seconds and then take a drag (still holding the button) so it basically warms the cart. The button is conveniently located and not a pain. I don't think they last as long as automatics do, but again still new to this. The automatics are activated by suction and you are suppose to take a small drag and then a regular drag. I just smoke the autos like normal cigarettes and don't take the "primer puff", but a lot of smoke and a hard hit is not what I'm after.
Always look for coupons, I would be surprised if you ever had to order anything without one - V4L had 21% or 23% off for one day around Halloween. V4L ships very quickly and I received my order in 2 days.