Newbie couple needs guidance

[FadedSun]

I'll try to make this short, but no promises My wife and I are both smokers, her for about 20 years, me for about 3. We're not heavy smokers, about 5-6 a day, a few more on weekends. Regardless it's still a bad habit and we need to quit for many reasons (health, cost, our kids). I'm fairly new to smoking so I've been able to quit fairly easy(though I won't deny the cravings). My wife is having a harder time. In the end I can't handle it when she hides her smoking when I quit and I can't stand the smell on her when she's open about it. Both put a serious damper on our relationship. So it seems our destiny is to either both smoke or both quit, but I'm hoping that e-cigs might be the best compromise for both our health, our kids health, and a happy marriage.

I'm completely new to this, but I've been doing a lot of reading. While I'm willing to spend what it takes to find something that will satisfy us both, we're not rich, so I'm really trying to avoid what I've read over and over as the newbie mistake of starting out with underwhelming e-cigs and spending lots of money slowly stepping up to better ones. Plus, my wife has bought into all the anti-hype surrounding ecigs, "they're worse than cigarettes", "they all taste terrible", "they don't satisfy". She's only ever tried a Blu eCig from what I know, so I know she hasn't seen it's true potential. At any rate, it's important that I hit a home run with her quickly so she doesn't give up in the idea and go back to smoking.

So we're both mouth-to-lung smokers, about 1/4 pack a day. From what she understands of her smoking habit, she doesn't think the throat-hit is an important part to her. Also, she isn't to keen on the idea of a large bulky device (which I know it seems to be that bigger size in general means a better experience). She's also going to want something that's fairly easy to use, not always breaking down or needing fixes (though I've promised to take care of most of that for her if she'll use it).

I'm personally leaning towards the eVic-VT kit. I don't know how I feel about the size yet, but the geek in me has fallen in love with the digital aspect of it and all the ways it can be adjusted to find the best experience. Do you think this would suit a newbie well that's willing to put in the effort and research to use it?

Does anyone have a good recommendation on something that would fit my wife well?

Also so some newbie questions that would be helpful to clear up if you have the time.

Being that we're light smokers, should we be looking at 6 to 10ish mg nicotine range? If I do get the eVic-VT it has low ohm heads (.2 or .4) would I need to go to even lower nicotine levels to not overwhelm myself?

I know the life of the atomizer varies a lot based on use, brand, e-juice type. But about how long would you estimate one would last for a 1/4 pack a day smoker?

My wife's biggest hurdle is she says without a defined cigarette that ends, how will we know when to stop? Do you just feel when it's time? or do most of you count puffs or time it?

is it safe to leave an e-cig in the car, or does the heat do bad things to the juice or battery?

I have a lot more questions floating around, but I see this is getting long so I'll end it for now.

Thanks for any help you can offer.

 

[Baditude]

First of all, welcome to the forum. And you've come to the right place to ask questions. Everyone will have their own opinions on what "devices" will work best for you, so take all recommendations for gear with a grain of salt.

I'm completely new to this, but I've been doing a lot of reading. While I'm willing to spend what it takes to find something that will satisfy us both, we're not rich, so I'm really trying to avoid what I've read over and over as the newbie mistake of starting out with underwhelming e-cigs and spending lots of money slowly stepping up to better ones. Plus, my wife has bought into all the anti-hype surrounding ecigs, "they're worse than cigarettes", "they all taste terrible", "they don't satisfy". She's only ever tried a Blu eCig from what I know, so I know she hasn't seen it's true potential. At any rate, it's important that I hit a home run with her quickly so she doesn't give up in the idea and go back to smoking.
From what she understands of her smoking habit, she doesn't think the throat-hit is an important part to her. Also, she isn't to keen on the idea of a large bulky device (which I know it seems to be that bigger size in general means a better experience). She's also going to want something that's fairly easy to use, not always breaking down or needing fixes (though I've promised to take care of most of that for her if she'll use it).

I'm personally leaning towards the eVic-VT kit. I don't know how I feel about the size yet, but the geek in me has fallen in love with the digital aspect of it and all the ways it can be adjusted to find the best experience. Do you think this would suit a newbie well that's willing to put in the effort and research to use it?

Not familiar with that mod. I'll pass judgement.

Does anyone have a good recommendation on something that would fit my wife well?

Because I don't believe in the cigarette like batteries, I'd avoid those.

Advancing Up the Vaping Ladder to Ego's and Mods​

She might feel comfortable using an inexpensive variable voltage eGo battery setup like this.

A Good Starter Setup for a Beginner Vaper

Ego battery setup​

Or she might want to upgrade to a blingy high end regulated mod like a Provari Mini (feminine colors available, not that big in size, easy to use).

Why Provari?​

Mini Provari mod

I recommend an Aspire Nautilus (standard or mini) for either battery device above.

Being that we're light smokers, should we be looking at 6 to 10ish mg nicotine range? If I do get the eVic-VT it has low ohm heads (.2 or .4) would I need to go to even lower nicotine levels to not overwhelm myself?

Typical recommendations:

2 packs per day = 24 mg nicotine
1 1/2 ppd = 18 mg
1 ppd = 12 mg
1/2 ppd = 6 mg

If you use coils less than 1 ohm (sub-ohm), drop the level by at least one step.​

Lower ohm coils will produce a warmer vape and use batteries a little faster.
Higher ohm coils will produce a cooler vape and save a little on battery use.

I know the life of the atomizer varies a lot based on use, brand, e-juice type. But about how long would you estimate one would last for a 1/4 pack a day smoker?

Factory-made coils can last anywhere between 1 - 3 weeks. Using dark or sweet flavors, or those with a lot of Vg (vegetable glycerin) will decrease that amount of time.

My wife's biggest hurdle is she says without a defined cigarette that ends, how will we know when to stop? Do you just feel when it's time? or do most of you count puffs or time it?

Some devices do have "puff counters" but I never saw the point. You just vape until you are satisfied. You'll know if you're getting too much nicotine from typical "too much caffeine" symptoms: headache, nausea, lightheadedness, jitteriness.

is it safe to leave an e-cig in the car, or does the heat do bad things to the juice or battery?

Heat can do bad things to both the e-liquid and the battery. Keep both in normal temperature environments (pocket or purse).

Heat degrades nicotine, and can cause tanks to leak and make a mess.

Batteries do NOT like any heat. If summer heat in a car gets too high, batteries can vent and explode.

 

[Sir2fyablyNutz]

I'd recommend an iStick 30W for her (in pink) and an Aspire Nautilus Mini. The iStick and Nautilus are very user friendly and have a good record. For you, as you're looking at sub ohms, I'd recommend a Kanger Subtank Mini. It has 2 replaceable coils that you can buy (.5 and 1.2 ohm) and a rebuild deck if your interested in coiling your own. As to the mod for you, make your self happy. There is a learning curve with ohms law and the really low sub ohms and safety etc.. but the Kanger Subtank Mini will be a great tank to learn on and it gives great flavor. (I haven't gone below 1.2 ohms, it satisfies me).

I don't leave my mod in the truck, I don't want it stolen. Extreme changes in temperature can cause leaks, you're dealing with fluid, glass, rubber o rings , and stainless steel all working together. In normal conditions leaks are rare, after you learn the in's and outs of the equipment.

Coils in either of the two tanks should last you two weeks (or more) based on your cig usage.

The nicotine in the e cig is somewhat different than a stinky. I vape till I am ready to stop, you'll both have to find your own comfort zone. Tell the wife to just be prepared to like vape. When you satisfy the craving, and vape with nicotine can do that, you'll know you've had enough. If the time issue is present, you can lower the nicotine level to vape longer. I kept a cheap clearomizer (tank) around with higher nic, just for those times when the "itch" was difficult. I'd hit it once and go back to the regular level vape.

The switch from cigs to vape has been the most painless, and most enjoyable technique I have ever tried when getting off the stinky's. It shocked me because it was so easy. Mind boggling, and both of you can do it.

Good luck in your vape journey.

 

[nyiddle]

Does anyone have a good recommendation on something that would fit my wife well?

Get matching (one white, one black) Kanger Subox kits!! It offers two coils in the package (1.5 ohms and .5 ohms), and also has an RBA section if you ever decide to get into rebuilding. It can provide a nice fat lung hit, but also has airflow control settings that make it akin to a real cigarette (provides a very, VERY nice "mouth 2 lung" experience in my opinion).

The kit is fantastic because it comes with everything except for batteries and e-liquid, and those are easy enough to source. Since it's a variable wattage device, it leaves room for you to get other tanks/RDA's an experiment (if you choose to want to do that down the line).

Being that we're light smokers, should we be looking at 6 to 10ish mg nicotine range? If I do get the eVic-VT it has low ohm heads (.2 or .4) would I need to go to even lower nicotine levels to not overwhelm myself?

I'd suggest 6-10mg for most people coming to vaping. Higher and it tends to lend itself to a rather strong/sometimes uncomfortable throat hit. Yes, with a lower ohm head you'll want to drop the nicotine content a little bit.

I know the life of the atomizer varies a lot based on use, brand, e-juice type. But about how long would you estimate one would last for a 1/4 pack a day smoker?

I'm a heavy vaper, and the Subtank Mini (included in the kit I mentioned) coils have been lasting me a solid week so far. I imagine getting at least another week (maybe more) before wanting to replace this one due to muted flavor/bleeding flavors.

My wife's biggest hurdle is she says without a defined cigarette that ends, how will we know when to stop? Do you just feel when it's time? or do most of you count puffs or time it?

I vape until I'm satisfied. I rarely get a buzz anymore, but if I do, I know I should probably put down the e-cig for a little bit. It's something you'll learn to gauge as you vape. If you want to vape less, but get the same nicotine effects, just up the nic a bit.

is it safe to leave an e-cig in the car, or does the heat do bad things to the juice or battery?

Nah. For 99% of cases it won't be anything worse than a tank leaking due to the heat thinning the juice, in that 1% though your battery might do something funky and either malfunction horribly while you're not in the car, or just be broken.

Hope that helps.

 

[djsvapour]

Where are you FadedSun? It matters whether I want to write a line or four or a whole page.

However, Blu is dreadful and a Tobacco company and should be avoided. Kind of obvious.
eVic-VT is like buying a Porsche for your new teenage kid driver. What about a Honda?
The idea of a new "light smoker" using a .2 ohm coil leaves me terrified. Buy it for fun, or the gadget of it all... but start with something more 'sane', I think.

 

[LittleBird]

Hi, and welcome! Baditude knows his stuff; try to read the links he provided, and heed the warnings about battery safety. I also suggest an iStick mini or the Kanger Subox kit. TheniStick mini is small and discreet; your wife might like that. The Kanger is a bit bigger, but nothing overwhelming. Note, however, that the Kanger takes an 18650 battery - which means additional batteries and a charger. The Subtank Mini (or Nano) is a great tank, and will serve you well for a long while. If you go with that, start with the 1.2ohm coils. That will be a good and satisfying vape.

I would suggest starting no lower than 6mg of nic - maybe even 12mg. My out can always go down, and you can mix 12mg with something lower, if you find it's too much. The key is to find a juice you like. A lot. Go to a vape store and try a bunch of them. You're sure to hit on something good!

Best of luck to both of you. You can do it!

 

[gandymarsh]

I agree that the Evic is overkill for a light smoker. I would recommend an iStick 30w paired with a Nautilus mini for both of you. The Nautilus has adjustable airflow so you can restrict it enough for a nice mouth-lung hit.

The hardest part IMO is finding a juice flavor that you like. If you have a Vape Shop near you, go in and sample some different flavors. Good shops will offer that for free.

 

[TotemHarpy]

I remember trying Blu maybe 3 years ago-ish? I hated it, with so much passion. Tasted bleh, battery died too fast, and I gave it up and went back to smoking. After a friend set me and my hubby up w/ a istick20w and a kanger subtank nano, I've not looked back at smoking once. I was a 2PAD smoker, and I've been two weeks without one. I'm using for now 12mg/ml nic juice, but my next round of juice I'm dropping to 6mg/ml.

I thought I would have the same problem with not knowing when the end was. Really you can feel the "end" without seeing the fire hit the ..... I want to vape, I vape until I'm content and put it down.

Not to mention it's delicious, I'm very much into the sweet, fruity, dessert vapes lol

Good luck on the switch! =) Yall can do it

 

[Eric Auer]

Also look at Innokin.

They have a great line up with very good starter kits.

Eric

 

[WonderDude32]

I use a Nautilus 5ml and an istick 30 or 50 watt for my running around and work. Total for that setup is about $50. A bit more for the 50 watt but you don't have to charge it as often. Great vape, great taste, low cost for premium gear that is also low maintenance. I don't advise the mini's because you're having to refill 2x as often and the full size isn't really that much bigger but that's just my opinion. To get her more interested, take her on a tour of local vape shops where she can try juices and see what's out there.

 

[FadedSun]

Wow thank you for all the quick replies. It's given me a lot to think about.

First off I live in Minnesota. Part me was hoping that maybe my wife and I could leave them in the car for the drive home (I'm assuming they don't stink up a car like cigs) but it doesn't sound worth it. A leak would suck but not be the end of the world, but as nyiddle pointed out I'd hate for the battery to decide to do something "bad" in my newer car

Baditude, I really like the Provari for her. It really has a refined look to it. I just don't think i'd want to drop that kind of money on it just yet. It's entirely possible she'll not take to this and only use it a few times. But if things work out I'd defiantly keep that in mind for her later. Your other suggestion looks like a good possibility to look at though. I do think she might prefer a more tubular setup instead of a box.

Sir2fyablyNutz thanks for the iStick suggestion. I hadn't looked at that one yet, it looks to be pretty compact. I think she would like that.

Thanks all for the answers to my other questions, they fell in line pretty much with my thinking. I'm really worried to take a big misstep with this and ruin this opportunity for my wife and I. You guys are giving me some much needed confidence.

It's very interesting, it seems like most of you go by "feeling" to know when to stop. I guess we'll have to try it to understand it. Upping or downing the nicotine level to make a longer or shorter "smoke break" is a great idea I hadn't thought of.

Yeh I knew the Blu wasn't any good. Her mom had one though, so I suppose it was worth trying out for her. I just hope it didn't leave to bad of an impression in her mind.

Haha thanks for advice djsvapour. I wouldn't want to overdue it, though I do like the thought of a Porsche They do have regular coils that fit in there too, but I'll keep my mind open to looking at the more sane options. BTW oddly enough I drive a Honda, so I can be reasonable

 

[edyle]

for 5-6 cigarettes a day, I'd say use disposable cigalikes instead of the cigarettes. It's like changing brands.

Other than that you can also try a simple small rda with a 2 ohm 30 guage single coil. With an rda there is a start and an end like with a cigarette; juice up the coil with a needle bottle, vape away for 5 or ten minutes, then you're done for the next hour or 3.

 

[edyle]

Wow thank you for all the quick replies. It's given me a lot to think about.

First off I live in Minnesota. Part me was hoping that maybe my wife and I could leave them in the car for the drive home (I'm assuming they don't stink up a car like cigs) but it doesn't sound worth it. A leak would suck but not be the end of the world, but as nyiddle pointed out I'd hate for the battery to decide to do something "bad" in my newer car

most clearos are bottom coil nowadays, for example the popular nautilus; to leave in the car without worrying about leaking you can just store it upside down like in a cupholder.
The battery on the other hand may be a concern if you are in a hot climate and the car gets hot. I doubt the inside of a car might get hot enough to worry a battery, but I'd be uncomfortable about it.

 

[Hitcat44]

+1 on Innokin Basic Mods.
My 1st real Rig was a Cool Fire 1 with a Kanger ProTank. Beat the Dookie out of the Blu's or the SmokeShop Cheapie Chinese CE4 & Ego knock-off Vape Kits and their Junk-Juice. Came close to trashing the stuff and Vaping all together and jumping back on the Camel myself.
Still have that Ol' Workhouse Coolfire 1 with a MegaTank for vaping while mowing and the like.

 

[FadedSun]

I use a Nautilus 5ml and an istick 30 or 50 watt for my running around and work. Total for that setup is about $50. A bit more for the 50 watt but you don't have to charge it as often. Great vape, great taste, low cost for premium gear that is also low maintenance. I don't advise the mini's because you're having to refill 2x as often and the full size isn't really that much bigger but that's just my opinion. To get her more interested, take her on a tour of local vape shops where she can try juices and see what's out there.

It doesn't seem like the shops have near the selection of kits as you can find online. Once we have them though, I do plan to take a trip to a local shop to look at juices. I know there's a huge variety online and I do plan to try many of them sometime, but I figured to start it would be best to be able to try a few different ones quickly. Hopefully to find something promising before she gives up. I'd rather try a lot of flavors quickly(and maybe waste a few dollars), it'll be worth it in the end if we both get hooked.

 

[Yozhik]

I agree with the sentiments above that an iStick 30W with an Aspire Nautilus is the best choice. Admittedly, it's not a tube mod, but the thing is very small and will easily fit well in a purse. Also, you can wrap it with with various designs to give it more appeal to your wife. Take a look at jwraps.com or one of its competitors and I'm sure she'll find something she likes.

Alternatively, you could go with a Coolfire IV if she likes the anodized aluminum look.

As to encouraging vaping, one thing is that vaping is not the same as smoking. A cigarette quickly gives you a rush of nicotine, then you crash and smoke again. With vaping, you tend to puff every so often to maintain your nicotine levels, thus avoiding the crash and crave. Finally, you can also encourage ground rules about where smoking is permissible to discourage it (e.g., not in the car, not in the house, not in the yard). The further one has to go to get a cig fix, the more vaping becomes a preferred route.

Oh, and I'd hold off on the sub-ohm stuff. I think it's better to go with a mouth-to-long atomizer first, because lung hitting is a lot more different from smoking.

 

[FadedSun]

I agree with the sentiments above that an iStick 30W with an Aspire Nautilus is the best choice. Admittedly, it's not a tube mod, but the thing is very small and will easily fit well in a purse. Also, you can wrap it with with various designs to give it more appeal to your wife. Take a look at jwraps.com or one of its competitors and I'm sure she'll find something she likes.

Alternatively, you could go with a Coolfire IV if she likes the anodized aluminum look.

As to encouraging vaping, one thing is that vaping is not the same as smoking. A cigarette quickly gives you a rush of nicotine, then you crash and smoke again. With vaping, you tend to puff every so often to maintain your nicotine levels, thus avoiding the crash and crave. Finally, you can also encourage ground rules about where smoking is permissible to discourage it (e.g., not in the car, not in the house, not in the yard). The further one has to go to get a cig fix, the more vaping becomes a preferred route.

Oh, and I'd hold off on the sub-ohm stuff. I think it's better to go with a mouth-to-long atomizer first, because lung hitting is a lot more different from smoking.

Thanks for the jwraps site. I didn't know something like that existed, that's a great way to make thing feel/look a little more personal.

Yeah, I wish the smoking rules thing would work, but that's not my wife. Truth is if I push to hard on the no smoking, she'll just do it when I'm not around. In the end it seems I prefer honesty to hiding even if it means she's smoking. My best bet is to research enough to make a good solid choice for vaping. I hope to show her there's a healthier, satisfying, and still enjoyable way to get our nicotine fix and let her make the choice to switch on her own.

A few people have commented already that sub-ohm is going to be rough for a starter. I assumed the variable settings (temperature and airflow in this case) on it would let me temper it down regardless of the ohms. If I am to tempted by the setup (and it is really tempting still) I'll make sure to get the higher ohm coils that they offer. I'm really try to take in everyone thoughtful advice... I don't want to turn myself off from this either by being overzealous in my setup.

 

[Yozhik]

A few people have commented already that sub-ohm is going to be rough for a starter. I assumed the variable settings (temperature and airflow in this case) on it would let me temper it down regardless of the ohms. If I am to tempted by the setup (and it is really tempting still) I'll make sure to get the higher ohm coils that they offer. I'm really try to take in everyone thoughtful advice... I don't want to turn myself off from this either by being overzealous in my setup.

The thing about sub-ohm coils is that they are designed for a sub-ohm experience, which means that the airflow, coil size, and wicking is all designed for it. Sure, one can use different coils and wicking, but in the end the overall atomizer chamber just isn't designed for a good mouth-to-lung experience. For example, my Nautilus Mini beats the Kanger hands down in terms of flavor and satisfaction compared to the Kanger Subtank's 1.5 ohm coil.

There's nothing wrong with experimenting with sub-ohm. Most experienced vapors will pick up multiple atomizers over time (in part because it makes it easier to vape different e-liquids throughout the day). I still use my Nautilus for high nic juices, because I like certain juices that way. I use sub-ohm for other stuff. So it might be worthwhile to try both styles of tank to see what works for you all if that's in the budget.

Also, just some recommendations on e-liquid, if she's looking for a tobacco flavor: (1) Halo has a sampler of their tobacco juices that you can order online, of which Torque56 and Tribeca are personal favorites (and what goes in the Nautilus); and (2) Ripe Vapes VCT is pretty phenomenal recent find (though it's more for sub-ohming at 25/75 PG/VG ratio).

 

[Thespis]

Another vote for the Istick 30 and Nautilus. Long lasting, small and satisfying.

 

[roxynoodle]

Don't worry about them being in the car for the ride home from the shop . You can vape and drive. I can't imagine its too hot in the car while you're in it, or you would be in danger yourself.