Newbie here looking for advice

[Decidion]

Hi, first post and never tried an ecig before, but I think I am ready to make the leap.

First off, I find a lot of this all pretty confusing with the different models, different components, and different nomenclature (both actual and slang), but I guess like most anything else, I'll eventually wade through it.

I guess if I try and identify what I am looking for, it would look something like this:

-High amount of vapor
-Med to High amount of nicotene
-Reliable, both in terms of components and batteries
-Minimize recharge (so a big battery)
-Minimize refills (so a big tank, cartridge, whatever)

I don't mind a large unit, and actually want to avoid something that "appears" as a cigarette. I just want something that is reliable and that I don't have to fuss with too much (I don't think I would like doing drops every time I want to "vape"). If it is too frustrating (I am somewhat tolerant), I'll probably end up going back to regular cigarettes, so I want to have a good experience the first time.

I have been looking at this kit here:

MEGA E-Cigarette | EGO | Buy Electronic Cigarettes & Quit Smoking!

And wonder what people think of this model, especially for a first time user. Am I wasting my money? Is it a decent unit that has upgrade options? I really want to avoid buying a half dozen different models and spending that much money.

I smoke about 1/2 pack a day currently...and the cartridges for the above link say they hold 1.1 mil...this doesn't sound like very much. Can I get bigger cartridges? How long would 1.1 mil last me?

Thanks for any advice...I feel so lost with all of this.

 

[mynameisrob]

The Egos are nice but I prefer the 3.7V PVs instead. THey will give a slightly warmer vape and more TH than an eGo. They will also allow you to use a wider array of attys/cartos.
Check out the Riva, E-Power, or kGo. Their all 3.7V and have a 510 connection. The Riva and kGo have proprietary batteries while the E-Power has non-proprietary batts. I have an E-Power and love it. Batteries are 1050mah and you get 2 with the kit. I get about a day to a day and a half on one battery. Crystal Clear Vapor has a good deal on the E-Power. You get a free 5-pack of Ressurector cartos, free 30ml juice of your choice, and free shipping. Put in ecf5off and youll get 5% off the order.
If you go with the E-Power, RIva or kGo Id try the Ressurector cartos. They work great on all 3. 1.7ohm and hold alittle over 2ml of juice so they last a long time. They produce huge amounts of vapor and are very consistant.

Goodluck!

 

[dormouse]

Cartridges are usually a pain in the neck - they are open cups of plastic containing stuffing. They can suddenly dump 1/2 their liquid for no reason. They can also be cranky and sometimes not wick well so you have to fight for a drag. 510-threaded models are 3-piece models so they are always sold with atomizer + cartridges. But it's the most popular threading so there are also lots of cartomizers for 510 threading (mostly blank).

Cartridges are OK for learning to vape but most use cartomizers instead for everyday vaping and the most popular are Boge (the 3 ohm are easier to learn on and 2 ohm is hotter) and I recommend thinner juices with them (not too much VG - mostly PG. I use 80PG/20VG). Cartomizers have limited lives but rarely drip if filled properly and certainly won't dump 1/2 their juice in your mouth. I can get about 10 days use out of a Boge carto and they cost under $2 apiece. Then after you learn to use normal 1ml cartos, there are lots of bigger ones and hotter ones and reservoir ones to try if you want.

A large Ego is a fine choice though. I would use cartridges to learn to vape, drip tip on the atomizer to test juices (I do not know what size drip tip Mega Ego takes - may need Ego or Mega Ego), and meanwhile learn to use cartomizers and switch to those for your favorite every day juices.

I wouldn't order from mystery place that ships from China though. I also would never buy mystery brand of Ego. Buy Joye aka Joyetech or Janty brand for a real Ego and buy from a shop with a warranty. There is one clone Ego that is reverse polarity and will fry a real Ego battery with its charger. And one ecig clone manufacturer thathas threading that doesn't fit normal parts correctly. If you want to order from China maybe check Heaven's Gifts fro Joye brand stuff.

And BTW mods want real locations in everyone's Profile.

 

[mynameisrob]

If your going to get an eGo, I wouldnt get it from that website. Its overpriced and is not a genuine joye

 

[chatter97]

Allot of people here usually recommend an ego or one of the knock off brands. One of the more popular kits is this one as you can get a kit with cartomizers instead of cartridges and the price is very good, especially if you click the 20% off button in the top banner.

 

[Archer]

Seems they need to stock up a bit

 

[chatter97]

Must have gotten hit by black Friday sales.

 

[Maximillian]

Heyas Decidion,

+1 on liberty flights. I've ordered from them several times, and they've always shipped very promptly for me. As for the ego, I've used one almost from the start and still use them more often than anything else. Mainly because they do what they're supposed to do, are reliable, and relatively inexpensive. And I don't get too upset when one falls out of my shirt pocket and hits the floor

ego or riva or kgo or whatever, I don't see that much difference between, as long as it's a reputable brand. I haven't actually used a riva, but I have a 3.7v bottom feeder mod that I was pretty underwhelmed with. It wasn't bad or anything. In fact, it was pretty much indistinguishable from my ego's. Most people seem happy enough with whichever big batt model they go with first (once again, as long as it's a good quality device).

Aside from that, what everyone else said



Maximillian the Vaguely Disreputable

 

[JustaGuy]

I guess if I try and identify what I am looking for, it would look something like this:

-High amount of vapor
-Med to High amount of nicotene
-Reliable, both in terms of components and batteries
-Minimize recharge (so a big battery)
-Minimize refills (so a big tank, cartridge, whatever)

Welcome Decidion.

Dormouse knows her stuff. Here's my take, mostly echoing her.

1. Most of us buy our own e-juice and refill our own cartridges, cartomizers or tanks. The more VG percentage in the juice, the more vapor you will have, but VG will dampen the flavor some. You can go with pre-filled carts/cartos but they cost more and limit flavor choices.

2. The amount of nicotine can be customized whether you buy pre-filled or refill carts/cartos/tanks yourself.

3. Joye has been very reliable for me. Rivas are good too. Make sure you get it from reliable vendor such as those listed on this forum.

4. Battery capacity is measured in mAh (miliamp hour). The higher the mAh, the longer it lasts. An Riva 650 mAh lasts me 4-5 hours, a 1100 mAh lasts about 7 hours, constant vaping. I am testing an "e-power" right now, is a good choice too with cheaper batt replacements.

5. Refills depend on how much you vape. I do 4-5 mls a day and I do use 1 ml cartridges, so I fill up 5 a day, takes 2 minutes. Each lasts me 2 hours of constant vaping. Cartos are easier for on the go since atty and cartridge are in one.

I would shop the reputable vendors listed on this forum to be safe and go with a 'popular' choice. Also check vendor reviews subforum.

You're on the right path with a big battery and eGo or clone are good choices. Whatever you buy, keep in mind there will be maintenance and associated costs. Atomizers and cartomizers are consumables, but juice will cost the most.

Good luck!

 

[Uma]

Good for you for deciding to switch over from smoking those nasty traditionals.

The Kgo has a tank that likes thicker juices... a big plus to have. You can find reviews by PBsuardo here at ECF and Youtube that pretty much describe it. It has a pretty good battery life between charges (8 hours +)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0-nj0oelu4


You can pick up some Boge cartomizers to use until you find your favorite flavors and mixes.

You can also use the EMDCC for long excursions. (but know your flavor first!).

Kgo or eGo, Boge cartos and a handful of EMDCC's and some juice. All set for short sessions and for long sessions.

 

[Khzhak]

maybe a MAP tank? Or perhaps a large battery with mega tanks....

 

[Traver]

The Egos are nice but I prefer the 3.7V PVs instead. THey will give a slightly warmer vape and more TH than an eGo. They will also allow you to use a wider array of attys/cartos.

I think the above is going to be a bit confusing for a beginner. You are talking about the working voltage of a battery and most batteries are sold as 3.7V PV's. Regardless of the voltage they deliver to the cart. I notice the Liberty-flights lists both the Riva and the Joye Ego as having a working voltage of 3.3-4.2v. Unless something has changed in the past few months the joys Ego has a regulated power supply and delivers a working voltage of about 3.2 or maybe 3.4. Not sure about the Riva, I think it comes either as a 3.7 volt or 3.2 volt. Depending on who makes it. An E Power battery is regulated at 3.7 volt. I like it because the electronics with the power button and the battery inside are easely replaceable. I can also replace the stock battery with AW IMR batteries.

The difference between working voltage with a load or in this case a cartomizer and battery voltage is important because it is the combination of working battery voltage and the atomizer's ohm rating that determines the amount of hit and smoke.

More volts = more hit and smoke.
Lower ohms = more hit and smoke.

With the same voltage you will get a lot more hit and smoke with a 2.0 ohm cartomizer than with a 3.0 ohm cartomizer. To say a battery gives good smoke and hit doesn't really mean anything. It the combination of battery and cartomizer that matters.

If you are going to use 2.0 ohm or lower you need a large battery for safety, battery life and just the ability to deliver enough current to a low ohm cartomizer.

 

[wv2win]

........I wouldn't order from mystery place that ships from China though.............

There are a number of very good suppliers located in China. Although I am not familar with the site the OP is considering, it could be just fine.

Here are two good suppliers, well supported that are in China:

Best electronic cigarettes_ecigarettes_eliquids_ejuices - Heaven Gifts

BestEcig-High quality mini e-cig|e-cigarette|eGo,e-liquid|e-cigs wholesale

 

[hairball]

I recommend getting a Reo Grand from reomods.com. Takes a 6ml bottle and is a bottom feeder. Screw a low resistance 510 or 306 on it and you're set for the day or longer. Can be run at different voltages depending on the type of batteries that you put in it. Will take an 18650 for 3.7V, a 4.8V nihm, or 2 lifepo4 (rcr123) for 6V's. It's all mechanical so you don't have to worry about something going wrong with a switch or circuit board.

 

[Decidion]

Wow, thanks everyone for all the info. I wasn't even aware of this Reo Mod device...I'll have to take closer look at it, although it would be nice if they offered a "starter kit" that had everything in it. Thanks

 

[Decidion]

Wow the amount of time I have spent researching all of this has finally started to pay off a bit I guess, lol. I am getting more comfortable with the terminology and lingo and can finally understand most of what people are saying! I ended up ordering a ReosMod (silver with blue door - think I'll name him R2D2, lol...I'm a big Star Wars fan). So now I need to order some batteries, juices and atty's. I found a decent place for the batteries and Gourmet Vapor is running a 50% off sale right now, so all I need to find are some attys. I believe what I am looking for is some LR 510's. I guess in the 1.5 to 2.0 Ohm range? Does anyone have a good brand and source for these? Preferably something near the Pacific NW? With as much as I have already shelled out for the mod, batteries, charger and juices, I gotta really start looking for some deals or my wife is going to kill me! I'd ask over at the ReosMod forum, but I don't think I can post there yet (being a fng).

 

[mynameisrob]

Nice choice! Youll love your REO. They are pricey, but if you can afford it, you def wont be dissapointed.
For batteries for it check out Super T manufacturing. They have a lot of different AW and AW IMR batteries for good prices and shipping is only $1.71.

What voltage are you going to be running your reo at? If your using 3.7V, you can use SR attys or LR attys. SR around 2.5-3.0ohm and LR 1.5-2.0ohms. LR attys will give a warmer vape and more TH. 1.5ohm will be warmer than 2.0ohm.
For Higher volt vaping, LR attys arnt necesary. Around a 3.0ohm atty will work great at 4.8V and 6V vaping.
If you are planning on dripping, many people like 306 attys. They will work very well on a Reo too. I use cartomizers and only use attys to test juices but i know there are a few good vendors that have popular 510 and 306 attys. The Cisco Spec attys from Avidvaper work very well, they have 510 and 306. I use the HH.357 Hybrid atomizer for dripping and tasting juice. Its from Avidvaper and is a 510. While it is expensive, it gives better flavor than any atty ive tried and produces crazy amounts of vapor. Some other people should be able to give you some other suggestions on what to use on a Reo. I recommend getting your post count up and then asking in the Reo forum. Youll be able to get great advice from fellow Reo users.

Goodluck!

 

[s4sport]

I think the above is going to be a bit confusing for a beginner. You are talking about the working voltage of a battery and most batteries are sold as 3.7V PV's. Regardless of the voltage they deliver to the cart. I notice the Liberty-flights lists both the Riva and the Joye Ego as having a working voltage of 3.3-4.2v. Unless something has changed in the past few months the joys Ego has a regulated power supply and delivers a working voltage of about 3.2 or maybe 3.4..

The Ego's have new batteries out that you can adjust the voltage by pressing the button a few times and I think the button led changes color to let you know what volts it is at.

 

[Decidion]

If your using 3.7V, you can use SR attys or LR attys. SR around 2.5-3.0ohm and LR 1.5-2.0ohms. LR attys will give a warmer vape and more TH. 1.5ohm will be warmer than 2.0ohm. For Higher volt vaping, LR attys arnt necesary. Around a 3.0ohm atty will work great at 4.8V and 6V vaping. If you are planning on dripping, many people like 306 attys. They will work very well on a Reo too. I use cartomizers and only use attys to test juices but i know there are a few good vendors that have popular 510 and 306 attys. The Cisco Spec attys from Avidvaper work very well, they have 510 and 306.

Thanks for the info I was planning on a LR Atty just using the standard 3.7 volt AW IMR batteries that Rob recommends. I'll check out the Ciscos at AvidVapor.