Newbie looking for advice, been eyeing the M401

[Automaton]

Hello everyone! I am new to e-cigarettes, and I was hoping to get some buying advice.

Just to give you a bit of background on what sort of smoker I am, I probably smoke 20-30 a day. The reason I have a somewhat vague number is because I smoke rollies (part price, part taste, part to cut down on additives). Bali Shag is my favorite. Of tailor-mades, I like Lucky Strikes the best, and Pall Malls second. I am also known to sometimes trim the filters on weaker cigarettes to get a stronger drag. As you can guess, I like to feel like I've been kicked in the face when I smoke a cigarette.

I've tried a couple models that my friends had. One of them I kind of liked, but unfortunately have no idea what model it was! It was, I'm guessing, a mini or super mini of some sort, because it was shaped like a real cigarette.

The other one I tried was a Blu, which I honestly didn't care for.

I'm looking for, basically, something that looks and feels in my hand as close to a real cigarette as possible. The habitual nature of it is very big for me - gums and patches felt like they did nothing. I'm also looking for something reliable. I do tend to beat stuff up, and I don't have the money to be constantly replacing stuff.

I do want something that looks like a real cigarette, so I was thinking of going with the M401 Starter Kit from Absolutely E-Cigs. I've heard good things about them, the M401, and they were very quick and pleasant when I asked them a couple of technical questions. It also seems to be a good deal.

I was wondering what the benefit of a Manual Switch battery is? Does it help conserve battery life or cartridge life?

Also, as I've been filing through all the info here and elsewhere, I've come to accept that if I want something that looks like a cigarette, I'm going to take a hit in the battery life department. So I was thinking a PCC might be a good idea?

I was also thinking I'd get liquid so I can fill them myself. I was looking at the mixing kit from Totally Wicked. How much liquid would I actually get from that, once it's all used?

Am I on-track for a happy buying decision? Any words of wisedom?

Thanks!

Love,
Cassie

 

[malyden]

First of all welcome to the world of vaping
From what you posted you will most likely be very disappointed with anything that looks like a real cig most people start out thinking that's what they want but quickly change their mind because the ones that do look like a real cig tend to have a much shorter battery life. As for the manual versus automatic the manual batteries tend to give you more control.
For you I would recommend a cartomizer, 510 or 901 with a high nic juice - there are many good suppliers listed at the bottom of the forum.
Best of Luck!!

 

[Automaton]

Wow, that was quick!

The reason I shied from the 510 is that I read the atomizer tends to go out more quickly, since it's really designed to be thrown out with the cartilage. How do the atomizers in the 510 hold up?

I also read I may not need as high of a nicotine content as I think? Something to the effect that because of the way e-cigs are smoked, you actually wind up using more nicotine in a day, so if I wanted to avoid getting more addicted I'd go for medium to start?

There's so much information! My goodness.

 

[audio]

Welcome Cassie,

I'm new at this and I'm not familiar with the brand you're referring to, but I can recommend a manual battery over an automatic. Of course, you have to push a button on the manual battery, but it gives you more control and may increase the time between charges.

One thing you may want to consider is that vaping needs to be better than smoking for you to make the switch. For vaping to be better, your equipment needs to be cheap, reliable, easier and longer lasting. I got the eGo and tobacco-flavored liquids a couple of weeks ago. I'm thinking of getting different flavors so that the vaping experience is different (better?) than the smoking experience. I don't really want an e-cig that looks or tastes like a cigarette. I already have plenty of those, and I want something "better." Just a thought.

 

[audio]

Wow, that was quick!

The reason I shied from the 510 is that I read the atomizer tends to go out more quickly, since it's really designed to be thrown out with the cartilage. How do the atomizers in the 510 hold up?

I also read I may not need as high of a nicotine content as I think? Something to the effect that because of the way e-cigs are smoked, you actually wind up using more nicotine in a day, so if I wanted to avoid getting more addicted I'd go for medium to start?

There's so much information! My goodness.

I wouldn't throw out the cartridges, just refill them. My eGo uses 510 atomizers, and I'm hoping that with a little care and maintenance they will last a long time. It's a good idea to have spares on hand because they will eventually fail, but don't plan on throwing your atomizer out just because your cartridge is empty.

I've only been doing this for a couple of weeks. You're right, there is a lot to learn. But you'll become an expert in no time. Just keep asking. There are no dumb questions here.

Good luck!

 

[warlike36]

When I started vaping it was the 401 that got me off of the "death sticks". But the kick me in the face quickly wore off. If you need the "kick me in the face" affect, I would also suggest an ego kit and some Low Resistance attys. Check out Cignot your Midwest Electronic Cigarette store. for the ego kit. And Atomizers for some xtra LR attys. Just my opinion for "the kick in the face"

 

[mistinthewoods]

malyden is right. I don't think a 401 is going to "kick you in the face". In order to get a level of satisfaction comparable to what you've been smoking you'll have to use something that looks nothing like a cigarette. those skinny little batteries just don't put out enough voltage. I would suggest you start with an eGo or Tornado kit to start and begin looking at mods soon. Here's a database of available mods: e-Cig Battery Tube Mods | eCigarette-Mods.com
None of them look like a cig. but that's the only way you're going to get a decent voltage. Those little ecig batts are pushin' about 3.2 volts fresh off the charger and a battery like a 18650 reads about 4.2 to 4.3 volts freshly charged.
I would think you would need at least 24mg juice too.
Good luck.

 

[malyden]

My 510 atomizers last me around 3 months, the cartridges can be refilled but I tend to use a drip tip because it's easier - for me anyway. When you first start vaping the atomizers may not last real long because lets face it your new and there's a learning curve - set them aside because they may not really be dead. Some atomizers are better than others so make sure you find a good supplier and purchase several. Way back when I started I used a 901 then moved to the 510 and I now use a BB with a 510 atomizer. As for nic level I would get some cartridges in low, med and high (if you can afford it) once you find the right level then get some ejuice. Best of luck

 

[WetStick]

I use the 510 Attys and carts, but mostly on mods, because (as someone already stated) the cig looking batteries don't last long.

Once you get the hang of "always keeping the atty wet"; I have attys that are more than 6 months old. It's probably been 4 months since I've even had one go bad.

 

[Automaton]

Hmmm, the eGo is getting some pretty consistent votes. It's also got an all-day sorta battery from what I've read, which is nice.

I'm having a hard time trying to figure out what I'm more addicted to. When I tried patches and gums (and I used the highest dose for both), I was practically high on nicotine, but still found myself struggling with the want to have something in my hand and seeing smoke. I wound up smoking right through it (dangerous, I know).

But when I recently ran out of cigs for a bit and had to wait, the withdrawal set in within 12 hours and no amount of sucking on an empty oney my friend lent me will make it feel better.

It's such a complicated addiction.

 

[mistinthewoods]

To answer your concerns about atty life, I think the info you were reading about short life of 510 attys was actually about cartomizers (atty and cartridge in one piece). They don't last as long as an atty but they cost a lot less and you buy them in 5 packs. I like them myself.

 

[mistinthewoods]

Hmmm, the eGo is getting some pretty consistent votes. It's also got an all-day sorta battery from what I've read, which is nice.

I'm having a hard time trying to figure out what I'm more addicted to. When I tried patches and gums (and I used the highest dose for both), I was practically high on nicotine, but still found myself struggling with the want to have something in my hand and seeing smoke. I wound up smoking right through it (dangerous, I know).

But when I recently ran out of cigs for a bit and had to wait, the withdrawal set in within 12 hours and no amount of sucking on an empty oney my friend lent me will make it feel better.

It's such a complicated addiction.

High dose patches AND smoking? I bet you WERE high on nic.
I'm convinced that the reason ecigs help so many people get off smoking is because you still have the behavior of smoking. It's not the behavior that will kill you, it's the toxins.

 

[Automaton]

Yeah. I've probably got the most addictive personality I've ever seen. Even in my hobbies, I'm pretty ridiculous. Living life with the dial set to 11, as it were.

That's part of why I've been leaning towards something as close to a cigarette in my hand as I can find. The idea of something that doesn't look like a cigarette is probably just as scary to me as not getting nicotine at all.

If e-cigs work for me, then they should officially be subsidized by the FDA and handed out like candy!

 

[malyden]

If you are really set on finding something as similar to a real cig but would be satisfying too then go with a 510/yeti AltSmoke.com | Personal Vaporizers | Electronic Cigarette | Ecigs | Yeti - Starter Kit - The Yeti - Starter Kits or KR808DAltSmoke.com | Personal Vaporizers | Electronic Cigarette | Ecigs | KR808D - PCC Kit - KR808D - Starter Kits but make sure to get extra batteries and atomizers!
The links I provided are to Altsmoke but there are many other reliable vendors Forum Suppliers - E-Cigarette Forum

 

[audio]

Yeah. I've probably got the most addictive personality I've ever seen. Even in my hobbies, I'm pretty ridiculous.

Careful, Nomad. This forum is addictive, and vaping is a hobby.

 

[Automaton]

Well, as far as I know, getting addicted to this forum and/or vaping is significantly better than what I have been doing! Bring it on.

 

[mphsjeep]

The best performing mini I have tried is a Revolver Elite:
Revolvercig.com
Same size as a real cig and performs well.
However, I am with the others with the 510s and was a pack a day smoker. Most of us have a Tornado/eGo or some version.

 

[vermonter16]

Hey there, what is the difference between a regular 510 and the 510 yeti. I'm a potential ego buyer....but also like the idea of a more regular looking cigarette... But...to be honest, I'll probably still go with the go for more batterylife... But, I'm curious about the Yeti. Thanks.

 

[Fedor]

If you are eyeing the M401, i just got an email from AEC today announcing a "great" sale.

The Maxx (ego clone) that they have is also dirt cheap now. I've been using it for a month and i love it.

 

[malyden]

Hey there, what is the difference between a regular 510 and the 510 yeti. I'm a potential ego buyer....but also like the idea of a more regular looking cigarette... But...to be honest, I'll probably still go with the go for more batterylife... But, I'm curious about the Yeti. Thanks.

Tthe Yeti is Altsmoke's name for the Joye 510 - sorry if I wasn't clearer on that. I don't have much experience with the ego (although I have tried it) but I have heard very good reports on them.