Newbie with her head spinning

[alovingmommyof3]

Hi, I found this site and it seems I don't have enough time to really explore it because there is a ton of information here. Because I am new I don't know the best way to navigate to find what I really need.

Like many of you are doing or have done, I am trying to find the best e-cig. Price of cartridges, and the starter kit is important to me. I am the type of person that wants something yesterday, not a week from now. I can't afford to try out various different devices.

I started with the Envy because it was the only one I can find locally that hasn't gotten a leter from the FDA. We can get Gamucci and Envy here (could be others and I don't know where to look). My Envy broke before I had even used it for two days so now I have nothing because I can't afford to go buy another kit unless I know it won't happen again. It takes forever for them to replace it. The kit comes with atomizer, 5 catridges, a usb charger, and a battery. I think it is cheaper just to buy them all seperate.

I thought about refilling but must be having brain drain because I don't even know where to start. Like what brands of e-cig are best? Do you have to mix anything? I like plenty of vapor and flavor. I want to try out various flavors. Does it take long to refill? Can you refill many cartridges at one time and store them until needed?

I want to step down very very very gradually so that I can quit someday. I have found each company offers different strengths than another company so this is what I would have to do.

Use the Envy at 18 mg
Use the Premium at 16 mg
Use the Envy at 14 mg
Use the Premium at 11 mg
Use the Green smoke for 8mg, 6mg, 4 mg, and 0 mg

That sounds like a pain in the rear.

 

[Rosa]

I think most people these days are recommending the eGo. The battery on it will last most of the day, so that's a real plus. You can order one from cignot (I think they're located in the Midwest BTW) for $69 w/ free shipping that's legendary-fast. This one's pink, but they came in other colors too (black, stainless, white I think)
Joye Pink eGo

This part you just have to trust me on: you NEED two batteries and AT LEAST 2 atomizers (that's at bare minimum! - most of us want to have more)

As for the juice, there are too many options to get too specific, but one option is to buy some higher mg juice (24?) and some super low mg juice (4?) in the same flavor. That way you can start with the high and just add more and more drops of the low mg to your cart until you are just using the low.

Good Luck!

 

[Rosa]

Also: if you are set on using the cartomizers (atomizer and cart in one piece) then there are also a few kinds of cartomizers that the eGo will use. The cartomizer option is a bit expensive IMO if cost is a concern for you. I personally recommend getting a drip tip for all day use and cartomizers just for driving.

http://www.cignot.com/Joye_510_cartridges_p/510-cro-pnk.htm
Driptip

With the drip tip you don't have to use a cart or a cartomizer, you just drip the juice right down the hole and it goes into the atomizer.

 

[Lisa B]

I agree with Rosa, go to Cignot your Midwest Electronic Cigarette store. and get yourself a eGo kit, you will not be disappointed and they have very fast shipping. For juice I use FreedomSmokeUSA and they have sample sizes so you can find what you like. They carry juice in all different levels of nicotine and sizes. They have a 800 number if you need to talk to someone before you place an order and they will help you find a good match. Do lots of reading and start with the stickys on the new members forum. You will find lots of help here so don't give up.

 

[StormFinch]

Here are some forum made videos which should help. Definitely use these if nothing else since they will explain the top models of e-cigs and their pros and cons; http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...-videos-newbies-particular-broke-newbies.html

E-cig and ECF abbreviations which will help with our own particular brand of lingo. Some of us tend to forget and start using something that sounds vaguely like greek to new posters ; http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/new-members-forum/21069-ecf-abbreviations-101-a.html

And, the Wonderful World of Vaping from the ECF library; http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...ping-illustrated-guide-e-cigs-part-1-6-a.html

 

[markfm]

I went KR808D-1, a 2-piece unit, been very happy.
Here's a good thread:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...st-electronic-cigarette-first-time-vaper.html
There's a good multi-part intro in the ECF Library, but I used the one thread I referenced above.
An eGo uses a 510 battery connector, but is a larger battery, lasts longer between charges.
If you choose to go the KR808D-1 route, the vapor4life (V4L) vaporking model and NHaler's kr808D-1 are two that I've used for myself and friends. NHaler's 10% off code is saveinnj, while V4L's is smilin.

Good luck and welcome!

 

[alovingmommyof3]

Also: if you are set on using the cartomizers (atomizer and cart in one piece) then there are also a few kinds of cartomizers that the eGo will use. The cartomizer option is a bit expensive IMO if cost is a concern for you. I personally recommend getting a drip tip for all day use and cartomizers just for driving.

Joye 510 cartomizers. Made by Joyetech.
Driptip

With the drip tip you don't have to use a cart or a cartomizer, you just drip the juice right down the hole and it goes into the atomizer.

So I do't understand dripping and all that. All I understand is that when filling a catridge you must put a couple of drops of liquid on the atomizer. Then put the filled catridge back onto the unit. My guess is that is not necessary with cartomizers. I am not sure what the drip tips do yet,

 

[wiredreams]

No a pain in the ... is smoking analog cig. I have to agree on the Ego,and spare cartiges to fill yourself.For what spend on a caton of cigs-$55 here-you can buy a lot of juice to try.That is the hard part-to find the juice you like.Keep with it -go slow.Spend some tine reading this forum and wacthing some of the videos.Dont get discouraged.It will come.I'm 2 months free of analog cig and so happy to quit

 

[James Wall]

Ditto to Mommy. I'm not sure about the drip tips yet either (drip as you use them?).

Personally I've been using the 510 setup by Joye. From what I've read here it's a sturdy, inexpensive starter set. I think (once more from reading, not experience) that a juice bottle and cartridges seem a little more user friendly than the cartomizers (syringe to refill or just buying replacements?).

 

[BradSmith]

A drip tip is just a mouthpiece with a hole in it to allow you to drip liquid directly onto the attomizer. You have to do it more often but it gives a better tasting hit and it's as simple as it gets. Just use two or three drops and vape until it's not tasting right and drip again.

Cignot is a great place to start. They were my first kit and it worked great. I now prefer Madvapes their liquids are great and their prices can't be beet.

 

[Lisa B]

A drip tip is basically just a mouthpiece with a wide enough hole in it to drip your liquid in. It attaches right to the atomizer, you drip a few drops in, vape away, when it starts to taste a little funny, drop 2 or 3 more drops in and repeat. There are no cartridges or cartomizers to fill. What I do is fill a small 3 ml bottle with whatever I want to vape for the day in the morning and carry it with me and I am good for the day. It is quite easy and takes little time to master.

 

[Rosa]

So I do't understand dripping and all that. All I understand is that when filling a catridge you must put a couple of drops of liquid on the atomizer. Then put the filled catridge back onto the unit. My guess is that is not necessary with cartomizers. I am not sure what the drip tips do yet,

Well, like you said, with the cartridge you'd make sure the filler is nice and moist and then drip a couple of drops of juice right into the atty, then you'd pop on the cart and start vaping. The filler is supposed to draw the juice from the cart up to the wick of the atty so the e-cig can use the juice you put in it. Notice I said it's supposed to.

I found that I still had to keep taking the cart off the end and putting a few more drops in so often that it ended up just being a pain. After a white, I ended up just buying and refilling the cartomizers just for the convenience of them. Those were really easy, just fill a couple of them the night before using the "condom method" and you're good to go all day tomorrow - no more blowing out my atty, no more washing carts, no more of the constant refilling and having to fiddle around with topping off and replacing cart filler etc.... But they just got to be too expensive for me and it seemed like the quality dropped off a little bit every time I refilled it.

I finally decided to try the drip tip to see if that would be too much of a hassle. It's not really a hassle at all. Basically, it's just a mouthpiece that goes on the end of the atty in place of a cart. It's empty inside and when you drip a drop of juice into it it funnels the juice down into the atty (I give it a little blow to make the juice go down). I do it just as often as I was having to top off my cart anyway, only now I don't have to take it off, fluff up the filler stuff, poke at it with tweezers, drip one drop at a time until it soaks in and all that other fussing around I had to do.

Just drip, drip, drip, blow... vape. Three drips will get me a good 10-15 drags on my PV. It's super-easy.

 

[cskent]

If you want a good cheap unit you can't go wrong with either the KR808 or the 510. Both will run around $35 for 2 batt's, charger, and some carto's or cart's. They are the basic starter units that are recommended here, and for good reason. If you like the 510 and can afford it go with the eGo, it's a bit more expensive but worth it in the long run. Filling carto's is easy if you have the soft cap style, just pop off the white cap and drip juice into it till it looks wet them put the cap back on and you're ready to go. I've never used a syringe with these, there's no need to. I don't bother with cartridges, they don't offer much advantage over a drip tip. They do hold a little more juice but not that much. With a drip tip you just put a few drops down the hole in the end and you're good to go. That'll give you about 10 good drags or so. No muss, no fuss. Drip, drip, puff, puff. They're only about $4 or $5 so you can't go wrong. Cart's wear out after a few days, I've been using my drip tip for months. If you are at the computer a lot a passthru, an atty, and a drip tip will run you about $23. It just plugs into a usb port and you're ready to vape, no charging worries, no dead batteries. Anyway, those are my opinions, others will have theirs. The important thing is to get a good workin unit that will get you off the analogs.

 

[Vidi]

Cignot.com is a reputable name in the industry and will treat you right so this is nothing against Cignot, but currently their Ego kit is 69.99. Be sure to shop around and compare kits before you buy.

Even if you pay the 69.99 you WILL get your money back in the money you save NOT buying analog cigarettes.

Cignot's juices can be confusing ( because they carry so many brand names ) for a newbie. When you're ready to take the juice plunge, take a look at Vaporbomb and especially Tasty Vapor for some REALLY delicious juice.

 

[alovingmommyof3]

I wonder how long the standalone atomizers last and the cartomizers. I wonder if the cartomizers can be filled just once or at least a few times. 8 bucks for 5 of them equals out to 13 for each filled with is the same price I would pay for a filled cartomizer through premium. If they can be filled more than once it turns out to be cheaper than premium.
If you use the drip tip do you have to clean the atomizer and battery often?

Does the ego produce a good throat hit and a good amount of vapor?

 

[Rosa]

Cartomizers can be filled more than once.

Drip tips can be rinsed out with hot water.

Atomizers can be cleaned, but I don't recommend it. I think it's best to just blow them out into a paper towel once in a while (maybe just at night before you go to sleep and them stand them upright so anything left over can leak out). If some juice-gunk builds up, you can press and hold the button down while blowing across the opening for about 5-10 seconds. Do it a couple of times and it's like a self-cleaning oven, the atty will burn off any buildup on its own.

You don't have to clean the battery but you can wipe it down with a cloth to keep it nice and shiny if you like. If you over fill your cart or driptip you can get some juice leaking into the opening where the atty screws in -- just wad up a paper towel and wipe it out.

The amount of throat hit and vapor is primarily due to the kind of juice you use (PG=more throat hit, VG=more vapor), but the eGo with provide you with a consistent vaping experience throughout with no drop in performance like you get with some units (especially the smaller ones).

 

[alovingmommyof3]

Thank you to everyone who has helped so far!!!!! I am greatful. Rosa- You have been awesome!

Do atomizers have to be replaced often?

 

[Rosa]

Atomizers are tricky little buggers. I've been lucky I guess, I have used 2 of them during my 6 months of vaping and I've never had one die. I have heard of them lasting as little as a week, but I think the average lifespan is supposed to be only a few months.

But, luckily, they are cheap and easy to replace. So it's sound advice to have about 4 on hand at all times. The last thing you need is to have two die at the same time, it's not like we can walk to the gas station and get some more.

 

[jtsbatman]

Definitely watch the Broke Newbies videos if you have the time. Mistress Nomad did a great job with those. Both the 510 (or eGo) are great kits as are the KR8's. I use both currently. Also, if you buy the eGo kit from FreedomsmokeUSA, they throw in an adapter that will allow you to use the KR8 cartomizers with your eGo battery. I tend to drip and use cartomizers, whichever I prefer at the time. I seem to get better flavor with the cartomizers, but your mileage may vary. I also swear by FreedomsmokeUSA's juices. Not only are their juices amazing, but so is their service.

As far as vapor, I think both the eGo and the KR8 produce what I would call a CLOUD of vapor. It's very satisfying. I personally want the nicotine, but there's something analogous to analogs (see what I did there? ) with the huge cloud of vapor that I find satisfying. For a new person I personally don't think you can go wrong with either of those kits. I recently got an older lady at work started with a Vapor King KR8 and she's having no problem with it and enjoying it quite a bit.

I hate the cartridges on the 510/eGo.....dripping is the way to go. Now I just need to get a drip tip to make things easier.

 

[librarising]

An important question, how many packs of cigarettes did you/do you smoke? Different ecigs have different battery life. I used to smoke 3 PAD and the Joye 510 battery life just didn't do it for me. I wound up buying the Riva which is like the standard eGo with a longer battery life. I'm a very happy puppy now. If you only smoked a pack a day or so, I would definitely recommend the Joye510.

As to where to purchase? There are specials here at ECF all the time at the Buy & Sell Supplier's forum

Buying & Selling

as well as at each of the suppliers who have their own forums. If you go to the list of all the forums, the Supplier's individual forums are at the bottom of the list.

Also, do not forget coupon codes when you go to buy. Do a search and you will find threads for them.