Newbie with lots of questions

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SirRealism

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Oct 3, 2009
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I just started hearing about e-cigs recently, and it sounded great. I'm looking into buying a starter kit now, but before I spend fifty or sixty bucks on something I've never tried before there are a ton of things I want to know. Could some of you help me out?

First off, which products are good? I've been looking through threads on this forum all day, and so far all the info I've gotten is that for every person who thinks one product is good, another person loathes it. So far the dragon looks nice, but it seems like all their starter kits have medium or strong nicotine only.

My priorities for a starter kit go something like this: Cheap, moderately strong throat hit, availability of no-nicotine e-juice, appearance, and battery life.
I don't even know if there are other factors I should be considering.

I'm also not sure what I need to vape. So far the pieces I've seen mentioned are the atomizer, the cartridges or liquid, the battery and the charger. Am I missing anything?

I also keep hearing about the health risks of these things, but the only things people mention specifically are nicotine and propylene glycol. From what I've been seeing the latter isn't really harmful, and I'm not planning on using any nicotine. Are there other problems?

Any input, whether it answers the questions above or not, would be appreciated.
 

SirRealism

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Oct 3, 2009
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I'm a former smoker, not a non-smoker. I miss smoking terribly though, and I've been really fighting not to start again for the last few months. I figure this is a better alternative. I used to smoke as lightly as humanly possible, only one cigarette a day or less. The thing I really miss is the throat hit, but I was never that into the stronger burning feeling. I just like to puff on something and feel it in the back of my throat.

I'm about ready to give up on zero nicotine though, I've been looking for hours and can't find a single supplier who carries it.
 

laurieok

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Snarkyone

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Your mom said not to say...
I would also urge you to look around the site here and at least attempt to familiarize yourself with a few models. The main ones that people love to recommend are the 510, the m401, the 901, and the cartomizers like the KR808-d or whatever the hell it's called.

There are tons of suggestions for sites to purchase both inexpensive kits and different juices. The information is all here. I imagine that would clear up a lot for you and give you a better idea of what questions to ask once you have narrowed down your choices.

Judging by your response of being an ex-smoker who has been tempted to go back lately, I think a m401 would be fine for you or even a 901. I think you would prefer a m401 like the Dragon from Truesmoker.com because the battery life is far superior. The taste and the hit are really good as well. Since you have been away from smoking for a while I really don't think you need a 510 although that's a matter of choice. I was a heavy smoker for 32 yrs and was able to quit the same day my m401 arrived and I have been able to stay off of them too.

I don't mean to come off as an ... telling you to help yourself out by doing a little research, but in all honesty with 10 minutes of reading you can get some really good info that will clear up a lot of things, and will no doubt bring about more questions. At that point though you should have a much better understanding of what you are being advised, and be able to make a much more informed decision. Good luck, there are plenty of people here willing to help and to point you in the right direction.
 

Jim Davis

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I'm a former smoker, not a non-smoker. I miss smoking terribly though, and I've been really fighting not to start again for the last few months. I figure this is a better alternative. I used to smoke as lightly as humanly possible, only one cigarette a day or less. The thing I really miss is the throat hit, but I was never that into the stronger burning feeling. I just like to puff on something and feel it in the back of my throat.

I'm about ready to give up on zero nicotine though, I've been looking for hours and can't find a single supplier who carries it.

You can make zero nic juice yourself from local stores. Your only problem is figuring out what e-cig you would like to start with.

It's not going to be easy getting a hit from 0 nic. If you don't mind a mint taste, the menthol crystals will simulate a hit pretty nice.
 

SirRealism

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Oct 3, 2009
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No worries snarkyone, I realize the info is all here. I've been looking at it for a while, and the problem isn't really a lack of information so much as an abundance of it. Its all jumbled up and not very much seems agreed upon, even so far as the reliability of different models. I was hoping that if I could get a conversation going on all of this stuff I might get a better picture than if I just tried to piece everything together bit by bit.

Anyway thanks for the model recommendations. I'm looking at dragon right now, on truesmoker and a review on this site. It seems like something that might work out for me.

Jim, you say you can make this stuff on your own? How is that? Do you just flavor water and vaporize that, or is there some sort of kit available? I'll take the menthol thing under advisement. Do you think maybe some citrus would work too?
 

JenJen

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I love the VaporKing from Vapor4Life and they do have many 0 nic flavors. Of the devices I have used, it is by far the easiest and most consistant as far as throat hit and flavor.

That said, the 0 nic is not big on throat hits on any device. It has been my experience that throat hit increases with nic content. As for you not really being a smoker I do understand where you are coming from. Not really a smoker but.... danger of falling off the wagon at any time.

I quit for 3 years (following a 20+ year habit) but never a day went by that I didn't crave it! I finally gave in and smoked for another few years before finding the ecig. I know as long as I have the ecig I will never go back to smoking. So would the ecig be better then taking up smoking again. I would think so if you are at risk for it.

I have used 2 flavors in the 0 nic. The chocolate and the cappuccino (on my vaporKing) they are both very nice, very smooth and very pleasing. I usually vape them at night before bed. A nice warm feeling and soothing taste? Absolutely! Throat hit, not so much. Would that be enough to keep you off the cigs? I don't know. It might. Bottom line, taking up the ecig would definately be better then picking up the cigs again, just not sure the 0 nic would give you the throat hit you are looking for.

Good luck though and I hope you find what you are looking for! :)
 

Heed

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Dec 24, 2008
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The thing I really miss is the throat hit, but I was never that into the stronger burning feeling. I just like to puff on something and feel it in the back of my throat.

I'm about ready to give up on zero nicotine though, I've been looking for hours and can't find a single supplier who carries it.

Your definition of throat hit means you will be able to achieve that sensation with 0 nic liquids. This is how I define throat hit and am now on 0 nic as well as a little 6 mg nic sometimes and I can still achieve good throat hit with 0 nic liquid.

I'm surprised. I thought most stores sold 0 nic. Jim meant all you need is some vegetable glycerin and flavouring and you have 0 nic liquid ingredients. You can also get some propylene glycol to mix in, too. But for now, just buy a bottle of 0 nic retail somewhere.
 
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Jim Davis

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Mar 16, 2009
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No worries snarkyone, I realize the info is all here. I've been looking at it for a while, and the problem isn't really a lack of information so much as an abundance of it. Its all jumbled up and not very much seems agreed upon, even so far as the reliability of different models. I was hoping that if I could get a conversation going on all of this stuff I might get a better picture than if I just tried to piece everything together bit by bit.

Anyway thanks for the model recommendations. I'm looking at dragon right now, on truesmoker and a review on this site. It seems like something that might work out for me.

Jim, you say you can make this stuff on your own? How is that? Do you just flavor water and vaporize that, or is there some sort of kit available? I'll take the menthol thing under advisement. Do you think maybe some citrus would work too?

Juice Basics, and where to get the ingredients are in the Troubleshooting Guide at;
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/e-cig-technical-issues/31787-ecf-troubleshooting-guide.html

And a lot more is explained at;
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...gh-5-6-please-do-not-post-here-thank-you.html
 

Hellen A. Handbasket

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If you don't want to mess with DIY mixing right away, Geoff at TastyVapor makes what he calls a Doubler (0 nicotine flavored PG/VG e-liquid) in a generous 4oz bottle (about 130ml I think) and he'll make up any flavor (or combination) you want for $12. You can find him at TastyVapor.Webs.Com - DISCOUNT Liquids and Mixers - DOUBLERS

I have his chocolate and also his menthol and they are both very good!! I think it is the least expensive zero nicotine liquid out there. Good service and is quick to ship. Several of my friends have also ordered, and been quite pleased.
 
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