Newbie with purchasing questions

[cuseguy]

Hi everyone,
First off, thank you for accepting me in to your excellent community and from browsing around, very friendly aqnd helpful also. I have so many questions, I feel like my head might explode! So I guess it's best to start at the beginning.
I am in the process of making purchase decisions for myself, wife and eldest son (21yo). Not ideal I know. I have done my reading but there are so many choices. I know PV's are def not a "one size fits all" type purchase, but my other smokers don't have to inclination to do their own homework, so I am left making the decision for them. To keep things simple and interchangable, I would like to stay with one product line for all 3 smokers. I like the Smokestik products but they are the top end of my price range and to only get 10% off of a $300-400 dollar order kinda peaves me. I also like the VF Riva 900 900mA kits, except I have read some not so good things about 510 based units. Is there anything that compares to the Smokestik line but is just slightly cheaper with comparable performance? I understand that battery life is gonna be an issue with minis, but I will probably purchase extra batts to offset it. I know most vapers go through numerous units before they settle on a fave or faves, but I would like to end up with something that might keep us happy enough for awhile anyway I said too much here, but I thank everyone in advance for their patience. Someday I will try to pay the knowledge I gather here, forward to some other lost newbie like myself!

 

[shadyloner]

donttouchmybutt.com might be a good start, they have awesome starter kits. to keep things interchangable you just need to buy the same attys and it should work out for you! good luck!

 

[JupiterV]

Welcome cuseguy and congratulations in taking the first step.

there's a wealth of information here, that's for sure.
If you can, watch Mistress Nomad's Newbie videos. That helped me so much.
There's no magic genie and it takes some research and work but the reward is well worth it.

I started with the Joye Mega 510's with empty Cartomizers that I filled myself. Fairly simple and affordable and even though I've moved on to a mod, I'm still happy I started with the 510's. Wasn't discouraged at all. Next was eGo's for the battery life. I could have happily stopped there but noooooooo.....

So starting with the basics is a good idea and like you said, buy the back up batteries and a PCC to charge.

Good luck and have fun with it!

 

[lllanique]

Check out Liberty Flights Joye Ego. Newbie here also and I love it. Got the starter kit and extra supplies with the 20% off that is at the top of the screen. Been marlboro light free for 2 days now, a first since I was 16 years old...

 

[trouble2k]

You've heard bad things about 510 based units?? I'm sure there are some bad ones around here and there, but they're pretty popular for a lot of vapers. Especially the eGo/Rivas. You didn't mention whether you and your family were heavy, medium, or light smokers. That can make a difference in making suggestions to fit your needs.

I would suggest finding a 510 based unit since it's so much easier to find interchangeable parts/accessories and upgrades when you want to. The previous poster is right--Liberty Flights tends to have some very reasonable prices on the eGo and the Rivas. I haven't looked recently, but I do know they might be out of stock on a lot of the extra hardware items (they may have restocked recently, though).

For three people, assuming you all live together, you could pick up a couple of eGo or Riva starter kits, an eGo passthru, extra attys, cartomizers, and sample juices. If you find a decent price for all of these, it wouldn't cost more than $150-$200 to get all three of you stocked up. Finding the right flavors for each of you could end up being the biggest hurdle.

 

[debb]

i quit smoking with my riva 510 kit...i love mine...the riva/ego kits are interchangeable....and well worth it imo...there are some nice kits for sale in the classified right now...very reasonable too...good luck...and enjoy the experience...don't stress yourself out...

 

[caged]

I'm still a noob myself, but after days of research....

The 510 and the KR808D based systems seem to be the most popular. The KR808Ds have a more powerful battery, but you can get a charging case with either setup to keep your batteries from dying, or buy a super sized battery if you don't mind going large. KR808s are more popular with cartomizers and are generally easier and more convenient to use. The 510s seem to be more configurable. KR808 cartomizers hold more juice than 510 carts so you will deal with refilling less often.

Also, the KR808s are slightly thicker than the 510s.

You can get 3 KR808 based kits from cigeasy.com for about $150, and everything I've read so far says they have a quality product. I wouldn't expect any discounts though.

 

[markfm]

I started with KR808D-1, from NHaler.com and vapor4life, very happy with them for months. vaporetc out of Rochester also carries them, very good prices.

I'm just starting to use a Riva 510, like the ones sold at liberty-flights (and others) for a very good price. When used with a Boge 2 ohm cartomizer (combined cartridge and atomizer) they provide the same power as a KR808D-1 with the 808 3 ohm cartomizer.

The standard 510 is known for a short battery life. The Riva has a much larger battery, lasts a lot longer between recharges.

For raw simplicity, a KR808D-1 automatic kit using the 808 XL (or Mega in NHaler terms) batteries and pre-filled cartomizers is hard to beat. Good warmth, vapor production, decent life between recharges. Everyone should learn to refill their cartomizers, it is quite easy, really reduces cost, but there's an awful lot to be said for something as simple as just screwing a prefilled "filter" onto a battery and inhaling.

(I'm enjoying the Riva, but don't plan on tossing my 808 equipment, especially the big 900 mAh G400 batteries -- REALLY long run time.)

All the vendors I mentioned have coupon codes, minimum 10% off. liberty-flights is still, I believe, running 20% off, have Riva 510 kits for $30 (after discount). vapor4life right now is running a good sale, 20% off everything, and 27% off on orders over $100 (the vapor4life forum area should have the coupon codes listed).

Fast shipping from the online vendors -- vaporsetc I get next day in Bville, vapor4life and NHaler run about 2 business days typically.

3 of the liberty-flights Riva kits would run $90. 3 packs of the boge 2 ohm cartomizers for them would run $30 (LF shows them out of stock, but they are available elsewhere). That gets you to $120. Buy a couple of bottles of eliquid, different flavors and strengths, and you'll be under $200 for 3 full kits, plenty of initial eliquid, cartomizers.

A similar play holds for a KR808D-1 based solution, maybe $20 or so more. While I like the Riva, auto 808 is to me still the most comfortable starter recommendation.

A passthrough or two is also good, if any of you drive often or are sitting in one location. They run directly off of USB 5V power, available from a 2A car cigarette lighter adapter or a 2A rated plug-in power supply.

Good luck, if you slogged through this post

 

[player30]

The only one I have tried is Smoke Stik, and I have been very pleased. It mimics a real cigarette which is what I wanted. Ilike the cartomizer-- very easy, you just unscrew the old one off & screw a new one on. I was a menthol smoker, so I have onlt tried the menthol flavor. It is wonderful.

Good luck with your purchase and best wishes to quitting!

 

[debb]

i don't have a kr808..but heard good things...

 

[kabonk]

I quit smoking day 1 with a 510 ego style PV after 30 years of smoking and my brother quit with the 32 dollar mega 510 cartomizer kit I got from madvapes, both my mods and my usb passthrough uses the 510 parts. I haven't ventured off to the other style 808 or 901.

 

[tomkatt]

I like the Smokestik products but they are the top end of my price range and to only get 10% off of a $300-400 dollar order kinda peaves me.

OP, it's not for everyone, but I'd recommend a KR8 model, primarily since you need a single model for multiple people. I didn't know anything about the e-cigs recently, but my wife took the initiative and did the research, and we ended up with the KR8s in the end.

We tried a No. 7 auto kit, since it looks like an analog cig, but the kit was faulty and I'm not a fan of auto, I like manual e-cigs with the button to regulate my vape hit.

We ended up with KR8s from Vapor4Life (the VaporKing w/XL batts) and another unbranded KR8 with standard batts, plus chargers and passthroughs.

What's good is that after the initial investment, most of which is in the chargers it would seem, buying replacement batteries is very cheap (as low as $8-$12 a battery depending where you shop and the deals you can find), and then it's just buying blank carts and juice.

Good luck to you. I'm on day 3 with no analog cigs and feeling great. It's not a perfect transition, and I suffered a false start, going back to cigs again for a week due to the faulty unit, but now I'm doing great, and don't even want to think about analogs. I'm officially a convert.

 

[cuseguy]

The only one I have tried is Smoke Stik, and I have been very pleased. It mimics a real cigarette which is what I wanted. Ilike the cartomizer-- very easy, you just unscrew the old one off & screw a new one on. I was a menthol smoker, so I have onlt tried the menthol flavor. It is wonderful.

Good luck with your purchase and best wishes to quitting!

How is the batt life with your Smokestik, it's still one I might buy

 

[cuseguy]

Awesome information from all of you. I spent most of the afternoon going over the suggestions here. They were all so good. Well, here's what I did so far. Went to local Vape shop and bought a 510 Ego. This may not be my regular Pv when all is said and done, but I love it so far and realize vaping works well for me. I haven't had an analog in the 8 hours since I bought the 510 and really have no desire for an analog at all. I bought it and 4 different juices to use as a trial for all 3 of us and it seems to be a great idea. Wife had never vaped but likes it, but still wants something light like a Smokestik. My son loves the 510 and its benefits and may end up with the one I already bought. I could live with a 510 for sure but I can see already I will own multiple pv's and am considering Dontouchmybutt.com's Black Cherry and a few others, but I have no problem at all using this 510 until I get something else. I will let you guys know what 3 choices I end up ordering.

 

[cuseguy]

Oh one other thing, I am giving up the idea of interchangeable
Units. I think the 510 variations would work great for
that but my wife hates the size/weight and is deadset on a mini, which she will realize brings it's own set of issues. But the goal is now to just find units that we all like.

 

[adeline]

The joye 510 (and similar models) are around the length of a "100" cigarette. And the parts for the ego/riva will be interchangable (minus the chargers of course). Put a cartomizer on the 510 and it's shorter than a "100". So you can pop a carto or atty off of your ego, hand it to your wife with the 510 and it'll screw right on. The difference between the ego and the joye 510 is the battery -- the ego is fatter, and comes with the atomizer "cone" to make it more smooth, easing the transition from cart to fat batt.

Here are some 510s... They're small and super easy. I think you should give it a shot since you and your son both like the ego style.

 

[cuseguy]

Ok I am sold on keeping everyone 510 compatible. Thanks Adeline for those pics, that sealed the deal for me. I think I will be ordering today. What do you guys think of the Totally Wicked Titan 510 (for wife) and the Tornado (for son and me)?

 

[cipher]

I personally am using the Joye Ego (after starting with the No Box Joye 510 kit from Cignot) and love it. From everything I've read so far, both Titan 510 and Tornado are good units. I don't believe you could go wrong with them.

 

[texasgranny]

cuseguy
Your doing great and I think you are wise for getting different units that are somewhat interchangeable.
Good luck on your journey and keep us informed how the trip is going.
There may be some bumps in the road, but you have help available here.

 

[debb]

The joye 510 (and similar models) are around the length of a "100" cigarette. And the parts for the ego/riva will be interchangable (minus the chargers of course). Put a cartomizer on the 510 and it's shorter than a "100". So you can pop a carto or atty off of your ego, hand it to your wife with the 510 and it'll screw right on. The difference between the ego and the joye 510 is the battery -- the ego is fatter, and comes with the atomizer "cone" to make it more smooth, easing the transition from cart to fat batt.

Here are some 510s... They're small and super easy. I think you should give it a shot since you and your son both like the ego style.
View attachment 25235

i agree....