Newer than New

[Wuzznt Me]

Thank you all for sharing your wealth of exerience and knowledge. I came across this forum while looking for e cigarettes and after reading some last night, you have saved me from several grave mistakes that would have resulted in my spending a bunch of money and probably throwing them in the drawer. I still have a number of questions but feel confident enough to move forward and buy something in 510 to start after reading the responses to another newbie's thread and watching some of the videos. Still a little undecided on manual or the other one and what kind of juice to start with. Any input will be greatly appreciated and I hope to order soon and get rid of my cigarettes forever. My take on what I've read here so far is that stopping ciggarettes is only a part of vaping. It seems to have opened up a new world of enjoyment available if I follow your advice. Thanx for being here.

 

[jj2]

Welcome and, if you haven't, you might want to spend some time here:
ECF Library
The ECF Library

ECF Library Annex
ECF Library Annex

 

[Rosa]

Hi! Welcome to the forum.

The thing with auto vs manual batts is:

• if you get any liquid in them whatsoever it (the auto battery) is likely to be ruined, if you choose to refill your carts/cartos -- it's likely that you'll get liquid in them (in the auto battery). The manual battery is sealed off so that liquid can't get inside.

• any time you use an e-cig you are engaging the "on" button -- with an auto you do it by inhaling, with a manual you do it by pressing a button. Imagine if you had to press the buttons on your microwave using your lips. Some auto batteries can turn on with external forces such as heavy wind or loud noises too. Many people find that the manual button is actually more convenient than the auto even though it seems like it should be the other way around.

As for the liquids:

• there's no formula to guage how much or how little nicotine you'll need, but the average vaper uses 18-24mg (more use 24).

• PG base will provide more throat hit and allow more flavor to come out.

• VG bases will provide a more muted, sweet flavor and big plumes of vapor.

• most vapers enjoy a blend of 80% PG and 20% VG.

The best advice for your final questions:

get the manual button, you'll like it better and it takes about an hour to get totally used to it.

get a variety of sample sized e-liquids in different strengths and flavors from 12mg-36mg. try some flavors that you wouldn't think to try, like cherry. Some popular flavors for newbies: chocolate, coffee, cherry, marbro (or USA mix, or maxbro -- whatever your vendor is calling it).

GOOD LUCK!!

 

[classwife]

Welcome Wuzznt !!
I would go with the manual...juice is messy and when you are learning it would be easier to get into an auto battery. (my own opinion)

Be sure to pop into Florida Vapors Club and if you are around my area the link to the next meet is in my sig. We always have a great tiime and you will have lots of people to show, teach and help you !

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/florida-vapors-club/

 

[Kams Cats]

Welcome

I was a little concerned about using a manual battery at first too. It's not hard though. I had it figured out right away.

 

[banjo]

Finding ECF did prevent me from making a lot of bad choices, but in the long run it has cost me a lot more money. Good luck to you on your vaping journey.

 

[knobbysmoo]

Finding ECF did prevent me from making a lot of bad choices, but in the long run it has cost me a lot more money. Good luck to you on your vaping journey.

Haha so true, so tru. Welcome to the forums and to vaping! All above advice is great and definitely pick some juice flavors you can't imagine you would like. After your sense of taste returns you will be amazed at what you like.

 

[Silent Soldier]

I agree, ECF was a lifesaver (and money saver) for me. A really helpful and friendly community here. I just got my first e-cig in the mail about 2.5 hrs ago & just finished mixing my first 3 6ml batches of ejuice (hopefully it turns out well). Almost 3 hours now and no desire for an analog (traditional cigarette) as opposed to wanting to go out every 45 minutes or so to smoke prior. I'm enjoying it alot and I think you will too. Just taking a step towards quitting analogs that I'm actually optimistic about already has me feeling great. I'm sure that once my lungs start to heal up and I can begin breathing, tasting, and smelling things again it will only get better. Best of luck to you and welcome to ECF.

 

[dormouse]

Manual batteries are more sealed against juice leaks (especially 510 - manual looks sealed with metal instead of having an open hole in the threaded end). Manuals will not turn on accidentally from wind or vibration. Manual batteries will also let you safely experiment with dripping (dripping juice on the atomizer, often good for trying a bunch of new juices etc). I think manuals are less work and give more control of your drag. You press the button in a bit earlier than the start of your drag (so it starts making vapor) and let it up a bit before the end of your drag (since vapor was already made).

510 battery life is a bit short (2-3 hours) but you can use a PCC when you are away from AC or USB for charging. They also have longer batteries called 510 mega xl which make is 128mm long with a carto, 138mm long with atomizer and cart. The mega xl batteries last at least 60% longer than the the standard ones, or about 3-5 hours. They use a different PCC (VaporKings.com sells a Mega PCC with an adapter so it can also charge a standard short 510 battery).

I use both sizes of 510 batteries and I usually use cartomizers (Boge soft-cap 510 cartomizers)


Juice - some common starting levels are 24mg for full strength cig smokers, 16-18mg for lights smokers, 10-12mg for ultralights smokers but some people need higher when they start, some don't, and some go crazy with vaping much more than they smoked and may need a lower level. Buy some juice where you think you should be and a small amount lower and a small amount higher. Don't bother getting too exotic with your first choices - it it's 100% PG Chinese juice it is probably not what you will keep vaping. But you need some to get started.

 

[rise2it]

Having tried them both, here's another vote for manual batteries.

Batteries are the most expensive and longest lasting part, and as others have stated the manual batteries are sealed.

 

[ktarantino]

Finding ECF did prevent me from making a lot of bad choices, but in the long run it has cost me a lot more money. Good luck to you on your vaping journey.

Agree here ... everytime I come in and read all the great reviews, I have to go and buy something else. There are too many great devices out there and too many great writers in here talking about them! LOL

 

[Wuzznt Me]

Thank you all for the warm welcome. I definitly got the part about the manual over auto. Just made my first purchase from Liberty Flights based on advise given another newbie in another thread. I bought a Riva 510 but couldn't find any info on it as to whether it's manual or auto but when I looked at their replacement batteries it says they're manual. I bought 4 small bottles of juice so I'm sure I'll be placing another order soon and I'll pick up the manual if the kit comes auto. No where on their site could I find anything about how long to expect to wait either so if anyone who has dealt with them before has any feedback it will be appreciated. Hopefully this will work out for me with your help and maybe soon I'll be able to put something back on the forum. Thanks again.

 

[Rosa]

Liberty Flights is pretty fast. I always get my order within 4 days. Good Luck!

 

[Astronomer]

Before I owned an e-Gig I thought the auto would be the way to go, the manual button sounded stupid and just another thing you have to do.

But I bowed to the more experienced here and got an eGo with a manual button ( I think that is the only way they make those )

Now I am dead sure, the manual button is THE way to go ( at least for me )

With an auto system, you have less control of what is happening.

I would highly recommend the manual button

 

[Bradder]

Sounds like you have gotten a lot of good advice so far, so I will just say "Welcome to ECF."