Newly minted vaper from San Francisco. Hello!

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Deeds

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Jan 5, 2012
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San Francisco, CA
Hi folks. My name is Josh (you can also call me Deeds) and I am 34 years old and have been smoking for over 15 years. Until a few days ago, I had no idea you could vape nicotine. I knew you could vape other things, and I have (and like it), but when I started researching "e-cigs" as a way to quit smoking and learned it was in fact vaping, I knew I had the solution to my smoking problem in my sights.

Hasty research and an eagerness to get started led me to V2cigs and I bought a kit which arrived today. I've been vaping ever since on my batteries and my passthrough and let's just say, I'm in love. After reading these forums I discovered that I overpaid a bit, and that comparable equipment from vendors like SI and Bloog, but I am happy with my V2 experience so far. I am interested in trying SI and Bloog's kits and comparing them to my V2s, so I place an order with both companies and hopefully will have those guys in next week.

Like many, I'm also interested in graduating to something larger eventually, like an *go of some sort. I don't know enough to make an intelligent buying decision yet, but I'm sure that will change after spending more time here.

Anyway, I'm going to cut this short and end by expressing my gratitude to all who contribute here by sharing their knowledge and experiences. Thank you. It's been very helpful and I appreciate it!
 

Retriever

Moved On
Nov 2, 2011
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Hi Josh and Welcome to ECF! :) Right now I use Smokelessimage products, and I think you will like them. The Bloog is basically the same product, although I have never tried it. As far as moving up to a larger battery version, you have several choices. Many people like the EGO from Madvapes. Just give yourself some time to get adjusted to vaping, and ask any questions you might have. There are always a lot of very nice people here to help. Glad you are here!
 
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heinzanova

Full Member
Verified Member
Jan 6, 2012
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Silicon Valley, CA-USA
Hi folks. My name is Josh (you can also call me Deeds) and I am 34 years old ........

Hey man, we have similar stories to. As a former Marlboro Red smoker, I was always about the manly appeal of analogs and when I heard about ecigs/vaping I was skeptical too at first, now I just ordered my first big battery set up with some tanks. oh my. I was wondering if we had a Bay Area Crew in here.

Welcome to ECF Deeds! Happy to see another vaper in the bay! I have heard great things about v2s (SI in particular)so good luck, have fun,hang out and learn! :vapor:

Hey there, any good Vape shops you know of around? I think the only one I found online was a volcano kiosk at some mall in far east bay / central valley.
 

sh_

Senior Member
ECF Veteran
Dec 20, 2011
278
34
USA
Hello from Bay Area!!!!!
Welcome!
You will love this forum!

I am kinda new here and vaping too, about 3 weeks now but I upgraded from a started kit (green smart living, automatic 180mAh battery) to a Riva 510 SE manual 650mAh kit with 2 batteries. I also discovered that I overpaid by my starter kit $25, and I got my Riva online by $34.

One thing that I can say is that the difference is huge in terms of vapor and flavor. I really enjoy and my first kit is just a back now :D

I bought alot of different juices from different vendors, and theres 4 juices that I really liked so far:
1st Fireball from Liberty Flights
2nd Raf-a-Licious from Alien Visions E-Juices
3rd Boba's Bounty from Alien Visions E-Juices
4th DK Tab (got from another person here in the forum)

I am waiting my DIY kit and a list of about 10 different flavors to arrive to start to make my own juices, and try to mimic a few that I really like like I said about changing the test for something a bit more sweet than the original.

Hoje you have fun and you make the switch to vaping.

Happy vaping.
 

heinzanova

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Jan 6, 2012
46
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Silicon Valley, CA-USA
The one I go to (and love!) is in Berkeley the vapor den :) it's a cute little shop and they are knowledgeable and very friendly. They may not be able to compete with the prices you can find online but for convenience and the ability to support local businesses it can't be beat :vapor:

After I posted that I did some yelping and found it. Maybe if I play hooky from work tomorrow I might take a drive up there. The problem is I live down in Santa Clara, so kinda would have to figure out how to make a day out of heading to the Vape shoppe and find some other trouble in the area (suggestions as I see you are from Oakland).

I bought my first kit on a local shop in Berkeley at Telegraph Ave (Big Al's).

Just be aware that you will possibly overpay for some items that you would be able to buy online.

I still might trip up there for more tanks and flavors (maybe a lesson on some of the gear I have arriving). Where in the bay are you?
 

AmandaMarie

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ECF Veteran
Oct 24, 2011
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Modesto,CA
I know there is a ton to do right around that area so there is always something new to check out.....but check out the cheeseboard collective for awesome pizza! it is further north than vaporden but mmmmm so good! check the hours online and you can also see the pizza of the day:D and get one of the chocolate cookies if you do go there..seriously get a chocolate cookie!
 

sh_

Senior Member
ECF Veteran
Dec 20, 2011
278
34
USA
I live in Richmond and Berkeley is not too far from here actually. About 10 minutes depending on traffic (the only issue is the traffic in the rush hour actually :D).

One thing that I would suggest is do not trash out the cartomizers that arrived with your kit. Once they have no flavor or smell like burned (you will taste it once it has no juice and the carto is dry), just keep them and you will be able to refill them with any other juice that you buy.

I would suggest to buy a few drip tips that will be really useful for that. The only thing that you have to do is to remove the cap (mouth end) of the carto and you will see the white fiber inside, that you can refill with juice.

If you're looking for an upgrade in the near future, just make sure that you will buy something that you can use if the cartos that you already have.

I have a passthrough as well and I love it! Its really nice and its consistent, needless to say that you dont have to worry about the battery life :D

Happy vaping!
 

Deeds

Full Member
Jan 5, 2012
12
1
48
San Francisco, CA
Hey there Heinzanova, unfortunately I do not know of any retailers in the bay. Others have mentioned a place in Berkeley that might be worth be checking out, but Berkeley might as well be in China as I never go out there and it's easier to shop online. Would be nice if SF or the Peninsula had a shop. I imagine that as the market grows, smoke shop owners will wise up and start carrying more supplies.

Do you work in tech?
 

heinzanova

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Jan 6, 2012
46
7
Silicon Valley, CA-USA
Hey there Heinzanova, unfortunately I do not know of any retailers in the bay. Others have mentioned a place in Berkeley that might be worth be checking out, but Berkeley might as well be in China as I never go out there and it's easier to shop online. Would be nice if SF or the Peninsula had a shop. I imagine that as the market grows, smoke shop owners will wise up and start carrying more supplies.

Do you work in tech?

Yeah, I imagine either they will wise up and start carrying some products, or a vapor needs to open up a shop, to sell and help educate. I saw one place online in Arazona that had pool tables and such inside, that would be awesome to do something like that.

Yes I do work in tech. (like 90% of the valley :p).
 
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