Noob needing answers ... Please :D

[Alanae]

Okay, so I've been reading the forums on and off for a while now trying to get my bearing and decided to make the switch .. YEAH ME! And thankfully with a refund from taxes this year I can finally afford it

Hubby and I are both making the switch actually. Between the two of us we usually go through around 3 packs a day. So this is going to be a big change. I'm really excited about making the change though and can't WAIT to get my first order in and get that wonderful new ecig in the mail and start vaping my head off!

I've broken it down and decided to buy either the DSE901 or the M401 .. yeah I have trouble making up my mind .. just like a woman eh?

But here is what I'm not sure of and would like some help with before I place an order:

1. How many batteries do you typically keep on hand?

2. How many cartridges do you keep lying around? I'm going to assume most of you bought blank carts and fill them up since it seems to be a cheaper option, but if I'm wrong please correct me.

3. How many extra atomizers do you keep on hand, just in case?

4. How much ejuice do you usually order? (no idea how long this will last)

Anything else I'm forgetting?

Thanks in advance for all the wonderful info I've found on this forum. The people here have been so great with noobs like me and helping them find their way sifting through the chaos of learning about ecigs. I know it won't be "exactly" like smoking ... but I can't say that's a bad thing. Me, I'm tired of going out in the middle of winter to the garage and freezing my .... off just to have a smoke, and I'm sick of stinking! (yeah i know I must stink even if I can't smell it lol) So I'm excited to add myself to your ranks and raise the number of people who vape.

 

[e-pipeman]

Hi,
Personally I'd go with an Evo/M401. The battery life is great (8hrs in my experience).

For 1 person I'd buy a starter kit plus 3 spare batts, 3 spare atts, 25 pre-filled carts and 30 ml juice to get going with. You could also buy some blank carts as they are cheap. If the charger with the starter kit is straight mains, get a usb charger, too. The juice - you may want to buy a sample pack to test different flavours before committing to one that you may not like.

With that little lot you could suffer a few failures or mishaps without being left with no alternative but to rush out for cigarettes.

 

[e-pipeman]

Don't forget - you can refill your used carts. If they get "beyond it" you can re-stuff them (there are videos here on how to do this). Paper clips are very handy - and if you like monster vapour pick up a bottle of glycerine from your pharmacy. Add one drop to a pre-filled cart - you'll be glad that you did!

 

[makdevo]

Greetings and welcome to the forum.
I have be off analogs for just over a month. Like you I lurked for a long time before I made the switch. Currently both of us (wife included) are working on this together. She made the switch 3 weeks ago. We are doing great. I never looked back, she combined analogs for a few days.

You two will do great. You asked all the right questions.

I have these cigs: super mini, DSE901, DSE801. I like these because parts are easily available at several different suppliers and somewhat interchangeable. I setup several ecigs around the house each day. One at the computer, one in our living room, one on battery. That way they are rotated, besides my wife likes the super mini, I like the DSE801

I can only give you information from my limited knowledge, but it works for me. I am an electrical engineer, very experienced in electromechanical devices and a good working knowledge of batteries and filaments.

Batteries: they will fail, the do degrade, they should be considered consumable. Also having more than one charger for each battery type is necessary so you can keep charged batteries all the time. I keep 4 batteries for each ecig type. I rotate them. I usually don’t let them get fully discharged, that means I change after several hours if it is possible, sometimes you can’t change often so you use it till it is gone. Li-ion batteries are designed for full discharge. If you own a cell phone they you have used Li-on batteries before.

External power sources: I always use external power when ever possible. That way the battery service life is extended. USB pass throughs, external battery packs, plug in USB adapters, USB car adapters are all part of my collection.

Atomizers: I keep a minimum of 4 for each type. I lost one already, not sure where it went. I think the real reason I keep so many is because lack of normal stock. When I see them in stock I buy! That way I am prepared, so far none have broke, they all are in working order.

Carts: I have about 20 for each ecig type. I have ordered blanks and full ones, but all of these types I have are refillable. There are great videos here for refilling and for re-stuffing them. This is the easiest part. I could get by with less, because most of my carts have not been opened yet. I just maintain what is already open.

Juice: The average use is 1 to 2 ml per day for each of you. Buy small bottles or buy bulk. Currently I buy 24mg and cut it in half. To make 12mg. But I started with 24mg for the first couple of weeks because I did not want to want an analog, the 24mg kept me very happy. Now I need to cut it back, so I can sleep at night. This stuff will really jack you up! I buy 30 to 50 ml bottles. I have jugs of PG and VG to thin it out. I am working on adding my own flavors now. The forum has much information. Some just buy carts, some make their own. For stating out just consider juice. You may or may not like the flavors, you may like some better than others. My only advice is have some on hand for at least a week or two.


When you order, make sure it is in stock. Some suppliers will take your money and not ship for weeks! If it is not in stock don’t buy it unless you are prepared to wait.

Some people don’t mind waiting for stock, I suspect they have supplies on hand and can afford to wait.

I wish you much success!!

 

[Alanae]

Jugs of PG and VG? What exactly is PG and VG?

So far GREAT info and I'm taking tons of notes. Thanks for all the great info thus far - keep it coming!

 

[KDMickey]

I have a 401 and a 901. I prefer the 401, but I'm glad I have the 901 for loud shows (the battery on the 401 is sensitive and can switch on with a heavy bass line) or a friend/guest. I made the mistake of not buying atomizers, so I'm paying another shipping charge to get 10 sent my way for the 401. But that's besides the point. I have been doing well with the personal vaporizers. I would recommend a few batts. I would buy pre-filled carts and refill them. Also, you can flip your stuffing upside down to get more use out of a filling before re-stuffing them. I would recommend ordering directly from china... the wait sucks, but you save some green. absolutelyecigs.com (for the 401) has been really good to me. ruyandirect.com (for the 901) is really reasonably priced.

Good luck and happy vaping!

Cheers,
-Mickey

 

[makdevo]

PG, propylene glycol
VG, vegetable glycerin

These are the Vapor ingredients in eliquid. The forum has much information for these two.