Noob needs some advice on what e-cig to get (Having bad luck)

[Unity1]

I was wondering if some experienced people could post their opinion on what I should use as a noob.

I'll give you a little back story of me and info on what I've tried so far so you can try to give advise that you think would fit my situation. I've been having bad luck finding the right e-cig to start with and I can't afford to lose any more money on failed e-cigs. Sorry about the big post, but I hope the info can help someone give me some good advise that fits my situation.

Recently I have become more motivated to quit smoking real cigarettes, because a little over a week ago, I spent the weekend in the hospital when my left lung spontaneously collapsed. It was not fun at all... They cut a hole in the side of my chest and stuck a 10 inch tube between my ribs and into my lung to help it expand. The one good thing that came out of it, was that it kept me from smoking real cigarettes for the 3 days that i was in there, and that helped give me the push I needed to improve the health of my lungs. I was already trying to quit before this happened, I was down to about 10 smokes a day (half a pack of Camel 99's) when my lung collapsed. Since I got out and my lung was healed, I have mainly used disposable "Blu" e-cigs, and only smoke 1-2 real cigs a day.

I decided to find an e-cig starter kit to help me get off of the real smokes completely. The disposable "Blu" cigs work okay for me. I like the classic tobacco flavor, and they don't really have an odor, but I can't afford to keep buying disposables at $9 each when they only last a couple days (that's more than I was spending on real smokes). After doing a little research, I decided that "V2 Cigs" looked the best because that had some nice reviews and I wanted to try something with a manual button. I ordered a kit and paid an extra $20 for 3 day delivery. The kit came today, and I was so happy to finally have it in my hands, until I used it for a couple hours...

I just can't stand the cartridges that came with my kit (V2 RED). They have a really strong odor that smells like a mix between a stale half burnt cigarette, and a wet dog... I don't really like the taste either, but I could handle the taste if it didn't have such a strong odor. I don't know if any of the other tobacco flavors would have less of an odor, but I also don't feel like spending $10 and waiting 2 weeks for shipping just to find out. I checked all of my local stores, but they only carry Red and Menthol flavors. I also realized that the charging case had something rattling around inside of it, like something is broken inside. I'm probably going to return the kit since they have a 30 day return policy. I will get back most of my money, but they won't refund the $20 I spent on shipping, and I have to pay the shipping costs to send it back to them. So I just lost money, and still don't have a good e-cig.

I also looked at the "Blu premium 100" kit, but I have heard lots of bad stories about their batteries and the charger case. I know that the classic tobacco flavor cartridges should be fine, because that's the flavor of the disposables I use, and they taste fine with no odor. I just worry that the batteries and the charging kit won't hold up. I like the style of the charger case, but I've heard it can quit working. I would also have to order it online because the "premium 100 kit" isn't available at local stores, and the shipping may take a while with Thanksgiving coming up.

I do like the small cigarette style of things like the "V2/Blu" cigs, but I'd be willing to use something that is a little larger. I don't want anything really large though. I would also prefer something that is found in a good amount of local stores because I don't want to wait for shipping. I don't need something with pre-filled cartridges, I could use something that I need to fill myself. Price is also a factor, the cheaper the better (as long as it is reliable).

Sorry the post is so long, i'm just trying to find a good fit without wasting much more time/money. If anyone has any ideas or advice, I would really appreciate it. If you have any questions for me to help find the best fit, feel free to ask. Thanks for taking the tiem to read through my long post, I truly appreciate it.

 

[sda2010]

Sorry to hear about your tough luck, but it is great it healed up.

I would go with a variable voltage ego twist battery and a kanger mini protank 2. Probably run about $40 for both at your local store. You may want to get at least 2 of each of these to have a backup. I would go to a store that allows you to sample juices. After you try these, you can decide if you would like to move on to bigger and better things (mods and etc.). This setup works great for me.

Oh, and welcome to the forums.

 

[WarHawk-AVG]

Start here

eGo 650mAh w/ CE4 Clearomizer Blister Pack Starter Kit - MyFreedomSmokes.com

Unless you really want to jump to the head of the class..then go here

Innokin iTaste MVP V2.0 - 101 Vape

 

[Unity1]

Sorry to hear about your tough luck, but it is great it healed up.

I would go with a variable voltage ego twist battery and a kanger mini protank 2. Probably run about $40 for both at your local store. You may want to get at least 2 of each of these to have a backup. I would go to a store that allows you to sample juices. After you try these, you can decide if you would like to move on to bigger and better things (mods and etc.). This setup works great for me.

Oh, and welcome to the forums.

Thanks for taking the time to read and share your opinion. I'll do some online searching of what you mentioned to get a little info about it. There are a good amount of smoke shops in the area, I can call around and see if anyone does sampling. I just never though places would really offer sampling.

Start here

eGo 650mAh w/ CE4 Clearomizer Blister Pack Starter Kit - MyFreedomSmokes.com

Unless you really want to jump to the head of the class..then go here

Innokin iTaste MVP V2.0 - 101 Vape

Thanks, ill check those out and look for some reviews.

 

[sda2010]

Thanks for taking the time to read and share your opinion. I'll do some online searching of what you mentioned to get a little info about it. There are a good amount of smoke shops in the area, I can call around and see if anyone does sampling. I just never though places would really offer sampling.

Everybody has different likes/dislikes when it comes to juices. Sampling at a local shop is a great way to save yourself $$$, by not having to order 10 online and find 2 of the 10 you like. There is a section here on the forum somewhere that lists B&M's (Brick and Mortar)

 

[BigCatDaddy]

Hopefully there is a vape shop in your area, not just a smoke shop. A vape shop should have a tasting bar and they will have starter kits for you to look at and try out. Finding a juice you like can be difficult, but keep trying, there's 1000's of them. Spend the money up front on good solid hardware and you won't have to be back in a couple of weeks buying something better. I like my Innokin V3 and MVP topped off with Kanger Protank II and Mini Protank II. Well built and worry free, at least so far. Good luck and good vaping!!

 

[choochoogranny]

Unity, look real hard at what Bigcatdaddy says. You might also want to find the local vape club wherever you are. They'll have a "vape meet" once a mo or every other mo. Vendors come and set up tables, may have a raffle for prizes, but best of all will meet a lot of helpful people and newbies just like you. You'll have a grand time finding out about this vaping stuff!

 

[Danbrooks2k]

If you truly enjoy the BLU cig classic tobbacco flavor carts get the king sized ones online at a discount. I smoked them attached to an ego battery for a while... I went through a 5 pack a day bought online ( still cost me less than analogs ) and I love the BLU flavor.

If a disposable is lasting you days, this may be a good option for you. you should get 2 days on an ego battery, and 2-3 days from a 5 pack of cartos.

 

[elfy]

I cant imagine id ever really get tobacco flavored vape sauce.

try vendors like Alice in Vapeland (they have a sampler pack for about $12), Nicoticket, or Ahlusion. Those are all tasty juices (at least to me, I really liked Nicotickets Custard's Last Stand, very tasty)

I use an evod VV with kanger protank II mini tanks, with rebuilt coils and cotton wick from CVS (sterile cotton balls, $3 for a 5 year supply). Stock Kanger heads-coils are spotty at best and crap at worst.

I got that from Vape Dojo, but that Innokin iTaste MVP V2.0 is pretty cool and not expensive. Only negative on that is you cant replace the battery, as far as I can determine.

I saw this video and I got a good idea of what to do/how to rebuild my coils and it really did make a hell of a difference. My tank might gurgle a bit of its laid on its side for a while, but no leaks (unless im stupidly taking it apart while right side up, duh...did that one tonight).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrvwOf13U-s


The most important thing out of all this is that you want to do stuff differently, and if you are really determined you will abandon cigs and not look back. I know I have had some cravings in the 2 weeks I've been vaping it up, but a few seriously long honks on my vaper and im over that.

I started with 24mg juice, which I know now is a bit strong - its like unfiltered cigs (basically...nic amounts change as you change volts/coils etc).

get one of these if you want to make your own coils, unless you have a nice multimeter
$10.19 Atomizer Resistance Tester (Ohm Meter) at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping

you dont have to use Fasttech, just showing you that item. They ship on slow boats from China, lol. FROM China~ ha ha.

Good luck, you can do this - and dont forget there are scores of folks who went thru what you did and are instead vaping and not looking back.

 

[Ultra-X]

... I just can't stand the cartridges that came with my kit (V2 RED). They have a really strong odor that smells like a mix between a stale half burnt cigarette, and a wet dog... I don't really like the taste either, but I could handle the taste if it didn't have such a strong odor. I don't know if any of the other tobacco flavors would have less of an odor, but I also don't feel like spending $10 and waiting 2 weeks for shipping just to find out. I checked all of my local stores, but they only carry Red and Menthol flavors. I also realized that the charging case had something rattling around inside of it, like something is broken inside. I'm probably going to return the kit since they have a 30 day return policy. I will get back most of my money, but they won't refund the $20 I spent on shipping, and I have to pay the shipping costs to send it back to them. So I just lost money, and still don't have a good e-cig.
....

Hello Unity,
feel bad for your bad luck ... cuz i got lucky.
i was about a 1/3 pack a day smoker when i went to vaping.
maybe b/c at least our situations are somewhat similar, maybe you can do what i did.
i would avoid all the mods suggestions and go cig-a-like.
It seems to me your main thing is to still "smoke but not smoke" like my idea is.
i went with Halo's G6 starter kit and got a the tobacoo sampler pack of juices.
It's not cheap - but it's not the highest.
Lots of good reviews on Halo if you go look.
i spent just under $80 which has:
2 batteries + wall plug + usb connector/charger + 5 loaded cartomizer + 1 pack of blank cartomizers + tobacco sampler pack (total 42 mL of 6 diff't juices at 24mg nicotine content) + 1 clearomizer (this is like a cartomizer but is clear and no fiber filling for a straight juice vape)
i had to use a 10% off coupon floating somewhere on retailmenot or somewhere, cain't remember.

i would like one more set of batteries and maybe 1 more usb charger connector but for now, i have not purchased these extra items yet.
Trying to stay within budget.

you've found your motivation to keep off analogs, now just drive it home! I was on a budget but i stretched it cuz this is serious to me.
Serious for health and overall well being, and stop getting nagged by wifey (most important)!
I don't see serious smokers quitting on bad juice.
As of today ... i still say i LOVE smoking. However, not the stinky part and not the bad for lungs part.
To me, the juice varieties is what's keeping me off the analogs and not so much the equipment themselves.
From your post, maybe, you just need better/different juice and your equipment is satisfactory for your needs.

Another note: you did not smoke for a bit of time while in the hospital. and your taste buds and sense of smell is diff't and will keep changing. So, what tastes bad today, may taste good a few weeks later and vice-versa.

No matter what you do, if you don't like your setup - change it pronto.
If you gotta carry your vaporizer with you all day, then i dont' think you want to carry large sized ones and thus my suggestion to stay with cig-a-likes.

Happy Vaping and Be Healthy!

 

[BardicDruid]

It would be best if you started here: The ECF Library and read all 6 parts of "The Wonderful World of Vaping: An Illustrated Guide to E-cigs". And then read through both of these: Best e-cigarette , Setting up your new e-cigarette - ECF InfoZone .
And you can't go wrong start with this: DV eGo-T Starter Kit - Stainless - 900mah or this: Kanger eVod Kit - Stainless

 

[Unity1]

Thanks for all the replies, I really appreciate the help.

I'll did a search for local vapor shops that may offer tasting and I found one ---> Home

There are a couple other shops, but this one says the offer free tasting on the front page. I'll go check them out when I get a chance. Hopefully they may help me find what fits me best.

Before I go there, I'll keep researching all of the suggestions that I am getting because the info might help me when I go to the vape shop.

 

[rickyrickeric]

Best of luck to you Unity1. I wish you continued success on your quest, and a long and healthy life to you as well.

My wife and I also started on the Blu disposables, and we soon moved up to CE5's (rebranded Ego units, I think). Definitely a good choice to start with. And I second the suggestion of checking out your local vape shop, since they offer sample tasting. There are a ton of good flavor options out there, so it will take a little time to find exactly what will work for you. I've only stuck with tobacco flavors for now, but will soon expand into others.

 

[SnTx4]

Indeed check out your local vape shop. We have a handful in my town, and all of the stores are great and very helpful. I'm sure the stores in your area will be exactly the same.

 

[Unity1]

Best of luck to you Unity1. I wish you continued success on your quest, and a long and healthy life to you as well.

My wife and I also started on the Blu disposables, and we soon moved up to CE5's (rebranded Ego units, I think). Definitely a good choice to start with. And I second the suggestion of checking out your local vape shop, since they offer sample tasting. There are a ton of good flavor options out there, so it will take a little time to find exactly what will work for you. I've only stuck with tobacco flavors for now, but will soon expand into others.

Thanks for the kind words. I'll probably stick with tobacco flavors at first as well, because it will help fill the urge to smoke a real cigarette by having a similar taste. I would like to move on the non tobacco flavors later down the road. I just know that if I switched to a non tobacco flavor right away, I would go on craving tobacco and have a problem putting down real smokes for good.

Indeed check out your local vape shop. We have a handful in my town, and all of the stores are great and very helpful. I'm sure the stores in your area will be exactly the same.

hopefully the place I found has a good selection, because I can't seem to find many vape shops in my area. I will definitely go check it out though.

 

[Old-Nick]

I live about 6 miles away from a Totally Wicked vape shop and they actively encourage you to look at the e-liquids they sell, and try them - without the obligation to purchase. After all, would you not try a car before you bought it? Okay, a little over the top there. Think about it - if they allow you to try something and you like it and buy it, it's a win-win. If you think it sucks donkey balls then you have someone with experience to decide what you didn't like about it and offer something else.
The other side of the coin is that you like something in the store, buy it, then find with your own vaping equipment it is not the same, and it languishes on your dresser...

 

[The Arab]

I too am new to this, my introduction was almost identical (in fact I said the V-2 red smelled like dog paws). sda2010's recommendation is where I ended up after wasting a lot of time and money. The only problem now is I find myself wanting to go deeper and deeper, but it still beats smoking and after another month (6 weeks so far without a analog) I'll be almost even so why not!

 

[misscurse18]

My personal favorite pen style battery ive owned its the vision twist battery with a kangar protank 2 the pro tank three I have heard there has been a lot of issues with leaking and getting ahold of the coils are a pain. The egos are good too

 

[nmackan]

My friend, You had been one step back using a breathing kit and in only home. And still you are choosy. What is the flavor what is the brand when your lungs are nearly dead. When you are good and smöoking days if your cigarettes are finished you should smoke another brand you are offered should not you? Yeah look this business as it is. Most probably the bad odor is due to some brands have factory remnants so you have to clean them. look at the forum or you tube how can you clean "your" clearo have a upper rate liquid to satisfy your nic craving and go ahead. in time you will find your PV or APV and liquid. The matter is to get rid of coffin nails.

 

[Bigguyjake]

I was a pack a day smoker, but I couldn't quit with the BLU style e-cigs, once I got an ego battery the game changed. If you want to slowly jump into the game though I would recommend the ego-twists with an EVOD tank, I honestly can't stand the classic clearomizers any more. Currently I am using an MVP 2 with a protank 2 mini and a protank 3, however I love using the EVOD tank still. There are some great tobacco flavors out there, easiest way, like everyone else was saying, is to go into a shop and sample different products, or sometimes you can get a good deal with online sites with sample packs. Buying good gear may be more expensive at first, but it is worth it if it can keep you going on vaping, I still think I have spent less on gear then on regular cigs in an entire month. I am not sure about getting 2 days out of an ego battery though, mine usually lasts a day at most, but I do also vape a lot. I started at 18mg and I am down to 6mg. Love the flavors and the ability to breath! HAHA good luck to you!