Not even a Newb yet

[taxman32]

Went to the doctor last week and of course after smoking Marlboro 100's for at least 40 years, my breathing test came back horrible. My lung capacity was no where near what it needs to be and of course I really knew this before the test but had lied to myself for years. So I made a commitment to my wife that I am going to stop. Once I tell her I'm going to do something I better do it. She smokes also but has very little trouble in laying them down.
I had considered getting the patch and along with it an ecig. I had read somewhere that the actual nicotine derived from vaping is minimal at best and sometimes nonexistant. Yes or no?
I had tried an ecig once and found it lacking in both taste and feel (warmth). After reading this forum some posts refer to some kits as being warmer than others according to battery strength. Is this true?
I want to kick this thing and I know much of it is habits I've acquired over all these years and I know the actual holding and hitting (I do hit hard) satisfies me in some weird way.
I'm glad I found this group. I belong to other forums, fishing and RVing but this group may actually help to save my life or at least make me feel better.
I'm still in the deciding which kit to order phase so any help will be appreciated.
I'll add a picture as soon s I find one that is the real me.

 

[ejervjero]

Welcome to ECF and hope you stay with us and kick the habit that has taken over your life for so many years.

 

[Sweeney Todd]

Hey there!

The deal about nicotine from vaping is, you don't absorb the majority of the nic released compared to smoking. However, you still can definately get *enough* nicotine, to the point where you're satisfied. It's just a matter of finding your nic level by trying various juices until you get one that fixes your cravings.

You actually get the most nicotine (IMO) by smoking a PV like a cigar, holding the vapor in your mouth and slowly exhaling. That's my experience, anyway.

I find the social and psychological elements of smoking (habits I've made over years and years) are being replaced with vaping -- in the morning, after a meal, etc. I keep some of my vaping supplies in an old cigarette case I've had for years, and that helps -- sometimes I've noticed I have the thing open and am fiddling with it without realizing it! That's my cue to switch flavors or put in my higher nic cartos.

I started with an Ego starter kit and some Boge 510 LR cartos. I'd recommend that setup to any new user -- great battery life and vapor.

Glad to have you with us. You can definitely make this work if you're interested.

 

[5vz]

First I wish you luck and congrats on the first step. Next, skip the patches.

You're going to get a lot of recommendations. I smoked bout 35 years, chain smoker. I will tell you that none of the 3.7 devices were successful for me. When I found high voltage mods I found the answer. I go from 7.4 for the stressful times, and 6v for just daily okay times. The higher voltage gives more vapor so it is similar and sometimes greater than a cig. I didn't need to keep a high mg nicotine liquid long after that. I could drop the nic level drastically on not so stressful days and never notice it.

Everyone is different, so you may try many things before you find what works for you. Just sharing what works for me.

 

[frosting]

Welcome to the forum!

I want to start off by saying if you choose to use an e-cigg you will probably start off at a higher nicotine level like 18 or 24mg. In that case you should defiantly not use an e-cigg and a patch. Most people will show many symptoms of nicotine OD before getting to a dangerous point but you don't want to test your luck there either!!

I don't think that nicotine absorbed from an e-cigg is "little or non-existent". Maybe with cheaper ones it may feel that way but PVs have come a long way.

Some will be better then others. For that "warmer" vaper just beginning, LR I personally feel is the way to go. Don't underestimate many of the "pinned" posts atop of the "new members " forum. They are very valuable such as this one Best E-Cigarette for a New User

My mother smoked for about 40 or so years and used 3.7 and she personally doesn't feel like she can handle a higher voltage so it could work you. Like the brand we smoked, what we need to vape and keep us off analogs is a little different for everybody. So, don't get discouraged or think you'll have to drop 250$ on a fancy mod/VV device. A standard e-cigg may work for you too. Above all I think your attitude helps a lot in switching.

Best of luck !

 

[luvinit]

Hey taxman.. you've found the right place! You're going to get tons of advice here, and no one thing works for everyone. I totally agree,,, if you're going to vape, skip those patches! If you start with 24mg nicotine, you won't need them. I started with a V2 (not very popular here, but did the trick for me) and quickly moved on to the Elite 808. Simple is important to me, and discreet is big too. The Elite is a little fatter than an analog but not ridiculously huge. I'm getting 7-8 hours on a charge and the throat hit is great with the right flavors. I never thought I'd move away from tobacco flavors but once I discovered the chocolates and coffees... WOW! I think the Elite is a great place for anyone to start.. $50 is not a lot to spend to get started. The carto's you get are empty and you have to fill them, so if you go that route be sure to order some extra liquids. Go to CigEasy and check them out, they have some great video reviews. You're gonna love it here!

 

[mynameisrob]

I would def try a 3.7V PV to start. While it might not be enough for some people, for most people its enough to get them going and either completely get off cigs or greatly cut down on cigs per day.
The eGo isnt bad but its only 3.3-3.4V. A 3.7V PV provides alittle more oomph and provides a great vape. Also the 3.7V PVs handle the lower resistances alot better, and I think your def going to use low resistance attys/cartos bc they give a warmer vape and more TH.
Check out the E-Power, kGo, and Riva. All are 3.7V PVs and have 510 connections. They are all VERY affordable and would be a great way to get started. I use an E-power and love it. I started with a slim ecig and it wasnt enough for me to quit. But once I got my E-Power and LR cartos, I was able to kick the cigs for good, and I was a heavy smoker. Everything is replaceable on the E-Power so its cheap to maintain and it uses non-proprietary batteries. E-Power batteries cost $4-5 compared to eGo/Riva/kGo batts that are $14-20. The batteries are 1050mah and I get avg a day to a day and a half on one battery, and I vape all day.
I would def start off with a 3.7V PV and some LR cartos. I think youll be pleasantly surprised and it will really help you get off the funkarettes. Then later if needed you can go with something else, but I do think youll be quite surprised with a 3.7V PV and you might not even have to drop more money on an expensive PV.

Goodluck

 

[mynameisrob]

Def get a 3.7V PV or even an eGo over the elite. The elite is still a slim ecig and has under a 400mah battery. The only way youll get 7-8hrs from that battery is if you are a very light vaper, and it doesnt seem like your going to be. With the elite you will only be able to use standard resistance attys and cartos, as LR attys/cartos are for bigger battery PVs.
The E-Power, Riva, and kGo are all under $50 and are a LOT better than the elite.

 

[vco]

Hey Taxman- I'm a new member hear as of this morning and a non-smoker for almost three weeks now. I had been smoking a pack a day for about 20 years. I picked up an e-cig kit a while back and just started using it new years eve. I haven't touched a real cigarette since. I can tell you for sure I've gotten too much nicotine from the e-cig on a couple occasions. I don't think you need to worry about using the patch as well. I'll leave any advice to the experts here. One comment I will make... make sure you have enough supplies when you decide to start. I started off with what I assumed was enough juice. I ordered more from three places as of last friday and have yet to receive them. I'm down to my last drops now and I'm a little concerned about making it another day without it. I'm now in kind of a frantic search for a local source.

 

[RocketRod]

Congratulations! Welcome to ECF! I too smoked analogs for 40 years, got serious about quitting and haven't looked back. Look for a local store, test out their products, then order online to save mucho money. Vaping isn't smoking, and the only common thing is nicotine. You might have some trouble in the draw area. When you vape, its and easy draw into the mouth, exhaled through the nose and mouth. Don't try to suck on it like a frozen milkshake. You'll get tired and frustrated. The eGo system is a good starter kit. Boge 2.0 carto's will move you into a more comfortable better tasting vapor. I'll bet you want something close to the flavor of th MLB's, some get close, but none spot on. Try Apple, its great! You might want one flavor in 24mg nic, the rest in 18mg nic. Believe me when I say you will know when to put down the 24mg and move over to the 18mg nic. Lots of body changes in store for you, like everyone else here. Don't be suprised on that. There are many video's out there that showcase products, give you basics etc. Watch them. Dr Vapor seems to be very straight forward on his. This forum and the folks here have all been where you are. This is a great place. Stick around, it will do you good!

 

[dearme]

Welcome to ECF, taxman. The right ecig will definitely get you off the analogs without a lot of effort. It may not happen the first day, but it will happen.

vco, also Welcome to ECF. If you can't find a local ecig vendor, run to Walmart, Walgreens, RiteAid, convenience store, or even some gas stations and buy a disposable to get you by until your ejuice supplies arrive.

 

[cags]

Hey Taxman- One comment I will make... make sure you have enough supplies when you decide to start. I started off with what I assumed was enough juice. I ordered more from three places as of last friday and have yet to receive them. I'm down to my last drops now and I'm a little concerned about making it another day without it. I'm now in kind of a frantic search for a local source.

I recommend ordering new liquids when you open your next to last bottle! actually that goes for all supplies.... backups, backups, backups!

you could check for local sources of liquids here:

VaporSearchUSA

or ask here:
^{Upstate NY Vapers Club}

or:
NYC Vapers Club

 

[dankie]

Welcome good luck and the ego kit is where I started. You can do this in fact it's the easy button for quitting for me.

 

[TonyTT]

I think the major point is the get your first PV as soon as possible, stray away from overpriced mall e-cigz and gas station ones will give you the impression that vaping isn't that amazing. If you read up on a model your interested, someone on here probably knows some site to get it for a reasonable price, also alot of sites offer coupon codes to make your purchase even cheaper. The sooner you get your first PV, the quicker you'll know what you like and what you want to be better. The first PV is mostly a gage of what direction you want to go in, because everyone can suggest a setup they enjoy, but only you can tweak what you like....Welcome to ECF my friend....you're home now

 

[TommyG]

Recently quit analogues for vaping and had a hard time finding something that worked well for me, decent amount of money wasted fooling around with pvs until I found this site. Around 4 weeks ago, maybe more, I was using google to get reviews and landed on a Safe Cig micro (100$ with the extra cartos I ordered) and hated the battery life. I then moved to the Safe Cig original (120$ with the cartos this time), and soon found myself wanting more vapor and almost smoke a real cig. I landed on V2 and really enjoyed them for the vapor production and compatibility, though they were way overpriced I later found out (about 150$ on that venture).

In the end I decided I didn't care if it looked like a cigarette anymore, but that what I wanted was something versatile, with nice battery/carto life, and that gave me room to grow...I now have an Ego-T and short of a big battery mod couldn't be happier with it. The battery lasts me all day pretty much, and the tanks on the non mega line last a pretty good amount of time (not all day, but it gives me a reason to switch up flavors lol). That's my 2 cents on the subject. And if you're looking for some tobacco flavors, I know I was, check out Halo for sure, and I'm currently waiting on a "sampler" pack from Mom & Pops who seem to get nothing but the best reception from everyone (sampler was more like 5 10ml bottles I picked out).

I hope something in this thread helps you out, and wish you the best of luck...and welcome to the world of vaping.

Edit:

No matter what you get I suggest something with 510 threading, as it's compatible with almost everything you're likely to move on to, or 808 as it's pretty common among the mini (normal cig looking) e cigs.

 

[cags]

I found that for me apparently it's the habit that has hold of me more than the nicotine. I cut down my nic rapidly... started at 18 and in a few months went to 12, now I'm at 6. (I personally believe nicotine has good qualities so I am not sure i want to go to 0 although I am vaping a 0 nic right now)
I smoked and vaped for the first couple of months and the cigs consumption just went down naturally with little effort on my part.... I still smoke 2 cigs a day - I am old, and I loved smoking, it was the $$$ that was killing me, so I choose to have my 2 cigs a day. I can and have done without them though...
I still use the joye 510 and an ego. they work for me and I don't feel the need to go bigger. I get around the short battery life of the joye510 by carrying 3 complete PVs around with me all day (in the old cig case like another poster ) I only have to charge once a day, and I have 6 batteries in rotation.

I was a 2+ pad chain smoker in my other life

 

[Jim Bob]

I smoked 2+ pad for more than 30 years and this is what worked for me Joye eGo

Along with some good juices (24mg/ml Nicotine, some 36mg/ml ) along with some Boge LR 2 ohm cartomizers, nice warm vape and plenty of it with most juices (more VG = more vapor, more PG in the mix = more flavor and Throat Hit) YMMV

 

[vco]

I recommend ordering new liquids when you open your next to last bottle! actually that goes for all supplies.... backups, backups, backups!

you could check for local sources of liquids here:

VaporSearchUSA

or ask here:
^{Upstate NY Vapers Club}

or:
NYC Vapers Club

Thanks for the links!! Searching for a local supplier is what led me to this forum. I wish I had found it a long time ago. There's tons of good info here.

 

[mattiem]

IMHO The main thing you have to have is the want to. If you have that then you can do it. I was a 1 1/2 PAD smoker for more than 40 yrs. I can finally say I am analog free. You CAN do it if you really want to. BTW: Welcome to ECF. We are really happy to meet you.

 

[taxman32]

Wow! Lots of info here. Thanks to all of you! I'll wait til I'm at work tomorrow to order a kit and I'll let you know what it is. I'm like you CAGS OLd!!I'm also from East Tennesse and as you know evrybody smoked when we were growing up. Originally from Knoxville how about you?