Overwhelmed noob looking for help finding a good starter...
- Thread starter EllenElyse
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When I first came here I wanted something that looked like a cig too. In fact, I think most available at that time were slim like a cig. However, that is something many vapers quickly out grow. After you get used to being a non-smoker you may even find you don't want anything that looks or tastes like a cig.
The most important thing is to figure out what is more important. Is appearance more important than performance? If your husband will only be successful with something that is small like a cig, then that is what he should get. He can always upgrade once he becomes comfortable with vaping.
A lot of people are suggesting the eGo even though it is a bit bigger because the battery life is so much better. I am currently using an eGo and it's a pretty good PV. However, I am getting ready to upgrade to a mod.
Buying the right equipment is not something that many people get right on the first try. The first step for a noob is often a small look like a cig PV. Some people skip this step and go straight for an eGo. A few even skip that step and go straight for a mod.
I would make a list of the things that are important before I hit that buy button. If charging batteries every couple of hours is going to be a problem, then the 510 might not be a good choice. If looking like a cig is a dealbreaker then the eGo might not be a good choice.
Good luck and I hope your husband finds something to help him get started.
The most important thing is to figure out what is more important. Is appearance more important than performance? If your husband will only be successful with something that is small like a cig, then that is what he should get. He can always upgrade once he becomes comfortable with vaping.
A lot of people are suggesting the eGo even though it is a bit bigger because the battery life is so much better. I am currently using an eGo and it's a pretty good PV. However, I am getting ready to upgrade to a mod.
Buying the right equipment is not something that many people get right on the first try. The first step for a noob is often a small look like a cig PV. Some people skip this step and go straight for an eGo. A few even skip that step and go straight for a mod.
I would make a list of the things that are important before I hit that buy button. If charging batteries every couple of hours is going to be a problem, then the 510 might not be a good choice. If looking like a cig is a dealbreaker then the eGo might not be a good choice.
Good luck and I hope your husband finds something to help him get started.
I should have added that I recommend that you buy a couple of sample bottles of juice too. I hear you when you say you want something easy and that is a great place to start. I started off dipping and now I drip my juice directly on my atty. It isn't very difficult and it's nice to have a backup plan in case the carts don't do it for your hubby.
Being new to PVs myself, The EGO is the best choice I made and I would recomend it to anyone just starting.With its ease of use and the amount of 510 attys, drip tips, carts, tanks etc...It's the only unit anyone will ever need.I'm having fun trying all the gadgets with mine.You will be very happy with your EGO.I haven't had a analog since new years eve, and I know you will be successful also. Being so easy to use and so portable has made it easy to not smoke.Good Luck I know you'll do great!
Hi Ellen and welcome to ECF. Glad you find ECF before making your first purchase, there many valuable information you can find here. Also the members are very helpful.
I started vaping on New Year, so I"m still learning alot.
Since you wanted something that look like a ciggy, I would suggest Joye 510, KR808D-1 is great too but I have never tried it before. Since you said you didn't want to waste that much money, you will be probably refilling your own cartridge or cartomizer. Cartomizer = cartridge + atomizer in one. (3 pc e cig = battery + atomizer + cartridge 2 pc e cig = battery + cartomizer ) I didn't get much experience with cartridge, didn't like them, because need to top of juice very often. I prefer using a cartomizer instead because they hold more juice. A pack of 5 prefilled/blank cartomizer cost about $8 -$12. 1 cartomizer last me for about 2 hours (depending on how much you vape) So it will be pretty expensive if you just rely on prefilled cartomizer. Refilling them is not as hard as you think it is once you get the hand of it. (*cartomizer are consider disposable, but can be prefilled and use a couple of times) For me 10 cartomizer can last me for about 3 weeks - 1 month
Video on Basic of Joye 510 from cignot(I didnt' make the videos, find them on youtube)
You can also consider the eGo-Tank, filling e juice on the tank is alot easier. But eGo is like a size of a cigar so i'm not sure if you would want this.
Video on eGo-Tank(I didn't make the videos, find them on youtube)
I started with a Joye 510, within a week I upgraded to an Riva 510 (Riva 510 is a eGo knockoff) because of the battery life. I would need to recharge my Joye 510 batteries after 1 - 2 hours of vaping. Riva 510 (750mAh) would last me for about 6 hours before needing to be recharge. So that might be something you might want to consider. It also depend on how much you vape.
Here a picture of Joye 510 and a Riva 510 side by side comparison w/ a ciggy so you can see how big they are. The picture is not a eGo-Tank, it's a Riva 510 , but the size is similar to a eGo tank. Also the batteries in the picture of the Riva 510 is 750mah, the 1000mAh batteries are longer. (The battery that is alone, by itself is a eGo battery, the only difference between the eGo and Riva is that the eGo has a silver bank, and the Riva has a gold band)
I started vaping on New Year, so I"m still learning alot.
He doesn't want to try the fill-your-own cartrige type just yet... he wants one that looks, feels and smokes as close to the real thing as possible, with as little hassle as possible.Of course we're looking for a great product as cheap as possible too.
Since you wanted something that look like a ciggy, I would suggest Joye 510, KR808D-1 is great too but I have never tried it before. Since you said you didn't want to waste that much money, you will be probably refilling your own cartridge or cartomizer. Cartomizer = cartridge + atomizer in one. (3 pc e cig = battery + atomizer + cartridge 2 pc e cig = battery + cartomizer ) I didn't get much experience with cartridge, didn't like them, because need to top of juice very often. I prefer using a cartomizer instead because they hold more juice. A pack of 5 prefilled/blank cartomizer cost about $8 -$12. 1 cartomizer last me for about 2 hours (depending on how much you vape) So it will be pretty expensive if you just rely on prefilled cartomizer. Refilling them is not as hard as you think it is once you get the hand of it. (*cartomizer are consider disposable, but can be prefilled and use a couple of times) For me 10 cartomizer can last me for about 3 weeks - 1 month
Video on Basic of Joye 510 from cignot(I didnt' make the videos, find them on youtube)
You can also consider the eGo-Tank, filling e juice on the tank is alot easier. But eGo is like a size of a cigar so i'm not sure if you would want this.
Video on eGo-Tank(I didn't make the videos, find them on youtube)
I started with a Joye 510, within a week I upgraded to an Riva 510 (Riva 510 is a eGo knockoff) because of the battery life. I would need to recharge my Joye 510 batteries after 1 - 2 hours of vaping. Riva 510 (750mAh) would last me for about 6 hours before needing to be recharge. So that might be something you might want to consider. It also depend on how much you vape.
Here a picture of Joye 510 and a Riva 510 side by side comparison w/ a ciggy so you can see how big they are. The picture is not a eGo-Tank, it's a Riva 510 , but the size is similar to a eGo tank. Also the batteries in the picture of the Riva 510 is 750mah, the 1000mAh batteries are longer. (The battery that is alone, by itself is a eGo battery, the only difference between the eGo and Riva is that the eGo has a silver bank, and the Riva has a gold band)
riva's battery is great. i vape NON-STOP for 6hours. but the colours are really limited thus i'm switching to joye with an ego-t tank of course.
The advantages of the Ego are multiple. First, it doesn't look like a cigarette, so you don't have people making faces and comments when you use it. If your ecig looks like a cigarette, people will report you for smoking in a no-smoking area.
Battery life is the main gripe about small Ecigs. Ego will let you start with a charged battery and go out for most of the day without having to worry about charging. The Ego-T tank is a good match in carts for the Ego. You can fill a couple of spare tanks, pop the silicone seal on the end of the tanks and put them in a ziplock along with a spare battery and you are good for a long day.
Most of us end up with the Ego or one of its equivalents after trying all the alternatives. I really believe most new vapers are better served by paying a little more for the Ego at the outset. I still use my 510 around the house just to have a different juice available for a change and to try new juices from time to time, but wouldn't depend on it for going out and about.
Battery life is the main gripe about small Ecigs. Ego will let you start with a charged battery and go out for most of the day without having to worry about charging. The Ego-T tank is a good match in carts for the Ego. You can fill a couple of spare tanks, pop the silicone seal on the end of the tanks and put them in a ziplock along with a spare battery and you are good for a long day.
Most of us end up with the Ego or one of its equivalents after trying all the alternatives. I really believe most new vapers are better served by paying a little more for the Ego at the outset. I still use my 510 around the house just to have a different juice available for a change and to try new juices from time to time, but wouldn't depend on it for going out and about.
I too wanted that (analog) cigarette feel once I quit, so the first battery/kit I went with was the standard KR808D-1. Quickly I learned that it did not hold a good enough charge for the amount of time I vaped, so my first upgrade was a longer (extended life) KR808D-1 from nhaler. It works well enough and holds a charge for over several hours, but eventually I too went with the Riva 510 (with LED at the end).
And concurrently, I also graduated from pre-filled cartomizers to filling them on my own, which as many have written is the cost-effective way to go; of course some e-liquid would have to be chosen, but that should not be an issue after you find one supplier and order sample packs.
All in all, it is very easy to end up spending a good amount of $$$ in order to find what fits your tastes (both battery and flavor wise), but if you are a recent smoker and want to start off with a parallel without spending a good lot, I would look into KR808D-1 starter kits, flavors that match your previous analogs, and then go from there.
All the best!!
And concurrently, I also graduated from pre-filled cartomizers to filling them on my own, which as many have written is the cost-effective way to go; of course some e-liquid would have to be chosen, but that should not be an issue after you find one supplier and order sample packs.
All in all, it is very easy to end up spending a good amount of $$$ in order to find what fits your tastes (both battery and flavor wise), but if you are a recent smoker and want to start off with a parallel without spending a good lot, I would look into KR808D-1 starter kits, flavors that match your previous analogs, and then go from there.
All the best!!
I feel like a broken record, but I just want to throw in my 2 cents and say that SmokeTip is a very reasonable first buy option, imo. For $60 you get 2 batteries, a usb and a wall charger, no shipping ever, and a lifetime replacement guarantee on their batteries. I also think their KR808d1 batteries and chargers are of good quality compared to others I've used. No battery last forever and with the lifetime guarantee you can always get it replaced for a new one. They offer excellent, fast custoemr service and you never get any lip if you need to return something. Like the original poster, I also wanted the simplicity of the 2 piece design. I'm still using 808s but I'm now vaping on a fat battery instead of the cigarette looking ones.
Smoketip is a KR808D-1 shorty (lowest battery life) and they don't offer manual batteries which is what most people here use. If you want a warranty then feel free to go there. They do have a decent price for cartos but I don't know if they are soft-cap refillable like Vapor4Life's.
I've gotten so used to the Ego battery lasting all day, I would be aggravated if I had to use the 510 for my main vape. OTOH, the 510 is a great cheap alternative and a good backup in case you need it. It's also good for keeping a spare ecig ready for the other juice you like so much, especially the ones that are hard to clean out of an atty, like cinnamon. I usually have a 510 with a standard atty loaded with another juice for a few quick hits here and there.
I found that Revolver sells good quality products at a decent price I'd recommend a Infiniti Ion starter kit it comes with 2 batteries an atomizer a pack of prefilled cartridges a usb and wall charger and a portable charging case for 64.99 it's very easy to use and produces a great throat hit and lots of vapor.
I agree that they should get some manual batteries. I've really learned how much more of a hit you get from them. The ST cartos are refillable a few times, but I don't suggest their cartos b/c they only go up to 16mg.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!! I can't tell you how helpful you all are!! We'll be researching every wonderful suggestion, and making lots of notes! My hubby will probably register and post soon too, and we'll be sure to let you know what we go with, and how it goes!
I can't tell you how helpful you all are!! We'll be researching every wonderful suggestion, and making lots of notes! My hubby will probably register and post soon too, and we'll be sure to let you know what we go with, and how it goes! 
As of Feb 25th 2011, I was in the exact same boat, overwhelmed, didnt want to quit my cigs, figured nothing could replace them, did the patch, gum, and chantix. Nothing.
Did about 50 hours of reading on here.
Ended up getting an SLB Riva 510 Kit.
One battery lasts me all day.
You have a choice of putting the liquid filled (24mg for regular smokers) cart (mouth piece with fiber in it holding the prefilled juice) onto the atomizer (heating element),
or venture into the cartomizers ( which is now my favorite, one piece instead of two)
Once you get the kit, you ll actually have fun trying different things, and it is NOT as hard as all the overwhelming info seems.
I was playing around with mine the first day, and have never tried one before.
I love my Riva 510, I got it from Electronic Cigarette Supplies & Electronic Cigarette Refills for Name-Brand Electronic Cigarettes! E-Cigs from LiteCigUSA, only because I live in CT and was looking for some "close by" places to shop with.
I smoked over a pack a day, and during the first two weeks of having my e cig went down to 2 to 4 smokes a day, without even trying ( the e cig becomes a new toy at Christmas feeling ) AND I can smoke it in the house.
= )
Happy venture !!
Did about 50 hours of reading on here.
Ended up getting an SLB Riva 510 Kit.
One battery lasts me all day.
You have a choice of putting the liquid filled (24mg for regular smokers) cart (mouth piece with fiber in it holding the prefilled juice) onto the atomizer (heating element),
or venture into the cartomizers ( which is now my favorite, one piece instead of two)
Once you get the kit, you ll actually have fun trying different things, and it is NOT as hard as all the overwhelming info seems.
I was playing around with mine the first day, and have never tried one before.
I love my Riva 510, I got it from Electronic Cigarette Supplies & Electronic Cigarette Refills for Name-Brand Electronic Cigarettes! E-Cigs from LiteCigUSA, only because I live in CT and was looking for some "close by" places to shop with.
I smoked over a pack a day, and during the first two weeks of having my e cig went down to 2 to 4 smokes a day, without even trying ( the e cig becomes a new toy at Christmas feeling ) AND I can smoke it in the house.
= )
Happy venture !!
Awesome! Thanks Shane! Way to go!! I've been trying to get my hubby to sit down and go through all these wonderful tips and suggestions, but he's been workin like crazy, and possibly putting the changeover off a bit. I'l post as soon as we have it in the bag!
Thanks Shane! Way to go!! I've been trying to get my hubby to sit down and go through all these wonderful tips and suggestions, but he's been workin like crazy, and possibly putting the changeover off a bit. I'l post as soon as we have it in the bag! 
It took about two weeks for me to switch over to vaping full time and give up the winstons.
There is still half of a carton in the pantry (just in case of extreme emergencies) I haven't had an analog since december,
and it's a great thing. I'm vapin' more than I smoked, but that's OK.
After several of my friends got 510s, I observed for a couple of months. I swore that I wouldn't get one of those fake things after taking a few hits here and there (turns out they were loading the carts with nasty-tasting juice).
After some persuasion from the spousal-unit, I started with the EGO Mega kit (900 mAh batteries and 510 atomizer/cartridge). It was great, I loved it, with the right juice it was awesome! ...until I went on a road trip.
The big (900mAh) batteries last about 8-12 hours for me, but the 510 needed refillng every 20-30 minutes.
That's when I ordered a couple of EGO XL(jumbo) attys/carts, and that combo lasts a long time. I can go for up to
1-2 hours between refills (I vape almost constantly).
For juice, check out the reviews here. They won't steer ya wrong. I ended up settling on Backwoods Brew 24mg in three flavors.
There are many more vendors that I haven't tried yet. Get USA-made juices.
Go for it! after a few weeks, you'll feel and breathe better, your sense of taste and smell will come back, the cigs will taste like
krappe. ...and you can still have your nicotine fix. The benefits are to numerous to list.
Enjoy your new hobby!!!
There is still half of a carton in the pantry (just in case of extreme emergencies) I haven't had an analog since december,
and it's a great thing. I'm vapin' more than I smoked, but that's OK.
After several of my friends got 510s, I observed for a couple of months. I swore that I wouldn't get one of those fake things after taking a few hits here and there (turns out they were loading the carts with nasty-tasting juice).
After some persuasion from the spousal-unit, I started with the EGO Mega kit (900 mAh batteries and 510 atomizer/cartridge). It was great, I loved it, with the right juice it was awesome! ...until I went on a road trip.
The big (900mAh) batteries last about 8-12 hours for me, but the 510 needed refillng every 20-30 minutes.
That's when I ordered a couple of EGO XL(jumbo) attys/carts, and that combo lasts a long time. I can go for up to
1-2 hours between refills (I vape almost constantly).
For juice, check out the reviews here. They won't steer ya wrong. I ended up settling on Backwoods Brew 24mg in three flavors.
There are many more vendors that I haven't tried yet. Get USA-made juices.
Go for it! after a few weeks, you'll feel and breathe better, your sense of taste and smell will come back, the cigs will taste like
krappe. ...and you can still have your nicotine fix. The benefits are to numerous to list.
Enjoy your new hobby!!!
I have been analog free now for 3 weeks and I owe it all to the eGo. It was the first E-cig that I tried and I've had great success with it. I usually direct drip but I did just recently get a MAP tank which has been working really well for me when I'm on the go. Good Luck!
I believe what most closly resemble a cigarette in look and feel are the KR808D-1 based products (VaporKing, Smoketip, Bloog MaxxFusion, etc.) These also present the least amount of hassle since they only have a battery and the cartomizer. If you purchase pre-filled cartomizers, life doesn't get any easier, although I'd guess everyone eventually starts to fill their own to save money ("standard" KR808D cartomizers equal about 1/3 pack of cigarettes despite what the vendors advertise). But that can come later - I'd venture most everyone starts out buying pre-filled. There's a lot of other good products out there that likely perform better, but given what you're looking for at this point, I think the KR808D-1 products best meet your goals....He doesn't want to try the fill-your-own cartrige type just yet... he wants one that looks, feels and smokes as close to the real thing as possible, with as little hassle as possible.
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