Planning to start vaping soon!

[STiCaveman]

New member finally getting around to checking in!

Well, I almost got tagged by one of the "free trial" ads, but took the time to research a bit.

Then a bit more... Next thing I knew, I'd had this site (and recommended merchants) opened non-stop for a week or so, and finally remembered to signed up.

I must say, the information available here is immense... Actually, somewhat overwhelming, but as pointed out numerous times in guides/tutorials- There is no "perfect" solution for a first-time Vaper.

Thanks to ECF, I'm at the point now where I'm pretty sure I know what I will need, but I am going to have to wait til I can afford a decent starter kit.

fwiw- I have been a pack a day smoker for 30+ years, but I stayed in good health from consistent exercise in the Army. I'm at the "really don't want to quit" stage, but I know I really need to. If not for myself, then for the sake of the ppl/pets near me, as well as the money saved! (22 yr military retirement pay doesn't go far! )

Well, thanks for reading my ramble. I hope to be a contributing member of this community any way I can as soon as possible.

-Charles

 

[Chrissie]

Hello & welcome to the forum STiCaveman.

It really needn't cost much to get you started on e-cigs. I'm not well up on the best USA deals but one UK seller that I recommend for good priced starter kits (they come with more atties/batteries than most other kits) also has a USA site that may be worth you checking out : -

E Cigarette, E-Liquid, Smoking vaporizer, Janty - Vapor Station

 

[av8tor]

Welcome caveman,

I too am ret from the military, currently in Iraq. The inital investment seem steep but the benefits are great. Started this venture about a week ago and have had a pack of cigs for a week. Only had one yesterday. Do some reasearch, weigh your options and take what you read with a grain of salt. I went with a V4L auto. I like it alot but have a manual battery a fellow retiree gave me and I like that also. Flavors are a personal thing so again, the grain of salt. V4L gives lots of freebies and gives you a chance to try other options. Good luck!

 

[Moonflame]

ecigsupply.com has an 801 kit for $28 right now and cignot always has good deals on 510 kits. Cheaper than a weeks supply of analogs to get started even with buying a little juice. Just jump in and get started and order a bit more every couple of weeks with the money you would have spent on cigs .

And welcome to the forums and the world of vaping!

 

[Rosa]

Welcome to the forum! The initial start up cost does seem a little daunting at first. I was really concerned that I was going to shell out all this cash for yet another "quit smoking" gimmick and end up smoking again a few days later and kick myself for it. What I found out was that IF you get a good e-cigarette that you feel comfortable using, and IF you get the right strength e-juice then you don't really have to quit! I tried everything to quit smoking and nothing ever worked before this. Why? Because everything else requires that you quit smoking! The truth is, I enjoy smoking! I'm used to it, it's relaxing, I just plain like it! I just didn't want it to kill me. Fortunately, e-cig's came along and now I can "smoke" (vape) all day if I want. I get all the enjoyment that I'm used to and I don't have to worry about it killing me. And as for the money spent: It was the best money I ever spent AND I have enough supplies for at least 6 MONTHS of vaping (I only spent $170), but I only spent as much as I would have spent on 2 MONTHS of cigarettes***I am not a doctor, and the FDA has not studied this product enough to endorse it but just from reading all the threads about vapers having fewer health problems after beginning to vape, I personally believe they aren't harmful. I CAN tell you , however, that cigarettes will kill you for sure.***

 

[scheherezade]

What did you decide to go with? Maybe some of us here can point you in the direction of a good deal on the model you want.

 

[STiCaveman]

Thank you ALL for the wonderful ideas/suggestions so far. I apologize for not responding sooner.

ecigsupply.com has an 801 kit for $28 right now and cignot always has good deals on 510 kits. <snip>

And welcome to the forums and the world of vaping!

Happened to have cignot already tabbed

<snip> ...I was really concerned that I was going to shell out all this cash for yet another "quit smoking" gimmick and end up smoking again a few days later and kick myself for it...

<This was initally a concern of mine as well, but not so much after a solid week's worth of reading.>

The truth is, I enjoy smoking! I'm used to it, it's relaxing, I just plain like it! I just didn't want it to kill me.

Something about "great minds?" This is my situation as well. Thank you for letting me know I'm "not alone" in that aspect!

What did you decide to go with? Maybe some of us here can point you in the direction of a good deal on the model you want.

Based on the above comments, as well as being a work-at-home retiree, I'm leaning towards a 510 version (3 piece) for the flexability, as well as possible future mods. For me (for now at least), I really don't care about size or shape. My only real concern is dependability.

As for vapor/throat hit/taste- Smoking, for me, has always been like drinking Army coffee while deployed... Weak, strong, mellow or bitter- it's all the same. I am currently smoking the cheapest analogs I could find by mail-order. I know my sense of taste will come back eventually, but for now, I know I just need to break the analog habit.

@ Chrissy & Moonflame- Had I found e-cigs a month ago, i would be vaping right now. A couple of weeks ago however, my soft heart convinced me to take in a "friend in need" that is trying to go back to college, and just started working. Needless to say, I no longer have a balanced budget each month. Oh, and she smokes as much as I do, but can't afford her own...

@ scheherezade- I grew up in Va Bch! Joined the Army from there.

@ av8tor- After 5 tours in the desert with 3rd SFG, I turned down numerous civilian offers. You have my respect sir! Come home safe!

 

[bornagainst]

Many retailers also offer an additional discount for military service.

Can't recall any right now, but have seen threads about it.

 

[AlexTM]

With costs, it helps a lot to add what you are spending for cigarettes right now per week. For most, that is a starter kit or more, and a starter kit and some liquid is all you need to give it a try.

I don't know US vendors very well, but the cignot no-box is recommended quite often.

 

[scheherezade]

Glad you bookmarked Cignot if you're going with the 510. The price is great and the ladies there are wonderful to deal with. I just moved from PA to VA Beach about 5-6 years ago. Nice area!

 

[Rosa]

Oh, and did we happen to mention: you'll be wanting the manual button model. Not the automatic. Seems weird to have a ciggy with an "on" button, but you'll get used to it quickly and it's much better in the long run.

 

[STiCaveman]

Many retailers also offer an additional discount for military service.

Can't recall any right now, but have seen threads about it.

Hmm... I wonder if I could get a 10% military on top of a 20% ECF discount

@ AlexTM & scheherezade- Ya, cignot is at the top of my list right now.

Oh, and did we happen to mention: you'll be wanting the manual button model. Not the automatic. Seems weird to have a ciggy with an "on" button, but you'll get used to it quickly and it's much better in the long run.

Definately planned on manual first, to muddle my way through the learning curve.

Once again, thank you all for the continued input!

 

[av8tor]

Caveman, thanks for the note, 3d, i know some of those guys. Good luck and welcome. This place is a wealth of info and advice.

 

[Bill77094]

Don't forget the USB pass through, it is indispensable when at home in front of the computer. Also, don't forget to get several extra atomizers. You don't want to get caught without an atomizer if you burn out the only one in your starter kit. In 60 days of not smoking, I have killed 3 atomizers (2 from neglect), and I'm on the 4th one which is going strong.

 

[dd45]

hey Caveman
another nudge to push you over the edge here...
i studied this forum for about 2 weeks trying to decide if i should do it, what type of unit, would it be worth the investment, etc.
then i did the math; i was spending about $150/month on cigs...
i could buy a 901 kit with an extra atty & extra charger & 15 ml of liquid for $55 (including shipping) from healthcabin.
hmmm, 1/3 of a month's worth of cigs to get a month's worth of vaping.

last analog was 12/12/09...
over the past 3 months i've spent about what used to spend every month on smokes...
i & my clothes & my van & my backyard/patio don't smell like old used ashtrays...
i don't hack up a lung every morning...
i can taste food again...
speaking of taste; vaping thin mints right now... yum!

i can understand the initial investment can seem a little daunting but think of it as a month's worth of cigs all at once... and if your friend can get a p/t job maybe they can pitch in too. (i know the market's tight, i live in phx too.)

ok, that's all (puts soap box back in corner)

 

[MikethePipe]

Do your homework and search the reviews, there is some great info on here.
If i had done my homework, i could have saved about £200 but i found this site with all the superb information after making the first move to switch over to PV's. At least you have a good start with the right people to guide you along the right road.

 

[ncgyfnshlst]

I'm new..
N planning to vape.. Still confuse which I use to buy as nubie n where I can get them..
I'm in Indonesia.. Southeast asia..
I'm smoking a pack of marl lights everyday..
Is there any vapor can replace that..
Please advice..
Thx..

 

[blondeambition3]

Glad you bookmarked Cignot if you're going with the 510. The price is great and the ladies there are wonderful to deal with. I just moved from PA to VA Beach about 5-6 years ago. Nice area!

Can't go wrong with a Joye 510 (no box) starter Kit from Cignot.com

 

[quasimod]

Also, there are several Forum members who live in AZ. Here is the VIP -Vaping in Phoenix sub-forum. One of your neighbors may be a member!

 

[STiCaveman]

@ Bill77094- Absolutely! I do spend quite a bit of time at a computer, and cignot.com (who I plan to order through) has a manual USB PT for $22.

@ dd45- Ow! *rubs ribs*
May have to take another look at healthcabin.net for future options. They sell 2-piece 510s, and for now, I wanted to start off with a 3-piece.

Fwiw, my hesitation stems strictly from the current "unknown factor" of basically supporting another person on my fixed income. I've had more going out each month just paying mortgage & bills, savings act is gone, and I've had to put a lot on CCs.
The "plan", now that my friend started working (VA hospital), is for her to give me whatever she can afford- We'll see how that works out… Additionally, I moved to Phx to help my parents with the exotic bird breeding business [azparrots.com], but this is the off-season, and don't expect sales to pick up for a couple months (no eggs/babies yet this year).

Oh, and I haven't been to the location-specific threads yet, but plan to soon!

@ MikethePipe- TY for the kind words. I couldn't agree more about the wonderful ppl here at ECF.

@ ncgyfnshlst- Afraid I can't help too much yet, since I have only researched western shops.
I am currently smoking the same amount and type as you. From what I understand, there is no "perfect" taste replacement, but the e-liquids from China are probably your best bet based on flavor & shipping costs.

Can't go wrong with a Joye 510 (no box) starter Kit from Cignot.com

Also, there are several Forum members who live in AZ. Here is the VIP -Vaping in Phoenix sub-forum. One of your neighbors may be a member!

TY for the heads-up! Haven't been to those subs yet, but it looks like I've already found at least one neighbor so far! (dd45)