Recommended brands for a ecig beginner

[lolzwtf]

Hello, I've just entered the world of electronic cigarettes. Yesterday I placed my order for a blu starter kit and a pack of cartriges. They shipped yesterday and are supposed to be delivered by tomorrow, but after reading these boards I was a bit weary. I'm going to assume the worst in that I hate the blu because cartridges are overpriced, the battery sucks, etc and I'll return it during the one month trial period. (at this point, I may like it!)

What would you recommend to somebody who likes the idea of a PCC and would like the ecig to resemble a real one? I'll tell a bit about my smoking history here. I smoke about 10-20 "analog" cigarrettes a day for the past 3-4 years (I'm 18 now). It's funny that you don't feel embarrassed having others buy you analogs but you would never ask for an ecig! I plan to stop smoking all together so general usability would be the most critical factor.

I'm sure you guys have seen a ton of threads like this but I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to the forum!

 

[rolandpibb]

Congrats on making the switch and welcome!

If the Blu does not pan out I suggest the smokeless image VOLT.

And once you don't care about it looking like a cigarette, the Go-Go.

Been almost 6 months smoke-free, good luck to you and Happy Vaping!

 

[Eclipsed1770]

Welcome to ECF. If you want something that looks like an analog and is simple than get a KR-808 like V4L or the volt. It's a simple 2 piece unit and they have PCC's for them. If you want the three piece unit go with the 510. I would check the Volt first. You may like the blu, some do and some don't.

 

[wv2win]

You can get a base 510 with a PCC. Would be better than the Blu. The Bloog (808) has gotten some good reviews. Also much better than a Blu.

The vast majority get over the newbie "must look like a cigarette" very quickly once they realize that for performance and consistency, a better battery PV is much better.

A good "beginner" PV would be the RIVA 510 or the E-Power. I would definitely get manual batteries and stay clear of auto batteries. They are the size of a slim cigar and will provide much better performance and a battery that will last about 5 hours unlike what you have which on average will last about an hour. Here are some reputable suppliers:

Electronic Cigarette - Starter Kits - Riva 510

e-Power

Rule of Thumb: the more it looks like the real thing, the worse the performance.

 

[markfm]

For a half pack smoker, yes, KR808D-1 like the volt or vapor4life's vaporking (which is a normal KR808D-1) sounds rational. Vapor4life sells a standard starter kit with a PCC, has a huge variety of prefilled cartomizers available (you get to request one five pack with the starter kit, in the comments area).

Typical recommendation is to get a couple packs, at different strengths. I was a full PAD smoker, full strength cigs, needed 24 mg/ml strength. Some go up one level, others down one. For someone smoking lights the norm is a 16 - 18 mg/ml strength, some go up one, others down one.

The Volt, as well as the Bloog Max Fusion (BMF), are next generation KR808D-1. Pretty popular, though I don't know the price premium for them. I was happy with a basic $50 or so KR808D-1 kit.

Vapor4life constantly runs sales -- check the Deals and Steals thread in Pay It Forward (see my sig below for a link). They just had a 26% off sale yesterday, it's likely there'll be something else in the next few days.

vaporsetc sells generic 808 kits, too, down in the $35 - $40 range. vapezone is, I believe, their coupon code. NHaler also sells good product (SAVEINNJ coupon code).

Likely if you get an 808 kit you'll prefer it a lot over the Blu. I've never used Blu, but that seems to be pretty common from what I've read.

 

[dormouse]

Two top threadings for slim minis, the most popular beginner ecig

100mah is about 1 hour of moderate vaping

1. Joye 510 - manual batteries recommended - 180mah, a 3-piece which most consider best used as a 2-piece with cartomizers like Boge standard resistance
Or the longer version Joye 510 mega xl - manual recommended - 280mah

2. KR808D-1 - the most popular 2-piece, 180mah for the shorty, 280mah for the standard size (recommended, and manual batteries recommended). Basic kit at LiteCigUSA.net, fancier at Vapor4Life.com and Smokeless Image's Volt. Most prefilled cartomizers are probably at Vapor4Life.com but Smokeless Image, Bloogplanet, Smoketip also have prefilled cartos. I get blank cartos at Vapor4Life.com

A 280mah battery will usually last 2-5 hours depending on how much you vape.

All of these need Eliquid, even if you use prefilled cartomizers. Without eliquid a prefilled cartomizer might last part of a day. With eliquid it might work well up to a week. I recommend thin (20% or less VG) liquids in cartomizers and I find clear light liquids usually leave less cartomizer clogging residue.

Re PCC - there is a roomy cig-pack look one for the short 180mah 510 at NoSMokeVA.com - accepts any real 510 manual batteries (warming do not buy FS510 and never stick a Blu in the PCC nor in a real 510 charger - both Blu and FS510 are reverse polarity from normal 510 and will fry). For Joye 510 mega xl there is only a non-roomy metal one shaped like a tall slim pack of lights, with no LCD or anything. For KR808D-1 there are only non-roomy flat PCCs.

If you need longer battery charge or the hottest hits then you have to skip the slim minis and look at the popular fat battery systems Ego and Riva 510 at Liberty-Flights.com - these are 650mah and up. Large models like these can also optionally use the hotter low resistance atomizers and cartomizers

 

[APD99]

510 is a good way to step up from the Blu if/when you get tired of it. The hardest thing for me in putting down the blu was the manual buttons. At first it just didn't feel right to me to be pushing a button every time you wanted a drag, but after a while it became second nature. The 510 PCCs that I have seen/used were slimmer than a Marlboro pack (almost like a pack of Mistys)and that was kind of a turn off for me, but they were all metal on the exterior so were quite rugged. If you like the idea of the PCC because it looks/feels like having a pack of analogs then there's no arguing with that, however if you want it for the power then if you later feel like switching to a "doesn't really look like a cigarette" model then there is a PCC available for the ego/riva types which is about the same width as an analog pack but is more of a bill fold design and not a top opener.

 

[lolzwtf]

Wow, that was fast haha. I'm assuming I can post links here. Is this a KR808D-1? I'm having some trouble sorting through all these different companies..

 

[markfm]

Yes, vapor4life's vaporkings are all standard KR808D-1. Barring any other active sale, SMILIN might be a good discount code (some % off, though not as big as their sale codes).

 

[malyden]

Just wanted to say welcome to ECF. I would recommend the Volt which is a two piece unit http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/e-cigarette-suppliers-forum/187974-official-smokelessimage-com-thread.html

Or a 510 which is a three piece unit. As others have stated those would be your best option.

 

[crbrown]

Just wanted to say welcome to ECF. I would recommend the Volt which is a two piece unit http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/e-cigarette-suppliers-forum/187974-official-smokelessimage-com-thread.html

Or a 510 which is a three piece unit. As others have stated those would be your best option.

+ 1 for Volt... Battery mah are 220 for the 65mm and 320 for the 78mm
great company, great product
current coupon code heatwave for 23%off

 

[BardicDruid]

Give intellicig-USA.com Buy Intellicig EVO Electronic Cigarette by intellicig, The intelligent e-smoking e-cig alternative. a try, I've recommended them to several people and they like 'em.

 

[JavaJunkie]

I use Blu and I'm very happy with it. Some people don't like it. Not all products are for all people. There's a Blu specific forum on the board if you want to check it out. Blu Electronic Cigarettes

 

[markfm]

Current/new vapor4life sale, ends tomorrow noon CDT. SMILIN12 12% off, FREESHIPPINGUS if order totals > $40. You enter both codes. (I said they have sales all the time )

 

[lasttango]

I started on V4L... great company IMO... (I was happy the first month or so too!)
but... a desire for longer battery life and better juice got me an an ego/riva...
650-1300mah depending on what size...

That worked out great... power, consistency...
I ditched cartos and have been a dripper for more than a year now.

In any case, if you are hung up on having it look like a real cig (as we all were at first), then a V4L, Bloog etc is a decent thing. Some folks even stick with them... never would have worked out in the long run for me...
Still have my V4L and fire it up occasionally, it's just too weak for consistent use for me.

If you scroll down towards the middle/bottom of the home page... you'll see forums for V4L, Bloog and other of our registered suppliers...

Read what their fans have to say... see where you fit in...

I have a bunch of mods now ;-)

I'd check out Puresmoker, cignot, vaperite and iVape as well...

 

[jjones14]

Just wanted to say welcome to ECF. I would recommend the Volt which is a two piece unit http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/e-cigarette-suppliers-forum/187974-official-smokelessimage-com-thread.html

Or a 510 which is a three piece unit. As others have stated those would be your best option.

Excellent Advice, also consider the Ego kits if you like the 3 piece design.

 

[swedishfish]

Yea, I'd recommend a 510 too. That way when you go bigger (which most people seem to do) parts are compatable.

 

[dormouse]

Most of the recommendations here are for Joye 510 or for KR808D-1 (standard manufacturer kit or Vapor4Life.com or Smokeless Image Volt)

I bet you will own both eventually. Pick one. I recommend manual batteries on either.

If you like the idea of prefilled cartomizers and a slightly hotter hit, pick KR808D-1

If you want a larger selection of blank cartomizer types as well as tank atomizers and tanks, chose Joye 510 (either length).

If you want a nice PCC that looks like a cigarette pack, chose the short 180mah Joye 510 and the PCC from NoSmokeVA.com

And no matter what you buy, buy eliquid


I recommend an extra charger for home and a charger for at work, and use a PCC when out.

I use 4-port 2amp USB to AC adapters at home and work (Rosewill RUC6181 at NewEgg.com) - I can attach assorted battery cables to those (up to 4 cables) to charge my batteries. Provides a nice steady supply and only uses one electrical socket.

 

[incantius]

+1 on V4L...they have the best customer service I've ever dealt with (and as a computer programmer/sys admin i've had to deal with waaaaaaaaaaaaay too many CS depts)

 

[Shannon65]

I have a 510 3 piece unit and although it works fine it can be messy and a pain in the rear end. I just ordered the new G6 from Halo because of the new technology it uses and it's different from all other kits on the market now. The packaging is not the same branded boxes you see on every other site, so it's kinda unique. It is KR808D-1 compatible and the kit is $54.99. You can check it out here: Halo G6 kit