sad noob (DISCLAIMER: this is just a 'vent' really)

[tj1100cl]

hi all,

i am bummed.

I think this is the 3rd Friday that's come along and I haven't been able to choose a PV for me. I have to make my first choice a good one, simply for $$ reasons. $50-$100 is a big investment to me. i'm willing to make it, but i can't buy something i will want to replace immediately.

i've been looking at the L88b, SS #7 micro, revolver elite, E8, M403, kr808-2, or -1, or the 510, or the....ugh.

i cannot find a place with all of the info to compare them. i can't even find a place that shows the size of all of them together. i saw one pic that had a few together, but not one of each model. it seems most of the websites don't want to identify what they sell. either the model number is left out, or the pics are too small to really tell what is what.

yes, i'm looking for a super mini. stuff i've read about super minis has been fairly negative, because of short battery life or leaking carts, or batts and atts that last two uses. but the stuff i've read is also 1-3 yrs old. have they been revised? what's the latest info?

i was hoping to have one ordered by now. i still don't, and i don't feel any closer to figuring out which is best for me. everyone here seems to be into the bigger units, the mods and pens, etc. i want one that's the same diameter as an analog or slimmer. essentially, something that will satisfy my hand's desire for a cigarette.

i will keep trying, keep reading. i need to try to watch some of these videos, but i can't get youtube vids to work here. (at work, i don't have internet at home)

if you read this far, hey thanx for e-listening. sorry to be a bummer. y'no, it's just friday evening and it would be nice to go home and have a smoke. i mean, a vape.

have a good weekend.
Tj

 

[bobrez]

Hiya, how many post does it take to get out of newbie forum?

 

[DocWyatt]

Keep this a bit simple. So let's narrow this down...

1. How many analogs do you currently smoke?

 

[DocWyatt]

Also forget the E8, E9, Blu, L88, and all similar "mall" type ecigs, in my view... waste of money.

 

[Vvenus]

So sorry you are having a hard time deciding. I had a really hard time as well. I truly recommend the eGo. I love mine and have no desire to vape on anything else. I hope you are happy with the one you choose.

 

[DocWyatt]

From what you want (and if a heavy smoker 1.5 packs plus - a mini is not the answer)......

1. 4081 This is the model that SmokeStik uses, for example
2. KR808 - Value4Life and others use this model. i have a KR, i don't like the taste, but many others do
3. M403: not that familiar with it, seems to be the model that some of the "brands" that try to mass market are going to.
4. 501: Very popular model

What you are going to quickly discover is that ecigs are about trade-offs. If you get a mini the battery life is going to be rather brutal. In addition, you likely will not get consistent hits. Why? Because most of your hits will be using a battery that is not at full power - because they drain so quickly.

If not a heavy smoker, then any of those will likely work ok but not sure about the M403. I am skeptical that it is good simply because of the use with the mass marketers...but not sure.

EDIT: For example, I have a 4081 - love the taste of it. Can it be effectively used as main PV for someone that smokes 1 plus packs a day? In my view, no.

 

[NCC]

First, the question in post #3 is highly relevant. That would be good information to have in order to help answer your question.

I'd recommend you think very seriously about trying to get a PV which closely resembles a cigarette. Every single person I know of who started down that path as either, A) quickly given up on vaping due to their PV's lack of performance, or B) gone on to buy a more substantial unit before they succeeded.

Form follows function: The tiny battery required to LOOK like a cigarette simply cannot pack enough power to do the job properly. As for myself, I've never had any desire for my PV to resemble a cigarette, and I smoked for 35 years. The less like a cancer stick it looks, the more I like its appearance.

 

[cskent]

I'd watch http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/new-members-forum/120044-i-made-videos-newbies-particular-broke-newbies.html when you can. Personally I'd recommend the KR808 or the 510. Both are similar in size to a 100 analog. The KR808 uses a battery and a cartomizer and is a 2 piece. The 510 is a 3 piece with a battery, atomizer and cartridges. Cartomizers hold more liquid so you can vape longer between fills. Cartomizers are also available for the 510's though so you can make it a 2 piece if you want. It gives a little more flexibility. A lot of people swear by both and they're both good solid performers so you can't go wrong with either. The problem is that battery life is kind of short, that's why people go for larger units. An eGo with a couple of Mega cartomizers will last all day. But if you want the feel of an analog and want a good unit that will last stick with the KR808 or 510. That's my opinion.

Edit: If you're at a computer a lot a cheap alternative is a passthrough. For about $12, $8 for a five pack of cartomizers, a bottle or 2 of juice, and shipping you can try out either a 510 or a KR808. ~$30 total.

 

[Maeve]

Still new to this as well. I'm sorry you've had such a hard time deciding. There is a lot of info out there and it can quickly become overwhelming.

I initially thought I wanted an e-cig that closely matched the size of a cig but I read through a couple of "in hindsight..." threads that expressed the same feelings that were quickly gotten over once they started vaping. After further reading I decided on an ego despite the size. I was excited to vape but a little concerned that I wouldn't like the size but I trusted those who had been there and it paid off. I got my ego on Monday and I couldn't be happier about it. The fact that it doesn't look like a cig or that I have to push a button (I opted for manual) just doesn't matter. The only time it doesn't replace analogs in first smoke in the morning, and I think that's a matter of nic strength so I have some 24mg coming to see if that helps.

I hope you can find what you are looking for

 

[gramakittycat]

Hi and welcome;if you go to e-Savuke.com you will find the comparision you seek.As for the "mini cigs" don't waste you time .If you are'nt picky about it looking like a "real cigarette" I have found the box mods to be an overall better value than any of the comercial mods.Cheap in price,batteries are not expensive and rechargable too.I have also found them to be almost indestructable.PM me if you need help finding them and again welcome to ECF!

 

[FireHorse]

I bought a mini last month and I can tell you from my experience, they aren't worth the money! The battery life only lasts for 2 hours at the most and can take upwards of 4 hours to recharge. They're an automatic battery and you have to be careful with autos because the juice can drain into the battery which will kill the battery.

I bought an eGo this month and I'm much happier with that over the mini. The eGo battery will last at least 6 hours before needing to be recharged and on a fast USB charger, the charge time is 2 hours max.

So many people who are new to vaping want a model that looks just like a real cigarette (which most are minis or super minis). They quickly find out they aren't great as far as performance goes. Since you're on a tight budget, I highly suggest forgetting about all the models that look like a cigarette and look for something with a bigger battery. Don't be afraid of the bigger battery either. I know it sounds like you'll be carrying something massive but the bigger battery models really aren't that big. On average, they're about the size of a large sharpie marker.

The Riva, eGo, Tornado are all the same type of model just different names if that helps any.

 

[Xanax]

I recommend the Joye eGo. Or (same thing better price made by a different company--->) the Hello-016, the RIVA or the Tornado. This is a great, easy to use e-cig for beginners (and vets too I suppose) that has great battery life and also utilizes the 510 atomizer (the best IMO) and on top of that- most vendors sell these kits rather cheap, leaving you more money to buy some much needed juice and spare parts. Also don't let pictures of size fool you. These are actually pretty damn small units if you ask me. Pictures make them look larger than they really are.

 

[guitardedmark]

WOW you sound just like me about a month ago! Your needs seem pretty similar to mine. I got SOOOOOOOOOOOO frustrated with people telling me to get an ego when i wanted something that felt like cigarette. I hear ya man! Heres what I bought and I've been incredibly satisfied. My girlfriend even got the same thing after she was so impressed with it. As long as you get 2 batteries and a pcc and a wall charger you should be good with battery life. I NEVER run out but I do have 3 batteries. I vape A LOT. Usually like 3 hours constant when I get home from work. I use BOGE LR cartomizers and after testing every 510 carto out there I find these are my favorite. I'm hoping the 3.0 Ω c-E2 revision 4 that will be coming in a few days are as good as people say but the 2.5 Ω were horrible IMO (bad taste). I'd say go for the 510. You'll have tons of options with hardware and they are small and "cig like". Just be patient and dont give up before the party begins Good luck!

 

[erinprime]

I just wanted to let you know that the Revolver Elite is not a popular model on the forums so it is hard to find reviews (most branded products are not popular and super minis are especially not popular) but I have had mine for just about 3 months now and I can honestly say that I love it. I am still using the first atty that came with my kit (I have never had to clean it even), and the batteries are as good today as the day everything shipped. My carts have never leaked and I never have to worry about battery life because the PCC keeps another one ready to go at all times. It has the only PCC around that I can find that holds a charging battery AND a complete assembled ecig at the same time. And it is one of the few smart PCCs that will not continue to drain after the ecig battery is fully charged. I also wanted to say that Revolver has top notch customer service.

I do not work for Revolver, and I am not part of their affiliate program or anything. I am just pretty sick of everyone on the forums trying to convince new people that they really don't want a super mini. I have tried a DSE901, 510, Ego, and Ion... and I still just use my Elite.

 

[guitardedmark]

LOL I'm even getting a little frustrated reading the posts to your question I had the EXACT same experience and I'm very glad I got the 510 and not the eGo.

For all the generous people trying to help the noob along, keep in mind everyone's needs/wants are different. This is by far the best online community I have ever been a part of, but this roadblock that TJ is experiencing was pretty fierce and the "get an eGo" response just about drove me nuts. I almost gave up! Granted it is helpful to advise of your experience but just telling someone to buy an eGo is more frustrating than anything else. For the record, the eGo is amazing and i love it (just not what I want for a main vape)

 

[DocWyatt]

However, it may be a mistake to discount the importance of something that mimics an analog for some people to start out. This is going to likely boil down to current analog usage.... Light smoker a mini is fine, 1 plus pack a day, it is not effective.

There is nothing wrong with getting, let's say, a 4081 and then an EGo later. I still like the 4081 and puff on it all the time BUT it is NOT powerful enough for a heavy smoker. It won't work. I have already burned out one battery on it yesterday - after 1 month - and it isn't even my main PV...

 

[Rosa]

...i can't buy something i will want to replace immediately.

i've been looking at the L88b, SS #7 micro, revolver elite, E8, M403, kr808-2, or -1, or the 510, or the....ugh.

...stuff i've read about super minis has been fairly negative, because of short battery life or leaking carts, or batts and atts that last two uses. but the stuff i've read is also 1-3 yrs old. have they been revised? what's the latest info?

...essentially, something that will satisfy my hand's desire for a cigarette.

I'm not surprised that you are still looking. What you want does not exist.

*If you buy a super-mini I PROMISE you will be disappointed (unless you smoke less than half a pack a day). I promise it.

*If you buy a super-mini you will want to replace it immediately. (unless you smoke less than half a pack a day)

*The negative reviews of super-mini's are still valid, nothing has changed there. The technology hasn't advanced in that way yet.

*If you want to satisfy your hand, get a super-mini. If you want to hold it and pretend it's a cigarette, get a super-mini. If you want it to work to make you switch to vaping, don't get a super-mini (unless you smoke less than 10 cigarettes a day)

(here's where you respond to me and say that you really feel like having it the same size and appearance as a cigarette will help to trick your brain into thinking you are smoking and you really think that will help it to work for you)


my response:
*the size and shape won't make it work to keep you from smoking, trust me. The function of the e-cig is what's going to make it work.

If you still don't believe me then order this one (discount code "ecigforum"): RN4081 Super Mini e-Cigarette Starter Kit - $28.99 : Zen Cart!, The Art of E-commerce

 

[erinprime]

However, it may be a mistake to discount the importance of something that mimics an analog for some people to start out. This is going to likely boil down to current analog usage.... Light smoker a mini is fine, 1 plus pack a day, it is not effective.

But why? I am not sure how you can just make a blanket statement like this. With a good PCC battery life is not really an issue. No matter how much I chain vape, a battery charges faster in the PCC than it takes to burn through your current one. The biggest issue I can think of is cart size. Refilling a cart takes me literally like 10 sec. Certainly less time than it took to repack a new pack of smokes or find where the hell my lighter ran off to.

Just because bigger batteries are more popular, and yes many posters that start off with smaller batteries move on to bigger batteries... it still does not mean you can make a conclusive statement that smaller batteries are " not effective". I did smoke a pack a day. I do vape all day long. My husband has many other ecig models lying around that I could use anytime... I still love my supermini.

 

[kellogg]

I have the KR808d-1 and I have been really pleased. I admit I use the passthrough the most, but the battery and cartomizer alone works great.

The biggest challenge I had was finding the right juice.

 

[DocWyatt]

But why? I am not sure how you can just make a blanket statement like this. With a good PCC battery life is not really an issue. No matter how much I chain vape, a battery charges faster in the PCC than it takes to burn through your current one. The biggest issue I can think of is cart size. Refilling a cart takes me literally like 10 sec. Certainly less time than it took to repack a new pack of smokes or find where the hell my lighter ran off to.

Just because bigger batteries are more popular, and yes many posters that start off with smaller batteries move on to bigger batteries... it still does not mean you can make a conclusive statement that smaller batteries are " not effective". I did smoke a pack a day. I do vape all day long. My husband has many other ecig models lying around that I could use anytime... I still love my supermini.

Because...

1. The amount of vapor and the strength of the hits will not be sufficient to satisfy a heavy smoker - like me.
2. The quality of hits from a super-mini rapidly decline because you are only puffing at full strength for a very short period of time.
3. The atomizers have too much drain on that size of a battery for it to last long.

Therefore, it is "possible" that a mini "might" work for a heavy smoker - BUT you better buy 2 starter kits and have 2 batteries charging at ALL times. Even then, I am a bit skeptical. or as the above poster just mentioned use of a passthrough.

Again, if smoke less than a pack a day, this is likely not a big issue.