same questions, different newbie

[cags]

hi

another newbie here. I've been reading the site for about a month. long enough to get totally confused! I may have read too much . so even though I have been reading the forums I need help -

recently I followed some advice on the forum and bought a 510 disposable e cig (menthol 18 mg cart). I'm so happy I did, it was a GREAT way to get an idea of how it works without spending a boatload of money. and I noticed that the days I used it I "only" smoked 1 pack of cigs (normally smoke 2 pk day). I like it fine which makes me think I'll really like the regular 510

so, I'm looking at the 510, the disposable one I have feels right when I hold it. I have noticed I tend to just hold my analogs a lot...just burning away my $$! so I want an ecig to feel comfortable to my hand. I am under the impression that the 510 is versatile - I can buy the standard starter kit - and I can add to it... I can try carts and cartos - I can try a bigger battery. and i understand the 510 battery lasts about 2 hours? am I right?

I have learned here I really should refill the carts/cartos rather than get prefilled but I admit that I am scared of refilling the carts and of cleaning. I've watched videos, and am still scared I do better if someone is standing next to me holding my hand <g> so, once again, advice on which model to buy and about how much liquid for a month or maybe even more - let's assume I'll be a heavy vaporer. I want to order a good supply the first order - I want to try to avoid ordering anything more for at least a month.

this forum has the nicest people on it!

thanks so much.

 

[bruiser]

The 510 and the KR808 seem to be what are most recommended for folks who want a cig size. As for the juice, I would buy some sample sizes, so you'll know the ones you like and the ones you don't. It seems most use about 3ml per day, but since you think you might use more, I'd guess you might use 5. That would be about 150ml per month. I'd buy about 50 in sample sizes for the reasons I listed earlier.

 

[swedishfish]

The first one I tried was a disposable too! That's when I knew I could do this!

I'm pretty new myself and can't tell you the best one, just the one's I have tried.

Me, personally I have a Joye ego. I got it at Liberty Flights. I use the cartomizers. I'm really happy with it. The batteries last a long time, I've never timed it but probably 1/2 the day. I top off the cartomizer with juice throughout the day. I was a very heavy smoker and I haven't smoked since. Cost approx $60 for the ego, 2 boxes of cartomizers, pass-thru battery. Another $20 in juice to start.

Electronic Cigarette - Starter Kits - Joye eGo

My mother (60 year smoker) started with a Smoke Tip (kr808)
Electronic Cigarette | Affordable, Only $59 | 100% FREE Shipping!

She likes it. For me, really hard drag and even with higher mg nicotine didn't cut it for me. Batteries don't last as long. I got her prefilled carts. This is automatic.

I also got her a Riva (same as my ego). She says there's too much TH even with lower nicotine. It's just not her cup of tea I guess. Manual battery which she doesn't like either.

They had a sale and I got her a Kit from Vapor 4 Life- (kr808). She really likes this. She likes the way it looks and it has a better TH than the Smoke Tip, and batteries last longer. You can use their pre-filled cartridges or fill your own. Got this when they had a 30% off sale.

Vapor4Life- Electronic Cigarette: Vapor King Ultimate XL Starter Kit

All 4 are good, just different.

Want to add that with the V4L kit you get 4 batteries - two regular and two pass-thru's. Ones an automatic and one manual.

 

[cskent]

Hi and welcome to ECF. If you like the size of the disposable 510 either a Joye 510 or KR808 will feel close. But, since you're a heavy smoker I would suggest something with a larger battery. You'll quickly tire of constantly charging batteries otherwise. If you do decide to go with the small form factor at least get yourself a spare battery or two and consider a PCC so you'll have enough charged batteries at all times.

As far as filling, it's really easy so don't worry about it too much, you'll get the hang of it quickly.

As to how much juice to buy for a month of vaping, average is around 3ml/day so you'd want about 100ml or more to start. But I wouldn't suggest doing that. The better route is to get a bunch of sample sizes or 10ml at most in different flavors and strengths to find out what you like and what works for you. Then you can consider purchasing larger amounts of the juice you like in the strength that suits you. If you order a bunch of juice that you can't use for one reason or another you'll be stuck with large quantities that will go unused.

 

[Rosa]

Hi and welcome to ECF. If you like the size of the disposable 510 either a Joye 510 or KR808 will feel close. But, since you're a heavy smoker I would suggest something with a larger battery. You'll quickly tire of constantly charging batteries otherwise. If you do decide to go with the small form factor at least get yourself a spare battery or two and consider a PCC so you'll have enough charged batteries at all times.

As far as filling, it's really easy so don't worry about it too much, you'll get the hang of it quickly.

As to how much juice to buy for a month of vaping, average is around 3ml/day so you'd want about 100ml or more to start. But I wouldn't suggest doing that. The better route is to get a bunch of sample sizes or 10ml at most in different flavors and strengths to find out what you like and what works for you. Then you can consider purchasing larger amounts of the juice you like in the strength that suits you. If you order a bunch of juice that you can't use for one reason or another you'll be stuck with large quantities that will go unused.

I'll second that. Plus, my experience was that the longer I owned my 510, the less time it took before I needed to recharge... really became a hassle. One of the things that I love about vaping is that the constant planning that I had to do when I smoked is greatly reduced;

remember this:

do I have a lighter?
do I have a backup lighter?
how many are in my pack?
do I have a spare pack?
how much time do I have to smoke?
will I have time to smoke before the event?
will I be able to smoke when I get there?
can I smoke after?
can I smoke inside when I get there?
etc...etc...etc....

well, with vaping much of that stress is gone.. you can vape here, there, everywhere, now, later, whenever... the last thing I needed was to start out by worrying about my batteries (is it charged? when did I charge this one? do I have a spare? will I need two spares? is there an outlet where I'm going? will they let me use an outlet at the restaurant? etc...etc...etc..)

My (longwinded) explanation comes down to this: if you smoke more than 1/2 a pack a day, you'll probably want a larger battery than the 510 or kr808d-1 can offer.

That's my $0.02

Good Luck, whatever you choose!

 

[dormouse]

Hi and welcome!

I have a 510 with a short manual battery and a long (mega) manual battery. Depending on how often and hard you vape, the standard 510 battery will last 1.5-3 hours? The mega should last 2.5-5? You can get a PCC for either (different size PCC for each size) and charge one battery while you use the other (but you would need to have both batteries the same length and the matching size PCC. The long battery makes the 510 about 135mm+ in length, 125mm if you use a cartomizer on the battery instead of atomizer and cart. Still significantly longer than the standard and not as well balanced in the hand.

I believe your disposable's parts are only supposed to be used with the disposable. it may be a different voltage or charger.

I had to start filling carts right away - prefilled carts don't last long. The juice sold by multi-brand hardware vendors is often just the Chinese 100% PG stuff - worth it to buy some to hold you while you order juices elsewhere. I like 70pg/30vg juices when that option is offered, else whatever PG/VG is offered. For tobacco juices I like having more PG in the juice to get good TH.

Cartomizers - take a bit longer to fill but then are vapable a lot longer than a cart. Many cartos only hold 2x what a cart holds but it works consistently more than 2x longer. Carts often need topping off to keep the top moist. With a carto I find just tipping the mouth end down for a few seconds is enough to get the internal atty moist. When that doesn't help then it's time to top it off. But in general, you have to fiddle with carts much more often.
I am using these soft-cap cartos with my 510 (good vendor for hardware w/ cheap shipping)
http://www.litecigusa.net/510_Blank_Cartomizers_p/510bogesoftcartosb.htm
And here are some prefilled ones I haven't tried (they were out of my approx strength in the flavor that interested me). I don't know if they are soft-caps (you could ask them)
http://www.liquidxpress.com/Xpress-510-Cartomizers-c9/

For many standard stuffing-type cartos you can also force juice in quickly using the carto condom (many ship with these soft clear caps over the ends). And there are also reservoir-type cartos with no stuffing that should be filled with a special syringe (Clearomizers, Fluxomizers, Ce2 cartos)

I recommend manual batteries. You may have an auto (no button) battery on the disposable. Manual 510 batteries are totally sealed on the threaded end so juice can't get in there and kill it or ruin the drag sensor switch like it can with autos. Also manuals are less work and more consistent drags. In addition, manuals can't be set off accidentally by wind or vibration.

 

[fcitrolo]

I started with the 510 and couldn't take the recharging of the batteries twice a day.

Within 3 days I purchased the ego my battery lasts almost the whole day and don't have to worry about it running out.

If you're smoking two packs a day, my advice is to go with the ego you will be happier with it.

 

[cags]

thanks for the help. so I will look more closely at the ego. but I'm gonna order this week, spinning head or not. do you guys think it's easy to get used to it being big? I don't care if it looks like a cig, but I'm thinking I want it to feel like one in my hand (at least at first). I do plan on a manual, although wondering if an auto would be easier when driving....and I did plan to buy sample bottles of juice - currently I am happy with the menthol that came with the disposable. I have found in life sometimes it is easier to not have so many choices. DH isn't too tolerant of mistakes so I have a hard time making decisions <g>

 

[markfm]

Manual is not hard, though for a new person, if there is not another vaper near them, I still think an auto 808 xl or mega, with prefilled cartos, makes a great starter.

I use big batteries, but in my car I often use an automatic passthrough with cig lighter power adapter. Really nice for long drives

 

[simayi]

I also started with cig-sized 510. After a few days of annoying battery shuffling, I bought a Riva kit (eGo knock-off) from Liberty-Flights and I'm much happier now. I got used to the size difference pretty easily and with the 20% off at Liberty, it wasn't too hard on the wallet either

 

[Dirgon]

I started with a cig sized envy bliss a year ago, and it was.... bad. I thought I wanted something completely analogue to cigarettes, size, weight, etc, but quickly found that I really just don't care about that at all.

I also bought another "big name" brand, Red Dragon, and it's battery life was terrible as well. I got about an hour out of each battery, which meant I need upwards of 8 batteries if I was going to be away from a charger all day.

I bought an eGo, and while it's a bit heavy, I adjusted pretty quick. I like the whole hand to mouth movement, and holding it in my hand, and I adjusted quick. I adjusted so fast I'm doing it left handed... I was never able to smoke left handed, lol. The only downside is I can't just leave it hanging out of my mouth (well... I can, but I'm biting on it)

I was a 1/2 to 1 PAD smoker, and I'm currently vaping more than that, I think, just to calm me down (2 days without a cig so far!) so I'm burning up a battery a day on my eGo. The charger seems to take ~ 8 hours to go green though, I think I might have a problem with it. I think my "manual" said 1 hour charge time after initial 8 hour charging.

I got manual batteries because I fill my own juice, and I've read that it's harder to ruin your battery with leakages if it's manual; not confirmed, but take it for what it is. You'll probably spill a lot until you get the hang of it.

That, and button pushing gives me a click sound, reminiscent of a lighter. I kinda like it. =\

 

[cags]

Manual is not hard, though for a new person, if there is not another vaper near them, I still think an auto 808 xl or mega, with prefilled cartos, makes a great starter.

I have seen some messages from people in my area, but I don't have enough posts yet to contact them through the location specific threads. this forum and my disposable has me excited so when I finally order I will be stalking my mailman too LOL

 

[cskent]

The eGo looks larger in the pictures than it really is. The eGo or Riva are the only two larger battery production units that are reasonably price that I know of. One eGo 900 mah battery lasted me for 12 to 14 hours on a charge. When I was using regualr 510's I was going through around 5 in that amount of time. Manuals are different, but you quickly get used to it. They also give you more control on the hit so it's worth it just for that in my opinion.

 

[tigerlily]

I splurged with my first "post-noobie" purchase. I ordered both the 510 and the eGo kits. The combined cost was only about the price of 2 weeks worth of analogs for me, and since the parts were interchangeable I figured why not. I really thought I would just use the 510's when I was out and about and use the eGo at home where no one would see me. What has happened instead is I almost always used the eGo.

 

[swedishfish]

thanks for the help. so I will look more closely at the ego. but I'm gonna order this week, spinning head or not. do you guys think it's easy to get used to it being big? I don't care if it looks like a cig, but I'm thinking I want it to feel like one in my hand (at least at first). I do plan on a manual, although wondering if an auto would be easier when driving....and I did plan to buy sample bottles of juice - currently I am happy with the menthol that came with the disposable. I have found in life sometimes it is easier to not have so many choices. DH isn't too tolerant of mistakes so I have a hard time making decisions <g>

It's not big, it's just not shaped like a cigarette and you don't hold it like a cigarette. You sort of hold it between your thumb and index finger to access the button. At least I do.

I love the ego, my mother hated it.

Order both- a kr808 and an ego. Tell your husband to suck an egg!

Just kidding, it took me months to decide which one to purchase. It literally gave me headaches reading the board.

 

[swedishfish]

I splurged with my first "post-noobie" purchase. I ordered both the 510 and the eGo kits. The combined cost was only about the price of 2 weeks worth of analogs for me, and since the parts were interchangeable I figured why not. I really thought I would just use the 510's when I was out and about and use the eGo at home where no one would see me. What has happened instead is I almost always used the eGo.

We think alike!!

I am so tempted to order the bedazzled V4L. Sorta fancy looking with the diamond!

 

[cags]

well, I have decided to order some sample e-liquids while I decide which model or models to get! that should be an easy choice and I will force myself to make a decision on a model by tuesday AM<g> but it looks like an ego....or the clone riva to start. I welcome all comments meanwhile. this forum is taking over my life lately - but I learn so much - well that and confuse myself more!

 

[cskent]

This forum can be as addictive as nicotine if you let it. In the meantime, enjoy the conversation and interactions with others that share your interest. As far as the eGo or Riva, they each have devoted followings. Both are good units, and you won't go wrong with either.

 

[Renro]

I found this to be very helpful with making my decision. It's funny but i was in the same place this weekend as you are now and was determined to just bite the bullet and make the purchase- I did and am happily looking forward to tomorrow's mail

I found that just making the purchase alleviated a whole lot of noobie stress. I am on a strict budget (which I have already blown with purchasing e-juices) but still, even if I don't end up liking what I bought, it's an affordable mistake.

Anyway, I hope this helps, it sure helped me. The members who answered are all super knowledgeable, kind and generous with their information. They were even open to private messages to clarify things and offer support.

Best of luck and welcome to the forum. Switching to Vaping may be the best thing I have ever done for myself and I hope your experience will be the same.
Ask a Vet

 

[cags]

ugh....ya'll are going to smack me! and I need it! here it is tuesday and I still feel crippled! I started reading about the kr808D-1. about how simple it is. let me ask this.... the joye 510. can I use carts OR cartos on it? I kinda want to try both to see which I like better. I believe there is a longer (and longer lasting) battery for it? so sorry to be such a PIA! and thanks!!