Scared to take the ego plung!

[BeMe]

I started using a cigalike 8 days ago, haven't touched a real cig since. Some hits off my ecig have flavor, some don't. It's hit and miss. it might taste great for 2 puffs then crappy for 3 puffs then back to great again. I keep reading that I'll get better vapor and flavor if I switch from a cigalike to something like an ego. The more I read the more I think I should try it, but also the more I get scared about the learning curve. soooo many technical terms that I don't understand. With my cigalike I just drip some juice into the cartomizer and go. no cleaning, no mechanical knowledge etc.... I can even toss it into my purse. hahaha.

So any advice would be great. clearomizer? brands? help!

 

[Baditude]

It won't get any easier than this. Brand names to look for and all the essential gear you need. One vendor for one stop shopping.



WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO PURCHASE

2 Batteries, 1 Charger, and a USB/Wall Adaptor


Vision eGo Spinner (easier to read settings, easier to use voltage dial) or Joyetech eGo Twist variable voltage batteries.


Appropriate charger and possibly a USB/wall unit to provide the option to charge away from a computer port.

Juice Delivery Devices:


A (5) pack of single coil cartomizers at 2.5-3.0 ohm resistance. You'll also need at least one drip tip (mouth piece) to put on the end of these.



A couple of clearomizers (Vision or Kanger T3) to try.




A Vision Mini Vivi Nova tank to try.

*All the above can be found at Altsmoke. http://altsmoke.com/

* Disclaimer: I provide the vendor's link only as a suggested retailer. A potential buyer can choose who and where to purchase their items wherever they wish. I have no affiliation with the suggested vendor, however they are a popular and reputable e-cig business used by many ECF members.

________________________________

I created a small Picture-Dictionary of the more common juice delivery devices. To gain knowledge of how these devices look and differ from one another click on the link below:

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/cartomizers/343294-proper-terminology-carto-tank-what-lol.html#post7562212

 

[darkhood]

If the cig-a-like's working well for you I wouldn't worry about it...use what works. http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/general-e-smoking-discussion/378914-suggestions-newbies.html

 

[CarpePM]

I just started vaping a month ago. Started with a 901t (a "cigalike"). Just upgraded to a Vision Spinner (same thing as eGo Twist) with a CE5 clearomizer. I cannot believe the difference in flavor and vapor production! SO much better. I'll keep using the 901 setup because I like it but, the new rig is my main vaping unit now. I'm waiting for a dripping setup in the mail. I hear dripping offers even better flavor! I got my Vision Spinner (and a Vivi Nova Mini which also works VERY well) from Ecigcharleston.com (very responsive customer service) and my CE5 clearomizers from a local shop Uniquecigs.com.

 

[Chimney34]

Hi there! I actually started with egos because I thought they were the simplest to begin with & also because they also seemed to have a proven track record. I ordered my starter kit fom highdesertvapes.com because they had great prices and were very helpful in asking my question both over the phone & via email. I got their ego kit with ce4 clearomizers. Different people like different things so its kind of a trial & error process to figure out if you like tanks, clearos or cartos better. They also offer viva novas on their site which I've also tried out. They also have great juice so it made it pretty convient for mt first order. You can also use cartos on a ego so if you are more comfortable with that just order some of those as well. Since it comes with clearos you can try those out & see how you like them & then decide what to get from there. It's not as complicated as it may seem though it may seem that way at first. As long as you've got the things I've just mentioned then you should be fine! Theres ton of info on here sometimes it justs gets hard to get through it all. Good luck!

PS...most of us have asked some of the questions you have...sometimes I just searched on here for things like...how to clean a clearo or what is...that really helped me when I first got started.

 

[BeMe]

Thanks a bunch. So why would you clean a clearo and how long does a clearo last?

 

[Baditude]

The more I read the more I think I should try it, but also the more I get scared about the learning curve. soooo many technical terms that I don't understand.

Don't be afraid. Below are demo videos on the clearos and vivi nova. Easy peasy.

How to fill a clearomizer:
How to Fill a Vision eGo Clearomizer (aka CE4+ or Stardust Clearomizer) - YouTube

How to fill a vivi nova tank:
HOW TO FILL YOUR VIVI NOVA TANK - YouTube

A clearo can last 2-6 weeks. Sometimes the darker or sweeter juices will clog up the string wicks so that they don't wick to the heating coil as efficiently. Just rinse and air dry.

A vivi nova, same thing. The center atomizer heads can be replaced if you so wish.

Eventually the small heating coils in both will die out.

 

[BeMe]

Don't be afraid. Below are demo videos on the clearos and vivi nova. Easy peasy.

How to fill a clearomizer:
How to Fill a Vision eGo Clearomizer (aka CE4+ or Stardust Clearomizer) - YouTube

How to fill a vivi nova tank:
HOW TO FILL YOUR VIVI NOVA TANK - YouTube

A clearo can last 2-6 weeks. Sometimes the darker or sweeter juices will clog up the string wicks so that they don't wick to the heating coil as efficiently. Just rinse and air dry.

A vivi nova, same thing. The center atomizer heads can be replaced if you so wish.

Eventually the small heating coils in both will die out.

That sounds really expensive. At 4 dollars a pop if it only lasts 2 weeks. How will you know when it needs a new one? will it just start tasting bad, or not working. Sorry for all the questions.

 

[Baditude]

I always equate costs of vaping gear to the cigarette habit. How much did you spend a day / week / month on cigarettes? Is $4.00 for 2 week (usually much longer) really that expensive?

Yes, taste will be off or minimal vapor production, or just not working any more.

 

[Kabamm]

At four dollars a pop, it's cheaper than cigarettes.

 

[BeMe]

Good point about the price being cheaper than smoking

 

[Baditude]

How much were you spending on cartomizers?

I'm NOT telling you how to spend your money. I'm not really trying to influence you to advance to a better setup. If you are happy with what you have now, don't sweat it. There are still people vaping for months that are content with their cigalikes. But the fact that you might be seeking a better vaping experience leads me to believe you are ready to take the leap into a better system. with much longer battery life and more options in juice carrying devices. The convenience of going half a day or longer without changing to another battery or juice device is great.

 

[BeMe]

Like I said in my first post, I'm not really happy with what I have as one puff will be good and the next one not good, but then the next few are fine again. I'm on day 8 so I'm still using the same refillable cart that came in my kit and the juice I ordered. Although I have an allergy so I went through a bit of juice trying to figure out what I was allergic to. Right this second I'm vaping crappy prefilled ones from the convenient store to hold me over until my juice order shows up.

 

[Baditude]

Refillable carts are really expensive. Learn to fill blank carts from bottles of juice. The flavors from custom made juice vendors are MUCH better than the limited flavors available in the pre-filled carts.

 

[The*Mist]

About three weeks into vaping here, but thought I would share since I just got my ego set up a couple days ago...

I too started with a cig-a-like and was lurking here gathering information. About two weeks in and not touching an analog something that I thought was horrible at the time happened...I broke the charger for my cheap-o cig-a-like (Luckily I could borrow my buddy's charger at work till my Ego order came in).

It was actually a blessing in disguise though, since I knew that vaping got me off analogs I thought of it like this...I smoked 4 packs a week at about 9 bucks a pack=$36, you can get a pretty nice set up for $36. Its funny when you really start quantifying your old budget on smokes...lol.

So that what I did, the ego kits are just as easy as the cig-a-likes to use and if there is anything you don't know how to do ECF and Youtube can teach you how to.

That being said, my first hit off and ego system 2 days ago affirmed that it was COMPLETELY worth it. I won't go crazy and say 100x better, but can safely say take what you're using right now and multiply it by at least 5. The vapor is more flavorful, warmer, and every hit is consistent. So listen to Baditude!...especially about the 2 batteries so if one goes down you can still keep chugging till you can replace it.

Hope that helps!

 

[Baditude]

Do you have a sensitivity to PG ? There are juice vendors that specialize in 100% vg.

 

[BeMe]

Refillable carts are really expensive. Learn to fill blank carts from bottles of juice. The flavors from custom made juice vendors are MUCH better than the limited flavors available in the pre-filled carts.

I was refilling but was allergic to the vg. took me 3 days to figure out if it was pg or vg I couldn't have. I have some pg only stuff coming tuesday in the mail but until then I have to suffer with prefilled as the juice I have has vg in it.

 

[crxess]

You might consider DiscountVapors also. Good pricing reasonable shipping and good customer support.

 

[Baditude]

The following two juice vendors specialize in all-natural, all-organic flavoring. They also use 100% vg unless you specify differently. They offer sampler packs to trial their flavors inexpensively with the anticipation that you will find a couple of winners, and that you will return to purchase a larger bottle from them. This is a very wise way to pick new flavors (sampler packs).

Organically Flavored E-liquid | Virgin Vapor | Electronic Cigarette Organic e-Liquid | Electronic Cigarettes

Vaperite | Organic and Natural Flavored Electronic Cigarette E Juice

no samplers yet, but same all-natural, all-organic, and 100% vg juice:
Natural & Organic E-liquids - Home page Dripeez

75% of my e-juices come from the above juice makers. Highly recommend all three.

 

[Baditude]

I was refilling but was allergic to the vg. took me 3 days to figure out if it was pg or vg I couldn't have. I have some pg only stuff coming tuesday in the mail but until then I have to suffer with prefilled as the juice I have has vg in it.

That is relatively rare. It is usually the Pg that people have issues with. Actually, the three vendors I linked to will custom make their juices with all Pg.

EDIT: I was incorrect about the vendors above making all Pg. The most that they will do is a 70pg/30vg or 50/50.