Ok, it's time to just come out and say this... THERE IS A DIFFERENCE.
Each time a n00b comes in and asks about what type of e-cig they should look at to quit smoking cigarettes, we get one member in particular who copy/pastes the exact same thing ad nauseum:
Rule of Thumb from Seasoned Vapers: the more it looks like the real thing, the worse the performance and reliability.
Using prefilled carts provides the worst taste and costs the most. Blah, Blah, blah gets almost as many negative reviews as the Blu.
Most important point: if you want to avoid frustration and inconsistency, DO NOT get an auto switch device. Stick with the manual switch devices with the small button. They provide much better performance, consistency and reliability.
The best PV's made are the premiere devices which do not look like the real thing. But since appearance is more important to you than performance, I won't list those. The two manuals that are the closes in size to the real thing and still do a fairly good job, with some limitations, are the Joye 510 and the MANUAL (not auto) DSE901.
Now not to single him out, we see quite a number of other forum members relay a similar (albeit, less Hitler-like) message.
There are really a couple of different camps here.
1) Those who have smoked cigarettes for a long time and wish to quit. They look to this 'new technology' to aid them in their quest.
2) Someone simply looking for an alternative to cigarettes. No real intention to quit, they simply want something different, more flavorful, and POSSIBLY more socially acceptable.
3) Someone looking to a PV as a new lifestyle. This personality is likely going to go balls-to-the-wall and will want for more power, more vapor, and the latest cool gadget.
In many cases (as many of us have experienced) you can graduate from type 1 straight to type 3 as you come to enjoy vaping more over time. Maybe you only looked to vaping as a means to quit smoking, then became somehow enraptured in it, thus beginning a new obsession where you crave more and better over time.
TYPE 1:
Type 1 is that guy/gal who has tried other methods of cessation, and has either failed, or given up. They hear about e-cigs and the forum, and begin doing some preliminary research. They are used to the feeling of a cigarette in hand or in their mouth. They have formed habits around how they hold them, how they smoke them, and how they carry them (the pack and a lighter)... and have built a lifestyle around that.
For them it's not simply a matter of nicotine addiction, but also the oral fixation, the habit of holding something in their hand, but also smoking WHILE doing something else (typing at the computer, driving, golfing, etc). For them it is as much a physical addiction as it is a chemical dependency.
When they move to an e-cig they want something as close to a cigarette in look/feel/operation as possible because THAT'S what they need. They require a direct replacement not only in the nicotine but in every physical way as well.
At first they would rather NOT have to push a button to activate the e-cig. They would rather have a smaller unit to more closely mimic the feeling of a cigarette. They would rather buy carts instead of re-filling blanks or dripping. They would rather have a convenient PCC that is somewhat close in size to a real pack of smokes. They probably do not want a PV that looks like a vibrating bullet sex-toy, like the Unabombers first project, like a full sized dildo, like a flashlight, or a screwdriver. Not only are those rather alien to them, they can be off-putting because they WANT to use their new e-cig everywhere, which includes out with friends and family.
They want fast to go, pull it out, puff on it effortlessly, put it away ease of use. They aren't worried (yet) about the battery lasting 5 hours at a time. They buy a PCC and extra batts. They aren't looking for mountains of vapor (unless they were a 2 pack a day or more full flavored smoker), they just want the sensation, noticeable vapor, and flavor with their nicotine delivery.
Unlike the "seasoned vaper" who has been doing this a while and has achieved a certain expectation... they don't require a mountain of vapor yet. They aren't looking to choke themselves to death like the first time their ...... buddy handed them an unfiltered Camel at 15 and said "just puff on it like a regular cigarette, and inhale realllly deeply", they aren't expecting to have a battery that runs for 3 days between charges.
TYPE 2:
This guy/gal is more open to suggestion. He's gonna hit a cig when he feels the overwhelming urge, but would prefer something with a different flavor, and possibly not annoy others with a rancid aroma from the cig. He's not expecting a direct replacement for a cig, so he may venture into manual batts, modded units, or even a Jantystick right off the bat. He wants "the experience" of vaping, and will likely go far to experiment with all types to get "the best". He'll likely start with a 901 or 510, keep and love it but quickly advance to a JS or further very quickly.
TYPE 3:
This guy did his research. He wants balls to the wall vapor, huge battery life, and serious hardware. Sure, his first will probably be a 510, but that'll pacify him for a week or two TOPS. This is the guy who will read every post, watch every youtube video, stockpile nic-juice like it's water after the Armageddon and will very quickly get into the big boys. The Prodigy, GGT, Screwdriver, Super T and more.
He doesn't care about the labors of PV's, he enjoys the extra work. He loves mixing, cutting, and creating his own juices. He has so many chargers sticking out of each wall socket in his den that he has to keep a fire extinguisher within 3 feet of the outlet. He has a jerry-rigged USP tower that will charge 6 batts at once on his computer tower. He has more syringes and dropper bottles than the local pharmacy. It is a complete lifestyle for him at this point.
So why not recognize these characters when they come on board? Why tell a n00b who CLEARLY STATES that they are a type 1, who CLEARLY only wants to replace cigs.... why tell him that if it looks/feels like a real cig it is crap, and you'll never be half the man that I am unless you slam batteries into a screwdriver handle or vape off a car battery???? Try to understand that SOME of these people ARE type 1 and in the beginning may not want a bigger, heavier, or more complex PV than a L88b, Joye 306 or a Blu?
I was a type 1 who quickly advanced to Type 3. I wanted to replace a cigarette. My life for over 20 years circled around smoking. How much so I actually didn't know until I quit... my God did I lose a LOT of productive time smoking! Anyway... I digress.... I needed that smaller, more compact and easy to carry solution. I advanced to the 510, but searched out an auto battery starter kit. I did not want a button to fool with, I needed to replicate the mechanics of SMOKING... not try to pick up a NEW habit or hobby. Once I got myself into it with those, I bought a bunch of manual batts to get a little more vapor. Then I went into the Jantystick, M401, and so on. But you know what? About 70% of the time I'm going out for a few hours I reach for my Blu. Yup. The simple convenience of the PCC and the size of everything is a Godsend.
When I'm at home, the 510 is pretty much the constant. Soon to be replaced by the VAPRE-51 when it arrives. At home I have a selection of juices within reach at all times to top off, drip or refill. But I still buy filled carts for simple convenience for those times that I don't have time to prepare my day's cart selections. Hey guess what? There are a TON of great tasting pre-filled carts out there! {{{{{{ SHOCKER }}}}}}
I dunno, when I see a newcomer asking questions, and they clearly identify themselves as a Type 1... I just think it would make much more sense to help them with what they are asking for, and maybe mildly suggesting other options... but keep their actual desires in perspective when trying to help out.
Each time a n00b comes in and asks about what type of e-cig they should look at to quit smoking cigarettes, we get one member in particular who copy/pastes the exact same thing ad nauseum:
Rule of Thumb from Seasoned Vapers: the more it looks like the real thing, the worse the performance and reliability.
Using prefilled carts provides the worst taste and costs the most. Blah, Blah, blah gets almost as many negative reviews as the Blu.
Most important point: if you want to avoid frustration and inconsistency, DO NOT get an auto switch device. Stick with the manual switch devices with the small button. They provide much better performance, consistency and reliability.
The best PV's made are the premiere devices which do not look like the real thing. But since appearance is more important to you than performance, I won't list those. The two manuals that are the closes in size to the real thing and still do a fairly good job, with some limitations, are the Joye 510 and the MANUAL (not auto) DSE901.
Now not to single him out, we see quite a number of other forum members relay a similar (albeit, less Hitler-like) message.
There are really a couple of different camps here.
1) Those who have smoked cigarettes for a long time and wish to quit. They look to this 'new technology' to aid them in their quest.
2) Someone simply looking for an alternative to cigarettes. No real intention to quit, they simply want something different, more flavorful, and POSSIBLY more socially acceptable.
3) Someone looking to a PV as a new lifestyle. This personality is likely going to go balls-to-the-wall and will want for more power, more vapor, and the latest cool gadget.
In many cases (as many of us have experienced) you can graduate from type 1 straight to type 3 as you come to enjoy vaping more over time. Maybe you only looked to vaping as a means to quit smoking, then became somehow enraptured in it, thus beginning a new obsession where you crave more and better over time.
TYPE 1:
Type 1 is that guy/gal who has tried other methods of cessation, and has either failed, or given up. They hear about e-cigs and the forum, and begin doing some preliminary research. They are used to the feeling of a cigarette in hand or in their mouth. They have formed habits around how they hold them, how they smoke them, and how they carry them (the pack and a lighter)... and have built a lifestyle around that.
For them it's not simply a matter of nicotine addiction, but also the oral fixation, the habit of holding something in their hand, but also smoking WHILE doing something else (typing at the computer, driving, golfing, etc). For them it is as much a physical addiction as it is a chemical dependency.
When they move to an e-cig they want something as close to a cigarette in look/feel/operation as possible because THAT'S what they need. They require a direct replacement not only in the nicotine but in every physical way as well.
At first they would rather NOT have to push a button to activate the e-cig. They would rather have a smaller unit to more closely mimic the feeling of a cigarette. They would rather buy carts instead of re-filling blanks or dripping. They would rather have a convenient PCC that is somewhat close in size to a real pack of smokes. They probably do not want a PV that looks like a vibrating bullet sex-toy, like the Unabombers first project, like a full sized dildo, like a flashlight, or a screwdriver. Not only are those rather alien to them, they can be off-putting because they WANT to use their new e-cig everywhere, which includes out with friends and family.
They want fast to go, pull it out, puff on it effortlessly, put it away ease of use. They aren't worried (yet) about the battery lasting 5 hours at a time. They buy a PCC and extra batts. They aren't looking for mountains of vapor (unless they were a 2 pack a day or more full flavored smoker), they just want the sensation, noticeable vapor, and flavor with their nicotine delivery.
Unlike the "seasoned vaper" who has been doing this a while and has achieved a certain expectation... they don't require a mountain of vapor yet. They aren't looking to choke themselves to death like the first time their ...... buddy handed them an unfiltered Camel at 15 and said "just puff on it like a regular cigarette, and inhale realllly deeply", they aren't expecting to have a battery that runs for 3 days between charges.
TYPE 2:
This guy/gal is more open to suggestion. He's gonna hit a cig when he feels the overwhelming urge, but would prefer something with a different flavor, and possibly not annoy others with a rancid aroma from the cig. He's not expecting a direct replacement for a cig, so he may venture into manual batts, modded units, or even a Jantystick right off the bat. He wants "the experience" of vaping, and will likely go far to experiment with all types to get "the best". He'll likely start with a 901 or 510, keep and love it but quickly advance to a JS or further very quickly.
TYPE 3:
This guy did his research. He wants balls to the wall vapor, huge battery life, and serious hardware. Sure, his first will probably be a 510, but that'll pacify him for a week or two TOPS. This is the guy who will read every post, watch every youtube video, stockpile nic-juice like it's water after the Armageddon and will very quickly get into the big boys. The Prodigy, GGT, Screwdriver, Super T and more.
He doesn't care about the labors of PV's, he enjoys the extra work. He loves mixing, cutting, and creating his own juices. He has so many chargers sticking out of each wall socket in his den that he has to keep a fire extinguisher within 3 feet of the outlet. He has a jerry-rigged USP tower that will charge 6 batts at once on his computer tower. He has more syringes and dropper bottles than the local pharmacy. It is a complete lifestyle for him at this point.
So why not recognize these characters when they come on board? Why tell a n00b who CLEARLY STATES that they are a type 1, who CLEARLY only wants to replace cigs.... why tell him that if it looks/feels like a real cig it is crap, and you'll never be half the man that I am unless you slam batteries into a screwdriver handle or vape off a car battery???? Try to understand that SOME of these people ARE type 1 and in the beginning may not want a bigger, heavier, or more complex PV than a L88b, Joye 306 or a Blu?
I was a type 1 who quickly advanced to Type 3. I wanted to replace a cigarette. My life for over 20 years circled around smoking. How much so I actually didn't know until I quit... my God did I lose a LOT of productive time smoking! Anyway... I digress.... I needed that smaller, more compact and easy to carry solution. I advanced to the 510, but searched out an auto battery starter kit. I did not want a button to fool with, I needed to replicate the mechanics of SMOKING... not try to pick up a NEW habit or hobby. Once I got myself into it with those, I bought a bunch of manual batts to get a little more vapor. Then I went into the Jantystick, M401, and so on. But you know what? About 70% of the time I'm going out for a few hours I reach for my Blu. Yup. The simple convenience of the PCC and the size of everything is a Godsend.
When I'm at home, the 510 is pretty much the constant. Soon to be replaced by the VAPRE-51 when it arrives. At home I have a selection of juices within reach at all times to top off, drip or refill. But I still buy filled carts for simple convenience for those times that I don't have time to prepare my day's cart selections. Hey guess what? There are a TON of great tasting pre-filled carts out there! {{{{{{ SHOCKER }}}}}}
I dunno, when I see a newcomer asking questions, and they clearly identify themselves as a Type 1... I just think it would make much more sense to help them with what they are asking for, and maybe mildly suggesting other options... but keep their actual desires in perspective when trying to help out.
