So much conflicting information!

[DanFromRioRancho]

I'm considering giving vaping a try and have spent quite a bit of time going through the multitude of ads, manufacturers websites, and this forum before making the initial investment. Sheesh! The quanta of information, conflicts within the information, and sometimes outright BS is overwhelming (Prefilled carts from manufacturer x are equal to a pack and a half of analogs? Really? Didn't think so......).

So, first a hard core newb question on one of the basic components of ongoing daily cost (as opposed to start-up, maintenance, spares....); what is the real usage of vaping compared to smoking analogs?

It seems to be generally accepted that 2.5ml of liquid = 1 pack of analogs. If so, then 1ml prefilled carts at $10/5-pack would be the equivalent of $5/pack analogs and liquid at $20/30ml bottle would be the equivalent of <$2/pack analogs (all based on thin tobacco flavored versus thicker dessert flavored).

But those cost figures are based on a 1 PAD smoker truly averaging 2.5 carts/day, 2 PAD smokers truly averaging 5 carts/day, etc.

Any real-life experiences from the members would be appreciated!

Thanks, Dan.

 

[YKruss]

Better yet - $1.20 - $1.50 per 30 ml for DIY juice

 

[NeilSwift]

As you say it's all dependent on how much you smoked and how much you will vape.

I smoked 20 a day (£52.50 per week) 10ml lasts me a week (£4.99)

That's just me and reading it back makes me happy

 

[akatina]

Not an expert, but here's my experience: your vaping habits may or may not be analogous to your smoking habits. Not helpful, I know...

Some people choose a higher nic level juice and hit it at intervals throughout the day, much like a smoker. Other people choose a lower nic level juice and will "chain vape" it throughout the day. The first person will go through far less juice per day than the second when measured by mLs, but the amount of nic they absorb over the course of the day may be exactly the same.

For example, I was a 1PAD smoker. I use 14-18mg juice throughout the day and right now I average right around 1mL a day. Others may be on 6mg juice but go through 5 mL a day. Or maybe they're going through 5mL of the same 18mg juice I have.

The one thing I've learned is that everyone's quit is different. My best suggestion is to buy a few strengths of nic and try them all throughout the course of the day.

 

[flintlock62]

Welcome to the forum! I don't know about 2.5 ml equaling a PAD. Part of it depends on the level of nicotine in the cart. I have also found the pre-filled carts never live up to how many packs they are supposed to equal, regardless of nicotine content. Vaping is altogether different from smoking because we aren't receiving nicotine in the exact same manner as smoking.

Those pre-filled cart's are the most expensive method of vaping. Many of us did start that way, only to find that using cartomizer tanks, or clearomizer tanks and refilling them yourself is much more economical.

 

[DC2]

Here is a poll that might help you some...
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/polls/153112-how-much-juice-do-you-use-per-day.html

 

[flintlock62]

I wouldn't suggest DIY for someone who is new to vaping. Period! My 2¢

Better yet - $1.20 - $1.50 per 30 ml for DIY juice

 

[glasseye]

I think you'll find a wide range of prices. I gave a friend of mine a basic start-up kit, a Lea and 2 bottles of liquid. That was on Christmas. Other than buying another bottle, she hasn't needed anything else and hasn't smoked a cig. All for around $30.

I don't want to talk about how much I spent. lol You really can't put a price on how much better I feel anyway.

 

[SilentScreams]

Welcome to ECF.

If your paying $20 for 30ml of juice someone is taking you for a ride. I pay 10-16 for a 30ml bottle depending on who I buy from. You will vape more than you smoke at least in the beginning. This is why those prefilled carts are such a pain. 1 cart is supposed to be equal to 1/2 or 1 pack depending on who makes it. Some say there carts hold more or less. I tried one of those cig-a-likes that uses prefilled carts years ago and I was using between 2 and 4 carts a day. Cost wise I was spending more than I was on cigarettes.

Buying the juice and filling your own juice delivery system is always cheaper.

You can also make your own juice and the costs drop even more.

 

[flintlock62]

That's hard to describe, but while smoking one inhales a combustive material, and vaping is a non-combustive method.

May I ask, how is the way we receive nicotine while vaping different from smoking?

 

[flintlock62]

"You can also make your own juice and the costs drop even more".

I still don't suggest anyone new attempting to make their own juice. Experience is needed! Again, my 2¢

 

[palmtreevans]

Dan,

Looking into vaping there are a few things I would recommend. 1. Find a local vapemeet if there is one in your area. The benefit to this is there will be people there who (like me) have spent several hundreds of dollars in trial and error buying crap, getting ripped off, and going back to cigarettes before finally discovering something of decent quality. The little cigarette lookalikes are mostly junk. (The guys at the mall hit me up for more than $100 on those little things that were basically worthless for anything other than showing me that ecigs existed.) You can also see and feel different ecigs to find one you like and ask questions as well as try different juices to find one you like.

2. If there is no local vapemeet try to find a local shop that will let you check things out.

3. if there is no local shop, I would recommend starting out with something like an eGo. Whichever ecig you end up getting I highly recommend purchasing a few different delivery method along with it. eGos usually come with a little tank, but spend the extra few bucks to get a drip atomizer, a cartomizer, and a cartomizer with a tank so you can try them. There are lots of threads discussing the different methods as well as youtube videos. But at the end of the day it's about what works for you and no amount of posts about why this person likes carts or this person like attys will tell you what YOU are going to like.

Happy Vaping and good luck to you.

 

[the_vape_nerd]

Ok look, I haven't read all the responses you've gotten thus far. I have a plan for you though:

1. Give yourself 3 full months of NOT trying to save any money while vaping. Take whatever you current budget is for smoking and use that to fund 3 months of vaping. This is necessary for you to find what works for you and what doesn't. If you are stressing over the money you'll try a bunch of things that probably don't work because you are going to look for the cheapest route.

2. You've done a bunch of reading already, so just go with your gut and get a set up. I'm not going to repeat all the advice on what to get. The best thing you can do is just get something, you'll probably get something else later on anyway so do stress over it.

3. Focus on 3 skills 1. learn to refill whatever delivery system you have, refilling with bottled juice is where the savings are at, making you own juice will make it even more cost effective 2. Focus on cleaning and reusing your delivery system. Polyfill cartomizers do not lend themselves to easy cleaning so keep that in mind as you look for a place to start (think clearomizers) 3. Find yourself at least one but hopefully 2-3 "go to" juices. It can be expensive at first but once you have 2-3 you can always sample other things while you have the money.

4. Do not exceed what you are spending on smoking in any given month for the first 3 months. It can be tempting, just don't do it.

5. Once you get to 3 months, I can promise you that you can save money if you want to because you'll have figured out the economics of all this. You can also spend more on it than smoking and many people do, but thats a choice you can make when you get there.

 

[FrankLantern]

Welcome, yes I agree there is alot of information out there and often it is conflicting. Baditude created a list of equipment for a good starter kit that may be helpful....

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blogs/baditude/3247-good-starters-kit-beginning-vapor.html

 

[sawlight]

I started out with carto's, that was what we had, spend a night cleaning, spend and evening filling, go through 4-5 a day, then do it all again next week! It's not a bad way to go if you refill them, but some you will get 10 refills out of, some you will get 30 and there is no rhyme or reason to why!
The 1 carto= 1 pack of smokes is about the biggest myth I've ever heard! I've killed a carto in an hour, and I've had them last 3 hours. IF you really want to use a carto, get the mega carto's, from a good vendor, and fill them yourself. You will thank me later! I've had these last 6 hours when filled properly.
I've tried clearomizers, they just weren't for me, but some people love them. Easy to fill, lots of juice for a long run time and little fuss to mess with.
I've gone to carto tanks, I dable in the rebuildable's, but my main stay is carto tanks. Easy, easy, easy! A good carto can last a couple of weeks and I go through around 10ml of juice a day!
I also agree there is no way of knowing how much juice you will go through! Some light smokers vape like fiends, heavy smokers just hit it once in a while? I can't and wont try to explain it, but everyone is different and needs different things. You will have to find what works for you!
As for the juice price, I agree, that is expensive! I have a local B&M that I can get 64ml for $17.50! Now that is dirt cheap! I don't expect most people to get pre-mixed that cheap, but keep it in mind when pricing it out.
Good luck and feel free to ask questions, there are no stupid questions! Also keep in mind, it's how many cigs you DON'T smoke, not the ones you do that matters! If you feel you need a cig, have one and don't beat yourself up about it!

 

[VapApe]

Well first welcome to EFC

Pull up a chair kick off your shoes We cant feed yo much but we can talk to you pretty


You have done your home work well.

The most cost efficient way is to refill. Be it cartomizers, clearomizers, tanks or what ever.

For what its worth I was at pack and haft to two packs a day smoker. I vape about 3 to 3.5ml a day 24mg .

And this can vary from person to person and the nicotine level counts as well when working out usage.

Hope this helps

 

[flintlock62]

I highly suggest if one does decide to make their own juice, since several have suggested it, is to go to the DIY forum and read everything in the stickies thoroughly! I stress this because there are certain cautions that must be followed.

 

[Faylool]

It also depends on how mg. nicotine. 36 mg I vape less . DIY changes things. You can make really damn cheap

 

[the_vape_nerd]

I highly suggest if one does decide to make their own juice, since several have suggested it, is to go to the DIY forum and read everything in the stickies thoroughly! I stress this because there are certain cautions that must be followed.

just to echo, don't try to make your own juice yet...you've got other things to master first

 

[RosaJ]

I was a 1 1/2 pad smoker for 40+ years. I started vaping 11 months ago with 0 cigarettes. I used to buy a carton of cigarettes that would last me 7 days (a week) at $60 a carton in my area. My maintenance expense for vaping (not counting the set up as that varies on what you decide to use) is about $80 a month. This includes ejuice and cartos.

So $60 X 4.33 weeks per month = $259.80 or $260.00
versus $80 per month

I'm now saving $179.80 or $180.00 a month.

I don't include the original expense of the battery and delivery systems because some people just have to have every new shiny thing that comes up in the market and sometimes spend more than they can afford. However, I don't judge them, if they have the money to spend, then more power to them.

I started with the ego C start up kit that cost $75.
Then bought an ego C variable voltage $27.
My next purchase was a Provari kit $211.
Then an Ovale V8 that died the second day I had it $30.
and then lastly a Lambo 4.0 at $55.
Total $398.

As far as delivery systems, I may have spent around $125 until I settled into carto tanks and Kanger T3s.

So if I had continued to smoke I would have spent $1,978 in 11 months. By vaping for the last 11 months, I've spent a total of $1,403. Total savings $575 with the added benefit of improved health, which for me, is priceless.