Sort of new to vaping

[mrtiedye]

This is my first post. I am a wordy kind of guy, so if you want, just skip to the bottom where I will re-ask my questions in a much shorter way.

A couple of years ago, I was installing DirecTV for a customer who was a reseller for electronic cigarettes. He let me try a sample, and I thought it was awesome, but I didn't have the money on hand. He gave me a card, but I lost it. A couple of months ago, I remembered this encounter and decided to give it a try. I couldn't remember what brand he had, so I ordered the Blu starter kit. I was sorely disappointed and decided to give up on vaping. The cartridges only lasted a couple puffs, some only one puff. In hindsight, I wonder if didn't have more to do with my lack of experience. I gave the entire thing to a friend, and went on with my life.

Recently, I tried to quit smoking. Not so much for the health concern, but because of the crazy price of cigarettes. Doral Light 100s, my preferred cigarette, cost over $4.00 a pack. I smoke roughly a pack a day. I lasted about 3 days before I magically found myself in the gas station buying a pack.

These forums have given me a new perspective on vaping, and I am ready to try again. However, I do have a couple questions/concerns. First is of course, cost. I am not so worried about the start up cost. I have read enough on these forums to expect to have to replace atomizers, batteries, etc. Do you find that in the end, vaping is much cheaper than smoking, even with these "hidden" costs? I would need to at least half my costs for this to be viable.

I have figured out that it is cheaper to refill my own cartridges. However, I haven't found much discussion on the different types of cartridges. What are the advantages/disadvantages of the "tank" style? From what I have gathered, these cartridges do not have filler. How does this affect performance?

With what information I have at the time, I think I am going to go with the 510, but would really like to hear more about this tank thing. Thanks so much for your time.

Short version -
How much cheaper is vaping than normal cigarettes, given the cost of replacement parts?
What information can you give me on the "tank" cartridge? How do they compare in performance to cartridges with filler?

 

[sea]

Short version -
How much cheaper is vaping than normal cigarettes, given the cost of replacement parts?

I've opted not to try the tank, so I can't answer those questions. I dislike cartridges and having been only dripping.

But for the cost of vaping vs. smoking that is up to you. You are spending $120 a month on cigarettes. I have read about people on the forum spending $30 a month on vaping. Depending on you, and it not becoming a hobby, I would say that spending that much is reasonable, but even more reasonable would be $50 a month while you are getting started if you want to try more juices. I am still using the same attys that came with my eGo for almost 50 days. I have not had to replace any attys yet. I know I will, eventually but I have been cleaning them and they are still producing clouds.

Today is the day I break even with vaping. I was spending $8 a pack, but I bought more vaping stuff than I needed, including many sampler packs of juice.

If saving money is your ultimate goal, I would say you can make vaping cost as little or as much as you want.

 

[robocig]

Again, can't reply to the questions about tanks, but generally vaping can easily cost less than smoking! Even using cartomizers on a KR808D-1 (which some people will say is more costly, but I find the difference to be slight), I'm still paying less per day than smoking. That's budgeting in 90ml of juice per month (at a rate of using 3ml per day) with a pack of new cartos each time. However, I'm starting to really get into it, so I'm definitely spending more than I should at the moment in search for my "perfect" juice.

 

[MickeyRat]

Well that sort of depends on what cigarettes cost you. I will tell you that at first you'll spend more. There's a lot to try and you'll need to find what suits you. If you want to go on the quest for the perfect vape, it'll probably cost you more than cigarettes. If you start mixing your own juices and don't go crazy trying different stuff, you'll probably save a lot.

I'm not a big fan of the tank for beginners and that was really my first PV. There are a lot of tank worshipers and go-go fanatics that will disagree. Here's my standard recommendation for a starter setup. You can get it all at Liberty Flights.

1 - Riva 510 starter kit
1 - Box Boge 510 cartomizers
1 - Drip tip

It'll be about the size of a small cigar rather than a cigarette but, you get two batteries and they'll go about 8 hours on a charge. You'll have several options to try there and it shouldn't be more than maybe $60.

For juice go to freedom smokes USA and get small bottles of juice in several flavors and in nic levels from 12 to 24mg. Figure 30ml a day for usage. So get enough to last a little while.

There's no way to know what nic level you're going to need. Find it by trial and error. Hit the PV long and slow. Once you've settled in with juice then decide what's missing and look for something that will fulfill that need.

 

[sea]

P.S. The other expense would be juice. You could DIY if you want, but pre-mixed juice varies in price. I think the average amount vaped is 3 ml a day or about 90 ml a month. You can get cheap juice for under $15 for 30 ml. So I think figuring out what juice you want will impact your costs more than replacement parts.

There's also a coupon code list somewhere on the site.

 

[swedishfish]

I won't cry for you Argentina, because I paid twice as much as you are for a pack of cigs!

I'd say even with the Riva, start up will cost you around $100. That's with the kit, cartos and enough juice to get you going.

I use cartos so the only thing I really need to buy are cartos and juice. That doesn't mean that's all I do buy, but that's all I have to buy really. It's always a good idea to pick up an extra battery or atomizers or a charger just in case.

The Riva is so versatile that you can always look for sales for the eGo tank atty. Good Prophets had them on sale last week for $10.99.

 

[melloyello]

Well that sort of depends on what cigarettes cost you. I will tell you that at first you'll spend more. There's a lot to try and you'll need to find what suits you. If you want to go on the quest for the perfect vape, it'll probably cost you more than cigarettes. If you start mixing your own juices and don't go crazy trying different stuff, you'll probably save a lot.

I'm not a big fan of the tank for beginners and that was really my first PV. There are a lot of tank worshipers and go-go fanatics that will disagree. Here's my standard recommendation for a starter setup. You can get it all at Liberty Flights.

1 - Riva 510 starter kit
1 - Box Boge 510 cartomizers
1 - Drip tip

It'll be about the size of a small cigar rather than a cigarette but, you get two batteries and they'll go about 8 hours on a charge. You'll have several options to try there and it shouldn't be more than maybe $60.

For juice go to freedom smokes USA and get small bottles of juice in several flavors and in nic levels from 12 to 24mg. Figure 30ml a day for usage. So get enough to last a little while.

There's no way to know what nic level you're going to need. Find it by trial and error. Hit the PV long and slow. Once you've settled in with juice then decide what's missing and look for something that will fulfill that need.

im sure he means 3 ml/day

 

[dormouse]

Assuming you buy a respected model supported my many good-price vendors

batteries which cost about $10-19 each, last about 150 recharges according to one respected vendor (as opposed to the 300 recharges the Chinese claim). if you buy auto batteries, you may kill them with juice drips before you get anywhere near 150 charges

atomizers (standard resistance) which cost about $8 can usually last months if not abused, but you can get duds

charger cable should last a long time unless you get juice film on/in it

the type of carts used with atomizers last really long - they are just plastic and stuffing. You can replace the stuffing

But - most people get sick of carts after a while and prefer to drip on the atomizer (may degrade atomizer faster) or use cartomizers (about $2 each, combined disposable atty + cart which may last a week, 2 at the most, then need cleaning or throw away)

I think juice is the main expense but if you make your own it can be a lot cheaper.

 

[swedishfish]

im sure he means 3 ml/day

I hope so!

 

[melloyello]

not to hi-jack this thread but...anyone here tried the ego tank atties?

 

[ladybugMary]

I started right after Christmas, combined the ecig and smoking, finally started using just the ecig about January 8. I've only smoked one day since then and was ticked off at myself for doing it...ugh! I used to smoke at least a pack and a half of cig's a day...switched to those cheap cigar-ciggies because in my case money is an object.

I started with the Riva 510 using atomizer and cart. I also went on the Merry Go Round of Flavors. I found I really got annoyed using the carts. I was probably the least successful of atty users ever. Can't count how many I went through. I eventually tried the cartomizers and was a lot happier with them than the carts/atty combo. However, they seemed to become difficult to draw, too soon.

Not long ago I decided to try the ego-T. I wrote about that elsewhere on the forum:

When I first got mine, TBH, I thought I made a big mistake but persevered. I found I had to clean the atty's a couple/few times (alcohol) before I finally got rid of that awful stuff on them from the factory. Now, once in a while I clean the one I'm using (not often) and I haven't had anymore problems. I will say you have to make sure the tank is all the way on otherwise you get a weak draw, little smoke, and very little flavor. When I use a new tank, almost always I have to stick a straight pin in the bottom to complete the puncture. The one tip that has help a lot has been to take a couple small quick puffs without pressing the button. This seems to "prime" it.

When you clean the atty with alcohol, be sure to test the flow of the alcohol through the atty. You should get a solid fast stream, not drips. Keep doing it until it runs solid. I had one that I must have really coated from a heavy dark VG based juice. Took a good many test flows until it ran strong. I almost gave up thinking I waited too long to clean it but perseverance paid off.

I am now waiting for my last order to arrive. I don't mind dripping at home alone so aside from a nice supply of juice, I ordered a couple atty's and a pass-through because I'm at my lappy more hours than I care to admit.

Life is a series of compromises and I think, at least for now, the ego-T affords me more convenience and comfort than the carto's did. I like that I can see at a glance how much juice is available to me in the ecig so I am never caught short. I have a supply of 3 ego-T's so I don't get caught short with the battery life and I expect that is a worry that will be almost non-existent once I receive my pass through.

I can't stress enough to take the time to bathe the atty's in alcohol thoroughly before trying them. Spare yourself the ungodly experience I wasn't spared, LOL!

Forgot to say...I've been using 18 mg strength and in my soon to arrive purchase I will be starting to use 12 mg. My goal is to eventually free myself of the nicotine addiction but I'm not in any rush.

Happy Vaping!

 

[KeithB]

I just want to chime in with my thoughts on the hidden costs of getting started : finding what atty, carto, juice is right for you. I tried the low ohm XL Clearomisers, tank atty, eGo Mega Carto, and mystery brand 510 atties and didn't like any of them, and had quite a bit of juice that I just didn't care for. That all adds up. I think I've found my atty (ego Mega/XL cylinder - type B) and have found several juices to order in larger bottles. One more order for spare atties and I should be set for a while and MIGHT actually break even.

 

[MickeyRat]

im sure he means 3 ml/day

OOPS!!! yeah

not to hi-jack this thread but...anyone here tried the ego tank atties?

Yes, and I quit using them. I've got some LR eGo-T attys on order to give it one more shot.