Still smoking in Canada

[Misfit]

Hi! Just joined the forum, haven't tried out an e-cig yet but have decided I'm going to do it once I decide what and where to order from. Kept hearing about e-cigs through friends online, and wasn't very happy to find out that they aren't as easy to get here in Canada but it looks like it's possible so just waiting until I have enough cash to order.

I'm 29 and have been smoking a PAD for 15 years (more than half my life!), definitely past the time that I should have stopped but that nicotine has a good grip on me. It's not just the smoke, but the cost of cigarettes is killing me! On a low income, but don't want to buy something that isn't going to last or work well just to get the lowest price. Currently working on figuring out which brand/model I'd like to buy, and finding a Canadian retailer that sells it.

I initially searched the net for reviews, and am rather disturbed by the fact that the majority of them read more like an ad than a review from a real person. That, and that the opinions here in the forums conflict with nearly all the "reviews"! I'm very familiar with the world of product reviews (I write them myself), but in this case it looks like I'm going to have to delve into the conversation beyond the reviews.

Off to my delving!

 

[lethalweapon]

Hey dude! I just joined the forum myself! It's really valuable to know what to look for because the internet now-a-days is filled with annoying ads that pop up at the very top of a google search. Since you live in Canada (as do I), I recommend you check out "vaporchase" channel on youtube. The reviewer is a ECF member under the name Mindfield. He's also a Canadian and reviews a lot of juices and hardware from Canadian suppliers!

 

[lethalweapon]

Also, I'm not sure where you're from but where I am from (vancouver), there are regular meetings of forum members. I've never been to one myself but my friend has and he says it's pretty cool and you can learn a lot about vaping by going to one of those (including info about vendors and products).

 

[sailorman]

Your first impression was correct. 99.9% of the "review" sites are phony sales sites. Disregard them.

As you're delving, take note of all the stories by people who succumbed to same old newbie mistakes. You can make them too, if you like, and in a few months you can add your story too! The mistakes that newbs make and some e-cig companies exploit are:

1) I Want my e-cig to look like the real thing.
2) I Don't want a button. I want an "automatic" battery so I can puff while I wrestle an alligator or rock climb.
3) I want a light on the end cuz it looks cool.

90% of us have made these same mistakes and the vast majority of us wish we hadn't. But it's sort of like an initiation ceremony, so go ahead and make them. It'll only cost you a hundred dollars or so before you figure it out. And then you'll be in the 90% club and can write your own story.

Or, you could be in the 10% club who skips the newbie mistake club and gets an e-cig with:
1) a manual button
2) a battery of at least 650mah.
3) a 510 or 808 connector
4) No light on the tip
5) No resemblance to a real cigarette.

I think if you look around, you'll discover that any of the "eGo" type e-cigarettes make fine starters and most can be had for about $45USD. Not sure about Canadian prices, but I'm 100% sure that if anyone sells e-cigs in Canada, they'll have similar models. Some names to look for are:

The kGo, e-Power, Riva, Vgo, and various eGo's including the eGo T, eGo C and basic eGo.

Out of the bunch, my personal reccomendation is the kGo, or the e-Power because the e-Power takes separate, generic batteries that are economical to replace. The others are batteries themselves and eventually need to be totally replaced, usually within 5 or 6 months. But those other kits usually come with 2 batteries, so you'll be o.k. for about a year.

So, your choice. Go through the initiation rights with a cigarette look alike, or be one of those 10% of geeks who don't join the club and don't get to write a story about how they wasted a bunch of money before they did their research.

 

[Misfit]

Neat! I was just reading some of his posts in another thread. Actually, I registered because I wanted to reply to one (and enable posting in the Canadian forum ).

Hey dude! I just joined the forum myself! It's really valuable to know what to look for because the internet now-a-days is filled with annoying ads that pop up at the very top of a google search. Since you live in Canada (as do I), I recommend you check out "vaporchase" channel on youtube. The reviewer is a ECF member under the name Mindfield. He's also a Canadian and reviews a lot of juices and hardware from Canadian suppliers!

 

[Maestro]

I recommend an Ego-C from JR Custom Turnings. It's a great kit to start with and I haven't seen a better price in Canada. In fact, Joyetech sent him a warning that his prices were TOO low. LOL. Get a couple of ego vision tankomizers while you're at it. The only problem is he doesn't sell juice so you'll have to get that somewhere else. Jughead's has a lot of fans and would be a good place to get some juice.

 

[Spac]

Welcome from Winnipeg!

Best suggestion I can give to save yourself some money is to attend a vape meet near you if you can. Get a chance this way to see everything firsthand and try and figure out what works for you. I spent a pile of money to see what works and didn't, but my friends that I have converted get the full benifit! They got to see/try a couple things, take my suggestions and order away! Pretty much good right out of the gate this way! Get he post count up and come visit us in the Canada forum!

 

[Slim Batz]

Agreed, look at standardized design equipment, based on the 510 or KR808D-1 threading ... Disagree ... slim and/or auto battery types are by definition a "mistake". That is a little presumptuous. There are many quality kits made by reputable manufacturers using this design, and they vape just fine thank you very much. The Kanger kits from www.CANVAPE.com at $30 are a great value ... the Volt by Smokeless Image (US) is well regarded as well. Obviously, as the battery size increases, the time between charges increases, but the weight/bulk increases as well and the device becomes less cigarette like...its a tradeoff. If it makes you feel more comfortable, and therefore more likely to stick with it, to initially have a device that looks like a cigarette and is automatic ... then go for it. I have some Kanger KR808D-1 "slim" autobatts (280mah) and a recently aquired Riva 900mah "fat" battery. Switch the same carto between the two ... no difference at all in how they vape. I use both on a daily basis, the Riva around the house, the slimbatts when I'm out and about. These type of batteries, big or small, are consumables, they only last so long and then you have to replace them ... so even if you decide down the road to move up to larger format battery, just use the slim batts till they are "used up" and don't replace them ... there's no money wasted in doing that.

Canada customs seems to be on a bit of a tear lately in regards to anything ecig that contains nicotine ... so I would advise sticking with canadian suppliers for e-liquid (e-juice). Hardware you can get from the States if you want, though there are reputable online suppliers in Canada ... I've alway had good luck dealing with Canvape. I've recently starting using e-liquids from Jugheads.co (Alberta) and am quite pleased. They sell sampler sizes which is awesome.

Do your homework, be honest with yourself on what you think will be best for YOU, take any advice (especially mine) with a grain of salt, and jump in. Good luck to you. Cheers.

 

[Misfit]

Thanks! Id like to say ill be in the 10% but I'm sure ill have to try out a few things before settling on an absolute favoriite. I will admit, the lights on the end just cause they look cool still sounds tempting...

Your first impression was correct. 99.9% of the "review" sites are phony sales sites. Disregard them.

As you're delving, take note of all the stories by people who succumbed to same old newbie mistakes. You can make them too, if you like, and in a few months you can add your story too! The mistakes that newbs make and some e-cig companies exploit are:

1) I Want my e-cig to look like the real thing.
2) I Don't want a button. I want an "automatic" battery so I can puff while I wrestle an alligator or rock climb.
3) I want a light on the end cuz it looks cool.

90% of us have made these same mistakes and the vast majority of us wish we hadn't. But it's sort of like an initiation ceremony, so go ahead and make them. It'll only cost you a hundred dollars or so before you figure it out. And then you'll be in the 90% club and can write your own story.

Or, you could be in the 10% club who skips the newbie mistake club and gets an e-cig with:
1) a manual button
2) a battery of at least 650mah.
3) a 510 or 808 connector
4) No light on the tip
5) No resemblance to a real cigarette.

I think if you look around, you'll discover that any of the "eGo" type e-cigarettes make fine starters and most can be had for about $45USD. Not sure about Canadian prices, but I'm 100% sure that if anyone sells e-cigs in Canada, they'll have similar models. Some names to look for are:

The kGo, e-Power, Riva, Vgo, and various eGo's including the eGo T, eGo C and basic eGo.

Out of the bunch, my personal reccomendation is the kGo, or the e-Power because the e-Power takes separate, generic batteries that are economical to replace. The others are batteries themselves and eventually need to be totally replaced, usually within 5 or 6 months. But those other kits usually come with 2 batteries, so you'll be o.k. for about a year.

So, your choice. Go through the initiation rights with a cigarette look alike, or be one of those 10% of geeks who don't join the club and don't get to write a story about how they wasted a bunch of money before they did their research.

 

[Misfit]

Thanks, ill go check it out!

I recommend an Ego-C from JR Custom Turnings. It's a great kit to start with and I haven't seen a better price in Canada. In fact, Joyetech sent him a warning that his prices were TOO low. LOL. Get a couple of ego vision tankomizers while you're at it. The only problem is he doesn't sell juice so you'll have to get that somewhere else. Jughead's has a lot of fans and would be a good place to get some juice.

 

[Misfit]

I'm not the most social person, face to face at least, but I'm in
Winnipeg as well. Are there meet ups here? Guess I should head to the Canada forum to find out!

Welcome from Winnipeg!

Best suggestion I can give to save yourself some money is to attend a vape meet near you if you can. Get a chance this way to see everything firsthand and try and figure out what works for you. I spent a pile of money to see what works and didn't, but my friends that I have converted get the full benifit! They got to see/try a couple things, take my suggestions and order away! Pretty much good right out of the gate this way! Get he post count up and come visit us in the Canada forum!

 

[Spac]

We'll be doing another meet soon.

When you get a chance, come visit us here: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/groups/winnipeg-manitoba-vapers.html

 

[That Dim guy]

If I new Then what I know now... sigh.. I would have just gone ahead and bought the Knight rider to begin with. (Canadian Lavatube) $54 bucks Canadian. Lavatube lavatube variable voltage personal vaporizer vv pv. But no I started with the ego C. Which I have to say was enough to show me that an ecig would work for me but oohhh. the leaking.. ggrrrrr. If you want something smaller just buy the ego batt and slap a Extreme Vision 3.5ML Clearomizer on it . Extreme Vision 3.5ML Clearomizer Mulitcolour and LR