Thanks for all the advice

[Stephenl74]

I wanted to thank everyone for their responses to my last post. I've been looking at some of the suggestions and have decided to get the Volt Standard kit from Smokeless Image. I watched some review videos and checked out their site. It looks and sounds like a good start for me. Wished I had done this before buying that Blu kit.

Some questions. Does anyone here have a strong dislike of Volt, based on experience? It seems like I get 5 prefilled carts and five empty ones. Why so many empty ones? Is it s I can have different kinds of juice in each or do they "go bad" quickly? Ive noticed that a lot, big packs of cartomizers. Thanks again.

 

[Hottody]

Hi StephenI74, No Problem...as we are happy to help! I don't see this as a big improvement from your Blu kit you disliked so much. These kits certainly have there place, but it seems that many people were pointing you toward an Ego like device because you seemed to want better battery life, and increased vapor production. I did not see anyone point you in this direction based on your earlier post, so I wonder why a similar device?

That being said, I assume this is a perfectly fine kit...it just does not seem to fall in line with your original requests. . You did mention you wanted something easy so the pre filled caromizers could be great for you assuming you like the flavors. just understand your battery life is going to be limited, so this likely won't solve your battery life issue. If you keep several of these charged, you may be just fine. REMEMBER....if you like this kit, it's a good kit! I often recommend kits that resemble anologs, just know that if this does not meet your ultimate needs their are more choices.

Smokeless Image | Only The Best Electronic Cigarette | Starter Kits

YOUR ORIGINAL REQUEST:

So I am getting into vaping to stop smoking and I am overwhelmed. I bought the Blu starter kit at my local Walgreens...and I don't like it so much. The flavors are all bad and it seems like I am always charging the battery. I have been trying to do research but it all seems so fricking complicated and all geared to people who already understand everything. I am a menthol guy if that matters. Pack a day smoker for 20 years. Live in Berkeley, California if that matters. Thanks.

 

[klynnn]

A lot of this depends on what you are looking for and how much you smoked in the past. Everyone wants a cig look alike to begin with because they don't know enough about them. Meaning they don't know what else is out there. Most go through a learning process- they get a mini kit and charge every three hours and fill carts every night -then they realize this is a pita so they look for more. Next they buy a bigger bat like an ego and try that for awhile but they are still filling carts and looking for more. It leaks all over the place and they are back asking what is better. Of course everyone here thinks there's is the best. Most any long term person on here has tried them all. Listen to the ones who have been around the longest. Do not be afraid of the bigger batts they are where you will be eventually. If it is not at least 900mah don't waste the time and money.

 

[kia2]

Stephenl74, if you are getting dry cartos from Smokeless Image, contact SI's customer service right away. They will send replacements or refund very quickly. This is definitely not normal to get a whole pack of 5 cartos that are dry (unless you order blanks for filling with your choice of liquid). I think I've had maybe two bad cartos in the multitudes of pre filled cartos that I've ordered.

When you've hit your 5 posts, please drop in to the Smokeless Image sub forum. Lots of good folks there to just hang out with as well as willing to help out with questions, and SI keeps an active presence there which is almost constant.

 

[Hottody]

Hello Klynn, good advise! I started with a v2 starter kit, liked it...but as you say, we all evtually crave more! These kits are perfectly fine, but likely not enough of a step up from the Blu-kit StephenI74 was originally dissatisfied with unless it was disposable?? My feeling from reading earlier posts, is the whole vapping thing is a bit overwhelming, so the idea of pre filled cartomizers fits the bill. I think that model works well for many!

 

[RickMc]

Actually, a lot of people want to start with a mini because it helps their brains believe they're smoking. This may actually help people make the switch from smoking to vaping. That same form between your first two fingers, drag, breathe in, exhale.... If nicotine was the only addiction we would all have quit using patches, gum, inhalers.... Just a thought!

 

[kia2]

Actually, a lot of people want to start with a mini because it helps their brains believe they're smoking. This may actually help people make the switch from smoking to vaping. That same form between your first two fingers, drag, breathe in, exhale.... If nicotine was the only addition we would all have quit using patches, gum, inhalers.... Just a thought!

And a true thought it is, at least in my case.

The "mini" is what I needed for the ritual - and the ritual was absolutely needed to help me quit smoking. I still use my Volt 65mm and 78mm "minis," as well as the mid-size step up, the X2. I have no desire to move up to variable voltage or other "mods." I'm quite happy with my 808 Volts. Just because the twists and other mods are bigger, fancier, have more vape and charge time (usually, though not always gospel), doesn't mean they will deliver on the ritual so many of us need to satisfy. After 39 years of smoking, the ritual was as deeply ingrained in me as the addiction. Also, many just want to use the batteries to quit and have no intention of continuing to vape after a month or so off the tobacco cigarettes. I know three or four folks in this category, so bigger and more expensive were definitely out of the equation for them.

 

[klynnn]

I did the v2 route also for many months and wasted a ton of money because I didn't know any better. It is a learning experience but if I had spent time on this forum and asked the right questions I could have saved a ton of money. I use the kgo from hoosierecigs and love it. Also have the twist. For a newbie the best bet is to at least get a kit that lasts the day and with a clearo and juice they will save money. It doesn't take them long to realize the pos factor with the mini's. That is unless they smoke 6 cigs a day or less.

 

[Stephenl74]

I just want something that I can take with me everywhere and gives good vapor. I know I want to quit smoking for sure. I am not too sure I want to get heavily into vaping. The Volt kit looks good and from what I've seen has been reviewed well. I know it's not the best vaping machine out there, but is it serviceable? Is it the best of the "mini" ecigs?

 

[klynnn]

I do use my old v2 mini's and 901t's to test my diy ejuice. They do have their purpose.

 

[kia2]

I just want something that I can take with me everywhere and gives good vapor. I know I want to quit smoking for sure. I am not too sure I want to get heavily into vaping. The Volt kit looks good and from what I've seen has been reviewed well. I know it's not the best vaping machine out there, but is it serviceable? Is it the best of the "mini" ecigs?

"Serviceable" in what respect? The 65mm and 78mm batteries have a charge life of about 300 charges. Then they would need to be replaced. The 78mm will give about 3 to 4 hours (of constant vape) in between charges (worth the extra $1 for the 78 for one more hour of charge). This is about the best you can get from a mini. It will travel everywhere, and as long as you have one spare to use while the other is charging, you should be just fine. And I do believe the Volt is the best mini out there, from my own experience as I tried four other brands before staying with the Volt to help me quit smoking. The best kit to get if you don't know where you might want to go after quitting is the Standard Starter kit - 2 batteries, a charger and a pack of cartos (get a sample pack, probably the "Smooth," to help decide on a flavor). The X2 step up is basically the same as the Kgo but with 808 threading.

After you get your kit, drop in to the Smokeless Image sub forum Faces of Volt thread, and you can get a third battery (or a bottle of juice or a pack of cartos) for free by posting a pic of you using the Volt. I would suggest the battery, personally, as a third battery makes sure there is a backup for "just in case."

Smokeless Image's customer service is second to none. They will bend over backward to make sure you are a happy customer, and they are the only company I know of that is taking their customer suggestions and requests to heart as they build and expand their business. The customer really does come first with them.

And, if for any reason you believe one of your batteries doesn't seem to work right, SI will replace it quickly and without question. They have a 30-day warranty.

 

[Hottody]

Hard to say if it's the best but give it a try, the reviews look positive! It looks like you did some research so that's great! Have fun with it, many find vaping replaces smoking which is a great thing. Many find getting into vaping heavily is what dramatically diminishes the desire to smoke. We all start somewhere and that leads us to devices that ultimately help one quite smoking. For many... a kit like the one you ordered will do the trick, but if it does not, just know there are other options that may be perfecto!

 

[hnyb0210]

I just want something that I can take with me everywhere and gives good vapor. I know I want to quit smoking for sure. I am not too sure I want to get heavily into vaping. The Volt kit looks good and from what I've seen has been reviewed well. I know it's not the best vaping machine out there, but is it serviceable? Is it the best of the "mini" ecigs?

Being new to vaping, I can't give you a lot of great advice on mods, tanks, etc., but I can share my (limited) experience with you. I started w/the Blu & got quickly frustrated w/battery life; however the Blu was enough to make me see that yes, I can do this! I bought a Volt starter kit (78mm auto batteries) from Smokeless Image & it has gotten me off analogs for nearly 3 weeks now, so it's doing the trick for me. I've been extremely pleased with it - it works for me - and what everyone says about their customer service is absolutely true. I get 4-8 hours on a battery depending on how much I'm vaping. I got the PCC, which enables me to charge on-the-go & carry my spare battery & cartos with me, & I use my USB charger @ home.

All that being said, might I "step up" to something bigger/better in the future? Maybe so, but even then I wouldn't regret my Volt purchase. For now I'm succeeding and busying myself experimenting w/different juice flavors, which is a lot of fun.

Best of luck to you & please do let us know how it goes for you!

 

[Mroutlaw]

I just want something that I can take with me everywhere and gives good vapor. I know I want to quit smoking for sure. I am not too sure I want to get heavily into vaping. The Volt kit looks good and from what I've seen has been reviewed well. I know it's not the best vaping machine out there, but is it serviceable? Is it the best of the "mini" ecigs?

The volt is the best mini around and smokeless image has the best customer service. As far as the best vaping machine, it is the same voltage as a kgo and better than an ego. The only difference is that the 78mm batteries are 320mah as opposed to the 650mah for the small ego or kgo. You get tons of vapor and the 78mm battery lasts about 3-4 hours, an insane amount of time for a mini. (that's 3-4 hours of constant usage). There are a couple of other companies that have similar batteries but they are more expensive and the customer service isn't nearly as good as smokeless image. They also have a promo for a free battery, bottle of juice or pack of cartos on their subforum. Price wise, you can beat smokeless image and there is a 15% off coupon. You can also refill the cartos several times, they don't burn easily and last a really long time. They also have larger kgo style batteries for when you want to upgrade and they work with all the mini battery accessories.

Heres a video on the volt.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELM4QhceR7o


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[Stephenl74]

Great to hear. I am buying it.

 

[Mroutlaw]

Great to hear. I am buying it.

The cartos can be refilled several times. If you are planning on getting a bottle of juice from SI, get the same flavor in the prefilled cartos as well (or a sampler pack that has that flavor in it). The prefilled are the same price as the blanks so if you buy a bottle of juice and the prefilled to match, you can refill/top off the prefilled ones and get 5 free ml,

I have refilled my smokeless image cartos about 20-25 times with SI juice.


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[Mroutlaw]

"Serviceable" in what respect? The 65mm and 78mm batteries have a charge life of about 300 charges. Then they would need to be replaced. The 78mm will give about 3 to 4 hours (of constant vape) in between charges (worth the extra $1 for the 78 for one more hour of charge). This is about the best you can get from a mini. It will travel everywhere, and as long as you have one spare to use while the other is charging, you should be just fine. And I do believe the Volt is the best mini out there, from my own experience as I tried four other brands before staying with the Volt to help me quit smoking. The best kit to get if you don't know where you might want to go after quitting is the Standard Starter kit - 2 batteries, a charger and a pack of cartos (get a sample pack, probably the "Smooth," to help decide on a flavor). The X2 step up is basically the same as the Kgo but with 808 threading.

After you get your kit, drop in to the Smokeless Image sub forum Faces of Volt thread, and you can get a third battery (or a bottle of juice or a pack of cartos) for free by posting a pic of you using the Volt. I would suggest the battery, personally, as a third battery makes sure there is a backup for "just in case."

Smokeless Image's customer service is second to none. They will bend over backward to make sure you are a happy customer, and they are the only company I know of that is taking their customer suggestions and requests to heart as they build and expand their business. The customer really does come first with them.

And, if for any reason you believe one of your batteries doesn't seem to work right, SI will replace it quickly and without question. They have a 30-day warranty.

Kia, it's a 3 month warranty and 30 day money back guarantee.


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[kia2]

My bad. You are exactly right, MrOutlaw!

 

[Mroutlaw]

My bad. You are exactly right, MrOutlaw!

Makes them even better. Lol


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[Stephenl74]

The cartos can be refilled several times. If you are planning on getting a bottle of juice from SI, get the same flavor in the prefilled cartos as well (or a sampler pack that has that flavor in it). The prefilled are the same price as the blanks so if you buy a bottle of juice and the prefilled to match, you can refill/top off the prefilled ones and get 5 free ml,

I have refilled my smokeless image cartos about 20-25 times with SI juice.


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This is one of the things that confuses me. Is it ok to refill the cartomizers? Is it ok with the company? If I refill should I make sure to get the sealed batteries? Is it easy to do? If you can just keep refilling them, then why do people buy so many additional empty ones? Ack...