Theory For Starting Out

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Swarley

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So i've wanted to quit smoking for a while now and have been researching e-cigs for what seems like forever.Im kind of a cheap person,surprising considering how much i spend on analogs,so i want to try and spend a smaller amount just to start off with and give a real shot.Ive been looking at SmokeTip ecigs because of their lifetime warranty on batteries.Also ive been looking at Vapor4Life ecigs as well because they seem to be reasonably priced for what they give you and have seen alot of good reviews for them.So my thought was to get the SmokeTip Kit and give it a shot along with buying some extra blank cartomizers from V4L with extra juice.I figure i would use the ST batteries since i could just get replacements anytime and just use the more well priced V4L carts.Then maybe try some of the manual V4L batteries later on.Does this sound like a fairly good idea??Any input is greatly appreciated.
 

Craig645

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I checked the SmokeTip web site quickly and it doesn't really tell you what type of threading they have so I would be cautious with your plan. It may be that your V4L parts will NOT be compatible with the Smoke Tip Kit. For an inexpensive kit try this:

Joye 510 NoBox
Our Price: $35.00
At Cignot.com
This would not be compatible with the V4L either but at least it's a Joye510 which you can get spare parts for anywhere. I wouldn't be too impressed with a lifetime warranty on batteries. They are actually not that expensive, especially for the small ones on the SmokeTip Kit.
 

Valsacar

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Depends on what you want, do you want a small cigarette looking model, something a little larger, etc. Keep in mind that, generally, the bigger it is the better the performance and battery life is. You can get a good starter set for around $30, and if you fill carts yourself juice is pretty cheap (about $15 for 30ml, which should last most people around a month or more).

Most people will recommend going straight for manual batteries. They are less risky when it comes to any juice leaks damaging the battery, and tend to perform a lot better without the need for a "primer puff."

Let us know what you think you're looking for and, if you're comfortable saying, what your overall budget is for starting out (starter kit and juice) and we'll help steer you in the right direction.

Some things that are good for us to know is your feelings on overall size, vapor production (a lot, little, etc), battery life (do you mind having to charge every 2 hours, or want something that lasts all day), how often you're comfortable refilling (smaller ones are fairly often, larger a bit less, cartomizers can help as it's easy to fill a few in the morning and carry the extras with you). And anything else you think is important.
 

unsure

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Your way has worked for many who first start out with e-cig. Keep an open mind to all possible options. This inexpensvive mod is one option that gets you everything but an atty is http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/e-cigarette-suppliers-forum/160858-3-7-volt-510-box-mod-2-14500-trustfire-batteries-charger-30-free-shipping-plus-20-ml-juice.html
Some here will say mods is not for newbies and I say thats NOT totally true. They would be correct to say mods are not for everybody...that I can agree with but for long battery usage and portable is just a few advantages.
 

dormouse

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SmokeTip is KR808D-1 but I think they might use auto shorty batteries (2-3 hour charge life for a light vaper, cut that in 1/2 for a heavy vaper)

Most experienced people here use manual batteries. Auto batteries are totally dependent on the drag sensor switch in an open hole in the threaded end of the battery. That is right where refilled cartomizers occasionally drip, especially before you are used to filling and cleaning them up. And with manuals you can also stick an atomizer on the KR8 and use a drip tip to drip (not recommended for autos due to the drag sensor being vulnerable). And autos can sometimes turn on by accident from wind or vibration.
I recommend manual batteries.

You can also get less expensive plain KR808D-1 kits at LiteCigUSA.net (or buy the parts separately there if you want the shorty manual batteries)
Kr808d-1 starter kit: kr808d-1 cartomizers, kr808d battery and more! Kr808d-1 kit from LiteCigUSA!

And BTW - every ecig I own I started with the short batteries (buying spares too) and then ended up buying the longer batteries for longer charge life. That is not cheap.

But you could get the Smoketip - just be extra careful to make sure your cartos are not going to drip after you add juice to them.

And don't forget to buy eliquid because like more "name" brands, Smoketip fibs about how long a cartomizer lasts. Also, if you run a carto dry you can singe it and ruin it for refilling. I add juice whenever the vapor seems light or a bit dry and I can't revive it by tilting the ecig carto down for 5 seconds. You should be able to get 4-7 days use out of a KR8 carto if you keep it damp.
 
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swedishfish

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So i've wanted to quit smoking for a while now and have been researching e-cigs for what seems like forever.Im kind of a cheap person,surprising considering how much i spend on analogs,so i want to try and spend a smaller amount just to start off with and give a real shot.Ive been looking at SmokeTip ecigs because of their lifetime warranty on batteries.Also ive been looking at Vapor4Life ecigs as well because they seem to be reasonably priced for what they give you and have seen alot of good reviews for them.So my thought was to get the SmokeTip Kit and give it a shot along with buying some extra blank cartomizers from V4L with extra juice.I figure i would use the ST batteries since i could just get replacements anytime and just use the more well priced V4L carts.Then maybe try some of the manual V4L batteries later on.Does this sound like a fairly good idea??Any input is greatly appreciated.

I got my Mom the Smoke Tip kit because she wanted something that looked like a cigarette. She quit smoking completely with it and she was a 60 year smoker with COPD. She doesn't have a huge lung capacity so the lack of a big draw wasn't an issue for her. She liked the cartos (although she went through them like crazy) and was pleased with it. But the batteries do need to be charged a lot.

Then she tried my ego and thought that was what she wanted, so I order her a Riva ego. Wasn't crazy about it. Then I got her the KR808 from V4L with XL batteries and manual and auto batteries. Batteries do last a little longer than Smoke Tip but now the Smoke Tip has come out with longer batteries.

After almost 3 months, she seems to use the Riva a little more often than the KR808's. But I think she needed the KR808 to ease into vaping.

Long story short, they're all good ecigs. The one you start out with my not be the one you end up with. You won't know what you like or don't like about any of them until you try them for awhile.

All three are great ecigs. You can't beat a lifetime warranty on batteries from Smoke Tip. And they do have a return policy if you don't like it. Cartos from V4L fit the Smoke Tip. The key is the juice regardless of what pv you chose.

Good Luck!
 

Stosh

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What PV will work for you will depend a lot on what type of smoker you have been.

Smoke ultra-lights 1/2 pad and let most burn up in the ashtray untouched?
OR smoke 1 1/2 pad full flavor (and nicotine) smoke 'em till the filter's singed in 5 drags?
Somwhere inbetween??? Are you comfortable with a cigarette shapd PV only? how about
a small cigar shape? Maybe something that has nothing similar to the size or shape of
a cigarette? Myself I've found once I quit smoking, I didn't want anything that even
reminded me of a smoke, YMMV.

You can get something that satisfies you in vapor, flavor, TH, battery life, will save you
money and will be available resonably cheap. What the perfect system is to fit your habit
and personality is the tough part. :)
 

Swarley

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Well i dont think im worried about looks,could be pink(would rather it not lol).I understand bigger means longer life but not sure how much i would be vaping(prolly all the time cause i could) so not sure how long the smaller would last.guess i would just have to test and see on that end of things.I definitely think a manual would be my best bet because of if i want to fill my own carts.I dont have a set $$ amount set aside atm but would think i could spend $50-$70 on the kit or unit itself and maybe another$25 towards juice,carts or whatnot.prolly a little more towards juices so i can test and find something I think is close to marlboro reds.I definitely would like to get a nice amount of vap production but dont need it to be extreme.on battery usage i guess i smoke an analog every 40mins-1hr so would prolly be using my ecig as often if not more, again cause i can,but i also like that i could just take a few puffs and not have a nasty half that i dont want to light up again. filling im hoping to only do 2-3 a day.just guessing considering ive only tried disposables and they only last so long and dont give you much of a chance to really try the experience.thanks for all the help so far.wonderful forum
 

Valsacar

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An eGo or Riva is always a good starting spot (Riva's can be found for around 30USD), they are closer in size to a cigar. If you're not worried about looks, there are some good Box mods (called because they are actually a box) that work very well and have the advantage of non-proprietary batteries. Most batteries will last you around a year anyway, but with the box mods you don't have to worry about the company going out of business (though I'm quite sure Janty/Joye, who makes the eGo, will be around for quite some time).

Juice... well, there's really nothing that mimics the flavor of cigarettes. There are some that are pretty close, and most are just way off. I'd suggest start with something like RY4 (a carmel/tobacco type flavor), or maybe FSUSA's Wyatt Earp (more of a sweet pipe tobacco). But flavor is very subjective, and will change as you're taste buds come back. If you can, get a few small bottles (I wouldn't buy 30ml bottles until you know you like the flavor) and see what works for you.

You'll also want to look at nicotine level, I normally suggest starting at 12mg and see how it works. If it's too low you'll want cigarettes, if it's too high you won't feel well (dizzy, headaches, etc). If you buy a few bottles of stuff, try getting some at say 6mg, 12mg, and 18mg. A little trial and error and you'll find what's right. There's no magic formula, each person is different.
 

swedishfish

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My own personal opinion is to get the Riva at Liberty Flights for $29.99. I got the Joye but that's $10 more, but they're the same thing except the Joye has a longer warranty on batteries.

Here's similar to what I ordered
Riva $29.99
2 boxes Boge 510 2.0 ohm cartomizers $15.98
2 Drip Tips $3.18
Joye eGo pass through 650mAh 20.79

This way you can use cart/atty, cartomizer, drip and you have three batteries. Total about $70.00

30 ml juice (I'd purchase elsewhere) about $15.00

edit: you don't really need the pass-thru, you could wait on that, but it's good to have an extra battery just in case.
 
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Stosh

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If you're not hung up on shape (I wouldn't vape pink either) a larger battery PV in the 650 mah to 1000 mah would last you most of or possibly all day. Running out of battery when you want a vape is just frustrating, like having a smoke and no lighter. :( Manual batteries are actually easier to use, autos you need to draw just right to turn it on and heat up the insides and produce vapor. A manual, push the button, pause one second, vape and let go, much more efficient.

The ego - riva sets recommended have batteries that start at 650 mah and up, the V4L and KR808-D1 sets have smaller batteries and you might have to carry a couple, few a day.

Juice wise, small 3-5mL sample bottles are the best way to experiment, everyone has their own favorite flavors / strengths and what you smoked may or may not have anything to do with what flavors you like to vape. I was Camel filters, and now enjoy everything from Absinthe to Menthol, and Chocolate Malted, (also dozens of others) go figure!
 

ShoeQueen

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For a real inexpensive starter kit take a look at this post for a 510 Disposal Kit on Sale for the month of March from Aroma e-juice, and it appears that it lasts a long time. You can view the kit here on their website.

It's a 510, and with the coupon code comes out to under $10.00!

Sounds like there are some good reviews on it, and you can pick up 510 cartos (pre-filled or blanks), or attys and carts from a multitude of vendors.

There's a limit on how many they have so order one soon if you want a very inexpensive way to try out the 510s.
 

MickeyRat

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You probably aren't going to believe me but, the biggest mistake a new vapor makes is insisting on something that looks like a cigarette. The second biggest is getting automatic batteries. Vaping is like smoking but, it's not smoking and you will know the difference. You will probably get to where you appreciate the difference. I understand you want to be able to hold it like a cigarette but, the weight makes that a problem too and there's no kit that approaches a cigarette in weight.

A charge on a cigarette sized battery will last less than 2 hours in most cases. You will get really tired of being tied to a charger. I promise.

As for the automatic batteries there are two problems. First, they can go off when you don't want them to and sometimes they don't go off when you do want them to. Second, if you start refilling cartos, you will eventually overfill and short out the battery.

The better system for starting out is the Riva 510 kit on Liberty Flights which is the same thing as the Joye eGo. Some say it's better. You can go 6 to 8 hours on a single charge and it's a manual battery. You'll get used to pushing the button really quick. It's about the size of a sharpie. Get a couple packs of Boge 510 cartomizers. Some juice in a variety of flavors and nic levels and you'll be set. Sounds like a little trouble and it is but, it's worth it.
 

swedishfish

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The more and more i search it seems i find bigger batteries for cheaper!!awesome!!thank you for all the links and suggestions.definitely looking at one in the 650-1000 mah range now.still think i want to ease into dripping with carts as to not drink too much juice lol.

They last a long time. As far as carts, dripping, etc. You won't know until you get it so it's good to have all the options. I personally don't like to drip or use carts (I might be in the minority), I like the cartomizers. Just fill them up and you're good to go. Three will last you all day.
 

unsure

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I been the route of carts, cartomizers and tanks. Each one better and better. You will find your nitch and be in vape heaven. :) My nitch is a selfjuicing mod with a 6ml bottle and a 18650 high drain rechargable battery. As mentioned may times before...we are all have different taste in what we like and want....and thats a good thing. :)
 

swedishfish

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The 510's are so versatile and easy to get parts for, I'd go with that. You can get carts, cartos attys almost anywhere. I've heard there wasn't a difference regarding the battery. My mom has a Riva and I have an joye Ego and they seem exactly the same to me as far as vaping. The Joye has a little better warranty on batteries, but it's $10 more. So it's probably a wash.
 

Swarley

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