There's so much to learn, I'm lost

[Pammers]

As a newbie who has been browsing the forum, I feel like I'm in a different country and I don't speak the language. I'm sure that will all change once I get started using e-cigarettes and become familiar with the terminology but until then.....I'm so confused.

My husband and I plan to stop smoking on April 1st. He's going to go cold turkey, I think I'll have better success using an e-cigarette. I need that hand to mouth action. I think what I'll miss the most about smoking is the ritual of lighting up.

I've gathered, from reading here, that I will not find an e-cigarette that tastes like a real cigarette. That's disappointing but I'll have to accept that and find something that does work for me. But what? My daughter brought home a "Fifty-one" brand disposable e-cig. It was awful! It's big, heavy and clunky, and was so difficult to draw on that I thought my face was going to turn inside out. The flavor was awful, like sucking on a perfume bottle.

I need something that feels more like the real thing as far as weight and size and that doesn't give me hickeys inside my mouth from sucking so hard. Like with most people, money is very limited. I need to find the right e-cig and flavor the first time around. I currently smoke almost 2 packs a day of Marlboro Menthol 100's.

I'm so glad that a friend directed me here. I've been doing research and get a very strong feeling that the reviews I've been reading at many of the e-cig vendor sites are plants. I need advice from real people who have been there, done that and are not trying to sell me anything.

Any suggestions?

 

[dormouse]

Smoke51 is not a good brand. You can get a better model. It won't be just like a cigarette. You will realize after a couple of weeks that it's actually better than a cigarette. But it does taste weird at first, especially with starter juice or carts which are usually the eh 100% PG Chinese eliquids.

Do not buy any random crap off the web. There are so many bad liar brands and many charge many times what things should cost and you could end up with a crappy incompatible model. There is a whole seedy upper crust of ecig sellers with their "testimonials" and fake "reviews" and "comparisons" - most of them just want to lock you into them for supplies. I also recommend against any super-mini unless you are a sipping ultralights smoker with immense patience.

I recommend you buy a popular and well-supported model which is also sold under its real model number by multiple vendors.

The most popular are Joye 510 and KR808D-1, and their fat battery versions Ego and Riva 510, or PigCig and Elegant Easy for KR8

If you are a heavy smoker, hard dragger, or need or want 6-8+ hour battery life, then skip the slim cylindrical 510 and KR8 and go right to the fat battery models which also allow use of harder hitting low resistance parts

Research those models, and I recommend manual batteries for all. Manual batteries are more safe from death-by-juice-leak because they are not dependent on a drag sensor in the threaded end (which is right where leaks can occur). They won't turn on accidentally from wind or vibration. And they are less work IMO.

I was a 1.5-2 PAD lights smoker and not a hard hot dragger. I use both KR808D-1 (it's a 2-piece, with cartomizers) and I use 510 w/ normal and mega batteries and usually a cartomizer (instead of athe atomizer+cart)

I recommend you watch the videos for Newbies in the sticky threads of New Members

At 2 PAD of full-strength cigs, seriously consider the Riva 510 or Ego. I would say ignore the short standard 510 but you really want a slimmer model could also look at the 510 with manual mega xl batteries (280 mah, I get 3-5 hours but you will get less if you vape them heavily) or the KR808D-1 (also sold at Vapor4Life in colors, standard battery lasts as long as 510 Mega battery).

510 is a 3-piece but you can use it as 2-piece with blank disposable cartomizers
KR808D-1 is a 2-piece w/ many prefilled cartos available but you can use it as 3-piece with another model's atty

Both are a bit fatter than a cig. Standard KR8 is 120mm long with a carto on. Mega 510 is 138mm long with atty+cart, 128mm long with standard carto

Whatever you use, you will be adding eliquid. If you use atty+cart you will add eliquid frequently. If you use cartomizers, you will add eliquid less frequently but keep the carto damp to get at least several days use out of each.

Vendors
Joye 510 and Ego - see LiteCigUSA.net Cignot.com
KR808D-1 - LiteCigUSA.net VaporLeaf.com and see Vapor4Life.com for colors and prefilled cartos
Riva 510 - Liberty-flights.com

 

[swedishfish]

Welcome!

No, you won't find an ecig that taste like a cigarette. But here's the good news-- this actually tastes better! No lie! When I have had a drag from an analog (cigarette) I can't believe how nasty they taste and how much I used to like them. Ejuice tastes really great! It feels good in your mouth and on your tongue.

Now about styles - Two of the most popular here are the 510s (egos, tanks) or the KR808 models.

The KR808 is a two piece unit that looks the most like a cigarette (long and skinny). The down side, and this is just my opinion, you really have to take a super drag and really pull to vape. This is compared to the ego.

The 510 (ego- bigger model) is short and fat. It has a manual battery which means you push a button to inhale. Great flavor, great TH, easy to use but it doesn't look like a cigarette. After a couple weeks you won't care. I wouldn't recommend the 510 unless you don't mind changing a lot of batteries. Again, my opinion.

You can get a Riva at Liberty Flights for $29.99 if you want to keep the price down. If you like it, order the tank for it.

If you like the idea of a two piece model, V4L has some nice ones.

I'm mentioning these two vendors because I've purchased from them. There are tons of great vendors out there.

Electronic Cigarette - Starter Kits - Riva 510
Vapor4Life-Because it's your life - E-Cigarettes/Smoking Alternatives

 

[mlinky]

+1 There is no cigarette sized unit with decent power and battery life. You are a heavy smoker and will need the power and longevity of an eGo or Riva. Everyone worries about it being cigarette size at first. That lasts about one day once you get your first one. It's about "not smoking," and a pv is not smoking.

 

[unsure]

+1 There is no cigarette sized unit with decent power and battery life. You are a heavy smoker and will need the power and longevity of an eGo or Riva. Everyone worries about it being cigarette size at first. That lasts about one day once you get your first one. It's about "not smoking," and a pv is not smoking.

++
Well said.
I have nothing to add as I usually do because of your requirements other than what mlinky has already stated. If you insist on something that looks like & feels like cigarette you will probably be very disappointed. E-cig WORK. They have stopped smoking for almost all of us...keep a opened mind and you can join us in the ex-smokers club.

 

[swedishfish]

Some people do need something that looks like a cigarette to start with. If that's the case, Smoke Tip is a good kit with a lifetime warranty on batteries. But you do have to do the super-pull.

My Mom quit with the Smoke Tip but she quickly moved on. If that's what it takes, $60 is a pretty good investment. Patches cost about that and they don't work.

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

Welcome to ecf. Very glad you found us first before buying some of the 'hyped-up' ones in 7-11 and the malls. You have just saved yourself tons of headaches and lots of cash. The other members have given good direction so please at least research it. I smoked heavily for almost 40 years and never picked up another analog once I picked up the ecig. They work.

sas

 

[keyzygirl]

I tried alot of models before finding the 808.I wanted a cig size,not a big mod.I went with Vapor4life.They now have WoW cartos that come in sampler packs and a nice selection of batteries.Its a great place to start.They have the busiest subforum with alot of happy helpful people to help you decide what to get.

 

[Clinton]

A lot of good advice here. eGo's are great and the 510 connection on them is really versatile. If you don't want to feel like you have to suck through a straw for half an hour to get a good drag, Boge LR cartomizers are great, but they need a larger battery like the eGo. Using them on the cig sized batteries will kill the batteries.

Edit--> lol ya know I've been pushing those Boge LR's in just about every thread I post in

 

[kcos]

New to this ,tried many, 510 other cheap ones to. The Bloog close to a cig. no buttons to push long battery life, 2 pieces. Great draw good throat hit. I love my BLOOG. Not as cheap but i'd pay more. Here are some links of reviews.

GrimmGreen YouTube YouTube - BLOOG MAXX FUSION E-CIG REVIEW
YouTube - Bloog Maxx Fusion Review vs Everyone else
YouTube - Bloog MaxXFusion eCig Review: It's All New Here

 

[chantress]

I am vaping on a Joye 510. I was a PDA smoker and when my ecig got here I havent picked a regular cig up since. That was 34 days ago. I also live with 2 smokers and it hasnt phased me in the slightest. The Joye 510 is the same size as a cig, a little heavier and it does take a day for so to get used to pushing the button. My battery I usually have to change out once a day or so. I also use that carts and atty rather than the cartomizer. As I said I love it. I hope you find something that you like too

 

[dormouse]

Whatever you get, make sure you have...

For a 510 or Ego/Riva a minimum of 2 batteries, 2 atomizers, carts, charger(s), eliquid, and cone for Ego/Riva, and optional blank soft-cap cartomizers (try Boge soft cap standard for 510, standard or LR for Ego/Riva), optional drip tip

For a KR808D-1/Vapor4Life - minimum of 2 batteries, 10 cartomizers, charger(s), eliquid, optional plastic or delrin drip tip for use as a mouthpiece on hotter cartos (or just because it's easy to take out to add juice)

good option for either - extra charger for at work, and a PCC for charging on the go

 

[DC2]

I need to find the right e-cig and flavor the first time around.

I only scanned the thread quickly, but didn't see anyone address this comment...

You have a fair chance of finding the right electronic cigarette the first time around.
The chances decrease if you really want it to look and feel like a real cigarette though.

As far as finding the "right" flavor the first time around....

Well, assuming there is such a thing as the "right" flavor, your chances of hitting it the first time are really, really small.
Just forget all about that idea and open yourself up to a whole new world.

The longer you cling to that idea, the more chance there is you'll be frustrated.
The sooner you lose that idea, the quicker you'll come to find a number of flavors you like better than you ever imagined.

 

[jj2]

I would recommend the eGo, Riva, or similar model with long battery life.
I agree with dormouse, buy double of everything. My reason being, if hubby sees you puffing on this, he might just change his mind and join you. If it turns out you both like vaping, buy more right away.

 

[chantress]

For me I found the flavor that I really like for everyday to be a strong cinnamon. It gives a great smooth throat hit and makes my throat do the same thing that my analogs did. *smiles* When I have quit before that is what I had missed most.

 

[Descente36]

trust me, you won't be missing the taste of an analog once you start vaping the various ejuices.

 

[Pammers]

Thank you all for taking the time to give me such great advice. I'm currently reading DonDaBoomVape's "Wonderful World of Vaping" in order to get a better idea of what you're all talking about. Atomizers? Tanks? Cartomizers? What are these things????

I'll come back and go through the posts again after I read the series, I'm sure it will all make more sense to me then.

Arrrg....where are the pictures that go with the series?

 

[dormouse]

It definitely will. Just avoid those super-minis that are shown. As a rather leisurely dragging lights smoker and a true gadget lover, I was able to start on a super-mini. But within a month I bought 2 more ecigs and those are the ones I mostly vape now - both recommended lines 510 and Vapor4Life KR808D-1, both with cartomizers most of the time, and manual batteries on both

For more info - for a moderate to light vaper, battery charge length (much less with heavy vaping)
510 - 2-3 hours
510 mega - 3-5 hours
KR808D-1 standard - 3-5 hours
Ego/Riva 6-8+ hours and that may be a low estimate

If you get a 510 or 510 mega first, your atomizers, carts, any cartomizers you get will be usable on Ego or Riva 510 if you decide to upgrade. Riva 510 and Ego have their own chargers only for them, and can also use LR (low resistance) attys and cartomizers. 510 threading has the most stuff for it. What it doesn't have much of is prefilled cartomizers. if those are your interest then look at the KR808D-1 line and Vapor4Life.com.

Eventually many people own stuff from both lines. You can also use an adapter on 510, Ego, Riva to use prefilled cartos from Vapor4Life.com though they may run a bit cooler on 510 (I think KR8 is slightly higher voltage batteries).

battery+atomizer+cartridge(cart) needs juice more often than battery+cartomizer(carto), but a cartomizer only works well for about 4-7 days (some get extra life out of them by cleaning, some find that less than successful). It seems to me that though many start out of atty+cart most eventually end up dripping on an atomizer and/or using cartomizers (or Ego tank atty and tanks) in preference to using carts on an atty.

 

[Pammers]

Well, it's a month and a half later and here's what's happened. I purchased a Joye Ego from Liberty-Flights and loved it. Hubby, who is a truck driver, decided to quit smoking so I gave him my Ego to take on the road and purchased another one for myself, in purple, from ecigbestsave.com. In the meantime, my daughter purchased a T-Rex from Sharp-smoker. I have never been as satisfied with the purple Ego as I was with the first one. It produces very little vapor and I am constantly sucking juice into my mouth. YUCK! I got used to it though, out of necessity.

Tonight I tried my daughter's T-Rex. It's an entirely different animal. Huge clouds of vapor, loads of flavor...I love it! I didn't realize how poorly my Ego was performing until I tried her T-Rex. As an experiment, I tried my purple atomizers on her T-Rex and vice versa. I learned that the problem is my atomizers. So, my question is, where can I order atomizers and be assured of the quality? One of my purple ones has already died, after only 2 weeks. I'm also considering trying cartomizers because they hold more e-liquid. I seem to be constantly topping off my cartridges.

I see that lightcigusa carries the standard ego atomizers as well as the "Expert" 510 atomizer. Is there really a difference between the two?

BTW, after smoking 2 packs of cigarettes a day and 40 years of smoking, I quit on April 1st. My husband and daughter have also quit. Between the 3 of us, that's at least $24/day that is not going to the tobacco companies. We couldn't have done it without our e-cigs.

 

[Pammers]

Bumping in hopes of getting a response.