Typical questions from a newbie

[Jordiebugg]

I've been vaping for over 3 years. Like you, I had no vape stores nearby to see or try out the gear and had to order online. So you can say that I learned from experience, trial & error.

My favorite online vape stores were AltSmoke, My Vapor Store, and Discount Vapors. They are reputable and prices are very reasonable. They also back their products.

eliquids will be difficult. What I like you may not. Some places offer sample packs to try small amounts at minimal costs. Once you find what you like, you can order a larger bottle next time. Finding the right flavor is more important than the gear you use.

Order the appropriate strength of nicotine. 2 ppd = 24 mg. 1 1/2 ppd = 18 mg. 1 ppd = 12 mg. 1/2 ppd = 6 mg. When I first ordered I got 24 mg and was only a 1 ppd smoker ... it was way too harsh for me to vape.

Look over my blog to help with your education and research: Baditude's Blog

Thank you for the advice!! I'll look over your blog and be sure to ask more questions if i get confused. As for your choice of liquid, what's your palette like?

 

[Jordiebugg]

Vaporfi sell a $37.99 e-cig for $119.99

We love them, they are such a genuinely caring company.

They have started paying for advertising on some UK forums. I can see that working out really well for them.

Lol I could be reading this wrong but if they're selling a $37.99 e-cig for $119.99 isn't that a rip off? Unless you're being sarcastic lol

 

[Jordiebugg]

Isticks can be had in 10 Watts, 20 Watts, 30 Watts and 50 Watts form - the 10 watts is a bit small, the 20 and 30 have the same battery but the 30 can fire a lower ohm tank (0.4) and the 50 has twice the battery and can fire an ever lower ohms (0.2) if you want to go cloud chasing. The GS air tank will work on any from the 20 up. Buy the best you can afford.

Thanks for the input. Only I'm having problems finding a good place to buy them since I'm not sure who's reputable and who's not. Any advice for that?

 

[Baditude]

Thank you for the advice!! I'll look over your blog and be sure to ask more questions if i get confused. As for your choice of liquid, what's your palette like?

I was a menthol smoker, so my initial flavors were menthol. I still vape some menthol. However, I found that I liked fruity flavors most. Over the years I've expanded to some deserty flavors, too. I never cared for any of the so-called tobacco flavors.

If you like fruity flavors, I'll suggest Dripeez (Google them).

 

[LevineDelta]

KangerTech K-BOX & Subtank Starter Kit – CJVapors

 

[somdcomputerguy]

If you do want to go the eGo route, Vapor Cigarette 650 | Tastypuff will only set you back about $20, and you get a free 12ml. bottle of juice (your selection) too.

 

[Shirtbloke]

Thanks for the input. Only I'm having problems finding a good place to buy them since I'm not sure who's reputable and who's not. Any advice for that?

I'm in the UK so can't really say about US suppliers for Isticks. I'm sure someone will chime in though. Or look through the approved forum suppliers....
ECF Forum Suppliers | E-Cigarette Forum

 

[Jordiebugg]

I was a menthol smoker, so my initial flavors were menthol. I still vape some menthol. However, I found that I liked fruity flavors most. Over the years I've expanded to some deserty flavors, too. I never cared for any of the so-called tobacco flavors.

If you like fruity flavors, I'll suggest Dripeez (Google them).

Sounds like something I would choose. Thank you for the help!

 

[Shirtbloke]

Just found Totally Wicked have them at 20% discount at the moment - they're actually called the Curve there but it's just a rebranded name change....
Curve E-Cigarette | iStick E-Cig | Electronic Cigarette | Eleaf

 

[Jordiebugg]

I'm in the UK so can't really say about US suppliers for Isticks. I'm sure someone will chime in though. Or look through the approved forum suppliers....
ECF Forum Suppliers | E-Cigarette Forum

Thank you for directing me! Very appreciative

 

[djsvapour]

Lol I could be reading this wrong but if they're selling a $37.99 e-cig for $119.99 isn't that a rip off? Unless you're being sarcastic lol

Good work! Tell your friends.

 

[jseah]

When I started, I only bought menthol juices because I was a menthol smoker. That got tired quickly. Most menthol juices are way too strong. I now pretty much exclusively vape fruity juices. I do have a couple of juices that are fruit with a bit of menthol. One is pretty heavy with menthol (I don't like it too much but I bought a 120 ml bottle so I gotta vape it) so the menthol taste kinda overpowers the fruit taste. The other juice has a very mild menthol taste upon exhale. That one I do like.

 

[somdcomputerguy]

One is pretty heavy with menthol (I don't like it too much but I bought a 120 ml bottle so I gotta vape it) so the menthol taste kinda overpowers the fruit taste.

I'd get a bottle of 'flavorless' juice with the same nic level, and mix the two at whatever ratio is best for you to cut down on flavor that is too strong. That would of course cut down on the flavor you enjoy in that juice as well..

 

[jseah]

I'd get a bottle of 'flavorless' juice with the same nic level, and mix the two at whatever ratio is best for you to cut down on flavor that is too strong. That would of course cut down on the flavor you enjoy in that juice as well..

I actually have a bottle of the same juice at the same nic level, but without the menthol, so I have been adding that. At a 1:1 ratio, the menthol is still pretty strong, but doesn't overwhelm all the other flavors.

 

[Jordiebugg]

There's a lot of good advice here, the only thing I would say is (and please, pass this along), only buy from a place that sells e-cig equipment specifically. That means no gas stations, liquor stores, head shops, and definitely never a flea market. Whoever gets your business should sell e-cig hardware and juice as their main money maker. As far as rebranded eGo batteries, it's a little more complicated than that. There are good eGo batteries and there are very poor ones, and are made from countless companies. Pay attention to that branding. Your bigger brands aren't going to co-opt crap. Vision, Kanger, Innokin, Aspire, these are some names to start with. Don't buy ANYTHING that doesn't have a brand on it.

When I first started, it was a Vision Spinner 1300 with a pro tank. That was a wonderful start and it did the job very well. $30 for the battery, $13 for the pro tank and a couple of juices. Not too bad. I was back in two weeks to buy a second battery to make life a little easier and those two eGos lasted me about 6 months until I upgraded. I still have them 2 years later for testing juice. On the other hand, I've known people who have bought unbranded eGos that crapped out 2 weeks later. Branding does matter. Reputable companies will do all the trial and error for you. With that being said, there are always going to be defective equipment, but that's where your retailer shows their true colors and decides to replace it or not.

Yeah I'm hoping this post helps other new vapers as well. The only thing I need to look into a little more is where to buy my equipment. I want to buy from a company that'll work with me if something is wrong or if something happened to the pieces in shipping. That's my main concern, as well as having legit equipment lol

 

[jenraines]

I've been vaping since November. Friends bought me a starter kit and juice from a local "chain" store. I still have it and use it occasionally. I started with a cinnamon tobacco flavor and loved it. I upgraded tanks and bought a variable voltage spinner battery. All ego equipment. Then I found a little shop with far more knowledgeable owner/staff and they mix their own juice. Amazing difference in flavors and they will mix specifically for you. Just yesterday bought the UROCK mod and love it. My advice is make sure that even in vape shops that they know what they are talking about. The chain store I was going to did not understand ohms/volts or even all of the equipment they sold. Think 19 year Olds working at a vape shop to hang out with their friends.....

 

[OcalaFlGuy]

Jordie, here is the kit I am using now that is working just fine for me. (Disregard the mislabeled link.)

Unisex Heated Rider Sports Vest-Black | Blazewear USA

The coils are pretty easy to rebuild. For about $4 on Ebay you can get enough Kanthal wire and 3mm Silica to make basically
brand new coils for A Long time. You actually end up with a Better coil than the factory gives you.

When it comes to Menthol juice, head to Halo. They have Menthol down to a Science.
Bruce in Ocala, Fl

 

[OcalaFlGuy]

Oops.

 

[Baditude]

Yeah I'm hoping this post helps other new vapers as well. The only thing I need to look into a little more is where to buy my equipment. I want to buy from a company that'll work with me if something is wrong or if something happened to the pieces in shipping. That's my main concern, as well as having legit equipment lol

May I recommend either AltSmoke, Discount Vapors, or My Vapor Store. These are reputable online ecig stores supported by ECF as trusted vendors. They sell primarily name brand gear (no generics) and offer excellent customer service if there should happen to be a problem.