Vaping 101

[vsummer1]

I think you could recommend more than 1 pv. Also the KGO variable voltage has a better voltage range than the twist. It's not overload to have two or three options.
Some people specifically want smaller pvs also - for the form factor or discretion. I know one guy who after several months still will only use a cig size pv. It works for him. Which is why the ECF guides give a good overview so people can choose.
I think cartomizers should be an included option - I've seen some noobs really struggle with starting out on a vivi nova - some people are fine, but others have needed cartomizers first off.
The nic mg recommendations are ok - but I found 24 mg too high when I started and I was smoking 40-50 a day. 18 mg was the right starting point for me. So not everyone is the same and they may want to try both 24mg and 18 mg to see which suits them better.
I also would say 50/50 PG/VG won't suit everyone. That's too much VG for me, for example.

I agree with all of the above and will add:

This guide is so opinionated and off track, I tried to link you to some that were factual rather than advertisements for overpriced items and vendors. Why not recommend a starter kit for $20 and instead have someone spend $60? Are you being paid to advertise for these vendors?

I never started with the overpriced gear and flavors you advertise, and had I tried I would probably be still smoking cigarettes. Your guide needs some serious tweaking as it is very narrow. You say information overload, yet you disregard most people's choices in favor of yours. Your choices should take into account various tastes and price points. Which is exactly WHY I linked you to the more thought out beginner's guides that aren't skewed to opinion but rather fact.

You also state that NONE OF THE PARTS ARE DISPOSABLE. That is misinformation! All chinese batteries are indeed disposable, and will only charge about 250 times. There is NO WAY it is going to last me a year! Not even close. If you want NON disposable, you will need to get a battery holder rather than a battery, and even then the batteries inside the holder will need to be replaced. Have you even been vaping a year?

 

[NancyR]

I agree with the last two posters, as you also have people like me that don't have or need vv, and before anyone says I don't know what I am missing I have vaped on vv, and for *ME*, while it might be nice it isn't needed. I even have a kick I an sending to someone else today because it doesn't give me any better vape than I get with the right coil set up on my rebuildable.

 

[Vapoor eyes er]

Problems I have with the Blog:
Obvious adverts for overpriced gear. If I were to buy a starter kit with 2 batts from the links in the Blog the cost would amount to $100...I can find the same Kit for under $60.
Lots of inaccurate info- batts are not disposable, you only need one battery, 650 mah batt will last all day, it's ok to charge the batt overnight unattended, etc.
As for the suggestion the Twist is the right PV for everyone is absolutely wrong. I've got many friends that have been using the Kgo for the last year? and I have other friends that are happily using the Volt. Also have some friends that are using Tube Mods. There's also no mention of the Kgo VV or the Spinner- both great mini VV PVs. I believe OP recently went from Mall/ Gas Station PVs to a Twist and is a little exuberant and the links to a certain vendor with overpriced hardware is suspect IMO.

I agree with all of the above and will add:

This guide is so opinionated and off track, I tried to link you to some that were factual rather than advertisements for overpriced items and vendors. Why not recommend a starter kit for $20 and instead have someone spend $60? Are you being paid to advertise for these vendors?

I never started with the overpriced gear and flavors you advertise, and had I tried I would probably be still smoking cigarettes. Your guide needs some serious tweaking as it is very narrow. You say information overload, yet you disregard most people's choices in favor of yours. Your choices should take into account various tastes and price points. Which is exactly WHY I linked you to the more thought out beginner's guides that aren't skewed to opinion but rather fact.

You also state that NONE OF THE PARTS ARE DISPOSABLE. That is misinformation! All chinese batteries are indeed disposable, and will only charge about 250 times. There is NO WAY it is going to last me a year! Not even close. If you want NON disposable, you will need to get a battery holder rather than a battery, and even then the batteries inside the holder will need to be replaced. Have you even been vaping a year?

 

[KarenB]

Yes the information on this site can be overwhelming BUT it's very useful. For instance, I found the ViVi Nova here and by watching NUMEROUS You Tube videos I made my decision. I wish I would have found this site prior to purchasing our latest Ego-T kits and would have likely purchased a few VV batteries and the ViVi Nova Minis to start thus saving a lot of money.

Key to this is the following: No matter what someone posts, Google search it OR simply go to the Suppliers tab at the top of this forum and price out the equipment you want. It IS good to have a reference point, as I believe the OP has done BUT always shop for the best deals (remember shipping) and make sure you look up the vendors you are dealing with prior to purchasing. I didn't with my kits and frankly won't shop with that supplier again (lack of communication, had 2 bad batteries, returned them, got the same batteries back). That supplier, BTW, isn't linked on these forums.

Moral of the story? Shop around, take suggestions from people, look at videos and while overwhelming most of the video reviews will tell you about how things vape, TH, flavor production and longevity of the batteries used on average.

 

[NancyR]

Yes the information on this site can be overwhelming BUT it's very useful. For instance, I found the ViVi Nova here and by watching NUMEROUS You Tube videos I made my decision. I wish I would have found this site prior to purchasing our latest Ego-T kits and would have likely purchased a few VV batteries and the ViVi Nova Minis to start thus saving a lot of money.

Key to this is the following: No matter what someone posts, Google search it OR simply go to the Suppliers tab at the top of this forum and price out the equipment you want. It IS good to have a reference point, as I believe the OP has done BUT always shop for the best deals (remember shipping) and make sure you look up the vendors you are dealing with prior to purchasing. I didn't with my kits and frankly won't shop with that supplier again (lack of communication, had 2 bad batteries, returned them, got the same batteries back). That supplier, BTW, isn't linked on these forums.

Moral of the story? Shop around, take suggestions from people, look at videos and while overwhelming most of the video reviews will tell you about how things vape, TH, flavor production and longevity of the batteries used on average.

Yes can't forget the shipping charges, with a few items I have actually found it to be cheaper to get when marked a dollar or two more but with much cheaper shipping.

 

[KarenB]

GREAT point Nancy! Shipping is an equalizing factor sometimes. Generally the stuff I buy online has a straight $ 5.95 priority mail shipping charge. When I buy hardware online I will have 3 or 4 windows open with the least expensive product cost then compare totals with shipping. If I find a discount code here (another reason to look at the suppliers tab) then I apply that and order from the cheapest "per unit" vendor (including shipping).

The trick is to not buy into the hype and get stuff you can't afford. My next big purchase is going to be a VV battery but will wait till the Ego-T's I have are dying ... I see a couple more ViVi Nova Mini's in my immediate future and believe me, I am going to apply my above method. If it works out that my local BM price ($ 17.95 plus tax) is comparable to online prices with shipping, I'll just buy locally. So much to consider!

 

[vsummer1]

GREAT point Nancy! Shipping is an equalizing factor sometimes. Generally the stuff I buy online has a straight $ 5.95 priority mail shipping charge. When I buy hardware online I will have 3 or 4 windows open with the least expensive product cost then compare totals with shipping. If I find a discount code here (another reason to look at the suppliers tab) then I apply that and order from the cheapest "per unit" vendor (including shipping).

The trick is to not buy into the hype and get stuff you can't afford. My next big purchase is going to be a VV battery but will wait till the Ego-T's I have are dying ... I see a couple more ViVi Nova Mini's in my immediate future and believe me, I am going to apply my above method. If it works out that my local BM price ($ 17.95 plus tax) is comparable to online prices with shipping, I'll just buy locally. So much to consider!

Even if it turns out to be a buck or so more, just having that new store is priceless and surely worth the little extra bit here and there. I know you just spent $150 there the last two weeks, so I am sure you are a great customer for them either way. Just sayin'

ETA: if I ever make it down the hill, I will have to let you know. maybe we can meet there or something.

 

[KarenB]

Truth be told; I am an "instant gratification" sorta gal so likely will buy the ViVi's in store. I really can't wait long for stuff (even if it's only 2 days LOL). But as a "for instance" ... the Ego cases I just bought were $ 6.95 online but $ 15.00 in store. I couldn't do the in store purchase it just was too much of a difference.

Back on topic: All this takes research and any 101 blog is good just do some research and realize that just because someone posted it doesn't mean it's the best deal out there

Even if it turns out to be a buck or so more, just having that new store is priceless and surely worth the little extra bit here and there. I know you just spent $150 there the last two weeks, so I am sure you are a great customer for them either way. Just sayin'

ETA: if I ever make it down the hill, I will have to let you know. maybe we can meet there or something.

 

[klynnn]

I quit with a Kgo. It's not vv but it's a bit better than an ego in voltage. I didn't have to go any further to keep me happy. I like trying a few new things. I have read lots about vv and had to see for myself what it's all about. I like it and I think it provides a better hit. Do I need it NO, but it's nice to have and its not that much more expensive.

 

[troptop]

Thanks for the information!

 

[zoiDman]

Nice work TangoPoet.

It takes time to put something like that together.

 

[wolcen]

Thanks for sharing your experience TangoPoet! It's a great attempt at a beginner guide IMO. There are two unfortunate truths that make such a task practically impossible: there is a LOT of info even for beginners (not all of which will apply to everyone, but still), and vapers are individuals - I don't think any single device will ever fit everyone. Unavoidable I guess, but I commend your effort regardless.

Additional options for a good starter juice might be this recommendation thread.

 

[wolcen]

BTW, those two things are the reasons I recommend a good local shop if you are fortunate to have one around. I think you'll be much more likely to find something suitable for you there on an early attempt than anywhere else.

 

[TangoPoet]

Hi all,

Thanks for the feedback. There is some good constructive criticism here, which I'd like to summarize for the sake of the discussion:
—Low cost is a priority
—The guide needs a menthol juice
—Beginners may want a broader overview
—No equipment lasts forever
These are all great points, and I have revised accordingly. (The updated version is online at the original URL.)

Thanks again!

 

[Doogmar]

Nice guide but my issue is "Get real gear, not something resembling a cigarette. Those little sticks don't work!"

I know people in this forum used these to get off cigs. Sure most of us probably upgrade to something better, but for many people this was their introduction to vaping, and might not have tried vaping if not for these. For new people bigger styles can be intimidating.

I personally started with a cig style, and within a couple of weeks started looking for something better. But a friend who I got started on vaping is perfectly fine with a cig style, even though I have told her she might want to start thinking about upgrading. If her only choice was one of the bigger setups, she wouldn't have quit smoking. Also nothing is really junk if it gets you to stop smoking. Sure I think my Blu was 'junk' but if not for those I wouldn't have a Provari today...I would probably be still smoking analogs.

Anyways that's my 2 cents, and I'm sure people disagree with this, but to me the important thing is they use whatever they can to get off analogs....even if its a Blu system (which I wouldn't recommend since there are better ecig styles out there.)

 

[DanFromIran]

Thanks for providing the guide. Reading it helped me a lot!
I wished to see some more instruction about how to assemble the parts together and maybe a couple other options.

 

[B.Traven]

For me, I'd rather make a few mistakes and really learn what I like and why I like it rather than rely on someone else's opinion. Never really did like someone telling me what I should like and why I should like it. Besides, experience has taught me that when someone tells me something is "much cooler", it may have been at one time but it probably ain't anymore, kinda like getting a hot stock collateralized debt obligation tip from a stranger.

I'm glad I started with an 808 cig-a-like, it gave me time to learn what's what without spending a fistful of dough, while I still quit smoking tobacco. And now I know I'm ready to move on, why I'm ready to move on and what I'm ready to move on to.

btraven

 

[synthros]

I don't think I could have put something together that is this clear and concise with IMHO, generally sound advice. I have people all the time that want to know more, too many of them are never going to come to ECF and do the legwork to get the information they need. They very much want me to "tell them what they should do/buy", and to be honest I struggle sometimes to distill a lot of information into what some of the people I have talked to really want. So, yes. I have already pointed a few people to this site, I also let them know that they can come to the ECF, do their own research, find other/cheaper vendors etc. Two so far that I know went pretty much this route, and its not a bad starting point at all. I wish I had started with this instead of what I did. Ymmv, but I can appreciate the effort and I for one applaud it. If I host a better first timer instructional on my website, maybe ill argue with your effort then But since my efforts to help interested smokers usually in involves a quick written note, or short list of websites, I'm probably going to continue to point people to yours as well as other sites.

 

[TangoPoet]

I'm glad that some find my article useful!

Also---I'm glad that some others take issue with it. Part of its intent is to polarize (and therefore orient) the smoker's thoughts. Those who are still on the fence (about what to try first) might see my advice, and go hard in the other direction. That's a good result too!

NOTE: If someone wants to write a direct, cut-to-the-chase article recommending a cig-lookalike, I'd be happy to link to it. I might even test the device (provided it's unlike what I've already been disappointed by).

In short, my goal is to focus on action instead of options. Quitting smoking is urgent, and I think the typical "beginner's guides" too often forget that. They turn it into window shopping. That's only useful after you quit. Some smokers are ready, have done some reading, and simply need one stimulating example of less jungle and more machete in order to make a move. That was missing, so I filled the gap as best I could---and I really hope it works.

 

[synthros]

I love that! Can I borrow that line? Like in my sig? |
|
|
\ /