Well researched Noob: Please scrutinize my e-cig purchase choices?

[HighlanderNorth]

Whats up? I've been smoking cigs for over 20 years. I only tried e-cigs once when a salesman showed me one in our mall 4-5 years ago, and I got 2 drags off it, but it was weak, and small with almost no vapor. So about a week ago I came here to the beginner's area where they give you pointers on e-cigs, and I read that through, then started looking into different online stores, while intermittently watching youtube videos all about e-cigs and accessories.

So then mid-way through my research, I realized I should skip the little cigarette sized automatic e-cigs, and start out with an E-Go unit. So I looked around and finally got to Totally Wicked, which someone had recommended, and I took the time to check out their site, but I was a bit hastier than maybe I should have been, because I accidentally bought the Tornado tank kit, which advertised itself as the "next generation" of the E-Go. If I would have looked at ALL the starter kits there, I would've seen that the E-Go-c is actually the "newest" generation of E-Go's. But by the time I figured that out, it was too late, and my Tornado tank is on its way.

So along with the Tornado tank, I ordered 50ml of the 72mg/ml nicotine in VG, 8 oz. of diluent in PG, 10ml of pre-mixed tobacco flavored 36mg/ml e-liquid, as well as about 5 other flavors to be mixed later, including menthol which is what I smoke now.

Then I kept watching youtube videos about e-cigs, and I realized that what I should've done, was to buy the chrome Torpedo VVV kit, which seems to be the exact same device as the Lava Tube, only the Torpedo tube in Chrome with accessories is only $67 on sale, while the Lava Tube is $110 right now! Thats A HUGE price difference. With it, I couldve had the kit that I wouldnt have needed to replace for a better kit later on.

So last night, I went ahead and bought the Torpedo VVV kit, since its sale is going to end in 12 days, then it will be about $25 more. Plus, I realized I would need either more atomizers for my Tornado tank, or more clearomizers for the Torpedo, because it comes with 1 disposable clearomizer, so I decided to kill 2 birds with one stone by buying the type of system that I see most of the pros using, which is a tank type device. So I ordered the 6ml dual coil tank from Totally wicked with my Torpedo VVV kit, and 4 extra atomizers for it. That way, it can be used on both the Torpedo VVV or the Tornado tank. At least thats what I read, maybe I'm wrong, and I'll need an adapter, so someone please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong about that!

The main reason I like the Torpedo/Lava tube type device, is because I collect LED flashlights, so I already have LOTS of LI Ion 18650 batteries to fit it, and a great smart charger for Li Ion batts. So I WILL NOT need to buy any more batteries any time soon for the Torpedo! Thats also why I wish I wouldve noticed it before I bought the Tornado tank kit, so I couldve saved the money I spent on the Tornado tank. But, the only place the Torpedo VVV was advertised on the Totally Wicked site was under Variable voltage kits, and I wasnt looking there, I was looking at standard starter kits, and at that point I didnt know what the heck a VV device was anyway!

But either way, its taking forever for the first kit I ordered to get here! Its been 4 days since I ordered it, and its going to be 2 more before it gets here! Maybe I just wont even open the Tornado tank, and just wait for the Torpedo to get here, then sell the Tornado tank kit unopened..... Thats an idea..... But maybe its good to have a spare, who knows(?)


OK, so where did I go wrong here, what should I have done differently, and what am I missing here?
How well do these 2 kits work, and does the Tornade E-Go work well and give good vapor with its stock atomizer or the dual coil tank?

Thanks...

 

[HighlanderNorth]

^^Also, whats the best nicotine strength to start out with?

 

[gthompson]

I think the general consensus is you'll probably need 24mg to satisfy a long time smoker's nicotine craving. I started at 18 but had to move to 24 before I could really start putting the analogs down.

 

[Vampirecat019]

I vape 3-12mg, and it does me just fine, after smoking American Spirits for the past 2 years (1packperday) and Camel Lights for 12 years before that. If you want to chain-vape, I'd recommend between 6-12mg. I think some people need higher doses though, because if you smoked 3 packs/day, I doubt 12mg will satisfy you. It's all subjective, just experiment.

I have a Tornado T (Ego-T), and it's not as good as I thought it would be. It just doesn't produce the vapor I'm looking for, with any liquid I've put in it. I guess I'll try putting the atty into an ultrasonic cleaner. I've yet to find a tank system that performs like an 808. The 510-T sucks.

I'd love to try an Ego-C. Right now I use a Volt, and it's pretty awesome. I'm going to get some cartos for it though, because I hate polyfill. But it is very nice in the car/at work. GREAT vapor and taste. Really reliable so far.

 

[vsummer1]

You need to make darn sure you have the CORRECT 18650 batteries. Some are protected, some not. Yours may not be the correct ones. Please be careful with this.

It is never a bad idea to have a backup, so getting the tank may not be a bad move. Who knows, you might like it better than the other one! I have made many mistakes that turned out to be blessings after I figured out what works for me. I used to like the little tanks, now I like the bigger tanks and for my backup (my to go system) I like to prefill the cartos that I used to like, then didn't, now do. Well, you get the point!

I wish you the best of luck in having the right batteries, and in your journey with your new e-cig!

Whatever works for YOU is the best system.

 

[vsummer1]

^^Also, whats the best nicotine strength to start out with?

I started with the Blu which got me off cigs, in their medium strength which I think was 16 mg. When I bought my first e-liquids, my first juice was the 12 mg and I chained vaped like crazy to get my "fix". I moved up to 18, and that seems to be my sweet spot. You will self regulate the nicotine input, so if it is low you just will vape more and know that you should order a bit higher next time. Now I am making my own juice, I make it at 16 and it is fine.

 

[Racehorse]

^^Also, whats the best nicotine strength to start out with?

I used a formula.........google what mg your analog cig has, and multiply by 20 (cigs a day you smoke). That at least got me in the ballpark. My analog cig had 0.8 mg nic, x 20 was 16, so I'm vaping 12-16 now. (12 when I want to chain vape)

I think the nic thing is very individual. People told me to start off higher so I wouldn't jones..........what it did instead was make me have a headache, and also get a little "woozy". That didn't feel good at all, so vaping on 18mg and 24mg was pretty uncomfortable for ME.

Get samples, try out.


As for your choice of hardware, you didn't make mistake. Most people have more than one thing for backup anyway. If you don't open it, see if you can eitehr send back or get store credit (there will be tons of other stuff you can buy), or get verified here and sell/trade on classified, or sell to friend who is a newbie to get them off analogs.

 

[tearose50]

Ditto on making sure those batteries are suitable for apv's. li-ion are fine as long as they are protected. There are big warnings in stickies that say something like DO NOT USE UNPROTECTED LION BATTERIES.

I got convinced to buy AW brand and am very very happy I did. There are several reputable vendors that only carry suitable batteries. RTD, Super T are two.

You are off to a very good start. And, the ego tank is far from a total waste. (That's the most common name for the Tornado) I loved them when they came out as a huge improvement. Used them for months with no problems at all --- and then ventured on to APV's. And, I still use the battery part of them with various other equipment from time to time. Ego Batteries are very very popular, still and if nothing else, a great back up to carry with you.

I suggest you tuck that Do it Yourself Supply aside for a bit and start with premixed juices. Several suppliers have good prices on small bottles and the world of flavors is an adventure in itself. Nothing tastes like a cig. Flavors I thought I would love I hated. Then, a day or two later my opinions totally changed.

Also, buy 12, 18 and 24 in small amounts. I'm not the only one who uses stronger in the morning and very light at night -- or at least, I did for a few months. I've pretty much settled to 18 and just vape a ton less at night.

AND, use what you have purchased. You are off to a great start. Everyday something else will tempt you --- but start saving now , set up a budget and stick to it! And, be kind to yourself and make the budget more than you thing it should be---but less than what you were spending on analogs. Good luck.

 

[HighlanderNorth]

Ditto on making sure those batteries are suitable for apv's. li-ion are fine as long as they are protected. There are big warnings in stickies that say something like DO NOT USE UNPROTECTED LION BATTERIES.

I got convinced to buy AW brand and am very very happy I did. There are several reputable vendors that only carry suitable batteries. RTD, Super T are two.

You are off to a very good start. And, the ego tank is far from a total waste. (That's the most common name for the Tornado) I loved them when they came out as a huge improvement. Used them for months with no problems at all --- and then ventured on to APV's. And, I still use the battery part of them with various other equipment from time to time. Ego Batteries are very very popular, still and if nothing else, a great back up to carry with you.

I suggest you tuck that Do it Yourself Supply aside for a bit and start with premixed juices. Several suppliers have good prices on small bottles and the world of flavors is an adventure in itself. Nothing tastes like a cig. Flavors I thought I would love I hated. Then, a day or two later my opinions totally changed.

Also, buy 12, 18 and 24 in small amounts. I'm not the only one who uses stronger in the morning and very light at night -- or at least, I did for a few months. I've pretty much settled to 18 and just vape a ton less at night.

AND, use what you have purchased. You are off to a great start. Everyday something else will tempt you --- but start saving now , set up a budget and stick to it! And, be kind to yourself and make the budget more than you thing it should be---but less than what you were spending on analogs. Good luck.

When I got into LED flashlights, I knew I would need LI Ion batteries in 18650, 14500 and RCR123/16340 sizes. But I read about how dangerous the cheap, Chinese batteries like Trustfire and Ultrafire can be. Some people over at cpf have a collective term for those 2 Chinese brands. They call them "Housefire" brand batteries, because thats what you might end up with if not careful with them!

So, instead, I spent more and bought only Panasonic based Li Ion batteries with Panasonic cells. There are quite a few brands that use the exact same Li Ion Panasonic batteries, but put their own wrappers on them. So far, in the vaping community, I have seen AW's almost exclusively. But Callie's Kustoms and Redilast Li Ions are great too. I also use Eagletac, and Orbtronics Li Ions, and I only buy protected batteries. The problem may be, that some of these e-cigs dont have enough internal room to fit the longer protected 18650's. Some will some wont. I read that the "Silver Bullet" will take protected batteries. I dont know about the Torpedo VVV. Also, some of these other e-cigs which have their own Li Ion batts are probably using cheap Chinese batts.

Another thing, I read on one youtube video that the supposed AW's that were being sold by the company that makes and sells the Lava Tube were actually bootleg AW's. They werent real, and were made by some Chinese company that put a bogus label on them...

 

[Bullette the Cowdog]

When I got into LED flashlights, I knew I would need LI Ion batteries in 18650, 14500 and RCR123/16340 sizes. But I read about how dangerous the cheap, Chinese batteries like Trustfire and Ultrafire can be. Some people over at cpf have a collective term for those 2 Chinese brands. They call them "Housefire" brand batteries, because thats what you might end up with if not careful with them!

So, instead, I spent more and bought only Panasonic based Li Ion batteries with Panasonic cells. There are quite a few brands that use the exact same Li Ion Panasonic batteries, but put their own wrappers on them. So far, in the vaping community, I have seen AW's almost exclusively. But Callie's Kustoms and Redilast Li Ions are great too. I also use Eagletac, and Orbtronics Li Ions, and I only buy protected batteries. The problem may be, that some of these e-cigs dont have enough internal room to fit the longer protected 18650's. Some will some wont. I read that the "Silver Bullet" will take protected batteries. I dont know about the Torpedo VVV. Also, some of these other e-cigs which have their own Li Ion batts are probably using cheap Chinese batts.

Another thing, I read on one youtube video that the supposed AW's that were being sold by the company that makes and sells the Lava Tube were actually bootleg AW's. They werent real, and were made by some Chinese company that put a bogus label on them...

Sound like you're checked out on the battery safety issue, Highlander. We just want to make sure all our brother & sister vapers stay safe ya know.
Well welcome to ECF & we look forward to seeing ya 'round.
Bullette says woof!

 

[HighlanderNorth]

Sound like you're checked out on the battery safety issue, Highlander. We just want to make sure all our brother & sister vapers stay safe ya know.
Well welcome to ECF & we look forward to seeing ya 'round.
Bullette says woof!

You're on the treasure coast huh? We bought a condo there in Martin County back in 2003. I was just down there in May. Friggin real estate has hit the skids down there in Fl! You can get a lot of home for your money now if you've got the money to spend right now though.......(just like in 2003)

 

[Bullette the Cowdog]

You're on the treasure coast huh? We bought a condo there in Martin County back in 2003. I was just down there in May. Friggin real estate has hit the skids down there in Fl! You can get a lot of home for your money now if you've got the money to spend right now though.......(just like in 2003)

Yep. Everything's on sale. Half price.

 

[lotsoffish]

Whats up? I've been smoking cigs for over 20 years.


OK, so where did I go wrong here, what should I have done differently, and what am I missing here?

Thanks...

You did FINE and you are starting with better gear than most folks do.

You have been smoking 20 years and you have finally started to make some aggressive moves towards quitting.

Once you receive all your new gear simply charge up your batteries mix up some 24 mg juice and THROW AWAY your ashtrays!

 

[tearose50]

You might want to add this to your reading:

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/ecf-library/129569-rechargeable-batteries.html

It covers just about all one needs to know about apv batteries.