....examining the Ego-C (standard 650mah battery and tank), he remarked how "big and complex" it looked, and that he wasn't interested in taking on anything that could be construed as a substantial new hobby. He's not going to be interested in learning about the existence of Vivi Novas, Boges, variable voltage or 901 vs. 510 socket styles.
I'm sure there are many smokers who are like this. The people here at ECF, who by definition are the kinds of people who would join a forum to explore the dizzying array of options in the world of PVs, are most likely a small percentage of total smokers who might want to vape if they were properly exposed to the possibility of doing so easily, cost-efficiently and rewardingly.
So what would you recommend to someone like my friend? Is there anything out there that really fits this bill?
Realistic Expectations vs Perceived
First of all, I tell my friends that vaping is nothing like smoking. Similar, but not the same. It will not taste like a cigarette, most likely not "hit" like a cigarette, and is not as easy to use as a cigarette. They take a little work, there is a learning curve, and there are trade offs involved. But I go on to explain why vaping can work to quit cigarettes and can actually be as satisfying as smoking.
How E-Cigs Can Work For The Well-Informed
Vaping replaces the nicotine we need like nicotine patches and gum does. But where those fail is, they do not replicate the ritual of learned behavior of the hand-to-mouth cigarette smoking action so ingrained into our brain and personality. Vaping will also bring that nicotine delivery similar to how a cigarette does via warm vapor into our mouth, throat, and lungs. Those two additional factors I believe is what sets vaping apart from the other nicotine delivery systems. In addition, one can vape harder and more frequently during a "nicotine craving", which the other two systems can't realistically address.
I also tell them that there is no single "best" ecig out there for beginners. Some ARE better than others, some ARE worse. "Best" is a very subjective term. How desperate or determined the smoker is to quit smoking and how important the e-cig must look like an analogue all goes into what device I recommend for them. I usually tell them most people start out with the cigarette look-a-likes, but after a month they are looking for something better (better = bigger batteries), so why not put that money into a better long term device right from the start? But I don't push it. The point is to get their foot into the door with some type of reasonably effective device to start the quitting process.
It Always Comes Down To Money
Finances always seems to come up in the discussion. Everyone wants something for less than $50. I tell them you generally get less than what you pay for. I ask them how much they spend on cigarettes every month. General rule of thumb, $5 a pack, a pack a day, 30 packs a month = $150 minimum. They need to spend at least that much on gear and juice. The first purchase is the hardest to the wallet or credit card, but I explain once they have the batteries or battery holder (most expensive component), the recurring expenses thereafter will be substantially less to replace used juice carrying devices and more e-juice.
How Long Do They Want It To Last?
If they are not overwhelmed with information at this point, I may go over my perspective pro's and con's of "short-term durability devices" vs "long-term durability devices":
Short-term durability devices:
These are the rechargable batteries such as the stick batteries and eGo batteries that have a limited expected life span and are rated for 250 or so charges. Then they will need to be replaced. Cheaper to buy initially and closer to an analogue in form factor, but the battery duration is limited by its smaller size. 3-4 hours for the cig-look-a-likes; 6-12 hours for the longer eGo's. These are are relatively fragile when compared to the devices in the next category. More than one must be carried as a second one will be needed while the first one is being recharged. Narrow form factor can limit the capacity of juice carrying devices used.
Long-term durability devices:
These are the battery holders (tube or box mods) that are built to last years, and use replaceable batteries. More expensive initially, but the use of stronger materials will allow these devices to take some punishment yet continue to work. Only one device need be carried; when the replaceable battery's charge dies, it is merely replaced by another small battery. Much easier to carry a couple small batteries along than multiple additional devices like the stick or eGo batteries.
Depending upon the size of mod/batteries used, these devices can be used up to all day or more with a single battery. The batteries are cheaper (< $10) and last longer (said to last up to a year). The larger form factor also allows for larger juice carrying devices such as a cartotank, which can hold up to 8ml of juice.
Final Recommendations Depending Upon The Beginner's Expectations:
Cig-a-like stick battery: Smokeless Image's Volt
Step-up size battery: either the Smokeless Image X2's or Joye eGo batteries
Advanced personal vaporizer or mod: the selections here are an entire different story and too vast to go over here. Fixed voltage mechanical mod or variable wattage/variable voltage? Size and form factor. Button placement. Chinese origin or other origin (I include this for warranty consideration and the feasibility of repair once the warranty has run out.)
