What to buy? Please help

[esdel]

Hello all, I'm a newby and I've been researching this endlessly and I seem to be getting overwhelmed by all the available options. I'm looking for an e-cig with 1) a good throat hit; 2) similar size to a real, analog cig; 3) LED (I believe this is called an automatic battery); 4) the ability to refill cartridges (does this rule out cartridges that include the atomizer?). So, can anyone please recommend an e-cig that satisfies all the above criteria? I'm impressed with all the reviews of the Janty Dura-C, but it seems to be quite a bit bigger than an analog cig and I think I would miss the LED. Maybe once I've quit smoking analogs for good and have some experience with e-cigs I'll be ready to move on to something less cig-like. For now, however, I think the more cig-like, the more it would help me to quit analogs. Thanks very much

 

[LedGecko]

I'm a newby too, but have several weeks experience, so I can answer some of your questions.......

#3 - Batteries with an LED are not necessarily automatic. The LED just indicates it is delivering power to the atomizer, and manuals can have one too. IMHO the automatics are too sensitive and moody. I have a manual on order, and all the old-timers around here seem to swear by them.

#4 - I haven't tried a cart/atty combo, but they are designed to be disposable, so I doubt the filler is good enough to reuse much. Other than that, you can pretty much refill any cartridge. I bought a whole bunch of pre-filled carts for my pen-style (801), which turned out to be a mistake, but also a learning experience. It was a mistake, because the carts didn't deliver very well, and I kept thinking I was doing something wrong. Then one day I took an old cart, washed everything out, let the filler dry, put it back togther, and refilled it with juice. WOW!!! What a difference! I can actually enjoy my e-cig now instead of messing around with it all the time, and I get good consistent draws with it. I am only buying juice and blank carts from now on. Lesson learned.

As for #1, I have only tried a pen-style so far, but I have pretty good results with it. I got mine from vaporcig, but after more research I'm pretty sure I could have gotten the exact same thing cheaper. I wasn't getting consistent vapor at first, but after making my own carts I'm pleased with it other than the moody automatic battery. I am currently waiting for my Janty Stick (manual), and have high hopes for it.

And for #2, I think the 501 styles are closest in size to analog cigs, but there might be others that I'm not aware of yet. However, the smaller the e-cig is, the smaller the battery is, and I can definitely tell you that you want a nice powerful battery. I would be leery that when you are first starting, a smaller one won't give you enough satisfaction to stick with vaping.

HTH!

 

[esdel]

Hi Gecko,

Yeah, it sure does help; thanks. You're a newby and you're already making your own filters?? You sound like an expert to me! Can you buy empty filters? Is it hard to make your own?

I'm beginning to see that e-cigs should be seen as their own thing because they simply work better when they're designed as e-cigs, as opposed to analog look-alikes. Unfortunately, I get a lot of satisfaction out of simply holding a cigarette between my fingers. Somehow, I don't think a Janty Stick would quite cut it in that regard. I'm thinking the Dura-C might be an OK compromise, but I'm not ready to commit just yet. So, the search continues...

Thanks again for your reply.

 

[breakfastchef]

Buy a Janty Kissbox Classic Extended package or a Janty JantyStick.

 

[Christopher]

janty dura-c 510, or the janty stick are great options.

 

[esdel]

Hey chef, Christopher,

Wow, such helpful people on this forum, thanks! The Janty Stick looks nothing like a cig, right? From what I've seen, it looks like a tiny version of a melodica I had as a kid, LOL. Not something you could just sit there and hold between your fingers. To me, there's more to smoking than just smoking, know what I mean? I'll check out those other options you mentioned.

BTW, does anybody know how long the Janty Dura-C is (like how many mm)? Couldn't find that info on their website.

 

[dumwaldo]

I can not take credit for the find so here is the link...
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo.../17673-replacements-buy-new-2.html#post286977

TamaraSJ was kind enough to clue me in that Eastmall has a great price on 510's and they come with a manual battery with an LED.

DW

 

[tattooed]

I was in your boat a little while back and I really wanted something that looked exactly like a traditional cigarette. I understand that desire but after a good month's worth of research, I decided on the 510. It has everything you describe and the manual battery makes it so it really "handles", its not going to fire up until you press the button, I like that. Another thing that kept me away from the super mini, analog looking ecigs, is the battery life. I got by for a while on my 2 510 batteries but I'm almost always near an outlet, if you aren't constantly charging those tiny ecigs you're going to get frustrated waiting for a fresh battery.

So just keep it in mind that while you think now you really want that ecig that will trick your brain into thinking its an analog, you could very easily regret it later, probably sooner than later.

 

[Elendil]

A general rule of thumb........

The less like an analog the ecig looks, the better you will like it long term.....

 

[Withnail]

Hi Gecko,

Yeah, it sure does help; thanks. You're a newby and you're already making your own filters?? You sound like an expert to me! Can you buy empty filters? Is it hard to make your own?

I'm beginning to see that e-cigs should be seen as their own thing because they simply work better when they're designed as e-cigs, as opposed to analog look-alikes. Unfortunately, I get a lot of satisfaction out of simply holding a cigarette between my fingers. Somehow, I don't think a Janty Stick would quite cut it in that regard. I'm thinking the Dura-C might be an OK compromise, but I'm not ready to commit just yet. So, the search continues...

Thanks again for your reply.

Forget about things looking like a cigarette. You may not be ready for e-smoking if that's an issue for you.

You do not really 'get a lot of satisfaction out of simply holding a cigarette between my fingers'.

You're a nicotine addict, and the drug makes you think this.

When you're ready to admit you're just an addict like the rest of us, then perhaps we can talk about the right e-cig for you. I'm thinking the TECC-510 Titan.

 

[texandziggy]

Just posted this for another new member wondering which pv to buy:


Definitely go with the Dura-C. It's the best there is. Good throat hit and tons of vapor.

And even though the manual batteries have no led, they're definitely the way to go. I've found a lot of pv's with automatic batteries draw rather hard, in many cases very hard. Think making-a-fish-face-sucking-a-thick-milkshake-through-a-tiny-straw hard. With the Dura's manual batteries the draw is very smooth and VERY close to an analog. Plus, with the manual batteries, there's no need to do a primer puff. I used to think led's were kinda cool too until I tried the Dura's manual batteries. Trust me, the ease of draw and lack of need for a primer puff more than makes up for the fact that the end doesn't light up. I'll bet a dollar that, within a day, you'll care less that there's no led. Plus the manual batteries are sealed so you can drip directly onto the atomizer and not worry about juice leaking into the battery and ruining it.

The Dura is also remarkably consistent. The vapor and throat hit it delivers remains awesome right up until the very last puff. Many pv's perform well with a fresh battery, but within minutes, the peformance degrades significantly as the battery weakens. Not so with the Dura. It's consistent right to the end.

Like all pv's, many Dura owners have reported that the atomizers don't last long. I've had my Dura for almost eight weeks and the original atomizer is still performing like a champ. Even if you do have issues with atomizers, Janty's six month warranty is pretty hard to beat.

In short, I've stopped looking for the perfect pv, because I've found it with the Dura-C.

*By the way, I'm not sure on exact length in mm's, but the Dura is just a smidgen longer than an analog 100.*

 

[Elendil]

The only problem with the Dura is the cost of the replacement parts.........

 

[texandziggy]

The only problem with the Dura is the cost of the replacement parts.........

True. And I suppose if I was one of those people that have had problems with atomizers and batteries, I might not be as impressed with the Dura as I am.

Also, probably should mention the battery life too. I get about three hours out of a battery. For some people, that's not good enough. For me, it's fine, but in a perfect world, it would be nice to get 5 or 6 hours out of the battery.

 

[Rickbar]

I bought an Npro and have been using it for two weeks, serious vaping and have not had any problems. I was not getting a good hit from the carts so I got some 36mg from tw. Once I started dripping my own carts, I didn't pick up another analog. So today is 2 weeks since I've had an analog. Caution: the 36mg is strong, so count your drops to make sure how much nicotine you are intaking. It was enough to cure my cravings on the spot.

 

[pineneedle]

My favs r the 901, which I hear may have manual bats coming and the 510 with the manual bats. 3hrs of bat life is not long enough, but, I get good vapor and throat hit with these 2 brands.

 

[luvmyvapor]

I started cheaply (my March experience) and wasted my money but the learning curve was probably worth it. My Janty Dura-C (Joye510) has not failed me once. I am on the first two batteries, and the second atomizer since 4/1/09. The first atomizer continued to have this burnt flavor and I am convinced it was slightly defective as it did not wick fluid well but the second one is amazing. I switch between it and a DSE901 with an auto switch type battery depending on what I am doing. I also tried a two piece disposable DPV9 which works crazy good and I sometimes switch to it when I want a ton of vapor and nic hit. I have refilled the atomizer by dripping into the battery end at least a dozen times and so far so good. I think if it was my main e-cig, I would use one atomizer a week or so. Not bad really but the whole e-cig is slightly fatter that I like.
So as far as future purchases, they will be 901 and 510. Once you get the right equipment, then you can sit back and enjoy! Best wishes!

 

[wv2win]

Best liked PV poll:

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/general-discussion/14342-whats-your-favorite-pv.html

There is a reason why so many members prefer PV's with larger batteries as shown in the above poll.

The Big Four in Manual Switch PV’s:

Screwdriver: ecigscrewdriver.com
Prodigy: PureSmoker.com - Your #1 Source For PV's, Parts, & Accessories!
GG: THE GG
JantyStick: Janty USA

 

[wwfjdraw]

Hey do me and yourself a favor and check out the review that's being done that covers this. It's the only thread I ever started that's in the reviews section under my username. I've also updated the buy list so ignore the problems mentioned about me listing the same product twice in both the buy and don't buy lists.

 

[esdel]

Forget about things looking like a cigarette. You may not be ready for e-smoking if that's an issue for you.

You do not really 'get a lot of satisfaction out of simply holding a cigarette between my fingers'.

You're a nicotine addict, and the drug makes you think this.

When you're ready to admit you're just an addict like the rest of us, then perhaps we can talk about the right e-cig for you. I'm thinking the TECC-510 Titan.

I've been smoking for 35 years and I concluded sometime around year 2 that I am a nicotine addict. However, I also light up a cig as soon as I get in my car, whenever I sit down at my computer or to watch TV, after a meal or a cup of coffee, regardless of whether I'm craving nicotine or not. And yes, I really do 'get a lot of satisfaction out of simply holding a cigarette between my fingers'. Then there's the much-sought-after "throat hit," which has nothing to do with the physical need for nicotine. ANY addiction -- I don't care what it is -- has a whole series of rituals and behaviors that accompany it. These can be as hard to break as the addiction itself. You apparently missed the fact that I stated in my original post that I could see myself moving on to something less "cig-like" eventually. There are obviously many who feel as I do, otherwise so many e-cigs wouldn't have been designed to emulate real cigarettes. If, as you say, smoking is strictly an addiction to nicotine, then there would be no need for e-cigs at all and we would all be chatting on the "nicotine gum forum" instead.

 

[chief druid]

hahah dura-c ..... i love mine .. but the battery life isnt all that great .... i bought 2 sets so theat 4 batteries and 4 atomisers and 2 chargers and loads of carts .... all for the same price of trogs screwdriver but the dura is something that i would vape in public ... and janty have one of the best ... if not THE best warranty thingy