Where to start??? The basic equipment?

[ajpaulus]

I'm not a frequent smoker, maybe 5-10 per week. But alas, I hate the smell, the smoke, and the health concerns. Looking for a setup that would give me that 5-10 smokes per week at a reasonable cost.

Don't want to spend a ton of money on the best, but don't want to spend very little money on the worst, and have to end up replacing things.

If anyone could give me the basics on how to use e-cigs, and the basic things I'll need for my habit, I would really appreciate it.

 

[thinkingaboutit]

If you are that light, I would think a volt kit from smokeless image is right up your alley.

Like this: Smokeless Image | Only The Best Electronic Cigarette | Volt - Standard Starter Kit - Starter Kits

 

[Scott Harrison]

I would look at getting a couple of the ego 650 mah batteries with USB pass-through and maybe get some Boge LR (low Resistance Cartomizers). There are a lot of places that sell ejuice and different people like different tastes (experiment).

you could have less than 50 dollars invested, with this setup.

imo

 

[Iusedtoanalog]

Hi Aj, Welcome to the ECF. Congratulations on deciding to make the switch. You have a little bit of research ahead.... Begin here ECF Forum . Once you think you have an idea of what you would like to try I would agree with the above poster that a Volt sounds like what You may want to consider. Like this Smokeless Image | Only The Best Electronic Cigarette | Starter Kits this is an 808 threaded device and has a good track record among the smaller form factor models for being consistant, reliable and overall a good vape for its size. I would recommend you consider a kit with two batteries, and get some spare cartomizers, either prefilled or empty. The perfillds are more expensive but they are fiddle free. The empties are less expensive and would allow you to branch out and fill your own with any liquid you so choose. If you do get some empties make sure you get some liquid so you can fill them. Theres tons of videos on how to fill a carto.
Good Luck. Happy Vaping.

 

[pddrumheller]

Hi and welcome. If you only smoke that much I would honestly just quit now while your ahead. I would get a blu premium 100 kit, but don't use their cartomizers. Use Kranger 510 horizontal coil cartomizers from Avid Vaper : Personal Vaporizers and Accessories They work better and last longer. I have tried countless cartos to work with blu and these work the best and make the blu worth the purchase. For the vaping juice I would recommend Johnson Creek or Tasty Vapor. Also the kranger 510 horizontal coil cartos will only work with the blu 100 batteries.

 

[ElectroStix03]

perhaps buy a couple 10 buck disposable one's from a legitimate and well reviewed vendor. Review the product it might last you a long time .

 

[Motoman101]

Check out the site ecig reviews. The guy that runs it does great review videos. Great site. Or check out reviews on utube under ecigs. Remember. You get what you pay for. Good luck.

 

[fourtytwo]

perhaps buy a couple 10 buck disposable one's from a legitimate and well reviewed vendor. Review the product it might last you a long time .

If he can find a flavour the he likes. I would agree.
At less then a cig per day, there is no real reason to get more then one battery or a passthrough.

 

[elothen]

5-10 / week.... you sir, are an afront to nature ;-)

I switched 22 days ago and haven't looked back. My personal OPINION is go EGO-T 650mah and charger, with a 'Stardust' Clearomizer, and pick a flavor of juice. If you can, visit a local shop and try some out. Just check the yellowpages. In about 30 seconds I found this place which is in Sacremento Smoke City.

 

[Mroutlaw]

For a mini battery (cigarette look a like). Go with the smokeless Image volt. They are the most recommended mini on here. The battery will last you between 2 1/2-4 hours o of vaping depending on how much you vape. If you are smoking that little, it will probably last you longer. They have very inexpensive starter kits and you can use the coupon YOURVOLT00 for 15% off. Their cartomizers last a long time and can be refilled several times. The best part about them is that their customer service is second to none. They also have a great promo on their subforum to get a free battery, bottle of juice or pack of cartos once you get your system.

Here is a video demonstrating the volt products.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELM4QhceR7o

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[John D in CT]

I have a suggestion for you.

I am not going to recommend any one particular setup as being patently, universally superior to any other, for all users, for all purposes.

That said, I'm going to recommend to you a setup that is arguably a no-brainer, slam dunk, practically must-have setup for almost any vaper, regardless of experience level, perceived wants, existing equipment, or skill level.


It is the Joyetech eGo-C Twist, an arguably game-changing "battery"/PV/AP/power source - call it what you will. It is being called by many a "game changer" because it provides variable voltage - a near-necessity for anyone who wants a really, really good vape IMO - in the eGo form factor, for not much money. It uses standard 510 threads, can be used with almost any "attachment" on the planet, and costs about $25. You will really need two for best results in keeping the ciggies away.

Grimm Green and Phil Busardo are two of the best reviewers in the "vaposphere" in my opinion. They both own and have used more vaping hardware than I ever will in my life, and their words will probably speak much more effectively to you than mine. Please watch these two videos, and please take to heart what they have to say. Grimm Green just said that he is getting just about the best vape he has ever had by using the Twist with the eact same setup - right down to the little trim piece between the Twist and the Smoktech 3.5ml DCT tank that is fitted with a 2.0 ohm single-coil cartomizer - that I just bought thirty of as my current preferred starter kit for beginners.


Here is Grimm Green's video:

THE EGO TWIST IS A GAME CHANGER - YouTube Grimm Green Twist Game changer

And here is Phil Busardo's review:

A PBusardo Review - eGo Twist - OvaleUSA - YouTube Phil Busardo Twist review

There are many form factors, for many different occasions and uses, for many different mindsets, many of which change over time. Some people want something that looks and feels as much like a cigarette as possible, That said, I think it's safe to say that the vast majority of people who stick with vaping will add additional hardware to their "arsenal", while always having warm spot in their hearts for, and often still using, what they started on. For me, that just happens to be an eGo-class battery/PV, the Joyetech (constant 3.4 volt) battery. I will probably also get a [ciggie-sized] 510-style setup - or many of them, for those people I start out who absolutely must have a cigarette look-alike, as well as for myself - just to have, and become familiar with, and maybe even to use more than I think I might right now. They will likely be the Volt which seems to be the mostuniversally-recommended PV in that form factor.

This is exactly what I would get, and what I think you should get, if and when you can "swing" it. If you have about 70 bucks to spare I'd just go ahead and order it all tomorrow.

Two Joyetch eGo-C Twist 650 mah (milliamp/hour) batteries. They come in black, chrome, blue, white, and pink, wih the first three far easier to find in stock anywhere but at Health Cabin (in China - delivery takes a while). About (Two x $22) = $44.

One or more Smoktech 3.5ml (milliliter) "DCT" tanks - I like the chrome ones. $8.55 each.

A box of five - or better yet, two boxes - of Boge 2.0 ohm single coil "XL" sized (50mm overall) stainless steel cartomizers. About $1.45 each, although you can get them for $0.92 each if you buy 25 of them from a particular vendor that I'll link to below.

A wall charger and a USB charger that plugs into it. Standard fare at any Joyetech vendor. About $13.

A little chrome trim piece that goes between the tank and the battery that serves two purposes; makes the setup look much more finished, sleek, and damn fine-looking, and keeps the tank from sliding down the non-flanged cartomizers and onto the outside of the 510 connector. Simpler than it sounds. About $1.49

A drip tip. Just a plain, clear "Delrin" (plastic) one will look great. About $3.

That's about $85.50 plus shipping if you get one tank and five cartomizers. In Connecticut,that's about ten days of smoking a pack a day (high taxes).


****

Links:

Joyetech eGo-C Twist: Joye eGo-C Twist Variable Voltage 650mAh Battery (MyVaporStore)

Smoktech 3.5ml DCT tank: Pro DCTank Tube (MyVaporStore)

USB charger: eGo Rapid USB Charger 6.75 (MyVaporStore)

Wall charger: Mini AC Wall to USB Converter 6.25 (MyVaporStore)

eGo trim piece: eGo Cone Cover for DCTank (MyVaporStore)

Plain drip tip: Colored Drip Tip - 510/901 (MyVaporStore)

Cartomizers: Crystal Clear Vaping CrystalClearVaping

Cartomizers: Boge Mix n Match (5 Boxes) SureVapes - $0.92 each


No, I do not own, work for, or am in any way affiliated with MyVaporStore.com.

If you don't like this setup, you can PM me and I will buy it from you fr what you paid for it. For you, I will reimburse you for shipping. For anyone else reading this, same deal except the shipping to me is on you.

You will like it, and you wll like it very much. You will have to slot the cartomizers; either per Phil Busardo's YouTube video:

A PBusardo Tutorial - How I slot my cartos!.wmv - YouTube - or PM me and I will call you and tell you how to do it. You'll need to own or borrow a Dremel tool for someone, and you'll need some Dremel cut-off wheels, # 409. Or you can buy a cartomizr punch. It's hard to find pre-punched cartomizers that will work well with lower-voltage devices, even ones that go up to 4.8 volts like the Twist. Some people - including MyVaporStore - will say that dual coil cartomizers work fine on lower-voltage devices - but they do not.

From the MyVaporStore website:

These cartomizers were designed specifically for use with Dual Coil Tank (DCTank) Tubes. A 510 drip tip and DCTank tube is needed in order to use these cartomizers. There is a hole punch on the side of them so may leak if used without a DCTank Tube.

All of our eLiquid will work with the DCTank (full PG or 50/50 PG/VG). Full VG eliquid is too thick and will not work well in theDCTank. [VG will work much better in a carto slotted for it].

These new cartomizers contain two heating coils instead of one to produce more vapor than your standard cartomizer [if you can put enough volts/watts to them]. They have been designed to work great with 3.7V batteries [Not IMO] or a HV (high voltage) setup. Available in 1.5ohm or 2.5ohm. Please allow +/- 0.3 variation. We recommend 1.5ohm for Ego batteries [why?] or 3.0V-4.2V batteries and 2.5ohm for 5V or higher. These cartomizers must be used with batteries of 650mAh capacity or higher and are known to discharge batteries much quicker than single coil cartomizers.

This is nowhere near as complicated as it might seem, and will be well worth the modest learning curve to figure out. This thread:

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...sion/302432-why-ego-c-twist-game-changer.html

contains a thorough discussion of why single coil cartomizers are far superior (IMO) to dual coils for use in a Joyetech Twist (or any eGo-class battery/PV).

If you do nothing else, please at least watch the Grimm Green review of the Twist, and feel free to ask any questions that you might have. Good luck, and happy vaping, whatever it's on.

*****

Others might recommend other things, and I encourage them to do so without making direct comparisons to what I have recommended if those other devices are of a different form factor.

*****

Also: I have always found the term DCT[ank] to be a misnomer, since "DCT" stands for Dual Coil Tank, potentially leading one to believe that single coil cartomizers are somehow not well-suited to them, which IMO they very much are. Some people like dual coils, and IMO they have their place, but not in lower-voltage devices; not even a 1.5 ohm dual coil in a Twist, due to the marginal wattage per coil, and the greatly increased amp draw of say a 1.5 ohm dual coil cartomizer over a 3.0 ohm single coil.

*****

Final note:

Volts are great, but they're not variable voltage. kGo's, Rivas, and standard eGo's are great, but they're not variable voltage. IMO, there is no longer a compelling reason not to start with variable voltage. I've asked what that compelling reason is, and hereby ask again. What is the compelling reason for not getting two Joyetech eGo-C Twist batteries right from the start, if for no other reason than to have a perfectly fine variable voltage device to vape on while you continue to explore your options?

It takes about 5 seconds to figure out how to adjust the voltage on a Twist. Turn it clockwise for more heat to the cartomizer coil, counter-clockwise for less. Put a little dab of red paint right at the "4.0 volt" mark - halfway between its low setting of 3.2 volts and its high setting of 4.8 - and you can tell at a glance where you are.

Slotting cartos is "too hard"? Use the cartos by themselves until you figure it out. Or buy a couple of Stardusts, eGo W's, Vivi Nova's, or one of the many clearomizers out there. But get some 3.5ml DCT tanks too. They work just fine. Great part of anyone's arsenal. Ask Grimm Green. (Phil prefers "J-tanks", I happen to prefer DCT tanks. Whatevs).

I have a lot of stuff, but right now, I'm vaping on a 650mah Twist fitted with a Smoktech 3.5ml DCT tank with a nicely-slotted Boge 3.0 ohm single coil SS XL carto in it. My vape is great. I don't even want to bother to pick up my VMax. Can someone please tell me what I'm doing wrong? TIA.

 

[Tramd]

You're just like me man. Picked up a smokeless image volt, living it. I even got the smaller 65mm battery and it's great. Since people here have already ran through the basics ill give you my experience so far. My first carto, vanilla, lasted me 2 weeks and I think I charged it twice.

Solid buy at $30 for the starter kit. Plus the freebies from the forum

 

[VapingRulz]

For a mini, the Volt.
To step it up a notch, the KGO.
To try variable voltage, the EGO Twist.

I see that a new poster recommended it but I'm here to say: not-never-no way do you want to waste your money on the Blu kit. It's very expensive and it's awful in comparison to the options I've listed.

 

[John D in CT]

For a mini, the Volt.
To step it up a notch, the KGO.
To try variable voltage, the EGO Twist.

And again, I wonder what the compelling reason is for foregoing variable voltage, especially for someone just starting out, where Job #1 (IMO) is to achieve the best vape possible in order to best ensure victory in the war against the killer ciggie.

 

[Flyer]

Did you read the OP's original post?

 

[John D in CT]

Discussion from:

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...07-newbie-help-choose-please.html#post6608305

Kazzykir; The Joyetech eGo-C Twist is an eGo-class device that became widely available in just the last month or so. IMO it is a device that is so convenient, well-performing, and reliable that I consider it a no-brainer choice for someone just starting out, if for no other purpose than to serve as a perfectly good device to vape on while one continues the fruitless quest for the one perfect device that will serve all of your vaping need and desires.
The Joyetech Twist is a variable voltage device. With variable voltage, you will be able to adjust the warmth of the atomizing coil to about any temperature you want, giving you the best vape possible. Sometimes you might want your toast a little lighter, sometimes a little darker. That is why a toaster has an adjustment on it. Same with variable voltage PV's.

There will be people telling you that it will be too confusing to you that there is a knob on the bottom of the Twist that you turn clockwise for more heat to the coil, and counter-clockwise for less heat. Please do not let them shake your confidence.

Some will tell you that you'll appreciate variable voltage more if you use fixed voltage first. I encourage you to start enjoying the obvious advantages of variable voltage right from the start. To me, the more enjoyable and satisfactory a beginner's vaping experience, the better the chances that that person stops using cigarettes.

THE EGO TWIST IS A GAME CHANGER - YouTube Grimm Green Twist Game changer

A PBusardo Review - eGo Twist - OvaleUSA - YouTube Phil Busardo Twist review

This is from another thread, where "Bangers & Mash" gets hooked up with equipment to start out with.

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...ng-pointed-right-direction-3.html#post6537956

Yes, I have some ideas.

Fortunately, you have a great attitude. You "get it". You understand that cigarettes are the enemy, vaping is a great - and probably the best - way to ditch them, and you're willing to spend whatever it takes to vanquish them. This reminds me of a very good movie I just watched called "Charlie Wilson's War", about a US Congressman who was instrumental in getting weapons to the mujahadeen in Afghanistan so they could defeat the Russians. He eventually increased their funding from $5 million to $1 billion, and they proceeded to shoot down and destroy hundreds of Hind gunship helicopters, Mig fighters, and tanks that were previously cutting them to pieces. The Soviets were defeated and withdrew from Afghanistan, and a few years later, the Soviet Union dissolved, the Berlin Wall came down, and the Cold War was essentially over.

Charlie Wilson's main CIA contact put him in touch with a weapons expert who told him exactly what the mujahadeen would need to defeat the Russians. I don't claim to be an "expert" on vaping equipment, but I do know a fair amount, and I am going to recommend to you what I would get to defeat the enemy.

First, everything I'm going to recommend will be variable voltage. IMO there is no longer any compelling reason to buy a fixed-voltage device. There are quite a few that are cool to have, like the Silver Bullet, Black Beauty, kGo battery, or Joyetech 18650 mod, but those are on the periphery of essential vaping hardware. Variable voltage (VV) is at the epicenter. VV allows you to warm the coil or coils to exactly the right temperature to suit a wide variety of conditions; juice flavor ("lighter" flavors, like a fruit flavor might want less heat, and "heavier" ones, like coffee or chocolate, might want more), PG/VG composition, juice delivery to the coils, and even your mood.

Some will tell you that you'll appreciate variable voltage more if you use fixed voltage first. I encourage you to start enjoying the obvious advantages of variable voltage right from the start. To me, the more enjoyable and satisfactory a beginner's vaping experience, the better the chances that that person stops using cigarettes.

I love that you said that. People have this need to make beginners have to tough it out like they did. I think it's just a bit spiteful.

And I love that you love that I said that.

Here are some of the things I've heard regarding the Twist, and my recommendation of it as a very good thing to be vaping on as you explore all of the other many options out there:

"Beginners are going to be confused by variable voltage".

I explain to beginners how to twist the knob on the Twist in about 2.7 seconds.

"Beginners don't want to "fiddle around" with controls"

I do not hear that objection from people I start out on the Twist. To a person, they understand the obvious advantages of variable voltage, and are willing to bite the bullet and turn the knob clockwise for more heat to the coil, and counter-clockwise or less.

"The Twist doesn't have the battery life of [device A, B, C ..... ] "

No, it does not. Nor does any one single device offer every advantage that a PV can embody, with none of the disadvantages.

I have also seen the Twist apparently criticized for not having an LED readout, a removeable battery, or a 3.5 amp switch. Guilty as charged. It does not have those features. It fails miserably as being the only device anyone could ever need or want. But in all fairness, so does every other device in the world.

There's a reason I recently bought fifty Twists to start people out on, asking only that they repay me what I paid for them. And there are reasons that they all like them very much.

I don't say that the Twist is a very sensible place to start because I own one. I own one - well, more than one .... because I think it's a very good place to start, and I also agree with Grimm Green that it's a great device that arguably has a place in almost anyone's "arsenal", regardless of experience level.

I've asked before for a compelling reason to recommend a fixed voltage device over this particular variable voltage one. I've never gotten a satisfactory answer. I think there's a reason for that.

 

[dumwaldo]

i have to agree with the suggestion of an ego-c twist. its a good device at a low cost that can be tuned into your desired intensity level. it really is a no brainer on the device.

my other advice disagrees with every single poster so far. i would say, stay as far away from cartomizers and tanks as possible. i base that on what you said...

I'm not a frequent smoker, maybe 5-10 per week.

given that kind of usage, i think you would benefit much more from a traditional atomizer that you can drip on. if you are hardly using it, your cartomizers are going to sit for a very long time with the same liquid in it and its going to be effected by the air getting to it. i wouldnt want to vape a carto that has been sitting out for a week only getting 10 puffs a day off it.

i think the winning combo would be an ego-c twist with a low resistance 510 atomizer (1.5 to 2 Ohm range). if the brand of cigarettes you currently smoke is a strong brand like marlboro red get some strong juice in the 18 to 24 mg/ml range. if you smoke a brand that is not so strong then go for a lower level liquid like 10 to 18 mg/ml range.

DW

 

[borderdan]

Hi and welcome. If you only smoke that much I would honestly just quit now while your ahead. I would get a blu premium 100 kit, but don't use their cartomizers. Use Kranger 510 horizontal coil cartomizers from Avid Vaper : Personal Vaporizers and Accessories They work better and last longer. I have tried countless cartos to work with blu and these work the best and make the blu worth the purchase. For the vaping juice I would recommend Johnson Creek or Tasty Vapor. Also the kranger 510 horizontal coil cartos will only work with the blu 100 batteries.

And maybe pick up an HH.357 atomizer at Avid Vaper while your their. It's nice to have a handful of cartomizers for when your on the go and driving but a good atomizer for when your sitting down.

 

[Wishdog]

I second Scott.

Just starting, to see if you like it and not get some crap mall-kiosk thing or spend $100 and find you don't like it...

Pick up a 650 mah EGO clone and some Boge cartomizers. Only thing I'd say about not picking the absolute bottom of the barrel 650 is you may want a pass through. A larger capacity battery will last you longer, but anything will last you on your current schedule. Pick up some juice that everyone loves, easy to find out by reading the juice forum, and test it out.

And, I've got to mention, with five cigs per week, you are not currently addicted to nicotine. Vaping will addict you just like upping your cigs would. Truth.

Disclaimer: I skipped over the head-butting wall of text posts, per usual.

 

[Tramd]

I think any ego is going to be overkill for him... i mean it sounds like all he wants is something that will work out of the box with minimal customisation needed. Dripping, VV, and buying juices straight out of the gate is going to be lost on him in an overwhelming tsunami of information. IMO committing to an ego, VV or likewise device is ridiculous if you aren't even sure you're going to like it. I wouldnt worry about juices, dripping, pass throughs, clearomizers, tips and all the other jazz at this point. You may come to it later but at this point he'll be fine with a $30 starter kit that comes with a pack of pre filled cartomizers. From there he can decide what path he wants to take.

Worked for me and he sounds like he's in a pretty similar situation. Gotta remember, he's not a smoker. He likely wont be carrying it around everywhere and his needs will be very situational.