Which PV to choose? Unique requirements...

[kristine888]

I'm a total newbie here and thought your experience would help me narrow down my decision. I'm having information overload.

I've been smoking a pack a day (Canadian light) for 20 years and just have to stop. I ordered a GS kit yesterday and then found this awesome forum. Wrong order, I know.

I have read a lot of posts about recommendations for a first PV, but cost or battery life was always a primary concern for them.

Here is what I'm looking for:

• Closest to a "real" cigarette in all areas, but mostly size/weight. (I figure it'll help initially with the switch)
• Best amount of vapour.
• Speed of use is important. I want something that will work well but doesn't take a ton of time to set-up before each use.

Things I'm not concerned about:

• Cost (I spend a FORTUNE on cigarettes in Canada and am willing to pay for a good unit)
• Battery life. While this would be nice it's not at the top of my list. I figure I can always buy additional batteries as back-up.

It seems that most people buy the liquid and fill their PV's themselves. Is this strictly because of the cost or is it superior in other ways?

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

 

[dormouse]

Pick one of your first 3 requirements

The ones that are closest to the size and weight of a cigarette are superminis and they need the most intervention (charging, adding juice, etc) and generally provide the least vapor

The closest decent ecig to your requirements would be a manual Joye 510 and use it with blank cartomizers you would prefill rather than with the atomizer and cartridge. if you get a white Joye 510 that would look like a white cig with a black filter (most 510 cartos are black)

Similar in size but with plenty of prefilled cartomizers available, Shorty KR808D-1 or Vapor4Life manual w/ prefilled cartos (but the prefilled ones come in specific colors per flavor).

Regardless of blank or prefilled cartos you would be adding eliquid but they need less intervention than a similar size ecig with atomizer and cart. if you are made of money, you could just buy the KR808D-1 and tons of prefilled cartos and throw out 2 or more per day.

Battery life for either is 180mah or at most 2-3 hours or light to moderate vaping, 1/2 that long for heavy vaping.

And I recommend manual batteries because auto ones can be killed or damaged more easily by juice drips because they are dependent on a drag sensor in the tip. And Autos can also turn on by accident from wind or vibration.

 

[swedishfish]

You'll get over the 'real cigarette' bit in about three days. Because the ones that look like a cigarette don't vape like a cigarette.

They do make them but like Dormouse said, very frequent battery charges, very frequent fillings.

This is a great starter kit with a lifetime warranty on batteries. You can get the prefilled carts as well. Not the most economical way to go but it might suit your immediate needs.

Electronic Cigarette | Affordable, Only $59 | 100% FREE Shipping!

 

[Newbz]

Hi Kristine and welcome!

When I started vaping, I had a list of requirements similiar to yours.

I purchased 2 starter kits.
The first was the Vapor4Life KR808d-1 VaporKing with prefilled cartomizers.
The second was the Liberty Flights Riva510 and I purchased e-liquid from Backwoods Brew to fill the thing with.

I ended up preferring the Riva510. With the Riva 510 Lite bundle plus a 5 bottles of e-juice from Backwoods Brew, I spend about $80 USD.

To me, the KR808D-1 had fantastic vapor production, but the vapor itself was too hot. It felt like taking a deep breath on a super hot and humid summer day. I could never get over the temperature issue, even though the look, feel, fit and finish of the KR808d-1 was fantastic. It did feel like a real cigarette in my hand, I just couldn't stand to vape the thing.

The Riva510 had a cooler temperature of vapor and, to me, was more like the temperature of the smoke from my favorite cigarettes. The Riva510 also has superior battery life. I can stretch a Riva 510 battery all day. Only downside is that it looks more like a Sharpie pen and less like a cigarette. While I have zero intentions of getting a box mod because they look clunky and ugly to me (just my personal opinion) the pen size of the Riva510 isn't that big of a deal.

I use my 4 month old Riva510 kit from Libery Flights every day. Still works like a champ. I was a 1-2 PAD smoker and I currently vape approximately 1 ml per day, although sometimes up to 2 ml of e-liquid per day.

Good luck!

 

[Aeric]

My first e-cig looked like a cig but had horrible battery life, I was charging it more than I was vaping. After two days I ordered an eGo. Not so much bigger but a battery would last all day. Then I found cartomizers, Boge LR's, fill em up and vape away. Two month later I am using a 3.7 box mod, looks nothing like a cig, and I love it. I think vaping is a hobby were smoking was an addiction.
Good luck on the journey.

 

[dormouse]

FYI Smoketip is a KR808D-1 shorty but I think it's auto. I still recommend manuals if you plan to refill cartomizers.
Vapor4Life has shorty manual kits.

 

[swedishfish]

FYI Smoketip is a KR808D-1 shorty but I think it's auto. I still recommend manuals if you plan to refill cartomizers.
Vapor4Life has shorty manual kits.

It is an automatic.

I recommended that because of her requirements- look and feel of an analog. The batteries do last a surprisingly long time- plus they have a lifetime warranty.

It's not for me- I didn't have the requirement to look like an analog. My mom quit smoking using it and she was happy. She did move on to a different pv, but it got her into vaping.

She went from a Smoke Tip, Riva, V4L KR808. I think she's back on the Riva. Every time I see her she's vaping something different. But she did like it to start out and really liked their carts.

 

[kristine888]

Thanks so much for the responses! So, I'm considering the KR808D-1 and Riva510. After rethinking my list of requirements per your suggestions, I think the most important thing for me is the ability to hold it the same way that I do a real cigarette and being able to get a really good "draw".

Question...

Are both of these models much heavier than an actual cigarette? As in, would I still be able to hold it between two fingers?

 

[keyzygirl]

Id go with the Vapor4life XL manual kit and a few sampler packs.

 

[chainvapor]

I second the Riva510 kit from Liberty Flights. Good price, awesome battery life, kick .... vapor and throat hit. It is a workhorse! I have a kit and still use it once in awhile. I have a ProdigyV3.1 mod at 6V that I use most of the time now, but the Riva is a wonderful product. The Ego is basically the same as the Riva, except usually more expensive. Also, there is the new Ego T-Tank systems out there that a lot of people like. Long batt life, less refills because the "tank" holds over 1ml of juice. This may be the way to go if money is no object. Also I am with the others, you REALLY do NOT want to go by what looks like or feels like a cigarette. Basically anything that fits this description you will outgrow in just a couple of weeks. Waste of money and time if you ask me, but to each their own. Whatever keeps you from smoking is the key!

Good luck and Happy Vaping!!!
Chainvapor

P.S. If you really must have something similar to a cig, I would go with the Joye510 kit. It is easy to get and even though the batteries do not last too long (only lasted me an hour, but as my name suggests I did not put it down much! LOL) but they do charge really fast (typically 45 minutes or so). So if that is the route you want to go, I would recommend the Joye510

 

[robocig]

Question...

Are both of these models much heavier than an actual cigarette? As in, would I still be able to hold it between two fingers?

From what you're saying, I'd rec the KR808D-1. It's going to be heavier than an actual cig (it has to hold a battery in there!) but once you get used to it you could hold it between two fingers.

 

[fuzzyface83]

ego kit it what i started with now i just use mods

 

[CBB]

An analog weighs 1.2 grams, a KR808D-1 weighs 11grams dry, and most of the weight is in the far end. It does look similar to an analog but it is ten times heavier and balanced differently. It can be held between the fingers but will feel very awkward.

 

[swedishfish]

Thanks so much for the responses! So, I'm considering the KR808D-1 and Riva510. After rethinking my list of requirements per your suggestions, I think the most important thing for me is the ability to hold it the same way that I do a real cigarette and being able to get a really good "draw".

Question...

Are both of these models much heavier than an actual cigarette? As in, would I still be able to hold it between two fingers?

Yes, they are both heavier than a cigarette. You really can't hold either like a real cigarette, although you could hold the KR808 similiar to a cigarette. Battery life is short though unless you get the XL in which case it is really long and heavier. A pv is metal, a cig is tobacco and paper.

As far as a good draw, you definitely get the best draw from the 510 type models. I wouldn't get a 510 because of the battery life. The ego is the same length but the battery is thicker. But it does last up to 8 hours.

Best draw, best battery life Ego (joye or Riva). Most like a cigarette looking KR808.

 

[Supertaper]

Thanks so much for the responses! So, I'm considering the KR808D-1 and Riva510. After rethinking my list of requirements per your suggestions, I think the most important thing for me is the ability to hold it the same way that I do a real cigarette and being able to get a really good "draw".

Question...

Are both of these models much heavier than an actual cigarette? As in, would I still be able to hold it between two fingers?

I use a KR808D-1 and an eGo (pretty much the same as the Riva), the KR8 is considerably lighter and slimmer than the eGo, much more cigarette like. You could definitely hold it like a cigarette, but oddly, it didn't take long before I stopped holding it like that. I don't know why, I was using an auto so I didn't need to push a button or anything.

Based on your requirements, and the fact that you said you aren't really worried about cost, I would recommend that you get the KR8, and be prepared to upgrade when your requirements change. It seems like most people do want something more after a while, but there are some folks that start on the KR8, 510, or one of the other cig look alikes and are happy with them. Just make sure you get plenty of cartomizers when you order.

Just a note, the KR808D-1 batteries actually come in at least 3 sizes, I have 180 mah autos, a 280 mah manual, and an XL 380 mah manual, but each step up in battery life makes for a longer battery.

 

[wolcen]

Not to distract you from your current search with yet more decisions to make, but just wanted to chime in on this: also consider a couple varieties and *strengths* of juice (e-Liquid) since the nicotine is what will really help smooth over those cravings.

No one can really recommend the strength that will work for you. For an idea though, I smoked about a pack a day and started vaping a month ago using 24mg strength. This actually felt a little bit strong to me (although I do have a rather sensitive heart and also drink WAY too much coffee). At this point I usually use 18mg, but still reach for the 24 now and then when it feels like I'm just not getting what I need.

I believe the higher nicotine levels also typically have a little better TH. A common preference is for mixed liquid with both PG and VG in it, at between 70/30 and 80/20 pg-to-vg ratios. Some vendors of juice do not list their ratio (considering it a trade secret of sorts) but it's usually around that if it is sold as a mix.

In my experience, the liquid you use has nearly as much influence on vapor production and throat hit as does the device you use it on - at least if you are using it on something half decent, such as any of the great recommendations so far.

 

[kristine888]

Okay, I'm missing something here. I can not for the life of me find the KR808D-1 on the V4L site. I searched for it, but nothing came up. Is it a part of a started kit with another code?

 

[MickeyRat]

I'll second what a lot of people on here say. Vaping is like smoking but, it's enough different that the size is actually a minor difference. You can't get there on the weight at all. If you get a cigarette sized kit, you're going to get frustrated with the battery life very quickly. I think the Riva 510 kit at Liberty Flights is an excellent deal for a really good kit and the batteries will last you all day. It's more cigar sized though.

I'll also second the advice to get juice in varying strengths.

Lastly, some people start using one of these and never look back. For most of us, it's a little different. It's better to consider it switching rather than quitting. For the first few weeks go ahead and have a few cigarettes a day, if you need to. Vape in between. You can use the time to find your right nic level and a juice you like. After a while, you'll find you don't enjoy those cigarettes very much. Then pulling the plug is pretty painless.

 

[Astronomer]

I suppose that is the hardest thing for someone that has never used an e-cig to internalize.

The more they look like a cigarette, the less functional they are.

Less vapor
Less feeling in your mouth and throat like having a cigarette
Shorter battery life
constant re-filling

That was my stumbling block until I found this forum.... I was looking for something that looked and felt like a cigarette in my fingers, turns out it wasn’t my eyes or my fingers that were addicted. and the habit of smoking as far as your hands go is easily replaced by using an e-cig

What turned out to be important is drawing a decent and flavorful vapor, that was satisfying to what I actually was addicted to.

But again that is just me… not everyone is the same.

 

[BiancaMontgomery]

"Okay, I'm missing something here. I can not for the life of me find the KR808D-1 on the V4L site. I searched for it, but nothing came up. Is it a part of a started kit with another code? "

All their batts and passthroughs are 808's.