Why does everyone say that the answer to your question depends on...

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DC2

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Newbies, like me, have so many questions.
And for every question there seems to be about ten different answers.
And quite often, some of those answers can even be conflicting.

But of course, we don't want to spend a lot of money going through different models, different juices, working through the learning curves. And who really wants to wait for product to arrive when we decide maybe we need to try something different like VG instead of PG, or higher nicotine, or lower nicotine, or a manual battery, or whatever.

We just want a simple answer to what we thought was a simple question.
Unfortunately, few of the answers can really be simple, because few of the questions are actually simple.

The following factors all influence what the right answer to your question really might be...
--What did you used to smoke?
--How long have you been smoking it?
--How often did you smoke it?
--What did you get out of the smoking experience?
--Which of the above are important to you and which can you live without?
--What do you want to get out of electronic cigarettes?
--What is your ultimate goal?
--How much effort are you willing to invest to get there?
--How much are you willing to futz with things to get where you want to go?
--How much money can you spare to get you where you want to go?

My Smoking Profile
I smoked somewhere between 3-10 Camel light cigarettes per day. I didn't really care so much about the nicotine, but I really needed something mindless to do that would allow me to take breaks during the day and relax for a bit. I have no desire to quit and never have, but I wouldn't mind if I eventually just moved forward without the nicotine. I don't want to futz with anything at all, I just want it to work without thinking about it for even a second or it ruins the point of taking a break.

Well, my answers to your questions are going to be very different in many respects than someone who has smoked 3 packs/day of Marlboro reds, wants a good throat hit, enjoys futzing with these things, wants to smoke indoors, but really wants to quit.


If you look at the factors listed above, I think it is safe to say that everyone is going to have a lot of various answers to those questions, and that can lead to various answers to your questions. It may sound and seem obvious, but everyone is different, and smokes for different reasons, and has different needs.

As just one simple example: someone might tell you they get about an hour out of a 510 battery, and that you need to carry around five of them and have a personal charger. Well, I get through an entire day with one 510 battery.

So the bottom line is, the more information you can provide, the quicker and less painfully you might get to the right answer for you. And it will also help those who would like to answer your question consider whether or not the answer they are about to provide might be right for your circumstances.

Just a thought, hope it's helpful to someone...
:)
 

Vicks Vap-oh-Yeah

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Nice, DeadCat2 - and there are a couple more variables to add.....

What you, a smoker want, as opposed to what you, a vaper are going to want in the near future...

As everyone transitions from smoking analogs to vaping PV's - there are multiple changes going on within your body - your lungs are clearing, your circulation is improving, your sinus' are clearing, and your taste buds are waking up. This is going to effect everyone differently, personally, and cannot be predicted.

For those who want to drop a laundry list of: "here's my profile, now what do I need" and get an answer, it isn't going to work - there is no magic list or simple order form to fill out to get the answers you seek....because your transformation hasn't happened yet, and neither I, you, or anyone else on this forum know with certainty what direction the journey will take you.

Which is why I tell all our newer, curious members to jump in. Get some gear at the low end of your price range, and experience vaping. Start the journey. Get your feet wet.

and enjoy the ride.
 

breakfastchef

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Good post that pretty much sums up impotant information that newbies can provide to help more senior members make recommendations. Newbies should also be aware that e-cigs are not the 'magic bullet' to smoking cessation, if that is what they are looking to do. To your point about 'futzing', this is a very hands-on habit. If you do not want any fuss with batteries, cartridges, e-liquids, maintenance, recharging, equipment failures, etc., then e-cigs may not work out for you.

Some quantifiable number of forum members search endlessly for a device that works well for them. For many, the journey ends with a commercially available device that looks nothing like an analog. Why? Because it addresses many of the 'futzing' issues. Most new members would balk at a price of over $125 for a first purchase thinking that they could purchase 5 starter kits for $30. But, in my expereince, that +$125up front would have saved me a ton of cash I dropped into other devices I use very rarely.

E-liquids is a completely wide open, unquantifiable subject. You will always get conflicting recommendations on the same flavor from the same vendor. This is an area you just need to experiment with to narrow down flavors and suppliers you like. It is going to cost a few bucks
 

Robert

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They are right there is no magic answer. I couldn't even get a staight answer on weather the cart material should be level with the top of the cart or pushed down a little..I still geting conflicting reports from different members. When you first get here you think you've found a magic bullet to get you off ciggerettes and you have but it just isn't as easy as you would like it to be...For me it's like there is no going back. Analogs taste awfull and give me a headache (after only a week vaping)- Even though I still have had a few regular cigarettes I'm sticking with vaping

Just thought I'd say Hi since your in San Diego (me too)- Go Chargers / Padres

Wierd we were both thinking magic bullet at tthe same time
 
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e-pipeman

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It's a funny old business, this pv lark - but no funnier than, say, pipe smoking. There you have the same endless tinkering with equipment - and it's all part of the fun.

Now then - you smoked between three and ten Camels a day? I always liked them - but boy, do they burn quickly! It may be that what you really need is a break rather than a smoke. If so by all means trot out with the smokers and have a break. Why not? You need not waste any money on devices that way.

I suppose my point is that if you're not addicted to nicotine then it would not be sensible to get that way. If what you need is a break, a chat and a change of scenery then do that - It'll be better for your health and pocket in the long run imho. :)
 

DC2

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I suppose my point is that if you're not addicted to nicotine then it would not be sensible to get that way. If what you need is a break, a chat and a change of scenery then do that - It'll be better for your health and pocket in the long run imho. :)
Ah, but you see, your break is not the same as my break.
:)

My requirements for a break...

1) No talking
2) No standing
3) Must be able to think freely
4) Must have something to keep my hands busy
5) My hands must be busy with something completely mindless
6) Must have something to do that is relaxing

I have tried many substitutes for cigarettes, and nothing satisfies the criterion.
I do all my best thinking on breaks, and figure out solutions to my problems in those 5 or 10 minutes.

If I already knew how to play a harmonica, that MIGHT have worked.
:)
 
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DC2

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because your transformation hasn't happened yet, and neither I, you, or anyone else on this forum know with certainty what direction the journey will take you.
Oh great, and here I was thinking the 510 w/manual battery was the end of my journey.
:mad:

Oh well, when one journey ends, another begins.
:D
 

e-pipeman

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Ah, but you see, your break is not the same as my break.
:)

My requirements for a break...

1) No talking
2) No standing
3) Must be able to think freely
4) Must have something to keep my hands busy
5) My hands must be busy with something completely mindless
6) Must have something to do that is relaxing

I have tried many substitutes for cigarettes, and nothing satisfies the criterion.
I do all my best thinking on breaks, and figure out solutions to my problems in those 5 or 10 minutes.

If I already knew how to play a harmonica, that MIGHT have worked.
:)

How about a coffee? Have you fiddled about with a pen, or worry beads? Make a piece of toast and keep your hands busy with butter and Bovril. Deep breathing is relaxing and helps you to think freely. You can do all the above sitting down in a people-free place. Or not - the choice is yours! :)

P.S. What about a Rubiks Cube?
 
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wezzie

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The bottom line….e-cigs are worth all of the researching you are and will continue doing. Learn how to vape as opposed to smoking. After 5 weeks of vaping…wow… I feel so much better.

Also, read all the topics and replies….clean/not clean atomizers, what stuffing to use, battery life, what model to buy, etc. Learn from the experienced members on this forum as well as the other forums. Try not to get overwhelmed because it is so worth it.

My husband still smokes analogs. He tried the e-cig and he is just not ready to vape. That’s ok. He is very proud of me…thou with e-cigs, it was an easy transition.
 

DC2

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Have you fiddled about with a pen, or worry beads?
It also has to be something I look forward to doing.

What about a Rubiks Cube?
Not mindless enough.

How about a coffee?
That actually might satisfy almost all of the criterion.
But drinking that much coffee every day would really mess me up.

Although I like coffee a lot, I really don't drink it on a daily basis.

I am using 11mg juice, but it is a bit much for me.
I will be dropping down to 8mg on my next order.
And probably be going down to 0mg soon.
 
That captures it all well Deadcat2. (Was there a Deadcat1? :D)

I agree-the answer(s) really aren't a 1 size fits all. It's like swimming though - no wet, no swim. I had to get one, try a brand and go through some initial trial and error to find out if it "worked", at all.

I also realize now that a much "heavier" smoker might not have been satisfied with my choices. Past personal preference and habit will figure into that - right now I'm using full strength juice, but I'll probably go with a mid-level strength with my next order to compare.

But I agree with all, it's worth the effort invested and then some, IMO.
 

e-pipeman

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It also has to be something I look forward to doing.

Not mindless enough.

That actually might satisfy almost all of the criterion.
But drinking that much coffee every day would really mess me up.

Although I like coffee a lot, I really don't drink it on a daily basis.

I am using 11mg juice, but it is a bit much for me.
I will be dropping down to 8mg on my next order.
And probably be going down to 0mg soon.

Golly - if you like coffee why not drink it on a daily basis? It has had quite a bad press in the USA, I understand, but in terms of enjoyment it's great.Would it really mess you up? Two bottles of vodka will REALLY mess you up -R.I.P. - but coffee? I grind Arabicas every day - goes so well with a vape! I suppose I'm just a terrible old hedonist....:)
 

e-pipeman

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If you don't smoke/vape much and don't want to constantly fiddle with the e cig and filling it, why not buy one of the 2 piece e cigs, the KR808's. I just bought one because frankly I am sick of fiddling also, and I have been doing so for almost 7 months. We'll see if that is a better solution for me.

That's very interesting , Sherid - would you be kind enough to let us all know how you get on with it? That would be great. :)
 

sherid

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That's very interesting , Sherid - would you be kind enough to let us all know how you get on with it? That would be great. :)
Sure. I find that lately I have been smoking more cigs than I was. The main reason is I am tired of all the maintenance of the e cig. I bought the KR808 just this morning for $29.95 to see how it goes.
 

e-pipeman

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Sure. I find that lately I have been smoking more cigs than I was. The main reason is I am tired of all the maintenance of the e cig. I bought the KR808 just this morning for $29.95 to see how it goes.

Thanks - I hope it works well for you. I know that you're committed to the e-cig concept - good luck! :)
 

DC2

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If you don't smoke/vape much and don't want to constantly fiddle with the e cig and filling it, why not buy one of the 2 piece e cigs, the KR808's. I just bought one because frankly I am sick of fiddling also, and I have been doing so for almost 7 months. We'll see if that is a better solution for me.
I've actually thought about that, and have heard some people really like their Red Dragons.
But I think I'm pretty good to go now with my 510 w/manual batteries.

I can actually go an entire day with one battery and one cartridge.
:thumb:
 

e-pipeman

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I've actually thought about that, and have heard some people really like their Red Dragons.
But I think I'm pretty good to go now with my 510 w/manual batteries.

I can actually go an entire day with one battery and one cartridge.
:thumb:

That's fantastic Deadcat 2 - but I have to ask - did Deadcat1 not bounce?:)
 
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