Your knowledge would be much appreciated! New to e-cigs.

[Pabs]

Hi all,

After looking around on the internet i thought i'd ask for your advice when purchasing my first e-cigarette kit and fluids. FYI i live in the UK.


I currently smoke around 5-10 rollups a day, (maybe up to 15 on a very heavy day but this is very rare). I smoke Drum Light (Gold) tobacco and i use silver Rizlas with menthol filter tips as i really dislike the taste of paper and actually would rather not smoke than smoke a normal 'non menthol' rollup if i have run out of my filters.


The idea of being able to taste other flavours than just menthol with e-cigs sounds great, so i want to give it a try, and it's a bonus that it will be better for my health too.


Essentially what i am looking for is a kit (as far as i can tell from reading online i wont go far wrong with the 510) which contains everything as it's a little confusing to know if i am buying everything i need! And also it would be great if along with the menthol i could get a few other flavours you might recommend. I tend to prefer fresher flavours with things like shisha/hookahs (vanilla, mint, apple etc), but will try anything once, so maybe just a kind of 'sample kit' (if there is such a thing) with it would be great.


The main advice is whether, with my level of smoking, i need one of the higher end battery models ( i think it was called the Riva 510-T ) rather than the thinner one. If i'm honest i would rather have a smaller one as i'm already going from thinner rollups to a bigger e-cig so an even bigger battery type may be a bit off-putting and difficult for my hand to get used to! I also want to be able to smoke in the pub so i feel the bigger ones may look a bit silly (or i think it might anyway) and hence i may not use it. Any help you can give on this would be great (is there perhaps a 350mAh/halfway inbetween battery anywhere, will i need it)?


I am more than happy to take any advice you have as to what i should buy as people on here seem to really know their stuff, but if you could give me a point in the right direction with regards to where to buy from online in the UK that would be great! (I am more than happy to make my own cartridges etc also.)


On a separate note, i'm also trying to get my brother to quit, he's a light/social smoker and smokes Malboro lights, so i would like to get a type of taste that might get him to buy a kit too, so is there anything that kinda tastes like Marlboro Lights out there?


Thanks and sorry for the long winded message, and apologies if i am a bit off base with some things but i am very new to this and it can get a bit confusing!

 

[hnyb0210]

Hello, Pabs! I will let all the very experienced folks around here give you advice on your setup (I'm a new kid on the block), but I just wanted to say congrats on making this decision - you won't regret it!

 

[ShogaNinja]

Five things you need to know.

1: drum is and has always been gross. How could you? It's like smoking wet leaves. (sorry) No filter either? jeez. At least you could have gotten a tube loader and used cigarette tubes tho I guarantee that wouldn't have worked with that wet stuff.

2: get two ego c twist "replacement battery". Forget about kits, they are for fools and a fool and his money are soon parted. Get a USB/Plug In EGO charger with your twist batteries so you can recharge your stuff. THE EGO TWIST IS A GAME CHANGER - YouTube Don't take it from me. Here is a 3+ year veteran who owns just about every device on the market who'll set you straight. Altsmoke has the best deal on Twists right now, they are on sale. Google is your friend.

3: you'll need something to put on that battery to vape with. If you got money to burn or want to learn how to rebuild and save a lot of money in the long run then the Vision Vivi Nova is the way to go. Here's a review and how to rebuild them. You'll need to spend about 20 bucks in wire and wick to do it though but it will last you this side of forever. Vaping Estarra - YouTube
If you have to try a cartomizer then go Boge or Smoktech. Though be warned that the polyfill flavor will make you upset.
If you can't afford a vivi nova setup (you'll need at least 2) then go for the rebuildable version EGO Vision Clearomizer (aka the Stardust). I know that Sweetvapes sells them for about 7.95 which is almost half the price of the Vivi Nova setup but be warned that the airflow draw is stiff as can be and they have problems all their own.

4: You'll also need to understand the basics of what voltage is acceptable to use at what resistance. Without becoming an electrical engineer your best bet is to reference this chart. Note that the Vivi Nova comes with 3 resistances of atomizer heads and you can't go wrong with that. Here it is: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...ur-battery-temperature-preferences-excel.html

5: when it comes to nicotine you need to go big or go home. Not only will the devices I recommended work for you, they will rock and you will want to tell it from the mountains. Seeing as you smoked non filter cigs, a cigarette shaped and sized PV will not do the trick for you, on top of the fact that they need to be recharged every 5 seconds (ok more like 4 times a day). Yeah the ego twist with a tank on it is probably around 8 inches long ( no clue what that is in mm), but so what, it works. The alternative is a much larger unit which won't fit in your pocket very well and costs 8-9 times and much. The Ego Twist and the Vivi Nova are probably the two most popular devices in the world at this point. Since you smoked 10-15 UNfiltered smokes a day I would recommend that you start with 18mg nic strength and also a 24mg nic strength. The reason for this is you get a feel for what you need, and you have no danger of going back to those nasty things you smoke right now. If 24 is too high you can always mix it with a lower nic juice of the same flavor and still use it. 70/30 PG/VG (propylene glycol and vegetable glycerine) is the blend you will want for 2 reasons. It will taste good (if you choose the right flavor) and it will wick into your tank's coil very well too. If you go with a thicker juice with more VG it won't wick well and you will get hits from this thing that will taste like you burned a tire in your PV (personal vaporizer). You don't want that. Trust me. I didn't get to super member by being a tool. Some people may give you viable options too. Don't be afraid to listen to other people who will inevitably comment as well, but know that my option is all but guaranteed to work for you, and last you a long time (a year or two - the service life of the batteries) before you become curious about what else to waste your money on. Also, this setup will pay for itself in around a month or so and then you'll be pocketing the rest.

If you want to know almost everything I know after months of research followed by 5 months of vaping then visit my blog here - I am all about vaping on a budget: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...king-start-vaping-my-quit-diary.html#comments

 

[Kay1959]

As far as a cigarette look-alike, the Volt is the best. I just checked and Smokeless Image does ship to the UK.

I would strongly suggest you NOT get the 'Basic Starter Kit', because it only comes with one battery. get any of the other three. Also, a manual battery will last longer between charges than an automatic.

Smokeless Image | Only The Best Electronic Cigarette | Starter Kits

These are 808 threaded, not 510 BTW.

 

[wasabi5858]

If you are concern about size, beware that the twist + clearomizer setup is more like cigar.
Never tried the Volt but ppl here often recommend it and I just finished watching steeljan's review of it. She really like it.

With only 10/day (never rolled my own so don't know how long each last), I would assume a volt battery from what she described will be more than enough to last you a whole day.

 

[perpetua]

Hi Pabs,

Take a look at our Supplier's list for UK Vendors . . .

ALL ABOUT E-CIGARETTES UK - E-cigarette & E-liquid Suppliers List.

I'd certainly go for something along the Ego lines, the choices then of what you can
screw into the battery are greatly increased, thereby giving you a much improved
vaping experience over a look alikey.

 

[quinn818]

I strongly second the ego twist, and the poster fourish posts above me gave you all the info on those. Any 510 tank should do you good for the time being. I'm new to this myself, but rather than spending 20 bucks and assembling your own tank, I'd prefer to spend about 15 per pre-built tank and get a few of them so I can switch them out (fill them with different flavors).

If you're unsure what a tank is, it's what you slide the cartomizer into (which has to be punched [has a hole in it]) so the fluid in the tank surrounding the cartomizer can flow into it, constantly refilling the carto as you vape. The alternative is refilling your cartomizer frequently.

I'm 100% certain the tank the previous poster mentioned is much better than a 15 dollar pre-built tank. But, the prebuilts are easier to work with at first, and if something happens, just replace it. Make sure the tank you get is a standard size, so it holds bit more (verses slim or XL, the XL tanks would make your ego twist super top heavy since it really isn't a heavy unit). Also, make sure your cartomizers are standard size, 1 inch.

As far as cartomizers go, I use the Boge 3 OHM standard size cartomizers. However, with an ego twist you could also use 2.0 or 2.5 OHM, just research OHMs a bit and see which you'd prefer. Some of the cartos come pre-punched for use on a tank, I've never tried one. However, something tells me the hole they come with may be too small. So just look into a tool or method you could use to make a small hole into the metal casing. There are many options for this, including some pre-built tools or ones you can make yourself, a dremmel used very precisely with a small bit can work too, or super steady hands on a regular drill with a tiny bit.

These cartos come in packs of five and I replace mine every couple of tank refills because they get old, I've never tested that, but I've been told that.

As far as nicotine goes, 18mg is probably your best bet. Keep in mind you will be vaping wayyyyy more than you smoke. It's fun, guilt free, and tastes amazing, so a smaller dose of nicotine should work for you since you'll be doing it more often than you smoke. Additionally, the percentage of VG/PG the poster mentioned you ordering may have confused you. The main base in an e-liquid is vegetable glycerin and propylene glycol. VG give you a lot of vapor, and PG give you a throat hit. 70PG/30VG will give okay vapor and a strong throat hit. Alternatively, 70VG/30PG will give loads of vapor and an ample throat hit, but not super intense. I use more VG in my liquids than PG because I prefer the plumes of vapor, and 30% PG is more than enough throat hit for me, and I smoked a pack a day (not unfiltered though). Some online retailers allow you to completely customize your ratios to what you like.

Also, if you enjoy hookah, a Ming drip tip from Cherry Vapes is the drip tip for you. A drip tip is basically a different mouthpiece which is more comfortable and looks better. The top of your cartomizer just pops off and you can pop another piece into it. These feel better than a hookah tip, but give the overall same sensation.

Finally, as far as flavors go, I was like you in the beginning, I figured since I loved fruit flavored shisha I'd love fruit flavored e-liquid. This wasn't the case. Some are okay, some are hit and miss. I can tell you I definitely enjoy more savory e-liquids. Like coffee or chocolate flavors. Don't be afraid to add a bit of menthol (many vendors offer this option) to flavors. It can really increase your overall enjoyment of many flavors. Andes Mint from pink spot vapors is amazing, a good starting point for non-tobacco flavors.

Finally, just make sure you get everything in 510 and you'll be set. If you have any questions please feel free to PM me, I will try to answer them best I can. Nearly everyone on this site has more knowledge than me, but I can definitely try to help, I just started as well and picked up a lot of info on the way.

 

[ShogaNinja]

I strongly second the ego twist, and the poster fourish posts above me gave you all the info on those. Any 510 tank should do you good for the time being. I'm new to this myself, but rather than spending 20 bucks and assembling your own tank, I'd prefer to spend about 15 per pre-built tank and get a few of them so I can switch them out (fill them with different flavors).

If you're unsure what a tank is, it's what you slide the cartomizer into (which has to be punched [has a hole in it]) so the fluid in the tank surrounding the cartomizer can flow into it, constantly refilling the carto as you vape. The alternative is refilling your cartomizer frequently.

I'm 100% certain the tank the previous poster mentioned is much better than a 15 dollar pre-built tank. But, the prebuilts are easier to work with at first, and if something happens, just replace it. Make sure the tank you get is a standard size, so it holds bit more (verses slim or XL, the XL tanks would make your ego twist super top heavy since it really isn't a heavy unit). Also, make sure your cartomizers are standard size, 1 inch.

A tank is not necessarily as this person describes. There are two kinds of tanks: a tank with a cartomizer in it (basically, a MAP tank (most angry pirate - go ahead and look it up if you want) which is ok, but not awesome - it requires a lot of maintenance) and there are clearomizer tanks which have their own atomizer inside which usually consists of a wick made of silica or ceramic and has a nichrome or kanthal wire coil wrapped around it which then links to a positive and negative post that feeds off the battery. These require less maintenance and because they are rebuildable are the ultimate in efficiency and also flavor since cartomizers rely on a polyfill that your juice soaks into and tastes like crap. Also because the polyfill grips the atomizer coil you cannot dry burn them to clean them and that effects both maintenance and effectiveness. A coiled atomizer, without fill can be dry burned (i.e. heated up until the coil glows red) which burns off impurities and build-up and allows you to get a fresher vape for longer.

The Vision Vivi Nova is a clearomizer tank. It has its own coil, and because the tank specializes in being taken apart and replacing the atomizer heads (which they also sell) you can easily learn to take them apart and rebuild them yourself (for pence in your terms compared to pounds). If you want to take it slow and ease in, each Vivi Nova does come with three different atomizer heads of different resistances, you can buy them commercially for a pound or two. Let's call the different head it comes with low resistance, standard resistance, and high resistance. It holds like 5ml of juice which is enough probably for 2 days for one of your former habit. The XL XXL thing is for the cartomizer tanks, disregard that when speaking of Vivi Nova Clearomizer tanks. If you had to compare them it would be XXL.

The reason why I don't recommend cigarette shaped and sized personal vaporizers (PVs) is because they require what is called a PCC, a personal charging case or whatever it is. That's an extra expense and an extra hassle. Not to mention it's also a reminder of your bad habit which you don't need. It's about the size of a pack of smokes and it recharges your battery in your tiny PV in between vapes. Believe me when I say you will be just about chain vaping when you first start and so it will require around 3 full charges per day. Meanwhile the EGO Twist will go for 1-3 days depending on your habits before charging even a single battery, and as I suggested, you'll have two. Each charge takes between 3-4 hours. Additionally, I am not kidding when I say that the 510 connection (which the EGO Twist has) is the most common and versatile connection on the market, which means that you'll have many options as far as atomizers, cartomizers, and clearomizers.

I personally recommend you get over the size and shape of cigarettes and go with function over form. That's exactly what the EGO-Twist is. Sure, it's not the shortest device on the market, but with that added length comes great power in the form of lasting battery life and way better vapor production than any cigarette sized PV. The whole idea of you quitting smoking is to get away from cigarettes anyway is it not? In this vein I also recommend that you stay away from "Tobacco" flavors because 99% of them are garbage. There is nothing that will compare to the taste of a real smoke, and that's a good thing. If you think about it, real analogs (cigarettes) taste like crap. It's only through forced addiction that you have come to like that nasty ashtray taste. Stick with fruity and sweet flavors to start with because they are pretty much guaranteed. Things like coffee, cappuccino, and tobacco flavors are pretty fail overall and therefore risky. Because you are new you cannot afford to take a chance with a bad flavor unless you buy a buncha flavors at the beginning. Knowing this, my advice is sound. I am trying to get you to succeed in quitting (I smoked for 15 years a pack a day - Marlboro Red King Size Full Flavors and quit on the first day with a lesser setup than what I am suggesting and never looked back). I look at smokers with great disdain now like they are so stupid.

I don't want to take away from the other suggestions, (love you guys!) but I am trying to aim you in a way that will last the longest and require the least amount of money in the long run. The other suggestions, you may find, also allow you to quit but you will be looking for something new within a month or two. That is not my aim. Sure there's a bit of a learning curve but you will be batting 1000 (kicking ....) in a couple weeks.

Believe me when I say that my recommendations come from research and hard learned experience and are very very carefully thought out. I've got this down to a science as to what to get, as cheaply as possible, and as effectively as possible. I am a budget vaper in the extreme. I was trying to keep it simple so you could just say thanks and go on your way to success, but I guess it required greater explanation to my thinking behind the recommendations I made.

 

[quinn818]

A tank is not necessarily as this person describes. There are two kinds of tanks: a tank with a cartomizer in it (basically, a MAP tank (most angry pirate - go ahead and look it up if you want) which is ok, but not awesome - it requires a lot of maintenance) and there are clearomizer tanks which have their own atomizer inside which usually consists of a wick made of silica or ceramic and has a nichrome or kanthal wire coil wrapped around it which then links to a positive and negative post that feeds off the battery. These require less maintenance and because they are rebuildable are the ultimate in efficiency and also flavor since cartomizers rely on a polyfill that your juice soaks into and tastes like crap. Also because the polyfill grips the atomizer coil you cannot dry burn them to clean them and that effects both maintenance and effectiveness. A coiled atomizer, without fill can be dry burned (i.e. heated up until the coil glows red) which burns off impurities and build-up and allows you to get a fresher vape for longer.

The Vision Vivi Nova is a clearomizer tank. It has its own coil, and because the tank specializes in being taken apart and replacing the atomizer heads (which they also sell) you can easily learn to take them apart and rebuild them yourself (for pence in your terms compared to pounds). If you want to take it slow and ease in, each Vivi Nova does come with three different atomizer heads of different resistances, you can buy them commercially for a pound or two. Let's call the different head it comes with low resistance, standard resistance, and high resistance. It holds like 5ml of juice which is enough probably for 2 days for one of your former habit. The XL XXL thing is for the cartomizer tanks, disregard that when speaking of Vivi Nova Clearomizer tanks. If you had to compare them it would be XXL.

The reason why I don't recommend cigarette shaped and sized personal vaporizers (PVs) is because they require what is called a PCC, a personal charging case or whatever it is. That's an extra expense and an extra hassle. Not to mention it's also a reminder of your bad habit which you don't need. It's about the size of a pack of smokes and it recharges your battery in your tiny PV in between vapes. Believe me when I say you will be just about chain vaping when you first start and so it will require around 3 full charges per day. Meanwhile the EGO Twist will go for 1-3 days depending on your habits before charging even a single battery, and as I suggested, you'll have two. Each charge takes between 3-4 hours. Additionally, I am not kidding when I say that the 510 connection (which the EGO Twist has) is the most common and versatile connection on the market, which means that you'll have many options as far as atomizers, cartomizers, and clearomizers.

I personally recommend you get over the size and shape of cigarettes and go with function over form. That's exactly what the EGO-Twist is. Sure, it's not the shortest device on the market, but with that added length comes great power in the form of lasting battery life and way better vapor production than any cigarette sized PV. The whole idea of you quitting smoking is to get away from cigarettes anyway is it not? In this vein I also recommend that you stay away from "Tobacco" flavors because 99% of them are garbage. There is nothing that will compare to the taste of a real smoke, and that's a good thing. If you think about it, real analogs (cigarettes) taste like crap. It's only through forced addiction that you have come to like that nasty ashtray taste. Stick with fruity and sweet flavors to start with because they are pretty much guaranteed. Things like coffee, cappuccino, and tobacco flavors are pretty fail overall and therefore risky. Because you are new you cannot afford to take a chance with a bad flavor unless you buy a buncha flavors at the beginning. Knowing this, my advice is sound. I am trying to get you to succeed in quitting (I smoked for 15 years a pack a day - Marlboro Red King Size Full Flavors and quit on the first day with a lesser setup than what I am suggesting and never looked back). I look at smokers with great disdain now like they are so stupid.

I don't want to take away from the other suggestions, (love you guys!) but I am trying to aim you in a way that will last the longest and require the least amount of money in the long run. The other suggestions, you may find, also allow you to quit but you will be looking for something new within a month or two. That is not my aim. Sure there's a bit of a learning curve but you will be batting 1000 (kicking ....) in a couple weeks.

Believe me when I say that my recommendations come from research and hard learned experience and are very very carefully thought out. I've got this down to a science as to what to get, as cheaply as possible, and as effectively as possible. I am a budget vaper in the extreme. I was trying to keep it simple so you could just say thanks and go on your way to success, but I guess it required greater explanation to my thinking behind the recommendations I made.

Good explanation of the different tanks, the one I was describing was just a basic tank, and you're right, they can be a pain in the .... I've just had extremely good luck with mine, and I can only speak from personal experience.

 

[horra]

a great read
thanks guys

 

[stevenham]

I used to smoke about a pack of analogs everyday before I switched over to ecigs. I started out with the joye 510 kit. You definitely cannot go wrong with it. I must admit though that I do sneak the occasional analogs and I always wonder why I switched to ecigs in the first place. Ecigs are a great alternative, but it still requires a decent amount of will power to quit analogs all together. It's not a wonder tool that will magically turn you away from normal cigs. Just my opinion.

 

[quinn818]

I used to smoke about a pack of analogs everyday before I switched over to ecigs. I started out with the joye 510 kit. You definitely cannot go wrong with it. I must admit though that I do sneak the occasional analogs and I always wonder why I switched to ecigs in the first place. Ecigs are a great alternative, but it still requires a decent amount of will power to quit analogs all together. It's not a wonder tool that will magically turn you away from normal cigs. Just my opinion.

I definitely agree with you. In order for it to "magically" work, you have to start wanting to vape rather than smoke. Once vaping becomes your natural tendency and you enjoy it more than smoking analogs, you will quit.

I don't really consider it quitting anyway.

 

[neogolie]

Great review and blog. Thanks for all the info.

 

[Pabs]

Wow, what a great forum full of lovely people!

That's a huge amount of info that i'm going to look over again then get back to you with my purchase idea.

But for now, thank you all loads!!

 

[ShogaNinja]

It's what we do, Pabs.

 

[GrannyDee]

I have gone thru the "replace this with that" phase, too. I have gotten so much good advice on the forums, it is much less expensive now to get what I want.