Is this a trick question? No, but it sure is a TRICKY one. Since I didn't start my vaping experience online, I cannot really give you too much awesome information on where to go, but at least I can give you a general idea of what you're about to undertake. Let the fun begin!
Trying to duplicate the taste of a smoke with a device that produces flavored, nicotine water vapor is IMPOSSIBLE.
That should be point number one. If you're trying to re-create the taste of a freshly lit Marlboro Red, forget it! You'll never achieve that. Remember, there IS NO SMOKE! Repeat after me... THERE IS NO SMOKE! There are no e-liquids that even taste remotely like a burning cigarette. Why would anyone want that? We're TRYING to get away from that, right?
So, with you going into the whole vaping scene knowing that THERE IS NO SMOKE (see? pretty easy huh?) you'll have a much easier time.
I got into my vaping habit using V2s electronic cigarette. We bought a starter kit and some pre-filled cartos. It was love at first puff.
The setup was easy. Charge battery, screw on pre-filled carto, puff away. The vapor was nice, tasty and delivered the nicotine we both were craving. We got the hand to mouth pacifier effect (that's the other tricky part of smoking... smokers tend to NEED to do something with their hands) with a device that was heavier than a cigarette but still fit nicely in the hand.
The romance ended with hubster pretty early on though.
The longer you used the batteries, the less vapor production you'd get. For an 8 hour work day, he would need 2 cartos and 3-4 batteries. Needless to say, the love affair was over before it started.
A carto does not last nearly as long as promised. There is no way possible that one pre-filled carto is the equivalent of one pack of smokes. NO WAY POSSIBLE. I would go through between two and three a day.
I will say that I used V2s for over a year though. I didn't look for alternatives. Didn't know there were any. I used the highest level nicotine (18) and went between their Red Flavor (Marlboro style), Menthol (sweet, minty taste) and Peppermint (toothpaste mint). I was very happy with their flavors. The do have supply issues it seems so sometimes I was buying gas station disposables to get me through between order and delivery. My items were back ordered alot, but I loved them. It was worth the wait.
All in all I would say that V2 is a great way to start if you're not a heavy smoker. It's easy and affordable and tastes pretty good. It's a little heavier than a cigarette, but still feels kind of the same... yet different.
ESP gives it a thumbs up!
V2 Electronic Cigarettes
So... maybe you don't want to try a dainty cig-a-like style...
I would highly recommend an ego-style battery, a few clearomizers and some good juices! Sounds simple huh? Not really...
First, an ego style battery has a 510 thread style. This probably doesn't mean much to you (shoot, it still doesn't for me) but it's important if you want your stuff to FIT! No fit = no vape. Poo! If you're in the Buffalo, NY area, read no further and RUN to Vapor Trail on South Park Avenue. These guys are the best at teaching newbies. Patient and won't steer you wrong. They don't over sell, they are not pushy. They WANT you to quit smoking and want you to get the most out of your NEW habit. Yes, it will be habit... Hopefully you'll be able to trade out the smokes for this one! So yeah, that was a shameless plug. I really like them.
Anyway, if you're not from around these parts, then it's time to do your searching... Since I've never purchased an ego online, I really cannot say who has the best service or best prices (remember... i'm newish too!) This site sells egos in black or stainless at an affordable price
http://altsmoke.com/accessories/batteries/ego-battery.html
So now you have a battery and a clue... What next? Something to hold your delicious juice in!
I strongly recommend 5 cartomizers and a few clearomizers to get your feets wet with!
A cartomizer is similarly sized to a cigarette filter. It's packed full of a filler material and a heating element. There is a center hole in it for airflow. You drip your tasty juices on the inside, put the tip back on, screw on your battery and away you go! You do have to be patient though... Filling one of these suckers does take time and patience. If you overfill you can always blow out the excess. If you underfill... Oh that is bad. You burn the filler and you'll never get the burned taste out of it.
A clearomizer is much easier. It's a tank style system with some wicks and a heating element. You fill it up, twist it on, take a few primer puffs and then vape away.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKN6MV5inJk
Why do I recommend both? Only because my preference is to use both. You may find you hate one and not the other. You may decide that what you really want is a TANK like a vivi nova (I personally like mine too!)
I've inserted a few links up there... Try them out. Use google and youtube. They will probably be your best friends throughout this journey!
And now, the best part... THE JUICES!
My juice experience with different vendors is limited, I must say. I've tried Vapor Trail (of course!) which is my go to place when I want something new. I've tried Juicy Vapor (they will never win a customer service award, more on that later). I've also tried House of Vapor (they don't mix their own juices but have some tasty pre-made stock) and Virgin Vapors (I do not like their juices at all). Taste is subjective though. What tastes awesome to me tastes like ass to hubster. I suggest that you try a few flavors to just get a feel for it. Who knows, you might like some of your testers!
My juices are 50%pg/50%vg. That's propolyne glycol and vegetable glycerin. Thats the stuff that your juices are primarily made from and what makes the vapor happen! They're mixed with a little bit of nicotine and a little bit of flavor. The pg and nicotine is what gives you the throat hit (that little bit of burn in the back of your throat when you inhale), the vg gives you a nice amount of vapor and a little sweetness. The flavor is what makes it taste so good. That's really all that's in an e-juice. Already sounding better than a cigarette huh?
Once you have your flavors (I like something nutty/chocolatey in the morning, fruity throughout the day and tobacco flavors in the evening) you fill up your delivery device (carto, clearo, etc.) and vape on!
I've gone through several different pvs (personal vaporizers) since I've started. It's a hobby now. New toys, new wicks, variable voltage, juice experiments (mix them all together and call it kamikazzi??), drip tips, etc. all make me a happy gal. Broke, but happy.
It doesn't have to be expensive. Maybe you'll know what you like and stick with it. If that's the case, you can spend less than 20 bucks a week on supplies. That's already cheaper than smoking! But, if you're into gadgets, gizmos and tasty things, then this could be an expensive journey. It'll still hopefully get you of the cigs!
As I vape on a nice lime flavored juice and re-read this, I hope that some of this information is at least somewhat useful... I confused myself and I have a clue as to what I'm doing. If I confused you too, just comment below with questions and I'll answer them as best I can!
~ESP
