What a great forum...

[biscuitcase]

Hello! I was lucky to stumble across this forum while researching the mysterious world of e-cigs, and you all seem like an informed and lovely bunch, so I'm dipping a toe in to say hi.

I'm Isla, getting rapidly older without managing to acquire much wisdom along the way. I'm a professional neurotic, full-time carer, and I'm currently in sunny Spain at the moment, but returning home to the UK (northern Ireland) depressingly soon. I've been smoking for... well, ever since I filched my first menthol from my mum's handbag at the ripe old age of 12, I think. It's grown into a heavy and horrible habit, and I get through up to 35 of the evil minty analogues in a day. The fact that they're less than a quid a pack over here in Spain, and I'm here for a good chunk of the year, has made it hard to get up the gumption to kick myself up the backside and quit.

I did quit, once. For about a year. Went cold turkey, chewed bubblegum and used a little fake cigarette (nothing fancy, just a prosthetic basically) and I found that the fake fag really helped me, so I have high hopes that something with vapour (wow!) and maybe a fake glow/ember and some flavour of menthol would be just what I need to say adios to a habit that is definitely going to kill me if I can't crush it.

So I've been doing some research, trying to wrap my woolly brain around the details... but it's all spinning around up there at the moment. 501s and wicks and cartomisers and drip tips and juices and variable voltages and resistances and ohms. Ohms! The ohms are scaring me. It's funny, but I don't think I've ever smoked so heavily as I have while doing my research in a growing state of panic! I have no real idea where to start, but I would like to order something to get me started and have it waiting back home so I have no excuses to stock up on cheap cigs to take back with me.

Sorry, this is turning into an essay. I've been browsing online stores and I like the look of Mirage Cigarettes, Paddy Puff, and Vape Escape. Not sure which is most reliable, but I would appreciate any feedback or nudges in the right direction. I'm very intrigued about the prospects of mixing my own juices, but I think it all might be too much to handle for a beginner, so I'll stick that on the backburner for a while and just focus on getting a good PV set-up and a decent menthol juice. I think I'll need a fair hit of nicotine... 18mg or 24mg, not sure. I've been carefully reading through your tips thread and trying to ferret out as much info as I can, so I know this will sound weak and silly, but I do think I need to start off with something that at least roughly looks and feels like a cigarette. The feel of the thing is a big factor for me. But from reading I understand that I'm probably not going to get the best vaping experience if I limit my options like that. I don't have a lot of money to splurge so I really don't want to make a mistake and buy something that will be useless in the long-run.

Anyway. I hope you all don't mind if I pick your brains with irritatingly daft questions in the next while! I feel like I'm in danger of over-analysing it all and thinking my way out of the project completely. Crafty addict's brain looking for any excuse not to quit...!

[Tom]

If you want to save yourself from having to buy twice then I would ward you away from the 'cigalike'.

It is probably one of the hardest things to get your head around - the form factor.

If you have your heart set on something small I would opt for the smaller batteries in a kit like this one -
www.vapeescape.co.uk/vision%2Dcrystal%2Dmini%2Dego%2Dkit%7E478

This wont be much bigger than a ciggie but the performance in comparison is likely to be about 500% better.

If you want a cigalike to start then perhaps get one of the disposables from TESCO or ASDA or local garages but they will not be enough to satisfy you to the point where you can get off the stinkies!

Hope that helps.

Tom

[Roscopecotrain]

Hi biscuitcase, great username.

So lookalikes, a lot newbies think this but they really do not compare to the bigger kits and in the long run work out quite expensive so a bigger kit would be a better starting place. Vape Escape is an amazing place, cant go wrong ordering from Jason there. Any of there starter kits would be good but the Riva kit at £35 is perfect.

I started with 24mg nicotine and have stayed on it, usually its around the 24mg and 18mg that people suggest to start.

If money is tight then this is a great kit to start with and a great vendor
vapeland.co.uk/ego-t-ce5-black-starter-kit-900mah-97-p.asp

Any questions please do not hesitate to ask.

[sleepyduck]

Hi Isla An enjoyable first post

Please forget about getting something that looks like a fag Do yourself a favour and get one of these:

www.vapeescape.co.uk/the%2Dve%2Driva%2D1100%2Ddeluxe%2Dkit%7E151

Whatever you do, let us know how you get on

[Super-Shiny]

Hi and Welcome Biscuitcase

Great read, loved it

Yep thumbs up for the Riva 1100, cannot go wrong with that kit.

[genguskhan]

Hello and welcome biscuitcase

As others will tell you the Riva and Vape Escape are good starting points

[MarkS]

Hi Isla and welcome.

I was the same as you after a spending an entire day reading about e-cigs and just getting more and more confused the more I read.
Then I found this place and decided to join up and received fast and concise advice, and have been pretty much a permanent fixture since.

You won't go wrong with the Riva 1100. The folks here are a great and know their onions.

4 days after receiving my Riva and not a roll up in sight.

Now you've dipped a toe in, it's time to take the plunge!

Good luck.

EDIT: Vapeescape is a great place to start, but i have ordered the sample pack e-juice from Mirage. So I'll let you know what I think when they arrive.

[gibla53]

Hi Biscuitcase ....... I am also in not so sunny Spain and up to 3-4 days ago was a menthol fag user . I was going to wait until I got home to the UK. before i bought a kit BUT Vapescape delivered abroad so i took the plunge .

The results have amazed me and t'other half it definitely works We bought a Vape Escape Ultimate 1000 and a Crystal mini and about 100ml of a variety of liquids , don't worry about ohms etc. the kits come with "what you are given" and I know its relatively early days but its amazingly effective I have lost the initial urge to want to smoke a fag and really enjoy a vape

Alan go for it asap.

[kibbster]

Hi and welcome :-)
As everyone has said ignore the look a likes and try something like the Riva kit.
I started on a look alike and then got a Riva.
The difference between them is the look alike has been sat in a drawer for months where as I can still use the Riva now.

[kibbster]

Also as others have said, voltages and resistances are the next stage again.
I wouldn't worry about them for a while yet (if at all) , the Riva kit is as simple as fill, screw on, and vape :-)

[chykensa]

Hi Biscuitcase, and welcome to the forum!
I can't comment specifically on the Riva, but started with eGo batteries and clearomisers (clearos), and it did the job I wanted it to - gave up overnight, with no pain, cravings, or other side-effects.
However, there are many vapers here who have started with the Riva, and it is highly rated. Jason at VapeEscape is great to deal with - I have spent a few hundred quid with him over the last 4 months, and I've never had any problems. Good product and prices, and swift delivery to wind-swept Cornwall. (And no, I don't work for him, or look for commission - if someone is a good vendor, they deserve to be promoted in my book!).
Let us know how you get on, and please ask questions. Before someone else says it, "the only silly question is the one you haven't asked".
Andy

[dave]

Enjoyed your first post Isla
Vapescape are an excellent and reliable vendor who will rapidly sort out any problems if you have them. I'll just echo what everyone else is saying - you have to get to a frame of mind where you actually want to get something that looks nothing like a cigarette! Much less problem using them then as no one will think it is a ciggie Something like the Riva will give you at least three times as long between charges as a cig-alike and will probably last you for most of a day - you'd soon get used to it :)Start with a selection of small bottles of juices until you find what you like and you are probably right starting with 24mg strength. You can get it posted to Spain you know :)In fact there is a very good ex UK vendor who is now based in Spain - another one to consider:

freedomvape.co.uk/

[irishcas]

Hi Isla welcome

[Chrissie]

Hello & welcome Isla

Dave is right, Kev from Freedom Vape is now based in Spain & is indeed another very good vendor

[bomberharris]

Hi isla and welcome