**NOTE** Allow me to first say that I REALLY REALLY REALLY discourage anyone that is not already a tobacco user to begin using e-cigarettes. E-cigarettes use liquid that has nicotine, and if you are not already a nicotine user/addict, then PLEASE do not become one by jumping onto the e-cig band-wagon. I strongly advocate the use of electronic cigarettes as a REPLACEMENT THERAPY for those already addicted to tobacco products, however nicotine is addictive and is not otherwise good for your health.
The eGo Twist
The eGo line is like the e-cigarette version of a Honda Civic: They're not really the best at anything, but they do everything pretty well, as well as being relatively inexpensive. This first set-up comes from Mountain Oak Vapors and is all inclusive: it gives you two batteries, the charging cable, a carrying case and two clearomizers (these are what vaporize the e-liquid, but clearomizers are slightly different in that they have a tank to deposit the liquid so that you don't have to continually re-drip the juice). MOV offers this kit for $60 and all you need to add to your online-shopping-cart is the e-liquid, which MOV makes and sells as well.
This kit is good for beginners because it's very simple: charge the device, screw on the clearomizer, put in the juice and you're ready to rock-'n'-roll. The "Twist" refers to a small dial on the bottom of the device that allows the user to adjust the output voltage, custom tailoring the strength of the vapor.
The VAMO
Next up is The VAMO. Like the eGo Twist above, it is also an adjustable voltage device, however it is slightly different. The VAMO has an LED screen with buttons that allow you to do all manner of things: adjust voltage, adjust wattage, check the atomizer resistance (so that you know what voltage to set the device), and other settings that are too complicated to explain here. When a person buys this device, though, it comes exactly as pictured to the left: no batteries, no charger, no atomizers, no liquid. The VAMO can be purchased, also at Mountain Oak Vapors, for $60, though after purchasing two batteries and a charger, the price becomes $86.
This kit is quite a bit more advanced than the eGo Twist, but the improvements in functionality is worth the extra money, in my opinion.
After purchasing the device, you will need to get a heating element of some sort. The 2 that I recommend, from Avid Vaper, are the Cisco 306 Atomizer (for $20, it comes with 2 atomizers and the drip tip, pictured left) and the Boge 510 Cartomizer (for $8.50, you can get a pack of 5, though you will need to purchase a drip tip as well). To put it simply, atomizers require you to drip more often because there's nothing to absorb the liquid except for the heater coil, and cartomizers allow you to drip more, less frequently, because the heating element is surrounding by fibers that absorb the liquid. Atomizers tend to give a little better performance, but are a little more hassle. Just depends on the preference of the user. I recommend 2.0 Ohm resistance for either atomizers or cartomizers.
The ProVari
I personally use the ProVari. It is one of the most, if not THE most, expensive devices on the market. Functionally, it has most of the same options as The VAMO (with the exception of variable wattage and 1 other option), but because of the high quality of manufacturing, in addition to it being manufactured in The United States, the price point for The ProVari is exceptionally high. I personally believe in buying products made domestically, and that was a major consideration point for me to spend the extra money on this device.
Currently, the ProVape website has a starter kit that comes with:
- 1 ProVari
- 2 batteries
- Battery Charger
- A 5-Pack of cartomizers
- and a metal drip tip for the cartomizers.
For most vapers that are spending this amount of money for devices, they typically begin to use other atomizers and cartomizers to really maximize their vaping experience. Usually vapers will end up buying re-buildable atomizers, tank systems, etc. At this point, I can't really help you; it will be trial-and-error, and will require a lot of research to figure out what features you want and what you can afford.
The info I've provided above is just a scraping of the surface of the amount of knowledge, devices, atomizer/cartomizer/clearomizer/tank-systems/etc. that is currently out there. If you're interested in learning more, there are two YouTube bloggers that have made it their commitment to testing and reviewing everything they can so that their viewers are more educated. They are PBusardo and GrimmGreen. They are the first place that I go to get more information about anything related to e-cigarettes. Below are their "new user" videos.
Interesting topic in these last two posts that are quite informative.
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