Best E-Cig as a Stage Prop?

[JackBullet]

Hello! I am currently directing and performing in a NYC Off-Off Broadway play, in which I must be smoking for almost the entire duration (approx. 2 hours). I am a smoker (American Spirit Regular and Camel Lights), but I don't want to have to chain smoke, and even if I did, you can't smoke indoors in NYC, even for a play! So, my question for the experts is this: which e-cig is my best choice as a realistic stage prop? (and possibly switching to if I enjoy the experience!) Here are my criteria:

Must be a red LED on the battery
Must be either white or black
Must produce a lot of vapor
Must last for two hours (and another two with an hour-long charge in between)
Must be automatic

That's it! If you guys know something that would fit this, I would be so very grateful. I've been researching all night, and the choices are overwhelming, and it's actually hard to find something matching every criteria! I've been told to look at these two:

Green Smoke Pro Kit: Electronic Cigarette Starter Kit | Green Smoke®

and

Vapor King Starter Kit: Original Vapor King Ultimate Starter Kit - Original Vapor King - Starter Kits - Shop Our Products | Vapor4Life

The Green Smoke looks perfect, but is reeeeeeeally expensive, and it appears the Vapor King automatics only come in outrageous colors. Thanks so much for the help guys! Myself and the whole production team really appreciate it!

 

[elmattias]

well the forum will mostly recommend the smokeless image volt when it comes to a mini, you can find it here:

Smokeless Image | Only The Best Electronic Cigarette | Starter Kits

it comes in a variety of battery and LED colors, and has a variety of packages to help you with the budget crisis...and they also sell extra batteries so you can always have one on standby backstage....or you can get the "pro" package for only 65 bucks that would give you a personal charging case to keep a fresh one in your pocket...which is still half the cost of the green smoke...

/twocents

 

[spaceballsrules]

One more vote for a Volt kit from SmokelessImage. Grab the kit with the PCC, so you can charge the batteries on the fly. I would also suggest getting some extra batteries, as you never know what may happen, and the show must go on.

If you want to produce lots of vapor, just fill the cartomizers with pure VG.

 

[SissySpike]

Make sure you get 0 or very low nicotine if your going to be chaining it. Youed better figure some water in to your routine also vaping makes you thirsty. You could order 100% VG juice and you'd have the most visible vapor.

 

[Kay1959]

I was going to say to get the cheapest ecig they make (since it was just as a 2 hr prop) but if you are interested in using one yourself, I'd agree with the Volt. It has an excellent track record. I see you've found the fake reviews since you mentioned Greensmoke....You'll receive much better, and truer info here at ECF. If you are really interested in trying it for yourself, I would have to disagree with buzzlove's post above recommending O nic. Philip Morris, a big tobacco company, did a research on ecigs, and found that ecigs don't produce nearly as much nicotine as analogs (real cigs) with such a small battery. I would suggest (and this is my suggestion) that you use a higher nicotine content. Somewhere around 24 mg strength, and yes, do drink something, as vaping dries your mouth out. What you are actually exhaling is your bodies water.

 

[elmattias]

Overall even after what Kay had said, I still say get the volt if ordering...as it will probably run you cheaper...the only other option I can think of that would give you anything close to what you are seeking while still being cost effective would be looking into getting disposables...but most of those come in wacky colors from what I've seen...you can shop around and compare though...but the volt is probably still your most solid option

 

[WillyB]

And do get the Volt auto batteries.

 

[Spazmelda]

I agree with a lot of what has been posted. Here is what I would do if I was going to use an ecig in a 2 hour live production...

I'd get a Volt with at least 3 batteries (auto). If an electrical outlet is not easily accessible during the production I'd get a PCC for charging.

I'd get at least 5 cartomizers and a high VG, low nicotine juice (maybe 6 or 12 mg/ml). I'd order a few flavors And maybe an unflavored because enjoyment of juice is so personal and subjective. You might get a juice that makes you feel like vomiting (ive had one of those) and that would be an unpleasant 2 hours. Fill and test all the cartos before hand to make sure none are DOA.

For the production I'd have 2 batteries charging at all times and all the cartomizers filled and ready to go. For maximum vapor production I'd change to a fresh battery and cartomizer at every opportunity, have a stage hand assemble and bring the fresh one to you and take the old for recharging.

If you have plenty of time to play around with the ecig before opening night, you'll be able to see about how long the battery last and how to arrange the changing, charging, etc...

Good luck!

 

[Kay1959]

Overall even after what Kay had said, I still say get the volt if ordering...as it will probably run you cheaper...the only other option I can think of that would give you anything close to what you are seeking while still being cost effective would be looking into getting disposables...but most of those come in wacky colors from what I've seen...you can shop around and compare though...but the volt is probably still your most solid option

I didn't mean to imply that he shouldn't get the Volt. Not my intensions at all! Volt is the best mini (cig look-alike) out there on the market! IMHO. And they do offer larger batteries for upgrades!

 

[Harplayr]

If going with a Volt get the 78mm batteries, they aren't too much longer, still look like a cig and last much longer between charges and only $1 more.

Volt also has cartomizer covers to make the "filter" end look more realistic.
Smokeless Image | Only The Best Electronic Cigarette | Electronic Cigarette Battery Wrap
I'd go with #15 for the carto cover.

 

[chris_hornsby13]

Volt FTW...

 

[elmattias]

Did not mean to come off like that in any way Kay, sorry if I sounded a but condescending,I was simply trying to help get as much info to the guy as I could, and I apologize for emotionless text making me sound like a troll...we're all here for the same reason...and I have no intention of being mean to any past present or future

 

[Bullette the Cowdog]

And a white Volt would look very real.

 

[SolemnPenguin]

Hi Jack, welcome to ECF!

I have to agree with everyone here about the smokeless Image volt.

As for strength, I would suggest their smooth sampler in a 24 or so for when you, the actor, needs it. And a lower strength (but not zero) for when it's just the character that doing it. Switch out as needed.

If smoking even is on stage is illegal you could warm the audience up to the idea of having your ushers that smoke carrying around some that look a little less like cigarette. That way the could field questions about them before hand.

 

[JackBullet]

Thanks so much for all the info, guys!! I am DEFINITELY getting the Smokless Image Volt, with two 78mm white automatic batteries and orange LEDs! (Or maybe one 65mm and one 78mm) The options for cartridges are mostly flavors and percentages, and I figured the 1.2% Country would be closest to American Spirits, but I want to get the SUPER vapor production from the 100% VG. I don't see any option for that, and am not sure what to buy, or even how to use it. Could someone expand on the 100% VG part?

 

[JackBullet]

Is this the sort of thing I would use? And how would I use it with the Pro Starter Kit?

Tobacco Blend 100% VG - eLiquid Flavor - ECBlend

 

[Darthvong]

Volt....................

 

[NancyR]

Is this the sort of thing I would use? And how would I use it with the Pro Starter Kit?

Tobacco Blend 100% VG - eLiquid Flavor - ECBlend

Yes that would be one option for the 100% vg, good choice with the volt. Who knows by the end of the show you may not want to stop using it.

 

[spaceballsrules]

Thanks so much for all the info, guys!! I am DEFINITELY getting the Smokless Image Volt, with two 78mm white automatic batteries and orange LEDs! (Or maybe one 65mm and one 78mm) The options for cartridges are mostly flavors and percentages, and I figured the 1.2% Country would be closest to American Spirits, but I want to get the SUPER vapor production from the 100% VG. I don't see any option for that, and am not sure what to buy, or even how to use it. Could someone expand on the 100% VG part?

You can buy it at just about any big box store or pharmacy. Just drip it into an empty cartomizer as you would to fill any carto. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Humco-Skin-Protectant-Glycerin-Usp-6-oz/10417582

 

[elmattias]

i personally think you're making an excellent choice, and feel you won't be disappointed at all...although i would recommend practicing it a bit before you begin the show just so you are used to the new sensations, as you'll be inhaling dry, cool mist that can make the back of your throat a bit raw if you aren't used to it (i had this problem when i began vaping), although using 100% VG the chances of this are reduced....regardless you still want to become accustomed to your new device, especially if you've never used a PV before

1.2% cartos are equivalent to 12mg juice inside...which is about where light cigarettes would rank on nicotine strength...so you should be good there, as for the VG, you can get it anywhere...just be mindful that if you use the VG by itself just as a vapor prop that there will be zero flavor and zero nicotine....however the juice you linked earlier would be perfect....

as far as you not being sure how to use it: if you order the automatic batteries, the battery activates and warms up the atomizer when you move air through the battery by sucking air through it, which actuates a pressure switch internally, and producing vapor...on the opposite hand, there are manual batteries, that activate and begin warming your atomizer when you push a button on the battery...which you then just begin inhaling vapor...i would suggest normally going for manual batteries for performance, but in your case, i suggest automatic batteries simply for the realism factor

i hope this helps answer a few of your questions and clears a bit more confusion, enjoy your volt and happy vaping!