Alright... I guess I'll just do this in a number format. I feel like I've got a lot of the basics down, but I still have a lot of questions that I can't easily find answers to in my time as a lurker over the past week or so. Then I got my kit and just dove right in and had a ton of questions... So, I registered, and here I am!
A little background: I just got my new Joye eGo(x2) with a 1000mah battery(x2). I'm currently using atomizers and pre-filled cartridges that came with the kit. I've also got 10 empty refillable cartridges with 10 more on their way. My e-juices haven't come in the mail yet, though some have been shipped. I ordered a number of different sizes and flavors from Ms Ts, MadVapes, and FreedomSmokeUSA. I was previously on 1.5 packs of "analogs" a day. Since I got my eGo yesterday, I haven't even considered going back.
This post is going to be quite long, but I want to do this right. Any answers to any questions will be greatly appreciated. I promise I've read a ton about vaping, but I just can't find basic every day things anywhere. I'm 100% new to all of this and it's obviously much different and a bit more complex than a lighter and an analog, lol...
Now then... On to the questions!
1. Cartridges.
A. How long does the average 501 cartridge on my eGo last? How many puffs, maybe? I've gotten into the groove of pulling like this: Press the button, pull softly for ~4-5 seconds, release the button, finish the pull, inhale, exhale. My use is sporadic. I'll take a few pulls a minute or 1 pull every 30 minutes. Given this, how long can I expect a single cartridge to last?
a. Is there a general consensus yet on how many pulls = 1 analog (of equal nic strength) or how many cartridges = 1 pack? This really isn't important to me. Just a curiosity thing.
B. How can I tell if a cartridge is empty enough that it will hurt my atomizer and I need to replace/refill?
C. Using the cartridge-refill method, depending on the answer to A, how many cartridges/refills can I expect to go through in a single day?
a. Approximately how much e-liquid goes into 1 cartridge?
D. What is the best method to reusing cartridges? Will my bottles of E-liquid come with droppers to help me fill them using the paper clip method, or will I need to buy a syringe? I really don't want to go the syringe method personally, but if it's a must, I can suck it up.
E. Why do some claim that cartomizers are replacing atomizers/cartridges?
F. Atomizers/Cartridges seem to have longevity compared to cartomizers. What is so bad about cartridges that most use the drip technique or cartomizers?
G. I've heard that you can buy a bag of the fluffy stuff inside the cartridge that soaks up the e-liquid from Walmart and you'd never have to worry about buying cartridges again. You just replace the fluffy stuff, refill, and vape away. What is the validity to this? Is this method safe? Is it effective?
H. Is cleaning the fluffy stuff inside the cartridge effective?
2. Atomizers.
A. While it was in my pocket, I accidentally had the button pressed down (I'm getting a cover soon (Yes, I know. I'm a noob. lol)). When I pulled it out, it was quite hot, but not so hot that it burned to the touch. How can I tell if I've damaged that atomizer? (No worries, I've got spares!)
B. What is the average life expectancy for an atomizer?
C. How will I know when I need to clean/replace the atomizer?
3. E-Liquid.
A. Can someone point me in the direction of a detailed DIY guide? It seems to be the way to go for a sustainable and relatively cheap vaping experience. I'm guessing you get PG/VG and use that to dilute large quantities of extra strength nic flavored mixes to turn say a 120ml 36mg into a 240ml 18mg? I'm totally new to this, so this is just my impression on DIY.
4. Batteries.
A. I currently have two 1000mah batteries for my eGo. How long can I expect these bad boys to survive? (Sidebar: I know nothing about modding, but these things last all day and into the night. I don't even need the second one since I just use the same battery all day, then charge it while I sleep, take it off the charger, and repeat. Couldn't imagine needing a mod for a longer lasting battery. The 1000mah is quite an amazing battery.)
5. The whole package.
A. What is the correct way for me to store this at night after putting the battery on the charger?
a. Should I separate the cartridge from the atomizer and replace the little white cap on the in-use cartridge and the empty cartridge back on the atomizer?
b. Is it OK for the atomizer if I just left the in-use cartridge attached to it or will this cause damage overnight?
Oddly enough, I think I had more questions than this, but I just forgot them. Sorry for the long post, but this community seems to be quite amazing at helping out new users and everyone seems very friendly. I honestly just want to do all of this the right way the first time so I don't end up just going back to analogs.
Thank you everyone for your responses in advance! If I end up getting consensus answers, I'll post them underneath the questions so people like me who read this thread will have a more streamlined source of finding the answers.