Is that all there is? - e-cigarette-forum.com • The place for electronic cigarette reviews, news and chat

Ominae117 · 07-05-2009, 01:28 AM

So a few months ago I decided I wanted to make the switch from analogs to e-cigs. After vigorously researching different models, brands, suppliers, and reading some recommendations to people whose needs were similar to my own, I decided to purchase the Puresmoker Pilot m401. At the time, I was told it would be the best option for me. When it arrived, I was like a kid at Christmas. Tearing open the package with enthusiasm. After everything was charged and ready to go, I gave it a shot.

For the first couple days that I had it, I played around with it a bunch. However, I was also extremely disappointed. There was 0 flavor with either of the carts I purchased (Basic Marlboro and "555") and both simply tasted like burnt plastic, if there was any taste at all. The vapor production was equally disappointing. After watching videos and reviews with people blowing out what looked like small clouds (such as Puresmoker's product lineup video) I had a little wisp of vapor, barely visible when exhaling. Whats worse is that there was no throat hit to speak of, and it didn't even feel like I was inahling or exhaling much of anything. I figured I had something defective and switched out different atomizers, different batteries, different carts. no improvement. After giving it one last shot and getting a mouthful of liquid, I put it in my drawer out of frustration and forgot about it. shortly afterwards, I went back to analogs.

A few days ago, I stumbled across it and decided to break it out and try it again. After recharging everything, cleaning the atomizer, and fresh carts and liquid, I tried it again only to have that same shameful performance. I used it pretty heavily when I first purchased it for about a week with no change or improvement in performance. I had been told that most needed to be "broken in." After using it again for a few days, I gave up.

Were my expectations too high? Is that all there is?
I don't want to give up trying, but is this the kind of performance I can expect from all e-cigs? am I doing something wrong? Any recommendations of something else to try?

Help me e-cig forum, you're my only hope.
-Om

Sun Vaporer · 07-05-2009, 01:32 AM

Om--Your issue was and more then likey still is IMO, the prefilled cartridges---they dry up and are terrible. Purchase some eliquid and you will see what all the real deal is--------Sun

Wormwood · 07-05-2009, 01:41 AM

Were my expectations too high? Is that all there is?
I don't want to give up trying, but is this the kind of performance I can expect from all e-cigs? am I doing something wrong? Any recommendations of something else to try?

Help me e-cig forum, you're my only hope.
-Om[/quote]

Ominae117
I am a beginner, too. From my experience and from all the investigation ive put forth, I have found that different vaporizers excel differently in their own ways. It really depends what you are expecting from it.

Now as far as your expectations.... it really depends, are you looking for thick vapor, portability, control, throat hit? These are the things you should look up.

I have seen quite a few people who chose the m401 for thier first personal vaporizor and the results are about even, half are disapointed, and the other half rave about how it does exactly what they wanted. From what you have said maybe you need an upgrade... or maybe you are still getting used to using your m401, I personally dont own an m401, maybe someone else can chime in one, but are you lung inhaling or are you getting mouthful b4 u inhale?

Wormwood · 07-05-2009, 01:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sun Vaporer

Om--Your issue was and more then likey still is IMO, the prefilled cartridges---they dry up and are terrible. Purchase some eliquid and you will see what all the real deal is--------Sun

this is very true, i've only had a handful of satisfied experiences with pre filled carts.

wv2win · 07-05-2009, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wormwood

this is very true, i've only had a handful of satisfied experiences with pre filled carts.

I agree with Sun, using liquid will definitely help. Based on your disappointment level, I would suggest getting a manual switch PV so you can control how you vape and heat that atomizer up as much as you want. For many, this is more satisfying.

Rhetoric Camel · 07-05-2009, 02:05 AM

yup prefilled carts are definitely NOT the way to go. Liquid is the best. And remember when taking drags, inhale into the mouth, then the lungs, and also take SLOW drags, if you try to hit it like a cigarette or a joint you will be disappointed, and possibly get some liquid in your mouth (when using liquid instead of prefilled carts)

mamacat · 07-05-2009, 02:22 AM

Ominae117 ~ Welcome to ECF!!

Most of the "prefilled" carts I ever tried were terrible to say the least. I was never able to find one that tasted good. I bought some liquid and have never looked back. I even took my "prefills" and washed out the cart filler, filled them with my own juice and used them.

Best Wishes!

bleck · 07-05-2009, 02:39 AM

I'm honestly in the camp that dislikes the 401. The flavors aren't right (seems to get too hot and has more of a steamy taste), and it's difficult to get a good amount of vapor from it without making a loud whistling sound. I've tried 3 atomizers etc. and had the same issues. My 901 & 801 are still the main e-cigs I use. It really can be difficult at first finding the one that works for best for your situation. I'd definitely recommend buying some liquid though, cart liquid = gross. I've never enjoyed the liquid that came w/ a cart. I always clean 'em out and put my own liquid in and buy blanks from then on.

Ominae117 · 07-05-2009, 02:54 AM

Thanks for all of the quick replies!

In regards to what I'm looking for, I'm looking for thick vapor with a decent flavor. I'll definitely try some different liquid and filling my own cartridges. Is there any particular type of liquid that would help provide this, or any recommendations of brands/types?

Also, are liquid vendors generally only online or would specialty smoke shops possibly carry them as well? A new one of these just opened a few blocks away and they seem to carry NJOY's and Smoking Everywhere products from signs out front in addition to regular tobacco stuff. I'll probably call to see if they have them first, just thought I'd ask whether or not you've ever seen the liquid carried in stores?

-Om

bleck · 07-05-2009, 02:58 AM

There's a local shop near me that sells some e-cig stuff, including liquid. Huge markup compared to online retailers though. I've only planned on purchasing there if I got real desperate. It's definitely worth a shot though.

07-05-2009, 01:28 AM	#1
Ominae117 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 3	Is that all there is? So a few months ago I decided I wanted to make the switch from analogs to e-cigs. After vigorously researching different models, brands, suppliers, and reading some recommendations to people whose needs were similar to my own, I decided to purchase the Puresmoker Pilot m401. At the time, I was told it would be the best option for me. When it arrived, I was like a kid at Christmas. Tearing open the package with enthusiasm. After everything was charged and ready to go, I gave it a shot. For the first couple days that I had it, I played around with it a bunch. However, I was also extremely disappointed. There was 0 flavor with either of the carts I purchased (Basic Marlboro and "555") and both simply tasted like burnt plastic, if there was any taste at all. The vapor production was equally disappointing. After watching videos and reviews with people blowing out what looked like small clouds (such as Puresmoker's product lineup video) I had a little wisp of vapor, barely visible when exhaling. Whats worse is that there was no throat hit to speak of, and it didn't even feel like I was inahling or exhaling much of anything. I figured I had something defective and switched out different atomizers, different batteries, different carts. no improvement. After giving it one last shot and getting a mouthful of liquid, I put it in my drawer out of frustration and forgot about it. shortly afterwards, I went back to analogs. A few days ago, I stumbled across it and decided to break it out and try it again. After recharging everything, cleaning the atomizer, and fresh carts and liquid, I tried it again only to have that same shameful performance. I used it pretty heavily when I first purchased it for about a week with no change or improvement in performance. I had been told that most needed to be "broken in." After using it again for a few days, I gave up. Were my expectations too high? Is that all there is? I don't want to give up trying, but is this the kind of performance I can expect from all e-cigs? am I doing something wrong? Any recommendations of something else to try? Help me e-cig forum, you're my only hope. -Om

07-05-2009, 01:41 AM	#3
Wormwood Super Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Champaign, IL, USA Posts: 306 Blog Entries: 7	Were my expectations too high? Is that all there is? I don't want to give up trying, but is this the kind of performance I can expect from all e-cigs? am I doing something wrong? Any recommendations of something else to try? Help me e-cig forum, you're my only hope. -Om[/quote] Ominae117 I am a beginner, too. From my experience and from all the investigation ive put forth, I have found that different vaporizers excel differently in their own ways. It really depends what you are expecting from it. Now as far as your expectations.... it really depends, are you looking for thick vapor, portability, control, throat hit? These are the things you should look up. I have seen quite a few people who chose the m401 for thier first personal vaporizor and the results are about even, half are disapointed, and the other half rave about how it does exactly what they wanted. From what you have said maybe you need an upgrade... or maybe you are still getting used to using your m401, I personally dont own an m401, maybe someone else can chime in one, but are you lung inhaling or are you getting mouthful b4 u inhale? __________________ Spared my life! I never want to go back to Analogues.

07-05-2009, 02:22 AM	#7
mamacat Supplier Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: WS, NC, USA Posts: 1,411	Ominae117 ~ Welcome to ECF!! Most of the "prefilled" carts I ever tried were terrible to say the least. I was never able to find one that tasted good. I bought some liquid and have never looked back. I even took my "prefills" and washed out the cart filler, filled them with my own juice and used them. Best Wishes! __________________ It might be that all of the aforementioned are a result of my experiences with the PS Protege , GGT, TnA 901 Fistpack, Little Chuck v901 x2, JS v1 & v2 both w/ 901 adapter, PS 901 PT, Cisco 901 & 801 LP mods, ZiMoshi 901 LV v2, Light Torch mod, DSE 901, M401, Joye510, M201. YMMV! "V"

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07-05-2009, 01:32 AM	#2
Sun Vaporer Moderator Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 6,499	Om--Your issue was and more then likey still is IMO, the prefilled cartridges---they dry up and are terrible. Purchase some eliquid and you will see what all the real deal is--------Sun

07-05-2009, 02:05 AM	#6
Rhetoric Camel Super Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Plattsburgh, NY Posts: 407 Tweet this post!	yup prefilled carts are definitely NOT the way to go. Liquid is the best. And remember when taking drags, inhale into the mouth, then the lungs, and also take SLOW drags, if you try to hit it like a cigarette or a joint you will be disappointed, and possibly get some liquid in your mouth (when using liquid instead of prefilled carts)

07-05-2009, 02:39 AM	#8
bleck Full Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sandy, UT Posts: 43	I'm honestly in the camp that dislikes the 401. The flavors aren't right (seems to get too hot and has more of a steamy taste), and it's difficult to get a good amount of vapor from it without making a loud whistling sound. I've tried 3 atomizers etc. and had the same issues. My 901 & 801 are still the main e-cigs I use. It really can be difficult at first finding the one that works for best for your situation. I'd definitely recommend buying some liquid though, cart liquid = gross. I've never enjoyed the liquid that came w/ a cart. I always clean 'em out and put my own liquid in and buy blanks from then on.

07-05-2009, 02:54 AM	#9
Ominae117 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 3	Thanks for all of the quick replies! In regards to what I'm looking for, I'm looking for thick vapor with a decent flavor. I'll definitely try some different liquid and filling my own cartridges. Is there any particular type of liquid that would help provide this, or any recommendations of brands/types? Also, are liquid vendors generally only online or would specialty smoke shops possibly carry them as well? A new one of these just opened a few blocks away and they seem to carry NJOY's and Smoking Everywhere products from signs out front in addition to regular tobacco stuff. I'll probably call to see if they have them first, just thought I'd ask whether or not you've ever seen the liquid carried in stores? -Om

07-05-2009, 02:58 AM	#10
bleck Full Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sandy, UT Posts: 43	There's a local shop near me that sells some e-cig stuff, including liquid. Huge markup compared to online retailers though. I've only planned on purchasing there if I got real desperate. It's definitely worth a shot though.