Now that's smoking!

[TropicalBob]

Cabot, you're experiencing a common frustration. The major complaints about e-smoking involve quantity of vapor, taste and inconsistent performance. None have been solved by any company, despite some happy faces scattered on this forum. Begin with the knowledge that these were originally designed to be very discreet. A user in a restaurant could suck a hit of nicotine without visible "smoke" to give him/her away. Oops. Seems users wanted "smoke". I think Chinese inventors are working overtime now to boost vapor quantity. Hope so. I too want a lot more visible vapor (keep in mind that vapor is moisture and if you inhale it, almost 100% sticks to your lung walls, very much unlike the particulates in cigarette smoke, so you don't exhale much vapor).

Here's what I've found in owning a pipe, cigar and mini cig: The larger the better.

A tiny atomizer cannot produce as much vapor as a large atomizer. Makes sense. Size does matter. That said, I'm getting enough vapor to provide a nicotine hit from my tiny Health mini cig. Yay. When I really want some vapor, however, I use the pipe.

[NoAnalogs4me]

Thanks for answering T.B.! Now, onto "best brand"... I currently have the NJOY cigarette. Like I said, I'd love a tinier one, but your advice makes sense in that the smaller the atomizer, the less vapor. Also the fact the vapor is water which adheres to the lung makes great sense too. Which one in your opinion (cigarette wise) has less "pull" (i.e. easier to drag) and produces the most vapor?
Should I just keep my NJOY and try vap-ing it? I'm still not certain what that term means. Originally, it was explained to me as removing the cotton packing from the cartridge and then dropping 3-4 drops of e-liquid inside it while holding it vertically. This has proven to be a challenge as I don't have a needle. I am going to the pharmacy today to try and get one. To avoid the pharmacist's glaring at me, deciding whether to give it to me or not, I am taking a picture of the needle and the procedure I found on e-cig. I also read posts saying they drop it into the atomizer, which I understand to be the part between the tip and battery.
People warn about NJOY's warranty being compromised if you drip, but how would they tell if you just used e-liquid in the cartridge portion? Would they be able to tell if you put it in the atomizer (the small screw on part between battery and tip?)
Please advise me about "best" brand (cigarette) and what the proper procedure is for "dripping"... Thanks again, Cabot

[TropicalBob]

I'm not sure anyone can definitively tell you which is the best brand. No one seems to have tested them all to make such a comparison meaningful. One person delighted with their e-cig is offset by another equally disappointed with the same brand and model. That said, there is some truth to "you get what you pay for." I say "some" because e-smoking is now rife with ripoff middlemen reselling products at double, triple or quadruple the wholesale price they paid.

From all reports I've read, Ruyan is the acknowledged leader on all things e-smoking. I simply can't afford their products, and expect their quality will become the norm for all e-smoking products within the year. Keep in mind what Dr. Jim Loi has written from his tests in Malyasia: These things have a serious "flaw" rate. Serious. As many as half are defective. There is no assurance a replacement part or model will not be flawed. Avoid any reseller that is transient (eBay) or doesn't offer a strong replacement guarantee. This forum's Meltrex is close to opening his e-smoking venture; buy from him.

At their best, e-devices don't produce vapor equal to the smoke from any tobacco device, they don't taste like any tobacco smoke I've ever used, and they are inconsistent beyond belief (use to use, day to day, week to week). At their worst, they're so bad that the whole movement to a healthier alternative is in jeopardy.

"Vaping" is just a fancy way to avoid the term "smoking", since smoking is illegal everywhere and these things don't burn anything and don't produce second-hand smoke. Dripping is putting liquid directly on the atomizer in hopes there will be more vapor. Sometimes works; sometimes doesn't; sometimes kills the atomizer and voids a warranty. I've been on and off using that technique and am back to not using it. Just keep the cartridge soaked and a fresh battery in place.

I have great reservations about there being differences in brands. I think nearly everything being sold is produced in a handful of factories in China, little sweat shops where elves assemble these and take real cigarette breaks. There are great lies being told to encourage the purchase of one brand over another and this might bring about the kind of market collapse the Internet experienced near the turn of this century. Reality can't live up to expectations built on lies.

I'd stick with the Big Boys -- Ruyan and E-Cig -- and deny ripoff resellers the windfall they seek. Expect all e-smoking advances to come from these two companies, find bargains in older models as new ones come to market, or try out their latest and greatest if you've got cash to burn.

[jimldk]

You have read wiseman TB notes and thoughts/advises , you'll need a lot of experience on your own before graduating( I personally 'burnt' 1 Njoy and 1 e-cig in my early days of usage in search of better understanding because the reliability of this device is it's penultimate success to keep you off traditional cigarettes...).. :mrgreen:
Please read some instructions for cleaning (view the post of Frustrated Njoy user posted by pookie) ..most likely your device suffers from clogging liquids(unburnt liquid forming a gluey mess inside the bottom of the atomiser)...the instructions for this cleaning procedures is not found in your manual book..has been tried and tested by many with success...

How to recognise a Atomiser Failure(or Burnt)...
1.No smoke no matter how hard you suck and clean the darn thing..
2.Even with a fully charged battery and functional battery..the Atomiser feels cold to touch during usage and gets even colder on suction...that's it boyo..time for the warranty call......

But Your Atomiser is still "ALIVE" if it still produce sporadic smoke....like your first pull will produce smoke but your subsequent pull fails to draw smoke or little smoke..that's means either...
1.Cartridge failure....a good fit cartridge will produce a small dried up dent seen at the wool end...and a lousy one will show no difference at all..still wet and soaked wool means "no-touch" occurs and the reason for many failures(+ frustrations) here..Also means you got a shallowhead Atomiser...so Dry/Drip /Vaping methods applies here and will function better..or try out my Needle project 2(needle project 3 on the way)...

2. Atomiser clogged..blow hard (for 10 seconds if you can)at the battery end of the atomiser and you'll get some liquid leaking out..do the cleaning procedures (posted in Frustrated Njoy user ) and hopes for the best...And e-liquid will help you out alot for your further venture/investment ..

Hopes this will help you out cabotdavis....good luck.

[NoAnalogs4me]

Tropical Bob... So what then do you think about NJOY? A good quality and price? I paid $109 total for mine. You think Ruyan and E-Cig mini are any better (e-cig is actually cheaper sans the shipping charge, which from China to U.S. is outrageous!) I really wanted to try a "mini" but can't find a review that doesn't mention it tasting like burnt panythose. I know there is no definitive answer, but do you own a mini or have you heard of any that are of good or great quality? I don't have enough $ to purchase multiple brands either. NJOY customer service just called me and want to send a new atomizer and battery and throw in a few cartridges to boot. Then I'll be past the 30 day return period, so I'll be stuck with NJOY unless I call back today and cancel the exchange and get a new e-cigarette from someone.
Thanks... Cabot

[jimldk]

I have tried out E-cig mini..I would think it is not a sound design yet at the moment..you really have to suck a lot harder and you'll get your nico kick more from the fluid you suck than the actual smoke..man..that burns..and the jaw aches a lot as if you have blown up 100 balloons..I tried improvising that thing but I gave up the idea as the battery also proves to be it's weak point..that was 3 months ago and I'm using it now as a showpiece to my patients as to show where this technology will lead to..miniaturisation(but best to wait..it will be a proper thing later on as it will improve)...

Ruyan is the best(pricey) but still will have a problem as it is prone also to flaws as well(read the Clinical trials in NZ..you'll get the idea)..best bet is look and learn ..grow with it and you'll get wiser and healthier.... 8-)

[NoAnalogs4me]

You have read wiseman TB notes and thoughts/advises , you'll need a lot of experience on your own before graduating( I personally 'burnt' 1 Njoy and 1 e-cig in my early days of usage in search of better understanding because the reliability of this device is it's penultimate success to keep you off traditional cigarettes...).. :mrgreen:
Please read some instructions for cleaning (view the post of Frustrated Njoy user posted by pookie) ..most likely your device suffers from clogging liquids(unburnt liquid forming a gluey mess inside the bottom of the atomiser)...the instructions for this cleaning procedures is not found in your manual book..has been tried and tested by many with success...

How to recognise a Atomiser Failure(or Burnt)...
1.No smoke no matter how hard you suck and clean the darn thing..
2.Even with a fully charged battery and functional battery..the Atomiser feels cold to touch during usage and gets even colder on suction...that's it boyo..time for the warranty call......

But Your Atomiser is still "ALIVE" if it still produce sporadic smoke....like your first pull will produce smoke but your subsequent pull fails to draw smoke or little smoke..that's means either...
1.Cartridge failure....a good fit cartridge will produce a small dried up dent seen at the wool end...and a lousy one will show no difference at all..still wet and soaked wool means "no-touch" occurs and the reason for many failures(+ frustrations) here..Also means you got a shallowhead Atomiser...so Dry/Drip /Vaping methods applies here and will function better..or try out my Needle project 2(needle project 3 on the way)...

2. Atomiser clogged..blow hard (for 10 seconds if you can)at the battery end of the atomiser and you'll get some liquid leaking out..do the cleaning procedures (posted in Frustrated Njoy user ) and hopes for the best...And e-liquid will help you out alot for your further venture/investment ..

Hopes this will help you out cabotdavis....good luck.

Thank you for your advice! I'll try and hunt down the dry/drip/vaping methods and look up the "Frustrated Njoy User" post!

[TropicalBob]

Cabot, the doctor has more experience with more different brands than any of us here. I'd pay close attention to what he advises. I own only three devices, so am in no position to compare. I do not own an nJoy. If you stick with e-smoking, I think just about any device will "come to you." Keep using it as the doctor suggests. I know my El Cheapo DealExtreme mini cig gets better now every day. And I have NO idea why. Time is improving it. Same for the $34 DealExtreme Health cigar. That thing is three months old and better than Day One. Hang in there.

[Fumador]

My experience is different. I like my Njoy , but I get more vapor from my minicigarette, and with less effort.So who knows.
BTW at one point during my first week with my Njoy it pretty much stopped working, but after a rinse with warm water and a little dripping, it came back to life and I haven't had any more problems.(Of course I let it dry ).

[NoAnalogs4me]

Hi Guys/Gals... I'm back after a short stint with an ebay meanie who sold me a crappie health e-cigarette. She worked with me once but wouldn't work with me on the other atomizer. That was my first attempt with a mini e-cig. Size does matter, as someone said to me, the very tiny atomizer on the mini e's are little more than 1/4 inch long, so NJOY seems to be my best bet. They all are quirky to say the least. NJOY has outstanding customer service and Mark is really nice so he sent me a total replacement kit with an extra atomizer. That being said (only on day 1 here), the 2nd atomizer doesn't puff. I've written him and asked if he'd replace it but I have a feeling I'm probably taking up too much of his time.

The best way I've found to get a lot of smoke and a good nicotine hit is to use high cartridges (stop the dripping, it ruins the atomizer every time I try) and add a couple drops of flue cured or High-Light e-liquid available on ebay. That's a pretty safe buy from ebay (the e-liquid), otherwise I'd avoid ebay altogether and particularly ECigsales!

So, based on everything I've read, you could spend up to $1000 on different e-cigarettes and still not have 1 or the other work right. NJOY seems "safe" to me and they're 30 day warranty really helps out. I can't wait for 2nd generation, quality brands (like NJOY, Sedansa, etc.) to come out with a smaller vaping device that yields more smoke.

Seems like some of you guys/gals out there are knowledgeable enough to work on this yourselves!!
Cheers! And may you find the e-cig that suits you best, first time out!