510 and a noobs questions after 30 hours

[AshHole]

Ok, I am thoroughly enjoying (with caveats) my new 510, and I think am very happy with my choice, thanks to everyone here on the forum.

I did a lot of investigation (posts, links, videos) and thought I had all of the knowledge I needed - but alas, sometimes I dont look at the big picture. Please forgive my ignorance. At least I didnt buy the crappy little thing at the mall kiosk. (I do see a larger unit like a GG or SD in my future though).

Here are my noob questions (and I know some of these have been discussed ad nauseam so please forgive me, and tell me to use the search funtction some more).

1. I think I am going through HIGH ECO-Pure juice like Robert S. McNamara spreading Agent Orange on the Mekong Delta. (3ml in 24 hours) Is this normal? Thats 90ml for a month, 180+ if my wife starts.

2. Although I have resisted my urge for an analog - something is missing - I enjoy the vapor/flavor, no nic cravings with my 510. I just feel like my ecig is not as satisfying as an analog. What am I missing? Ritual? Feel? Comfort level? Taste?

3. I have read about cleaning 510 attys -This looks like something I can really screw up a atty with. (I cant use a poop sccoper without breaking it) If I chose to do this and attempt to not replace as often, what type of schedule should I look at for cleaning them?

4. DOA attys - we all have bought a carton of analogs and had a bad pack or two and havent bothered to return them. I understand that DOA attys are a fact of life - but how frequently does it happen? If i got 1 bad out of 4 is it worth me returning it? (I lose 10 bucks in lighters a month).

5. Health aspects aside - Is it really cheaper? My algebraic and calculus skills are nil, and it seems like the all the unknown variables (replacements/disposables) involved make the mathematics as much fun as double entry bookkeeping and something that would constipate Albert Eintstein. When trying to calculate my savings, my wife interjected the lighter expenses and the unexpected dead atty, battery or dropped unit...

 

[doots]

Ive never got a bad atty. others have that I have heard from.

I dont really clean my attys much. Just blow them out every day or so of any old liquid.

I use alcohol to clean them out for a few minutes and blow dry. I dont have atty problems.

As far as satisfying I use 36mg juice and it satifies. Up your mg juice.

I use more than 3ml a day. Everyone is different.

All in all no matter what it costs in $$, its not killling you like analogs.

Just try different juices. Youll find what works for you because everyone is different..

What I found to was I went to a large battery mod and that makes a lot of difference.

 

[Robert]

Ok, I am thoroughly enjoying (with caveats) my new 510, and I think am very happy with my choice, thanks to everyone here on the forum.

I did a lot of investigation (posts, links, videos) and thought I had all of the knowledge I needed - but alas, sometimes I dont look at the big picture. Please forgive my ignorance. At least I didnt buy the crappy little thing at the mall kiosk. (I do see a larger unit like a GG or SD in my future though).

Here are my noob questions (and I know some of these have been discussed ad nauseam so please forgive me, and tell me to use the search funtction some more).

1. I think I am going through HIGH ECO-Pure juice like Robert S. McNamara spreading Agent Orange on the Mekong Delta. (3ml in 24 hours) Is this normal? Thats 90ml for a month, 180+ if my wife starts.
Yes- 3mil a day for me too
2. Although I have resisted my urge for an analog - something is missing - I enjoy the vapor/flavor, no nic cravings with my 510. I just feel like my ecig is not as satisfying as an analog. What am I missing? Ritual? Feel? Comfort level? Taste?
We are also hooked on all the bad stuff in an analog- grap the 510 and just keep hitting it when these feeling come
3. I have read about cleaning 510 attys -This looks like something I can really screw up a atty with. (I cant use a poop sccoper without breaking it) If I chose to do this and attempt to not replace as often, what type of schedule should I look at for cleaning them?
I don't clean attys, I dry burn 5-6 sec. 1-2 times a week
4. DOA attys - we all have bought a carton of analogs and had a bad pack or two and havent bothered to return them. I understand that DOA attys are a fact of life - but how frequently does it happen? If i got 1 bad out of 4 is it worth me returning it? (I lose 10 bucks in lighters a month).
Never Yet for me
5. Health aspects aside - Is it really cheaper? My algebraic and calculus skills are nil, and it seems like the all the unknown variables (replacements/disposables) involved make the mathematics as much fun as double entry bookkeeping and something that would constipate Albert Eintstein. When trying to calculate my savings, my wife interjected the lighter expenses and the unexpected dead atty, battery or dropped unit...

Once you find good juice you like it's cheaper, at first I waisted some money on trying juices I just didn't like- find a good supplier. Look at the coments left about a supplier. I like Nhaler- the juice is fantastic.

 

[AGNES PEACOCK]

Hello Ash:
Welcome to ECF.

To answer some of your questions.

At least I didnt buy the crappy little thing at the mall kiosk. (I do see a larger unit like a GG or SD in my future though).
Good for you, you did your research and saved money right there.

1. I think I am going through HIGH ECO-Pure juice like Robert S. McNamara spreading Agent Orange on the Mekong Delta. (3ml in 24 hours) Is this normal? Thats 90ml for a month, 180+ if my wife starts.
Everyone is different. You are normal for you. As Doot's said up your nicotine strenght for when you need it. If it is all the time at first go with it. You will soon get the feel of it and may soon be able to use lower strenght throughout the day and maybe high in the mornings, etc. You have to figure this out for yourself.

2. Although I have resisted my urge for an analog - something is missing - I enjoy the vapor/flavor, no nic cravings with my 510. I just feel like my ecig is not as satisfying as an analog. What am I missing? Ritual? Feel? Comfort level? Taste?
As with any bad habit we are trying to quit, the alternative will not be the same. If you were eating doughnuts for breakfast and now changing to yogurt and fruit, you would still miss the doughnuts for awhile. You just have to muscle up mentally and make the commitment for the change. Soon it will get easier. Remember, it's not going to be the same. But, it is better and new.

3. I have read about cleaning 510 attys -This looks like something I can really screw up a atty with. (I cant use a poop sccoper without breaking it) If I chose to do this and attempt to not replace as often, what type of schedule should I look at for cleaning them?
I don't clean. I toss. After Trog posted a picture of the inside of a atomizer after a week all gunked up with black burnt stuff on it, I realized that I smoked analoges and threw them away. So what is the difference now?, about thinking I needed to save a gunked up, probably unhealthy atomizer. Of course, you may want to try to clean, it's entirely up to you.

4. DOA attys - we all have bought a carton of analogs and had a bad pack or two and havent bothered to return them. I understand that DOA attys are a fact of life - but how frequently does it happen? If i got 1 bad out of 4 is it worth me returning it? (I lose 10 bucks in lighters a month).
Again this is something you have to weigh the pros and cons for yourself. I have never received a DOA. It does happen, awhile back some here were receiving several DOA's at a time. At least let the supplier know, and see what they say.

5. Health aspects aside - Is it really cheaper? My algebraic and calculus skills are nil, and it seems like the all the unknown variables (replacements/disposables) involved make the mathematics as much fun as double entry bookkeeping and something that would constipate Albert Eintstein. When trying to calculate my savings, my wife interjected the lighter expenses and the unexpected dead atty, battery or dropped unit...[/quote]
That really depends on you. I can say from experience that the Screwdriver is definitey economical. The batteries are cheap. None of my atomizers have died that I have used on it. I do end up tossing them every 2 weeks though, (just what I choose to do.) I don't want to clean them, and don't have time for another task. Screwdriver is my everyday PV. The other's I hear are very good too. I have tried the Janty Stick, but still prefer the Screwdriver. It is tried and true, and stood the test of time.

I do love my Dura-C for out in public and special occasions. It is more discrete. Of course operating it is more expensive with the cost of the atomizers and batteries for it. Well worth the cost for me.

You can do this! Keep at it.
Best of Luck to you and your wife.

 

[MREXE]

HMMMMMMM been thinking about the screwdriver for later,,,,,,,,127 bucks is a little much tho..........just sayin.......gotta 510 workin' good so far

 

[flavapor]

I think you should maybe change your juice, I used to smoke doral ultra light 100's, and I find a mixture of Camel 18mg, and vermont vapor tobacco flavor mixed 75camel/25vvapor gives me a perfect mixture for my liking. The camel alone is good too, but I like to add some VG for more vapor, and if I use plain VG it cuts the flavor. I go thru about 2-3ml a day also, sometimes less. I have never gotten a DOA atty, but yes I would return it, and I blow them out also, when I have to clean them, I dip them in grain alcohol for an hour and blow them out and let them dry, idiot proof! so... if you bought a kit for 50 bucks, and 90ml of juice, in the larger quantities of 50ml you are paying like 40 bucks on that, figure at least 2 months on the kit and double the monthly juice amt and your at 130. bucks for 2 months. I couldnt smoke my habit for 60 bucks a month. AND THE HEALTH BENEFITS ARE PRICELESS

 

[Bandit]

Hopefully this will help a little bit:

1. I think I am going through HIGH ECO-Pure juice like Robert S. McNamara spreading Agent Orange on the Mekong Delta. (3ml in 24 hours) Is this normal? Thats 90ml for a month, 180+ if my wife starts.

Everyone will be different. Perhaps when your 510 breaks in a bit more and you get more vapor production and flavor, you may vape a little less off of it. I would suggest two things after your 510 has another day of heavy vaping:

1) Get some juice with a higher nic content
2) Get some juice with a stronger flavor.

Maybe something like Havana, peanut butter, 555, RY4, etc. They can possibly add more satisfaction because they are fuller in flavor. I tend to vape sweeter stuff early in the day (vanilla, chocolate, etc) and move to tobacco like flavors, or stronger flavors throughout the day. By the nighttime I am usually doing peanut butter or a tobacco flavor.

On a separate note, higher nic content will usually (but not always) provide more vapor, this too might be more satisfying to you.

2. Although I have resisted my urge for an analog - something is missing - I enjoy the vapor/flavor, no nic cravings with my 510. I just feel like my ecig is not as satisfying as an analog. What am I missing? Ritual? Feel? Comfort level? Taste?

My answer above also applies here I believe.


3. I have read about cleaning 510 attys -This looks like something I can really screw up a atty with. (I cant use a poop sccoper without breaking it) If I chose to do this and attempt to not replace as often, what type of schedule should I look at for cleaning them?

I have only killed one atty, and this happened AFTER a cleaning. Some here have reported that after testing they believe that cleaning/soaking kills attys. I too now believe this. Keepin mind that because SOME of us believe this, that does not neccessarily make it 100% true.

MANY however have posted that they do not clean their attys, and they are running months off the same ones, so maybe there is something to the theory!

If you feel the need to clean, DO NOT SOAK. I used to soak in alcohol(70% isopropyl) or in vodka. No more. Now all I do is this:

Take a paper towel and completely wipe down all exterior surfaces AND THREADS. This is important because you're about to wrap your lips around that part.

Put the threaded part in your mouth (again, be sure it is CLEAN) and blow very hard through the hole. Cover the other end with a napkin/paper towel to avoid spraying nasty nicotine allover the place. Do this until nothing spews out anymore.

Run under a faucet with warm water (not scalding hot, this can damage the solder areas holding the bridge in place). Rinse well.

Do the blow through thing again to get all the water out.

Prop the atty up on a paper towel to let drain and air dry for an hour or so.

When you goto re-use it, drip directly on the bridge about 2-3 drops. It is completely dry, so it will not work well right off the bat unless you direct drip to kick-start it again.

4. DOA attys - we all have bought a carton of analogs and had a bad pack or two and havent bothered to return them. I understand that DOA attys are a fact of life - but how frequently does it happen? If i got 1 bad out of 4 is it worth me returning it? (I lose 10 bucks in lighters a month).

As they say, **** happens. And it certainly will. Out of 15 or so attys I have bought, only one arrived DOA and that vendor (truesmoker.com) was kind enough to replace it right away.

5. Health aspects aside - Is it really cheaper? My algebraic and calculus skills are nil, and it seems like the all the unknown variables (replacements/disposables) involved make the mathematics as much fun as double entry bookkeeping and something that would constipate Albert Eintstein. When trying to calculate my savings, my wife interjected the lighter expenses and the unexpected dead atty, battery or dropped unit...


It is cheaper, but only if you get one kit a couple simple spares and never progress. If you're like me, I have spent about $500 this month alone in kits, spare parts and cool stuff. I see, I buy. I'm a consumer ......

 

[MREXE]

YEP, started with the camel 18 mg, seems good so far, got some 36mg choco mint coming just for trial.........im glad i joined when i did, so that "most" of the experimentation had already taken place......got good adice, checked the threads, and have good results becuz of all the input, only thing I can add, is look at the date of the post, things have changed dramatically in the last 90 days

 

[Bandit]

Excuse the odd way some of my sentences came out, my spacebar is somewhat defective!

 

[Kent C]

Ok, I am thoroughly enjoying (with caveats) my new 510, and I think am very happy with my choice, thanks to everyone here on the forum.

I did a lot of investigation (posts, links, videos) and thought I had all of the knowledge I needed - but alas, sometimes I dont look at the big picture. Please forgive my ignorance. At least I didnt buy the crappy little thing at the mall kiosk. (I do see a larger unit like a GG or SD in my future though).

Here are my noob questions (and I know some of these have been discussed ad nauseam so please forgive me, and tell me to use the search funtction some more).

1. I think I am going through HIGH ECO-Pure juice like Robert S. McNamara spreading Agent Orange on the Mekong Delta. (3ml in 24 hours) Is this normal? Thats 90ml for a month, 180+ if my wife starts.

2. Although I have resisted my urge for an analog - something is missing - I enjoy the vapor/flavor, no nic cravings with my 510. I just feel like my ecig is not as satisfying as an analog. What am I missing? Ritual? Feel? Comfort level? Taste?...

I dropped a 3pack/day habit as soon as I got my 510 but I didn't feel totally satisfied until I got a Janty Stick. I don't know if it _was_ the Janty Stick or just the time between getting the 510 and the Janty Stick - maybe a month?... but while I was satisfying the initial 'urge' (need nicotine) by grabbing the 510 instead of a cig, I was still getting mental picture of having a cigarette?? The incidence of those pictures coming up became less as time went on. The Janty Stick with RY4 and Ecopure is more fulfilling and even though the 510 for a mini is a vapor machine, the JS produces more with a cool vapor and a 3x cartridge and a seemingly endless batt, so less fiddling.

Any mod will get you where the JS will take you and further in some cases.

 

[Crankyfuzz]

Still a newbie myself thanks for all the great information on how to clean out the attys etc.

 

[AshHole]

Wow! Thank you all!
I didn't think I would get so much information in less than 24 hours, especially on questions that I am sure have been asked many times before.

Whew. It really is good to know that I am not doing/read anything really wrong or that I am not really crazy.

It is now going on 48 hours - and feeling much more relaxed with all of this info.

As to the analog urge: I have smoked one. Purely scientific, of course. I think I know what is missing. The effects of heat and burned taste. This might help me on the satisfaction problem too. Now I believe, the people who say the analog has a nasty taste to them now. Although it was 'familiar' it did leave me with a 'yucky' realization.

As to the satisfaction problem: I have taken the advice here and I have ordered a few sampler packs of juice (higher nic/various flavors, same nic/fuller flavor and some novelty flavors of varying strength) from some of the approved vendors, I hope they arrive soon. I am running out and I only have a day supply left.

Cleaning: having a spare atty just in case, and following the videos and texts I have read - I took my strength from some of your posts and tried cleaning - just for fun. (all the while listinging to my wife complain that I am probably now throwing away $7.50 plus shipping). Tonight, after a few hours of drying - I primed it up, and it went to work just fine.

Cost: Someone PM'd me and emailed me an Excel spreadsheet with various "deltas" and "ranges of cost comparisons" with open variables for cig costs, juice cost, equipment costs and "percent of analog smoked", time spent yadda yadda yadda. Ok. Rough math. Even if juice were $2/ml its gotta be cheaper. I spend almost $100/wk on analogs.

My children are already ecstatic I have gone this long without an analog.
One even thought it was "...almost cool". (my kids happy over dad's habits? Almost cool? Me? Very creepy if you ask me.)

My wife is bugging me for hits off of my 510 (this too is a plus... My wife usually frowns on my black satin electronics with all the flashing LEDs)

Now for the fun: I even vaped (surreptitiously) in my sister-in-laws house! I swear this lady would complain about the smell of a cigarette .... if it were hermetically sealed in a container of Febreeze. She didn't say anything about the remnants of my stealth vaping. Even if my kit cost 3 times as much as it did, it would be worth it to get my nic in her house. Heaven knows I need it when I am there.

Again, thank you all for your information - I look forward to being as informative and helpful to others in the future.

 

[MissMawee]

I've only had my 510 for about a week and a half, but I'll share with you some of my experiences.

1. I think I am going through HIGH ECO-Pure juice like Robert S. McNamara spreading Agent Orange on the Mekong Delta. (3ml in 24 hours) Is this normal? Thats 90ml for a month, 180+ if my wife starts.

Honestly, the first couple of days I did the most amount of vaping. Like any new thing you're excited about, there is a certain amount of novelty that will wear off in time. If you still find yourself vaping quite a bit more than you'd like, maybe try a stronger juice that will TELL you to stop after a few puffs.

2. Although I have resisted my urge for an analog - something is missing - I enjoy the vapor/flavor, no nic cravings with my 510. I just feel like my ecig is not as satisfying as an analog. What am I missing? Ritual? Feel? Comfort level? Taste?
From my experience this is completely normal. I've hardly smoked since getting my 510 but there is still a feeling of something "missing" sometimes, and I attribute that to all the dirty nasty chemicals in analogs that we get hooked to along with the nicotine.
3. I have read about cleaning 510 attys -This looks like something I can really screw up a atty with. (I cant use a poop sccoper without breaking it) If I chose to do this and attempt to not replace as often, what type of schedule should I look at for cleaning them?
I've heard that the less you mess with them the better. I usually just blow it out into a paper towel every couple of days or whenever I'm switching flavors.

4. DOA attys - we all have bought a carton of analogs and had a bad pack or two and havent bothered to return them. I understand that DOA attys are a fact of life - but how frequently does it happen? If i got 1 bad out of 4 is it worth me returning it? (I lose 10 bucks in lighters a month).
I received two attys with my 510 and neither were DOA. It seems from reading posts on here that it isn't really all that common, but YMMV. If you bought 4 and one was defective I'd contact the supplier and see if they could send you another one.

5. Health aspects aside - Is it really cheaper? My algebraic and calculus skills are nil, and it seems like the all the unknown variables (replacements/disposables) involved make the mathematics as much fun as double entry bookkeeping and something that would constipate Albert Eintstein. When trying to calculate my savings, my wife interjected the lighter expenses and the unexpected dead atty, battery or dropped unit...
In my opinion it is cheaper. I used to spend $8ish a pack per day for analogs. Even though I went through two overly priced mall type kits that didn't do it for me before getting the 510 I still have saved more money than I would have spent on analogs cutting down from 1 pack a day to 1 pack every 1-2 weeks. That's around $50 a week saved which is around the price of a 510 starter kit.

 

[ByKa]

Millione thenx for this thread!
Help this for me.

 

[Sludge Van Diesel]

1. I think I am going through HIGH ECO-Pure juice like Robert S. McNamara spreading Agent Orange on the Mekong Delta. (3ml in 24 hours) Is this normal? Thats 90ml for a month, 180+ if my wife starts..

Quite possibly. 510s are thisty beasts (compared to M401s at least)