510 arrived - first impressions

[CaptJay]

Well it arrived finally
I took the atty out and blew thru it onto a napkin (remembering my lessons here, lol) then spent about 10 minutes trying to work out how to attach the cart to it
Really they need some kind of 'idiot-proof' diagrams - I felt I lived up to my blondeness until I saw the 'whistle tip' mouthpiece on the atty actually pulled off so I could attach the cart.
So then I spent about 3 minutes berating myself for stupidty
Ok so the cart is now in, the battery I'm hoping has a bit of charge in it (mine have no LED so I can't really tell) so I can try it. I am lucky - it seems to be usable straight from the wrapper, so I put the other one on charge (just in case).
I take a drag - the same way I would on a ciggie - this is a mistake. I inhale what feels like a entire pack of ciggies at once and almost fall over coughing. Spend another 3 minutes berating myself
I try again - this time not trying suck the battery thru atty - and it works a little better. Experimenting I pull in a drag, HOLD THE vape IN MY MOUTH BRIEFLY then sort of hitch-inhale (trying to give an accurate description here, hopefully everyone gets it), and draw the vapor in/then out.
I have the Capu carts (with nic, I think 18mg) from CIGNOT. I like the taste a lot. I smoked around 1 pack 1 1/2 packs of Ultra lites per day (to give you some idea) and these taste both strong AND ok at the same.
Strong when I pull in too much to my mouth and it hits the back of my throat far too hard. Fine when I draw less hard, and get less vapor, but the flavor is stronger and the TH less brutal.

Have I so far given up analogues completely?
No - and I didn't tell myself I would either - this has to be a slow and steady thing, replacing the one habit with the other, to ensure maximum success (imo); I had I think 2 or 3 cigs today so far - and I have to say I enjoy the cart taste more but there IS something in the analogue smoke (and its not the nic) that's satisfies 'something'. The analogues though taste much less pleasant than the carts and the smoke, while it might contain something that hits my addiction spot, smells bad.
I've got some more carts on order - some blank ones and some 0 nic juice that Im going to use to cut the higher nic stuff I have - and in the future Im heading over to Mstsbakery and tastyvapor stores for more supplies

So that's day one - tomorrow I'll try and start the day WITHOUT analogue (it was too late today - the package arrived way after I was up and around) and see how I get on.

 

[Scottbee]

Don't stress about the analogs. This isn't like being an alcoholic... and it isn't like other methods for "quitting smoking". You don't have to stop cold turkey.

Have an analog if you want, must, or like. Smoothly transition to the PV and you'll just find yourself reaching for an analog less and less. Then one day, maybe you won't buy anymore.

This is about healthy enjoyment.. not stress.

 

[Kilroy]

Move at your own pace. It doesn't have to be today or tomorrow. Took me weeks to get off tobacco. So what? Take your time, get off it, enjoy life.

 

[GoodDog]

Congrats on your first day, CaptJay! I'll try and learn from your mistakes since my 510 is who-knows-where - still in the hands of good ol' USPS after 6 days! I was so disappointed when it didn't come in today's mail! But at least that gives me a chance to read your posts and know what not to do! LOL I've read so much in this forum that I should be an expert but not much will stick until I get that thing in my mouth I'm afraid.

 

[Kurt]

Welcome, CaptJay! Hope you are getting more familiar with the 510. Its a great PV, but it really does take time to learn how to get the most from it, and there is a fine line between excellent vaping and nasty, as you will find. But with experience and lots of reading and learning here, you should be good to go soon. Took me about a month or so to finally get it right. Kristin's excellent primer is a great place to get started:

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...ng-you-ever-wanted-know-about-your-510-a.html

You will find that prefilled carts are good for several puffs, and then can tend to go south before all the juice is out. This is normal for the stock cart filler (poly fill, like cotton). Generally people by their own juices and fill their own carts with the 510. But the prefilled are good to try flavors and nic levels, so they are useful.

As for quitting analogs, you take whatever time you like. Don't beat yourself up, and don't stress, like Scottbee says. Any reduction is a positive direction, and not everyone here has 100% quit analogs right away. I've been vaping since Sept from a 1+ pack a day habit, and I am comfortably at about 3 analogs a day now. I was at about 6 a day for the first couple of weeks of vaping. Some do quit right away, but there are many variables involved in breaking a smoking habit, and analog addiction is to more cig chemicals than just nicotine. Take your time, relax, enjoy, and watch how much you forget to smoke. Its a fascinating thing. If the cravings are too much, try upping the nic content...if its too much, have a smoke if you need to. Everyone is different, and no one is going to judge you...the fact that you are here means there is a will to seek change.

Let us know how you find the 510! Vape on!

 

[CaptJay]

I should also say that I'm using my 510 in the SAME PLACES as I used my analogues; trying to condition myself that this is the 'same'. This is a psychological 'trick' if you will, (and there are some long words and theories I could throw around but this is the general idea without those $2 words ) to try and fool my brain into 'buying into' this new habit. By making as close to the same as the old habit (smoking ciggies), the transfer should go more smoothly. This does mean I'll be making a few sacrifices as far as WHERE I can smoke in the house, for the first few days/weeks/however long but to me it should be worth it.

I've told people Im not giving up ciggies, less pressure for me, and for them, and I will indeed, just smoke less, until one day, the craving for that 'other chemical in the smoke' goes away enough to stop using those
So far, I think what has helped - apart from the board (you guys ROCK) - is NOT having too high expectations about what vaping is, or isn't, going to do for me.
*rushes off for another hit of Capu*

 

[5cardstud]

When I read your post I laughed so hard I almost lost it cause that was me yesterday with a few more problems trown in. I said oh heck no. Not me, I can't do this. But I stuck with it cause I had to go tell everybody I was getting one. Anyway with help from these people here and some trial and error I think it's going to work. Good luck.

 

[optsmk]

It sounds like you are really enjoying your new 510. IMO the 510 is probablt the best starter out there.

After a few days, you will find that you can take a bigger hit than the ones you did today. After maybe a week or less you will find that you can take a really big hit and love it.