A breath of fresh air :)

[NeuroRip]

Howdy!

I'm kind of weird in the sense that I do not like to smoke and never have (almost 39 years old,) but I do really enjoy cloves and have been smoking them regularly for two years now. Lately, I've been hitting them too hard and my lungs, breath, teeth and everything else has taken a hit. It's a disgusting habit, and I'm still not sure why I do (did) it.

So, I have heard about e-cigs for awhile and I thought I'd give it a whirl, BUT, I had to find a clove smoke that was worth it. I did a couple of hours of research the other night on this and other forums and decided I wanted a cheap starter kit to try the experience, but I also read so many horror stories of cheap kits. So after searching, I found a great 50 dollar kit with free shipping and a 30 day money back guarantee at v*******la.com (Don't want to put the full URL, cause I'm not sure if that's allowed.) They also had a Djarum Black cartridge, so it seemed like a perfect opportunity.

Note: At the same time I was researching, I saw TONS of accolades on the tastyvapor Kretek juice and as luck would have it, it was on sale, so I ordered an ounce of that I actually can't wait to try that due to the raves and reviews I've seen.

Back to my story, opened up the box, charged it for about an hour and gave it a drag. I AM IN LOVE! Well, at least with the thought, theory and experience thus far. It's so much cleaner, satisfying and my wife is ecstatic My ecig came with 5 carts, so after I go through my first one, I'm going to try and reload it with the tastyvapor Kretek.

I just wanted some very quick advice on cleaning/reloading a cart, see if there is a place I can buy empty carts (if that is better) and any other quick noob tips on use. Are most carts interchangeable? I'll talk more about my model once I find out if I can I don't want to come across as a marketer.. hehe. I am curious to see if others bought what I have and how they compare to the more common models I hear around here.

As far as my e-cig. I'm very, very happy with the vapor output, battery has lasted me all day without a hitch and I'm actually really excited to try other new flavors besides clove The Djarum black carts it came with aren't that bad, was expecting worse. Hell, I've even dragged a bit too hard and coughed some. All in all, I'm very happy with my so far, cheap foray into vaping. I may eventually look into a "going out" ecig, but this current one is just perfect thus far since I work from home and sit out on the porch all day taking hits here and there.

I'm going to go dig around the forums now and look for my answers, but I wanted to say howdy and let everyone know you've got another very happy convert!

Happy vaping!

 

[NeuroRip]

Wow, ok, don't need any tips on how to refill, TONS of info in the newbie threads, so thanks. I do want to see if others use my ecig brand and how it compares to the more popular ones.

 

[NeuroRip]

Just as a follow-up, my ecig, guess I can say where I got it (vaporizela.com) looks exactly like the Joy eGo I am seeing listed all over the place. So I guess I got a pretty good starter Now I'm already looking at 5v models! What have I gotten into.. hehe.

 

[JC Okie]

Ha. Welcome! You've replaced a "habit" with a "hobby"! Ha. Yes, if you got something that is like the eGo, then you lucked out and got a good one. Glad to hear you're happy with it. Yes, vaping is pretty awesome....and addictive in its own right. You may end up loving many, many flavors. I just went to the site (Vaporizela) and it looks exactly like an eGo...same button and everything. You should have an easy time of finding carts, cartos, etc. to fit it.

If you want to try something that will hit a little better to use with that battery, try an LR atomizer (either a 510 or a 306)....or try some 2.0ohm cartomizers. I like both with my eGos. You won't get the hit of a 5v, but it'll be nice.

 

[JC Okie]

After visiting the site again, I'm thinking you got cartomizers with your kit. (You called them carts, but around here carts are different. Cartomizers are called "cartos" here. LOL...just semantics. Anyway, you can buy empty cartos and fill them yourself, or you could get an LR atomizer (atty) and have a whole different experience. You'll hear people talking about "dripping" which is done with an atomizer. You just drip 2-3 drops of liquid right onto the atomizer (heating coil) then vape it. When it runs out (6-7 good hits) you do it again. You get the strongest, cleanest flavor from that. You can have fun trying different setups with that e-cig....it's a good one. If you have any questions, give us a shout. There's always someone here ready and willing to answer your questions.

 

[JC Okie]

Wow, ok, don't need any tips on how to refill, TONS of info in the newbie threads, so thanks. I do want to see if others use my ecig brand and how it compares to the more popular ones.

It IS one of the most popular ones.........LOL

 

[NeuroRip]

Wow JC, exactly the tips I was looking for, thanks so much! I was afraid I might flub the lingo a bit You really cleared up the dripping terms I heard around here.. hehe. I was wondering about buying empty "cartos" and you answered that perfectly. I see a 5 pack at vapor4life for 9 bucks, so I'll pick up some of those. The dripping/atty method seems a bit of a hassle (for now), but it definitely is intriguing to get the big hits. Since I sit outside most of the day and hit a good bit, the longer lasting cartos seem to be the best for me. The 2 ohm cartos definitely sound like something to try. So many fun new toys to explore.

As I've stated, I've only ever smoked cloves, and the Djarum Black cartos that mine came with are not that bad. That said, I'm really excited to try my Kretek juice from Tasty Vapors though. I was shocked with how many flavors there were! I will definitely be trying out some new flavors. This hobby looks like it will be very fun, and even better, gets me out of the tar pit

Again, thank you so much for the welcome and the excellent tips! You really summed up a few hours reading for me and made it very easy to understand, in only a few parapgraphs. I'm really looking forward to what appears to be a great community and fun, um, hobby It's only my first day and I am so excited thus far, and you only made the experience better.

 

[JC Okie]

Wow JC, exactly the tips I was looking for, thanks so much! I was afraid I might flub the lingo a bit You really cleared up the dripping terms I heard around here.. hehe. I was wondering about buying empty "cartos" and you answered that perfectly. I see a 5 pack at vapor4life for 9 bucks, so I'll pick up some of those. The dripping/atty method seems a bit of a hassle (for now), but it definitely is intriguing to get the big hits. Since I sit outside most of the day and hit a good bit, the longer lasting cartos seem to be the best for me. The 2 ohm cartos definitely sound like something to try. So many fun new toys to explore.

As I've stated, I've only ever smoked cloves, and the Djarum Black cartos that mine came with are not that bad. That said, I'm really excited to try my Kretek juice from Tasty Vapors though. I was shocked with how many flavors there were! I will definitely be trying out some new flavors. This hobby looks like it will be very fun, and even better, gets me out of the tar pit

Again, thank you so much for the welcome and the excellent tips! You really summed up a few hours reading for me and made it very easy to understand, in only a few parapgraphs. I'm really looking forward to what appears to be a great community and fun, um, hobby It's only my first day and I am so excited thus far, and you only made the experience better.

Well, you're very welcome. Now, WAIT. V4L sells KR808 stuff....and what you have is a 510 set-up (It has to do with the threading of the battery and the attys and cartos)....so you need to get your empty cartos from someplace that sells 510 stuff. There are lots and lots of places that sell 510 stuff...I get my 510 2.0ohm cartos from Joye eGo | Joye 510 | Electronic Cigarette supplies Tulsa | Batteries, atomizers, cartomizers, e-Liquid and more! but like I said, there are many places. But that's important....you need to make sure you're getting the right threading or they will not fit. There are many places that sell 510 stuff....but V4L ONLY sells KR808 stuff.

Ha. I know it seems like it's getting more complicated now, but it's really not. But the "model" number is a really important thing. You are lucky you got a pretty standard e-cig (we call them pvs - personal vaporizer - too) and it's easy to get stuff to fit, but KR808 stuff will not fit. Just make sure when you order anything....extra cartos or atomizers and carts and everything, that it is 510.

I started with a little mall kiosk jobbie that just sucked, but got a little Joye 510, then quickly moved to the eGo, so I know your setup and it's a good one. BTW, the Joye 510 is just a little cigarette-sized (sorta) setup that has the same threading as the one you have but the battery (skinny) lasts only about an hour between charges. Yours should last hours and hours between charges. I assume you got two batteries? Anyway, just wanted to get really clear on the 510 vs. 808 threading...it's important. If you don't want to do loads of research, but would like to know a little more about it, you should watch MistressNomad's videos. Here's the link: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...-videos-newbies-particular-broke-newbies.html She talks about both the 510 and the KR808, and the eGo. They're really informative and all in a neat little package.

You're in for a good time. I'm glad you found us. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me....I'll help all I can. If you can't PM yet, get a few more posts then you can. There's so much information here that it can be overwhelming. Sometimes a one-on-one can help someone just getting started so feel free.

 

[NeuroRip]

Holy crap JC, you are amazing, thanks! I was looking at V4L, but had no idea about the 510 vs 808 differences, so I owe you big on that one. I'll definitely check out the supplier you mentioned and even more the MistressNomad videos.. seems like a great place to start.

And no, I only got one battery, because I wanted to start small in case I made a mistake. Looks like I got a good PV, so I need to tame my compulsiveness a little since I got lucky on my first shot I'm off to get a new battery, maybe some nice new flavor 2.0 ohm cartos and some blanks so I can start experimenting some. Thanks for making an already great experience an amazing one!

 

[JC Okie]

You are very welcome....it's very exciting to meet new people getting into this. Vaping has changed my life (and all of our lives for the better) and it's fun to feel the excitement from someone else. Reminds me of when I was just starting out. I've been doing this for almost 9 months now....and boy can it be a fun hobby. But it is easy to get carried away. Whenever you get the heeby-jeebies about the money you're spending, just remember how much healthier you're going to be going this route. You really do need to get another battery. No matter how long yours lasts, you will want a back up. Besides, what would you do if yours suddenly quit on you. Some of us die-hard addicts (I smoked for 40+ years and this is the ONLY way I've been able to quit) would die if we only had one battery and it quit. Also, you mentioned some nice new flavor cartos....I'd suggest not getting pre-filled cartos. Get the blanks and some good juice. Pre-filled are notorious for being bad. You may have gotten lucky (you are a lucky person....just finding the right pv accidentally is pretty darned lucky....do you know how many of us bought crappy mall kiosk pieces of junk before we figured things out??!!) and had some you didn't mind, but for the most part all the pre-fill cartos are full of Chinese (DaKang) juice and it's not stellar. Didn't you say you have some Tasty Vapor stuff? They're good. Also, try VaporBomb.com for juice....they are about my favorite. And try some good stuff (juice) that you wouldn't expect to like. Get some fruit flavors, some bakery flavors (blueberry pie) or some candy flavors. Go crazy...you may be surprised at what you love. My all time favorite is Hypnotic Mist. Anyway, keep the enthusiasm and good luck....and expect to spend a little money. Think about how much of your hard earned money went up in smoke in the past. At least with this money, you have something to show for it. And the start-up cost is always way more than the maintenance on these. When you're trying out juices, order little bottles (5ml) until you know what you like. No reason to waste the money for 30ml of something you may hate. You can get samples of lots of different ones....it's half the fun of it. Happy shopping.

 

[bLuNtz]

really refreshing to read these kinds of threads that i also experienced the first time

 

[JC Okie]

Yeh...lots of people helped me when I was starting out....that's half the fun of this new hobby....meeting other people who are sharing it with you. And it's overwhelming to absorb so much information in such a short time. I still have names in my head of the people who were the "old-timers" when I was new. What we do is, after we get our feet on the ground, try to pay it forward. Nice for everyone.

 

[NeuroRip]

I feel like I'm already contributing a little here and there, and definitely feel much more up to speed as to the lingo and such. I just ordered an atomizer, some blank 2.0 Ohm cartos, a slim battery (for going out) and a USB passthrough battery for when I'm sitting outside all day. I may pick up a few more cartos and find some small sampler juices as well, but so far I've only spent about 100 bucks on everything, which is still considerably less than what I had been spending a month on analogs.

I do think I'm going to end up with the 0mg Nicotine stuff though. I find I smoke much more with this and even the 12mg nicotine mix I have seems to make me quite a bit edgy I never really smoked for the nicotine anyway, it was the sensation and the flavor of the clove. The less chems I have going in me, the better!

 

[NeuroRip]

I also tried to find a local shop in New Jersey to see what all they had. I find it more fun to physically view things and it makes it easier to get smaller quantities. Doesn't appear to be much around, even after checking the NJ forums. Most shops are near the NYC, so may just take a trip over one day.

 

[JC Okie]

Good luck finding a storefront. I'm lucky, Vapor Kings just opened up a shop about 10 miles from my house a couple of months ago. It's really nice to go there and pick up a few things and just "talk vape" with people who do it too. This is such a new industry that it's mostly online. As it grows, hopefully we'll see more bricks and mortar shops opening up. Sounds (from your order) like you are successfully launched. Good luck with it....I'm betting you're going to love, love, love all this. It's more addictive than nicotine. Ha.

 

[Animeguy]

I tried the Tasty Vapor Kretek. It is nothing like Djarum Blacks. Its too harsh for me. I also smoked a ton of Blacks when it was legal. If you don't like the kretek, try to mix with other flavors to tone it down. I made mistake of buying the doubler and played around with 30ml but I could never get happy with it. I did find my D. Black juice fix from americaneliquidstore.com. I been using that for 3 months and I don't think I will stop. Its been a long time since I had a real Djarum Black I don't really know if its the same. Oh spend 35 bucks and shipping is free there too. Premixed no nic or buy concentrate and make no nic. Its your choice. I get mine concentrate so I can mix myself.

 

[NeuroRip]

Thanks Anime, I appreciate the follow-up. I read such rave reviews about the TV Kretek, just had to try it. I've been vaping it for two days now and so far it's not exactly what I wanted. Granted, this is reusing a carto that had other prefilled Djarum black juice and I see so much about steeping the liquid at least a week to get it's full flavor.

My biggest issue is the overwhelming cinnamon taste, but I'm going to give it some time also give it a new carto when they come in, maybe even try it on an atty and let it age a bit before I throw in the towel. I even got it on sale, so 10 bucks for 30ml is a heck of a bargain. I was gonna order a few of the $2 drams of other flavors, a 4 ounce of VG and play with tweaking it a bit. I'm still very new at this, so I don't want to a) try to get too complicated and b) get frustrated. So far, the two cartos I've smoked are still infinitely better than analogs, so there is no complaint here.

I actually smoked Djarum Specials as my main staple before the clove ban. Once the "cigar" version came out, I tried the specials, but they weren't the same and of the two (black and special), the blacks were more tolerable. The sweetness of the Kretek juice is nailed, but the overwhelming cinnamon taste is what is throwing me off. Again, some playing around may fix that. Juices (to me anyway) are so inexpensive, so I'm absolutely willing to try other brands. I'll look at the link you put, it just seems like a lot of places are offering D. Black juice and I'm not sure if it's relatively the same across the board, or different vendors are coming out with their version. I really just need to hit the forums more and check the clove threads I found when I first started this process.

Thanks again for the input, I appreciate it!

 

[Animeguy]

Yeah there are alot of places with Djarum Black juice. I only tried 2. Found the one I like and sticking with it.
Those Djarum Black cigars to me was okay. I miss the taste on my lips from the cig version. Ah I wish I can have some so bad sometimes. I remember I bought 2 cartons a week before the ban is in effect. Only lasted a month....so sad. I was so ...... when I smoked that last stick.

 

[NeuroRip]

Well, I have my first problem:

There are too many cool things to try!

I got some 2.0 ohm cartos, an atomizer and even a big ole eGo large atty. This in conjunction with a USB passthrough, a nifty slim 510 battery and 6 or 7 new juices and I am in heaven. So many fun things to play with and tons of vapor with the new 2.0 cartos and both attys. Thanks everyone for all of the help and guidance.. off to enjoy more vaping!

P.S. Not sure if people like sweets that much, but the strawberry cheesecake from Freedomsmokeusa is decadent

 

[JC Okie]

NeuroRip, thanks for coming back and giving us the report! Yay!!! Don't you love the 2.0 ohm cartos? I love them. So glad you're doing great with everything. I love sweet juices, and I love FreedomsmokeUSA....so do many, many people. Cheesecake is not really my thing, but I totally LOVE their Hypnotic Mist juice. It's hard to describe, but next time you place an order with them, try a little bottle if you're curious. It's just delicious and has turned into my all-day vape. It's sweet....a little citrus-y....just really good. Well....I can tell you're hooked! Now it's going to be about trying all the juices available. LOL. This is as addictive as smoking. (But waaaaay healthier!)

Stick around and keep on keeping us posted. It won't be long before you'll be making your own juices (which is easy) and checking out mods. LOL

BTW, this is still JCnewbie...I just changed my user name because after 1200+ posts and 9 months of vaping, I don't feel like a newbie anymore.... Just thought I'd let you know.

Jan