A few questions (510 vs 901)

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xplozuhn

Full Member
Jun 11, 2009
24
0
Gainesville, VA
I'm new to e-cigs, and do not own any as of yet. From what I've read, the 510 is generally held in high regard, but I have one issue with it - people are saying it goes through juice like no tomorrow. So here are my questions:

1) About how many puffs do you get out of a single 510 cartridge?

2)Is the DSE901 more juice efficient, and how many puffs would users estimate they get from that?

3) I should also mention that I only smoke between 3 - 10 cigarettes a day usually (more when I'm drinking). Would e-cigarettes be a cost-effective transfer for me?

Disclaimer: Before people start shouting "3 to 10 a day? Just quit!" Let me point something out. That type of response makes it seem as though you guys have the false belief that I want an e-cigarette to quit smoking. No that is not that case, and e-cigarettes are not marketed as smoking cessation products. They are marketed as a nicotine delivery system that is a safer and healthier (though not completely safe and healthy) alternative to traditional cigarettes. I am asking questions regarding e-cigarettes because I do not WANT to quit smoking, I'm simply looking into a safer and healthier method to receive my nicotine fix.

That being said, if this e-smoking habit is going to cost me more than traditional analogs at 3-10 cigarettes a day, I'm just going to stick with analogs, as money and maintenance are the two things I am basing my decision on, followed by health factors. If this habit is going to be far more expensive than traditional smoking, please tell me because if that's the case I want nothing to do with it. A few more questions, as far as maintenance goes:

1) What is the average lifespan of batteries and atomizers?

2) How often do you find yourself switching cartridges (please also include how often you vape so I can get a better idea of how it would be for me).

3) If I am looking for an e-cig that produces reasonable vapor (I don't need more than the amount of smoke an analog would produce) with throat hit, but is also at least mildly conservative with its juice consumption, what e-cig model would you guys recommend?

Thanks in advance for any help
 

TnA

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Apr 19, 2009
561
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Fayetteville, NC
I'm new to e-cigs, and do not own any as of yet. From what I've read, the 510 is generally held in high regard, but I have one issue with it - people are saying it goes through juice like no tomorrow. So here are my questions:

1) About how many puffs do you get out of a single 510 cartridge? Dunno....haven't really tried to use the cartridge since I drip.

2)Is the DSE901 more juice efficient, and how many puffs would users estimate they get from that? Yes it is. I would guesstimate the 901 to be about 1.5 times more efficient based on how often I have to redrip on my 510 versus my 901. However, I don't know if "efficient" is the correct term. But IMHO, the liquid will last longer in a 901.

3) I should also mention that I only smoke between 3 - 10 cigarettes a day usually (more when I'm drinking). Would e-cigarettes be a cost-effective transfer for me? If you could be disciplined enough to limit yourself to one e-cig purchase and then only purchase 1 bottle of liquid whenever your liquid stocks run low, then yes, it is possible for e-cigarettes to be a cost effective transfer.

Disclaimer: Before people start shouting "3 to 10 a day? Just quit!" Let me point something out. That type of response makes it seem as though you guys have the false belief that I want an e-cigarette to quit smoking. No that is not that case, and e-cigarettes are not marketed as smoking cessation products. They are marketed as a nicotine delivery system that is a safer and healthier (though not completely safe and healthy) alternative to traditional cigarettes. I am asking questions regarding e-cigarettes because I do not WANT to quit smoking, I'm simply looking into a safer and healthier method to receive my nicotine fix.

That being said, if this e-smoking habit is going to cost me more than traditional analogs at 3-10 cigarettes a day, I'm just going to stick with analogs, as money and maintenance are the two things I am basing my decision on, followed by health factors. If this habit is going to be far more expensive than traditional smoking, please tell me because if that's the case I want nothing to do with it. A few more questions, as far as maintenance goes: If money and maintenance (I read work/effort) are your priorities, then stick with what you've got. Your health is obviously not as important as a little bit of effort.

1) What is the average lifespan of batteries and atomizers? With all the posts I've read, I'd guesstimate average lifespan of atomizers to be about 2 weeks. Some have died in a matter of days, others (to include all of mine) have lasted several months. Batteries are rated for 500 recharges, so they should last you plenty of time, but sometimes, batteries fail, too. You should have a warranty for your parts, but it will take a little bit of effort on your part to make use of the warranty. ;)

2) How often do you find yourself switching cartridges (please also include how often you vape so I can get a better idea of how it would be for me). I don't use the carts anymore. However, I would guesstimate that you would need anywhere from 1 to 3 cartridges a day. This is totally a subjective number though, because number of cigarettes/day does not equate to number of carts/day. I find that I vape more often than I would smoke. (others have very different reactions) If I light a cigarette, I probably drag off the cigarette once every 30 seconds for a total of 8-10 drags. When I vape, I will vape every 3-5 seconds for however long I feel the desire...this could be minutes, or this could drag on to 1/2 and hour.

3) If I am looking for an e-cig that produces reasonable vapor (I don't need more than the amount of smoke an analog would produce) with throat hit, but is also at least mildly conservative with its juice consumption, what e-cig model would you guys recommend? DSE-901. It's got a good proven track record and does everything well (flavor, throat hit, vapour production, battery life, cartridge size).

Thanks in advance for any help

xplozuhn, my initial reaction to your post was, "this post isn't even worth the time to respond to". However, in the true nature of this forum, I will take the time to respond and try to provide some answers. I've gone back and responded to each of your questions above in red text.

My initial thought is that you should probably not get into e-cigs if you want to count actual money spent, since I believe the cost savings will be negligible for you as a smoker of 3-10 analogs a day.

However, if you are looking for a "safer alternative" to cigarettes, then you are on the right track!

The majority of people in this forum do not just buy one model e-cig and then just replenish their juice supplies. Instead, this tends to become a bit of a hobby/fascination for many people. I personally have easily spent over $1,000.00 in just my first 3 months by trying out several different models of e-cigs, purchasing spare batteries and atomizers for each model, trying out different manufacturers' e-liquids, and trying my hand at many different mods.

However, based on what you've written, here's my suggestion: If you decide to enter the world of e-cigs, purchase a DSE-901 and a couple of extra batteries and atomizers. Dependant upon where you purchase them from, you will spend approximately $75. At the same time, purchase 1 bottle of liquid (and hope that you like the flavor! ;)). The liquid should cost you approximately $15 for a 20ml size. That should be enough to tide you over for the first month. From that point on, your monthly expenditures will be on restocking your juice supply and replacing any failed batteries or atomizers. So, you could live as cheaply as $15/month if you were to follow this.

Personally, I think it's a pipe dream. For starters, there are so many flavors of liquids out there that you'll be dying to try them and will end up purchasing more than one bottle at a time. Secondly, you may get so addicted to this "hobby" that you find a strong desire to try out other models of e-cigs. Thirdly, there are so many accessories and mods out there for these e-cigs that your wallet may desire to purchase some of them. yada yada yada.

Hope this helps.
 

Boredoftheworld

Senior Member
ECF Veteran
Jun 22, 2009
183
11
Charleston, SC
At 3-10 analogs per day it's gonna be a LONG time before you're spending less money vaping than smoking. I was 2.5 packs per day so I'm pretty much out of the hole already.

At 10 analogs per day you've got about a $2-3 per day habit depending on prices in your area. If you don't turn into a vapehead your monthly costs for supplies and equipment replacements will be extremely low though. As it is I think it's going to cost me about $50 per month to be a vapor as opposed to $400+ to be a smoker. So now that I think about it you could probably break even in 3 months as long as you stick with the first device you buy and don't go through several atomizers/batteries each month.

Or not, it's already obvious to me that this whole vaping thing is different for each person.

[my prefilled 510 carts last for about 4.5 of my traditional analogs and the batteries seem to last for about 1 prefilled cart for me]
 
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xplozuhn

Full Member
Jun 11, 2009
24
0
Gainesville, VA
xplozuhn, my initial reaction to your post was, "this post isn't even worth the time to respond to".

It's a post of questions about e-cigs in the "New members" forum, where the heading is "New to E-smoking with plenty of questions? I'll bet! Please feel free to ask them in this forum..."

Why would you feel that it's not worth your time?
 

sendit2mybb

Senior Member
ECF Veteran
Nov 1, 2008
108
1
Harrisonburg, VA
I've been lurking this forum for close to 2-3 weeks now, and the more I read and hear about e-cigs, it seems as though they aren't really an investment that casual smokers should make as much as they are for chronic, 2-3 pack a day smokers. And I'm 19 and in college, that is why money is an issue for me.

Vaping is wonderful b/c it is (as far as we know) a much healthier alternative than traditional tobacco smoking to satisfy our beloved nicotine addiction:D. In your case, you are young and if you can quit smoking regular analogs now in your life; it will be more beneficial in the long run whether you vape or just quit smoking all together. It will probably be more cost effetive for you to actually smoke analog ciggies (can't believe I just said that!) with the few that you smoke on a daily, casual basis than vaping (given battery/atomizer/juice/ maintenance costs); although, vaping is a great, healthier way to achieve nicotine...Just my $.2!
 

mnealtx

Super Member
ECF Veteran
Jun 16, 2009
986
274
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Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo
I've been lurking this forum for close to 2-3 weeks now, and the more I read and hear about e-cigs, it seems as though they aren't really an investment that casual smokers should make as much as they are for chronic, 2-3 pack a day smokers. And I'm 19 and in college, that is why money is an issue for me.

If you're looking at it solely from a cost basis, then it's somewhat of a wash - while you *may* still save money, depending on how much you vape vs. how much you smoked, the break-even point is pushed further out.

When you include the HEALTH aspect, you still come out WAY ahead, because you're not putting all the crap associated with tobacco cigarettes into your lungs.
 
"That being said, if this e-smoking habit is going to cost me more than traditional analogs at 3-10 cigarettes a day, I'm just going to stick with analogs, as money and maintenance are the two things I am basing my decision on, followed by health factors. If this habit is going to be far more expensive than traditional smoking, please tell me because if that's the case I want nothing to do with it. "

While there is no scientific proof that e-ciggs are completely safe, the way I look at it is, How much does lung cancer cost to fight?


Good luck with however you decide to proceed, hopefully a few extra $'s in the beginning is not the deciding factor in whether or not you give it a try!!
 

xplozuhn

Full Member
Jun 11, 2009
24
0
Gainesville, VA
Would disposables give me any kind of accurate idea of what it would be like to vape with a quality e-cig? I also doubt that they would give me a feel for the amount of upkeep required. My main qualm with e-cigs isn't whether or not I would enjoy one as much as an analog or how realistic they feel, it's mainly a matter of upkeep. If I could roll around with a cart or two on me and be solid for the day, and not have to disassemble it every 10 minutes to top off or replace a cart or such, then I'd be happy. But if it's not something I can just take with me for the day and smoke casually without much worry, then I don't know if it's for me.
 

mnealtx

Super Member
ECF Veteran
Jun 16, 2009
986
274
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Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo
It would at least give you a feel for what the vapor is like vs. smoke and give you a rough idea.

As to the amount of stuff you might need to carry, there's a WHOLE lot of variables - how long of a drag you take, how long between drags, etc etc etc. It's like going up to 10 smokers and asking "how many drags do you get from a cigarette"....you're going to get as many different answers as people you ask.

I bring a couple carts and a couple extra batteries to work with me. I also have a small (3ml, I think) bottle to refill the cart - it truly only takes a few seconds.
 

AGNES PEACOCK

Super Member
ECF Veteran
Mar 13, 2009
444
0
The Mother Lode, California
I'm new to e-cigs, and do not own any as of yet. From what I've read, the 510 is generally held in high regard, but I have one issue with it - people are saying it goes through juice like no tomorrow. So here are my questions:

1) About how many puffs do you get out of a single 510 cartridge?

2)Is the DSE901 more juice efficient, and how many puffs would users estimate they get from that?

3) I should also mention that I only smoke between 3 - 10 cigarettes a day usually (more when I'm drinking). Would e-cigarettes be a cost-effective transfer for me?

Disclaimer: Before people start shouting "3 to 10 a day? Just quit!" Let me point something out. That type of response makes it seem as though you guys have the false belief that I want an e-cigarette to quit smoking. No that is not that case, and e-cigarettes are not marketed as smoking cessation products. They are marketed as a nicotine delivery system that is a safer and healthier (though not completely safe and healthy) alternative to traditional cigarettes. I am asking questions regarding e-cigarettes because I do not WANT to quit smoking, I'm simply looking into a safer and healthier method to receive my nicotine fix.

That being said, if this e-smoking habit is going to cost me more than traditional analogs at 3-10 cigarettes a day, I'm just going to stick with analogs, as money and maintenance are the two things I am basing my decision on, followed by health factors. If this habit is going to be far more expensive than traditional smoking, please tell me because if that's the case I want nothing to do with it. A few more questions, as far as maintenance goes:

1) What is the average lifespan of batteries and atomizers?

2) How often do you find yourself switching cartridges (please also include how often you vape so I can get a better idea of how it would be for me).

3) If I am looking for an e-cig that produces reasonable vapor (I don't need more than the amount of smoke an analog would produce) with throat hit, but is also at least mildly conservative with its juice consumption, what e-cig model would you guys recommend?

Thanks in advance for any help

Because you're post irritated me so much. I would have to say that vaping probably would not be for you. You seem to want to blame someone for making a reccomendatiion in the first place. You also want us to prove it to you. Well, we all have made a decision (weighed on what we consider the best decision for our personal health and pocket book). You seem confrontative, and need us to prove it to you. YOU HAVE"NT DONE THE RESEARCH!!! You are the only one to make the decision if it is right for you!

Excues me... but I have'nt read any further than your first post as it makes it seem that vaping may not be right for you. We are not here to prove it to you. If you make the decision that it is right for you, we are here to support you.

*Note: I did'nt read further as it irritateed me.
 
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xplozuhn

Full Member
Jun 11, 2009
24
0
Gainesville, VA
YOU HAVE"NT DONE THE RESEARCH!!!

I've been reading over these forums for at least 2 weeks now, and still had some questions before I made a decision, so I thought that I could ask them here. I failed to find some of the information that I need(ed) to know in order to make my personal decision as to whether e-cigarettes would be for me, so I asked. As far as I'm concerned, that IS doing research. I'm not asking anybody to prove anything to me. As far as I can tell, my questions were pretty subjective (How many puffs do you usually get out of a cart, how much maintenance and upkeep does it require, etc).
 

Vegatron75

Senior Member
ECF Veteran
Apr 3, 2009
100
0
NorthEast Kansas
I've been reading over these forums for at least 2 weeks now, and still had some questions before I made a decision, so I thought that I could ask them here. I failed to find some of the information that I need(ed) to know in order to make my personal decision as to whether e-cigarettes would be for me, so I asked. As far as I'm concerned, that IS doing research. I'm not asking anybody to prove anything to me. As far as I can tell, my questions were pretty subjective (How many puffs do you usually get out of a cart, how much maintenance and upkeep does it require, etc).

Get a 510, it'll cost you $50. Use 1 of the atomizers, see if you like it or not. If you hate it sell it on the classifieds for $40.
Your out $10 bux and you got to try the best small e-cig out.
Don't overthink it. Just do it...........8-o
 

flobiwan

Senior Member
ECF Veteran
Jul 20, 2009
124
37
56
I've been vaping for about 4 days now and haven't had an analog for almost 3 of them. I was in the 5-8 cig per day range so I'm right around where you are. As others clarified, IF you are disciplined in your spending, you will save money but that is a BIG if. However, you can also look at it this way. If you switch to e-cigs, you will probably add 5 years to your life (based on national averages). This means 5 extra years of making money so it will DEFINITELY pay off. That aside, as a new vaper who smoked about as much as you, I'll give you my reasons for switching

1. cost - it WILL pay off eventually
2. health. definite biggie for me.
3. fun - vaping is definitely a LOT more fun than smoking analogs with all the flavors and stuff
4. convenience - I can do it anywhere. I can finally "smoke" in the house!! And my wife isn't bothered at all.
5. less shame when doing it in public.
6. no more smell (well, not from cigarettes anyway)!
7. MORE smell (my sense of smell that is) - and taste for that mater.
8. I can keep the windows in my car rolled up in the summer while the a/c is blasting...and in the winter with the heat on...and in the rain.
9. No more cigarette burns in my clothes.
10. Less pressure smoking - this was subtle for me but when you smoke, there is a subconscious sense that you have to keep dragging because the cig is going to burn up soon anyway. With an e-cig, I can take a drag every 20 minutes and set it down without any waste.

I'm sure there's a lot more but you get the idea.
 
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