Well nice to meet you Carrabba's guy!!!! I love the way chance meetings can change lives.
Justine
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Justine
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First of all, welcome aboard. You're off to a great start.
Second, a vapers heartfelt thanx to MR in promoting vaping (regardless how selfish that was!
).Now this is an unsolicited but sincere endorsement for Carraba's filet. I live in Bradenton, FL and I go to Carrabas on Cortez Road for my local steak dinner. I've had steak at Burn$ in Tampa (nationally renown) and Fleming$ in Sarasota (regionally renown). But the BEST filet is right here at home!
Now, if I could only find an e-juice with that 'wood grilled to perfection' steak flavor...
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Second, a vapers heartfelt thanx to MR in promoting vaping (regardless how selfish that was!
Nothing selfish about it. I suffered to vape in that restaurant.
Iffy is very correct. I have the best Filet in town. You don't think about Carrabba's (or any Italian restaurant) for steak. But I get the best cuts of USDA Choice Sirloin & Filet Mignon, and we cook over a wood-fired grill. You can't top our steak unless you go to a Prime steakhouse and pay $70-80 a person for your meal. (My Filet Mignon is $21 comes with two side dishes and a soup or salad. And you can add Grilled Shrimp & Scallops for $4). Our regular Italian fare is exceptional as well. We make everything from scratch everyday. If you haven't tried us out, you are seriously missing out.
There is a bar in my town that my best friend and I, both vapers, go to that allow us to vape anytime, any day, because we know the owner and he loves our PVs! He tells people to "quit their b*tching" if they complain, which is funny to me. He has yet to lose a customer to his response when someone says "that shouldn't be allowed" because he knows that it's a great way to help us quit because we're not outside with the smokers.
If it wasn't for the cheap crap minis, I wouldn't be here. I am glad to be telling you that I will soon have my graduation day with a ego and a 510 on the way to me as I type. But I would never have gone so far, if it was not for the cheap, crap minis! I am still a noobie, but the only response that I have gotten has been, is that one of those......and I gladly explain, because most of those folks are saying they want to get off ciggs!
May I suggest you hug that person who is giving you up hill, and in the mists of your teddy bear grasp, ask that person, "do I smell like a smoker?"
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While the red LEDs are terrible, PVs that look like cigarettes are not only desirable, they're absolutely essential if the vaping community is to grow and prosper.
There are three reasons people smoke: nicotine, oral gratification, and ritual.
Mods only fully address the first. They are what the FDA claims: a drug delivery system.
Mods partially address the second, but for the vast majority of smokers, oral gratification includes holding the cig in their lips between puffs, something impossible to do with most mods.
Mods cannot address the ritual -- they require a completely different method of handling.
It is obvious that the best entry-level PVs are cig-like automatics. Their learning curve is almost non-existant -- instead of opening a pack, you screw on a new carto, and instead of emptying an ashtray, you put the battery on a charger. You can learn the basics is three minutes or less.
Mods of all ilk require special handling of some nature, and that scares off many prospective vapers. Who wants to have to go to school for something they might end up not using? There's also the matter of cost -- 510 or 808 starter kits are priced about the same as a carton of cigs, not a huge investment for a smoker. Most mods, particularly the good ones, are considerably more expensive, and people are naturally averse to investing a large amount on something so new they have no idea if they'll like it.
Another factor is that most Mods are manuals, which are the bane of vaping. Besides requiring that a noob learn a whole new set of skills, and further distancing a person from the 'natural' act of smoking, they are dangerous in so many ways I can't recount them all in one post. The most common are 'hot pockets' (and it's only a matter of time before someone drops a manual between their sofa cushions, it wedges in with the button pressed, and it starts a fire) and potential blindness, as seen in: YouTube - 510 atomizer almost takes my eye out..(dry burning can be dangerous!)
I know people who started with eGos, which are far from the complexity of most mods, and quit because it wasn't anywhere near what they were looking for in a smoking alternative. Some of them have since been persuaded to try again with 808s, and they've all happily vaping now.
As far as public perception -- the vast majority of people really don't care if someone is lighting up as long as the smoke doesn't blow over them, so cig-like PVs are nearly invisible, but especially in this day and age, someone furtively using something that looks vaguely like a pipe bomb or a remote control detonator is quite likely to cause a considerable stir.
Many people who start with cig-like PVs go on to buy/build mods, but the future of vaping, and the hopes of having vaping become socially acceptable, are squarely with the 510s and 808s.
There are three reasons people smoke: nicotine, oral gratification, and ritual.
Mods only fully address the first. They are what the FDA claims: a drug delivery system.
Mods partially address the second, but for the vast majority of smokers, oral gratification includes holding the cig in their lips between puffs, something impossible to do with most mods.
Mods cannot address the ritual -- they require a completely different method of handling.
It is obvious that the best entry-level PVs are cig-like automatics. Their learning curve is almost non-existant -- instead of opening a pack, you screw on a new carto, and instead of emptying an ashtray, you put the battery on a charger. You can learn the basics is three minutes or less.
Mods of all ilk require special handling of some nature, and that scares off many prospective vapers. Who wants to have to go to school for something they might end up not using? There's also the matter of cost -- 510 or 808 starter kits are priced about the same as a carton of cigs, not a huge investment for a smoker. Most mods, particularly the good ones, are considerably more expensive, and people are naturally averse to investing a large amount on something so new they have no idea if they'll like it.
Another factor is that most Mods are manuals, which are the bane of vaping. Besides requiring that a noob learn a whole new set of skills, and further distancing a person from the 'natural' act of smoking, they are dangerous in so many ways I can't recount them all in one post. The most common are 'hot pockets' (and it's only a matter of time before someone drops a manual between their sofa cushions, it wedges in with the button pressed, and it starts a fire) and potential blindness, as seen in: YouTube - 510 atomizer almost takes my eye out..(dry burning can be dangerous!)
I know people who started with eGos, which are far from the complexity of most mods, and quit because it wasn't anywhere near what they were looking for in a smoking alternative. Some of them have since been persuaded to try again with 808s, and they've all happily vaping now.
As far as public perception -- the vast majority of people really don't care if someone is lighting up as long as the smoke doesn't blow over them, so cig-like PVs are nearly invisible, but especially in this day and age, someone furtively using something that looks vaguely like a pipe bomb or a remote control detonator is quite likely to cause a considerable stir.
Many people who start with cig-like PVs go on to buy/build mods, but the future of vaping, and the hopes of having vaping become socially acceptable, are squarely with the 510s and 808s.
situations where an e-cig that looks like an analog is desirable:
-driving (to avoid cop attention!)
-when first switching to e-cigs
-when you want to sit in the smoking area and not be harrassed too much about vaping something weird
-any situation where a mod or something with a tube might get you in trouble
-if the person vaping likes it better.
Situations where it is not:
-Inside and/or around vehement anti-smokers
-situations where you will not be able to recharge/refill often at all.
-when the vaper prefers something else.
Both analog-lookalikes and other PVs have their place, and it just depends. I wouldn't vape an analog-lookalike inside a building most likely, but I could see using it outside for convenience.
-driving (to avoid cop attention!)
-when first switching to e-cigs
-when you want to sit in the smoking area and not be harrassed too much about vaping something weird
-any situation where a mod or something with a tube might get you in trouble
-if the person vaping likes it better.
Situations where it is not:
-Inside and/or around vehement anti-smokers
-situations where you will not be able to recharge/refill often at all.
-when the vaper prefers something else.
Both analog-lookalikes and other PVs have their place, and it just depends. I wouldn't vape an analog-lookalike inside a building most likely, but I could see using it outside for convenience.
I just hope the smoking nazi's don't decide to have a vaping and non-vaping section because that will lead to them banning vaping in resturants and bars. Once the extremists take everything to the extreme, only then will they see the chaos.
Trev...
Hope I'm not getting too far off-topic, but what's it like at MadVapes? I wasn't sure from their website if they had a retail front, and they don't really mention it... Didn't know if the public was welcome. Do they have a showroom?
I'm in the Charlotte area every once in a while, and I've always wanted to swing by, but wasn't sure if I was welcome as a walk-in...
Hope I'm not getting too far off-topic, but what's it like at MadVapes? I wasn't sure from their website if they had a retail front, and they don't really mention it... Didn't know if the public was welcome. Do they have a showroom?
I'm in the Charlotte area every once in a while, and I've always wanted to swing by, but wasn't sure if I was welcome as a walk-in...
I haven't read a bigger "load" in quite awhile.
First there is nothing natural about trying to suck a sock through a straw like you do with many analog sized auto-minis. Second, there is nothing natural about learning to do the double/triple inhale to hopefully get one good hit off that auto-mini-PV and get that little weak 100 mAh battery to heat the liquid in the atomizer into vapor. Third, there is nothing natural about killing your battery because liquid dripped into that auto battery.
And I guess it must be too complicated for a few people to learn how to press a button inorder to inhale a nice warm hit of vapor. I guess using a cell phone is probably too complicated for those same few. And I'm not sure what "the special handling" is all about with a better battery PV. I screw in the atty or carto, press the button, inhale and then exhale. Maybe I'm just a quick learner.
And on people giving up on vaping, I've been doing this for over two years. I've personally talked with about 12 people who went back to smoking after trying vaping. In every case they were using an auto mini. There complaint was all too common: weak vapor, too hard to inhale, learning how to double inhale, battery dieing after about an hour, performance gets worse within a half hour and the inconsistency. When I let them try my better battery PV, they all told me if they could have started with a PV that "felt" like mine did, they think they would have stuck with it.
After getting past the "looks" crap, the reason why so many vapers move on to better battery devices is one thing: PERFORMANCE. Which PV provides the "inhaled feel" of an analog and does it much more consistenty is the reason why better battery devices are the real future of vaping. If anyone says its an auto-mini, then they are comparatively inexperienced or not honest.
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Awesome! I've not vaped in a restaurant yet, but not for any other reason than I just can't afford to eat out. ;-) I think I'd be afraid to ask though, and just do it in the car once I leave. I'm a woos!
'Sucking through a straw' is only with the poor quality minis -- the good ones are normal, and testing has shown that many are exact equivalents of smoking slim 120s.
The 'double/triple' inhale is an outdated method used with atomizers and cartridges -- today's cartos do not have the same lag time.
Dripping into an auto battery is never a problem if you fill and use your cartomizer correctly.
Pushing a button is a conscious action. Smoking is nearly all subconscious (which is why people often smoke more that they realize). Having to stop what you're doing and think about pushing a button, and hoping you get the timing correct, and remembering to have it pointed in a safe direction so it doesn't shoot juice into your eye, is by no means natural and gives PVs a reputation for being too fiddly and needing too much attention.
After a person has used a manual for a while, pressing the button becomes a subconscious act, but the time for that to become the case can vary from days to weeks, depending on the person.
Disassembling the unit so the battery can be placed in a charger, being sure the replacement battery is properly aligned, and reassembling the unit is far more work than a smoker has to do when they stay on cigs. Having to take care that the bulky unit in their pocket doesn't fall out, doesn't snag on something, doesn't get wet and destroy a $100 unit, and is kept free from pressure that could activate the button and give you a nasty burn are all special handling that a person doesn't have to worry about with cigs or 808s.
I haven't been vaping as long continuously, but I did happen to meet up with a group who tried vaping because their housing complex was going smoke-free. They pooled their money and bought a bunch of stuff directly from China. Others in the complex tried some of their discards. All-in-all, to date, nearly 90 people have started vaping, and the only ones to keep at it were those who started with cig-like PVs. Each and every one who started with fat batts, 5V mods, and vari-volts all gave up because the units were too clumsy, too complex, and did not meet their needs as an alternative to smoking. Some of them have moved on to mods after using 808s for a few months, but most are still very happy with their cig-like PVs. All of those who started with big units and gave up and were talked into trying again with 808s have stuck with vaping this time.
Mods have their place, but noobs need something that is as close as possible to being identical to smoking if they are to successfully transition to PVs.
Not quite. I bought a "good" one not that long ago... when i started vaping 2 months + ago. If that's how normal analog smoking was for you, I'm not quite sure what you were smoking. It was MUCH more difficult. and the carts definitely do still have a lag time unless you're filling yourself.
As for pressing the button... I bought an Ego-T just a week and a half ago. I had no problem adjusting. My brain puts it akin to wrapping my fingers around the end of an analog to get a drag. Easy Peasy.
My fiance tried my auto PV and hated it. He likes the idea of vaping, but certainly wouldn't go that route.
Does it have its place? Yes, if it wasn't for those I wouldn't be vaping. However if I had found this forum first, I would have certainly gone for the Ego-t I think. Its simpler, in my mind, to fill the tank, pop it on the atty, screw atty to battery, and go. None of the push up the cart, take the foil off, push it down, put it on, take a couple drags, charge battery... I took a 10 hour road trip to see my fiance, and I can't COUNT how many times I had to charge batteries on my little pv. My Ego lasts me all day.
I don't know if Ego's count as Mods, but I'm pretty unaware when it comes to hardware. I don't wire things. I don't take things apart any more than I absolutely have to. I want the easiest, least messy way of getting my nicotine and vapor without a high cost involved. IMHO the analog like pvs may be a great start, and have their place, they are at the same time causing problems with legislation and education due to their appearance being akin to an analog. Most likely its all based on personal experience. I know sucking on the tube I had was nothing like an analog, but I stuck with it cuz I'm a stubborn PITA and I spent the money on it so I'm using it gosh darn it. My fiance will be getting his own Ego because the small ones were just way too much work as far as getting an acceptable amount of vapor and being convenient for use. Whatever works for you. But I do believe they are causing problems with educating people because they cannot see past the "looks like a cigarette" part, which is why so many places have problems with them (bars).
Back on topic -- welcome Trev and thank you for having an open mind, and being willing to accept and explain things in your establishment! Enjoy being smoke-free!
I'm not sure how often Trev is on here but, if you look at contact us section on madvapes website, they have a number to call to make sure they'll be around. I haven't been there. I'll go one of these days. It's clear you're welcome to show up though.
Not quite. I bought a "good" one not that long ago... when i started vaping 2 months + ago. If that's how normal analog smoking was for you, I'm not quite sure what you were smoking. It was MUCH more difficult. and the carts definitely do still have a lag time unless you're filling yourself.
As for pressing the button... I bought an Ego-T just a week and a half ago. I had no problem adjusting. My brain puts it akin to wrapping my fingers around the end of an analog to get a drag. Easy Peasy.
My fiance tried my auto PV and hated it. He likes the idea of vaping, but certainly wouldn't go that route.
Does it have its place? Yes, if it wasn't for those I wouldn't be vaping. However if I had found this forum first, I would have certainly gone for the Ego-t I think. Its simpler, in my mind, to fill the tank, pop it on the atty, screw atty to battery, and go. None of the push up the cart, take the foil off, push it down, put it on, take a couple drags, charge battery... I took a 10 hour road trip to see my fiance, and I can't COUNT how many times I had to charge batteries on my little pv. My Ego lasts me all day.
I don't know if Ego's count as Mods, but I'm pretty unaware when it comes to hardware. I don't wire things. I don't take things apart any more than I absolutely have to. I want the easiest, least messy way of getting my nicotine and vapor without a high cost involved. IMHO the analog like pvs may be a great start, and have their place, they are at the same time causing problems with legislation and education due to their appearance being akin to an analog. Most likely its all based on personal experience. I know sucking on the tube I had was nothing like an analog, but I stuck with it cuz I'm a stubborn PITA and I spent the money on it so I'm using it gosh darn it. My fiance will be getting his own Ego because the small ones were just way too much work as far as getting an acceptable amount of vapor and being convenient for use. Whatever works for you. But I do believe they are causing problems with educating people because they cannot see past the "looks like a cigarette" part, which is why so many places have problems with them (bars).
Back on topic -- welcome Trev and thank you for having an open mind, and being willing to accept and explain things in your establishment! Enjoy being smoke-free!
Good response, rain. On whether an eGo is a mod, in reality, it is, although no one vaping a year or less would think of it that way. The first mod (better battery PV) was the Screwdriver by Trog over in Great Britian in 2009. Before that every PV was the little small auto battery style. Since the eGo/Riva are mostly manuals with larger batteries, they are technically a mod even though most don't see them that way.
This is more of a "load". My PV battery under very heavy vaping lasts 21+ hours. I never carry or switch out a battery. To charge it, I plug it into a USB to AC adapter and can vape as I charge it if I need to. And even when I used a model with less battery charge life (still 6-7 hours), I carried one extra set, unscrewed the end cap, dropped in the two batteries, just like a 7 year old would do with a flashlight and started vaping again.
And it's obvious that your experience with devices that out-vape any mini on the market must be zero.
New vapers need something that is as close to the "inhaled feel" of smoking to stay off analogs, which is what a mini cannot do for a large percentage of vapers. There would not be the demand for the eGo's, Riva's and all the other better battery devices, if a mini could consistently provide the "inhaled feel" of an analog.
Madvapes is great. No they don't have a retail area, just the warehouse and a receptionist named Lori. What I do is call Lori and ask if Scott is working, if he is I go down and say hi to Lori, who fetches Scott (well now she just tells me to go on back). Scott is AMAZING! he'll let you try out just about anything you wnat, they have had samples of every atty, carto, pv, and juice I've wanted to try so far. Scott has about the best sense of customer service I have ever encountered, and after 8 years working for Carrabba's, a restaurant renowned for its service and atmosphere of hospitality, that's saying ALOT. I HIGHLY recommend going down and meeting the crew. Especially if you are a newbie who is trying to find what's right for you. My first visit Scott had me test the E-Go and both Roughstacks (3.7 & 6.0). The Ego was to weak, Roughtsack 6.0v to much, so I got the 3.7. Then we tried 2.0, 2.5 & 1.8 Ohm Cartos, then we tried Dual Coils and I was set. Then we tried like 10 different Juices, then I left with the $70 roughstack kit from the website (plus the cartos we used for flavor testing and a few extra bottles of juice that Scott gave me for FREE!) This was extremely smart on Scott's part as I now have a "I'll only shop elsewhere if madvapes doesn't sell what I'm looking for" attitude and Scott's extra time and the freebies will more than pay for themselves with all my future business they will get. Love Madvapes. Period. (That's a statement and an order)
P.S. If you go down to madvapes, tell Scott that Trevor, the Carrabba's guy from Hickory with the motorcycle sent you. Maybe I'll get more free stuff if a bunch of people drop my name
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