Another newbie with a Greensmoke

[RanVapor]

First of all, a big Thanks to all on this forum, you have opened my eyes to a whole new world. I had little idea that vaping was as expansive as it is, and growing every day – this really is the greatest innovation since bottled beer.
I am a big noob, been vaping now for just over 2 weeks now, after smoking Marlboro Reds for 22 years. I started out like many – heard a radio ad, saw an internet ad, curiously did some searches, read some reviews, watched some videos, etc. I pretty much knew I wanted a 2-piece design, so I ended up getting a Greensmoke starter kit for my first E-cig.
Now, I’m not here to bash GS…in fact, I really enjoy mine and have had no problems at all. Sure, I’ve hot-boxed my big batty while grilling burgers and two-fisting Shiner’s, burning that cartomizer so bad it tasted like bleach. But, I’m still learning and the fact that I haven’t smoked a whole Red since I first vaped that GS is what really matters to me (tried one this week and put it out after a few drags, blech).
I am looking to move on from GS, though. Thanks to this forum I have found out just how little they have to offer for the price you pay – limited cart flavors, limited nicotine levels, small carry case, no PCC (well, they have one now, but it too, looks limited).
So, I will be making an order with Vapor4Life for a Vapor King Ult Ult kit pretty soon, and am looking forward to that – it has everything I think I may ever want, for less than ½ the price. I will keep my GS, though. I have 10 carts on the way that I will not let go to waste. It will be a good back-up, or one to lend to a smoker friend to try out. I figure a month on the GS is still cheaper than a month on Reds, so I’m coming out ahead. Luckily, I have saved all the carts (was going to send ‘em back to get recycled), so I will be boiling those up to clean out for filling with juice later.
Which brings me to my question… (finally, right?)
V4L has more flavors that I ever imagined; I really don’t know where to start. Now, for those that have tried the GS carts, I really do like their Tobacco flavor, it’s smooth with that hint of pipe tobacco. Their Marl flavor, which is supposed to approximate cigarette taste, I did not like as much (go figure). So which of V4L tobacco flavors should I start with that would approach that natural tobacco flavor, rather than a more cigarette-like flavor? Kant? 555? RY4? I take it the Cowboy and Kamel are cigarette approximates, but their descriptions sound tasty. Any insight is greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
Ran

 

[KCGal]

Hey Ran,

I also started with GS - they have such a high presence when you do a search on the net...Oh man, how i wish I had found VapKing earlier..I have both now - the only good thing I can say about GS is the vapor amount is very good - and they have a full 1 year guarantee. I have successfully returned -- drum roll - 8 batteries for replacement! And, believe me, every time a GS battery goes dead during this coming year, I will return it for an exchange! When my one year is up at GS, I will probably wash my hands of them - they are just so way overpriced...Like you said, you can get nearly identical 2-piece models for half the price at other places.

My LiteCig KG808 is the only battery I have now since my four GS batteries died! Thanks, Shawn!

 

[Tempus Fugit]

Very similar experience here. I was also on the analogs for 22 years, only Camel lights instead. Ive been on a GS for a month and a half, just long enough to get out of the 30 money back period. Of course last week one of my batteries crapped out (the sensor, not really the battery). I have had a few issues with dry carts which were handled pretty well by customer service, especially a guy named Bryan. However, I'm not happy about this battery thing and even the last shipment of carts I got was kind of dry. I sent them an email last Thursday voicing my frustrations at their product, not their service, but the service side seems to be turning around. Two emails from me have now been ignored or put off or something, whereas they used to get back to me almost immediately.

I just ordered a whole setup from Electro-Nic-Stix last night for a little over 1/3 the price I paid for the GS. I am getting a Joye 510 with two manual batteries (no more auto for me), a usb charger and a usb passthrough. I have been filling/refilling GS carts now for weeks and it seems like I'm partial to dripping. I know I'm going to be much happier now, and I'm not sure what to do about GS. I just hope they get back to me and replace the defective battery AT LEAST.

Yeah, they have one helluva web presence, but it is clear that the scads of reviews all have one thing in common - a coupon code at the end. It's so easy to be an affiliate that of course they are going to have positive videos all over. Yes, the vapor production is good, but I have a feeling that is mostly due to whatever juice they use. I have filled many-a blank cart with other varieties of juice, and although I get good vapor, it's never as good as their original carts. GS would be a great starter kit for the noob if it wasn't so expensive. I feel kind of taken by that, but caveat emptor. Like many, I was sucked in by all the great reviews and itching to get one quickly so I didn't spend the weeks or months necessary to get through all the info out there on the world of vaping. Plus, it does take one a little bit to get a feel for it and learn exactly what is best for them. I'm still not 100% sure what's best for me, but it is time to move on to the 510. I'm already thinking about getting a Janty Stick V3 in a couple more weeks though.

 

[RanVapor]

Wow 8 batteries, KCGal? At least they are replacing them. That was another thing that makes GS attractive is the warranty. But, since you are now using VaporKing, have you found a similar flavor to GS's Tobacco?

Tempus, glad to hear you may have found a good upgrade. I see so many raves about the 510. Did you wash-out or clean out your GS carts in some way before you re-filled them? I want to try boiling like some have suggested on this forum (Doc V, I believe) but I wonder if it will destroy the colored paper covering.

 

[Tempus Fugit]

Tempus, glad to hear you may have found a good upgrade. I see so many raves about the 510. Did you wash-out or clean out your GS carts in some way before you re-filled them? I want to try boiling like some have suggested on this forum (Doc V, I believe) but I wonder if it will destroy the colored paper covering.

I didn't do anything to the carts I refilled. I tried to find simliar flavors that matched up. I like the GS apple and strawberry flavors, so refilling with other apple or strawberry worked pretty well. Even when you cart runs dry, there is actually some juice left. Just not enough for it to atomize without burning the filler material. When you refill with a different juice, it sort of reactivates the leftover GS juice. For a while, until the GS juice is gone, you blow better vapor than from the aftermarket juice alone. Mostly what I have done is purchased the blank carts and filled them with whatever I wanted. I wouldn't try boiling them, I think that might destroy the cart. There is no way to disassemble it and put it back together either. I have taken them apart before and it gets totally destroyed. Boiling would also wreck the paper sticker on the outside of the cart. If you over fill, sometimes a little juice leaks onto the paper which makes it get discolored and sort of sticky. I have found that removing the paper is much cooler anyway. The stainless steel look of the cart is just more appealing to me for some reason.

 

[donnellyk]

I too started with Greensmoke by researching on the web...that was BEFORE I found ECF, damn. They got me off e-ciggs and took me through the 30 day trial period...the automatic batteries just went out on me, I probably overfilled the cartos and they leaked then shorted it out...lesson learned, manuals only for me!

I hung onto them for some reason (probably cuz they were so expensive, just couldn't let go) and trashed them last weekend...didn't know they had a year warranty!!! Boo, hiss, though they would probably have said user error which it was!

Anyway, GS to 510 to 801 penstyle to Chuck to KR808D (got tired of dripping, I went with V4L) and use them exclusively with an adapter to use KR808D caromizers on my Chuck. I LOVE these things and that company!

99% of the time I'm just using the 2 piece V4L e-ciggs, XL batts that give me 6-8 hours of heavy vaping...another downside to GS, short battery life...still...if it weren't for them despite the heavy pricetag I wouldn't be where I am today...5 months analog free!

 

[jeffree]

I'm with you 100%, Ran. Same story and thoughts about it here. Sent back my GS last week. The GS experience wasn't bad in all ways for me--all seemed professional enough--but that dodgy market presence gave me the creeps. I never want V4L to become even remotely like that. No clubs or affiliates or insider deals, please. What we have here now is absolutely perfect for me. Welcome aboard! Great group here.

About your question... I've worked my way through almost all the tobacs (no Kant or Pipe). I go back and forth since none really knocks me out but many are pretty good. The Cowboy is indeed kind of smokey in a harsh enough way that's great for kicking the habit. I like the Parliament (greenish label) when smooth, rich flavor and a cloud of vape is my want. I just ordered the new Parliament (blue label), which folks say is less sweet and more tobac-ish. Sounds good to me. Do be aware that some of the other tobacs have a "nutty" undercurrent, which doesn't grab me. But vaping tastes really vary, eh?

And one last related tip: if you want an alternate vape for your tobacs, try the plain old Mint. Man, that's a pure and powerful vape IMHO, one of my mainstays--and I never even liked menthols during my many years of cig smoking. Later each evening, I crave that blast of Mint.

 

[RanVapor]

Nice, thanks for the responses folks. There is just so much to look forward to, heh.

Yeah, Jeffree, I've never been a fan of menthols either, but I did put a mental checkmark beside the Mint flavor on V4L's site when I browsed through their carts...that really does sound good. As long as I keep vaping, I consider my analog habit kicked, so it's going to be all about flavor and kick now.

I'm still gonna keep the GS after I upgrade...been hitting the vanilla on my bigger batty pretty hard tonight and it still going strong

 

[VapingRulz]

My current favorites in V4L cartos:

Espresso
Banana
Butterscotch
Orange Juice
Parliament
Pear

I stay away from the chocolate and dairy types of flavors because my taste buds hate them, but lots of people love them.

 

[RanVapor]

My Ult Ult Auto Kit from Vapor4Life came today, and it is everything I have hoped for and wanted in a PV set. I am very impressed with the look and quality of everything (the gun metal platinum batts are hot). Love the USB PT, too. Got a couple 5mL bottles of juice so I can try my hand at refilling.

I ordered some tobacco flavors, 555, French Pipe, and they threw in some Cowboy and Kamel. It's going to take a little while to develop a discernible taste for each one, but I like them all so far after a trial vape. Really like the Mint I ordered, too! I already want to order more flavors, lol.

Mainly wanted to thank everyone in this forum for all the great advice and camaraderie that we new vapers receive here.

Cheers,

Ran